Artist Kerry Darlington's deep connection with the things that inspire her is one of her most compelling qualities. The clear fervour she projects into her artwork of Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and fairy-tales such as Snow White & Rose Red has attracted thousands of like-minded admirers worldwide.
One of Kerry's biggest inspirations is the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and their devotion to complexity, nature, beauty and truth. Rejecting what they perceived to be the overly formal, mannered compositions of the Renaissance: The Pre-Raphaelite's rendered classical scenes with fresh eyes - and a renewed attention to naturalism and detail.
As the stormy personal lives of the Brotherhood can attest: the movement is also famous for it's heart-thumping romanticism. Subjects such as Waterhouse’s The Lady of Shalottand Millais' Ophelia have become legendary for their beauty and emotional power.
Kerry has taking inspiration from this movement - and also the works of earlier painters who rejected Mannerist principles. Even travelling to Italy to observe the works of Caravaggio and his Baroque style up close.
The collection of dark legends, Arthurian myths and folklore that Kerry has depicted has come to be known as the 'Pre-Raphaelite Series' and includes some of Kerry's most powerful, accomplished works.
The Lady of Shalott
"In 2011 I had a landscape board that I had started to paint.... I turned it portrait and I just saw the board as something else..."
Like all Kerry's Unique Edition works; the print is hand finished with 3D elements. Kerry spends time and care on each piece, ensuring no two are alike.
We were incredibly lucky to visit Kerry in her studio in North Wales to see this remarkable painting being created. In this video we document her own celebrated version of The Lady of Shalott.
Sakura
"I love painting poetry... All paintings that tell a story I just love ..... Being able to look deeper into the meaning of it...."
Channel Four - Posh Pawn
Kerry's celebrated Sakura (cherry blossom) has also been released as one of her famous 'Unique Edition' series. The original finding fame when the Wyecliffe Galleries were visited by James Constantinou, Lawrence Pickett and the Prestige Pawnbrokers team to feature in the Channel 4 documentary 'Posh Pawn'.
The Daughter of Gaia
There is another spectacular Unique Edition that we are blessed to have acquired the original painting and an extremely rare study for... Daughter of Gaia.
Undine
In contrast to Gaia's Earth-Mother: Kerry Delved into dark Germanic folklore to create the water-spirit Undine.
Kerry Darlington's Pre-Raphaelite Series is highly sought after for the extra large editions: spectacular large pieces, in some cases larger than the original painting. XL editions are available for The Lady of Shalott, Sakura, Daughter of Gaia, Undine and a gorgeous rendition of William Shakespeare's Ophelia.
For aficionados of Kerry's most dramatic and romantic of series, check out the rest of Kerry's collection here!
