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The National
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The National
'It's not just a big selfie': Inside the unexpected revival of old-school painted portraits
It was, concedes Claudia Fisher, a lot of money to spend. 'I'd never spent that kind of money on something before,' says the American creative director of women's tailoring brand Belle Brummell. 'But I have something unique that gives me a lot of joy, and I have supported the art form and that's important.' Indeed, Fisher's Dh98,000 outlay went to having her portrait painted by celebrated portraitist Paul Brason, who counts leading industrialists, academics and the British royal family's late Prince Philip among his subjects. 'I just loved the way he could render fabric so exquisitely, giving his paintings an old master quality, even if the painting now just hangs in my house,' says Fisher. 'It's fun to say 'hi' to it once in a while.' Fisher is not alone. Both the Portrait Society of America and the UK's Royal Society of Portrait Painters – the two most august institutions of portrait painting, which not only promote portraiture, but also operate commissioning services that connect artists and subjects – report healthy demand. If one might worry that the smartphone age – which has made the constant taking of pictures almost compulsive – would kill off portrait painting, it seems the reverse is the case. 'Portraiture is quite a big business within the art world, really, even if it is often portrayed as being rather traditional, in the sense of being concerned with old ideas of beauty in art,' says Anthony Connolly, president of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. 'And while a lot of institutions still commission portraits – the church, military, academia, corporations, heads of state and so on – portraiture is changing dramatically from the idea that it's an elitist thing to do. Now, it's more just a culture of people painting people.' Connolly argues that while a portrait is definitely a luxury item, for a one-off work by a highly skilled individual, and for something that will last generations, it can nonetheless represent very good value, 'especially if you put it in the context of another bespoke item, the likes of a Savile Row suit '. Besides, portrait painters run the gamut as much in their price – from as little as Dh2,000 to much, much more – as they do in their style. Dubai artist Suzi Nassif, for example, creates portraits in surrealistic, sometimes cubist styles, with her subjects expressed more through unexpected colours and symbolism than an accurate likeness. 'They're imaginative portraits, more as I see them and not necessarily as the subjects might see themselves,' says Nassif, who, once she has got to know her subject, prefers to then work from memory. 'The power of the portrait is to examine the psyche behind the mask, and to do that I think it makes sense to use all the creative tools available to the painter.' Certainly, while for an artist who prefers to work in person, a portrait might require the sitter to give perhaps two to three hours of their time, maybe four or five times over several months, it's also increasingly commonplace for artists to work in part or entirely from photographs. For example, artist Columbus Onuoha, who also lives in Dubai, is recognised for his photorealistic portraits in oil paint. Digital photography actually helps him zoom in on the precise details that make his portraits so arresting. It also allows him to tackle the work as inspiration strikes rather than be beholden to the sitter's schedule. Far from being put off by having their image rendered in exquisitely unforgiving detail, 'clients love the honesty of the results, the transparency', reckons Onuoha. 'Though, occasionally, people of a certain age want to be represented as a little younger than they are. But a portrait should be a record of a time of life. I tell my subjects to be proud of the age they are, though I sometimes do a self-portrait to remind myself how it feels.' And how does being intimately examined, and then represented in paint, feel? Connolly, who is currently having his own portrait painted, suggests that far from being a discomforting experience 'it's very convivial, intimate without being salacious and almost like a kind of meditation. You feel like you're part of the painting process even though, of course, you're not painting the portrait.' Yet surely just having a photograph taken – even one by a professional – is faster and simpler? Yes, Onuoha agrees, but that is to miss the point of why people want to be painted. He argues that, while social media has certainly helped him to build a career, it's the very ubiquity of digital images – and the way they have democratised portraiture – that encourages many of his clients to want 'something that's handmade, tangible, and that puts them at the centre of an artistic process', he says. 'These people also tend to love art. They want to be involved.' But others go further, arguing that a painted portrait simply catches what a photograph never can. As Christine Egnoski, chief executive of the Portrait Society of America, suggests, it reveals the qualities of a person unseen by a snap, 'offering the viewer a more real sense of the person's presence, as well as the artist's own expression. An artist adds the feeling of the person.' It explains why, she argues, 10 million people queue to look at the Mona Lisa each year, and the enduring appeal of the portrait in art, both before and since the advent of photography. Frances Bell, portrait painter and recent winner of the Portrait Society of America's prestigious Draper Grand Prize, puts it another way. 'A painted portrait has something of the thrum of life about it, something transcendent – there's so much life on the canvas that it can feel like a window on another, sometimes historic world,' she says. 'The artist is trying to work out who that person is – their mannerisms, how they hold themselves and so on – so the result understands something deeper than a photo can. It's not just a big selfie, but is very personal, which is why it's very important that a sitter pick the right painter for them.' It's also why, she suggests, people so often turn to this special means of representing someone not out of vanity, but to mark a special moment in their life – an important anniversary, for example, or, as more than one of Bell's clients have done, to celebrate getting over a major illness. And why, so often, it's not the sitter who commissions the portrait for themselves, but a partner or family member. Sure, the result may never be hung in a gallery or a museum, but what better way to celebrate and immortalise an individual life than in paint?
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Storrington residents to discuss traffic and 20mph speed limit
Traffic issues in a West Sussex town will be discussed at an open meeting including potentially implementing a 20mph speed "driving like lunatics" and large lorries passing narrow footpaths are among the problems facing the area, Storrington residents are reporting Petitions will now be heard for and against applying the 20mph limit, with both sides agreeing that something has to be for the lower limit say it is "the only practical solution that is affordable" but opponents say the limit would affect the entire town. Claudia Fisher, who represents Storrington and Washington on Horsham District Council, said: "We need to do something to help make sure that Storrington is protected from the sheer volume and speed and type of traffic that comes through." 'We should feel safe' Storrington is one of only two villages in West Sussex to have an Air Quality Management Area, covering the high street area where traffic is particularly traffic issues, residents have raised concerns over air and noise pollution, according to the Local Democracy Reporting McIntyre, 89, says if she wants to have a conversation with visitors, she cannot open her windows due to the traffic noise which starts early in the Loney, vice-chair of Storrington & Sullington Parish Council and chair of the traffic and transport committee, said the parish was working with the county council and police to tackle the traffic said: "As a parish council, we support a 20mph limit where people live, work, play and learn — because we believe our villages should feel safe, welcoming, and walkable for all."Last year a bid to have 20mph speed limits in all residential streets in Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea failed, and Brighton's plans which were passed in 2012 had been initially rejected on the grounds of the cost of introducing traffic calming measures. The public meeting will be held at Chanctonbury Leisure Centre from 19:00 BST on Friday.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vertical Construction Set to Begin at Ónix Delray Beach near Bustling Atlantic Avenue
New Luxury Condominium to Include Twenty-Six High-End Residences and nearly 5,000 Sq. Ft. of Ground Floor Retail DELRAY BEACH, Fla., May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Premier real estate development group, 1112 Development, and Black Star Construction Group announced today that the Ónix Delray Beach, a new luxury condominium just three blocks from bustling Atlantic Avenue, has officially broken ground. The exclusive residences will offer twenty-six, spacious two- and three-bedroom condominiums ranging in size from 1,400 to 2,000 square feet. The project will also include roughly 5,000 square feet of ground floor retail space. With prices starting at $1.549 million, the upscale condominiums are exclusively sold by Lauren Mathews and Claudia Fisher of Douglas Elliman. "We're proud to offer something truly special at Ónix Delray Beach — residences with soaring 10-foot plus ceilings that elevate the entire living experience," said Mike Bokzam at 1112 Development. "This project is just steps from the heart of Atlantic Avenue, placing our homeowners in one of South Florida's most vibrant, walkable communities. With a neighboring property also underway, this pocket of Delray is rapidly transforming into a premier residential destination." At Ónix Delray Beach, every residence is thoughtfully designed to combine modern elegance with effortless comfort. The twenty-six, two- and three-bedroom homes feature bright, airy layouts with glass balconies, walk-in closets, and sophisticated finishes, including natural wood flooring options and a crisp, coastal designer color scheme. The kitchens are a true centerpiece, offering high-end appliances, stylish flat-front cabinetry, EuroStone countertops, and waterfall islands. Spa-like bathrooms complete the home experience, with an Eden soaking tub and Porcelanosa large tile from floor to ceiling with a round LED-lighted mirror, a floating vanity and frameless shower. Each designer residence will also be pre-wired for smart home programming. Beyond the residences, Ónix Delray Beach offers a collection of curated amenities designed to enrich daily living. Residents can unwind at the resort-style infinity pool and cabanas, enjoy outdoor seating areas with fire pits, or gather at the summer kitchen and club room with lounge seating, prep kitchen, and relaxation areas. A state-of-the-art fitness center overlooks the sparking resort-style pool, EV compatible charging stations, lush tropical landscaping, and private key fob entry provide convenience and ease. Ónix Delray Beach also offers private, personal storage, dedicated covered parking, and a thoughtful package delivery room, creating an unparalleled lifestyle in one of South Florida's most desirable locations. "Ónix Delray Beach is a rare opportunity that sets a new benchmark for boutique luxury living in South Florida," said Lauren Mathews, Sales Director for Ónix Delray Beach. "It offers the ideal balance of coastal charm and urban sophistication." "We're seeing strong demand from discerning buyers who want more than just a home—they want a refined lifestyle and long-term value," said Claudia Fisher, Sales Director for Ónix Delray Beach. "We're already 30% sold, with strong interest from both locals and out-of-state buyers—from the Northeast and West Coast—who are drawn to the boutique scale, resort-style amenities, and walkable location just off Atlantic Avenue." For more information on Ónix Delray Beach, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Douglas Elliman Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
