Larger Art Commissions By Jamie Poole
Joni Mitchell Singer-Songwriter Portrait.
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When I first looked into making this portrait of Joni Mitchell, I didn't know a lot about this famous singer-songwriter. She is famous for her songs that draw influences from folk, pop, rock, and jazz and some of her most famous songs include, 'Big Yellow Taxi, 'Both Sides Now', 'Down to You' and 'Chinese Cafe'.
In this work I have used these lyrics to make a paper collage 'painting' of her. Each strand of hair and every shadow on her face and in the background have her lyrics embedded into into them. Born in 1943 Joni Mitchell has had a career as a musician and lyricist spanning nearly 40 years. She is well known for changing direction in her musical style which demonstrates her free spirit and desire to experiment and innovate. Artists including Madonna and Prince have been inspired by her and Frank Sinatra even recorded one of her songs! |
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Romeo and Juliet Portrait
Earlier this year I was contacted by Jeremy Hill to 'paint' a portrait of his wife using their special song. The song 'Romeo and Juliet' by Dire Straits reminds them of the time when they were first together in the early eighties. This dreamlike photograph was also taken around the same time and the painting marks their 38th wedding anniversary.
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The video above shows some of the stages I went through making the portrait. The most challenging aspects where painting her hair. Creating blends using collage takes more time because you need to print, cut and glue a greater range of toned paper. The result however was well worth all the effort! Jeremy showed his wife Sue the video and he told me she cried - in a good way! For me this is one of the most satisfying parts of marking work like this!
I am looking forward to painting more like this one in the future! |
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WB Yeats Poem Portrait BBC One Show
In 2018, I was commissioned by the BBC to make a portrait of the famous Irish Poet W.B Yeats for the One Show. The painting was to commemorate the anniversary of the poets death, and is made from some of the poets most well known poems including 'The Lake Isle of Innisfree'. Click here to see me on the One Show (12 minutes in)
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Northampton School for Girls Centenary Painting.
A Lenticular Painting
Northampton School for Girls was one hundred years old in 2015. For a century the school has educated the girls of Northampton and the surrounding areas. I am really honoured to have the privilege of making an artwork to commemorate this celebration.
I wanted to create an artwork that people could view as a physical experience. I know, as a teacher at the school about the enthusiasm, energy, and many lessons that go on every day. So I decided to create an artwork that would reflect the history, movement and learning at the school using a lenticular format. This would mean that the image on the artwork would actually change as you passed it in the corridor.
Watch the following video to learn more....
Portrait of Agnes Nieman, Harvard University , USAAgnes Nieman was the founder of the College for Journalism at Harvard University in the USA. I was commissioned in 2012 to paint a portrait of her using the words from articles and her life story. This was particularly challenging because there were no photographs of her. To create her portrait I used a painting of her mother and photographs of her father as well as a description from her passport. The portrait now hangs in the library of the college at Harvard University. View a short video about the painting here
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Agnes Nieman.
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Tom's Story Portrait in WordsAlways keep your smile. That's how I explain my long life. Jeanne Calment
This is the first time I have completed a major 'text' painting in such a short time! It took just over a month to physically produce the painting, but I have been planning this portrait for a lot longer. When developing an artwork it is a good to have the space to let an idea develop and to take shape over time. Paintings, often have a life of their own and need to be thought about and nurtured like a close friendship, before they are produced. |
Tom's Story
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The Joy of Andre Rieu and a Cuppa! About six years ago I made friends with Tom, who also attended Irthlingborough Methodist Church. I got to know about his life when visiting his home; we often sit and watch the snooker, game shows, old films, and sometimes his favourite concerts from Andre Rieu. So, we had lots of laughs, tea, biscuits and good conversations. Tom had lots of stories to tell me from his long life and I thought they were worth telling in a painting.
I used his words and recollections to make this portrait text painting. In 2019 Tom passed away just before his one hundredth birthday, but he did see his painting. Prints were made and the original given as a gift to his family. A fitting tribute to a lovely man and a veteran of World War Two.
I used his words and recollections to make this portrait text painting. In 2019 Tom passed away just before his one hundredth birthday, but he did see his painting. Prints were made and the original given as a gift to his family. A fitting tribute to a lovely man and a veteran of World War Two.
Warhorse Poem PaintingThe book by Micheal Morpurgo, 'Warhorse' was the inspiration for this major piece of 'text painting'. The story made a strong impression on me and I wanted to mark the centenary of the conflict by making a painting using the words of poets such as Siegfried Sassoon, Edward Blunden and Wilfred Owen. The bottom half of the painting has been made using these poets heart rending words and the top half was made from poems written in today's recent conflicts including the Gulf War, Afganistan and Iraq. Warhorse was made in 2011.
Commission your own painting by Jamie Poole. Please get in touch below: |
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Detail of my Self Portrait 2011
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Self Portrait Made With Love LettersThis painting is the second portrait I made using my 'text painting' technique. Writing letters to your partner allows you the time to reflect on your relationship and the good and challenging things you go through in life together. Myself and my wife have been writing letters to each other since we met in 2008 and its so nice to look back on what we wrote to each other over the months and years.
I decided to experiment with my collage techniques by making this portrait using the words from our letters to collage 'paint' the picture. I also added blurred effects that creates a tension and sense of movement. After making the portrait I used layers of acrylic glazes to build up colour on top of the words creating depth. I also wanted to create a similar effect to that of painted colour photographs. The serious look of my expression was used because I wanted the emotion in the picture to be unclear. The artist Chuck Close was one of my influences for this piece If you would like to commission a portrait, please contact me below! |
Portrait Made From Poems'Sophie' was the first painting I made using words (2009-2010). I wanted to make a painting that presented me with a challenge and would be original, distinct and inspiring. After seeing the work of Chuck Close, who makes large semi abstract portraits, I decided to try a similar idea but using words. I asked Sophie to choose some of her favourite poems (as she is an English teacher), to use as the 'paint' for the picture. The poems where then printed many times and in different tones to use when creating her portrait.
Poems included and collaged into the painting ‘Sophie’ include– ⦁ The Highwayman – Alfred Noyes ⦁ The Lady of Shallot – Tennyson ⦁ Remember – Christina Rossetti ⦁ Something and Nothing – Sophie Hannah ⦁ If this be the Verse – Phillip Larkin ⦁ One Flesh – Elizabeth Jennings |
Sophie with Her Portrait
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