The Room Upstairs

Whether it was sketching his favourite comic book superheroes or drawing caricatures of his school teachers, a childhood affinity for art paved the way for a successful career for Hamish Blakely. During his time as a professional illustrator, his clients included The Body Shop and British Telecom.

He was also chosen to paint two front covers for the world-renowned author of Schindler’s List, Thomas Keneally. Inspired by the beauty of the female form, his artworks hint at deeper, primal forces. Using a rich colour palette, Hamish paints with finesse while creating a tactile surface achieves with layer upon layer of heavily-applied pigment. He cites his wife Gail as the muse for his pieces. Subjects have included angels, courtesans and celebrities but his loyalty remains to the intrinsic beauty of the female form.

“I want viewers to enjoy the paintings first, and be confronted with more searching questions after.”