The BP Portrait Awards is about to embark on its UK tour. Featuring on this tour is the ‘2’ painting from Stephen Earl Rogers. The painting, of his son ‘Beau’, will be showcasing initially at the National Portrait Gallery until the 20th September before going on tour to the Southampton City Art Gallery 28 Sept-31 Nov before reaching its final destination at the Dean Gallery, Edinburgh from the 12 Dec – 21 Feb 2010.
Speaking of his inspiration to paint his son, Stephen says:

“I wanted to paint a portrait of my son. One which might become a family heirloom. I felt the picture should not be typical of the imagery that is often used to portray children, but that it should capture his individual presence and intensity. This is not the sum total of his character but it is one of the expressions I’m often greeted with, I expect to see this expression a lot more when he gets older.”

The BP Portrait Awards tour will also showcase the winners: Peter Monkman, Michael Gaskell, Annalisa Avancini, Mark Jameson and Isobel Peachey. There will also be a number of select entries at the exhibition. Entry to the National Portrait Gallery is free and is open till 6pm most weekdays and 9pm Thursday and Friday.

For more information got to the website www.npg.org.uk.