Ava Maya Russian Icons Gala 2016

Delighted to be attending the dress rehearsal for the Ava Maya Ballet Gala in memory of Maya Plisetskaya. An amazing line up of some of the worlds leading ballet dancers. A real treat and so inspiring. Can't wait to start painting. It was great to relax and enjoy the actual performance as well especially seeing the fireworks from the male dancers. Amazing.

The programme, accompanied by the orchestra of the English National Ballet Philharmonic, will be performed by Maria Alexandrova (Bolshoi Theatre), Sergio Bernal (National Ballet of Spain), Claudio Coviello (La Scala), Marlon Dino (Bavarian State Ballet), Aurelie Dupont (previously of the Paris Opera Ballet), Matthew Golding (The Royal Ballet), Isaak Hernandes, (English National Ballet), Kimin Kim (Mariinsky Theatre), Daria Klimentová, Maria Kochetkova (San Francisco Ballet), Liudmila Konovalova (Vienna State Ballet), Kristina Kretova (Bolshoi Theatre), Ekaterina Krysanova (Bolshoi Theatre), Lucia Lacarra (Bavarian State Ballet), Sarah Lamb (The Royal Ballet), Vladislav Lantratov (Bolshoi Theatre), Viktor Lebedev (Mikhailovsky Ballet), Andrei Merkuriev (Bolshoi Theatre), Herve Moreau (Paris Opera Ballet), Vadim Muntagirov (The Royal Ballet), Marianela Nuñez (The Royal Ballet), Yekaterina Osmolkina (Mariinsky Theatre), Xander Parish (Mariinsky Theatre), Tamara Rojo (English National Ballet), Farukh Ruzimatov (Mikhailovsky Ballet), Polina Semionova (American Ballet Theatre), Kristina Shapran (Mariinsky Theatre), Daniil Simkin (American Ballet Theatre), Thiago Soares (The Royal Ballet), Ivan Vasiliev (American Ballet Theatre),

The Albany Gallery 50th Anniversary Exhibition Opening Night

At The Fabulous Opening Night of The Albany Gallery 50th Anniversary Exhibition in Cardiff.Celebrating 50 years since Mary Yapp opened the gallery in 1965, this special exhibition will feature work by some of the first artists to exhibit. It will be a changing exhibition with more than 70 artists taking part. A full complement of images from the exhibition may be viewed onwww.albanygallery.com

At The Royal Opera House with Royal Ballet Guest Principal Mara Galeazzi

Mara Galeazzi, AMAZING Ballerina and former Prima Ballerina with The Royal Ballet invited me to The Royal Opera House to paint her whilst rehearsing for two dances. One new beautiful PDD Alta Stare choreographed by Tim Podesta and a Wayne McGregor piece taught by Alistair Vareecken for Hatch House with the " Covent Garden Dance Company" on the 17-18 July. I love this part of my work when I get to see such beauty in motion. Only by seeing a dancer perform in person can you truly capture their essence on paper. A real privilege, Thankyou Mara xx

Me and Mara

Covent Garden

Mara Galeazzi  and Alistair Vareecken

view from the Macmillan studio, Royal Opera House

Inside The Macmillan Studio, Royal Opera House

Going into the Macmillan Studio. His portrait is on the left. Great Photo

The Royal Ballet Relaxation Space. Has all these amazing black and white photos of Ballet Legends on the wall including Fonteyn and Nureyev

Royal Opera House Exhibition

Royal Opera House Exhibition

Royal Opera House

Carlos Acosta, Behind The Scenes At The On Before Tour

I was absolutely thrilled to be invited to the dress rehearsal of the show On Before starring the legendary ballet dancer Carlos Acosta so that I may capture him for my paintings.  A mix of contemporary dance that perfectly showed off his dancing prowess, the show was an inspiration and I am looking forward to creating a series of striking paintings capturing him in motion. 

Carlos Acosta is principal dancer and choreographer with The Royal Ballet and has been a guest dancer all over the world including with The Bolshoi. He is the true Renaissance Man, ballet dancer, choreographer, actor and best selling writer. His biography, No Way Home is his extraordinary journey growing up in Cuba to becoming an international ballet star. Its a must read. 


While watching him in the empty auditorium as he and his partner Royal Ballet Prima Ballerina Zenaida Yanowsky went through their steps I knew there is nothing like see the live performance, the sweat and the work that goes into each dance and also the relaxed moments that the audience does not get to see. This privileged position enables me to capture the ballet dancer in their true essence.