King Richard III

 

I have watched my husband Andrew Stewart Jamieson paint many pieces of art over the years but I have rarely seen him so fired up, enthusiastic and passionate about a piece of work as the one he has just finished, 'King Richard III'.  Today, I realised why.  They announced that the remains found under a parking lot in the City of Leicester were those of the last English king to die in battle King Richard Plantagenet.  As an American I have followed the story since last September with some interest but Andrew has been like a man possessed.  He has always had a passion for all things medieval and this medieval king is a theme he has returned to in his work again and again.  I asked him why such a deep interest and he told me it was hard to explain but he read a book by Paul Murray Kendall when he was a boy and something just clicked.  I asked why he would like a king who murdered young boys and his own brother.  His response was a history lesson.  Andrew convinced me that Richard did not murder the Princes in the Tower and that far from the figure portrayed in Tudor propaganda this King was a brave, pious and popular monarch.

 

When Dr. Phil Stone the Chairman of the Richard III Society contacted Andrew to commission a depiction of the King he immediately went to work on sketches.  In the past he has often depicted Richard as a warrior going into battle but this time mindful of the events taking place in Leicester he decided to go for a more stately and symbolic image.  He spent days studying medieval tombs and monuments then he remembered the Medici commissioned depiction of Sir John Hawkwood and the figure on the reverse of Richard’s great seal and decided to follow similar themes.  Andrew wanted to show both the regal and warrior aspects of Richard but also make it symbolic, heraldic and dignified.  He told me that often it is overlooked that Richard was a legitimate monarch.  An aspect that seems to be forgotton.  From the start he wanted his painting to show Richard as a King emblazoned as he put it in, "right royal array".  As a Scribe and Illuminator to Queen Elizabeth II Andrew is very much aware as to what the symbols of State actually stand for.  Today, when he paints Her Majesty the Queen’s emblems on Letters Patent they are just as important as they were back in the time of King Richard.  Andrew enjoys the fact that his work is part of the continuity of the history of England.

 

This Richard unlike his other paintings shows the King stately with a somberness and quiet dignity.  This comes from the fact that Andrew was so moved that they had finally found his remains.  In the painting Richard is holding his sceptre and wearing the royal crest of England on his helm.  He wears armour to signify he was a brave warrior and is adorned in a tabard of his royal arms.  His standard shows the badges of the House of York and his own Boar.  Possibly my favorite part of this painting is the small boar that walks alongside his master and reflects the badge used by the Richard III Society.  The character of his face makes me smile and is a touching element in an otherwise somber painting.  I also like the plantagenista plant from which Richard’s family took their name.  I have watched this work daily grow from original sketches to the final glorious painting.  Andrew seemed to disappear into his own world while creating it.  He said, "It feels like I'm there when I am painting this" and I think it shows.  To me this is how Richard should be remembered as a medieval warrior king.

 

Posted By:  Candice Jamieson 

Armorial Stained Glass

 

I spent the morning working on a new project.  The Arms of France painted on artboard with acrylic paint.  It's a simple process Andrew taught me that I wanted to share with my fellow artists.  The first step is to sketch it out.  Everything is measured, worked out on tracing paper and traced down onto the card.  Next, the black outlines are applied.  Then the color is washed in, the outlines are sharpened again and the final color is applied.  That's it.  I told you it was simple.

 

This project was just to show a small section but obviously full arms could be done in this style placed in a medieval arch, etc and designed either to be framed and hung to look like a window or to actually guide an artist in the preparation of a window.  It can be personalized with the initials in the four corners or you could do something like marital arms.  This just adds another aspect to an armorial collection.  

 

I took photos all along the way.  Please feel free to save and print them if you decide to give, 'Jamieson Family Armorial Stained Glass Windows' a try.

 

 

 

Eric Howard

Andrew has introduced me to so many people over the last couple of years but who knew he'd actually help me reconnect with a long lost cousin.  Eric Howard is a fascinating individual.  This is a word I rarely use but no other word would do him justice.  Andrew first met him in 1987 but he had known the name 'Eric Howard' long before.  Andrew was surprised when the famous photographer approached him about working on a project together.  The two arranged to meet at a local pub to discuss a calendar for Bob Carlos Clarke.  Carlos had just published the book, 'The Dark Summer' and was looking for another avenue to display the photographs. 

Eric had agreed to act as the design consultant.  Andrew and Eric both South London boys hit it off well.  Eric convinced Andrew to do the calligraphy for the calendar and became a Jamieson Private Patron.  The two admire each others work so paintings are exchanged for photographs.  The most recent is a Jamieson, 'Gold Leaf' for an Eric Howard, 'Young Dancer'.

Andrew and Eric have so much in common.  They both fought their way to the top of their respective fields and encountered a lot of prejudice along the way due to where they came from.  I grew up in America where working hard was all that mattered.  You are judged by your own personal actions not your family ties.  But in England some people still believe whole heartedly in the class system.  Andrew, Eric and I believe in hard work which is why the three of us get along so well. 

Eric has accomplished much throughout his career as a photographer.  His highest achievement was winning the Royal Photographic Societies Gold Metal.  However, his resume doesn't tell you what is most important about this man.  I'm honored to know him not because he is famous but because he is simply a good person.  It's the way he treats his fellow man that truly makes him special.  He is a wonderful friend.  When he invites you to his home he makes you feel like royalty.  Eric is extremely thoughtful.  One afternoon knowing Andrew and I needed some alone time he just showed up at our cottage with his son who is the same age as ours and took the boys bowling.  Another day he invited us over and gave us a long private tour of the gardens in his backyard even taking time to teach me a bit about photography. 

I haven't seen Eric in several months now as we've been busy with projects and he has as well.  I look forward to Summer when we can all just relax with a bottle of wine and catch up.  Yes, Andrew has introduced me to many nice people.  What is it they say, 'good people know good people'.  In Andrew's case this is not just a quote but a true statement.

Heraldry Society of Louisiana Progression

Andrew and Lawrence Benjamin Lewis from the Heraldry Society of Louisiana have created a lot of wonderful heraldic art together.  Lawrence owns the largest collection of Jamiesons in Louisiana.  His full collection can be seen here.  Several more Jamieson / Lewis pieces are underway for 2013.  Andrew recently completed the Arms of the Heraldry Society of Louisiana.  As he painted I took photos for his fans.  Many of which are also heraldic artists who are trying to learn the Jamieson style.  We break it down as the artwork is being created so they can follow along.  We get a lot of joy out of helping our fellow artists. 

Step 1.  The sketch is drawn out on tracing paper.  Andrew has been painting coats of arms for over three decades so it's a simple process for him.  I often have to slow him down so we mere mortals can follow along. 

Step 2.  Trace the arms onto art board.

Step 3.  Paint the crest and mantling.

Step 4.  The shield.

Step 5.  The supporters.

Step 6.  The compartment.

 Step 7.  Is my favorite.  The image is sent off to the patron for approval. 

 

Andrew receives the most wonderful responses from his patrons. They are so kind and appreciative.  This inspires him to reach even further the next time which is how he has risen to the top of the field in heraldic art.  He's never been happy standing still every day he strives to improve.  Which he encourages everyone who wants to become an artist to do.  There is no shortcut to becoming a great artist.  One simply must sit down and paint, paint, PAINT! 

'Snap Snap Snap'

You'll hear this sound a lot around our homes.  Andrew is CONSTANTLY taking photographs.  He's famous throughout the world for his artwork but not many people outside of the family know that he is also a wonderful photographer.  Well, I guess they do now. 

We rented a farm house in New England last year for the Summer.  Most of our time was spent travelling around, 'Snap Snap Snap'.  The year before our holiday was spent much the same.  Except the 'snaps' followed me throughout England.  I'm always amazed by the little things Andrew notices that I miss on our travels.  Such as, the mast of the replica of the Mayflower II in Plymouth.  I simply saw the ship in its entirety but Andrew saw art.  Andrew has a keen eye and he is very observant.  He doesn't miss much and this makes him an excellent photographer. 

 

Unfortunately, like the birds that feast on the birdfeeders outside our kitchen windows I often find myself in Andrew's line of sight.  I hated looking at photos of myself before I met him because I'm shy.  A fact I can normally hide but the camera doesn't lie.  Andrew has changed all of that.  He does what every husband should do for his wife.  Each day he tells me I'm beautiful.  Nothing is better for a woman's self-esteem in a world where there is so much pressure to be thin and pretty. 

Prints of Andrew's photographs are now available on Fine Art America. 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted By:  Candice Jamieson

2013 New Heraldic Art Ideas

2012 was a busy year.  Andrew came up with several creative new ideas for the Jamieson Gallery.  He established a group of collectors.  He brought them all together in a private group to test his ideas and assist them in improving their Jamieson Art Collections.  For the first time in his 35 year career he made pencil art available.  Patrons could purchase a humorous work of art based on their arms.

 

Pencil art is an important part of a collection of an artist's work as it shows their true skill.  You can hide a lot of mistakes with paint and trick the eye with color.  One really has to bring it when all they have to work with is pencil and paper. 

 

Andrew wanted his Collectors to have a piece of everything he does from arms to illuminated manuscripts so he introduced the 'Jamieson Heraldry Collection' which consists of a coat of arms, armorial knight, medieval knight and an illuminated armorial. 

 

Then he introduced his 'Holiday Heraldry' line which began with the 'Jamieson Medieval Valentine'.  An illuminated panel in the shape of a heart with the patron and his/her loved one's initials. 

 

 

He also accepted orders for custom Christmas art.  The original artwork was to be framed for the patron's home while prints could be made and used for the family Christmas card.

 

 

Along with Jamieson Armorial and Medieval Knights Andrew offered patrons the opportunity to purchase an effigy painted in the style of the memorial brasses from the medieval period.  The effigy became an immediate hit with Andrew's collectors. 

 

With American patrons in mind Andrew designed an 'Armorial Eagle'.  The one below was a display sample featuring the arms of George Washington.  Andrew personalized the artwork with the patron's coat of arms.  These too were an immediate hit.

 

Several miscellaneous items were added to the commission portfolio.  Below is an image of the new 'Jamieson Marginalia' line featuring the patron's shield of arms with either a wyvern or a knight based on a 13th century motif. 

My favorite new addition to the Gallery was Andrew's 'Chevalier Collection'.  Which is the patron's arms, a seal with a black and white line drawing.  This package provides the patron with everything he needs from a practical stand point.  The line drawing can be used for letterhead, business cards and signet rings.  Most of Andrew patrons order line drawings when they purchase the painting of their arms.  The introduction of a custom designed seal allowed them the opportunity to complete their personalized stationary set.  I don't like bits and pieces and feel if one is going to invest in art they should have a complete set to display.

 

 I've enjoyed watching Andrew create so many wonderful pieces of art for his patrons and collectors this year.  We've shared as much as we were permitted to share with his fans.  His private patrons have requested that we do not display their artwork on the web but his collectors have graciously allowed us to exhibit a large amount which can be found on Pinterest. 

Windsor Castle Stained Glass Windows

 

Early one morning Andrew received an urgent call.  On the line was a private architectural firm which had been hired to act as consultants for the restoration of Windsor Castle.  They asked if he would be interested in producing cartoons to guide a stained glass artist.  The windows were a personal project of the Duke of Edinburgh.  He wanted windows placed in the private apartments which showed the arms of all the royal families and persons connected to the House of Windsor.  In essense a family tree displayed as shields on windows.  Normally, Andrew would have been thrilled to receive such a prestigous commission but this one came with an almost impossible requirement.  Over 220 color sketches 'MUST' be completed within 9 days.  Andrew would literally have to burn the midnight oil and the candle at both ends.  He was assigned a stained glass artist and after consulting with him Andrew got to work.  He produced sketches that would be reproduced by the artist on glass.  As it turned out what Andrew originally thought were going to be fairly rough sketches were to be interpreted literally.  Due to the time limitation Andrew had to paint every shield freehand which takes a great deal of knowledge and skill. 

The days passed so quickly and Andrew was completely spent when the courier arrived 9 days later to collect the artwork.  Within weeks the windows were installed and Andrew's designs became part of the fabric of this ancient and historic castle.  Andrew has been given many prestigious commissions over the years but this one was extremely dear to him.  He wasn't simply asked to paint something that would hang on a wall or signed to grant a title.  This was the restoration of the home and namesake of his Queen. 

Time passed and the story of British Artist Andrew Stewart Jamieson's contribution to the restoration of Windsor Castle were forgotten.  Andrew isn't one to blow his own horn.  One day I came across the photographs tucked away in box while I was cleaning out his storage room.  Dozens and dozens of photos of shields filled the bottom of the box.  I asked Andrew and he told me about the role he played in the restoration.  He has painted so many beautiful patents only to have them locked away in the royal archives never to be seen again.  I wanted to make sure that Andrew's contribution be remembered so I made the video below and it's one of the many stories I plan to publish in my new book.  The title of which well you've probably guessed it by now, 'My life with Andrew Stewart Jamieson'.  Yes, this blog is simply a prelude.  There are so many stories like this one that I want to share with all of you about this brilliant artist whom I'm so very proud to share my life with.