Waterlooville artist's work selected for prestigious national marine art exhibition

AN ARTIST who believes in painting as a form of therapy will have one of her watercolour pieces shown at a prestigious national marine art exhibition.
Barbara Jones likes to create coastal-themed artwork. This is Rusty Chains, which was shortlisted for an Artists & Illustrators award this year. Picture: Ian HargreavesBarbara Jones likes to create coastal-themed artwork. This is Rusty Chains, which was shortlisted for an Artists & Illustrators award this year. Picture: Ian Hargreaves
Barbara Jones likes to create coastal-themed artwork. This is Rusty Chains, which was shortlisted for an Artists & Illustrators award this year. Picture: Ian Hargreaves

Barbara Jones is thrilled her '˜Hello Buoys' painting was selected from more than 1,300 submissions to appear at the Mall Galleries in London, as part of the Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA) Annual Exhibition.

The 62-year-old, who lives in Purbrook in Waterlooville, is inspired by all things coastal and started painting 24 years ago.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

About her chosen piece she said: '˜I was walking through Gunwharf one day with a friend where the fish market used to be near The Camber, when I saw this boat and buoys floating next to it.

Barbara's painting Hello Buoys which will be on display at the exhibitionBarbara's painting Hello Buoys which will be on display at the exhibition
Barbara's painting Hello Buoys which will be on display at the exhibition

'˜I started taking pictures because I really liked it. Then I painted it and it's one of my best pieces of work.

'˜I applied to be a part of the exhibition earlier this year.'

The 1,300 submissions were whittled down to 330 and from that, 150 new or emerging artists like Barbara were selected to have their work appear at the exhibition, alongside 250 others already members of the RSMA.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The exhibition's theme is the sea and everything related to it. 

Barbara, who used to work in administrative roles in local schools including Purbrook Park, added: '˜When I started painting I found myself as a single mum.

'˜It's a form of therapy and offers that sense of escapism. I'm really supportive of people doing it as a therapy in their own lives, it's really helped me.

'˜You can teach yourself how to paint, build yourself up and learn.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

'˜Slowly over the years I've built up my work. About 12 years ago I did my first exhibition at the White Dog Gallery in Southsea, then I started doing shows and it's grown from there.

'˜My job limited how much I could paint, about two years ago I was able to leave and focus on it '“ I just went for it!'

Elizabeth Smith, president of the RSMA said the society liked the composition of the painting.

She said: '˜Selecting the brightly coloured buoys and focusing on them rather than the entire boat works well. The detail of the ageing and flaking paint-work has been well observed, and the shadows give extra movement and depth. The whole work has a freshness that is very appealing.

The exhibition will run from October 11-20.