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www.paulstillwell-art.com
.......
I am Paul, an artist living on the sunny south coast of England.
I only began painting in 2006 after my mother suddenly passed away, I found it very therapeutic and I discovered a gift that I didn't know I had. But maybe it was a gift from her and maybe it is her spirit coming through me when I paint.
TO SEE MUCH MORE OF MY ARTWORK, INCLUDING LEONARDO DI CAPRIO, ROGER MOORE, JOANNA LUMLEY AND MANY MORE, PLEASE GO TO MY WEBSITE:
www.paulstillwell-art.com
Or scroll down to see a small selection of my paintings from my website.
I paint from photos, turning your personal photos into original paintings on canvas for you.
Maybe you would like a portrait of a loved one?
Or perhaps someone you admire.
I also love to paint for myself, scenes from my favourite films and people I admire, and I have been very lucky to meet some of the wonderful people I have painted.
You can contact me on
paulstillwell_8(at)hotmail.com
Please get in touch, nothing is too unusual for me to paint.
I also practice Reiki healing and also teach it, and I like to think that some of the healing energy imprints into my paintings too.
I am happy to share any knowledge about painting or Reiki with anyone who wants to ask. Please scroll down to see more of my artwork...
MY ARTWORK -
THE DALAI LAMA
A portrait of His Holiness The Dalai Lama of Tibet.
SIGNED BY THE DALAI LAMA himself
Size 76cm x 60cm
This took 30 hours to paint
His Holiness the Dalai Lama was touring the world speaking to world leaders to raise awareness of what is happening in Tibet. He gave a public talk about life and spirituality to a sell-out audience at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 22nd May 2008. I didn't have a ticket but I went along to see if he could sign my painting, I didn't even know if he signed autographs. I went to the stage door but the back street was fenced off and there were many police and security there. When he came out I held my painting up and asked him to sign, he said "oooh, sorry, no time, no time..." and was rushed into a car. But then one if his Tibetan assistants ran over to me and said "if you go to his hotel he will definitely sign it for you" He told me which hotel so I went there to wait for him. A short while later the Dalai Lama came in with his entourage and I showed him my painting and he "ahhhh yes!" I asked him to sign and he said "ahhhh sure, ok," he signed it with his full name, in Tibetan, and even dated it in Tibetan too!. I asked for a photo with him and he said "Sure, Sure" he grabbed my hand and held it while the photo was taken. The flash didn't go off and he said "oooh no flash, no flash, check it, check it" and insisted I checked the photo was ok. It was an amazing experience and he is a really kind, genuine and very friendly man and treated me like I was his friend. A very special moment to treasure forever.
NICOLE SCHERZINGER
A portrait of Nicole Scherzinger from the Pussycat Dolls.
SIGNED BY NICOLE herself
Size 61cm x 61cm
I live near to the theatre and arrived with my dad at 3pm hoping to meet Nicole after a soundcheck. I met a lovely lady outside the stage door called Katie who was Nicole's best friend and Katie said she would ask Nicole to come out and sign my painting. When Nicole came out she was the nicest lady you could ever wish to meet, she made so many compliments about my painting and said she was honoured someone would paint her. She kindly signed my painting and posed for a few photos and also signed for other fans who were there. Nicole then enjoyed a few moments of the view of the sea from the stage door. She asked if I was going to the show but I couldnt as it was sold out, and then to my amazement Nicole said she would put my name on the door for me and a friend to come to the show, she was so kind and I will remember her generosity forever. My best friend Zoe has an 11 year old daughter called Bee so I took Bee to the concert with me, and amazingly Zoe was able to get a last minute returned ticket from the box office just minutes before the show and so we all enjoyed the fantastic concert together. The show was briliant and I hoped Zoe and Bee could meet Nicole after so they could see what a lovely person Nicole is and indeed all of the band are. We waited by the stage door after the show but unfortunately the security took the band out another exit and we missed them, but hopefully they will return to Bournemouth one day so my friends can meet them too. During the concert Nicole said she believed in angels and I was praying to my angels in the morning that I could meet her, so it was a very special moment when she signed my painting, such a genuine, caring person and a memory that I shall treasure forever.
CHERYL COLE
Paul met Cheryl Cole at a book signing and Cheryl asked to have the painting for her home and Paul gave it to her
This took over 35 hours to paint
Size 76cm x 61cm
Paul says "I travelled 100 miles up to London and queued for 7 hours to meet Cheryl at a book signing, when she saw the painting she liked it so much she asked if she could have it for her home, so I gave it to her, I was so thrilled to know my painting is in her home. I tried to take a photo of Cheryl with my painting but the security guard took my camera away from me so the above picture is all I have"
DUSTIN HOFFMAN
A portrait of Hollywood actor Dustin Hoffman.
SIGNED BY DUSTIN HOFFMAN himself
Size 76cm x 61cm
In June 2008, Paul travelled 100 miles up to London to the premiere of the animated film 'Kung Fu Panda' for which Dustin Hoffman did the voice acting. Paul says "I arrived at 12.30pm and waited with the crowd for 6 hours for the moment when Dustin arrived. I held my painting over the barrier and held a gold pen in the other hand for the signing. I had my video camera hung around my chest hoping to capture the moment. When Dustin Hoffman arrived he was wonderful, he spent over half an hour signing hundreds of autographs for many fans, chatting and joking with many people. As he got close to me the fans around me began squashing up closer hoping to get an autograph. My camera got pushed out of my hands a few times but thankfully I managed to capture the moment. When Dustin saw my painting he said "Wow! Oh my God!" and then said "You have great talent!" he then kindly wrote on my painting: "To Paul, a REAL artist, Dustin Hoffman 2008" I was very touched that such a famous and talented actor as Dustin would write such a kind message on my painting. He seemed a very warm-hearted and kind man and gave me a wonderful memory to treasure forever." This painting took 25 hours to paint
AL PACINO
A portrait of Hollywood actor AL PACINO.
SIGNED BY AL PACINO himself
Size 76cm x 61cm
In Sept 2008, Paul travelled 100 miles up to London to the premiere of Al Pacino's new film. Above are photos of Al Pacino's reaction when he saw the painting and him signing it. The full story and video clips of the signing can be seen on Paul's own website (see top of page)
ROBERT DE NIRO
A portrait of Hollywood actor ROBERT DE NIRO.
SIGNED BY ROBERT DE NIRO himself
Size 76cm x 61cm
In Sept 2008, Paul travelled 100 miles up to London to the premiere of Robert De Niro's new film. Above is s photo of Robert De Niro signing it. The full story and video clips of the signing can be seen on Paul's own website (see top of page)
AUDREY HEPBURN
A portrait of the beautiful Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn.
Size 51cm x 40cm
MEMORIES OF A JAPANESE GARDEN
A portrait of my friend Yuki, in Japan.
Size 76cm x 61cm
GEORGE CLOONEY
A portrait of George Clooney.
SIGNED BY GEORGE CLOONEY himself
Size 76cm x 60cm
This took 30 hours to paint
I read that George Clooney may be attending the premiere of his new film 'Leatherheads' in London so I travelled up to London and waited outside the cinema for 6 hours until George arrived. There were many hundreds of people there hoping to meet him and I held my painting over the barrier to keep it protected. With a video camera hung around my chest, hoping to capture the moment, I waited for George to arrive. When he arrived he was fantastic, he took the time and effort to sign for many hundreds of fans, working his way along the whole crowd. When he saw my painting he said 'Wow! do you want me to sign it?'....I was surprised he spoke to me and I quickly replied 'YES! Please!'. He genuinely appreciates his fans and, like Johnny Depp and Elijah Wood, he is a great man
This is George's reaction when he saw my painting
THE ROLLING STONES
A portrait of The Rolling Stones.
SIGNED BY CHARLIE WATTS himself
Size 80cm x 60cm
This took 40 hours to paint
I travelled to London for the premiere of The Stones' new film 'Shine A Light'. After standing and waiting for 6 hours the band arrived, I held my painting over the barrier so it didn't get crushed as there were hundreds of fans pushing and squashing me trying to get an autograph. Sadly Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood only signed a small number of autographs and walked past most of the crowd, including myself, and into the cinema, but Charlie Watts took the time to sign autographs for many fans, including my painting.
I have many mixed emotions, thrilled that Charlie signed it.... but very sad that after all the work I did on the painting the other 3 band members didn't stop to sign, even though they were just a few feet away. But that is the chance you have to take when doing a painting that you hope to get signed at a major film premiere. I doubt if I shall ever meet them again but it was nice to see many passers by on the red carpet pay nice compliments about my painting as they walked past."
More pictures are on my website
www.paulstillwell-art.com
JOHNNY DEPP
A portrait of the great actor Johnny Depp.
SIGNED BY JOHNNY DEPP himself
Size 76cm x 61cm
I travelled up to London with my portrait of Johnny to his film premiere of 'Sweeney Todd'. I arrived at Leicester Square at 12 noon. There were already many people there and I managed to secure a spot at the front of the barriers next to the cinema door. After standing there for 7 hours in pouring rain to wait for Johnny, he arrived. The rain stopped and he spent 45 minutes signing autographs for many fans in very cold weather. Amongst the hundreds of fans screaming and pushing, I managed to take my my painting out of my art case and put it over the front of the barrier, hoping he would sign. When he saw my painting he said "Wow that's beautiful!" He kindly signed it and then he put his hands in a prayer position and bowed his head and said "Thank you" to me. I was very touched and he clearly appreciates his fans and seems a very kind and charming man. It was a great thrill to meet him
TONY CURTIS
A portrait of Tony Curtis.
SIGNED BY TONY CURTIS himself
Size 76cm x 60cm
This took 30 hours to paint
I left home at 4am to drive 160 miles up to Birmingham to meet Tony Curtis. I was one of the first in the queue and when Tony saw the painting he said "Wonderful!" and asked what I would like him to write on it. I suggested "With Love from Tony Curtis" and he joked "I am not sure I know you well enough to love you".... He asked if he could write my name on it too and he kindly wrote... "Paul, Your Friend, Tony Curtis" It was a wonderful moment. The security people said I was not allowed to take photos or videos but I had a video camera around my chest which I left running in the hope it would capture the great moment when Tony signed my painting. He was in great spirits, it was a huge honour to meet him and I am so happy I managed to capture brief footage of Tony signing my painting. What a wonderful memory to treasure forever
NIGELLA LAWSON
Signed by Nigella Lawson
A portrait of British chef and TV presenter Nigella Lawson.
I heard Nigella was doing a book signing within a few weeks, I am a fan of hers so I worked very hard to get a portrait done in time. It took 50 hours to paint.
I drove for 3 hours up to Bristol for the signing, and then queued for 2 hours to meet her.
Nigella was very charming and friendly, and looked very beautiful as always. She said my painting was amazing and asked me to send a photo of it to her assistant. Even some of the book store staff asked to take photos of it.
It was wonderful to meet such a kind-hearted lady as Nigella, it was clear she cares about and appreciates her fans and admirers very much. I shall have lovely memories of the moment. I hope one day Nigella may view my website.
The ring in the painting is covered with real 24ct Gold Leaf.
THE POLICE
Signed by Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland
This took over 80 hours paint, the canvas size is 80cm X 60cm
The Police have been my favourite band for 30 years. I hope one day Sting will also sign it for me!
For those who have asked...this painting will never be for sale.
Andy Summers signing...
I read on the internet that Andy Summers was signing his new book in London the next day, so I got up at 4am and drove to London with my painting. I arrived at 8am and was 3rd in the queue. Andy was due to sign at 6pm. After waiting 10 hours, Andy arrived on time, he looked great. Having been a fan for 30 years and also living in the same town that Andy grew up in, it was a great thrill to him. He kindly signed my painting and seemed a very relaxed and friendly guy.
Sting meeting....
Whilst waiting to meet Andy Summers, some nice people in the queue told me Sting was signing 2 days later in London at Harrods. So the following day I left home at 11.30pm and arrived at Harrods at 2am. After another 10 hours of waiting outside the Harrods staff came out to tell us he would only be signing his book. I showed them my painting and said it took 80 hours to paint and I would dearly love to ask Sting to sign it. They said it was a wonderful painting and they would do their best to persuade Sting's management to let me ask him. The Harrods staff were wonderful and tried 3 or 4 times to persuade Sting'a management but they flatly said no each time. I spoke to Sting's personal assistant and showed her my painting. I tried to explain as kindly as possible that I had been waiting since 2am and the painting took 80 hours to paint, but she replied 'Don't try to make me feel bad! You are not getting it signed!'.....she then instructed my painting to be taken away from me until after the signing. I was very shocked by how I was treated by Sting's assistant and quite devasted that they could not allow just a few seconds for Sting to sign it, especially after all I had been through to meet him for that brief moment.
Stewart Copeland signing...
Whilst queueing to meet Sting, Stewart Copeland's son Jordan came passed to film the fans, he is a very talented film maker and editor and was making a film of the Police world tour. He spoke to me and I showed him my painting. I said I would dearly love to have Stewart sign it too but I have no way of meeting him. The Police were playing a concert at Wembley that night and Jordan said he would try to persuade Stewart to sign if I could get to Wembley. I was thrilled and so grateful to Jordan for this. I drove to Wembley that afternoon and when Stewart arrived Jordan came out and took me in to meet Stewart. He signed my painting and seemed a wonderful friendly and kind man. I asked to have my photo taken with him and he said 'Yes of course' but then his assistant said 'No, we dont have time for that!' and called Stewart away. Stewart seemed somewhat surprised and said to me 'Oh I am sorry..' and had to leave.
I would like to give my deepest thanks to Jordan for his kindness and help throughout the day and wish him great success in his film career.
I tried to meet Sting after the concert but he did not appear. I eventually got back to Bournemouth at 3am the following morning, after being awake for 30 hours!
I would also like to thank Stewart and Andy for taking the time to sign my painting, I shall treasure it forever.
A Personal Commission for a lady in Dorset
Painted from a photo. Size 60cm X 50cm. This took 80 hours to paint
"PLACIDO DOMINGO"
Painted from a photo. Size 60cm X 50cm.
Opera singers are extremely talented hard working people and I decided to paint probably the greatest of them all, Placido Domingo (one of the famous '3 Tenors'). He appeared at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London, recently. I wrote to the Opera House to ask if I could meet him and ask him to sign, they phoned me to say sadly my letter arrived too late but the next time he appears there I should phone them and they will try to arrange a meeting as he would surely love to sign it. They were very complementary about my painting. I was very touched by how kind and helpful the Royal Opera House were to me.
"MOONLIGHT DANCE"
Painted from a photo I once saw. Size 80cm X 60cm. Texture paste was used to make the hair and fingers stand out from the canvas
"MY HEART WILL GO ON"
from "Titanic"
Autographed by the actors Leonardo Di Caprio and Billy Zane
The Signing...
Leonardo Di Caprio signed this painting at his new film premiere in London. I had waited 6 hours for him to arrive, there were hundreds of people pushing me and it was difficult to film, but I just managed it. As he held the painting he said... "Nice!.....Nice!"
Billy Zane signed after a performance in a play in London. When he saw the painting he said... "Oh thats beautiful!"
He was a very kind and warm-hearted person.
Structure paste was used to make the end of the ship stand out from the canvas. The painting took over 70 hours paint.
Before...
"POWER CAN BE HELD IN THE SMALLEST OF THINGS"
Frodo - from "Lord Of The Rings"
Autographed by the actor Elijah Wood
(The 'Ring' is covered with REAL GOLD -
3 layers of PUREST 24ct GOLD, supplied by Wrights of Lymm Ltd - Gold leaf manufacturers since 1840 - suppliers to Buckingham Palace)
The Signing...
I heard from a good friend that Elijah Wood was filming his new film in Bushey, north London.
My friend in Belgium (Rebecca) who is a big fan, said if I was going she would come over and go with me. So she and her boyfriend Robin came over to England on the Eurostar train and we agreed to meet up in London and drive to Bushey. As we arrived there we saw a huge old fashioned University, and Robin noticed trailers and spotlights outside (his new film story is about a University student), so Robin said... 'It must be there!'
The building was set in large grounds with a perimeter fence. Only one entrance gate with a security guard. He was a nice man but said it was a closed set and could not allow us to go in.
However we managed to quietly go in when nobody was looking. In the forecourt were lorries and trailers and quite a few of the film crew!
Shaking with nerves, we took a few deep breaths and decided the only thing to do was walk right over to them! So the 3 of us walked as calmly as possible, with me carrying my large art portfolio with my paintings inside...over to the forecourt. As we got there the crew looked at us but we kept walking calming and nobody said anything.
We walked right into the centre of the forecourt. We continued to wander around. Then Robin said...'There is Elijah'..and sure enough the man standing chatting just 20 metres away was indeed Elijah Wood!
We walked over and Robin spoke to him and Elijah turned and just start chatting to us!
As Rebecca was asking for a photo and autograph I took my paintings out of the folder. I said I had painted these and would he mind signing them...his eyes lit up and he said... 'Wow they are beautiful paintings!' And then he signed both of them!... even let me have a photo of me and him with a painting.
Then a man came over and said... 'Elijah the set is ready'...and we thanked him, he said... 'No problem at all' and left to go and film.
Then a security guard came over to us and said....'Who are you???.....who are you with???'
Well, we just told the truth.... but said that we would leave right away ...and we did.
He started to make a phone call to other security and so we calmly but quickly walked away, back out of the grounds.
The amazing thing was that we were there in the forecourt at just the minute that Elijah was outside. A minute before he would have been still inside his trailer and we would have walked passed, a minute later and he would have been back on set.
A miraculous experience and Elijah is a truly wonderful man, genuine and kind. A memory to treasure forever.
Before...
"ROMANTIC SUNSET ON BOURNEMOUTH BEACH"
This was a painting from a photo I took myself on the beach near where I live.
It took 20 hours to paint.
Parts of the sea are painted with an irridescent paint that shines silver when light shines on it.
This painting has now been sold
My Mum who passed away suddenly in April 2006 xx