New Exhibition for James Willis

The popular painter and teacher James Willis is having an exhibition of his work next month at the Nehru Centre in London. It consists of works painted by James on a recent trip to India.

JAMES WILLIS   People, Places, Perspectives - an exhibition of new paintings of India

Nehru Centre
8 South Audley Street London W1K 1HF
Exhibition open:
5th to 8th April 2011 during office hours.

James writes:

This exhibition was inspired by a trip to India a few years ago.  Bringing together my passion for painting, architecture, people and colour the exhibition of twenty seven new paintings will be seen together at the Nehru Centre for the first time and this is also my first solo show in London.

‘It is a great honour to be asked to show at the Nehru Centre and present new work inspired by the atmosphere and excitement of India.  As soon as I started sketching there I felt strangely at home and hope I have captured something of the connection I felt in and around the cities of Rajasthan. ‘

My paintings often involve everyday activities and scenes within an architectural setting.  In this collection of work I have  contrasted the spiritual and tranquil nature of watery landscapes with the busy life on the city street.   I work in a broad, impressionistic style to bring a liveliness and drama to my paintings which are full of colour and expression."

Full details and an on line catalogue on James' web site: http://www.jameswillisart.co.uk/

You can watch James in his DVD Starting Out In Oils

A Chance to Relax And Learn With Jean Haines

If you are feeling flush and in need of a treat  then there is an opportunity for  a luxury painting break with Jean Haines next month at the Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire

They are running a Painted Escapes Break based at the luxurious hotel from Tuesday April 26 to  Thursday April 28. The cost is £620 per person and includes, they say, a welcome reception, accomodation, breakfast, lunch and watercolour seminars with Jean. You can get more information from them on 01252 853000.

June Mendoza - Portrait Painter To The Stars

There are few people I know with as much energy as portrait painter June Mendoza.

 This is what she is currently up to:

" I am doing a whole wall for the Royal Hospital Chelsea.  There will be at least 50  same size canvases in oils of the, mostly, heads of the Pensioners,----  5 rows of 10    I go there about once a week and have finished about 35.

Have very recently finished Dr David Starkey;  opera singer Felicity Palmer in my ongoing series of musicians;  Valerie Grove, the author/journalist.    These latter three will be in Royal Soc. of Portrait Painters annual in May.

I am currently painting the head of the Inst. of Psychiatry, King's College, Prof. Robin Murray and  a conversation piece of David Mellor Q.C and Lady Cobham.

I am also painting Lord Stewartby [ in tartan trews ] ,Peregrine Massey  full length in costume, with sword, as High Sherrif of Kent"

It makes me feel tired just rteading about it. And the amazing thing about JUne is ashje has been at the top of her profession for an amazingly long time. Doing some research the other day  I cam accross a film reporty from the old Pathe News featuring Jiune painting the portrait of 60's singer and actress Anita Harris. This is a lovely period piece and worth you viewing. You may  have to sit though a short advert first but that's the price we pay for a free to view archive. Anita starts up doing some excercises on a device that was considered high tech in 1966 when this was filmed. Then she does a bit of Judo (like you do) before trolling off to June's studio to have her portrait painted. Delightful. It's hip and goovey and I like it!

Just click on the image blow for the video to start. It will open a new window with the video in it. There is a box in the bottom right hand of the new window which makes the image bigger.

ANITA HARRIS

And here's June filmed last year for her first teaching DVD. Hardly looks a day older does she?  I wish I knew her secret!

More Success For Jean Haines

Jean is delighted delighted that she has just heard she has  been selected to exhibit in the David Shepherd Wild life Artist of the Year 2011 Exhibition at the Mall Galleries,London in June. Below is her picture  of " Almost There " the painting that she submitted which has special meaning for her. It was in her first book " How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour" As Jean says: " It is  called " Almost There" and represents what our grandchildrens' children may be seeing in the future of  the disappearing wildlife as we know it today minus help. "

Jean says: "I am thrilled to be supporting David Shepherd and delighted to be in the WAY exhibition again as I was also accepted in 2010."

Congratulations to Jean!

Record Breaking DVD - New Pictures

We can scarcely keep up with the torrent of Jean Haines fans from around the world who are racing to place their pre-orders for her new DVD which is released this week. Orders prior to release have broken all our sales records! It's a very exciting time for Jean who has a packed year of workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions.  book signings and,  of course,  painting. And the great news is that we have supplies in stock NOW earlier than anticipated.
Jean's exciting new DVD is available here:  Amazing Ways With Watercolour
A number of people have asked us to post more pictures painted by Jean over the last year or so and so here they are - in all their colourful  glory.

Huge Reaction To Our Latest DVD

All I can say is - "wow". Pre-orders for our next release featuring the amazing Jean Haines have quickly reached  record proportions. Such is her enthusiatic folloiwng around the world that people have been pre-ordering the DVD from such countries as the USA, Belgium, Japan, Holland , The Phillipines and Denmark - and not forgetting dear old Blighty of course. Many people ringing with pre-orders have previoulsy been on one or more workshops run by Jean. They typically describe her courses as the most liberating and creative they have ever attended!

And the great news is that we will be getting supplies of the new DVD - Amazing Ways With Watercolour earlier than anticipated - Friday March 18. So anyone who has pre-ordered will have theirs shipped on that day. Remember you can pre-order on line as well as on the phone. Several customers have asked if our 12% discount for multiple orders covers pre-orders? Well yes it does and many people are taking advantage of this offer by ordering another disc along with the Jean Haines pre-order.  Popular pairings have been Breaking The Rules Of Watercolour With Shirley Trevena RI and The Challenge of Watercolour With Mike Chaplin RWS

If you are ordering from the USA Canada, Japan or any other NTSC country you will automatically be sent the correct  format for your country.

New Inspirational Watercolour DVD Out Soon

I am very pleased to announce out latest watercolour release featuring Jean Haines SWA - Amazing Ways With Watercolour. Jean is an astonishing teacher who commands a huge loyalty wherever she is demonstrating or running workshops. This DVD, which will be released on March 23, is designed to really rejuvenate your watercolour painting.

This DVD will unlock the creative powers of watercolour within you. Jean Haines, a member of the Society of Women Artists, reveals her techniques on how to create beautiful, flowing and evocative watercolour paintings. Jean's secret is to make watercolours  almost paint themselves. There is no advance pencil drawing just juicy, lucious flowing watercolour washes.

This DVD is designed to show you techniques to create your own paintings full of light and colour by fully exploring the awesome power of waterclour.

This is an inspirational DVD that rather than show you how to paint demonstration  pieces from begining to end,  reveales the techniques needed to unlock your own creativity.

 Jean is a hugely in demand teacher and the author of Colour and Light In Watercolour.
You can pre-order here: Amazing Ways With Watercolour

New Robert Brindley DVD Out Now

We now have stocks of Robert's new DVD Oil Sketching on location in which he amazes us all by painting four English landcaapes using just three colours plus white - yes that's right three colours plus white.

Follow this link for full details and how to buy: Oil Sketching On Location