NEW! Solo exhibition:
“TRUE COLOURS”
November 6th – 14th 2021, Westbury Arts Centre, MK. www.westburyartscentre.org.uk/events
Observing colour is an intense experience for me; each variation in hue resonates so that I hear, taste and feel the subtleties. Conversely, sounds, tastes and emotions have colour.
Only fairly recently have I come to realise this is something called “synaesthesia”.
Although my art isn’t about this, this is the way I see – and because I work almost exclusively from life – it adds another layer of meaning, particularly when making portraits and allegorical pieces.
This exhibition brings together a selection of my most vibrant paintings in oils and watercolours:
If you wish to make an appointment to come and view the exhibition during the week, please use the contact page (above right) to get in touch.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Joanna
New exhibition with a new group!
I will be showing recent work alongside fellow artists in a mixed exhibition of paintings, prints, textiles, ceramics and wood. Please come along to browse and buy, or simply to chat to the artists and eat cake!
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.”
Fast and free
First the glow
First the glow,
vermillion accents and a touch of the shadowy blues running down into ochre,
turning into green harmony
deep, warm bass notes in purple thought
a line of melody just heard
just caught
Colour
Recently, I was asked about the way I use colour. The person asking described my colours as “intense”.
It’s true, – I see colours intensely. I can feel/taste/smell even hear their notes. Colours “sing” to me – however subtle the tint, the hue is there…
Glass jar (watercolour)
Light iii, pastel (detail)
…pale skin reflecting warm light hums vermillion against a background of orchestrated blues…
Over the garden wall (Snowdonia Series)
…lilting violet perfumes the shadows, whilst the yellows rise to a pitch of buttery sunlight
Joanna Stone 