I am very excited to announce my series of new limited edition prints. They are available in different sizes and on canvas as well. The Perfect Gift!! Please check out my print page for details!!
High Kicks and Low Life
A fascinating exhibition is is on in the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff showing the posters of Toulouse-Lautrec from 21 Apr–26 June
His prolific output depicts the actresses, dancers and prostitutes of the area and provides a fascinating glimpse into the seamier side of Parisian life at the time.
In 1914 the critic Gustave Geffroy described Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec as ‘the quintessential chronicler of Paris’.
This stunning exhibition of around 50 prints from the British Museum’s fine holdings by the artist is divided into two sections, ‘Public Passions’ and ‘Private Passions’.
‘Public Passions’ includes striking images of the cancan dancer Louise Weber, known as La Goulue (‘The Glutton’) and ‘Private Passions’ shows how Toulouse-Lautrec portrayed the extremely private life of prostitutes with great sensitivity.
Public life
Lautrec produced a huge variety of work in print form. Hisfirst lithograph Moulin Rouge - La Goulue was printed as a poster in 1891, and other illustrations appeared in books and theatre programmes, and on song sheet covers, invitations and even menus.
Many of his illustrations appeared in the growing number of new periodicals, published to meet the demands of an increasingly literate public.
Lautrec loved the world of music hall and theatre, especially life behind the scenes. Many of his works focused on one subject, often an actress or music hall star, with whom he would become briefly obsessed.
Dancers such as Louise Weber and Jane Avril became close friends of the artist. The singer Yvette Guilbert also relied on Lautrec to publicise her talents, and Lautrec produced many images of her including two albums of prints.
Meeting Dennis O Neill in Swansea was a great thrill for me. I am a huge fan of the internationally renown tenor. He was performing in Fidelio with the WNO and very kindly sat for me for this portrait. This is in watercolour. He was very kind and charming and the performance was superb. As I sat in the wings drawing later on I will never forget being surrounded by quite a few of the cast as they had to sing from off stage. I was surrounded by this rousing chorus and the music literally absorbed into me. An unforgettable moment.
The whole cast were extremely kind, supportive and interested.
The Welsh National Opera is indeed one of this country's treasures.
A sketch of a little girl in ballet class. Using watercolour pencil and wash I thought this captured her pose waiting for class to begin.
It is fascinating how different mediums lend themselves to different subjects. I was drawing in a childrens ballet class with my usual pen and ink and while it works for a group dance, for closer drawings of the children it was too strong for what I wanted so I used a soft watercolour pencil which i could either leave as a drawing or with a little wash make into a watercolour. will post for you soon!
I am thrilled to announce that two of my paintings from my "Behind the Scenes" Exhibition are now in The Swansea Grand Theatre Art Collection. Both are oil paintings of the pantomime "Sleeping Beauty" .
I was also told that my end of year exhibition," Behind the Scenes", in the theatre's Arts Wing was one of the most successful the theatre had ever had!!! Great news and it is really thrilling for two of my paintings to be hung in the theatre they were created!!
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