Artist: Lorraine Bewsey

Artist’s Statement

Lorraine Bewsey was born and brought up in London, moved to Wales with her partner and two children, and now lives in the upper Swansea Valley.

She gained a degree in illustration at Swansea Institute and a PGCE; and worked as a tutor and freelance illustrator before establishing herself as a portrait artist. ’Poet Portraits’ is a year long project she initiated in November 2005 to paint twenty leading poets with strong connections to Wales. She says of her work:

”Skill in drawing , in the subtle and accurate use of colour , are essential character of my subjects, but to be appreciated for the quality of line and tone, I want visitors to my exhibition to feel that the skill of an individual artist in drawing and painting is important. I want them to appreciate the continuity of artistic endeavour over the centuries”

The portraits are executed in pastel, in a uniquely expressive hyper-realist style which has been greeted with universal praise by critics, curators, and the sitters themselves.