Please introduce yourself to us!
I am a contemporary figurative artist with a passion for ballet and the theatre. I am privileged to be invited to many ballet performances to capture the dancers. I work mainly with pastel, watercolour and mixed media. I exhibit all over the UK and have my work in collections world wide. I also teach art to mature students which I find inspiring and inspirational.
Harmony in White
Why do you make art?
I am fascinated by the beauty of the ballet dancer and aim to capture both sides of their performance. On stage and in rehearsal. I want to capture a hidden world only glimpsed at by an audience. I also love painting the human form and experimenting with different mediums.
How do you start a new painting?
For my ballet paintings I am usually invited to rehearsals or performances to capture the dancer. Time allowing I sketch the dancers and take photographs. I will finish the piece in my studio.
The Dying Swan
What are the highlights of your artistic career?
Oh goodness, too many! Being invited by Principal dancer Johan Kobborg and his partner, Prima Ballerina Alina Cojocaru to paint them in rehearsal in The Royal Opera House. I think Alina danced all my favourite pieces! Also Royal Ballet Prima Ballerina Mara Galeazzi invited me to capture her while learning a new piece. She was fascinating and beautiful to watch. I was also privileged to be invited by British dancer, Xander Parish to paint him in Romeo and Juliet while dancing with the Mariinsky. He is the first British dancer to have ever been promoted to Principal with the company.
Crimson Velvet
What other artists do you admire?
Degas, John Singer Sargent, Dame Laura Knight.
Discover Zoe :
www.zoejameswilliams.com
Instagram @zoejameswilliams
Twitter @zoeartist
Facebook @zoejameswilliams
