November 2020 Newsletter

Welcome to the November 2020 edition of the Jack Russell Gallery Newsletter.
We hope you enjoy reading about what we've been up to.

Jack Russell MBE

ASHES COLLECTION

After nearly a year's work the Ashes paintings are finally here! You will see from our last newsletter my epic challenge to capture the first ball of every Ashes Test Match from the 2019 series so here they are the finished works. The reason they took so long to complete is because of their large size there is an enormous amount of detail in each painting and I can say without doubt they are the most detailed cricket pictures I have ever painted.

It was a thrill trying to capture the atmosphere and the actual detail went to extremes such as painting the studs on Stuart Broad's boots! If you were a spectator at any of the matches and wore a bright enough colour you may be able to pick yourself out in the crowd, or were you one of the two spectators stood in front of the sight screen at the start of play at Old Trafford trying to find their seats!?

It was a wonderful challenge and I had an amazing time doing it. Originally there were going to be 5 paintings in the collection, one for each Test, but in between I decided to rush down to Taunton to paint the Woman's Ashes, my first painting of a Women's match. Then Ben Stokes does what Ben Stokes does and played that epic innings with Jack Leach on the last day of the Headingley Test.

So 5 became 7, which was perfect as 7 was my batting AND favourite number so I think it was written in the stars (not that I believe in the stars by the way!). Thank you to all my friends at the Counties involved and the ECB for finding me the best seat in the house at every Test, I couldn't have done it without you.

You can see my journey in more detail on our new Ashes Collection pages on our website: https://jackrussell.co.uk

FREE ASHES BROCHURE

For a free Ashes Brochure please:

email jack@jackrussell.co.uk

or phone 01454 329583

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @jackrussellart

NO EXHIBITIONS!

Because of the pandemic all our exhibitions around the county grounds were cancelled. We've missed the banter and seeing all of your familiar faces and it's been frustrating for all not seeing any cricket in the flesh.

We hope that day will come back very soon and we can all enjoy our favourite game together. On the plus side I've been able to get on with a backlog of commissions so those of you still waiting don't worry I haven't forgotten you your paintings are on their way!

"No exhibitions" isn't entirely accurate. It was a pleasure to be part of the Chris Beetles Gallery Annual Cricket Exhibition again this year in Ryder Street, St. James's, London, where Chris now has on his website a painting that was inspired by the daily exercise allowed during lockdown and it involves a rainbow.

We've also teamed up with Haynes Fine Art who have a gorgeous gallery in the Cotswold village of Broadway on the Worcestershire Gloucestershire border.

They are now showing a small number of my original paintings.

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM www.instagram.com

CRICKET AT LAST!

Once pandemic restrictions were lifted I had the pleasure of painting a lovely view of the cricket on Kew Green near Richmond, Surrey, with the wonderful backdrop of St. Anne's Church. I just managed to capture the last day of the cricket season for Kew Cricket Club. Fortunately the weather was very kind to us and the late afternoon light made for some delightful colours. The day was extremely busy. Thanks to the enthusiasm of its members and the Kew Green residents the cricket club is a hub of social activity. They weren't to be stumped during lockdown as the club stayed active by providing take away drinks for everyone. It's been a tough time, not just for cricket clubs but every type of sporting club and our hearts and best wishes go out to all of them.

Kew CC members came up with the idea of auctioning "spectator positions" on the boundary edge in the painting to raise extra money for club funds. To "stand out" spectators were asked to wear something brightly coloured. You can see them all watching, including Father Nigel Worn who wore his gloriously coloured robes. He's standing close to the church with Lady Lorraine Neale, Chairperson of The Friends of St. Anne's Church who are also supporting limited edition print sales to help raise funds for both the cricket club and the church.

I have to admit I have fallen for Kew Green. It has a rich and deep history dating back to Henry VIII and Queen Anne and is a magical place for an artist. Pissarro painted there and Gainsborough is buried in the churchyard cemetery so I've some famous footsteps to follow. I think I'm going to be painting regularly there for quite a few years to come!

I would like to say a big thank you to Kew Green resident Martyn Ryan who came up with the idea and commissioned the original painting in the first place (he's wearing the blue shirt and red shorts on the boundary edge, 3rd from the left!). Also everyone at the cricket club and church for looking after me so brilliantly and for your endless enthusiasm. I'm pleased to say they have sold a large number of prints already!

If you would like more details of how to purchase a limited edition print of "Cricket at Kew" and help raise funds please contact Shane McDermott at Kew CC on his email:

shanemacdermott@gmail.com

VISIT MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL www.youtube.com

AN EVEN BIGGER THANK YOU

Just a final word to all those key workers out there that have made enormous sacrifices recently to keep us all as safe as possible and keep the country moving as best we can.

We will salute you forever.

With very best wishes,

Jack Russell MBE