New Artist Watch Feature at Escape Into Life

Sophie Ploeg, Elizabeth's Dress
Oil on linen, 24 cm x 30 cm

PLEASE DO NOT COPY IMAGE

I'm delighted today to showcase in my new Artist Watch column at Escape Into Life a selection of paintings by Dutch artist Sophie Ploeg, the 2013 recipient of the prestigious BP Travel Award.

Based in the United Kingdom, where she works full-time as an artist, Sophie draws deep inspiration from 17th Century Dutch art and English Jacobean portraiture. She is, as she told Art Collector magazine, which featured her in its November 2015 issue, "unapologetically feminine" in both her choice of subject matter and her interests in feminist issues and the portrayal of women in art.

Included in today's Artist Watch post are eight of Sophie's beautifully realized paintings, her Artist Statement, and a brief biography that spotlights several of her awards and recent exhibitions. Also provided are links to Sophie's Website and FaceBook and Twitter pages, as well as a link to Haynes Gallery, which represents Sophie in the United States. Earlier this year, Sophie participated in her third Women Painting Women exhibition organized by Haynes Gallery; her painting The Guest (see Artist Watch column) was on view.

Currently, Sophie's work may be seen through November 29 at the "Annual Open Exhibition" of Royal West of England Academy. From December 2-13, her painting Three Pearls (included in the Artist Watch post) is on display in the Royal Institute of Oil Painters' "Annual Exhibition 2015". Next spring, her work will be exhibited at Catto Gallery, Hampstead, London.