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.
Meeting cricket legend, Kumar Sangakkara, shortly before he became President of MCC. (sorry couldn’t resist it!)
BISHOP OF BIRMINGHAM
The 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.
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!
BP PORTRAIT AWARD
This is a painting of James Rhodes that was one of 50 paintings selected from 2600 entries for 2016 BP Portrait Award Competition at the National Portrait Gallery. Rhodes became the first core classical pianist to be signed by the world's largest rock label Warner Bros. Records. I was very pleased to have been chosen as I have always regarded this to be the most interesting annual International group Portrait exhibition. I was pleased to get the feedback from James on Twitter!
Thank you James - great to get your family Thumbs up!
HRH PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH
It was an honour to paint HRH The 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 is 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 the unveiling which occurred at the annual dinner held in the RAC club, 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 had happened a couple of hours earlier and I think it is reflective of his fondness for the Jesters that he insisted on attending.
PETER OBORNE
Peter Oborne is a British journalist and broadcaster. He is the former chief political commentator of The Daily Telegraph, from which he resigned in early 2015. Being a principled and highly respected journalist, it was fascinating to get an insight into his interests and motivations. I thoroughly enjoyed his company - especially when I found myself painting the this whilst listening to him on radio 4 presenting the week in Westminster amongst other things! And yes, the reason for the t shirt is that a freak paint accident occurred in the studio shortly before his arrival - at least it matched his painting!
CHAIRMAN SWINLEY GOLF CLUB
A group unveiling of the portrait of Sir Hugh Stevenson, the highly respected outgoing Chairman of Swinley Golf Club. Sir Hugh Stevenson is a businessman known for being a former chairman of Mercury Asset Management and Equitas as well as being a director of the British Museum Company which oversees the running 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 and it was all done in front of 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 absolutely 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!
Buckingham Palace for the painting of the Royal Yoemanry Guidon Parade
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)