World renowned Cornwall man dies as family pay tribute
The family and friends of artist Kerris, whose work sold all over the world, have paid tribute to a man who not only became a famous painter but did so much for Cornwall's Scouting movement. Michael J. Polkinghorne-Kerris BEM, who was known professionally as 'Kerris' and 'Polky' by his Scouting friends, was born in Southpark Road, Tywardreath on September 22, 1934.
At the age of 15, he won a scholarship to Penzance School of Art. Where he studied with the Bernard Leach Pottery family and under Sven Berlin, the brother of Irving Berlin. Mike was in the medical Corps of the RAF during his National Service and was training to be a nurse. Unfortunately, his father died when he was 18 and he got a deferment from the service to support his mother.
After marrying the love of his life Anne in August 1958, the couple moved to Polkerris, where they started a family. It was there that Mike made friends with his neighbour at the time Mick Ellis of Julian Foye. The two became great family friends. This was also where he became involved with the Polkerris Scouts.
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Scouting became a part of his life for well over 50 years, from leader to group scout leader and eventually vice president of the group. In 2015, Mike was awarded a British Empire Medal for his efforts and commitment to scouting. Mike established Parc Signs in Parc Road, St Austell, where they used to handwrite the signs on all the lorries of ECLP who had well over 300 trucks as well as other businesses such as May Whetter and Grose or Western Express Haulage.
His family said: "A lot of signs had to be painted at the end of the day or over weekends to keep ahead of things, he even climbed through a window in the small hours of the morning, just to letter a truck."
Eventually Mike was able to spend more time on his passion of painting landscapes, and made the bold decision to sell Parc Signs to his partner David Dunkley, whose family still run Parc Signs today, so he could concentrate on his first love of the arts.
In 1970 the family then moved back to Southpark Road, just up the road from where he was born. This was to be his home for the rest of his life. Mike turned his home in Polkerris into his studio and this is where he would paint many wonderful masterpieces inspired by the great John Constable.
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His family added: "Mike gained local and national recognition. Many of his paintings have ended up in America, Australia, New-Zealand as well as Europe. He was fast growing a name for his work and people often referred to him as the 'Cornish Constable'."
Mike started an art club in Tywardreath running every Wednesday and Saturday morning. The club is still running to this day on a Wednesday morning. They often display their work in an old Telephone kiosk in the village known as the Art Box.
To pay tribute to him, a few of the residents of Tywardreath have made an exhibition of some old scouting photos, many containing Mike, on show in the “Box”.
A sign on the glass window of the 'Art Box' in the village reads: "Kerris, Polkerris Scout group's vice president and renowned local artist was known within the group and throughout his scouting career as 'Polky'. He was a life-long supporter of Polkerris Scouts.
"During this time, he performed a number of roles at the group including scout leader and group scout leader. he also received a British Empire Medal for services to scouting in 2015. His support will be greatly missed. The group's thoughts are very much with his wife Anne, his daughter Helen, son-in-law Paul and his wider family."
In their tribute, Mike's family said he often did exhibitions around the country. He actually won a contract for his painting from “Boots” and would deliver them to Bournemouth and Cardiff, which again was a good opportunity to advertise and run an exhibition.
Mike wanted to produce his own frames and bought an under-pinner and guillotine and started to frame his paintings. Eventually he moved into producing prints of his own work. They added: "Mike never retired, and eventually moved his studio to a purpose built studio at his home in South Park Road. He welcomed friends and new customers to view his vast array of paintings on display.
"Mike's health was slowly declining, but he was always looking forward and had recently invested in a 12-colour printer to print copies of his work to sell at places like Jamaica Inn. Mike had the forethought to enable his business to continue.
"It may be a physical end to his life but, his work will ever be admired and his prints will still be available through the family as they continue the path in his memory."
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