Biography
Ollie is a portrait and figurative artist based in London. She studied traditional portraiture in Florence for four years at Charles Cecil Studios. Here, she learnt the old masters technique called the ‘sight-size’ method whereby you measure and observe the model from a distance and to the scale of life whilst painting under natural light. Masters such as John Singer Sargent and Sir Thomas Lawrence used this technique whilst its origins lie in the practise of Van Dyke, Velasquez and Titian. She also lived in Los Angeles for 6 months where she was heavily influenced by her surroundings and the art scene, particularly in Downtown.
Since leaving Florence, Valentine has embarked on her own creative journey of self-expression, welcoming many different styles to her practise, whilst harnessing the skills gained at Charles Cecil. Her work draws comparisons to the somewhat different styles of Klimt, Gauguin and Gwen John. Klimt’s elongated illustrative figures, to Gauguin’s mystical, colourful symbolism and his depictions of Polynesian women contrasts beautifully with Gwen John’s soft, gentle palette, rendering a range of closely related tones.
Exhibitions:
2024 September, The Table Gallery, Hay on Wye
2024 April SAB Gallery, Los Angeles
2024 February Wonzimer Gallery, Downtown Los Angeles
2023 7th September - 5th October, Gillian Jason Gallery, ‘The Pink Cloud’, London - Solo Exhibition
2023 July 2023, Gillian Jason Gallery, ‘Face to Face II’, London
2022 October Gillian Jason, ‘Face to Face’, London
2021 14th - 18th September, The Coningsby Gallery, ‘Me, My Friends & Other Places’ - Solo Exhibition
2021 Crean and Company, Online Gallery
2021 The Royal Society Of Portrait Painters, The Mall Galleries, London
2019 Nadia Waterfields Fine Art Exhibition, Hampshire
2018 Nadia Waterfields Fine Art Exhibition ‘The Hampshire Art Fair’, Hampshire
2018 London Christmas Pop Up Art Sale, Wimbledon
2018 Fine Art Exhibition at Donnington Art Fair for the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, Berkshire
2017 Student Exhibition at Charles H. Cecil Studios, Florence
2013 Student Art Exhibition at Hurtwood House, Surrey