Profile

Born in West Africa in 1978, Jenny Fay traces her love of colour back to childhood memories of vibrant fabrics and tropical light.  She began painting in her thirties following a career in law. Jenny studied portraiture at the Heatherley School of Fine Art in Chelsea where she was tutored by leading members of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters.  She received a Special Commendation for her diploma and was awarded the Heatherleys Portrait Diploma Prize.

She says "For me portraiture is a wonderfully collaborative process as sitter and artist engage with each other throughout the creation of the painting.  I love the challenge of capturing what is particular about an individual whilst also conveying something of what is common to humanity".

Jenny works from her Oxfordshire studio where she undertakes portrait commissions.

"A strong talent" - Jane Bond, Royal Society of Portrait Painters

"Very competent, very professional" - John Walton, Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Principal Emeritus of the Heatherley School of Fine Art

"The construction of faces is both robust and elegantly resolved" - Tim Benson, Vice-President, Royal Institute of Oil Painters