I have painted portraits since I can remember - well before art school. People's faces fascinate me more and more - I'm never happier than when interpreting what I see onto the canvas!
I'm a portrait painter who paints with oils on canvas and uses palette knives to bring about the results I want. My main aim is to find and show the spirit of my sitter - to not only get an external likeness, but to show more of who they are as a person. To capture a likeness of course is essential, but not a photographic likeness - you might as well just keep the photo! I'll get to know someone, taking lots of photos of them and sometimes even sketch them, then I do my bulk of work in my studio. Here is a recent example - Glen is an incredibly warm hearted man, well known here in Hastings area for 'Glenstonbury', a mini festival that he puts on each year. Sadly he cut his hair immediately after I painted him! Oil on Canvas 24" x 20"
Markus and I had a joint exhibition on at Barnaby's, Hastings, until the 26th June, after which we are participating in the Summer Show there until the end of August.
I'm happy when people contact me for a free and informal conversation, so if you are interested in discussing anything about my work, including the possibilities of a commission of you or a loved one (maybe someone special who has passed?), please feel free! I mainly paint head and shoulders, as it is faces that most intrigue me. I paint in oils, using mainly palette knives. (You can see my prices on the 'Commissions' and 'About the Artist' Pages)
"I have rarely seen eyes painted so graphically and in such an alive and connected way by any artist of any era. I can't say it stronger than that!" M. Brann, London
This client said on receiving her portrait:
"The last three years have held some big challenges ... Tessa, you have reminded me of the light behind my eyes and I can see how far I've come along this path when I look at this painting in a way that I can't when I look in the mirror. So thank you, dear Tessa, for capturing my spirit and helping me to see things in a bigger way through the medium of paint and your inspirational creativity!' 'Icon' paintings'Icon' portraits - £500 each
Markus, my husband, and I work in collaboration on these 'icon' paintings. He paints the background in his wild and wonderful way, then primes the space in the centre for me to add the portrait in oils. If you'd like to find out more or get a portrait painted of someone you love, or yourself, click the button below and we can have a free, no-obligation conversation to see if I can help you in any way.
Below you can see me, together with Markus, talking about one of our exhibitions together.
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