Sketches from the rehearsal of Romeo and Juliet with Xander Parish and Viktoria Tereshkina

Some of my quick preparatory sketches from Monday at The Mariinsky rehearsal of Romeo and Juliet with Xander Parish and Viktoria Tereshkina at The Royal Opera House

At The Mariinsky's Romeo and Juliet Rehearsal with Xander Parish and Viktoria Tereshkina at The Royal Opera House

I was very privileged to be allowed into the Mariinsky Rehearsal at The Royal Opera House for Romeo and Juliet with Xander Parish and Viktoria Tereshkina. Huge thanks to Xander Parish for organising it so that I may paint him in the role. It is a spellbinding performance. Tender, moving and heartbreakingly romantic. There won't be a dry eye in the House tonight. Xander is the first and only British dancer in The Mariinsky, an enormous and well deserved achievement and I am really looking forward to painting and drawing him. 

Going to Stage Door at The Royal Opera House to collect my pass into the Mariinsky Rehearsal

My official pass

Beginning to sketch the rehearsal

My first selfie!! in the auditorium of The Royal Opera House

Raven Girl Ballet Costumes in the foyer. Really Beautiful

couldn't resist this fan. It was so pretty.

Great portrait of Simon Weston at The National Portrait Gallery

BP Portrait Award Exhibition. One of the best in recent years. 

Not sure I liked it but the technique was really amazing. Very striking indeed.

The lace on the skirt for this was beautiful even though you can't really see it here.

Some dainty choux buns from Paul's,  I thought they would make it back in the heat!

Some more interesting links about Xander Parish

BBC interview with Xander Parish

www.xanderparish.com

 Official photos from Romeo and Juliet, The Mariinsky with Xander Parish and Viktoria Tereshkina

One Show Portrait Challenge

Complimented to be asked by BBC TheOneShow to be in  a portrait challenge. Sadly due to commitments on the day had to turn it down Maybe next time!!

Ostreme Summer Lunch at SA3 Bistro

A Lovely Summer Term Lunch with Ostreme Art Class at SA3 Bistro, Mumbles. We missed those already on hols etc but had delicious food and all thoroughly enjoyed!

End of Summer Term Lunch

Lovely End of Term Lunch at PA's Restaurant, Mumbles 

With My ''Grand' Art Class

The Ostreme and Grand Theatre Art Group Exhibition and Raffle Aug 27th-Sept 6th

The Ostreme and Grand Theatre Art Group Exhibition

An exhibition of drawings and paintings inspired by Dylan Thomas, Gower and other subjects. Representing the rich variety of work by a group of artists led by professional artist and tutor Zoe James-Williams in The Arts Wing, Swansea Grand Theatre, Aug 27-Sept 6.

The exhibition will be officially opened by Former Welsh Rugby Player Paul Thorburn
We will be supporting with a raffle 2 local charities
The Hill Community Trust and Stepping Stones.

We are very lucky to have been donated fantastic raffle prizes worth over £500 in total. If you wish to buy any raffle tickets please contact me through FB, info@zoejameswilliams.com or tel 642164

List of Raffle Prizes for The Ostreme and Grand Theatre Art Group Exhibition
To be drawn on Aug 27th

1. Lunch at SA3 Bistro, Mumbles
   www.sa3bistro.com/
   
2. Tickets and pre lunch to match of your choice at Whites Swansea Rugby Club www.swansearfc.co.uk
   
3. Original watercolour painting by Zoe James-Williams
   www.zoejameswilliams.com
   
4. Three Jackie Morris Signed Books,Cover To Cover Bookshop , Mumbles
   www.cover-to-cover.co.uk
   
5. Acrylic painting set, Harrisons , Uplands
   www.artandstationery.co.uk/
   
6. £30 Voucher SmokeHaus Restaurant, Wind St, Swanseawww.thesmokehaus.co.uk/
7. £10 gift voucher, Sainsburys, uplands
   www.sainsburys.co.uk
   
8. Framed photographic print of Gower, Colliers uplands www.colliersphotographicswansea.co.uk/
9. Two tickets Childs Christmas in Wales, Swanesa Grand Theatre.
10. www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=480
    
11. Pa's Restaurant £30 voucher
    www.paswinebar.co.uk/
    
12. Maxine De Paris Boutique, £25 voucher.
    www.maxinedeparis.co.uk/
    
13. Black Orchid £10 voucher
    www.blackorchidfloraldesign.co.uk
    
14. Crundles Evening bag and purse
    www.facebook.com/pages/Crundles
    
15. Kardomah Caffetiere and coffee
    www.kardomahcoffeeshop.co.uk/
    
16. Carltons Hair Design voucher £27.50
    www.facebook.com/CarltonsHairDesign
    
17. Family Ticket from LC2 www.thelcswansea.com/
18. £25 Voucher Precious Pearls Jewellery, Chapel Street Mumble www.preciouspearlsjewellery.com/
19. Bottle of Champagne donated by 
20. Box of Thorntons Chocolates donated by Jen
21. Pink Scarf donated by Doreen

The Ostreme and Grand Theatre Art Group Exhibition in The Arts Wing, Swansea Grand Theatre Aug 27-Sept 6

The Ostreme and Grand Theatre Art Group Exhibition in The Arts Wing, Swansea Grand Theatre Aug 27-Sept 6

An exhibition of drawings and paintings inspired by Dylan Thomas, Gower and other subjects. Representing the rich variety of work by a group of artists led by professional artist and tutor Zoe James-Williams in The Arts Wing, Swansea Grand Theatre, Aug 27-Sept 6.


The exhibition will be officially opened by Former Welsh Rugby Player Paul Thorburn on Aug 27th. The exhibition continues until Sept 6^th in The Arts Wing Swansea Grand Theatre.
We will be supporting with a raffle local charities The Hill Community Trust and Stepping Stones.

The Ostreme and Grand Theatre Art Group taught by Zoe James-Williams are exhibiting paintings inspired by Dylan Thomas, Gower and many other subjects in The White Room and Level 2. The Arts Wing, Swansea Grand Theatre. The White Room celebrates Dylan Thomas in his centenary year with paintings inspired by his powerful quotes and writings and his home town Swansea. On Level 2 there will be a wide range of subjects from local landscape to figurative in a variety of mixed media showing off the groups exciting and eclectic mix of tastes. Zoe James-Williams, The first Artist in Residence at Swansea Grand Theatre will be exhibiting new ballet and figurative paintings alongside her students.

Wedding Portrait Commission in Watercolour

Just received this picture of a wedding portrait commission I just completed in watercolour for a couple's First Wedding Anniversary. Traditional gift for a First Wedding Anniversary is paper so a painting on watercolour paper is the perfect gift!

 It was lovely to see the painting framed as it was a pleasure to paint.

My wife loves the water colour!!! I can't thank you enough ... the result was fantastic!  James