Recent work

Recent Work & Work in Progress

Some paintings, drawings and ideas that are “work in progress”

“Apocalypse, Pompeii A.D ‘79” Painting by Hilary Adair 2020 126 x 95cms
The spread of Corvid 19 has similarity with historical catastrophic events : earth-quakes, destruction, plague, famine, floods, in being life changing for us all. The sense that powerful forces are at work that are beyond our control gives me a feeling of dread and anxiety. There was an irony in seeing the death rate rising while we had such wonderful, spring weather with a soft, golden light bathing towns and countryside like a painting by Claude or Edward Hopper. Perhaps there is some comfort in knowing that we will survive, as did the world after the tragedy of Pompeii, so my painting is made in the spirit of hope for a positive outcome.

I often paint gardens and was deeply impressed with the frescoes from Pompeii on exhibition at the British Museum. I loved the depiction of flora and fauna and particularly liked the quality of paint and my picture alludes to things I relate to as a woman , the domestic scene, incorporating bread, fruit and wine with the central figure of a woman looking out at us with a quizzical stare. She is part of frescoes in the Villa of the Mysteries which portray some kind of initiation ritual, though no one knows the secrets therein. A fountain is in the foreground, being explored by a tentative bird and a peacock from Nero’s villa, where Poppea lived, surveys the scene. He is flamboyant , useless and decorative, but with anguish in his warning call . In the distance is Vesuvius, peaceful for now, but indicating that soon Pompeii will be submerged in volcanic ash, rocks and lava.In order to evoke the quality of ancient places I wanted texture and have used sand with the oil paint to give a rough surface and evoke the atmosphere of heat and dust. I haven’t portrayed the body casts, which are so moving, because this painting is primarily about Art and its power to bring us back to life in times like these.
“I love the “Pompeii” painting and its symbolism: the peacock which the Romans believed represented immortality, the bread and figs, wine in the amphorae, the stuff of life, the pomegranates a rebirth, such powerful images. Then in the background the smouldering volcano, destroyer but also life giver, in that the rich soil around the perimeter brings forth such plentiful produce. A clever painting and beautifully executed” JH

“Whistler’s Paint Pot, or Fireworks on Minehead Beach” An etching of the row between Whistler and Ruskin about a painting called ‘Falling Rocket’ , which was described as being like a pot of paint thrown at a picture. A court case followed, won by the artist, but with one farthing damages to Whistler. My etching was exhibited in “Print-REbels” a touring exhibition for the Royal Society of Painter Print-makers.

One of my favourite artists is Piero della Francesca from 15thCentury Italy and his painting of the Resurrection of Christ is often in my thoughts, especially the group of men guarding his tomb, fast asleep at the most critical moment, when we all want to know ,,,”what happens next?” It is thought the figure on the left is a self-portrait by Piero, here are two etchings and a drawing

Time traveller 36 w x 42 h cm Etching

Sleeping guards at the Resurrection, after Piero 60 w x 42 h cm Etching

Study in pencil 80 w x 60 h cm Drawing

Three recent oil paintings of trees in blossom : wisteria, mimosa and magnolia, life affirming subjects for me.

Magnolia 50 h x 65 w cm Oil

Mimosa with fruit and flowers 75 h x 58 w cm Oil

Wisteria tree 50 h x 65 h cm Oil

Finding the Temple of Harmony, a perfect 18th Century copy of a Roman temple, sitting between Taunton and Bridgwater in a field, was a surprise. A marble sculpture used to be inside but can now be seen in the Museum of Somerset; she is a muse, Goddess for music and dance and has been the subject of some of my paintings and etchings recently.

Study for Temple of Harmony, six variations. Etching

Temple of Harmony, with four figures in a classical landscape. 70 h x 100 w cm. Oil

Nereids at Halswell Park. 50 h x 40 w cm. Watercolour.

The Temple of Harmony with muse and dancers. 50 h x 40 w cm.

A recent acquisition of a neo-classical head of Aphrodite in our garden has been a source of interest to me, birds and cats and I try to convey her serene beauty in the midst of so much chaos in the outside world.

Goddess with Lily. 60 h x 48 w cm. Watercolour.

Goddess with white cat. 65 h x 57 w cm. Oil.

Goddess in the garden. 50 h x 50 w cm. Etching.