Events

Military Portraits

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Portrait of Lieutenant General Sir Nicholas Pope, KCB, CBE in Oils by Annabelle Valentine
Lieutenant General Sir Nicholas Pope, KCB, CBE

I have been commissioned to paint all the outgoing Majors and Generals for the Queen’s Gurkha Signals since 2014. These are on permanent display within the army, alongside all previous portraits. It’s a very impressive sight of very impressive men and it is an honour to have my work displayed in this way.

Whilst painting at many military events over the years, I often speak to people who trained with the Gurkhas, always relaying tales of admiration.

I was delighted to be invited to the unveiling of the latest outgoing General, Major General Jonathan Cole, CB, OBE. This took place at their annual celebration and meal, which had been cancelled for the previous two years due to covid.

After a meeting, 9 of us were transported across the site in a minibus and then flanked by men playing bagpipes as we walked in line towards the event. 

Portrait of Major General Jonathan Cole, CB, OBE in Oils by Annabelle Valentine
Major General Jonathan Cole, CB, OBE
Major Tolbahadur Khamcha

115 Queens’ Gurkha signals gathered, all dressed in a striking bright red uniform and me – the random artist.  Unfortunately I had mostly lost my voice that day, so my requested speech was short and quiet, I was also almost frozen solid at that point as this happened outdoors. Note to self: Bring a big warm coat next time. As we moved inside, the Napalese meal was outstanding, luckily it is my favourite type of food, and if I ever eat out, our local Nepalese in Blandford  ‘Namaste’ is always where I choose. The music during intervals was excellent too. 

I was given accommodation overnight and invited for a big breakfast the next morning. My previous paintings were taken down for varnishing and I later returned home on various buses and trains. 

Thanks to everyone who made that happen, an experience I will never forget!

Dorset Art Weeks 2018

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It’s that time again, when artists all over Dorset prepare – with varying degrees of pressure and panic, for Dorset Art Weeks.
This will be the 6th time I have taken part in a variety of venues, including my home, an antiques showroom and Gaunts house, and have also helped the area co-ordinator by distributing all the marketing material to the local artists, ie brochures, banners and road signs etc. We even have little badges this year!

I am pleased to say, this handsome beast is coming back on loan for the exhibition

For anyone not familiar with this event, it is a truly amazing opportunity to look through the brochure, choose the artists that you wish to see, and travel around the Dorset countryside over 16 days tracking them down. Many people plan days out around the venues too.

I have a bit of an admission to make… I had this grand plan of working intensively creating 30 new still life paintings after Christmas however… there was an unseasonal influx, or I should say deluge of new commissions ordered. I completed most of them, had a bit of a rest and then – another deluge. As I write this I have 15 in, not counting the 2 that went out last week. That’s my excuse anyway. I did manage to complete 8 new still life paintings, and have finished some other previous ones too. Because I didn’t take part last time, I have plenty to fill the walls so it will all be just fine, she says calmly.

If you would like a brochure, they are available almost everywhere including many Tourist Information Centres and cafes across Dorset. I have some too, if you let me know fairly promptly as they are flying off the shelf.

The Valentine Gallery will be open 11-5 every day from the 26th May – 10th June except Mondays and Tuesdays.
For more details visit the Event Page