Sophie Ploeg

In 2011 I decided I was going to try out some of the prestigious open exhibitions held by the societies of the Federation of British Artists, held at the Mall Galleries on The Mall in London. It would boost my cv if I would get in one. My first try was the Pastel Society and I painted a portrait of my son. Alas, on the handing-in day I was ill and could not submit. So I submitted it to the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. And shock and behold! It got accepted. I am still very proud of that. My year was made.  2011 turned out to be my year as what followed was acceptance and an award at the Society of Women Artists, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and The Royal West of England Academy of Art. I still cannot believe it all. To make the year complete I was recently informed that my submission for the 2012 Open Exhibition of the Pastel Society was accepted. Got there in the end. So 2011 was a fantastic year for me. I could not have wished for greater success. I ...

On the Making a Mark Blog there is the annual poll for best art works and the author, Katherine has nominated my painting Dream . You can vote for your favourite.... Poll: Making A Mark Awards 2011: Which is the best artwork - portrait/figures - created by a blogger and posted on an art blog in 2011?

Flowerbed, pastel, 65x45cm I am happy to share that my painting ‘Flowerbed’ has been selected to be exhibited at the annual exhibition of the Pastel Society. It went through two stages of selection by a panel of expert judges who saw hundreds of entries. The exhibition, Love Pastels 2012, will be on display at the Mall Galleries in London from 14-25 February 2012. Mall Galleries Pastel Society An image from the Pastel Society exhibition, with thanks to Making a Mark. My fellow pastelist Svetlana Cameron will also exhibit a wonderful piece

Highlights from the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Exhibition On his blog, Adebanji Alade gives us his highlights from the exhibition at the Mall Galleries. I so wish I could have gone to see it. David Curtis, Nick Verrall, Combes...just some of my favourites. Happy to see Adebanji gave me a mention too! The exhibition is now finished, my painting sold and is off to the US, and I believe many paintings were shipped off to new homes. David Curtis, Deep Snow Mission 2011 Nicholas Verrall, Still Life on Slate Table For Verrall also check out his wonderful book Colour and Light in Oils, which is beautiful, interesting and useful. Detail of my painting Dream

A lovely review of the ROI Exhibition on the fabulous Making a Mark Blog. Review: 124th Annual Exhibition of The Royal Institute of Oil Painters                                       *Sold!

Fixed a few issues, repainted some bits, this is probably going to be its frame.... Other blog posts involving painted lace: The Shawl Brabant Lace New works involving lace (2015 new blog!) An interview with me about how lace inspires me in my paintings. My current blog can be found on my website! See you there

Delicates Oil on canvas, 60x40cm