Deborah Pearse Artist

Nothing like a little divine intervention on a Sunday afternoon…Our Friday model was the local Vicar, aptly named Serena with a wonderfully vital presence and warmth. In my quick charcoal sketch tried to capture a fleeting moment of her smile and the light in her eyes which was emphasised further by her glasses. We were all uplifted listening to Ginny’s eclectic upbeat soundtrack! 🎶🙏🌟

Another selection of recent artworks taken whilst in Italy. Saw so much and locations are varied but a small exhibition of Graffiti Art covering various countries was brilliant & eclectic, including the Three Graces administering the 3 different Covid vaccines. The wonderful plaster of the distressed walls that so many artists love was also reflected in an Italian semi figurative abstract artist (the first image )whose work was fascinating & i wasn’t familiar with so if anyone knows their name as I didn’t document it that would be great thanks.

Delighted to have got through to the Visual Art Open Longlist for a second year in a row. Thank you to the VOA Judges- great to be in the company of the other selectees and wishing everyone the best.

There was a Galleria Continua in San Gimignano that I was told about whilst away that was showing Ai Weiwei’s work called ‘Neither Nor’, exploring extremes and notions of binary in current culture and the effects of this kind of reductionism... Interesting ideas & rather unusual to discover amongst all the religious and popular art dotted around. Fantastic space and loved the numerous found stools arbutted together with a version of The Last Supper on the stage. Reminded me a little of Complicite’s versatile adaptations of chairs. Bright sunlight outside with tall vessels and elevated sunflowers that echoed the towers in San G - it’s definitely worth the climb to see the Panasonic views of Tuscany & such a memorable town.

Delighted & grateful that my last portrait of my mum, shortly before she passed away earlier this year, ‘Holding on’, has been Long listed for the Women In Art Prize. A tender moment captured; encircled in blue, her favourite colour, looking down at her as she slept, my watch face covered echoing the uncertainty of how long she had left with us.

Some highlights of recent visit to Sienna…the Duomo marble floor mosaics are absolutely stunning. Missed the Il Palio but could see the remains of the sand that covered the streets..

Finally found time to finish this painting of the beautiful Serwa. I loved the intense yet gentle focus of her gaze, her upright posture & stunning dreads. Her transformation when she wears different wigs is always fascinating & we talked about that. Tried to keep a slightly looser abstract quality to her blouse & reflected the colours in her skin tones. Unfortunately photographing in my studio never gets the colour quite right as the walls always look slightly yellow & affects the actual colour balance even with editing .. Any photography tips would be greatly appreciated!

Such a memorable experience of Mneumonic last night, Complicite’s long awaited updated revival - brilliant in every way.. Exploring the nature of memory; what & how we make & lose memories - engaging all the senses, Complicite’s trademark physicality & such an evocative chair, self referencing humour, & a brilliant range of characters & accents.. Received a complimentary ticket after taking part in a recent outreach workshop with what has always been my favourite Theatre Company & I would love to work with in a heartbeat.. Created my own visual mnemonic of my walk across the bridge, the packed Preview & two brilliant young dancers outside getting into their groove after the performance before I walked back to Waterloo. So logged this one in the memory vault.. 🤞👌

So proud of my brilliant friend Meryl whose painting got selected for the Society of Women Artists - this is her first year of applying for competitions & it’s been an extraordinarily challenging past year for her after discovering & recovering from breast cancer so delighted she has come so far already! A fashion designer in former life - (can’t you just tell!) & still such a style icon 👌 we celebrated all day & evening with various friends along the way 🤗 A brilliant diverse collection of paintings & genres here’s a few of my favs & the beautiful, warm hearted & fun Princess Michael of Kent who delivered the prizes 👑

Well just to mix it up a bit from recent posts & to acknowledge that variety adds something to life … whether spicy or not.. here’s a couple of my fav portraits in honour of International Portrait Day .. sadly I don’t think either were enjoyed much by the subjects! 😂..maybe I caught something fleeting that wasn’t flattering or appealing .. ??!! The Stanley Tucci was from a screen grab when I was practicing for PAOTY I called it Stanley - Concocting Cocktails - as it looked like he was ruminating on something & the man is renowned for amongst other things mixing rather tasty tipples … I sent it to his wife - the stunning gatekeeper - but heard nothing back so assumed they didn’t like it - maybe he looks rather anxious & yes it’s prob not his best look to be fair! Whereas the semi finished portrait of Brandy obviously didn’t appeal either .. sadly - possibly looked more like Ray Davies & not the image he wanted to project! But I rather like the contrast of his look with the more vulnerable expression .. but that’s just me! Of course I could’ve just been challenging my own feelings about the looming deadline on Sky Arts ..it was a blast even tho I didn’t get to paint either a bald or tousled head but the platinum bob of Jane Horrocks who also nearly burst into tears when she saw my portrait of her come to think of it!! Omg - Note to self be more aware of what appeals to your subject! 😉

Delighted to discover I’ve be shortlisted for the VAA Artist of the Year award. The shortlisted works are on their website today. Thank you VAA - especially as its message relates to what I’m in the process of raising awareness about! 🤗

Managed to get to the last day of the Contemporary British Portrait Painters at the shabby chic Department Store basement Gallery space in Brixton. A good eclectic mix of some of the best contemporary portrait artists working today. A number of PAOTY winners & those now established as well as many of artists who tutor some of whom I hadn’t met but we had fun chatting with.

Another brighter painting photo dump from@visit to Copenhagen’s Statens Art Museum. A great variety of art on display throughout. Loved the shimmering gold abstraction of the first image & many of the compositions of the figures. There’s also a stunning small early Rembrandt end of selection

There is a room dedicated to Vilheim Hammershoi’s paintings at the Statens Art Museum & I find them exquisitely beautiful & intriguing. With interiors with doors slightly ajar & the backs of women ( rather reminiscent of Vermeer), engaged with reading or another activity. The expansive exteriors vibrate too & having experienced Denmarks environment they really capture a darker time of year. Having watched a programme about him seeing the muted palette & delicate approach was really stunning.

Recently returned from Copenhagen. A city with so much to experience, especially from a bike.. began cold & windy & finished with a heat wave! We went to see the extraordinary pianist Yuja Wang performing Shostakovich & I particularly wanted to see the Hammershoi art at Statens Gallery, which I’ll share in another post. Stayed near the sunning Contemporary National Theatre. It was non stop & as ever I took so many photos I’ve not had time to post so will share more in upcoming ones-Enjoy! 🤗

Friday morning charcoal of this beautiful young woman, Jemima. Just won a scholarship & about to go to drama school so we had a thesp chat too! Whilst I was casting her in my minds eye!! 🙌

This is the other portrait that was longlisted for the VAO. It’s called ‘ Holding On’.
My mother passed away from Dementia in January. This painting was initiated a few weeks prior as she lay nestled on my lap & I held her hand, soothing her as she drifted in and out of sleep. My watch face not visible, seemed symbolic of not knowing how much time was left. I wanted to capture the tenderness of looking down at her vulnerable form. The signs of face cancer visible, after a heliotropic life spent enjoying the sun, all the whille emitting her own vibrant light, energy and fun upon all whom she encountered.

The square format felt more contained, compressing the perspective and allowing me to focus on the intensity of my gaze and connection, so the surrounding areas became faded, flattened and were described with a more linear stylised approach and echoed the strangeness and spaces in awareness that dementia brings.

realism

Finally back to Friday morning art group. Great to be with friends, eat delicious cakes & of course pick up a charcoal stick again & attempt to capture the ever beautiful Serwa. She manages to transform herself with stunning wigs and this time was definitely rocking a sublime Beyoncé vibe! Not able to capture what I wanted as working small with charcoal & soft paper and but good to be back. 👩‍🎨.

I was delighted to be Longlisted recently for the VAO. This is one of my selected paintings called ‘Reaching Out’. This self-portrait draws parallels between my roles as artist and actress. Exiting a self taped film audition, I recognised the same immersive gaze and gesture whilst painting. Deliberately omitting facial details yet accentuating key features and the need for glasses was intended to underscore the notion of women’s visibility and presence whilst aging particularly on screen. The pattern on the top as it traverses the landscape of the body echoes my abstract artwork.

I will share the other painting & description on another post as it’s a very personal piece from earlier this year.

realism

Dashed up to town yesterday to see the Royal Society of Portrait Painters exhibition at The Mall Galleries. Lovely to see my fellow artist friend Ginny who occasionally works there & manage a quick catch up over a sandwich in the Park later. Good to see some fabulous artists commended. Many excellent portraits to inspire me as it’s been so long since I’ve had time to put brush to canvas. Even the Physio where I then had my hip injections had some art on the walls before I slowly made my way back..a few more days of rest & I’m hoping to resume normal activities again including those rather special Friday sessions 👩‍🎨🙏

Last week I was grateful to be interviewed on a community Radio station to discuss Parental Alienation and promote a P.A Charity event, where as one of the Speakers, I gave a presentation of some of the artworks I’ve created over the past 11 years relating to my experience of P.A. Although it affects hundreds of thousands of families worldwide its still little understood. I also discussed how creative expression can offer opportunities for healing, insights and change.

For some time now I’ve been researching and evolving approaches to explore this complex subject through a creative and healing lens, drawing on my background in art, performance & therapy. Although there is a rising wave of awareness around this complicated scenario there is a profound need for further clarity of dissemination, eduction and effective approaches for earlier intervention and protocols for follow up. If not the cycle of ongoing personal, intergenerational and societal trauma will continue.

I will share more about this in future posts.

This painting forms part of a sequence of questions.. Why? When? & this is Where? It’s a long road.. but never give up reaching out or loving your children whatever age they are.. 💕

A full blustery wet day in London yesterday taking in the extraordinary, visercal charcoal & painted heads of Frank Auerbach at the Courtauld. Then another treat for the eyes & ears at the Moulin Rouge in Piccadilly with a windy stop outside the RA to look at the striking First Supper sculpture as part of Entangled Pasts (great title)exhibition which I’ve yet to see before heading down for a delicious meal in Noble Rot in Shepherds Market.. (another great name!) Great to have a day out .. now back to the drawing board or more accurately atm the Mac!

Happy Easter all 🤗

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A very quick sketch of our strikingly beautiful model, Serwa on Friday. Wanted to capture her statuesque presence & fabulous long hair which took her 11 hours to plait! Really must use better paper for my charcoal sketches - this just didn’t hold the charcoal well or do what I wanted…Any suggestions gratefully received! 🤗

Intermittent time & progress on this portrait of the beautiful and striking Serwa from last Fridays morning session. Hoping to finish soon. Find profiles really challenging..

Came across this quick charcoal & pastel sketch from years ago when I was sketching & drawing more regularly. Thought I’d share it as I quite like with the strong lighting defining the features & emphasising the direct gaze.

A big thank you to the organisers & to everyone who came along, bought work, chatted & supported the Art Gemini Exhibition & London Lighthouse Gallery last week. Also, thanks to those of you who couldn’t make it but who sent good wishes & encouragement. It’s always so appreciated! I deliberately kept my prices low at this time with such a busy art market. Some of the work is still for sale & I’m happy to take commissions for different sized work along similar lines if that’s of interest. 😊 paragraph

Spending a lot of time looking through photos & thinking of my lovely mum who recently passed away. But but now able to properly celebrate her love, warmth & vitality. Sending love to all out there, whatever your circumstances, as I know very well how difficult this day can be for so many of us as well of course as something to be celebrated! ♥️🌸🌹

It’s been a bit of an Art Fair Fiesta this past week.. was also at The Other Art Fair at the Truman Brewery .. March is definitely a mad month for Art .. so much on & competition deadlines all concertinaed into the month .. be nice if it was spread out a little more but that’s life .. like buses! Good to have some extra bonus time to see & meet up with friends tho! 🖼️ 👯

To celebrate International Women’s Day, & the impact so many women, (whether they are in the public eye or not) make on all of our lives, here’s a selection of some of my portraits over the years. A number created during lockdown with Portrait Artist of the Week after I’d been on PAOTY in 2020.
In the centre is one of my abstract Sound Signature paintings which expresses a sense of impact & is currently on show at the Lighthouse Gallery. I’m taking part in an event with the other artists on show there tomorrow to talk about our ideas & inspiration. Please join us between 2-4pm - it’s a short walk over the bridge from Canning Town underground station.

At the AAF last night getting slight pi**ed at the PV with my brilliant & fun friend Meryl. A small slightly skewed selection of images. Very grateful for the tickets from the talented Frances Featherstone whose image is the second one - so good to see them ‘in the flesh’ 👌😁