What my clients and sitters think
PORTRAIT OF MOTHERHOOD
Alison Morse: "Stella did a portrait of my daughter and baby in a coastal setting. I was delighted with the result and loved the bold colours. The process was very collaborative and Stella was keen to make sure that I was happy with the painting at every stage. I really enjoyed working with her and would highly recommend."
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POSTHUMOUS PORTRAIT OF OLAV BRATLI
Nicola Rayner: "We had an incredibly positive experience with Stella, who created a mixed media portrait of my late brother-in-law, Olav, at his piano. Stella was extremely professional and sensitive – and we are absolutely delighted with the results.
"She very much captured a sense of Olav as a person from his wry smile to his pianist’s hands and I’m sure the portrait will be something my sister and her children can treasure in the years to come. Highly, highly recommended."
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A detail from the digital painting commission
COACH IS MY DOG!
Mary Schiffer: "My husband Richard and I commissioned Stella to create a digital portrait for a very special family birthday. It was of my grandson and his dog. Working from a supplied photo she created a vibrant picture connecting givers, recipients and sitters. She listened and captured the subjects beautifully. We highly recommend her!"
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A SEA CHANGE PORTRAIT
Barbara Wichmann, commissioner and sitter, said, "Stella has done a fabulous portrait for me at a time in my life where I'm at a huge turning point. Her kindness and patience and artistic vision are amazing. The entire experience was shared and each step was carefully communicated. It was a truly inspiring and creative experience. The end result a stunning portrait commemorating my new beginning in Cornwall. I couldn't ask for a better experience. Stella is a real star that shines bright in the artistic world and it was a real privilege and honour to work with her. Thank you for ever."
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PORTRAIT OF FRANK BOWLING RA'S SONS WITH THEIR FATHER'S PAINTING
Ben Bowling, on the left of the painting pictured with his brother Sacha, says: “Cover Girl’ is one of dad’s 60s pop-art painting that points to his future abstract work. Above the female figure is a stencilled image of Bowling’s Variety Store, Frank’s childhood home in New Amsterdam, British Guiana. The painting connects we two brothers, born in the 1969s, with our father, his art and autobiographical references that are part of our heritage.”
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Commissioner, and one of subjects, Tim Beeson said, "Stella has done two pieces for me over the years which were extra-special presents for my members of my family: a sketch and an oil painting. I've been absolutely delighted with both. Stella involves you in the creative process and produces beautiful work."
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ROYAL SOCIETY OF PORTRAIT PAINTERS COMMISSION
Kasmira Naik on unveiling the portrait: "Wow! It's perfect!"
Chandra Naik: "This is our dream. And this will leave a legacy for our children and grandchildren. I didn't expect this. It's so good. More than I expected. And we are thrilled.
"Right from the beginning of seeing the canvas to the end. It's been amazing this whole last few weeks, how we spent on this. Our journey. Something I won't forget. And thanks Stella for that. She has done a fantastic job."
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To join up my past careers as a print journalist and broadcast news pr, with my current as a portrait artist, I created a series of portraits of well-known broadcast news journalists I had worked with at the BBC and Sky News. The link that runs throughout my career is that of telling the stories of others. Here's what these consummate storytellers thought of my telling theirs.
JOHN HUMPHRYS EX BBC JOURNALIST - "It's rather odd having someone do your portrait while you're working. They say the camera never lies...sadly, neither does the artist. I rather hoped she might iron out the wrinkles."
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JULIE ETCHINGHAM NOW ITV NEWS JOURNALIST - “Being scrutinised by an artist’s eye is a world away from sitting in front of a news camera – a far more personal and exposed experience – but the fact I know how gentle and endearing Stella is made it an altogether easier time than I’d imagined.”
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A painted study of Adam Boulton.
Completed portrait drawing
ADAM BOULTON NOW WORKS ACROSS MULTIPLE MEDIA -"Because we are looking out from ourselves most of us don't know what we really look like, let alone what impression we make - a portrait is the best way to find out and Stella has an artist's eye and professional insight when it comes to people from the media world like me."
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