ABOUT

My name is Simon Zekaria - I am an award-winning British artist based in London in the United Kingdom, working 'en plein air' and direct from life and from a studio to produce original fine art in oil paint.

I am drawn to the school of impressionism in my artwork; using broken color and painterly, textured brushstrokes to capture light and shadow. My aim is to spontaneously render the feel and atmosphere of a place or subject, at a certain moment of time, through impressionist art.

My art practice is a journey of self-discovery, fueled by my admiration for the Impressionists, and characterized by a willingness to surrender to the creative flow. When I approach my painting, I go with the flow, letting my instincts and emotions guide my hand. My brush strokes are loose and painterly.

This allows me to convey the emotional essence of my subject. I trust my inner voice and this connection between my inner thoughts and the surface in pieces that are not only visually striking but also resonate with authenticity. I aim to share my unique perspective and invite viewers to experience the serene beauty of nature through my eyes.

In terms of my art education and learning, I studied life drawing and landscape painting at art institutions and academies in London, including Camden Art Centre in Hampstead, Hampstead School of Art and Dulwich Art School, in addition to self-taught studies.

I have also studied and worked in the UK and other countries under the tutorship of a roster of artists.

Artistic influences include Monet, Manet, Renoir and Schmid.

I have earned several awards throughout my art career and have exhibited in numerous group shows, including with Chelsea Art Society and the Gallery at Green & Stone in London.

I has undertaken private commissions and my work is held by private collectors in the UK and internationally.

In 2022, I studied plein air street and landscape painting on location in Montelparo, Italy under the tutorship of award-winning British artist Jennifer Aitken, Member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists.

In 2022, I received a Commendation for my artwork from judges of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI) at the ROI Paint Live plein air competition.

In 2023, I won the Principal’s Art Prize awarded by the Hampstead School of Art at the Hampstead Summer Festival.

In 2023, I studied plein air landscape painting in Scotland under the tutorship of Susanna MacInnes, winner of Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2023, Heat 2.

I also studied life drawing at the Hampstead School of Art under the tutorship of Francesco Poiana.

In 2024, I was awarded 'Honorable Mention' by the PleinAir Salon of PleinAir Magazine.

In 2024, I studied portraiture in oil at Dulwich Art School under the tutorship of Alex Tzavaras.

In 2024, I studied oil painting in the form of the work of Joaquín Sorolla under the tutorship of Peter Keegan.

I was also given an award for my painting by the Hampstead School of Art at the Hampstead Summer Festival.

I am a member of the London Plein Air Group of artists and Highgate Contemporary Art, as well as a friend of the Royal Academy of Arts and Chelsea Art Society.

For the latest news, please follow me on Instagram @simonzekariaart.

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"My enjoyment of painting is the process as much as the end result. It is about finding the subject and letting it emerge. I enjoy the surface created, the brushwork and the differences between lean and fat paint. I want the painting to read from a distance as reality, but close up to be a series of painterly marks. I like to work with a limited palette, adding a few bright lights for emphasis"

Simon Zekaria

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CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

Your paintings are amazing

Thank you so so much once again! I’m over the moon with my painting!

Absolutely fantastic work

AWARDS

Winner of the Ottolenghi Art Prize 2025, awarded by Yotam Ottolenghi

Painting prize awarded by the Hampstead School of Art (HSOA) 2024

Awarded 'Honorable Mention' by US PleinAir Salon of PleinAir Magazine 2024

Winner of the Principal’s Art Prize, awarded by the Hampstead School of Art (HSOA) 2023

Commendation awarded by the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI), Paint Live Plein Air Competition 2022

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

Green & Stone Gallery Summer Exhibition 2024

Chelsea Art Society Summer Exhibition 2024

Highgate Contemporary Art 2024 and 2025

54 Gallery 2025

Simon Zekaria

Artworks by Simon Zekaria

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Big Summer Sky by Simon Zekaria

Oil painting

Cycling in Paris by Simon Zekaria

Oil painting

Kenwood by Simon Zekaria

Oil painting

Paris Cafe by Simon Zekaria

Oil painting

Midday in Paris by Simon Zekaria

Oil painting

Kenwood's Dairy Houses by Simon Zekaria

Oil painting

Hampstead by Simon Zekaria

Oil painting

Hampstead Heath Ponds by Simon Zekaria

Oil painting

Florence by Simon Zekaria

Oil painting

Venice, Early Light by Simon Zekaria

Oil painting

Hampstead Heath Summer by Simon Zekaria

Oil painting

Hampstead Heath by Simon Zekaria

Oil painting