Solo exhibition next month!
I am excited to announce my solo exhibition at the Eagle Gallery, Bedford, in March, entitled “JOANNA STONE: PORTRAITS”
“I’m fired by the challenges of working from life. This informs all my art.”
This exhibition features works in oils, pastels, ink and watercolours that have all been made with the person there, in front of the artist. Some are portraits that show direct connection with the sitter and include significant objects that are meaningful to them, giving vital clues to their personality. Others are characters re-imagined from fairy tales, folklore and Shakespeare. Also included are nude figure studies from life.
Work is for sale, but you are also very welcome to come along just to have a look! I also undertake commissions.
The exhibition runs from 2nd – 9th March at the Eagle Gallery, Mon-Sat, 10 –5.30pm.
Private View : 1st March, invitation only. Please get in touch if you would like to come along.
“Meet the Artist”: Sat 2nd March 10.00 – 5.30pm. I shall be there all day to talk about my work and show some of my sketchbooks etc.
Eagle Gallery, 101, Castle Road, Bedford, MK 40 3QP.
Tel: 01234 346995
“Making a portrait from life reveals much more to me than a photograph. A photograph freezes the fraction of a second and flattens perspective. When looking at eachother we are constantly moving and our eyes take in many thousands of tiny shifts of view, allowing our brains to process lots of visual information to help shape our perception of the person we’re observing.” ©Joanna Stone.
Recent Commission
Here is a photo of a double portrait I did for a lovely lady called Jill, who commissioned this piece as a special thirtieth birthday present for her son, in memory of his father who sadly passed away three years ago this year.
It was executed in charcoal and watercolour on 640gms hot-pressed paper, in order to achieve a subtle grainy effect and to integrate colour in the roses, as requested.
Jill was delighted with the result: “Lawrence loved the picture, it was very emotional again buts that’s down to you and how wonderful you portrayed them both, the whole family were very complimentary.”
Exhibitions!
I’ve recently joined the Eagle Gallery Artists Co Operative in Bedford, and I’m very excited about it! The group run continuous shows at the gallery in Castle Street, Bedford. If you happen to be over that way, or fancy a day out in Bedford, there’s free parking along part of the Embankment, or in some of the side roads off Castle Street. The area boasts a lovely riverside walk and park with cafes, theatres, and of course the wonderful Cecil Higgins Museum – all just about within walking distance….http://www.eaglegalleryartists.co.uk/
I’m also taking part in the annual Autumn Art Shows with the Artists Network Bedfordshire: http://www.artsnetbeds.org.uk/art-trail-brochure/
The venues are dotted around the county of Bedfordshire, and most are open for the whole month.
I have work at the Golden Hare Gallery, Ampthill, – I thoroughly recommend a visit as it’s a delightful little gallery that’s full of beautiful paintings, prints, sculpture and pottery all artfully presented in an unusual setting: http://goldenhare.co.uk/
I also have work at the Cafe O.S.O. in Cranfield, which is a bustling contemporary cafe with cakes!
This coming weekend, a group of us are showing at the Memorial Hall, Woburn Sands, and I will be around on Saturday morning if you fancy calling in for a browse and a chat. The exhibition is open from 10.00-17.00 Saturday and Sunday.
“The thing I wish I’d never said”, oil on canvas, 80 x 60 cm, Joanna Stone
Joanna Stone 