Jane Allison studied painting at Chelsea School of Art and at the Slade School of Fine Art. She has painted a great variety of people of all ages and has exhibited widely both locally and nationally including, as a prize winner, in the BP Portrait Award and with the Royal Society of Portrait Painters.
She has work in many private and public collections including those of the Queen in Windsor Castle , the Royal Colleges of Surgeons in London and Edinburgh , the Royal Institute , the Royal College of Anaesthetists,the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons . the BVA , the Royal Society of Medicine , the Royal College of Nursing , the Universities of Oxford and Surrey and many regiments and public schools.
Jane Allison says:
"As every sitter and every situation is unique the way I work varies. Some people will come to my studio in Guildford for up to six sittings, each lasting an hour and a half. Some I paint in their own home or workplace whilst others I paint partially or even entirely from photographs - it all depends on what the sitter feels most comfortable with or , particularly in the case of children , how long they are prepared to sit fairly still !
However ,I very rarely require sitters to be totally still and often like people to talk as it gives me a better insight as to how they should be portrayed.
I usually start a portrait with an initial visit, during which I discuss with the sitter how they might like to see themselves, details of backgrounds (sometimes including favourite possessions) what they should wear and so on. I am very aware that a portrait is very much a partnership between the sitter and the artist and welcome the subject's input and thoughts on the painting.
I work in oil, pastel , pencil or ink and my portraits range in size from tiny 6 x 4 inch works to 9 x 6 foot canvases."
Commissions
Sir John Lilleyman - President of the Royal Society of Medicine
Professor P.S. Boulter - President of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
Professor Dorothy Geddes - President of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
Professor William Houston - Guys Hospital
Professor Nairn Wilson - President of the General Dental Council
Baroness Susan Greenfield - Neuroscientist and President of the Royal Institute
Professor Daphne Jackson - University of Surrey
Professor Judy MacArthur Clark - President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Professor Lydia Brown - President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Dr Peter Simpson - President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists
Baroness Findlay of Llandaff -
Lord Mishcon -
Lord Robens -
Lord Nugent -
Lord St Ostwald -
Lt. General Sir Michael Walker -
Lt. General Sir John Learmont -
Lt. General Sir Michael Willcocks - Black Rod
Major General Stuart Watson -
Major General Peter Bonnet -
Sir Robert Clark - Chairman of United Biscuits
Mr R. E. Frost - Chairman of Hays Plc
Sir George Edwards OM FRS -
Sir Alan Dalton - Chairman of English China Clays
Mr David Fine - Chairman of Polydor
Mr Bruce Dawson - Chairman of the K.I.O
Baron Jean Charles Velge - Chairman of Bekaart
Bishop George Reindorp - Bishop of Guildford
Bishop Ivor Watkins - Bishop of Guildford
Bishop Michael Adie - Bishop of Guildford
Bishop David Brown - Bishop of Guildford
Bishop Christopher Hill -
Dr John Sentamu - Archbishop of York
Dr Peter Selby - Bishop of Worcester
Sir Christopher Collet - Lord Mayor of London
Viviana Durante - Prima Ballerina with the Royal Ballet
Susannah Yorke - Actress
Miss Enid Castle - Principal, The Cheltenham Ladies College
Headmaster of Wycliffe College -
Headmaster of Kings School -
Headmaster of Bruton -
Headmaster of Worcester RGS -
Headmaster of Christ’s Hospital -
Headmaster of Adams School -
Headmaster of Bedford College -
Headmaster of Lancing -
Headmaster of The Dragon School, Oxford -
The Court of Examiners, The Royal College of Surgeons -
The London Board of Brewin Dolphin -
Guildford House Gallery
155 High Street
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 3AJ
Tel: 01483 444742
Fax: 01483 458563
Email: guildfordhouse@guildford.gov.uk
Open Tuesday to Saturday. 10am to 4.45pm. Admission Free