A WELL-known marine artist from the Isle of Wight has created a collage to celebrate the America's Cup — inspired by County Press coverage of the world famous sailing event.
Mike Miller has been painting for a worldwide clientele for more than 50 years, including British and European royalty.
The 80-year-old, from Nettlestone, created the artwork to honour the huge efforts of the British team so far, INEOS Britannia, with Island-born Leigh McMillan its flight controller, and former Seaview resident, Sir Ben Ainslie, its skipper.
"I have been following the County Press's reporting of the America's Cup with great interest — firstly because of my love of sailing, and secondly, because of being acquainted with Sir Ben's parents over the years," said Mike.
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Mike, who hails from Western Scotland, was educated in Kent, before attending the Byam Shaw School of Art in London for three years.
He trained as an apprentice boatbuilder at Clare Lallows in Cowes, which resulted in him going to the United States to finish his training at the Bertram Boatyard of Miami.
This led him to construct the slipway at Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua, West Indies.
The veteran artist followed his love of painting, returned to England and opened the Marine Gallery, in Cowes, in 1979.
There he met many of his long term clients, who he has painted for, including royalty.
Among his royal commissions, Mike painted Bloodhound, for the late Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh; Fortuna, for King Juan Carlos of Spain; Nhpeys Dragon Yacht, for King Constantine of Greece; and The Royal Yacht Britannia, commissioned by King Constantine as a gift to Queen Elizabeth on her 60th birthday.
After eight years in Cowes, he moved to Lymington, where he met and married actress, Jennifer Cresswell, a long-standing hostess on ITV’s 1970s hit show, Sale of the Century.
They returned to the Island in 1994, with their daughter Annabelle, and Mike opened his second gallery, Seaview Fine Arts, where he painted for ten years.
Today, he continues painting from his home studio in Nettlestone Green, near Seaview, where he created his America's Cup collage.
Mike has followed his love of sailing over the years and competed in the famous Fastnet and Transatlantic races.
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