Jeannine Allen
I was born in Paris and attended art college in Montmartre. Growing up in the centre of the city, near the Louvre and the Latin Quarter, I was influenced by fine art, architecture and sculpture from an early age.
I subsequently worked in the Palace of Versailles with the architect of the Bâtiments de France.
I love the play of light on landscapes. I enjoy painting places I have stayed, such as Italy, Provence and Morocco, each of which has its own tonal spectrum, different from England. Recently, I enjoyed recalling the bold colours of the wild centre of Australia.
I have always been inspired by the varied blues and greens of the coastlines and moorland landscapes near my home in Plymouth. I often focus my attention on working boats, with their multi-coloured reflections and battered paintwork, and on harbours, with their sense of safety and permanence.
My work may begin as photographs or sketches, and I make exploratory journeys through each picture, creating new realities and watching the evolution of images. I have been fascinated by the variety of responses which the occasional ambiguity of my work has elicited.
Clients in Madrid, London and Staffordshire have recently
commissioned my work.
Where's your favourite place?
Italy. We have visited this wonderful country several times, and always found it inspirational, from the Amalfi coast to Venice, via Pompeii, Herculaneum, Naples, Florence, Pisa, Siena, Ferrara, Rome and the ancient port of Aquila. There are art treasures, historic monuments, great architecture, beautiful landscapes and vibrant colours everywhere. I love it!
What is the best work related thing you have done recently?
I was really pleased with the work that came out of a recent trip to Tuscany.
What is your worst habit?
Not believing in myself enough. I always feel that my art is not as good as I would like it to be. I’m working on it.
What irritates you?
Pretentious public art and bad design. Unfortunately, there are several examples of this in Plymouth, I feel. Fill in the blanks yourselves . . .
Top 2 dinner party guests?
J M W Turner and Henri Matisse. Both of these artists have inspired me over the years.
Which super-power would you most like to have?
I am a very down-to-earth person. Who needs super-powers when you have eyes to see?
What is your favourite motto?
As Turner said: “Take advantage of your mistakes”. I do it all the time; it’s the way I work.