Robin Poem
Framed memento
30cm x 20cm
December 2020
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This was a lovely little project and my first foray into illustration.
It was a request to decorate a specially-created piece of poetry with my artwork, and then arrange for it to be printed and framed to create a lasting memento for the client's granddaughter Robin.
I created my Robin Triptych specifically with this in mind, to accompany The Boss, then it was over to Bradbury Design for the layout work, before being printed and mounted by The Darkroom Ltd, all finished off in a dark wood frame.
Such a heart-warming commission and fab to be able to help make the vision a reality.
Client's comment: 'Beyond my expectations!'
PD Stark
Acrylic on canvas panel
40cm x 30cm
November 2020
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This is PD Stark who had to undergo emergency surgery after being attacked with a machete as he detained a suspect in the early hours of November 14.
How anyone could hurt such a beautiful creature is beyond me but, in business mode, he is surely a force to be reckoned with.
After reading about it on Twitter, I was totally moved by his bravery and utter awesomeness. Stark has stolen my heart. What courage, what a hero!
Was inspired to paint him to thank Stark and his partner PC Paul Hopley, of West Midlands Police, for everything they do every day to keep us safe.
It is a huge relief that Stark will make a full recovery from his multiple wounds and will be back catching criminals before you know it.
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Client's comment: 'Wow...that's amazing. Thank you so much. I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you've done. I love it.'
Scruffy
Acrylic and oil on stretched canvas
45cm x 35cm
July 2020
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My first pussycat. I like firsts, they're exciting.
A stray that wandered into the perfect home and is now very much loved.
This was meant to be a present for a November birthday but the cat was let out the bag rather early!
It's mainly acrylic but, as a little experiment, I did the eyes and a bit of finishing detail in oil.
Think the combo worked particularly well. The eyes look glossy and the fur looks matt and, well, furry!
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Client's comment: 'WOW! Love it.'
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Birthday Becki
Pencil drawing
A4
May 2020
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Yep! My first drawing commission! Only started daily drawing practice as a lockdown challenge to myself to get better and address a weak point.
Was delighted and apprehensive in equal measure when this job landed as I'm a painter not a sketcher.
But how awesome that an old school friend liked my drawings enough to ask. Never expected that!
This was a birthday present for the lovely lady in the picture, who is also celebrating 25 years of marriage this year. Double congrats.
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Client's comment: 'It's great, it really is Tamsin.'
For Lorna
Acrylic on canvas panel
30cm x 23cm
May 2020
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My second contribution to the Portraits For NHS Heroes initiative.
Lorna Sayers (married name Cox) is a health care assistant in her 60s, on a Covid-19 ward at Northampton General Hospital, nominated by her colleague Simon, who described her as the heart of their team.
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Client's comment: 'Amazing.'
For Fiona
Acrylic on canvas panel
30cm x 25.5cm
May 2020
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A small token of my huge appreciation to all the NHS workers on the Covid-19 frontline, but particularly to Fiona Parry.
She is a nurse in critical care at Cheltenham General Hospital with over 25 years' service in intensive care.
In normal times she is the lead nurse at Cheltenham College but ex-colleagues at the hospital asked her to return after a five-year gap to help with the pandemic effort.
This came about as a result of the Portraits for NHS Heroes initiative started by Oxford artist Tom Croft.
I offered my services not really knowing if I could deliver the goods.
I'm not a portrait artist but I was willing to have a go.
I surprised myself with the results and made a new friend in the process.
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Client's comment: 'I feel very privileged that you did this Tamsin. Thank you so much, hugely appreciated. It's amazing.'
Pink Panther
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
30cm x 30cm
March 2020
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This was a retirement gift for a top bloke on the completion of many years' service with Avon and Somerset Police's press office, who has a passion for trike racing.
The brief was it needed to be pink and needed to look active. The rest was up to me.
The bright pink colour was particularly important to him.
Didn't know how tricky it was going to be mixing a hot pink so had to purchase a lovely Liquitex magenta for this beauty but was so worth it. A fab fun colour and a wonderful creating experience.
Finished off with the perfect grey wood-effect box frame.
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Client's comment: 'He absolutely loved it. The detail and the colour. You are a genius!
Thank you. I knew I could trust you to do the best job.'
The Dell
Acrylic on canvas panel
21cm x 15cm
March 2020
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A birthday present for an avid Southampton supporter from his two young sons.
My first go at a building and my first football-themed creation so was a refreshing change to try something new.
As the family were in isolation at the time, it was dropped off on their doorstep, along with some eggs. And, due to the strange coronavirus circumstances, ended up being the birthday boy's only gift, so even more special.
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Client's comment: 'Aww, brilliant, thank you. That's just perfect.'
Luna
Framed oil on canvas panel
30cm x 23cm
January 2020
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My first commission in oils and my first time creating a wedding present, so delighted with how she turned out.
This is Luna, a cheeky, playful cockerpoo. Currently having a great run on doggy commissions.
Wasn't expecting to be able to show this one until after the big day but the client was so excited to show her daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law that the proverbial cat was let out the bag early.
Luna was framed in a wooden with metallic effect frame with an ivory mount.
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Client's comment: 'They are ecstatic about your painting! Such a success Tamsin. Thank you so much.'
Toby
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
40cm x 30cm
January 2020
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My first commission of 2020 is Toby, a retired racing greyhound.
Under the name of Desert Falcon, he raced 63 times, won eight and came second in six.
Now aged six, he's adapted to stretching out on the sofa very well. A cool dude with such faraway eyes, like he's eyeing up the finish line.
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Client's comment: 'Wow, amazing. '
Merlot
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
40cm x 30cm
November 2019
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This beautiful old boy still has puppy eyes. Merlot is always the perfect gentleman and, despite his 13 years, can still be found bounding around like a youngster occasionally.
There were happy tears when I revealed it to the client and the new owner was 'blown away' when he opened it on Christmas morning.
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Client's comment: 'Everyone absolutely loves it. You have really captured him. And yes I cried again. '
Blue
Acrylic on box canvas
90cm x 60cm
November 2019
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Here's Blue. He's a proper poser as any chance he gets he's admiring himself in the mirror. And he's thought to be a Welsh section D, known for their prancing and with a nickname of fire-breathing dragon! So he's a cheeky wee blighter too.
But pleased to say he behaved impeccably for me.
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Client's comment: 'Oh wow!!! That's cracking! You've caught Blue's expression so well. I absolutely love it.'
Pathfinder
Framed acrylic on canvas panel
35.5cm x 28cm
November 2019
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An unusual request and certainly not a subject I've tried before. But just to show I'm more than happy to accommodate all requests if I can.
The composition came from a favourite picture for setting and style along with a sketch I did of an angel brought together in close consultation with the client for her husband's birthday present.
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Client's comment: 'It's beautiful Tamsin'
Callie and Co
Acrylic on stretched canvas
40cm x 30cm
November 2019
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Here's a family's beloved pets, past and present, brought together for the first time in a group portrait for a Christmas present. A truly treasured gang, Poppy, Casper, Callie and Rubble, who I now feel I know, having studied them so intently.
Some of the reference photos were quite old and not as detailed as I would like but I do love a challenge.
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Client's comment: ''OMG, that's beautiful. I have tears in my eyes. It's amazing. They will love it. Seriously, I could cry.'
Bertie
Acrylic on stretched canvas
40cm x 30cm
October 2019
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Meet Bertie, a very cute border terrier who was a total dream to paint.
Created from one of his owner's favourite photos of him, he made the perfect surprise birthday present for her husband.
It's not easy finding something different to buy a special someone year after year.
But I'm reliably informed the birthday boy loved this original pet portrait.
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Client's comment: 'It's amazing'
Sidney
Acrylic on stretched canvas
40cm x 30cm
September 2019
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Took the dog for a stroll and came back with a commission to paint this pooch.
Painted Sidney from a photo I took of him in the park.
A friendly, if somewhat yappy, old chap who is good at keeping our young pup in her place when she gets too playful and bouncy.
His owner didn't specify any particular colour scheme but when I delivered it to her home we found the perfect place for it and the blues and greens were just the job.
A Dip
Acrylic on canvas panel
25cm x 20cm
July 2019
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Was moved to gift this commission. It now belongs to a brave lady who is going through the toughest of times and needs some joy in her life. I'm in awe of her fighting spirit and it's important to me she has something she loves to look at.
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Client's comment: 'OMG it's beautiful. I'm so touched. I will love it forever. I can't stop looking at it. '
Alvin
Acrylic on stretched canvas
25cm x 20cm
May 2019
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On a roll with horses at the moment.
This is Alvin. A surprise birthday present to put a smile on the face of the young girl who rides this fine chap.
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Client's comment: 'I love it. It's amazing. You are so talented. Thank you. She will be so pleased.'
Twister
Acrylic on stretched canvas
50cm x 40cm
May 2019
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A tough call but got there in the end. This was a blend of a fuzzy Facebook photo for composition and a number of images of the boy Oscar and his dog Boris for likeness.
A smidge of artistic licence needed with this 40th birthday present for Oscar's dad, commissioned by his sister.
It challenged me to dig that bit deeper too.
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Client's comment: 'The painting captured a typical moment between boy and dog, and my brother was very impressed. Thanks Tamsin. It looks great on their wall.'
Maverick
Acrylic on box canvas
90cm x 60cm
March 2019
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The late Maverick was an absolute dream of a horse, I'm told, as well as a striking beast.
A treasured companion immortalised on canvas and now hanging on the client's high walls in Glasgow.
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Client's comment: 'Oh wow! I love it! I love how you've done his colour rather than him being a flat orange. He used to change colour in the seasons. The colour is perfect.
You've got his expression too. He was nice-natured.'
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The Chase
Acrylic on stretched canvas
80cm x 60cm
March 2019
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Finished this commission in March but the birthday boy wanted to save it till his big day in June.
A nail-bitingly long time wait for the verdict but thankfully he liked it.
Features his three favourite racehorses, Castoret, Denman and Rooster Booster.
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Client's comment: 'My fovourite bit is Castoret. Brilliant job."
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Chris and Chris
Acrylic on box canvas
40cm x 40cm
January 2019
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A surprise present to capture a joyful outing for this cycling duo.
Yes, the bike is supposed to be that small. It's a little electric tandem.
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Client's comment: 'Very happy with the results of my commissioned artwork. Tamsin has created a lasting memory from a snapshot of a fun day in the summer sun that will brighten our winter wall space.
Love the portfolio and just wish we had room for a wonderful bird study as displayed here. Hope the wider public are able to appreciate this clever artistry too. Well done Tamsin.'
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Bunker
Acrylic on box canvas
45cm x 35cm
March 2018
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Love that moment of impact in any physical activity. Never been a golfer myself but can still appreciate the satisfaction of a solid strike.
This one was for a very dedicated golfer indeed. Three times a week minimum. Happy birthday!
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Client's comment: 'Delighted with the painting. It's exactly what I was looking for as a special birthday present. You capture the atmosphere of the subject matter so well. A very successful commission. Many thanks.'
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Alex
Acrylic on box canvas
60cm x 50cm
March 2018
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Continuing my recent run of bike-themed paintings, this was a birthday present for the action man in the saddle.
Another fab reference photo to work from.
As gifts go, you can't get much more personalised than that.
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Client's comment: 'I love the colours and the movement. I love the way your eye gets drawn to the biker, my husband. It's awesome and will have pride of place in our front room.'
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Bounce
Acrylic on box canvas
60cm x 50cm
February 2018
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The client provided a great photo to work from.
Apart from my self-portrait, which was an experiment inspired by a trip to Edinburgh's National Portrait Gallery, this was my first proper go at faces.
Love a challenge. Always learning.
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Client's comment: 'Thank you Tamsin. You've captured the exuberance of my kids perfectly. I love it.'
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Ride It
Acrylic on box canvas
45cm x 35cm
January 2018
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My first ever commission. Will be for ever grateful to the wonderful client who took a complete leap of faith in trusting me to do this and believed in me totally.