Portrait photographer Aliona Adrianova has taken portraits of members of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. These form part of her series on contemporary artists in the setting of their own studios. Here, the photographer sets out to capture the true personae of the artists as creators. At the same time she explores their special affinity with art, beauty and the creative process.
At the photo-shoot with the remarkable June Mendoza the artist uttered the phrase that described both the nature of the creator and the atmosphere of the studio really well – ‘The more you work, the more bits of inspiration tend to happen.’
To Ms Mendoza inspiration in painting usually comes at any time before or during work. She says,
‘You are dealing with both ‘Portrait’ and ‘Painting’ simultaneously, so excitement can be based on any one of the multi facets with which you are faced. It can be the great paintable character; or the amazing combination of colour; or a brilliant bit of composition: or, praise be, you can see all three excitements together in the one subject .
The birth of a painting starts with a total vibe when somebody comes in the door . It is the beginning of absorbing who they are, and my reading of their face, body language and aura. Then, hopefully, they have unwittingly given you design; colour-range and character, that is theirs alone.’
June Mendoza defines beauty as not even often visual, it can be anything from the tiny moment that catches eye, ear or heart, to that unpaintable magnificent sunset.