Cherryl Fountain

Cherryl Angela Fountain (born 1950) is an English still life, landscape and botanical artist. As the daughter of a gamekeeper and a resident of rural east Kent, much of her work reflects an environment of farming, botanical gardens and country life. Her work has been accepted for exhibition at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition on 28 occasions, and she has received bursaries and numerous awards in honour of her work.

Cherryl Fountain
Cherryl Fountain, in 2021
Born1950 (age 72–73)
Lincolnshire, England
NationalityBritish
Alma materReading University (1972)
Brighton Polytechnic (1973)
Royal Academy Schools (1977)
Known forStill life, landscape painting, botanical art
StyleFigurative art
Websitecherrylfountain.artweb.com

Early life and inspiration

Cherryl Angela Fountain was born in 1950 in Lincolnshire,[1] the daughter of gamekeeper Peter Robin Fountain and Ruby Margaret Elmer,[nb 1][2] who were both originally from Yorkshire.[nb 2] Her mother and her brother Julian have been referenced in her drawings and paintings.[2][3][nb 3]

An early patron was Henry George Herbert Milles-Lade (1940–1996), the 5th Earl Sondes of Lees Court, and Stringmans Farm, Badlesmere, Kent, where Fountain's father Peter was head gamekeeper for many years,[4] running "one of Britain's best shoots".[5] The hunting background is reflected in the hunting subjects of some works, including Beater's Hut.[6]

Education

Fountain read fine art at the University of Reading, graduating in 1972.[7][8] She trained as a teacher at Brighton Polytechnic, qualifying in 1973.[9] Between January 1975 and June 1977 she was a student at the Royal Academy Schools,[1][10][11][12] where she was taught by Jane Dowling and the portrait painter Peter Greenham, among others.[13] At the Royal Academy she was also a student of Roderic Barrett, and as a former student she took part in an exhibition in his memory at the Chappel Galleries in 2006.[14]

Scholarships

Fountain received two scholarships which are reflected in her work. The first, in 1978, was a bursary from the Government of Italy, dedicated to painting and art history in Perugia. The second, in 1983, was a bursary from the Richard Ford Foundation, which was founded by Sir Brinsley Ford "to enable young painters to study masterpieces in the Prado", Madrid.[13][15]

Career

Much of Fountain's work has been informed by the environment of rural east Kent. She is an established, figurative,[13] still life and landscape artist "with a particular interest in colour combinations",[10] and a botanical artist.[16] Her still life artwork includes "taxidermy, fossils, exotic plants and vegetables".[7]

Commissioned work

Works by Fountain have been varied and include the Baptismal Roll (2000) which is an illustrated manuscript now kept at Selling Church, Kent, and portraits of Nigel Nicolson and Claire Palley. Work now in the possession of the National Trust Foundation for Art includes projects at Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Nymans, Stoneacre, Barrington Court and Mompesson House.[10]

In 2013, Fountain created a backdrop for Jim Marshall's Malmaison Carnations exhibit, which won a gold medal at the Hampton Court Flower Show.[17] At the 2015 Chelsea Flower Show, Fountain produced backdrops for irises bred by Cedric Morris, for the Howard Nurseries' Gold Medal exhibit in the Grand Pavilion.[18]

Teaching

Between 1991 and 2000 she taught art and design at The North School in Ashford, Kent. She also taught painting and drawing for adults, on behalf of Kent County Council, for over 20 years.[9]

Exhibitions

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

Over 28 summers, between 1975 and 2013, at least 40 of Fountain's works were accepted for show at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions.[19] Various art interests and Kent institutions have recognised Fountain's achievement in this respect, including the author Geoff Hassell;[7] Pippa Palmar for Kent County Council and Hadlow College[20] and Katherine Tyrell, for the Society of Botanical Artists.[16][21][22]

Solo and two-person exhibitions

Between 1983 and 2004, Fountain's work was shown in solo and two-person exhibitions bearing her name.

In 2008, Fountain exhibited alongside Brenda Evans at Horsebridge Arts Centre in Whitstable.[25]

Group exhibitions

Over several decades, Fountain's work has been shown in group exhibitions, including:

National Trust exhibitions were: Centenary Exhibition at Christie's, The Long Perspective at Agnews and Storm Struck at Petworth.[10]

In 1991, two pieces by Fountain were exhibited by the London-based arts charity Discerning Eye: Kentish Garden and Cottage Door.[13] In 1992, Discerning Eye showed One O'Clock in the Rose Garden and White Garden in August.[27]

Her work was shown at the Museum of Modern Art, Machynlleth, in 2017–2018.[28] In 2019, she exhibited at Plantae, the annual exhibition of the Society of Botanical Artists.[22] The watercolours shown at Plantae were: Aunt Dusty, Paul Cook's Miss Indiana and Beauty and the Beast.[29] In the "Inspired at Mompesson House" exhibition in March 2020, Fountain's painting of May Griffin in the Garden at Mompesson featured as a solo display in one of the rooms. It was painted as a National Trust Centenary celebration in 1995.[30]

Awards

Reviews
  • "She is bang in that line of English eccentric artists, Blake, Calvert, Samuel Palmer, Richard Palmer and Stanley Spencer. These painters had no doubts about their work because they have a skill which enables them to give full rein to their zest for their subjects. Cherryl`s sheer application is amazing." John Ward (1996).[20]
  • With respect to The Kitchen Garden, Barrington Court, Somerset (1995) and Fountain's other works: "[Plants] ... are depicted in the meticulous and colourful detail typical of the artist’s style ... she enhances our perception that flowers please our sense of smell, that fruit enhances our sense of taste and that landscapes often have distant outcrops as sharp to our eyes as the rocky foreground." Dudley Dodd, independent scholar of the Historic Buildings Department of the National Trust (1996).[33]
  • "At the head of my list I would place Peter Greenham and his wife, Jane Dowling, for I have long been not only a great admirer of their work but also of that of the artists who have studied under them — Cheryll Fountain, Peter Kuhfeld, Edmund Fairfax-Lucy, Martin Shortis and Martin Yeoman." Sir Brinsley Ford (1991).[13]
  • "Outstanding colour work", Penny Stenning, editor of the Society of Botanical Artists journal Scattered seeds (2017).[31]
  • "Outstanding watercolour painting", Katherine Tyrrell (2017).[32]
  • "I used to be absolutely amazed by her complex still life paintings and garden paintings. She has recently begun to paint more flowers - and her brother's extensive collection of chillis!" Katherine Tyrrell (2020).[nb 4][16]

Reproductions of artworks
  • Fountain, Cherryl A. (July 1976). "Cowslips in a Kentish landscape (1975): art reproduction". Apollo: The International Magazine for Collectors. 104: 69. ISSN 0003-6536..
  • Fountain, Cherryl A. (July 1979). "Perugian view from Assisi to San Domenico, (art reproduction)". RIBA Journal: 355. ISSN 0953-6973..
  • Buckley, Sarah (1 September 1991). Practical Watercolour Techniques. Tiger Books. ISBN 9781855011809..
  • Wood, Laurence (12 August 1993). Watercolour Masterclass: Learning from Professional Artists at Work. Harper Collins. ISBN 9780004126494..
  • Harrison, Hazel (1 June 2004). Encyclopedia of Watercolour Techniques: A step-by-step visual directory,with an inspirational gallery of finished works. Search Press. ISBN 9781844480364.

Collections

Fountain's work is included in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, Wales,[7][34] and the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty,[35] whose pieces by Fountain are kept in the following locations: Mompesson House, Wiltshire;[36][30] Sissinghurst Castle Garden;[37] Nymans Estate, West Sussex;[38] Mount Stewart, County Down;[39] and Barrington Court, Somerset.[40]

Notes
  1. GRO index: Births Sep 1950 Fountain Cherryl A., mother Elmer Scunthorpe 3b 518
  2. GRO index: Births Sep 1916 Fountain Peter R. Elwick York 9d 36. Births Sep 1921 Elmer Ruby M. Minister York 9d 13. Marriages Jun 1941 Fountain Peter Robin and Elmer Ruby Margaret Knaresbro 9a 271
  3. GRO index: Births Sep 1944 Fountain John G. mother Elmer Knaresbro' 9a 90, Births Dec 1964 Fountain Julian M., mother Elmer Canterbury 5B 407
  4. Katherine Tyrell is the spokesperson for Botanical Art and Artists, the resource site for the Royal Watercolour Society, and the author of: Katherine Tyrrell (2015) Sketching 365: Build your confidence and skills with a tip a day, Apple Press, United Kingdom ISBN 9781845435561

Publications
  • Fountain, Cherryl; et al. (1995). Badlesmere: some historical notes. (featuring drawings by Fountain on the front page)[41]
  • Fountain, Cherryl A.; et al. (1 May 1986). Oral Communication Methods for the Classroom Teacher. Kendall Hunt Publishing Company. ISBN 9780840339287.

Notes

    References
    1. "Cherryl Fountain (b. 1950)". Royal Academy. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
    2. "Fountain {death notice)". Kent on Sunday. 17 June 2007. Retrieved 24 September 2020. Peter Robin Fountain of Sheldwich Lees passed away ... on 4th June 2007.... husband of Ruby and ... father of John, Julian and Cheryl.
    3. "1988 Exhibition Catalogue". chronicle250.com. Royal Academy. 1988. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
    4. "Brothers fined for trespassing". East Kent Gazette. 1 October 1954. p. 1 col.8. Retrieved 29 September 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
    5. "The Earl Sondes". The Times. No. 65759. 12 December 1996. p. 23. Retrieved 25 September 2020 – via Gale.
    6. "Antique and contemporary paintings, prints, sculpture, folios, frames etc". Burstow & Hewett. 27 May 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
    7. Hassell, Geoff (16 June 2020). "FOUNTAIN Cherryl b. 1950". Artist Biographies. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
    8. "Centenary Exhibition 1991 - Royal Society Of Portrait Painters". Royal Society of Portrait Painters. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
    9. "Cherryl Angela Fountain". Kent Adult Education. 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
    10. Fountain, Cherryl. "Biography". Retrieved 24 September 2020. Cherryl Fountain ... of Royal Academy Schools
    11. Spalding, Frances (1990). 20th Century Painters and Sculptors. Antique Collectors' Club. ISBN 1-85149-106-6.
    12. "How to make the grade at the Royal Academy". Marylebone Mercury. 4 February 1977. p. 6 col.7. Retrieved 25 September 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
    13. Ford, Sir Brinsley (1991). "The Discerning Eye Exhibition 1991". The Discerning Eye. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
    14. "Roderic Barrett (1920-2000)". Chappel Galleries. 2006. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
      - "Roderic Barrett: students' work". Chappel Galleries. 2006. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
    15. Buckman, David (2006). Artists in Britain Since 1945. Vol. 1, A to L. Art Dictionaries Ltd. ISBN 0-953260-95-X.
    16. "Plantae 2020: Selected Artists". Botanical Art and Artists. pp. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
    17. Finn, Widget (Spring 2015). "Suffolk Irises at Chelsea Flower Show" (PDF). Suffolk Group Journal. Plant Heritage: 7. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
    18. "Awards and Honours". Howard Nurseries Ltd. 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
      - "Chelsea Flower Show stars: the pick of the plants and flowers". The Daily Telegraph. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2020. "Cedric Morris irises ... their soft beauty is enhanced by backdrops painted by Cherryl Fountain.
      - Maltby, Emily (9 February 2015). "A Suffolk collaboration is set to show Irises at The Chelsea Flower Show". Pro Landscaper. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
    19. "The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition: A Chronicle 1769-2018". Royal Academy. 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
    20. Palmar, Pippa. "Cherry Ripe: a taste of Kent" (PDF). Produced in Kent. Kent County Council and Hadlow College. p. 10. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
    21. Tyrrell, Katherine (2019). "The most inspiring use of colour". Botanical Art and Artists. Retrieved 29 September 2020. She has recently begun to paint more flowers - and her brother's VERY extensive collection of chillis!
    22. Tyrrell, Katherine (5 June 2019). "Plantae: SBA Annual Exhibition 2019 - Selected Artists". Society of Botanical Artists. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
    23. "Entertainments guide". The Times. No. 60945. 4 June 1981. p. 27 col.7. Retrieved 25 September 2020 – via Gale.
      - "Exhibitions". Illustrated London News. 1 June 1981. p. 8 col.3. Retrieved 25 September 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
      - "The Times Information Service". The Times. No. 62559. 10 September 1986. p. 20 col.3. Retrieved 25 September 2020 – via Gale.
    24. Checkland, Sarah Jane (14 July 1984). "Galleries". The Times. No. 61883. p. 17 col.6. Retrieved 25 September 2020 – via Gale.
    25. "Halloween Special". Canterbury Adscene. 31 October 2008. p. 23. Retrieved 30 September 2020 – via Newsbank.
    26. "Entertainments guide: New Grafton Gallery". The Times. 5 June 1981. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
    27. Ward, John (1992). "The Discerning Eye Exhibition 1992". Discerning Eye. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
    28. Edwards, Clare (November 2017). "What's On". Broad Sheep (17): 10. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
    29. "Cherryl Fountain". SBA Plantae 2019 Catalogue: 46. 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
    30. "Inspired at Mompesson House". The Fine Times Recorder. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
    31. Stenning, Penny (ed.). "The Awards" (PDF). Scattered Seeds. Society of Botanical Artists (Winter 2017-2018): 9. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
    32. "Awards - Society of Botanical Artists' Annual Exhibition 2017: St Cuthbert's Mill Award". Botanical Art and Artists. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
    33. "The Kitchen Garden, Barrington Court, Somerset". Art UK. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
    34. "Fountain, Cherryl". MOMA Machynlleth. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
    35. "Cherryl Fountain". National Trust. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
    36. Fountain, Cherryl. "Mompesson House Garden with May Griffin, the Gardener". Art UK. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
      - Fountain, Cherryl. "May Griffin in the Garden at Mompesson NT 724429". National Trust. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
    37. Fountain, Cherryl (1987). "View of the Tower at Sissinghurst from the White Garden NT803042". National Trust. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
    38. Fountain, Cherryl (1988). "After the Hurricane, Nymans, West Sussex NT1206487". National Trust. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
    39. Fountain, Cherryl (1989–1990). "The Spanish Garden, Mount Stewart, Co. Down NT226280". National Trust. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
    40. Fountain, Cherryl (1995). "The Kitchen Garden, Barrington Court, Somerset NT262260". Art UK. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
    41. Peters, Michael H. (June 2011). "Badlesmere (Barsmer)" (PDF). M.H. Peters. Retrieved 29 September 2020.

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