West Berkshire & North Hampshire

Most well known for her portraits of the Queen Mother and Pope John Paul II, Basia Hamilton is one of the most highly sought after portrait artists of our time. So just what does it take to become an artist now?

Talented

Born in Poland, as a child Basia would spend hours filling sketch books with drawings, particularly of faces. At school she was always known as the child with a talent for drawing and was often asked to illustrate other children’s stories.

Despite her talent being right in front of her, the thought of becoming an artist didn’t materialise until she finished school. With no art classes behind her and an original plan to study law, Basia says “I was only 17 when my parents sent me to an art professor. After a few lessons he called my parents and said I was “a pearl” and had a natural talent for painting. After passing a difficult exam, I attended the Academy of Art in Gdansk .”

Starting out

Studying for six years, Basia was only allowed to paint abstract. At 24 she held her first exhibition in Rome where she displayed all her abstract work and one self portrait but was confused when everyone crowded around the self portrait.

After spending some time painting in Sardinia, Basia returned to host another exhibition in Rome displaying all her Sardinian paintings and one portrait of Prince Raimondo Orsini. Once again, to her surprise, everyone gathered around the portrait and that’s when she realised painting recognisable people attracted more attention and her lifelong passion for portrait painting began.

The life of an artist is never straight forward but Basia explains why that’s a perk of the job, “As an artist you never know what the next day will bring and one meets such interesting people such as writers and politicians. Artists get invited everywhere and have a very colourful life. Everyone wants to be associated with an artist and enjoy their company.”

Portraits also have to be complementary of their sitter says Basia, “I think that if women take so much time to look beautiful for parties then there is even more reason for them look their best in a portrait. Why would I spend hours painting someone in a way they and I don’t like”. She adds “Portraits can give such pleasure to a sitter and family. Once a father leaving my studio said if my house was on fire I would grab my daughter in one hand and her portrait in the other.”

Big break

In 1999, Basia was invited to Clarence House to paint the Queen Mother but this was put
on hold when the Queen Mother broke her collar bone.

“I thought it wouldn’t happen but in February the Private Secretary called me again with another date and I was thrilled. The Queen Mother was talkative and charming and had the most amazing memory.”

Basia’s biggest achievement came when she was asked to paint the late Pope in 1999 which she describes as “the most touching experience.”

Modern art

Basia believes modern conceptual art is not as inspiring for children as classical art and says the success of the Leonardo exhibition in the National Gallery reassures us that there is a huge desire for classical portrait and classical art. With the aim to reignite enthusiasm for the portrait and to inspire a new generation Basia Hamilton has set up the Renaissance of the Portrait Foundation.

Basia says “the future of art is in the hands of our children. It is up to us to inspire and nurture the love of painting and to encourage the younger generations to paint and draw before they will be swallowed by the world of technology.”

Basia’s advice for young artists is to “choose a technique or style to master and stick to it. There are lots of artists who use lots of different styles so you can’t identify them.”

Basia is launching The Children’s Queen, a nationwide competition to celebrate HM the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Every school child in Britain can take part by painting a portrait of their Monarch.
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