Raymond Blanc Charity Event 2012

With Raymond Blanc and Lorraine Chase at Brasseric Blanc London

 A charity event in aid of the Lady Taverners

This week the cover painting of my latest book "Atmospheric watercolours" was auctioned at  the Brasserie Blanc in St Pauls, hosted by Raymond Blanc.

My original cover painting  went to the winners of the highest bid at £5700 and I am thrilled.The funds raised from the night will go towards buying mini buses that are especially equipped for children to enjoy for years to come. It was a superb evening and  thanks to Raymonds generosity everyone had a great time while supporting a very worthy cause.

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"Atmospheric Watercolours" Cover Painting Raises £5000 For Charity

" Morning Light"

Cover Painting of

"Atmospheric Watercolours"

Last night I was a guest at Raymond Blancs charity event in aid of the Lady Taverners held at  the new " Brasserie Blanc"  restaurant in Watling St, London.  I have donated several cockerel paintings for  these evenings hosted by Raymond. Each time their popularity has seen wonderful bids coming in during the auction section of the occasions.

Raymond is an incredibly generous personality and  gives so much to the Lady Taverners so it is  an honour and pleasure to be linked with him in this way. I had saved the cover painting of my latest book so that it could be donated for  auction and last night  my husband and I made our way to London carrying the original painting and an accompanying book, which was to be personally signed by me for the winning bidder.

It was a fabulous night, champagne flowed and the  canapes were incredible which is what you would expect from a master chef such as Raymond.  The wonderful auctioneer was Niel, husband of  TV personality Judith Chalmers and he suggested I said a few words about my painting to the attending guests in the audience.   As I did so Lorraine Chase displayed the painting beautifully so that everyone in the room could see what they would be bidding for.

On stage I couldn't say this is one painting I hadn't really wanted to let go of.  It means so much to me and will always be one of those pieces that touched the artists' heart. I had even put it on show in an exhibition earlier this year but with a Not For Sale dot on it , because I knew it would be hard to part with. I loved the day I painted this piece. The eye is magcially full of life in an almost mischievous way. I also knew immediately that this was the piece I would want as the cover for my latest book because it just sings of energy, life and does seem full of atmosphere. And I love the feedback I am  now getting from all over the world about  this particular cockerel.

The bidding began as soon as I left the stage and the figure of two thousand pounds was  very quickly reached. But the bidding continued as the final and highest bid  was well over £5000, in fact I believe the final  amount was £5600 but I couldn't hear due to the noise in the excited room at the time.

I am absolutely thrilled to now part with my  special cockerel because it will bring so much joy to  children who need help  and their parents also who will know how much this will mean to the charity. I do believe  there is a better purpose in giving than recieving. The  knowledge that this painting will keep giving with a specially equipped bus will keep me happy for years to come too!

My book is still selling internationally and  is now classed as a best seller which is fabulous news. It will  be published in Italian next year and I hope to repeat my book signing tour of USA in 2013 so please watch this space!  

For now my book is selling very quickly so if you would like a copy please get yours as soon as possible from my web site or Amazon.com!

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Raymond Blanc Chichester. Charity Auction

Charity Auction at Brasserie Blanc, Chichester

In Aid  of the Lady Taverners

Hosted by Raymond Blanc

" Beautiful Dawn "

As featured in the Master Class series of the Artist and Illustrators  Magazine

January issue 2011 

To be auctioned at Brasserie Blanc, Chichester this Tuesday.

This week is going to be really full with exciting watercolour workshops all week  and a visit to Chichester to donate another cockerel to raise funds for the Lady Taverners who help very special children.

This event will be held at the Brasserie Blanc in Chichester.  Raymond Blanc  is an incredible personality with a hugely warm heart not o mention his amazing talent as a master chef.  As a Lady Taverner I have been delighted to donate several watercolours  to raise funds at events since 2009  but this is my first charity event of  2011.

When I was approached for one of my pieces I knew immediately which painting I would be donating. I have learned so much about giving over the years . I have also witnesssed  with huge  disappointment how some artists agree to give work away but they often  part with a painting that has been lying around in their studio for a very long time or a piece that hasn't nor is likely to sell. This  form of attitude greatly saddens me.

I am so grateful for my life and for everyone who has supported me in my art career giving me encouragement and guidance whenever I have needed it. Each month something new and wonderful  consistently seems to be heading my way.  From my first book being launched at the Mall Galleries in London last year to my recent filming of a DVD with Townhouse Films this week.  My life as an artist is like an amazing dream.. Then there is the knowledge  that my second book is  developing  so well that I can't wait for it to be published next year. I keep getting requests to show in galleries  and demonstrate worldwide.

I am very fortunate and not a day goes by where I don't  give thanks for my health,happiness,friends and family as well as my passion for  watercolour. 

 

So how did I know what to choose to give away ?

Last year I was approached by the Artist and Illusrators Magazine for a feature which was published in the January 2011 issue. I was to write  for their Master Class series and chose to look at  watercolour effects  for one of my favourite subjects, a cockerel.  I enjoyed writing the feature so much but the eye of this particular bird really holds a very special magic for me as the artist.  It obviously holds magic for those who have already seen the painting in my studio. So much so that everyone is asking me if I am ever going to sell the piece or not. As an artist I often feel like holding onto favourite paintings but will  let go if I feel the reason for doing so warrants my actions.

And this decision does. 

I can't sell the painting to friends because more than one wishes to buy it. I can't place it in a gallery as more than one gallery wishes to show it. So to donate my favourite painting to raise funds for some very special children , help my favourite charity and have the opportunity to see Raymond again who holds  his own form of magic when he cooks seems a perfect and right thing to do.

The painting at the moment is being framed in a gorgeous gold  moulding with a second inner frame in gold also which looks fantastic. I know how much I hope to raise this week and my fingers will be crossed that from one small action some good will bring  really big smiles to beautiful young faces.

To create happiness via brushstrokes really is so amazing. Doing what I love, for people I love and knowing they will feel loved from this circle  of actions is a terrific way to start my week.

jeanhaines@hotmail.com

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My new DVD shows how I approach painting several  subjects and will be available in the near future.