Haydee Flores

26/07/2024

About Haydee

Haydee Flores Perez is a figurative and portrait self taught artist. She was born in Argentina and lived in the USA and Spain before settling in the UK. Her work has a strong narrative with surrealistic and symbolic elements, and covers loss, grief and struggle transitioning to peace, strength, and joy. Haydee started her painting career working predominately in oils, but now uses a wide range of media to deliver her vision, including oils, acrylics, charcoals, pencils and digital media.She considers herself an experimental painter who loves to try different mediums. Her love for experimenting makes her work varied and in constant evolution. She aims to capture the essence and emotions of her subjects, creating captivating works that tell a story. She has a deep understanding of colour, composition, and form, allowing her to create stunning portraits and illustrations that leave a lasting impression. Haydee is a member of three artist groups, two in the UK and one in the USA, to which she regularly contributes. She became a member of Mersea Island Artists in May 2023. She takes on commissions, has original work and archival prints of her originals available for purchase.

Percy Shaw - Runner Up for the Brave Fine Art Gallery Competition

Portrait of Percy Shaw (1890-1976). He was an English business man and inventor, born in Halifax. Painted for the monthly competition for the Brave Fine Art Gallery 'portrait artist of the past'. Oil on canvas panel 11" x"14 Percy Shaw invented the 'catseyes' or road reflective stud. He came up with the idea when on a foggy night, Shaw descended a winding road through his village and thanks to a wandering cat, he was saved from plummeting over the edge and down a steep drop. While tackling a tricky descent, Shaw’s car was brought to an abrupt halt when his headlights caught the cat's gaze. He realised that he had been driving on the wrong side of the road - dangerously close to the edge - the cat possibly saving his life. The experience was the inspiration behind the design of the ‘catseye’. His invention sold millions all over the world and therefore saving millions of lives. He was an extraordinary man.He was awarded an OBE in 1965. For my painting I wanted to capture the moment he came up with the idea for the 'catseyes'.

Portrait of Gwen John

SOLD TO A PRIVATE COLLECTOR This is my interpretation of the self portrait of the brilliant Welsh artist Gwen John, for @bravefineartgallery Brave Fine Art Portrait Artist of the Past month competition. I really enjoyed the process of researching about her life and work. It's an early self-portrait and like all her portraits is self-contained, reserved, serene and some how troubling. Shortly after this work, she set off on foot across Europe, sleeping in fields and paying her way by painting portraits. I wanted to capture her risk-taking, bohemian, free spirit . Acrylic and oil on canvas board 30x40cm

Commission work

These are some examples of commission work 1.Woody's First Xmas, 2022. Digital painting (2022) UK Time lapse video of the process 2. Alex. Oils on canvas board (2021) 11"x14 UK Time lapse video of the process 3.The Hug, Denise Wilkie. Digital painting (2021) New Zealand 4. Emily Green (2021) oil on canvas board 23×30 cm. UK 5. Niña Bonita (2015) acrylics on canvas board. Switzerland

Mixed Media

Here are some examples of mixed media 1. Stepping Into the Light. (2021) Private collector Time lapse of the process 2. Mersea Sunset 2 (2023) 3. Joe Spademan (2021)

Digital Painting

I started using this medium in July 2021. I wasn't sure at first because It has such a bad reputation. One of the arguments is that its easy to cheat. I can assure you, it's not easy. It took me 6 solid months to produce a portrait I was proud of. Personally, for me it was such a positive addition to my artistic practice. The advantages are: you can paint or draw anywhere at any time. You can stop working and pickup wherever you left it without having to worry about cleaning. This is particularly beneficial because, without interruptions, you can take your creativity to another level.There's no concern about strong odours, drying times, material costs or lack of storage space for your art. The disadvantages for me are: The lack of the tactile feel of the paint as you move the brush across the surface you are painting on. When you finish your work you have to print it if you want to have it in the flesh. It's a completely different feel and experience. I personally use the medium as I would any traditional medium. I normally use 2 different types of brushes and avoid using the infamous back button. This is the feature that many refer as the 'cheating button ' I tend to use the eraser or colours to cover mistakes. I added some time lapses showing my process from start to finish. It takes me 4 to 6 hours to complete a portrait. 1. Ceci 2021 2. Sunny Yellow, Ismael 2023 3. I've Got You 2022 4. Kathy's Daughter 2023 5.Jackie 2022 6. Abigail, double portrait 2022 7. Mister Sweezy 2022 8. Libby Lou and Mahlon 2023 9. Allanah 2023 10. Val, rainbow 2021 11. Grief, Nicola Monique, symbolism 2022