Clive Burnell

Clive Burnell was born in Pencoed, South Wales, in 1950. After leaving school, he worked in heavy industry before joining the Glamorgan Constabulary, later serving with Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. He retired from the police force in 2000 after 31 years of service and now lives in East Devon.

Throughout his policing career, Clive continued to develop his passion for painting, dedicating much of his spare time to studying art and refining his craft. In 2003, following growing recognition of his work and increasing demand for his paintings, he became a full-time artist.

Clive’s work has received widespread recognition, including winning the “Spirit of Llyn” competition at Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw in North Wales in 2006. In the same year, he was awarded the “Philip Malone” Gallery Prize at the South West Academy Summer Exhibition.

Clive exhibits widely across Wales, the West Country, and the Welsh borders, as well as at prestigious venues including Mall Galleries and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. In December 2015, he was honoured with the Menna Joy Schwabe Memorial Award for Outstanding Oil Painter.

His work reflects a lifelong dedication to painting, shaped by years of observation, experience, and a deep appreciation for the landscapes and places that inspire him.