Anna meets...Ian

This month I'd like to introduce artist Ian Brown who lives and works in Cornwall. Ian doesn't show in my gallery but is married to an artist friend of mine which is how we met. Last month Ian invited me to spend a day in his studio in the role of artist's muse. Well, the show-off in me couldn't resist. Ian paints the human form and is particularly interested in the visibility of women of a certain age. He has various projects running currently, one being swimsuits which I sat for, black and white dresses being another. It was an interesting experience to be involved in the creative process for a change: I've visited artists in their studios many times, but always to view work or to choose pieces for exhibitions. Let's continue with the Q & A section shall we?


How long have you been an artist?
I would say that I have been an artist since my early teens although I did not attend art school until my mid 20’s and I am now 63 so you do the math .

Francisco Goya 1746 - 1828, Portrait of the Duchess of Alba, New York Hispanic Society.   


Francisco Goya 1746 - 1828, The Duchess of Alba in White, Liria Palace, Madrid



What's the story behind the black and white dresses?

The dresses came out of the knowledge that an artist I admire Euan Uglow used to dress his models including wigs to suit his painting so I immediately warmed to the idea of dressing my sitters. I had been looking at Goya and chose the paintings he did of the duchess of Alba as the basis for a series of portraits of women I know of my generation . I then set about finding dresses that had what I felt was some Spanish influence but were also not something my sitters would be likely to have in  their wardrobe . I wanted to convey a sort of body glamour usually the domain of the young .

Have you exhibited any of these paintings yet or do you have plans to?


Ian Brown 1953 -, Valda, artist's studio, Cornwall.

I have not exhibited them yet. One was shortlisted for the National Open Art Competition and a second is shortlisted to be hung at the RWA autumn exhibition in Bristol .

What brought you to live in Cornwall?

My wife the artist Janet Lynch persuaded me away from London although I have continued to exhibit in London through Beardsmore Gallery who represented me until earlier this year until they retired .


I know you're a fellow Scot. Tell me where is your favourite place in Scotland and why?

One of my favourite places is Portencross on the Clyde . It figured initially as an exotic place where a friend of my grandfather kept a boat, and later in my adult life in the years just before art school, a friend and mentor (Alasdair Taylor) lived in a cottage there without electricity although it was the nearest inhabited building to Hunterston nuclear power station.


If you weren't an artist what would you like to be?

Probably a professional sportsman of some kind , I have played golf for Cornwall.



Finally, if you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?

At the moment Florence and or Madrid to see paintings of course.


This final shot was taken at the end of the session. I had spotted a painting in the corner of the studio, a women of about my age, wearing these Barbie leggings. Ian and I chatted about how it came about, and lo and behold, the afternoon descended into a bit of dressing up for me. As a girl who spends every day pulling pieces of clothing together to create a-less-than-ordinary outfit, this didn't seem at all unusual. I love the randomness of all of these elements which somehow came together as they did to give me a photograph like no other. Ian has captured the joy of being within this 58 year old body - I'll cherish this forever.

To view more work from Ian follow the link to Newlyn Society of Artists here.
Anna x

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32 comments

  1. Hey Anna, I love this post, so original and engaging. That last shot of you is just WOW! xx

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    1. Dearest Bo, so kind of you to drop by and leave me your thoughts. The last shot is a bit of a humdinger isn't it!
      Anna x

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  2. I love artistic sesions like this. Congratualtions on fantasic effects and great pictures. Greetings and to you and Ian - Margot :)

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    1. Thanks Margot. I was hoping that his might have an appeal. So lovely to hear from you again.
      Anna x

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  3. What fun!

    We can really see your amazing swimmer's body showcased to all it's glory here. Those arms!

    Love that last shot. It captures your energy so well.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Hahaha, yes it was great fun. The last shot says it all. Thanks for your lovely comments Suzanne x
      Anna

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  4. A really interesting post and lovely pics of you!

    xxx

    Hope you have a great week

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Vronni, always good to hear from you x

      Enjoy your week!

      Anna x

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  5. What a creative way to spend a day Anna!!
    I think we should all do this at some time in our lives!!
    You really show how to enjoy our life!
    jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Yes, it was a great experience to have all that attention and end up with a photo like that as a reminder. If you get the chance, I say go for it!

      Anna x

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  6. What an intriguing idea and his portraits of you are really effective- you look beautiful in them! And yeh, only you could get away with Barbie Print and leopard skin!!x

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    1. Hey Kezzie, glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for your comments and yes, that combo is a bit off the wall isn't it?

      Have a lovely week!

      Anna x

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  7. I am so impressed with these awesome photos! I like seeing the creative process between you and Ian, as you dress up and pose - you seem to get more comfortable as you go along. That last picture is amazing - you're so vibrant! Also, may I say, you have a killer strong, lean and amazing body, Anna! Kudos to you - I know how much work that takes!

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    1. The whole day was a novelty for me, and yes, I became more at ease as the day wore on. I'm really pleased with the final shot as it's something for me to look back on in years to come. I've always been althetic, from my teenage years when I was in competitions until now when I'm in competition with myself. Thanks for your lovely comments Sheila x
      Anna

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  8. Very good photos in "verite" style. You are the heroe Anna, congratulation.
    Best wishes.

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    1. Dear Kobieta, thanks so much for your vote of approval. It was a fun day.
      Anna x

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  9. I'm really intrigued by this very "artful perspective" post. The dresses you're wearing are very pretty and of course evocative of the paintings but I have a sense that this was a big step outside your comfort zone...?
    Maybe it's my own expectation (and my problem)of seeing you looking free and wind blown against the backdrop of the sea versus seeing you propped on a stool looking slightly uncomfortable (?) that's got ME outside MY comfort zone.

    Will Ian be turning one of these photographs into a portrait?? If so I cast my vote for ANY of the bathing suit/swimming poses. My favorite is the dive pose. FABULOUS!!
    Yeah, you're having fun in that last shot but I think the dive shows something of your soul.
    Sorry if I'm being presumptuous here...

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    1. Dear Judy, I understand your thought process with these shots. My remit with the black and white dresses was to mimic a slightly severe look similar to the Duchess, and yes, that's not my norm. I knew these were going to be very different and therefore had reservations about seeing the final shots. When you get to a certain age, I think the face benefits from a smile as it acts as scaffolding to hold the wrinkles up and smooth things out a tad. I probably did look anxious about looking my real age if the truth be known.
      Ian is using the black and white poses for his project and is already painting me in the black dress at the moment. In due course I hope to be able to show my readers the finished piece. If you follow the link you'll see the line up I'll be joining.
      The final shot was just a bit of fun for us both. And yes, it shows me in the carefree way that you usually see me on the blog. I have no idea if the swimming shots will be worked up into paintings as yet. At the end of the day, the muse is there to inspire, not to instruct. I must wait to see what develops.
      Thanks for your input and observations.
      Anna x

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  10. What a great opportunity! Such a once in a lifetime event. The images of you are very nice, especially the white dress. Thank you for sharing with us.

    Julia

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    1. It was indeed a once in a lifetime opportunity. I felt the white dress suited me better than the black, but both were a challenge to try to channel the Duchess! So lovely to hear from you again x
      Anna

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  11. Long black gloves, Barbie leggings... almost steamy! What a great post, Anna, creative, classy and fun. xx

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    1. We started with the leggings and the rest was drawn from what was around, so was very organic really. It was a relief to be posed in something less severe that's for sure! Thanks for your comments Elizabeth x
      Anna

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  12. Wow - fabulous shoot and I love the energy and creativity. The last shot is so vibrant! Thanks for linking, xox

    Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle

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    1. Thanks Patti for the link up and for all of your lovely feedback. Have a great week x
      Anna

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  13. What an amazing and (I would feel a bit scary) opportunity and a fascinating process. The photos are works of art in their own right. The pointing finger is thought provoking. In Goya's paintings the finger pointed at his signature. I'll look forward to seeing the paintings.
    Tessa xx

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    1. It was certainly a novel way to spend the day, but I gradually warmed to the process. My finger is actually pointing at Ian's signature which is carved onto the platform - sorry, only joking! Yes, Ian explained that too. I'll be very interested to see how they turn out, but hesitant about seeing them as well.
      Thanks for dropping by x
      Anna

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  14. Love this piece! I adore his style and that he has such a keen eye, and a strong sense of who as an artist he is.I adore the paintings, and loved you in all of the posing, especially the last one, you look happily out of character and gorgeous! ( leopard bra and barbie leggins- yes!)
    Can't wait to see how he transforms you into paint!
    xx, Elle
    http://www.theellediaries.com/blog/

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    1. Glad to hear that you enjoyed the post Elle. It's good to have a mix of features on the blog and I love to introduce a bit of something different too. I'm always in awe of the talent of artists which I think comes from my unfulfilled desire to paint. Ian was encouraging and kind with his comments and instructions and that really helped to relax me - hence this happy final shot. Will share the results when he's done x
      Anna

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  15. This was fun indeed. Playing dress up and have your painting made. Is the way you pose in your swinsuit, the way Ian painted you? Why goodness, what a tight belly you have and all the right curves. Looking so good. That last picture indeed oozes joy and happiness.
    Greetje

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  16. My swimsuit shots are yet to be painted, and I have no idea which one will be used. Ian is painting me in a dress at the moment which I will air on the blog once it's finished. I have the swimming to thank for my figure Greetje - anything strenuous practised daily will have a similar effect I'd say. Thanks x
    Anna

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  17. What a lovely experience! These portraits of you are really quite something.

    Love, Annie

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