Errol Boyley was born in Pietermaritzburg in 1918. His talent for drawing from a very early age competed with his musical interests. After he left the army his love for the electric guitar found him playing in Johannesburg in dance bands, night clubs and with the SABC. This allowed him to pursue his passion for painting during the day, and he slowly realized that this would become his lifetime love and profession.

Errol Boyley moved to Knysna in 1947 where he met the well known artist, W G Wiles, who became his mentor and great influence. After a few years realising the need to develop his own style, Errol Boyley moved to Johannesburg in the early 1950's. This was the beginning of many years of exhibiting with various galleries, one-man exhibitions and group shows. The collectors were discovering his exceptional talent. After moving to Rams gate on the Kwazulu Natal South Coast, he eventually opened his own gallery in 1978. He lived in Rams gate for 20 years traveling extensively on painting trips. He ultimately returned to the city of his birth. He leads an active painting life and holds the position of one of South Africa's eminent contemporary painters. His passion for nature in all its moods and nuances coupled with versatility, embraces the sea, farmlands, figures, the vastness of the Karoo, the Winelands and beauty of the Kwazulu Natal Midlands.

Boyley's painting are all essentially realistic and subjective, and technically they portray a scene of cleanliness, freshness and vigour. Like the Impressionists and Realists, Boyley enjoys taking his easel outdoors and there he composes his works of art. His deep love for the outdoors, natural light and climatic and atmospheric effects are evident in all his works. Boyley is renowned for being able to capture the changing moods and seasons of South Africa very successfully. He often uses the camera to capture a fleeting moment, climatic condition or simply a scene he wishes to paint - like the Impressionists and the Realists. If you were to ask Errol what he tries to achieve in a painting, he will say that it is tranquility and a convincing 'feel' of 'light'. He is a painter of natural things and has never followed trends such as Cubism or Expressionism or any of the other 'isms'. He prefers to work alone, without any outside influence. With great sadness Errol Boyley passed away in 2007 and he would liked to be known as a painter of natural things be it landscapes, figures, still life, interiors or anything that he found appealing. For Errol his life had been better than anything he could have imagined, and he was very grateful for that.

Feel free to view original paintings at www.johnwestart.co.za and contact West at +2782 9295124 or +2782 831 2585. We bring the art to your house or office through our mobile art gallery! Call to view your favorites.