SIR JACOB REES-MOGG

LORD IAN BOTHAM ALLAN LAMB

This is part of a series of paintings that I am working on for a long term exhibition of People of note, based loosely on the concept of six degrees of separation. Early days in this project!

CAPTAIN TOM

It really was an immense privilege to have been chosen to paint the Army’s Official Portrait of Captain Tom and to be the only artist that he sat for, before lockdown was eased. It was great to meet him and to take the photos I needed from the Subject in real life. To me it shows how important the Army was, and is to him. The Army showed foresight honouring him in this way - Painted portraiture is the historic backbone of the Army predating photography as a way of recording and remembering historic figures.. Mess Portraiture is very much ingrained as the language of military recognition.

When I was serving in the Light Dragoons, portraiture was very much part of Army mess life and served as an everyday inspiration - a constant reminder of the sacrifices and achievements of our former leaders-

A formal mess Portrait is entirely different from a simple depiction of a the image of somebody, and it looks for something deeper within the character of the sitter. For this reason, I think that to have a formal portrait in the National Army Museum, the home of the Army will resonate with Captain Tom.

In the painting, I have included some books that relate to his service in Burma, as well as the Box for his Knight Batchelor Medal.

ANDREW RIDGELEY

Meeting and painting Andrew was the most amazing experience. It’s obviously something to paint Pop Royalty, and there wasn’t any part of this commission that was anything less than great fun. I took the reference photographs across a number of different locations in Soho and as a result we had bags of images to choose from when it came to working out which to base the painting on. I was pleased that he asked to use one of the headshots for his profile shot in his recent book, ‘WHAM! George and Me’

EILEEN ASH

Eileen Ash is a former England cricketer who played seven Test matches between 1937 and 1949. She is the oldest living international cricketer, and I painted her when she had turned 107. She also worked during the War at Bletchley Park. It was so interesting to get to know her through the painting. The unveiling in the President’s box at Lord’s was the most fantastic day out. As outings go, it was very special and amazing to meet other cricketing legends during the day.

BP PORTRAIT AWARD

HRH PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH

It was an honour to paint HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh for the Jesters club. The Jesters were founded in England in 1929 by a St Paul’s schoolboy, Jock Burnet, who wished to encourage the playing of squash and fives. The Patron of The Jesters Club is HRH Prince Philip. Although the Club is nomadic, the UK committee meets in London. The Jesters are now a worldwide organisation with over 3,000 members, with branches in the USA, South Africa, Canada and Australia. Members are elected locally by the committee of each branch and candidates are selected on the basis of playing ability, sportsmanship and contribution to their respective game. I am a member, though probably more for my enthusiasm than racquet skill! This photo was taken at the unveiling which occurred at the annual dinner held in the RAC, where the painting now resides in the committee room, next to a portrait of HM the Queen and amongst former Chairmen of the Club. It was a complicated picture to put together due to the short allotted timeframe for the image to be captured, combined with the use of stand in models to get the background to reflect the upstairs walkway of the RAC. This all took place on the night of the Westminster Bridge attack, which happened a couple of hours earlier and I think it is reflective of his fondness for the Jesters that he insisted on attending.

BAILIFF OF JERSEY

This picture was taken at the unveiling of the Portrait of Sir William Bailhache at the Royal Courts of Justice in Jersey. The Bailiff is the Chief Justice in each of the Channel Island Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey, also serving as president of the legislature and having ceremonial and executive functions. Originally, the Bailiff was both legislator and judge, but the position has become increasingly concentrated on judicial functions. I am very proud to have been commissioned to paint such an important person to hang in such an historic Chamber. The unveiling was unforgettable as we heard the outgoing and incoming Bailiffs speak to a packed courtroom, and when the painting was unveiled I was moved by the spontaneous applause, for which I was completely unprepared!

RT. REV. THE LORD BISHOP OF BIRMINGHAM

Rt. Rev. The Lord Bishop of Birmingham, David Urquhart, was presented with a cope at his enthronement which incorporated various images related to his life and the City of Birmingham. These included a bagpiper, signifying his birth and upbringing in Scotland, a motorcycle which represents one of his hobbies and the emblems of Aston Villa and Birmingham City FC, the two most prominent football teams from the city. It was a most enriching experience and I learnt a lot spending time in his company.

PETER OBORNE

CHAIRMAN, SWINLEY FOREST GOLF CLUB

A group unveiling of the portrait of Sir Hugh Stevenson, the highly respected outgoing Chairman of Swinley Forest Golf Club. Sir Hugh Stevenson is a businessman known for being former chairman of Mercury Asset Management and Equitas as well as being a director of the British Museum. It’s always great to get a wider audience at an unveiling, and this occasion was no different. I was delighted by the response - it was very well received, all under the austere gaze of the portrait of Colonel Stableford.

NICK CHAMBERLIN

It would be impossible to complete a collection of Sitter’s photos without one of the Artist’s Father. Throughout my life I have painted my Dad a number of times, but this is my favourite. He has sat for me more times than I can say. This picture is the proof that you need to be completely happy with your working image to make the best possible painting. Thank you, Dad, for all the times you have put up with me asking you to sit for me.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2013  Gallery 118, London
2005 Webbs Gallery, London
2004 Collins And Hastie, London
2003 Carlyle Gallery, London
2001 Collins and Hastie, London
2000 Bartley Drey Gallery, London

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2016 BP Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery
2014 Autumn Show – Webbs Gallery
2013 Greycoat gallery, Dover Street
2005 February Spring Light show, Webbs Gallery
2004 September autumn show Webbs Gallery
Not The Turner Prize, Mall Gallery
2003 November ‘The Thames’, Webbs Gallery
July Whistler exhibition at Carlyle Gallery
Summer show at Collins and Hastie
April Lighthouse auction at Christies
March Spring show at Thompson’s Gallery, Stow on the Wold
2002 December Royal institute of Oil painters
Group winter show at Carlyle Gallery
April Mixed exhibition. Collins and Hastie
2001 December Group winter exhibition at Carlyle Gallery
Group winter exhibition at Collins and Hastie
September Mixed Autumn show at Ainscough Fine Art
August Mixed Summer show at Bartley Drey Gallery
Christies Group Auction, New York
May One man show, Collins and Hastie
2000 December Group exhibition at Bartley Drey Gallery, London
July Royal Society of British Painters
June Chelsea Art Society
Leighton House
April Short listed for Villiers David Travel Scholarship
March One man show, Bartley Drey Gallery
1999 June Chelsea Art Society
April Thomas’s school Battersea
1998 November First Prize Royal Institute of Oil Painters
May Everard Read Gallery, South Africa (mixed)
1995 –1998 Army Officer, the Light Dragoons. Germany
1991 –1995 Fine Art, BA Hons Newcastle University
Hatton Gallery show. 2 two man Long Gallery shows
Cadogan Contemporary Gallery Summer show (London)