Historically inspired portraits by artist Ellie Burelli*
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*Ellie Burelli is the "nom de plume" for the artist otherwise known as Ellie Hesse
ARTIST's STATEMENT
Growing up in England surrounded by antiques and old curiosities, every evening, my father, who was an antiques dealer, would proudly present us with his latest found treasures. Our family home's walls were filled (and still are to this day!) with old paintings, some by my Scottish Grandmother, who was a portrait painter.
Although I didn't immediately choose the artistic path, despite my family's encouragement, I soon returned to art and have been painting professionally since 2001.
My historically inspired portraits are in fact a more recent addition to my portfolio. The idea for which, came to me as an kind of epiphany during a quiet and reflective period in the midst of the lockdown of March 2020. Initially focussing on the French Baroque, Rococo era, I am now also enjoying exploring portraiture from earlier periods such as the Italian Renaissance and the English Tudors.
Taking inspiration from the legacy of the old masters, my intention is to try and capture some of the essence and character of the subject and hopefully communicating a little of my own personality through the piece. I love researching the fascinating back stories of my subjects and feel as though I have jumped on board a time machine taking me on a fascinating journey into the aesthetic delights of bygone eras.
Since starting my artistic career in 2001, my work has been exhibited widely in galleries and art fairs across the UK and Internationally. My Baroque inspired pieces have found homes in collections across the globe, in Europe, the US and even as far as New Zealand.
I have exhibited my work (Contemporary townscapes and Equine Art) at the following galleries and art fairs:
Store Street Gallery, London, (Now LCA gallery), London 2018-2020
AAF Hampstead 2019 with London Contemporary Art (LCA), London
AAF Battersea, London 2007-20 with Bell Fine Art, Winchester UK
The Moreton Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh, UK 2012-2020
AAF New York and Los Angeles 2012 with Store Street Gallery, London (horse work)
Quantum Leap Gallery, Rome 2012
AAF Brussels 2010 with Bell Fine Art, Winchester
AAF Bristol 2008-2017with Bell Fine Art
Purple Gallery, Birmingham, 2012
The Montpellier Gallery, Cheltenham (horse work) 2011-2012
Off the Wall Gallery, Cardiff (horse work), 2010-2012
Fountain Fine Art, Llandeilo,Wales (horse work) 2010-2012
The Bluestone Gallery, Devizes 2008-2012
La Perdrix Arts Centre, Riberac, France 2010
The Atrium Gallery, Bath 2007-2011
The Saddler Gallery, Wells 2008-2010
Darcy Gallery, Cheltenham 2008
The Bay Tree Gallery, Bradford-on-Avon 2008
I am currently selling my historically inspired portraits directly through Instagram on the Shop the Chateau site @chateaudegoudanes and here on my website
All artwork is copyright of the artist (c)2020 Ellie Burelli