Phyllis Arnold

PHYLLIS ARNOLD, RMS, PPUSWA, UWS, HS, FIBA trained as a commercial/graphic artist and has been a professional artist since the late 1960's. She has exhibited with the Royal Society of Miniature Painters since 1976 and, the Hilliard Society since 1985. She is a Past President of The Ulster Society of Women Artists and is currently their Press Officer.

Phyllis is a past winner of the Memorial Gold Bowl of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, London. The Artist carries on the 17th century tradition of painting portrait miniatures in the minute dot and stipple technique of the earliest miniaturists, such as Nicholas Hilliard 1547-1619, and Samuel Cooper 1640-1670, on vellum in watercolour.

Portrait miniatures were mainly commissioned and given as love tokens. They were portable and in times of trouble and war, they were a constant reminder of a loved one. In the 17th century only the rich, powerful and of Royal birth, were able to afford this luxury.