New London Exhibition for Adebanji Alade

London based provisional ROI member  Adebanji Alade, featured in a recent Town House Films DVD , Coastal Adventures In Acrylic,  is exhibiting a number of works at the Enid Lawson Gallery in London as part of a four man exhibition which runs from June 8-22. The exhibition is entitled Pictures of London and also features Chris Daynes, Karl Terry and Michael Richardson.

Here are some of his pictures.

Adebanji is the mnost determined of plein air painter out in all weathers. Here he is in action in  his DVD.

ROI Exhibition At Amersham

If you are in or near Buckinghamshire in the next three weeks do drop in to the Hawker Gallery in Amersham which is holding an exhibition of work by invited members of the ROI. Exhibition runs from May 21 ro June 11. Here's a picture taken on opening day, followed by some of the paintings on display.

Introducing New Associate Member of the ROI Chris Bennet

The ROI Blog would like to welcome Chris and congratulate him on his election to AROI

A bit of background

Chris Bennett was born in London in 1957 and studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in the early ‘80s under Euan Euglow, Geoffrey Camp and Philip Sutton.  He has exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy and at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters at the Mall Galleries, London.

In 2004 Chris signed a publishing contract with DeMontfort Fine Art who license selected works as open and limited editions in the UK, Japan and the USA.

His paintings are exhibited and sold in prestigious galleries around the UK.  A notable commission is a portrait of Sir William Hawthorne, now in the collection of Churchill College, Cambridge, who, with Sir Frank Whittle, designed the first jet engine.

Here's a very arty  picture of Chris's studio

And here's a lovely painting by Chris entitled All on a Summer's Day. It's followed by some thoughtful comments from Chris about the painting.

"An idea popped into my head regarding tarts that have fallen onto the floor. The tarts were like draughts or game pieces on a chess board. This suggested a game being played whilst also involving an event in the real world.

This encouraged the idea of the Queen of Tarts and a more complex image started to form in my mind. Perhaps an indiscretion has taken place? She seems to crawl or stalk the floor as if recovering from a mishap yet also redolent of a small child. The electric ribbons in her hair speak of suddenness. She is suggestive of an 18^th century ‘tart’ and a Queen yet the limbs emerging from her dress and sleeve speak of the delicacy of a fuchsia. What game is being played here, a world where squares of green oppose circles of crimson? An adult world set in a nursery rhyme world. A nursery rhyme set in an adult world.

Thus the painting, ‘All on a Summer’s Day’.  "

There are plenty of wonderful images of Chris's  highly imaginative work on his excellent web site: www.chrisbennettartist.co.uk

The ROI Blog Welcomes New Member Bill Dean

Congratulations to Bill Dean on his election to full membership of the ROI.

Bill hails originally from North London and in a busy career has exhibited in, amongst many other exhibitions: RA Summer,Royal Society of Marine Artists, Royal Society  of British Artists,
Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Discerning Eye and the New English Art Club. Bill is now on the Council of the ROI and is its official archivist. Here are just a few of his wonderful paintings.

See more of his work on his new web site: http://www.billdeanroi.com/

New Peter Wileman Exhibition

ROI President Peter Wileman has a new one man exhibition in Shakespear Country which  finsihd this coming weeking. The location is the new Hillier Gallery in Stratford on Avon and full details are on Peter's excellent web site: http://www.peterwilemanartist.co.uk/

David Curtis At Patchings Art Festival

ROI member David Curtis will be in action at the upcoming Patchings Art Fetsival which runs  from June 9 - 12. David will be judging The Artist Magazine paiting competition  along with the magazine editor Dr Sally Bulgin. David will also be demonstrating at the event on the Saturday June 11.

Many of you will have seen David painting on his many DVDs or perhaps read one of his books but there is no substitute for seeing him paint in the flesh! Here's a picture of David, who was  demonstrating at the recent ROI Masterclass in Holt, Norfolk,  chatting with fellow ROI stalwart Trevor Chamberlain.

A Great Day By The River For Friends of the ROI

This week saw the second panting day organised for members of the ROI and members of the Friends section.  It was a rare  opportunity of Friends of the ROI to paint alongside members in a  friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The location was the River Thames at Richmond and the subject was Richmond Bridge. After a cold start things warmed up nicely and some great work was produced. Here are some pictures of the day.

 ROI Member Bill Dean

Dave Sandell (Friend ROI) Brian Ryder AROI

and Peter Wileman PROI

David Pilgrim, Prov ROI, Richard Price AROI and Rick Holmes Friend ROI and Wapper

Tim King, Friend ROI

Roger Dellar, ROI



Ronald Morgan, ROI

 Tony Merrick, Prov ROI and Luis Morris ROI

Days like this are just one of the benefits of joining the Friends of the ROI. Membership is open to anyone with a love of oil painting. If you would like a membership form please email royaloil@btinternet.com