Les Darlings Artistes
Les Darlings Artistes is the collective name for two artists, Ruth Rankin and Bryan Andrews. We have different styles but a mutual love of strong colours. We are both influenced by the Fauve artists, the Impressionists, and many other great artists. We also love to travel, especially to France, where the stunning landscapes of the Languedoc inspire many of our paintings.
How Les Darlings Artistes Got Their Name
A few years ago we received a Christmas card from some friends, with the message “To Les Darlings Artistes of international renown”. We found this so funny and charming that the name stuck.
Ruth Rankin
I have no formal training in art, but have always loved drawing and painting. For me, technique is subsidiary to the experience of the heart – my art is all about passion, light and feeling.
Renting a studio at the recently opened Hertford Art House has made me more focused and productive. I am currently experimenting with collage and altered books, and love doing watercolour sketches. My work includes acrylic, oils and pastels, as well as photography and digital art.
I am also a web designer, video artist and belly dancer.
Exhibitions
Les Darlings Artistes Exhibitions
Passions, Courtyard Arts, Hertford, July 2005
Intimate Encounters with France and Flowers, Courtyard Arts, Hertford, June 2004
Group Exhibitions
Plein Air Painters of Paziols, Courtyard Arts, Hertford, October 2009
Boys in Blue, ArtShed, Ware, October 2008
Impressions of Languedoc, Courtyard Arts, Hertford, August 2008
Open Studios, Hertford, September 2005 (at Courtyard Arts and Friends Meeting House)
Salon de Peinture, Champagne-sur-Oise, France, November 2004
Bryan Andrews
I first started painting at the Camden Polytechnic, London, in 1969; then with Oliver Dowlan at Digswell House, Welwyn Garden City. From 1983 I studied with Swedish artist Christina Pattison at her Wheathampstead Studio, and from 2000 with Fine Arts graduate Anne Allanson at Courtyard Arts. Christina inspired my love of colour and Anne encouraged me to be more abstract. I love the work of Matisse and the Fauves and now lead creative painting holidays, which include visits to the favourite haunt of the Fauves – Collioure, in the Languedoc region of France.
I paint mostly in acrylic because of the great opportunities it offers for expressing myself in brilliant colours. I find inspiration in visiting France and creating my own images of the landscape near the village of Paziols and Cathar castles in the Languedoc (where I have a house) and images of my favourite city, Paris, that was home to my other heroes, the Impressionists and the Surrealists.
Many of my paintings are created from sketches or photographs, while others are made from life during my painting holidays.
Exhibitions
Les Darlings Artistes Exhibitions
Passions, Courtyard Arts, Hertford, July 2005
Intimate Encounters with France and Flowers, Courtyard Arts, Hertford, June 2004
Group Exhibitions
Plein Air Painters of Paziols, Courtyard Arts, Hertford, October 2009
Boys in Blue, ArtShed, Ware, October 2008
Impressions of Languedoc, Courtyard Arts, Hertford, August 2008
Open Studios, Hertford, September 2005 (at Courtyard Arts and Friends Meeting House)
Passions, Courtyard Arts, Hertford, July 2005
Salon de Peinture, Champagne-sur-Oise, France, November 2004
Intimate Encounters with France and Flowers, Courtyard Arts, Hertford, June 2004
Thank God It's Friday, Courtyard Arts, Hertford, February 2004
Members Exhibition, Courtyard Arts, Hertford, December 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004