One of our Original Crafters , Jacque McNeill to feel less isolated and give her focus, began painting people she knew. As a photographer and artist, Jacque has quite a few photographs of people she knows and has met throughout her time with the Church and with the Ballymena Show as their official photographer. So she reached out to her community by painting the characters she knew best. The feedback she got gave her the confidence to go and create Lockdown Portraits, a collection of Ordinary people caught in the lockdown of the Covid-19 virus. Here is her take on the creation of these once in a lifetime portraits
When Lockdown came I found it really difficult to settle to paint so I decided to try and develop my portrait painting which I think is the most difficult thing to paint. I originally thought to motivate myself if there was any part of the painting that was recognisable I would crop into that and post it on Facebook or Instagram and see if my followers wanted to guess who it is. I had attempted my self portrait before lockdown and wasn’t happy with the whole painting but thought the eyes were good so posted those for people to see. So I searched through my photographs to see who I had good photos of to work from and found a good selection of people from my church, as I had been photographing the church events for years. So I thought this would be a connecting thing to do and would all create a connected body of work in this learning process. Although there is a certain amount of risk painting a portrait of someone and posting it on social media without them knowing, they might hate it.
Lockdown Portrait 1.
The first portrait I decided to try was Randal Hayes a well-known character in the farming world in Co. Antrim and in the Ballymena Agricultural Show, I thought this would connect with my followers from the farming community. I was pleased with the result and then decided to post all of the portrait instead of cropping into it.
The response was great and a phone call from Randal after seeing it was the encouragement I needed.
I offered a pack of my limited addition cards to the first correct guess drawn out and so the pattern for my Lockdown Portraits was set.
As the posts where a guessing game details of the subjects weren’t posted along with the picture so here is few details of the subjects so far.
The first portrait I decided to try was Randal Hayes a well-known character in the farming world in Co. Antrim and in the Ballymena Agricultural Show, I thought this would connect with my followers from the farming community. I was pleased with the result and then decided to post all of the portrait instead of cropping into it.
The response was great and a phone call from Randal after seeing it was the encouragement I needed.
I offered a pack of my limited addition cards to the first correct guess drawn out and so the pattern for my Lockdown Portraits was set.
As the posts where a guessing game details of the subjects weren’t posted along with the picture so here is few details of the subjects so far.
Lockdown Portrait 2
This is Dennis Hanna and I painted this one from a photo of him doing his favourite hobby fishing, which he wasn’t allowed to do in lockdown
This is Dennis Hanna and I painted this one from a photo of him doing his favourite hobby fishing, which he wasn’t allowed to do in lockdown
Lockdown Portrait 3
Next lockdown portrait finished was Lyle McQuitty friend of the family and former church secretary a brilliant face to paint
Next lockdown portrait finished was Lyle McQuitty friend of the family and former church secretary a brilliant face to paint
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Lockdown Portrait 4
I decided to paint a tribute to the amazing key workers of the NHS so it was easy to get a photo of my son in law from my daughter. I wanted to capture the concern in his eyes at the early stages of this lockdown. Jonathan Davison who works in the pharmacy in Antrim Area Hospital |
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Lockdown Portrait 5
As everyone so far was connected by First Ballymena Church I thought it would good to do the minister William Sinclair
As everyone so far was connected by First Ballymena Church I thought it would good to do the minister William Sinclair
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Lockdown Portrait 6
I took the photos at Stephen Wilson’s wedding so I had plenty of good photos of him to paint from. IT expert |
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Lockdown Portrait 7
My next tribute to our NHS workers is Cherry Ann Stewart who is a nurse in the Ballymena Covid 19 testing centre
My next tribute to our NHS workers is Cherry Ann Stewart who is a nurse in the Ballymena Covid 19 testing centre
Lockdown Portrait 8
I have photographed Jonathan Gibson for over 20 years at gatherings with friends and he is a key worker delivering bread for us all right now
I have photographed Jonathan Gibson for over 20 years at gatherings with friends and he is a key worker delivering bread for us all right now
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Lockdown Portrait 9
Paul Brush is the musical director in First Ballymena church and I had lots of photos from parties and wedding to work from |
Lockdown Portrait 10
Once again as the NHS clapping for keyworkers was happening I was painting my NHS portrait Diane Russell who is on the Covid 19 ward in the Antrim Area hospital
Once again as the NHS clapping for keyworkers was happening I was painting my NHS portrait Diane Russell who is on the Covid 19 ward in the Antrim Area hospital
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Lockdown Portrait 11
Totally delighted to have captured the fun side of Stephen Lamont, it is in his eyes. Several references to Del boy in the comments are because of the incredible fundraising for the building fund in First Ballymena church Stephen does this by selling unused stuff to new people |
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Lockdown Portrait 12
This portrait was posted on the first day of what should have been the Balmoral Show and is Geoffrey Ringland who is known for breeding goats and has one of my goat paintings |
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Lockdown Portrait 13
I usually photograph in the ring for the Dexter Society at the Balmoral Show and this is James Eccles Chief Stewart who gets me the photography job |
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Lockdown Portrait 14 Alan Montgomery is a friend in First Ballymena Church who is part of the puppet team with me and an amazingly technical guy on whom we all rely . |
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Lockdown Portrait 15
This is my Best Friend's Brother Drew McGall, I took a Photograph of him at my friend Birthday Party |
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Lockdown Portrait 16
This well known Ballymena Man is Jim Lilley and is known also for his service to St John's Ambulance for which he was honoured by the Queen |
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Lockdown Portrait 17
Stephen used to be the assistant minister in First Ballymena Church
Stephen once broke his toe doing a drama for me in church!!
Stephen used to be the assistant minister in First Ballymena Church
Stephen once broke his toe doing a drama for me in church!!
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Lockdown Portrait 18
This is Stephen's Wife Valerie, who still keeps in touch with me |
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Lockdown Portrait 19
This is Rodney Bryans part of a long time friendship group in First Ballymena Church
This is Rodney Bryans part of a long time friendship group in First Ballymena Church
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Lockdown Portrait 20
Finally, here is Matthew Boyd the Assistant Minister of First Ballymena Church |
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Lockdown Portrait 20, finished the online competition which was good fun and a great success in engaging my Instagram and Facebook followers in the middle of this pandemic I was connecting with friends in a fun way. I loved the stories which followed of people sending the portraits in emails to people who didn't do social media. I had the time to develop my skill in portraits which of course is continuing although lockdown is lifting.
I am still painting Portraits and can now go and photograph my subjects
.https://www.facebook.com/jacque.mcneillpaintings.5
I am still painting Portraits and can now go and photograph my subjects
.https://www.facebook.com/jacque.mcneillpaintings.5
And Just when You thought It was Over
Lockdown Portrait 21
Dennis Greer a friend of ours for many years. A talented musician painted here with his flute
Dennis Greer a friend of ours for many years. A talented musician painted here with his flute
