A word from Francesca
Thank you for taking the time to look at my work, I don't like to say too much about it, I always hope it'll speak for its self
Things that Have been written ABOUT FRANCESCA HUNT IRVING
Looking at her work requires more than just a quick glance, it's big with a profound depth of observation, which creates interesting images that are exciting to study.
Sometimes unsettling often enlightening, her work exposes an honesty that is blunt, beautiful and refreshingly innocent.
She captures movement well and has often expressed her passion for dance, "the ultimate body language" with such clarity, the viewer can almost hear the music resounding from her work.
Some of her work is considered confrontational, because it cuts through false perceptions and exposes the raw. Her acute awareness of the sacred balance on the evolutionary scales of nature, underpins a deep frustration she has with the destructive disposition of humanity.
Intuitive observation rises spontaneously from the passion she has for her work.
Another magazine article recently gave a good insight into Francesca's life.
Francesca has been living in the area for several years teaching a traditional approach to life drawing. She has brought to the area a wealth of experience and knowledge, on the traditions of figurative art. Whilst studying at the Slade School of Fine Art, London, She had the good fortune to be tutored by great masters such as Lucien Freud, igniting a lasting passion for painting and drawing the human form.
When asked, Francesca gave this insight to her life and work:
The most expressive subject an artist can work with is the human body, it has a language of shade, tone, and form, it expresses something that is universally recognizable, that which would otherwise be verbally indescribable.
Anatomical correctness although important, is not essential to produce great works of art that communicate more than just a photographic image.
Our life is an artist’s impression; reality filtered through imagination. Everyone observes life, only the depth of attention differs. The challenge for an artist is to express that which can be seen, to capture how it makes the artists feel. Good observation is the first key to success.
I had a very bohemian upbringing my father was a writer, my mother an actress, we traveled a lot; I was always encouraged to see the art in life. Being an only child crayons were my best friends, looking back I can see the loyal friendship I have with my art has brought a rich and rewarding life, one which money can’t buy.
My work is hanging on walls in private collections around the world, it has been a while since I had a major exhibition, but have sold artwork privately and completed a couple of interesting commissions recently. An Artist’s dilemma has always been whilst selling work is very important, producing work just to sell corrupts the purity of an artist’s purpose. In other words I paint for me, only to enjoy genuine respect for my raw honesty.
As an artist, one of the most exciting times I’ve experienced was during the eighties, when I was invited to exhibit some of my work in the Soviet Union; it was in the spirit of Glasnost, during the period of Perestroika when cultural exchanges were being used to forge links between the east and the west. I was chosen as part of a group exhibition to go to Moscow to open the exhibition of British artwork, which was to travel to the four corners of the Soviet Union. Considering the shortages I was amazed at the hospitality of Uri, the artist who was my official host. During my time there I gained a real insight into the life of a Russian artist. The absurdity of it was:
In Russia at the time, a person was not officially recognized as an artist until the age of 35 and only recognized artists could legally obtain art materials. This was slightly un-nerving as I was in my twenties, had I been Russian my work would not have existed. This made me value our freedom of expression and realize our responsibility to use it, lest we lose it.
For those interested in expanding their knowledge and skill at any level in the Art of Life Drawing, I hold regular classes in Wingham
To find out when & where please ring Francesca on 65 505 006
I also consider commissions and welcome enquiries about private tuition, particularly for children not quite ready for Life Drawing but need to understand the rudiments of painting and drawing.