Royal Society of Portrait Painters

I am pleased to have been selected for the Royal Society of Portrait Painters (RP) Annual Exhibition 2018 at The Mall Galleries. The exhibition will be open to the public from Thursday 10 to Friday 25 May 2018 (10am to 5pm, open until 7pm on Tuesdays). 

PRIVATE VIEW

Wednesday 9 May, from 11am to 8pm, including the official opening and awards ceremony at 12 noon. If you would like an invitation to the Private View or to visit the exhibition let me know and I'll be pleased to send you one Invitation request

Study of Alexandra - 12 x 8 inches sold

Study of Alexandra - 12 x 8 inches sold

National Portrait Gallery Commission: Portrait of Sir Stelios Haji-ioannou unveiled

easyJet founder and philanthropist, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, has been captured in oil with a specially commissioned painting in London’s National Portrait Gallery. 

Artist Mary Jane Ansell used oil on an aluminium panel to portray Sir Stelios after a short sitting with extensive photographic preparation. This portrait was commissioned by the Gallery’s trustees in 2015 in recognition of his contribution to British business and entrepreneurship. 

 Sir Stelios’ busy schedule allowed the artist only one short sitting, during which she took a number of photographs, but has since collaborated with her sitter remotely on her favoured pose and approach. The portrait is a close-cropped half-length portrait, depicting the sitter at a desk on which he rests his hands. He looks directly at the viewer. The artist worked up three versions of the portrait; a head and shoulders, a simple bust-length composition and NPG 6995. The uncompromising composition is balanced by the Ansell’s delicate painting technique and the subtle colouring, which is built up from a monochrome drawing through layers of glazes. 

The painting is 26 3/4 in. x 14 1/8 in. (680 mm x 360 mm) overall and can be found in the Gallery’s room 32.

Detail..

Detail..

National Portrait Gallery room 32

National Portrait Gallery room 32

Solo Show in LA - Installation views

Thank you so much to all those who came along or sent kind messages for the opening of my first west coast US show: Of Dreams, Birds and Bones at COREY HELFORD GALLERY

Here are a few installation views of my current show. Such a pleasure to show in this beautiful space. A film interview and limited edition prints of Liberty Sleeping are also available. The show is on view till 8th July.  The rest of the work is viewable here. Or email for purchase and further details.

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UK Portrait Workshop in September:

I'm thrilled to be holding a residential portrait workshop in the amazing setting of Ponden Hall in Yorkshire along with the wonderful BP prize winning artist Alan Coulson. The course runs from 11th to the 14th September.

Only 6 places are available so please email me soon if you'd like to book your place. 

September 11-14, 2017, inclusive

• One-to-one tuition with two of Britain’s leading portrait artists
• Group workshops and life-model portraiture sessions
• Step-by-step coaching in developing a portrait in oils from the model, capturing lighting and mood with photographic reference, then using an indirect method to complete the work (works may be finished after the course with follow-up feedback available) 
• Suitable for all levels of ability, including beginners
• 3 nights’ accommodation at historic Ponden Hall, including breakfasts and lunches

All-inclusive price for tuition, accommodation & half-board £1000 per person

PLACES LIMITED TO 6 PAINTERS ONLY, so please don't miss the opportunity to book

For more information contact MaryJane Ansell,

b Shropshire, 1972

Based in the UK , Mary Jane exhibits internationally, with group and solo exhibitions in London, New York, Singapore and LA. Her 7th solo exhibition opens June 2017 at Corey Helford Gallery, Los Angeles. She has featured a number of times in the BP Portrait Award (2004, 2009, 2010 and 2012) Royal Society of Portrait Painters and The Threadneedle Prize. Mary Jane's work also features on the covers of American Art Collector Magazine, International Artist, a number of recent novels, including The Gilly Salt Sisters by New York Times bestselling author Tiffany Baker and on the recently released album: Adam Ant is The BlueBlack Hussar In Marrying The Gunners Daughter. Her works feature in private collections worldwide and in public collections, including the National Portrait Gallery and Brighton and Hove Museums.

www.maryjaneansell.com

Alan Coulson
b Leeds, 1977

Alan exhibits regularly in both the UK and US, notably at the annual exhibitions of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, and the prestigious BP Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery London, where in 2012 he was awarded third prize for his portrait of Richie Culver. Alan has produced commissioned work for clients including The New York Times Magazine, The Sunday Times Magazine, Bloomberg Markets Magazine, Carlton Books, The Chronicle Review and Club Wembley. He has works in private collections worldwide and is represented by Anthony Brunelli Fine Arts NY. Currently living and working in West Yorkshire.

www.saatchiart.com/alancoulson

Podcast Interview - Gently Does It

I had the pleasure of chatting to John Dalton for the Gently Does It podcast.

You can listen and subscribe here We talk about Leonard Cohen, baking, baths, kebabs (how did that come up?!) and of course art, lots of art and painting...

Here are some of the subjects we cover...

  • Adam Ant,
  • Influences,
  • Idea origins,
  • Dreams,
  • Choosing models,
  • Photo shoots,
  • Fixing charcoal layers,
  • Aluminum panels,
  • Color palette,
  • Lint,
  • Mediums,
  • Varnish,
  • Action painting,
  • Painting women,
  • Artistic dreams,
  • Underlying themes,
  • BP portrait award,
  • Artistic output,
  • Galleries,
  • Viewing art,
  • Most moving painting,
  • Artistic challenges,

The Treaty

I'm very excited to be showing my new work, The Treaty, at the 10th Anniversary Exhibition at Corey Helford Gallery  in Downtown Los Angeles ahead of a solo show with them in June 2017.

For more information contact gallery director Sherri J. Trahan Sherri@coreyhelfordgallery.com or call (310) 287-2340

Address: 571 S Anderson St (Enter on Willow St)
Los Angeles, CA 90033

HOURS: Tuesday-Saturday: noon to 6pm

A very few signed and numbered Artists Proofs of The Treaty are now available here: 

The Treaty40 x 32 inches Oil on Aluminium2016

The Treaty
40 x 32 inches
Oil on Aluminium
2016

Detail of The Treaty showing bespoke framing.

Detail of The Treaty showing bespoke framing.

Detail of The Treaty

Detail of The Treaty

American Art Collector Magazine

There are just three weeks to go till my next solo show. Opening (June 18th - July 16th) at Arcadia Contemporary in New York. Thank you to American Art Collector Magazine and Nicki Escudero for the cover and great feature article in their June edition. If you'd like a preview of the new works in this show please join my mailing list. Hope to see some of you at the Private View on Thursday 18th of June at 6:00 to 8:00 pm. 

Cover featuring Liberty's Arc (detail) Oil on Aluminium Panel 48 x 31 inches 2015

Cover featuring Liberty's Arc (detail) Oil on Aluminium Panel 48 x 31 inches 2015