About Page
Artist Sophie Huddlestone creating and selling paintings worldwide since 2011.
A swirly style of painting which makes it easy to spot a Sophie Huddlestone artwork.
Some artworks are displayed in the art studio window in Burbage. Have a look the next time you are passing by.
Sophie Huddlestone is now on TikTok as @swirlysoph
Painting is oxygen
Painting is my oxygen. It prevents my busy creative mind overloading, as a form of relaxation and well being.
An interest in art began at 11 years of age with complex themes that were not your typical house, tree and rainbow. I was in ore of Salvador Dali and would daydream in his pictures for hours. My career started from sixfootsophie beginnings as a single unemployed mum with dyslexia read more …….
Spreading smiles by adding a tiny hidden smile face or hidden messages in my artworks. The paintings page has a close up image of one of these smiles.
I have two strings to my bow with contemporary animals and surrealism artworks. Painting career from 2011 to the present day read more …….
The portrait narratives develop from mischievous painting techniques and adding messages within the art.
Portraits in oil paints, watercolours and mixed media. More examples are on the portraits page.
Above is a recent kingfisher watercolour which I painted in a more realistic style. I painted it as an early birthday gift for my dad Norman Appleton. He inspired me to paint and draw from such a young age and I will always treasure memories of his eyes lighting up when seeing my paintings (he sadly passed away mid March 2020 with cancer, just as the corona virus made changes to society’s way of living).
Celebrity Portrait Commission
I often paint animal, bird and flower commissions but was a little nervous when asked to create my first portrait commission in March 2019.
It was for Russell Osman – he acted in the film Escape to Victory, Indian Super league football expert, TV Co-commentator, former footballer for England etc. and I was thrilled when he displayed my portrait on his Instagram @russosman and his Twitter @RussellOs5
Given free reign to create the portrait with any theme I combined his past film as the background, the England colours in the shirt he wore for the film and painting him as he looks today, plus some of my signature style swirly squiggles. To my relief he thought it was wonderful.
Portraits on Sky TV
In April 2020 Sky Arts ‘Portrait Artist Of The Week’ television show became live during the lock down. Thousands worldwide join in each week painting the celebrity sitter on line from there own homes, selecting some to be shown in the following episode.
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I was thrilled when I spotted that my portrait of Rankin had been selected as one of the portraits to be displayed on the floating wall gallery of Sky Arts Portrait Artist Of The Week, Series one episode three with Robert Rinder.
Then again, my portrait of Noel Fielding was one of the portraits displayed on the floating wall gallery of Sky Arts Portrait Artist Of The Week. Series one episode six with Clare Balding.
Celebrity Pet Commissions
Above is a painting I did of Reggie, a dog belonging to Matt Goss (from the music band Bross). Every evening Matt Goss is doing live chats on Instagram @mattgoss connecting people together in these difficult times. His brother Luke Goss @thelukegoss also has inspirational posts on Instagram and he paints beautiful artworks too. On Instagram I am @creativemrsh
Above is a commission painting I did of Ruby, a dog belonging to former England Rugby Player and coach Graham Rowntree and his lovely wife Nicky.
More examples of pet commissions are on the commissions page.
Google Arts and Culture
Google Arts and Culture – Paintings in Hospitals
A commissioned NHS oil portrait I created as part of the wonderful initiative instigated by Tom Croft. This portrait of Hayley ICU nurse was also selected to be included in the permanent record of ‘Portraits for NHS Heroes’ which is an online exhibition by Google Arts & Culture with Paintings in Hospitals.
Saatchi Art
A handful of Sophie’s original paintings are being sold at Saatchi Art the world’s leading online art gallery based in Los Angeles. These paintings are also in Sophie’s online SHOP or purchase from Saatchi Art at https://www.saatchiart.com/sophieh
Artist Authentication
Each painting or art print will include a certificate of authenticity, which can remain along with the painting for generations to come.
Enjoy Shopping
Contact
My art studio is gadget free so please send me a text message.
Tel:07932 606867
All contact methods are on the contact page.
Bio
Sophie specialises in portraits with a twist and animal paintings with a twirl. The swirly brush strokes makes it easy to spot a Sophie Huddlestone painting, the majority of collectors being from the U.S. and U.K.
The blue tinted glasses that Sophie wears are for Irlen Syndrome which could be the quirk that encourages the happy vibes in the colour combinations.
Having a degree with honours for industrial ceramics (Staffordshire University) and working with Wedgwood as a student, Sophie went on to sell pattern designs to Staffordshire Tableware. It was when she won the university’s Stuttgart surface pattern competition that the love and enthusiasm for creating swirly artworks took over the ceramics. Life events put painting on hold until her mid 30’s when the swirly artistic adventures began to unfold.
Past exhibitions have been at gallery’s in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire.
Currently Sophie’s artworks remain on display in all the corridors of Vision House in Leicestershire. With future exhibitions being on hold due to raising a family Sophie prefers online displays, and has created paintings for a few well known celebrities along the way; such as Matt Goss (from music band Bross), Author Lynda Page and England Footballer / sports commentator Russell Osman, Graham Rowntree former England Rugby union player and coach.
Also in 2019 Saatchi Art (the worlds leading art gallery based in Los Angeles) includes a selection of artworks by Sophie Huddlestone.
In 2020 during the lock down a couple of Sophie’s portraits were on Sky Arts portrait artist of the week television show among other artists portraits.
August 2020 Sophie’s NHS commissioned Portrait of Hayley ICU Nurse was selected for the ‘Portraits for NHS Heroes’ online exhibition by Google Arts & Culture with Paintings in Hospitals. A permanent historical record via paintings.
Social Media
Keep the comments coming otherwise my next post will not show up in your feed.
@creativemrsh
/SwirlySophArt
“Artist Sophie Appleton Huddlestone”
@CreativeMrsH
TikTok @swirlysoph
Thanks for viewing the about page.