artist people’s choice
We’re delighted to announce that The Artist People’s Choice Award at this year’s TALP Open Exhibition at Patchings Art Centre goes to Michele Ashby for her striking pastel portrait of Bea (right). Michele wins a £250 voucher to spend at film and video producer APV Films; www.apv.films.com
Michele has been working as a full-time artist for five years. She is a Master Pastellist and Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America and has exhibited with the International Association of Pastel Societies in Chicago. Michele is also a member of the Institute of East Anglian Artists, an Associate Member of the Society of Women Artists and a Unison Colour Pastels Associate Artist. She has exhibited with the Pastel Society, the Royal Society of Marine Artists, the Society of Women Artists and the Society of Graphic Fine Arts at the Mall Galleries in London. ‘I simply adore working with this particular model who I’ve painted severel times before’, writes Michele. ‘She is a tall, striking young woman of Zimbabwe/Malawi heritage and is very comfortable in her own skin. I wanted to create a stripped-back sensitive portrait showing off the gorgeous warm earthy tones of my muse’s black skin with all its subtle shades. She looks to her left as if she is thinking of something from the past with a faraway contemplative look. Wearing just a beaded necklace and large hooped earrings, the circular shapes of which accentuate the soft nature of her body, the model has no need for makeup.
‘Her hair is a large part of the portrait with an abundance of heavy braids scooped up and wrapped around her head in the style of a loose bun. She uses her arm to discreetly cover her modesty revealing only what she wants the viewer to see, allowing herself ownership to feel completely comfortable in her nakedness.
‘I used a light source that created strong interesting highlights on her skin emphasising the smooth fullness of her flesh and the youthfulness within her. The only straight angle of the piece is the edge of the surface she is leaning on and this, too, runs off to the left as if echoing that nod to some past event. The colour of the surface is a warm chocolate with soft pink reflections sitting neatly within my chosen palette. I wanted to create a contemporary portrait without distraction therefore I used a plain background thus the focal point is simple – all concentration is on Bea taking centre stage.’