My brush with royalty
Posted: December 28, 2023 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: art, exhibition, painting, watercolour, watercolours 125 CommentsIn all the commotion of our recent move, I forgot to share a few bits of exciting news. A few months ago, along with six other Canadian watercolour artists, I was invited to contribute a watercolour that would be part of a gift to King Charles III to commemorate his coronation in May, 2023. I should mention that King Charles has always been a keen admirer and collector of watercolour painting, which has a long and rich tradition in Britain.
And so, half-sheet watercolours by me, Poppy Balser, Neville Clarke, Linda Kemp, Peter Marsh, Lin Souliere and Rayne Tunley are now part of the Royal Collection Trust at Buckingham Palace. Pretty thrilling stuff, right?
And then in the November issue of Plein Air magazine, more great news: an article about the king’s interest in painting and our gift to him. You can see all of the paintings on the second spread of the article (below).
And then yesterday I received this update about our gift to The Royal Collection Trust: I wanted to let you know that the seven watercolours gifted to mark His Majesty’s Coronation have recently been framed and hung in the Redgrave Room at the Queen’s Gallery, London. This is our space for lectures and other special events, so while they are not ‘on exhibition’ as part of the normal visit to the Gallery, they are being seen by all those who attend such events. The watercolours will probably remain there through June, so if any of your artists happen to be visiting London in the next months, we would be more than happy to show them in situ!
Alas, I won’t be able to see my painting hanging at the Queen’s Gallery anytime soon. But I will have the satisfaction of knowing that several pieces of Canadiana will be there. The painting I chose for the collection was “Winter Boatyard”. I wanted something that was authentically Canadian, and what could be better than a snow scene from one of my favourite spots in my former neighbourhood?
Thanks so much to Linda Kemp for organizing this special gift and to Poppy Balser for connecting with Plein Air magazine!
Congratulations Shari! What an honor
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Sheila, thanks!
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Many thanks Christine!
Congratulations Shari! It’s a stunning painting!
Thank you, Siu!
This is wonderful, Shari. I’m proud to know you!
Happy New Year and love from Mary Heath
Mary, it’s so nice to hear from you! I hope all is well with you and all my friends in Anacortes! All the best for 2024!
This is thrilling news. Congratulations.
Besti, thank you!!
Wow! How fantastic is this?! Congratulations to you, Shari! I got goosebumps reading about this. So exciting.
Lois, thanks. It was pretty exciting news!
Congratulations, Shari!
It is truly an honour to have your beautiful painting in Buckingham Palace!
Kudos to you!
HI Joan,
Yes, it is a true honour for me. Wish I could get there to see all the paintings!
Thanks for writing!
Shari
Very exciting! So happy for you 🌞
Sue, thank you!!
Wow! That’s so cool!
It sure is! Thanks for having a look.
Congratulations, Shari! What an honor! I’m so glad Plein Air magazine has recognized it too. Time to pop some champagne!
Just in time for New Year’s eve, so I happen to have some champagne here. Thanks for writing De, and all the best to you.
Congratulations, Shari! All of your work is fit for a king.
Anne, thanks so much!
Muchas felicidades Shari. Eres una gran artista y tu arte honra cualquier sitio donde esté. Saludos desde Valencia (España)
Muchas gracias Lourdes!!
Shari!!!
Holy moly that is just fantastic news. And that painting is unbelievable. I can feel the temperature and it feels like I am truly out and about in Canada at around 4:30 pm crunching through the loud snow solo, while others are at home : )
Good going!
Sara
Sara, thanks so much! I remember well the feeling of the day when I painted the boatyard. You describe it well! Very crunchy and cold!
Excellent choice, Shari. Congratulations!
Di
Thanks so much Dianne!
Not just the Queen of Watercolour, but with the New Year’s Honours List only days away, maybe soon to be Dame Shari too?
HI Tony, This is enough excitement for me for the year! I wish you could sneak in there to have a look for me.
Congratulations Shari — you must be thrilled and honoured at the same time -)
Thanks so much Jane. Yes, thrilled and honoured indeed.
You chose a beauty-I loved them ALL. Watercolor is a tricky medium and that king has some treasures here.
Yes, they are all beautiful. It’s an honour to be in this talented group.
Congratulations!
Chris, thanks so much!!
Congratulations Shari, how exciting 😊
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Thanks Jane. It sure is!
So very exciting and a really lovely painting! If I ever meet you in person, do I have to kiss your ring? 🙂
Haha, yes indeed. I will have to choose the right ring for this. Thanks Terry.
this is SO cool! I’ve told so many people about your art being part of the gift to the King – this makes it even more fantastic!!!! Nice article with all the paintings –
Thanks Kristin!! And thanks for the sharing this exciting news too!
Wow and Congratulations Shari to have an opportunity to have a brush with Royality! So exciting! Such an honour!
It is certainly an honour. Thanks for having a look, Ruth.
Congratulations! The painting you sent is beautiful and such a great choice to represent the wonderful area you live in.
Thanks so much Joan.
Amazing! Congratulations Shari! Well deserved!!
Myra, thank you!!
That is so cool — congratulations! As someone from another cold, snowy climate (Minnesota) I love your choice of subject matter, too!
Liesa, thank you! And yes, of course it had to be a snow scene!
How absolutely wonderful Shari! Congratulations!
Many thanks, Marion.
Toutes mes Félicitations Shari … trės bel accomplissement … vous pouvez être fiėre de vous! … BRAVO!
Merci beaucoup Lise!!
Congrats! You’re one of my few favorite artists. Proud to be happy for you. Keep making those gorgeous paintings 🖼️!!
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Emily, thanks so much!!
Very well deserved by all of you!
Thanks so much Naomi!
That is just fabulous news! My most sincere congratulations to you Shari! Thrilling!
Donna, it is indeed thrilling. Thanks so much.
Wow, so exciting!
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Thanks Laurie, it sure is!
Hi ShariI just wanted to say huge congratulations – what an honour! Also….your painting is stunning with amazing light – I love it!Happy New Year Judy x Judy Salleh
SKETCHING CLASSES
0439 467740judysalleh.com.au
Judy, it’s really great to hear from you!!Thanks so much. I hope all is well. Loved your holiday photos with all the colours and the flowers. It’s not quite like that here at the moment. Varying shades of grey is what I see out my window.
The painting is magnificent! I am so very proud of you.👍b
Bernadette, thank you. I am so touched by all the comments on this post.
Muchas felicidades Shari. Eres una gran artista y tus obras son una gran inspiración para mí. Saludos desde Valencia (España)
Muchas gracias Lourdes!
Congratulations! Good to know.
Thanks so much Mary!!
That is fantastic!! Congratulations!
Many thanks Lynn!!
wow, that’s so amazing, congrats!
It’s quite an honour. Thanks so much Beth.
Congratulation. Your painting is the best! What an honor – well deserved.
Jeanne, thanks for having a look at all the paintings. I am very honoured to be in this group.
Congratulations Shari. Your work is wonderful…so glad to see you recognized.
Happy New Year.
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Pamela, thanks so much and happy new year to you too!
I courtesy to you and your masterful painting and achievement. You deserve all the recognition you’ve received. Glad this has been such an exciting year for you. May it continue on into the New Year!
Denise, thanks so much!! It certainly has been a full year!! Happy new year to you and Alan too!
Pretty darned cool. Well done.
Thank you, my friend!
My “brush” with royalty? I see what you did there! Seriously, though, congratulations!
David, thanks so much!
Huge congrats. I’ve always been a fan and now His Majesty will be one now too 😊 I don’t often comment but I do read all posts and your wonderful newsletter. Love all your paintings and really appreciate your sharing your skills and knowledge. Thank you.
Ros, it’s so nice to hear from you. Thanks for taking the time to send those kind words!
Congratulations dear Shari. Best wishes for the new year.
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Thank you!!
Such a beautiful painting and such an honour. Congratulations Shari !
Kelly, it truly is an honour!!
Whoa! What an honor! Congratulations Shari 👏👍 Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you too, Linda! And thanks so much.
Hola Shari. Me llamo Lourdes y he hecho dos comentarios a este artículo pero no se han publicado…. Hay algún problema? Es porque lo escribo en español? Te sigo desde hace años y soy una apasionada de tus acuarelas. Son magníficas y muy inspiradoras para mí. Y me gustaría poder comentar pero no sé por qué no puedo. Me podrías ayudar? Muchas gracias.
Buenos dias Lourdes! When people comment for the first time, I have to approve the comment, so that is why you did not see the comment until I read it. But next time your comment will appear immediately. Thanks so much for your very kind words. Looking forward to hearing from you again. Muchas gracias y feliz año nuevo!
Muchas gracias. FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!!!!
I can only add my congratulations to all of those above. What an honor!! I am so happy for you -and proud. Love your painting.
Judy, thanks so much. Yes, what an honour!!
How very exciting indeed..And how proud we are of you.
Wow Shari:) (Just finished The Crown;) )
Pretty heady stuff there, Shari! You are so deserving of these honors! I will try to pick up a copy of the magazine….
OK…you caught me…I haven’t been reading your updates regularly (in fact, have not even been painting for over a month–just too many things going on–but I will get back). I missed hearing about your move. I hope you brought the wheelbarrow!
Wow, AWESOME! Congratulations Shari.
Fantastic!!!
Congratulations! to you and to the others for this great honor! Your painting is so beautiful; King Charles will be inspired to keep up his painting practice.
AK Smiley
Oh my gosh, Shari! Your piece is the best, and the biggest in the magazine 👍
Kudos to you!!
Happy New Year to you and yours❤️
Love,
Lori
What an honor! Congratulations!
truly a special honour, congratulations
What wonderful news, Shari. You must be thrilled to bits. Your painting is the perfect Canadian scene. And, I prefer it to the other ones! I am trying to figure out which yacht club you are at. I don’t believe it is Pointe Claire where you often go. And it’s not the Royal St. Lawrence, or Beaconsfield…. Happy New Year Susan
Wonderful news! Congratulations to you and fellow Canadian artists!
Congratulations, what a great honour.
This is so exciting, Shari! Well deserved.
Sue Littell
That is truly fantastic! What a wonderful piece you chose to gift him. I am so happy for you!
Congratulations Shari! What a honour. And what a wonderful group of watercolour artist and subject matter. Our country is well represented!
Also, I hope you are all settling in to your new home. 2024 will no doubt be full of many adventures. I wish you all the best for a happy, healthy and fun new year!
I don’t know if it gets any better than your watercolor work being honored and viewed by the King of England! Jolly good on you! Brilliant! We all know how outstanding your work is. Well deserved recognition! England knows it’s greatest watercolorist! Congratulation!!!!
Such an honor for you and all the other artists! Your painting is very well done and that is exciting for it to have such a prestigious home! Happy New Year! Susie
Congratulations, Shari. Your painting is stunning. I’m looking forward to meeting you in March. Happy New Year!
adding my congratulations to your well earned international fan base. Your diligence, talent and passion are equaled by your kind spirit. King Charles has a larger treasure than he realizes.
That is thrilling stuff indeed! Congratulations to you and the other artists selected. The painting is a brilliant capture of winter light.
Congratulations, Shari! Well-deserved recognition of your creative talent. Your winter painting now a forever piece at Buckingham Palace. Proud to know you gia mendoza-reevesex anacortes, now florida
Gia, sorry for taking so long to see your comment. Thanks so much!! Hope you are well and enjoying the Florida winter!!
I’m so happy and excited for you! Love your painting! Congratulations!!!!!
Wow! Congratulations! Wonderful to see your beautiful work recognized!
What a well-deserved honor, Shari. Congratulations. I do have a book of watercolors by then Prince Charles. I like yours much better! Happy New Year. Carol
Wow! What and incredible honor! So very happy for you.
Thank you so much!
Brilliant! I love the scene you chose to gift. Congratulations, Shari : )
Congratulations Shari! What a well deserved honour. Your work is amazing and that one is one of my favourites of yours. You are so inspiring – making such beauty from everyday scenes.