Marilyn Bailey
Graduating from St Martin’s in the 70’s, one of our top art schools, with a Degree in Fashion & Design I found that drawing in the studio from live models had become my dominant interest.
So I joined St Martin’s Fine Art Painting and Filmmaking Department for an Advanced Year after which I was given my first solo show of drawings and collages by Peter Hall at London’s National Theatre. I became a member of the London Filmmakers Co-op working with performance and experimental film and one of the Arts’ Council’s ‘Filmmakers on Tour’. I travelled extensively within the UK, Europe and USA, showing and talking about my work.
Group and solo shows, exhibitions, teaching and presenting my work continued for the next 10 years with some memorable shows. At Guildford House, I exhibited works based on the Majolica Collection at Polsedon Lacey, and at the Century Gallery in Henley-on-Thames, I showed large semi-abstracted fruit and flower pieces worked in soft pastels and gouache.
Over the millennium I was awarded an Artist of the Year residency to study works by the Renaissance artists Piero della Francesca and Raphael which led to an exhibition of large contemporary paintings, smaller drawings, and a series of talks about the historic context of specific masterpieces.
Inspired by these works I joined summer workshops in Florence for 6 years, 2004 -2009 and in 2010 joined the full-time program at the prestigious Angel Academy of Art, Florence, for another 4 years of study. This has given me the skills to create illusionistic works and understand a way to paint people and objects in space.
I was commissioned by the art dealer René Gimpel to paint three near-life-sized family portraits. I have had works accepted by the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, for their annual show and sold works at the splendid Antique Fairs BADA, LAPADA and Olympia. In 2022 I curated my own stand at the Penman Antiques Fair – paintings that have these historic techniques look very fine in both antique and contemporary settings.
I continue to enter competitions, exhibit and sell my work privately and in open shows and post on Instagram – all keeping me aware of contemporary influences.
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I was given my first solo show by Peter Hall at London’s National Theatre, I became a member of the London Filmmakers Co-op, I danced (another great love) and worked with performance and experimental film. The Arts Council’s ‘Filmmakers on Tour’ enlisted me as a member and I travelled in the UK, Europe and USA, showing and talking about my work.
Among the group and solo exhibitions, teaching and presentations were some memorable shows. At Guildford House solo – works based on Polesdon Lacey’s Majolica ceramics. At the Century Gallery Henley-on-Thames – large fruit and flowers worked in soft pastels and gouache.
In 2000, awarded an Artist of the Year residency, I explored works by the Renaissance artists Piero della Francesca and Raphael, eventually leading me to Florence and the prestigious Angel Academy of Art. Once more a full-time student, I graduated in 2012 from the 4 year program of practical, academic study.
Portrait commissions followed. For the art dealer, René Gimpel, three near life-sized family portraits. Works accepted by the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. Presence at the splendid Antique Fairs BADA, LAPADA and Olympia with antique dealers Wakelin & Linfield.
Now I curate my own stand at the Penman Antiques Fair. See Events
🟡 New Collection in progress
🟠 Paintings and drawings
🔴 Single flowers, groups, bunches, arrangements
🟣 Still lives, sizes small to large
🟢 Soon to be released
⚪️ Commission Your Own
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FLOWER PORTRAITS
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