Working on my latest canvas from LA to London
06/03/09 08:06
Having completed all the murals, paintings and signs
for the fabulous new
Le Relais de Venise
restaurant
in the city( London) I have also completed all the
art work for the new branch at 345 Park Ave ,New
York, NY 10022 .
I am now taking some time out to do some of my own work and prepare for my up coming exhibition at the Chelsea Arts Club.
The latest painting is a continuation in theme from my painting the"Northern Line"which featured Jesus amonst us travelling on the underground ,this one features the Virgin Mary in a LA hair salon.
I first had to find my location in LA
The Northern Line. Oil on canvas 2006
The background
The first model
Next I needed some extra models to fit into my scene.
The next most important thing ,the reason we decided to do this in LA was we found our perfect Virgin Mary.
She actualy was in her 3rd month of pregnancy by the time we came to do the shoot (immaculate conception ????)
Now you can see the three models in the salon we photographed in LA,and the first days painting is finished.
One day on and the ladies are getting clothed.
The details start going in of the background, I will soon be able to start properly on the foreground figures.
The first stage goes quite quickly but this second stage is slower as the figures take shape they have to be worked many
times to get the required level of detail.
The painting is almost complete apart from some finishing details (the magazine) , I am putting it in the exhibition I have at the Chelsea Arts Club to replace the Northern line which is to be lent to the Anglican church, St.Lukes in Chelsea for Holy week as a basis for the Good Friday sermon.
The finished painting.
Paintings on exhibition at CAC
The "Northern line" was on exhibition here above the fireplace of the Chelsea Arts Club for 3 weeks before going on loan to St. Lukes.
The vicar Brian Leathard and myself inside St.Lukes Chelsea with the painting at the entrance.
The painting was moved from its position on the front door and was used as a basis for the Good Friday sermon.
I was sent a letter from the good Rector which I have copied and pasted below-
Dear Richard
We owe you an enormous thank you for your generosity in allowing us to display ‘The Northern Line’ during Holy Week here at St Luke’s. It made an enormous impression upon a huge number of people and certainly helped many people to ask some serious questions about themselves and their beliefs- which I take to be the purpose of all art! A child in Sunday School on Palm Sunday, from the Lewis Estate, brought her Mum in to see it on Tuesday and her Grandparents and their neighbours ( one of whom is a driver on the Northern Line) on Wednesday.
Thank you so very much for allowing us this great privilege. Your work is now safely stored and locked away. I look forward to another co-operation, perhaps with The Virgin of LA.
As ever
Brian
The Revd Prebendary Dr Brian Leathard
Rector, The Parish of Chelsea: St Luke's and Christchurch
Director of Ordinands, Kensington Episcopal Area
020 7351 7365
Another blog site worth checking out http://www.chris-westall-murals.blogspot.com/
I am now taking some time out to do some of my own work and prepare for my up coming exhibition at the Chelsea Arts Club.
The latest painting is a continuation in theme from my painting the"Northern Line"which featured Jesus amonst us travelling on the underground ,this one features the Virgin Mary in a LA hair salon.
I first had to find my location in LA
The Northern Line. Oil on canvas 2006
The background
The first model
Next I needed some extra models to fit into my scene.
The next most important thing ,the reason we decided to do this in LA was we found our perfect Virgin Mary.
She actualy was in her 3rd month of pregnancy by the time we came to do the shoot (immaculate conception ????)
Now you can see the three models in the salon we photographed in LA,and the first days painting is finished.
One day on and the ladies are getting clothed.
The details start going in of the background, I will soon be able to start properly on the foreground figures.
The first stage goes quite quickly but this second stage is slower as the figures take shape they have to be worked many
times to get the required level of detail.
The painting is almost complete apart from some finishing details (the magazine) , I am putting it in the exhibition I have at the Chelsea Arts Club to replace the Northern line which is to be lent to the Anglican church, St.Lukes in Chelsea for Holy week as a basis for the Good Friday sermon.
The finished painting.
Paintings on exhibition at CAC
The "Northern line" was on exhibition here above the fireplace of the Chelsea Arts Club for 3 weeks before going on loan to St. Lukes.
The vicar Brian Leathard and myself inside St.Lukes Chelsea with the painting at the entrance.
The painting was moved from its position on the front door and was used as a basis for the Good Friday sermon.
I was sent a letter from the good Rector which I have copied and pasted below-
Dear Richard
We owe you an enormous thank you for your generosity in allowing us to display ‘The Northern Line’ during Holy Week here at St Luke’s. It made an enormous impression upon a huge number of people and certainly helped many people to ask some serious questions about themselves and their beliefs- which I take to be the purpose of all art! A child in Sunday School on Palm Sunday, from the Lewis Estate, brought her Mum in to see it on Tuesday and her Grandparents and their neighbours ( one of whom is a driver on the Northern Line) on Wednesday.
Thank you so very much for allowing us this great privilege. Your work is now safely stored and locked away. I look forward to another co-operation, perhaps with The Virgin of LA.
As ever
Brian
The Revd Prebendary Dr Brian Leathard
Rector, The Parish of Chelsea: St Luke's and Christchurch
Director of Ordinands, Kensington Episcopal Area
020 7351 7365
Another blog site worth checking out http://www.chris-westall-murals.blogspot.com/