Sunday, January 13, 2013

THE DUCHESS ~ by Paul Emsley

source here
THE FIRST PORTRAIT OF THE DUCHES OF CAMBRIDGE UNVEILED!

Here is a clip of the artist and the protrait

The first official painted portrait of The Duchess of Cambridge has been commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery, where it is unveiled today Friday 11 January 2013.

The National Portrait Gallery's painting of its Patron was commissioned with the support of Sir Hugh Leggatt, in memory of Sir Denis Mahon, through the Art Fund.




The Duchess was involved in the selection process, from which artist Paul Emsley, the 2007 winner of the Gallery's BP Portrait Award competition, was chosen by Director Sandy Nairne to paint her official portrait.

The Duchess took part in an initial meeting to talk through the process of the painting. This was followed by two sittings, in May and June 2012, at the artist's studio in the West Country, England, and Kensington Palace. Emsley later made use of a series of photographs produced during the sittings. His subjects are frequently located against a dark background and emphasise 'the singularity and silence of the form'; while utilising a meticulous technique of thin layers of oil paint and glazes.

Paul Emsley says: 'The Duchess explained that she would like to be portrayed naturally - her natural self - as opposed to her official self. She struck me as enormously open and generous and a very warm person. After initially feeling it was going to be an unsmiling portrait I think it was the right choice in the end to have her smiling - that is really who she is.'

Following three-and-a-half months of painting, the completed portrait was presented to the Gallery's Trustees at their November 2012 meeting.

http://www.dukeandduchessofcambridge.org



SASKATCHEWAN ROSES

SASKATCHEWAN ROSES ~ 11" X14"
SOLD

SASKATCHEWAN ROSES celebrates the time I just spent in Canada, and the beautiful pottery my dear friend bought for me on a visit to The Mckenzie Gallery in Regina, Saskatchewan!


Thursday, January 10, 2013

CHATEAU GABRIEL ~ 11" X 14"
SOLD
CHATEAU GABRIEL is my take on the beautiful chateau that YSL decorated. Dramatic light shining through the window is a warm backdrop to the very special checkerboard marble floor. I love this grand, vibrant room decorated by one of the worlds top designers!




Wednesday, January 9, 2013

RIDEAUX ROUGES

RIDEAUX ROUGES ~ 11" X 14"
SOLD
RIDEAUX ROUGES is a warm, lively painting that celebrates the glow of warm sun against beautiful purples, showing of this French interior at its best!



Tuesday, January 8, 2013

KAARTSPEL


SOLD

KAARTSPEL is a lovely setting of an informal card game, emphasized by the cool light from a beautiful French window. An intense setting of warm reds, set off by calming greens that create a warm interior.


Tuesday, December 25, 2012

SUNLIT II

SOLD

The second Sunlit painting in a series of interiors that celebrate the warmth of sunlight rushing through beautiful French windows. This lovely room sports beautiful ornate mirror frames and a glimpse of a book on the foot stool, reminiscent of all the most wonderful luxuries life can possibly offer!



Friday, December 14, 2012

VYF ROSE

SOLD

VYF ROSE...or five roses is a color study where I tried to really intensify the temperature in a way that looks effortless yet took focus not to push either the composition or color balance too far and in the process retain tension and intrigue.



Thursday, December 13, 2012

SECRÉTARIAT


SOLD

SECRÉTARIAT is a painting all about the love of books, and nothing can be more special than a secréteriat to keep them all in!



Wednesday, December 12, 2012

DEUX CHAISES

SOLD


DEUX CHAISES is a painting I have really enjoyed creating. Though it is an opulant setting of a French interior, it still has beautiful muted colors to to set off the strong primaries!


Saturday, December 8, 2012

ROOIBOS


SOLD

ROOIBOS is a painting that contains everything I love so very dearly, a Martha Stewart teapot, love everything Martha....a French tea towel.....love everything French.....and my mom's chair...love my mom....which I have inherited when I moved to the States...not to mention the best organic apples from a friend's tree!
Rooibos is the best and most healthy South Africa tea, and did I mention it....love Rooibos!




Thursday, December 6, 2012

SUNLIT


SOLD
SUNLIT with early morning rays steaming through tall French windows! What a warm and welcoming sight!


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

PINK ROSES


SOLD
PINK ROSES is a painting I donated to the Daily Paint Works Hurricane Sandy fundraiser. The proceeds of this painting went to The Salvation Army who helps with feeding the people who were affected by the hurricane.


Monday, December 3, 2012

DIE VOORHUIS

SOLD

DIE VOORHUIS is a very special space with very warm highlights complimented by cool, grey and purple low lights. I love how the suns streams in through the window which makes the fireplace look even cozier!