Yorkshire Portrait Painter, Hannah Ostapjuk, received her first commission aged just 17 years old. This was a portrait of the honourable and much loved Dr Hudson, previous head teacher of King James School, Knaresborough. After being told, something to the effect of, ” first one back will be in with the chance of painting another three previous heads and future school principle Mr Sugden.” (Dr Hudson had commissioned two portraits of himself by two different KJS art students). Hannah turned the portrait round in just two weeks (she used Acrylic paint at the time) and was awarded the further four commissions.
Hannah laughs, “That was one of my very first, but very important, lessons of business from my father – say yes, get the job, then work out how you are going to do it.”
(Looking at the photos below)
“Just take a look at the easel my Dad made me,” she beams. “I didn’t have an easel, I used brushes from Early Learning and paint from Home Bargins and WHSmith!”
Four of these portrait paintings are now beautifully displayed in the meeting room at King James School (the fifth will be put up when Mr Sugden leaves or retires).
