Having met Julia in her home we negotiated how she would like to be painted. It was decided to focus on her props cupboard as her backdrop reflecting stories and characters. She is seated as if in front of an audience with her note book in hand.
The National Portrait Gallery Director introduced me to Joe who is an avid collector of Lucian Freud, Picasso and Bacon. He commissioned me to paint his colleague a fellow art enthusiast and business woman who responded to my portraits of the Changeling. I spent 3 days on his super-yacht in Abu Dhabi as part of the creative process engaged by the good company, magical atmosphere and great art. I then produced a series of three large portraits at my studio in Charterhouse, Surrey.
The work was exhibited at the annual Royal Society of Portrait Painters show at the Mall gallery in 2010.
It represents the Weston's 12 year old daughter. The family were introduced to me though my BP Portrait Award success of the depiction of my own 12 year old daughter as the Changeling. The work reflects a similar reference to childhood, change and the etherial.
Mike is a scientist who has made important innovations into cancer research. Now well into retirement he wanted a portrait that may one day be donated to the Royal Society. Mike's hands were very expressive when in conversation and this formed an important focus for this triptych.
German business woman and art collector Bettina Bahlsen commissioned me to paint her sons at her UK home with all proceeds going to the NPG charity.
Her impressive series of Alex Katz paintings inspired me to reference them in one of the compositions.
family, children, retirement and individual portraits
Video tutorial going through the process of recent commission