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Traditional heirloom portraiture has - over the ages - often been completed posthumously,
before the advent of photography many portraits were completed from older paintings - updating clothing and making whatever
changes the patrons requested. Much of Heather's work has evolved from photography - the subject no longer being
alive, and many of these pieces are understandably particularly treasured by their owners. Many of them having been completed
from very poor photographs as reference. Some have been portraits of Victorian Company founders and boardroom portraits,
whilst others have been family ancestors, and of course, our treasured lost pets. Others have been surprise presents
for relatives living in Australia!
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Portrait of Rosalba Carriera
This portrait of Venetian 17th century artist is of particular importance to Heather.
Rosalba was very important in the development of the pastel medium - being arguably 'the Mother of the medium'. Rosalba's
guidance and tuition was freely given to many who later made their names as great pastelists, and a portrait by Rosalba was
a highly prized 'souvenir' of those who took the Grand Tour to europe.
This portrait followed Heather's academic study at Lancaster University, and was
completed on a specialist pastel surface in her favourite soft pastels - Unison Pastels of Tarset, Northumberlnd. Heather
has used this fabulous British product since it first became available, and has enjoyed Unison's sponsorship for some years.
(see the links page)
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| Rosalba Carriera. Taken from Rosalba's original self-portrait |
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Portrait of John Ruskin
This portrait of the great Victorian polymath and artist Ruskin was interpreted from
a well-known portrait photograph taken at Brantwood - Ruskin's Lake Coniston home. It was completed on specialist paper using
Unison pastels during a demonstration to a class of portraiture students in Alston Hall, Lancashire.
The portrait was purchased by and now hangs in Higham Hall college, Bassenthwaite Lake,
Cumbria.
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| Victorian Polymath John Ruskin |
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