Collection: GRAHAM HALL MNM

Graham Hall MNM is originally from Harrogate, North Yorkshire

When he left school he enrolled into the Gravesend Sea School to train for a career in the Merchant Navy.

Graham's career at sea has spanned over 37 years and he has sailed with many of the great passenger lines including Cunard and Union Castle, and latterly on salvage tugs. Whilst at sea, Graham spent his time painting to pass the time during long voyages.

Graham gave up the sea in 2004 to concentrate on painting and has settled in Falmouth with his partner Penny Phillips.

Having painted the RFA Argus for A&P Falmouth to present to the vessel, in August 2006, Graham was commissioned by Captain Ross Ferris OBE of the RFA Mounts Bay to undertake a painting of the vessel for Lady Sarah Band, the wife of the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Jonathan Band KCB ADC, to be presented on the occasion of the ship's dedication in Falmouth (September 2006).

Graham has exhibited at the Mall Galleries in London and received a letter of commendation for his RFA Argus painting from the Royal Society of Marine Artists.

Further commissions have been for HRH Duke of Edinburgh KG KT (warship HMS Valiant—June 2008) and the Brazilian Navy (NDCC Almirante Saboia - 2009) presented on the Handover of the vessel in Falmouth. In 2010 a commission for the Falmouth tug Ankorva, and the survey ship Endurance continued the maritime theme, though Graham has also undertaken commissions for landscapes, still life, wildlife and seascapes.

Graham jointly runs The Mission to Seafarers, inside Falmouth Docks with Penny, where as part of the team there, he welcomes visiting seafarers and helps them contact home via telephone and email. He has also created an award-winning garden, which is much appreciated and photographed by seafarers. Graham was awarded the Merchant Navy Medal for his voluntary work in a ceremony at Trinity House in London in 2014.