Famous American artist Richard Ewen, 80, died at his home in Biddestone on April 27 from a stroke.

He came to England in 1963 and since then he has had many awards and accolades for his work.

He had been the subject of programmes on BBC and ITV television and his works are collected by well-known persons throughout the Western World, including the National Trust. He has held exhibitions in Europe, Bermuda and the USA, and for the past ten years has held an annual one-man exhibition in London.

He and his wife Andi had lived in Biddestone for almost 40 years.

The couple have a son, Spencer, 42, a granddaughter, Hollie and two grandsons Archie and Sam.

Apart from exhibitions, Mr Ewen devoted most of his working life to portrait and commission work.

Some of his notable works include a portrait of President Ronald Reagan for No. 10 Downing Street, one of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, members of the Breguet aviation family, France, the family of Congressman Robert W Daniels of Virginia, USA, Sir Edwin Leather, Lord Boothby, the Royal Yacht, Britannia, leading Bermudan families, the Port of London Authority, the VJ Celebrations in 1995 and many New England families, including those of two American presidents.

During the last few years Mr Ewen suffered two strokes and had a heart condition for several years but despite this he always claimed that he was never in any pain.

Mrs Ewen said: “He said he never had a minute’s pain even during his hospital stays and he said that he forgot about all the bad bits.”

Mr Ewen’s impressive career included the role of creative and art director of Good Housekeeping magazine, USA. He was awarded the New York Art Director's Gold Medal in 1953.

His funeral will be held at St Nicholas Church, Biddestone, on May 8 at noon. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Stroke Association via SW Jones Funeral Directors, Chippenham.