oil painting

New work racing to the finish line for Affordable Art Fair Battersea

24 January 2020
Roo Waterhouse
1 Comment
Categories: Art Events, Blog, oil painting, Shelf-Portraits
‘Shackleton’s Hut’ ©RooWaterhouseArt oil on canvas 16×16″

This new Shelf-Portrait ‘Shackleton’s Hut’ was inspired by a shelf of battered Penguin books I came across in the reconstructed Antarctic explorers’ hut in the penguiin enclosure at London Zoo!! I’m very happy to say that it is finished and ready for showing at the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea this March, with Nicholas Bowlby Fine Art.

Racing to the finish line is a Shelf Portrait for the keen gardener ‘Saturday in my Garden’. I’m enjoying painting in some classic William Morris wallpaper in the background 🙂

‘Saturday in my Garden’ ©RooWaterhouseArt – work in progress…

Another one on its way is ‘Whizzer and Chips’…….

‘Whizzer and Chips’ ©RooWaterhouseArt – work in progress….

Happy Customer!!

18 September 2019
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog, oil painting, Shelf-Portraits

A very happy looking Kerri, on being presented with ‘Daily Greatness’, her surprise birthday present! Her best friend Sara commissioned this bespoke Shelf-Portrait oil painting of the most significant books describing their friendship – including a favourite mix-tape and the lip-balm which she is never without…
Lovely to be able to make people smile 🙂

Another Happy Family :-)

4 September 2019
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog, oil painting, Shelf-Portraits


This Happy Family were very chuffed with their new Bespoke Shelf-Portrait oil painting. A lovely reminder of the books that have been most significant in their lives together.
I love the way it matches their wall!

'Morris Minor' with added cherry blossom…

1 May 2019
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog, oil painting, Shelf-Portraits

Thrilled to have delivered my latest bespoke Shelf-Portrait ‘Morris Minor’ to the lovely Mel 🙂
I so enjoyed painting this one – it has some favourites of mine in, including a Duane Michals catalogue from an exhibition in Oxford I saw, a collection of Roger McGough poetry and, of course, the obligatory iconic Observers book.
…and doesn’t her garden look lovely scattered with cherry blossom!

Things Can Only Get Better

30 January 2019
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog, oil painting, Shelf-Portraits

I was very busy in the run up to Christmas, completing five new bespoke Shelf-Portrait oil painting commissions.
Mission Accomplished!! So now that they have been delivered and given to their new owners, I can share them with you….
This one is called ‘Things Can Only Get Better’….

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‘Things Can Only Get Better’ for Sharon C. rsw2018

Wonderful words!

21 August 2018
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog, oil painting, Shelf-Portraits

”Public accomplishments and hidden secrets. Old Friends and loves lost. Simple jokes and profound truths. This bookshelf encapsulates half a century of the inside of my head. More intimate and more telling than any facial portrait could ever be.
As tromp d’oeil, only the larger than life scale gives the game away. Roo’s talent is to both abstract and reproduce the worn history of these much loved books. Working with Roo was a delight, her care and artistic judgement shining through at every step.”

Tim Hampson on bespoke commission ‘Properties of Matter’ ©rsw2018

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Wonderful words!

21 August 2018
Roo Waterhouse
No comments
Categories: Blog, oil painting, Shelf-Portraits

”Public accomplishments and hidden secrets. Old Friends and loves lost. Simple jokes and profound truths. This bookshelf encapsulates half a century of the inside of my head. More intimate and more telling than any facial portrait could ever be.
As tromp d’oeil, only the larger than life scale gives the game away. Roo’s talent is to both abstract and reproduce the worn history of these much loved books. Working with Roo was a delight, her care and artistic judgement shining through at every step.”

Tim Hampson on bespoke commission ‘Properties of Matter’ ©rsw2018

rsw2018_propertiesofmatter_fix800

'Properties of Matter'

16 July 2018
Roo Waterhouse
2 Comments
Categories: Blog, oil painting, Shelf-Portraits

Down to London last week to deliver my latest bespoke Shelf-Portrait,
‘Properties of Matter’
My largest book painting to date at 50×100″ it was an absolute joy to paint 🙂
Very pleased with the result, as is the new owner!
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