Carol Tarn

I have worked from my studio in North London for the last twelve years painting people from the unknown to the very well known, from celebrities to private commissions. In my portraits I attempt to go beyond the likeness to capture the essence of my subjects, directing their gaze to draw the viewer in. I often incorporate personal objects and references, some requested by the sitter, creating a collage of thoughts, a narrative that reveals the sitters very self. I paint in a style that has been described as painterly yet realistic, both colourful and descriptive.
I have a particular interest in the theatre and theatrical portraiture and for the past few years I have been creating a collection of portraits featuring actors from the London stage set in their dressing rooms. These portraits capture actors in the process of transition from self to character revealing actor, character and production in one painting. They are a study of the artistry of character acting, a privileged glimpse into a private moment.
My most recent sitters have included Sheila Reid(Pericles, Sam Wanamaker Theatre 2016) Greta Scacchi (as Baby Jane /Bette Davis in Bette and Joan Arts Theatre 2011) ,Celia Imrie (Noises Off, Novello Theatre 2012 and Linda M...

BSc(Hons.)Social Sciences - Bath University 1978.DipM Marketing 1991.
Hampstead School of Art(1998 - 2003 Wynn Jones) Anatomy for the Artist (Lara 2016 -Stuart Elliot)

2021Society of Women Artists 169th Annual Exhibition Sept 21 - Dec 30th

2020 ING Discerning Eye Nov 8th - Dec31st

2020 Society Of Women Artists 159th Annual Exhibition,Sep22nd - Dec 30th

2020 Healthcare Heroes,Portraits for NHS Heroes,Google Arts and Culture,Aug 22nd - Dec 30th

2018 Royal Society of British Artists, Annual Exhibition 21st - 31st March,Mall Galleries,London

2017 Every Picture Tells a Story. Solo Exhibition. April 3 -16,The Art Space,CassArt,Islington,London N1.

2016 The Royal West of England Academy,Bristol.
164th Annual Exhibition 9th Oct - 27th Nov

2016 The Royal Society Of British Artists,Annual Exhibition,Mall Galleries, 17th March - 2nd April

2015 The Society of Women Artists,Annual Exhibition,Mall Galleries,London 5th-13th June

2015 The Ashurst Emerging Artist Prize April - June

2014 The Society of Women Artists, 153rd Annual Exhibition,Mall Galleries,London 26th June-5th July

2013 Catto Gallery, Heath Street,Hampstead, London,Nov 16th -17th

2013 Susan J Brown Art Exhibition, 1st Prize. London. Sept 18th - Oct 31st

2012 Affordable Art Fair,Hampstead,North London.Oct 31- Nov 4

2011 Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead,North London.Oct 26-31

2011 Faces & Figures, Solo Ex...