The first gallery
Ralph Waterhouse opens his first gallery in the English Lake District.
An independent gallery · A continuing eye
42 years
of looking.
Waterhouse Gallery grew from Ralph Waterhouse’s first gallery in England’s Lake District into two Santa Barbara County spaces shaped by Diane and Ralph’s enduring belief in representational painting.
The gallery story
Move through
the years.
Hover, focus, or tap a year to reveal the moment.
Waterhouse Gallery begins
Diane and Ralph establish Waterhouse Gallery in Solvang.
A move to State Street
The gallery opens near the Arlington Theatre.
A lasting home
The gallery moves to its present downtown home.
A second gallery
Waterhouse Gallery opens on Coast Village Road.
One collection. Plan a visit ↗
After spending many years as a graphic designer, Ralph decided to pursue his real love: painting the countryside and its wildlife.
Painting became a full-time occupation in the early '70s when he moved to the English Lake District. Ralph lived there for many years, and it has a special place in his heart, with its lakes, beautiful villages, and mountains, which evoke a feeling of peace.
Ralph's wildlife paintings led to international recognition, including articles in leading magazines, a feature on BBC Television in England, and one-man and group art shows in England, West Germany, and the USA.
In the late 1980s, Ralph became inspired by the California landscape and its beautiful light. He shifted his focus from the intimate environment of his wildlife paintings to a much broader vista encompassing the whole landscape.
The late afternoon and early morning sunlight have a special quality that Ralph loves to capture on canvas. He spends as much time painting en plein air as possible, but works on his larger canvases in his studio.
In the early '90s, Ralph was asked by the British Consul in Los Angeles to present Margaret Thatcher with one of his paintings as a memento of her visit to California.
Ralph has exhibited in the national Oil Painters of America exhibitions, and one of his paintings was shown at the California State Capitol Building.
Ralph was commissioned to paint several large murals, which were prominently placed in the main branches and corporate offices of Santa Barbara Bank and Trust (now Union Bank).
In 2007, Ralph was commissioned to paint and design Santa Barbara's historic Old Spanish Days Fiesta poster. Fiesta has been a tradition and cultural celebration in Santa Barbara for almost 100 years.
His work has been featured in leading magazines, and he has won awards at various art shows and served as a judge for museum art shows. His paintings are held in many private collections throughout the world.
Ralph is a founding member of the Santa Barbara Art Dealers Association. He currently serves as co-chairman of the California Art Club, Central Coast Chapter, alongside his wife and business partner, Diane.
Questions about the gallery
Waterhouse Gallery FAQ
What is Waterhouse Gallery?
Waterhouse Gallery is an independent fine-art gallery in Santa Barbara, California, presenting representational paintings and sculptures by established and emerging artists.
Where is Waterhouse Gallery located?
Waterhouse Gallery has locations in Santa Barbara’s historic art district and Montecito, California.
What type of art does Waterhouse Gallery represent?
The gallery specializes in landscape, figurative, still-life, and other representational paintings, as well as sculpture, with a particular connection to the light, landscape, and character of California.
Who is Ralph Waterhouse?
Ralph Waterhouse is an artist, gallery owner, and longtime advocate for representational painting. His work and gallery program reflect a deep interest in place, observation, atmosphere, and the experience of looking closely.
Why visit an art gallery in person?
Seeing artwork in person reveals qualities that cannot be fully experienced online, including scale, surface, brushwork, color, texture, and the relationship between the artwork and its surroundings.
Why buy an original painting?
An original painting offers a direct connection to the artist’s hand, decisions, materials, and point of view. It can become a meaningful part of a home or collection while continuing to offer new details over time.
How do I choose a painting for my home?
Consider the work’s scale, colors, subject, atmosphere, and the way it makes you feel. The right painting does not simply match a room—it contributes something personal and lasting to the space.
Does Waterhouse Gallery offer paintings by local artists?
Yes. The gallery presents artists connected to California and to broader traditions of landscape, figurative, and representational painting.
Can I view artwork online before visiting?
Yes. The website includes selected works, artist pages, exhibitions, and detailed artwork information. Visitors are encouraged to contact the gallery for current availability.
Can I inquire about a particular artwork?
Yes. Each available artwork includes an inquiry option so visitors can request additional information, confirm availability, and speak with the gallery about the work.
Does the gallery show artwork from both Santa Barbara and Montecito?
Yes. Waterhouse Gallery’s two locations share a collection while offering distinct settings for experiencing the artwork.
What makes Waterhouse Gallery worth visiting?
Waterhouse Gallery offers an opportunity to encounter paintings slowly and directly, in a setting shaped by California light, landscape, culture, and the gallery’s long-standing commitment to personal, representational art.
What are the gallery hours?
Waterhouse Gallery’s Santa Barbara and Montecito locations are generally open Monday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Hours may vary, so please contact the gallery before visiting.
Do I need an appointment?
Appointments are not always required during regular gallery hours, but they are recommended for private viewings, collection consultations, or visits involving specific artwork.
Where can I park?
The Santa Barbara gallery is located at La Arcada on State Street, where visitors can use nearby public parking and downtown parking facilities. The Montecito gallery is located on Coast Village Road with nearby street and retail-area parking.
Can I buy artwork online?
Artwork can be viewed online, but availability and purchase details should be confirmed directly with the gallery. Use the inquiry option on an artwork page or contact the gallery by phone or email.
Do you ship artwork?
Waterhouse Gallery can coordinate shipping for many works. Shipping requirements and costs depend on the artwork’s size, frame, destination, and insurance needs. Contact the gallery for a shipping estimate.
Can I reserve or place a hold on a painting?
Please contact the gallery to ask whether a work can be placed on hold. Hold periods and deposit requirements may vary by artwork.
Do you work with interior designers and collectors?
Yes. The gallery can help collectors, designers, and homeowners compare artwork by scale, palette, subject, artist, and price range.
Can I see more work by an artist?
Yes. Each artist page includes available works and additional information about the artist. Contact the gallery if you are looking for a particular painting or want to see works not currently displayed online.
Does the gallery offer framing?
The art we represent comes framed. We don’t offer framing for outside artworks.
How do I inquire about an artwork?
Open the artwork’s page and select the inquiry option. You can request current availability, pricing, additional images, shipping details, and information about arranging a viewing.
Does Waterhouse Gallery accept artist submissions?
Yes. Waterhouse Gallery has connected artists with collectors for over four decades, and we are always looking for work that shares our belief in representational painting. If you would like to be considered, we invite you to contact the gallery directly to arrange an interview and evaluation of your work.