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Portfolio for Tess Barnes - Commissionaportrait
studied at Chelsea Foundation College and graduated from Goldsmiths College London with a B.A. Hons degree in Fine Art. In 2006 I was made a fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts.
I have shown widely in France, England and in London at The National Portrait Gallery, The Royal College of Art, The Saatchi Gallery and Mall Galleries. My portraits are in public collections in London and at Oxford University and I am a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
I have a major solo exhibition of 50 portraits "Women of Substance" sponsored by first direct and supporting Breast Cancer Haven. This show will be launched 25th February at the Mall Galleries continuing until 1st March and followed by a national tour.The portraits depict 50 high achieving women including Carol Vorderman,Jenni Murray,Zandra Rhodes and Beverley Knight.
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| Birth date |
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1957
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| Introduction |
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Tess has painted 50 portraits for a major exhibition "Women of Substance" sponsored by first direct and supporting Breast Cancer Haven. This show features 50 high profile women of our times including Carol Vorderman, Jenni Murray, Rebekah Wade. The launch was in London Feb 2008 at the Mall Galleries and iit is now on a national tour.
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| Education |
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B.A. (Hons.) Fine Art - Goldsmiths College, London
Foundation Course - Chelsea College of Art
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| Selected Commissions |
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Sir Richard Doll - Scientist, Oxford
Carol Vorderman
Dame Stella Rimington - Formally M15
Gail Rebuck - Chief Executive Random House Publishing
Michael Portillo - former M.P.
Carole Stone - Broadcaster and Writer
Sir Montague Levine - Past Coroner for Inner London South
Jacqueline Wilson - Author
Caroline Hamilton - Polar Explorer
Dame Brigette Ogilvie - Scientist
Jack Richards - Past England and Surrey Wicket Keeper
Sophie Grigson - Cookery Writer and Presenter
Dr. June Crown - Past President of the Faculty of Public Health Medicine
Baroness Brenda Dean of Thornton Le Fylde
Philip Hardman - Grant Thornton
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| Group Exhibitions |
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1986 National Portrait Gallery, John Player Portrait Award Exhibition
1991 Nat West 90's Student Prize for Art Exhibition
1993 National Portrait Gallery, BP Portrait Award Exhibition
1993-2003 Mall Galleries, Art for Youth Exhibition on several occasions
Lambeth Palace
Finelot Online Gallery
The Long Room Oval Cricket Ground
Affordable Art Fair, Battersea
Enid Lawson Gallery, Kensington
Karen Taylor Contemporary Art
currently has a gallery with a group of artists
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| Solo Exhibitions |
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2006 - Holy Trinity church, Sloane Square
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| Statement |
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I like to paint sitters in their own environment, at home or at work, where they feel the most comfortable and at ease, but if preferred I do have a London Studio. At our first meeting, we discuss the size and the feel of the portrait, i.e. how and where they will sit and what they will wear. For me, the most important part of painting a portrait is that the person is relaxed and comfortable, I therefore don't like absolute stillness and they are free to chat whilst moving around gently. I like to have around 4 sittings of about two hours and for young children, 1 or 2 short sessions of less than an hour can be enjoyable, and, if necessary, I can paint a portrait with only photographic reference. I am happy to travel and if the sitter lives far away, I arrange sittings over two days. |
| Travel nationally |
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Yes |
| Travel internationally |
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Yes |
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| Prices |
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| Portrait Format: |
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Drawings |
From £ |
800 |
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$ | 900 |
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Head and Shoulders |
From £ |
2000 |
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$ | 3000 |
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Half Length | From £ |
2800 |
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$ | 5250 |
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3/4 Length | From £ |
3500 |
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$ | 6750 |
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Full Length | From £ |
4500 |
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$ | 8250 |
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Double Portrait | From £ |
6000 |
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$ | 9000 |
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Group Portrait | From £ |
7000 |
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$ | 10500 |
The
Prices quoted are for the standard mediums of oil on canvas and bronze
(in
the case of sculpture).
For other media, prices may vary, please enquire
directly with us for more specific quotes.
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| Press Quotes |
"Tess's passion for painting and her interest in people show through in portraits that have genuine warmth and vitality. . . Tess is incredibly good at what she does . . . [she] can capture a likeness with enormous fluency and speed and, because movement doesn't disturb her concentration, you don't have to freeze into the mummy-like stasis that kills an image." Sarah Kent, Art Critic, Time Out
“I’m not the best subject for a painter. Fidgety, can’t sit still, very self-conscious about being looked at – so it should have been purgatory. But Tess is unfailingly cheery and chatty and managed to keep me occupied and entertained even though I wasn’t allowed to read my book or my paper. She’s also quick and very patient and never a word of complaint on those many occasions when the demands of a busy freelance career meant a cancellation at the last minute. And she’s a great portrait painter too!” –Jenni Murray
Stella Rimmington
Tess is not only a great portrait painter, she makes the sittings a really enjoyable experience. She likes to capture faces in motion, and she knows just how to keep her sitters involved. There is no danger of dropping off to sleep when Tess is painting your portrait.
Sophie Grigson
“I love the way Tess captures the warmth and intelligence of her subjects, finding their humanity when so many others may see only the successful slightly scary exterior. Her work has a playfulness and insight that brings her portraits to life.”
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