David Atack - Portrait Painter

Running Hot and Cold
13 January 2010

Traditionally, January 13th is classed as the coldest day of the year, but prints of the Jazz Pianist are running hot at Marley Hall today!! Today David is signing number 11 of a Limited Edition of 50 prints of this amazing figure composition, and this one will be winging its way to a client in London as soon as the ice allows us access to the post!! Yes, we are living true to the tradition since the Marley estate is shrouded in ice, David dons his thick Aran wool sweater, pretends he has not that minute taken his hat off (sorry about the distressed hair!!), and keeps the theme going by signing the print with Brenda’s snowman pencil.

Fire Dogs
12 January 2010

A new painting is on its way!! At the moment its working title is “Hogey with Brenda”. Hogey (Hogarth!) Atack has been David Atack’s constant companion for over 13 years, and is very much part of the scene at Marley Hall. From the moment he arrived Hogey made Marley Hall and its beautiful surroundings his home. At age 10 he raced around the grounds and Hogarth Hill to your right as you enter the estate was quickly named after the one who always got to the top first, and Hogarth Court was opened as a rear entrance to the Hall when Hogey pushed his way through the closed gate. Now Hogey is more comfortable in front of his fire in the study at Marley Hall, near to where Brenda works, and it is here that the “sittings” for Hogey’s portrait are taking place. As outside temperatures remain blow zero David paints in his hat, and Hogey stays close to the fire dogs holding the flaming logs. It really is a dog’s life today!!

No business Like Snow Business ---
11 January 2010

David is painting his latest commission, Hogey with Brenda, and he needs to get on because the next commission has booked in for sittings --- then looks out the window and it has snowed again, wow!!! Artist explores the Marley Hall estate in the snow and there we have it, the inspiration to paint!!! The snow traps sound, the beauty is moving, the scene is tranquil, but the urge to paint excites ----

Tribute to Doug Murray
10 January 2010

As the first requests for further prints of the `Jazz Pianist` come in, BBC Radio Ulster`s Walter Love presents a tribute to Doug Murray, the Belfast pianist and trombonist who died in December `09. David`s blog is mentioned in the tribute and comments on the painting of Doug playing the piano are great --- `What I particularly like about your work is the positioning of Doug vis a vis everyone else ---- he is alone, utterly absorbed in his art, and for most people he is background sound and just an accompaniment to their own chatter. I find it a very touching rendition of the essential loneliness of any artist` --Peter Andrews, London.

The Inspiration of Marley Hall
10 January 2010

Many readers have asked about the history and ambience of Marley Hall where David Atack paints. So here is a taste!!! Marley Hall has been the site of an important dwelling since Norman times, and is even mentioned in the Domesday Book. In 1316 Peter de Martheley was Lord and Master, and in 1556 it is recorded that the Manor of Marley paid a rent of 1s 6d annually to the Knights of St Jerusalem.

The original manor passed through several notable local families until it was acquired by Lord John Saville for his second son, Robert, in 1623. In 1627 the existing timber framed house was rebuilt in stone to show Lord Saville’s standing and wealth. He added his own ancestral coat of arms and architectural features, many of which (particularly the owl) still adorn the building. This stained glass coat of arms of the Saville family is found within the original transom window glazing in the magnificent dining hall where David Atack sets up his studio.

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