Nyree Dawn Porter. 1996 by Stephen B Whatley

Highlights of expressionist painter Stephen B Whatley's eclectic career have been painting the portraits of many stars of stage and screen in Britain; especially as classic films have always been a passion for the artist.

In January 1996, the beautiful actress Nyree Dawn Porter expressed her interest in sitting for her portrait and Stephen travelled to Birmingham to immortalise her on canvas; before she was due on stage to play Miss Haversham in a lavish production of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations.

Sensitive, gracious and sensual, Ms Porter was overwhelmed by the portrait on completion; and deeply moved that she could discern a likeness to her beloved grandmother in the interpretation.

Soon after, Stephen returned to Birmingham to take Ms Porter for a meal - inbetween performances - and was intrigued that the actress donned sun glasses; in order to keep on her elaborate ageing make-up necessary for her role as Miss Haversham.

Nyree Dawn Porter (1940-2001) was a New Zealand - born actress of stage, screen and television.
A great beauty, Ms Porter moved to the UK in 1958 after being crowned Miss Cinema in a talent competition arranged by the Rank Organisation. Beginning in the theatre - to which she would frequently return throughout her life - she acted in films from 1960 to 1998; interspersed by much television work. In her prolific career she is perhaps best remembered as 'Irene' in the television drama series The Forsyte Saga (1967); which made news headlines worldwide regarding its controversial storyline about her character's tragic marriage - and she became a star overnight.

In 1970 Nyree Dawn Porter was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) by HM Queen Elizabeth II for services to the dramatic arts.

Nyree Dawn Porter OBE. 1996 by Stephen B Whatley
Oil on canvas
30 x 24in/76 x 61cm
Collection of the Estate of Ms Porter
www.stephenbwhatley.com

Taken on: July 10, 2012

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