Art Project Aims to Raise Profile of Local Artists and Funds for Charity

Front Row : Jeremy Jackson

Art, charity and travel have been combined in a unique collaborative project launched by Woodbury-based Jeremy Jackson with an illustrious career as an artist, writer and honorary pastor and former public relations executive spanning 30 years. Despite retiring six years ago, flamboyant Jeremy is far from taking it easy and his latest new venture combines two of his greatest passions – paintings and people.  As well as supporting a charity that helps orphaned and abandoned children in Tanzania, philanthropic Jeremy has now launched a new commercial business that will help raise funds for people with ear disease and deafness in Nepal.  The new venture, AventArt, will see Jeremy partner with gifted British artists across the UK to not only raise their profile but also much-needed money for the needy.  The first 7 artists signed-up are all based in Devon & Cornwall.

Jeremy says: “I want to showcase the high-quality work of living artists; whether amateurs who wish to move into a professional status or more established artists seeking wider notability.  AventArt is set to create a real buzz in the world of fine arts that will benefit many. It will inspire and delight – we are in the business of celebrating beauty – beauty of the human spirit and of the world around us.”

Jeremy’s latest project was, in part, inspired by local anaesthetist Charlie Collins who is raising money to pay for a hospital for the EarAid charity in Nepal. Jeremy, whose fundraising ventures have included a walk from Exeter to Land’s End and, is a great believer in business giving back to the community.  He says: “I felt I couldn't ask for any more sponsorship, so really another walk was out of the question.  So I decided instead to start a business which will be a commercial enterprise, with a percentage of the revenue going to charity.”

In a further development of the AventArt brand, two of the artists to join the project, Devon-based Peter Goodhall and Rebecca de Mendonça, are hosting a series of painting breaks in Italy during June and July this year.  Rebecca, from Exeter, and Sidmouth-based Peter are both experienced tutors who will be helping their students to brush up on a range of techniques, whatever their ability.  Each tutor will provide four hours of structured tutorial sessions each day in the stunning UNESCO World Heritage city of Ferrara.  Students will paint al fresco in the cool of the delightful hotel courtyard as well as having the opportunity of exploring the city, taking sketch books and boards to draw and paint new and exciting locations as the fancy takes them.

Rebecca has worked with some highly creative people, on some fascinating projects. These include sculpting the famous ceiling in Harrods food hall and producing work for Warwick Castle museum and Madame Tussaud's.

Peter works from his studio located on a Devon cliff-top; an idyllic and inspirational setting for his specialist art. His oil paintings of nudes in water concentrate on the sensual forms and patterns trying to capture the shimmering movements before they disappear.

To find out more about the artists go to www.aventart.com.  For full information about painting breaks visit: www.aventholidays.com or email Liz at: enquiries@aventholidays.com

The Queen's official portrait to celebrate her 85th Birthday now unveiled. Read Glen King's interview with Royal Artist Darren Baker when she met him at his exhibition at Triton Galleries, Torquay, Devon in 2010

Anne Craib Commercial Director & David Phelps owner of Triton Galleries - Royal Artist Darren Baker and Glen King

Glen King visits Triton Galleries in Torquay and gains an insight into this talented young artist about to embark on his biggest commission to date.  Darren is due to paint Her Majesty The Queen to commemorate her 85th Birthday in association with The Royal British Legion celebrating its 90^th anniversary which is to be unveiled in September 2011.   The Darren Baker exhibition at Triton Galleries includes a collection of never seen before stunning originals in oils, pastels and charcoal.

At the tender age of four, artist Darren Baker can vividly remember people crowding around him as he sketched Big Ben... it was from that moment on that he has been fascinated by detail.

To date, 34 year old Darren has painted notable public figures such as Prince Charles and former Prime Minister Tony Blair which hang in St. James’s Palace and 10 Downing Street respectively. He’s collected numerous coveted awards including best artist at the Fine Art Trade Guild ceremony in London, the Garrick prize, Christies and specially selected more recently by Senior Royal Academician to exhibit at the ING Discerning Eye Exhibition.

When asked if he’s always wanted to be an artist, without hesitation Darren replies “I’ve never thought about being anything else. I was just born an artist.” Originally from Bradford, he explains how his talent doesn’t stem from anyone else in the family, “I’m just a freak of nature really.” Now living in the Cotswolds, Darren shares a character cottage with his wife Abigail and their 13-month-old Pug puppy called Albert, specially bred for them by an art lover as a wedding present. Describing the area as a ‘beautiful part of the world’ Darren is currently renovating his home studio to create his perfect working environment.  

At the age of just 23 Darren was appointed official artist for the Professional Footballers Association painting such famous faces as the late great George Best, Stephen Gerrard and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

How did you get involved with the PFA?

I wrote a letter to the Chief Executive Gordon Taylor saying how much I like football and asked whether they’d like to commission me to do some artwork. They loved the idea and the rest is history!

And when you were first starting out you received a grant from the Princes Trust?

Yes, after I graduated they introduced me to a business mentor who helped in putting my name forward for various fairs, getting me networking and raising my profile as an artist. I owe them a great debt.”

You’re about to follow in the footsteps of artists like Rolf Harris and Lucien Freud.  Painting the Queen is in celebration of her 85th birthday, how did this come about?

I was on tour about four years ago at The Windsor Horse Show. I’d been commissioned by the British Legion and when they saw my work they put my name forward.

Painting such a well-known and recognised face has proven rather controversial in the past with artist’s interpretations dividing critics. It must be rather daunting, how are you planning to approach the piece?

Well, once I’ve had the sitting I’ll have a better idea of how I feel about painting the Queen and what my take on her will be, so that will affect the style and size of the portrait.  That’s a kind of pivotal moment really. I might introduce some poppies as a nod to the Legion.

What medium will you be working in and why?

The portrait will be in oil. I just love the versatility of it and the colours you can create and the textures. It takes longer but the results are worth it.  Like anything, good things come to those who wait!

Darren says his true admiration in the art world is for the grand masters including Rembrandt and Vemeer, admitting he would love to paint the Queen astride a horse like traditional Royal portraiture.

In addition you are working in association with Lloyds Private Banking who have commissioned you to create portraits of various athletes leading up to a big exhibition in 2012 as part of their Olympic programme.    

There are quite a few things in the pipeline which I can’t mention at the moment but it is going to be a really exciting year.

Embarking on perhaps the most prestigious commission of his career to date, he casts his mind back fondly to the first ever paid commission when his Godmother gave him £25 to paint her cottage in Huddersfield. The price of that painting today would no doubt have extra zeros added with most of his works starting from £1,000.  Ever modest and humble about his work, the pieces closest to Darren’s heart are those of sentimental value including those of his family and one of his personal favourites; the church window at St. Bartholomew’s in Meltham which brings back fond memories of visits as a boy. 

www.tritongalleries.co.uk