Nigel Cooke was born in Mirfield, West Yorkshire and has art running through his veins. Nigel joined the Merchant Navy after leaving school and subsequently has held a number of jobs on the road to becoming a full-time artist.
These included joining Butlins as their resident caricaturist and entertainer. He later went on to open caricature concessions on Blackpool’s Central Pier and Pleasure Beach, in the Trafford Centre Mall in Manchester, and at Alton Towers. He has also worked as a character designer for the Hong Kong based C.I.M International and remains a member of the National Caricature Network in the USA.
Having spent many years travelling the world as a charicature artist, Nigel then started to look to translate his unique point of view into other subjects. Looking back to all the places he visited and worked, Nigel begun painting cityscapes, which elevated his illustrative style into fine art. His unusual, dynamic and unmistakeable style creates beautifully textured scenes that have intricate, layered details.
To date, Nigel has sold paintings all over the world, with particularly strong sales in the UK, the USA and the Far East. Spending years perfecting his drippy style, Nigel has now become one of the UK’s most popular artists.
Ben was born in 1986 and grew up in Barnet, north London. He always had a keen interest in art ever since his grandfather introduced him to the work of John Varley, the renowned 18th Century watercolour artist, as the Varleys are related to the Jeffery family.
He first realised he wanted to be an artist in secondary school. A few classmates and him used to have bets to see who could draw the best portrait of someone. He really enjoyed going to school and showing them to see their reaction. He painted a portrait of his dad for a mock GCSE which got admired by the entire art class.
He continued to study Art to degree level. He received a lot of guidance and advice throughout the years but his technique is mostly self taught. When studying Art at College and University, he was mainly left to his own devises. He was given a subject and asked to come up with a portfolio of work and to develop an idea to a few final images. Teachers didnt teach him techniques, which meant he had to learn on our own.
In 1954 Jean was invited to become a Windmill Girl at the famous Windmill Theatre in the West End of London. During her time there she worked with such greats as Harry Secombe and Bruce Forsyth.
In the 1970s Jean spent some time in the USA having been invited to represent the UK and Britishness due to Jeans cabaret act. Jean performed at venues such as the Chicago Hilton Hotel and the Carlton Hotel, New York. Whilst in the USA Jean became a regular on the Joey Adams chat show, Coast to Coast.
In the 1980s Jean returned to England and was often seen on British TV. Jean worked on shows such as Hi-de-hi, EastEnders and appeared in many TV ads. At the same time Jean was working on the British cabaret circuit as an established performer. Upon retiring from show business at the beginning of the 1990s Jean began painting as a hobby but quickly realised she had a talent for art. Because of this Jean decided to take her art seriously and this led to Jean attaining a BA Hons degree in Fine Art in 2002.
Since gaining her Degree, Jeans new found career as an artist has gone from strength to strength. As a professional artist Jeans work sells not only throughout the UK but also Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany and as far away as North America, Mexico, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. Jean is truly an international artist.
A leading contemporary animal and landscape realist painter renowned for the skill and craftsmanship with which he depicts the fine detail and realism of the many textures portrayed within his imagery.
He is an exceptionally gifted and unique animal and landscape artist. Essentially self-taught, Paul began painting professionally in 1986 and it was the haunting beauty of Charnwood forest that greatly influenced his early atmospheric landscape, together with his animal portraiture for which he has perfected a style of his own.
Paul has become well known in recent years for his combination of wildlife within urban settings which was inspired by his observation of ducks walking along towpaths while he lived on a canal boat.
He is also an accomplished performing musician and composer.
At Hart Galleries we have a passion for the very best in contemporary art; from originals by international artists of distinction, to highly collectable and affordable signed limited editions. We also have a range of sculpture and ceramics to suit all tastes.
Our knowledgeable and experienced staff are always on hand for help and advice but if you just want to browse you are always welcome at our newly designed modern gallery space on the borders of Mill Hill and Edgware in North West London.
