Sophie Ploeg

Finding some ideas in Dutch 17th century ruffs....;) (photograph)

My palette is starting to look rather, eh, creative... A thorough clean with a paint scraper and ready for an underpainting! Colours laid out for the next stage.

John de Critz, Portrait of Queen Anne of Denmark, 1605-10. National Portrait Gallery, London Anne of Denmark (queen consort of James I), (born 1574- died 1619), daughter of the King of Denmark, who loved fashion, extravagance, fought for custody over her children, was a Lutheran and had a troublesome marriage with the king. Portrait by John de Critz (1551-1642), Flemish born, but living and working in England most of his life and 'Serjeant Painter' to James I (chief painting job in court)In 1619 Anne of Denmark died and in the same year a whole generation of artists such as Hilliard, Robert Peake and William Larkin, paving the way for new style in portraiture. Her silk dress shows the 'pinks'; little decorative cuts in the fabric. It is decorated with embroidered bands. She wears an Elizabethan wheel farthingale under her skirt and in her wire- supported collar there is some very detailed and expensive cutwork lace.

Thanks to fellow exhibiting artist Melixa Morón Gonzalez for taking some pictures at Haynes Galleries in Nashville, Tennessee, US. It is really exciting to see my paintings hanging on the gallery walls!

Detail (about 2 inches wide) of a portrait in progress...Flemish lace. Am afraid I can't show you much more at the moment....

I am delighted to share that I am exhibiting 3 pieces with the Haynes Galleries in Nashville, Tennessee in the United States. The Haynes Galleries is one of the leading galleries in the US that show contemporary realist art. They have an impressive stable of artists and art on their books that include not only past greats such as Andrew Wyeth and John Singer Sargent, but also contemporary realist masters such as Anthony Ryder, Burton Silverman, and Alexandra Tyng. I am very proud to join this impressive group of realist artists and exhibit in their next exhibition New Works: New Directions 'Fresh faces, fresh work and fresh perspectives highlight “New Works: New Directions” at Haynes Galleries, an exciting collection of paintings from some of the most talented names in contemporary American Realism. The show runs fromOctober 11 to November 16 at Haynes Galleries, on the historic Music Row Roundabout. An opening reception will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. October ...

New work.... Trapped , oil on canvas, 50x60cm/20x24" (excl. frame) The painting was inspired by the choice many women make, of being at home and taking care of the children instead of going out to work and develop a career. While they happily make the choice many feel trapped at some stage in their life, trapped by the expectations of being feminine, beautiful and attractive (the lace underwear), while also providing a home, raising kids, cleaning and tidying (the rug in the painting), but not being able to develop themselves mentally in a career. A feeling, I am sure, many women recognize.