This is the studio of Jude Methuen in the village of Alderminster near Stratford-upon-Avon and I’d like to show you around, not only because Jude is an enormously talented artist but because we are very proud to be counted among her best buddies.
Among the exhibits are the proofs of her Shakespeare and Elizabeth 1 busts for which she has received national and international acclaim. The bronze Methuen Shakespeare was on show at The Globe Theatre in London for 3 years.
The Methuen Shakespeare is taken from the Cobbe portrait, a copy of which can be seen in the photograph between the coloured version and the bronze resin. One of the bronze busts made from the proof stands in the Shakespeare Centre in Stratford-upon-Avon and another is on show in the Shakespeare Theatre, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
This image of Queen Elizabeth 1 is based on the Armada Portrait recently saved for the nation and I think you can see the concern on the face of the aging queen as the Spanish attempt an invasion.
As well as beautiful, Jude’s work is often comical, fantastical and whimsical. In this selection you can see her busts of Bigfoot (Yeti) and two of her colourful paintings of imaginary fish as well as an example of a fossil cast, one of a series produced by Jude for a David Attenborough film. The wall plaques of the Moon Maiden and the Greek Warrior are just two examples of many designs produced for hanging indoors or outdoors and they include the Green Man, the Green Lady and the signs of the zodiac.
Jude has a folder of photographs on display that shows a range of commissions undertaken by her over the past 35 years. They include full size models of three New Orleans jazz musicians that were so life-like the postman asked, “what’s the matter with him?” after he had passed the figure seated on a chair in the garden and got no response to his cheery “how-do?”
Some photos in the folder show 6-foot models of fish that were commissioned to hang from the rafters in Weatherspoons in Fishponds, Bristol, others show the Duke of Westminster’s carriages that Jude re-furbished and yet others show three colourful fire breathing dragons produced for a street festival. These are just a few examples of her expertise and industry. It is easy to see why she used to be employed in the props department at the RSC.
Jude’s catalogue of work is tremendous and she is still working. She welcomes commissions and can be contacted by email at judymethuen@hotmail.com
Her workshop has been open as part of the Warwickshire Open Studio Scheme and will be open again from 1st to 4th July this week. If you are any where near call in and have a look. She will be delighted to see you.
