Jacqueline K Crofton

Artistic background

Jaqueline K Crofton is a London born, British artist, whose vibrant canvasses occupy the boundary between abstraction and representation, vigorously exploring the aesthetic of the natural world that surrounds and defines us.

She paints intuitively, with each individual brushstroke contributing organically to the evolution of the painting, whilst simultaneously adding lush textural layers and a visceral quality to her creations. Jacqueline's work is featured in numerous private collections around the world, and she has shown internationally, most notably in the UK, France, Spain and the United States. She has received several awards and is honoured with a Fellowship by the Royal Society of the Arts.

At thirteen years of age Jacqueline gained a scholarship at the prestigious Harrow School of Art, where she studied anatomical drawing and fine art. This early formal education is clearly evident in her understanding of the structure of the human form. Initially, she specialised in portraiture, showing at many exhibitions in London. Much of her early work was in pastel, a difficult and demanding medium, in which she excelled.

In 1986 she illustrated acclaimed poet Lyubomir Levchev's anthology 'Stolen Fire', which is included in the UNESCO library. She went on to paint several series' of large canvasses featuring famous restaurants in London and Paris, and concentrated on abstracted figure paintings in oil on paper and canvas. Collaborating with a British Master Printer, her work has now been developed into giclee prints which she signs as 'Jaq': her Nom de Brosse.

Within the last few years Jacqueline has developed intensely lyrical works more likened to land, light and atmosphere. These canvasses exclude the human figure and replace it with a purer expression of form and colour. The visceral emotion inherent in the works requires extensive observation and concentration, and envelop the viewer, inciting a broad and dynamic range of individual responses. Jacqueline continues to develop this new work, which is gathering pace as she ages and all of her past and present emotional experience is embedded in her visions and in the use of the luscious paint that she loves.

Jacqueline's work has been exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and the Pastel Society. Her paintings are included in numerous private collections including those of actor Michael Caine and restaurateur Peter Shepherd. Several famous restaurants in London and Paris housed her paintings, including Langan's Brasserie in Mayfair, which had a renowned art collection.

Jacqueline has had many successful exhibitions worldwide, including in France, Spain, America, Tahiti and London, most notably at the Albemarle Gallery in London and Galerie Marie-Jane Garoche in Paris.