Sherree Valentine-Daines

British b.1956

Born in Effingham, Surrey in 1959, Sherree Valentine-Daines did not initially pursue a career in the arts, in fact at 18 she began work as a legal secretary in London. However, as the story goes, Valentine-Daines recognised her talent for drawing in the quality of her idle sketches on her legal pads. Subsequently, Valentine-Daines studied fine art at Epsom School of Art for four years, leaving in 1980. It was during her time at art school that she developed an interest in painting figures. After graduating, she spent the summer in Cornwall, painting villages, harbours and beaches and primarily figure studies. The artist has also been known to paint the busy streets of London, especially showing passers by hailing cabs, looking around markets or leaving the theatre.

Sherree Valentine-Daines has been at the forefront of British art for nearly four decades – a truly remarkable achievement. Over this time she has been variously described as “the face of modern British impressionism”, “artist to the stars” and “the finest figurative artist we have here in the UK” (Art of England). Furthermore, Valentine-Daines’ virtuosity has made her a favourite among many private collections across the world, with many celebrity collectors including members of the British Royal Family, former Prime Minister Sir John Major and Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Many famous names in the world of show-business and sport have sat for her including Joanna Lumley, John Sessions, Sir Michael Parkinson, Rick Stein, and Sebastian Coe (Lord Coe) and Jonny Wilkinson.

Sherree is both the critic’s choice and the people’s choice, winning many high profile awards, as well as being officially voted the UK’s leading Modern Impressionist. A familiar face on our televisions she has appeared in programmes from ‘To the Manor Bowen’ and ‘How the Rich Get Hitched’ to ‘This Morning’.

As well as her many original paintings and limited editions, Sherree has released a beautiful, highly-illustrated hardback book, entitled Your Days, My Days, now in its second edition, and a series of stunning bronze sculptures which have become highly desirable collectors’ items. In 2019 she was appointed Artist in Residence to Cunard’s Three Queens, the ocean liners Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary II.

Valentine-Daines’ work has been exhibited at prestigious venues such as the Tate Gallery, the Barbican, the Royal Society of British Artists, the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, the Laing Landscape Exhibition, the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, the Royal Watercolour Society, the Hesketh Hubbard Art Society, the New English Art Club, the National Society of Painters, the United Society of Painters and the Pastel Society.