Henrietta Stuart

This is the website of the artist Henrietta Stuart

Henrietta has many works for sale arranged in sections throughout the site. Please click on the portfolio link to view more works.

About Henrietta Stuart

I paint abstracts in oil on canvas, based on 'things seen': formerly still life, now mostly landscape, in which I aim to evoke time and place, using colour and light. I paint in thin layers, laying paint over paint to exploit its transparency, a technique of which Turner and Titian were both masters.

My formative influences included Georgio Morandi, Paul Cézanne, Georges Braque, Mark Rothko, Robert Motherwell, and Clyfford Still. Morandi is remembered for pointing out that "There is nothing more abstract than the visible world". I in my own way set out to make abstract compositions out of things I have seen, and been moved by: "A world observed and translated - a world created from the natural and the man-made: 'still life' a still life both drawn and felt, as one would admire and caress a well-loved jug, or wonder at the light on the water of the Thames on a calm spring morning" - was how I put it myself some years ago, and it still holds true.

The process

My paintings have developed over the years from abstracts based on still life to compositions woven from images taken from the natural world. My inspiration as always is from places and images that I have seen. The compositions are worked up from extensive drawing, both of the landscape and of still life groups set up in the studio. The finished pieces range from almost totally abstract compositions evoking a sense of place to more easily recognisable landscape images: natural world modulated by time and season, disclosed by visual texture and colour.

Colour and light play the most important parts in my work. Colour is used to evoke emotion, and gives a sense of time and place; light is used to create space and to mask and hide objects, creating a sense of mystery.

Places

Usually there is a recognisable 'formative influence', thus: my work in 2002 and '03 was influenced by months spent in Southern India and Sri Lanka - Keralan coastal ports with their fishing villages and vibrant markets, light over the waters of the Arabian Sea and the inland waterways, the dry and barren inlands of Tamil Nadu and the hills and mountains of the Nilgaris and the Western Ghats. Over the same period I managed some time painting in Britain, in the South Downs near Seaford, and in the open chalk-down countryside around Winchester - yet more influences.

In 2003 I spent an extended period of time in the south of France and for the past year I have been inspired by that very different landscape. My french home in 2004 was in the raised circulade (village) of St Pons de Mauchiens in the Herault, dominated by its 'garrigues' - a landscape of limestone uplands, many surmounted by vineyards, planted in what looks like just shattered rock. We are also near the coast, and I have painted the littoral around the nearby port of Sète, and the enclosed waters of the Bassin de Thau-Bouzigues, with its mussel-beds and characteristic boats, the waters calm and reflective especially early in the morning. In 2005 I moved to a new studio in Neffies, where the surrounding countryside has provided a new influence on the 2005 Autumn collection. The latest canvases have a brief explanation of the inspiration on their label.

In 2007, I travelled to the Greek island of Ithaca, in the Ionian Sea. I spent four months on the island walking, sketching and painting. It is now however back in France and back in my studio that I can start to see the influences coming through and enriching the compositions. Ithaca has shown unique Ionian softness and calm juxtaposed against the bustle of the ports with their fishing boats and flotillas. The panoramic views from the hilltop villages, or sea mists obscuring all but the occasional silhouette. The warmth, noise and whirl of the Panighiria festivals set against the quiet of the early morning seas seen over a carpet of spring colour

Born 1965 (London), schooled Orleans, Twickenham and Marlborough College
1984-88 University of Newcastle upon Tyne
1988-92 lived and worked in Marseilles, associating with French artists
1993 returned to London, setting up studio in Chiswick
1997 moved to Chertsey near the Artists Studios, where I painted, at last full time
2003 moved with my husband near to Beziers in the south of France.

Qualifications and awards

BA Hons (first class) in Fine Art, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
1984 - John Christie Prize for Art
1988 - John Christie Prize for Painting
2001 - National Physical Laboratory painting competition, second prize.

Selecting "slideshow" will enable you to see all of Henrietta Stuart's current work for sale. Clicking on the photo will bring up more details of the individual piece. To view her art in detail click on "portfolio". You will see that the paintings are arranged in sections - you can buy work on line or select "enquire" to make an appointment to view the work at their study or one of their representing galleries.

As a member of the isendyouthis.com Art Business Network, Henrietta Stuart is able to accept credit and debit card payments securely both on-line and from the studio.

If you wish to contact Henrietta Stuart then you can email them from the contact section of their website. You can also join their mailing list to ensure that you are kept informed of their work and receive invitations to any private viewings of exhibitions and shows.

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