Jane Ford (b. 1953)
Jane Ford is a British painter born in North Staffordshire, now living in Kent. She exhibits and sells across the country, represented by numerous established galleries with regular exhibitions in London and the South East.
Early Training and Career
Originally trained for eight years at both art school and as an apprentice illustrator in the Potteries, Jane went on to become Head of Design for both Minolta and Ricoh before following her passion as a professional artist.
Artistic Vision and Style
With an all-consuming interest in British wildlife combined with her quirky, dark Northern sense of humour, Jane transforms the main subject of each painting from a natural pose into a completely obscure and unusual setting. With a natural leaning towards the Gothic genre—which includes Victorian engines, optical and astronomical instruments, and medieval inventions—the term "Steampunk" is often used to describe her work.
Narrative and Inspiration
"The paintings all tell a story, a very old-fashioned way of painting, so each work can have several connotations, from game birds alighting on pies to hares transfixed by melancholia and chickens alluring foxes, all in a humorous framework. Perhaps stemming from a childhood mixture of Brer Rabbit, Jules Verne, Edgar Allan Poe and the Goons with a splash of 1940s film noir and 60s/70s music."
Technique and Materials
Each painting is carefully researched for anatomical, historical, and natural accuracy and finally worked using the finest quality oils suspended in distilled walnut oil for added viscosity. This technique is reminiscent of the Dutch Renaissance or traditional English painting methods not usually taught in art schools today.
"The great diversity of British wildlife and the imagination of connecting birds and animals with unrelated objects opens up endless possibilities for paintings. The whole thing is brought together in the naming of the work… it's all in the title."
Barewall Representation
Barewall is delighted to represent Jane Ford as her Staffordshire gallery. Based in Burslem, the heart of the Potteries, Barewall celebrates Jane's Northern humour and distinctive artistic voice.
Early Years and Education
Born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire in 1953. Her father was classical singer Fred Ford, and her uncle was head designer for Spode in the 1950s-60s, Fred Robinson.
Schools: May Bank Infants, Wolstanton Church of England Juniors, Westlands Girls, and The Edwards Orme.
1970: Newcastle School of Art, followed by her first solo show at Newcastle Museum/Brampton Gallery.
1971-1979: Eight years working for Garners of Burslem and K.H. Bailey, transferring to a 7-year apprenticeship in Graphic Art and Illustration at Warwick Savage in Burslem, encompassing Fine Art study at Longton School of Art and Stoke Polytechnic with Henry Pouch.
1979-1984: Six years as Head of Design at Photopia International, Newcastle-under-Lyme.
1984-1990: Six years as freelance designer and illustrator with design agencies throughout the West Midlands.
Exhibitions and Recognition
1970s-1980s: Worked as in-house artist for Hood and Broomfield, Newcastle-under-Lyme.
1992: Sunday Times Watercolour Competition Finalist.
2003-2018: Best Artist in various media at Pilgrims Way Artists Annual Exhibition.
Major Commissions:
2004: Commission to create 200 paintings for Cambridge Belfry.
2006: Hotel commission—first time an artist had been commissioned to create work for an entire hotel.
2008: Commissioned paintings for Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells.
Gallery Representation and Solo Shows:
2010: Royal Society of British Artists Exhibition, London; joined Blackheath Gallery London and Galleria San Maurizio, Venice.
2011: Royal Society of British Artists Exhibition, London.
2013: Paintings selected for international exhibition and publication by the Davidoff Corporation.
2014-2017: Solo shows at Saffron Gallery (Battle), Wing Gallery (Wadhurst), Opus Gallery (Ashborne), Singing Soul Gallery (Cranbrook), Val Gould Gallery (Sandwich).
2016: Special focus show at Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold; joined Fosse Gallery.
2018: Major solo show, November 2018, Fosse Gallery, Stow-on-the-Wold.
2019: Fresh Art Fair with Wing Gallery (Cheltenham and Ascot, April and September); Summer show at Fosse Gallery (June); joined Barewall Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent.
Art Fairs (2006-Present):
Battersea Art Fair, Affordable Art Fair, Manchester Art Fair, Dublin Art Fair, Brighton Art Fair, Fulham Art Fair, September Art Fair, Pure Arts Fair, Fresh Art Fair.
