JUSTIN WHEATLEY
CHILLED PORTRAITS
A exhibition of works in oil by figurative painter Justin Wheatley of the contemporary portrait. Paying tribute to the early-modern masters, the works harmonious warm and ‘chilled’ palette, and virtuoso brushwork serves to intimately express distinctive identities.
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‘From an early age, my passion for art was evident, with a love for drawing and painting at the tender age of four.
Winning an art scholarship to my senior school paved the way for my artistic journey, starting with a foundation course at Wimbledon and then a Sculpture degree at St. Martins. Life took me on detours, but in 2022, I rediscovered my artistic fervour and love for painting.
Regarding my artistic training, and while I won't disparage art schools, apart from the foundation course, I found little guidance and development of technique. Despite this, I enjoyed the social aspects.
My artistic style aims for realism, incorporating warm and cool colours, and balancing light and dark values. I'm currently exploring a looser style, focusing on creating a sense of drama through finding geometrical lines in the subject and some strategic highlights.
People are my consistent muse. Though I've ventured into still-life and landscapes, people hold a special fascination. My creative process involves meticulous selection of images, careful consideration of composition, and adherence to the golden ratio, creating paintings that resonate with harmony and detail.’
Justin Wheatly, 2024.
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On visiting Justin Wheatley’s exhibition, you'll experience a spectrum of styles, from the simplicity and elegance of oil sketches to larger-than-life multi-person paintings with intricate details and a myriad of textures. He’s injected his presence into five distinct works, each offering a glimpse into different facets of his life.
One of the paintings will transport you to the world of Vermeer, where Justin has inserted himself seamlessly into the narrative of a lady reading a note. Another painting is a dramatic, oversized crimson head – a portrayal of a dear friend. A New Year's Eve celebration is captured in panoramic splendour, its dark and atmospheric lighting casting a spell upon distorted figures immersed in animated conversation.
Some artworks are lively oil sketches that breathe life into the subjects with minimal detail, emphasising the vitality that defines these relationships. Large canvases showcase his visage set against the backdrop of my home, while a vivid blue masterpiece immortalises the spirit of Mette, a cherished Danish friend.
Wheatley’s artistic influences are diverse, drawing inspiration from the works of Botticelli, Velàzquez, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Augustus John, and Singer Sargent. He embraces a 'realistic' approach while employing a sense of freshness in his creations. The process involves capturing moments through the lens of a high-quality camera, ensuring authenticity and avoiding distortions. However, the heart of his work lies in truly understanding the character and personality of each subject.
A poignant memory of his mother's portrait serves as a reminder that a successful portrayal goes beyond mere physical likeness. Her vivacity, expressed through constant laughter and conversation, could not be captured by an image where she remained silent. When his mother asked a friend if he thought the portrait was a good likeness, he replied “I don’t know Annette, I’ve never seen you with your mouth shut.” This understanding of the individual, beyond their appearance, guides his hand and brush.
In pursuit of artistic expression, Wheatley works almost exclusively in oil paint on board, wood, or canvas. People, with their myriad stories and intricacies, are my eternal muses. My objective is simple – to create works of beauty that invite you to revel in their allure every day.
While mostly unavailable for sale, the paintings within this exhibition serve as a testament to what can be achieved through the marriage of artistry and personal connection. If the pieces resonate with you, consider this an invitation to embark on a collaborative journey. A commissioned work can capture the unique beauty that defines your world.
Thank you for joining me on this visual odyssey, and may the portraits before you evoke emotions as profound as the relationships that inspired them.
Hester Baldwin, Managing Director.
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Merely looking like someone, is not a portrait. Being like someone is. Traditionally, people liked to be portrayed as they wanted to be seen (think potentates like Henry VIII), but these days finding a likeness that reflects the real character of the subject (or at least a certain aspect of the character of a subject), is key.
Photography has its limitations as a basis for a painting, but it also has its advantages. If you look like you, sitting still for hours in a fixed position, then drawing from life works. If you are more animated, then a photograph is much more likely to capture some essence of you, some glint in your eye that gets lost if you pose for hours.
For this reason, my preferred mode of work is to get to know you whilst taking lots and lots of photographs. I like including objects and symbols that reflect your essence - that you value. These can be very private images only known to you, or clear signals to the world. A portrait can celebrate a particular moment in your life or career, or just be a spontaneous decision. How you dress, how you pose, how you look, is up to you. Whatever the reason, whatever the style, there is something special in documenting that moment in oil paint.’
If you would like to commission a portrait, please direct your enquiry to thegallery@greenandstone.com
