Campbell Mellon, born on June 16, 1876, in Berkshire, emerged as a distinguished British artist celebrated for his luminous coastal scenes and evocative landscapes. His artistic journey began in earnest when he relocated to Nottingham in 1903, a move that marked a significant turning point in his life.
Under the tutelage of Carl Brenner, a nephew of the renowned landscape painter Benjamin Williams Leader, Mellon delved into the realm of painting. Inspired by his mentor, who exhibited at the Royal Academy, Mellon honed his skills and developed a profound appreciation for the art of capturing atmospheric conditions and the essence of landscapes.
The outbreak of The Great War interrupted Mellon's artistic pursuits as he dutifully served. Following the war, he found solace and inspiration in the coastal tranquility of Gorleston in Norfolk. It was here that Mellon transformed his passion for painting into a dedicated career. Under the guidance of Sir John Alfred Arnesley Brown RA, a landscape painter known for his depictions of the East Anglian landscape, Mellon further refined his craft.
Arnesley Brown's influence on Mellon extended beyond technique, as both artists shared a fascination with the towering skies and unique atmospheric qualities of East Anglia. This influence manifested in Mellon's coastal scenes, where sun-drenched sands, figures rendered in impasto, and fluid brushstrokes became his hallmark. Many of his coastal compositions were meticulously inscribed with dates and times, capturing the ephemeral beauty of the moment.
Mellon's artistic contributions were recognised on a national scale, as he exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1924 to 1955. During the war years, he temporarily relocated to Hereford, maintaining his dedication to artistic expression. In 1938, he was elected to the Royal Institute of Painters in Oil, and in 1939, to the Royal Society of British Artists. Mellon's leadership extended to his role as Chairman of the Great Yarmouth Art Society.
Campbell Mellon's legacy endures through his vibrant and atmospheric depictions of Norfolk and Suffolk scenes. Following his passing on August 28, 1955, in Gorleston, a memorial exhibition at the Norwich Castle Museum in February 1956 paid tribute to his artistic journey. His works, characterized by their luminosity and sensitivity to the East Anglian landscape, are housed in prestigious museums in Bristol, Great Yarmouth, Leeds, and Sheffield.