Stephen B. Whatley: Difference between revisions

Stephen B. Whatley (born 1965 in London, England) is professional artist. He specializes in expressionistic oil painting. His subjects include landscapes, cityscapes, still-life and portraits.

Since 1992, Whatley has been honoring the anniversaries of architectural landmarks in London by painting them in their centenary years. He typically paints them on location. Landmarks he has pained include Bush House - home of the BBC World Service, BBC Broadcasting House, BBC Television Centre and the Tate Gallery and Tower Bridge. ^[1]

In December 2008 TIME magazine editors selected his portrait tribute of Barack Obama from 100,000 images on the photography site Flickr.com for publication. It was published in TIME magazine's 'Person of The Year' issue 2008/2009. The portrait is now in the private collection of an American property developer living in London.^[2]

Whatley studied at the Ipswich School of Art from 1981 to 1983, and the Norwich School of Art from 1983 to 1986, where he qualified with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art – Painting. Whatley then studied at the University of London from 1986 to 1987, qualifying with a PGCE in art and design. ^{[3] [4]}

From 1990 to 2000, Whatley was a Lecturer of Portraiture at Kensington & Chelsea College, in London. [5]

In 1999, London Transport commissioned Whatley to paint an interior - 'The Grand Staircase' – which he did on location inside Buckingham Palace. This painting was reproduced on posters and displayed all over the London Underground. ^[6]

Also in 1999, The Royal Collection commissioned him to paint an exterior view of Buckingham Palace, which he did on location from the edge of Green Park. This was reproduced in advertisements promoting the Annual Summer Opening of the State Rooms in 1999 and 2000. ^[7]

In 2000 Whatley was commissioned by Historic Royal Palaces and the Pool of London Partnership, to undertake a series of 30 paintings for HM Tower of London. Many of the works were painted on location in and around the Tower. Others were inspired by various historical images. In the spring of 2001 the paintings were reproduced on steel vitreous enamel panels lining the walls of the Tower Hill pedestrian underpass, connecting Tower Hill Underground station to the Tower of London.^{[8] [9]}

In 2001, BBC Heritage commissioned Stephen to paint a view of the Radio Theatre inside Broadcasting House and to paint a view of the Top of the Pops Studio, at BBC Television Centre, during rehearsals and recording of the program.

Whatley has exhibited in numerous group exhibitions since 1983. These exhibitions have taken place at the Mall Galleries, the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) and the Lloyds Building.

Whatley has had regular solo exhibitions since 1988. The highlight was his 1993 exhibition "Hollywood Gold" at the Royal National Theatre.^[10]

Whatley has painted portraits of many individuals from actresses to politicians. His portraits of actors include singer and actress Helen Reddy; Dame Judi Dench, and Susan Hampshire OBE, actor Alec McCowen CBE and Sir Ian McKellen.

Whateley’s work has been the subject of features in several magazines including The Artist Magazine, The Guardian, The Sunday Express, The New York Times and USA Today.

In 2002, Whatley's painting of Buckingham Palace, in the Royal Collection, was reproduced on the programs for HM Queen's two Golden Jubilee concerts, held in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.

In 2006, one of Whatley's tributes to Marilyn Monroe was published in a new book, Marilyn In Art by Roger G Taylor (Pop Art Books), to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Hollywood star's birth. ^[11]

In 2007, Whatley's work promoted London's Tower Music Festival at the Tower Of London. His exhibition 'Hollywood Icons to Royal Gems' also opened at the Arndean Gallery in London's Cork Street; exhibiting two Royal exclusives, one of his paintings, the 'Crown Jewels II', on loan from HM Tower of London & 'Buckingham Palace: View From The East Front', on loan by gracious permission of Her Majesty The Queen.

In 2004, Whatley was invited to the ceremonial re-opening of Tower Hill (which included the Tower Hill underpass). He was presented to HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in the Tower of London.

The January 2009 MAJESTY magazine has a major feature on his Royal paintings.

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