James Lloyd: My father, Angus Lloyd, and partner Michael Day set up Burlington Paintings in 1981. My father had been a partner for fifteen years in another west end gallery until he acquired our current premises at 10 & 12 Burlington Gardens, situated at the southern end of Savile Row (famous for its tailors), and between Bond St. and Regent St. I have been with the gallery for eleven years, and my father is now retired from day to day business but maintains an active interest. The family origins in the art world started with my great uncle who was a major collector of art, notably JMW Turner watercolors, and was also Chairman of Christies Auctioneers in the 1950’s. His collection eventually was bequeathed to the British Museum.

PA: How many artists do you represent? Could you mention a few of them?

PA: How does the gallery decide on what exhibitions to curate?

JL: We put exhibitions together with our contemporary artists every 2-3 years, and the theme is decided well in advance. The next proposed show of Robert King’s work will be entitled Around the Mediterranean, and we intend to hold another major wildlife show of Larry Norton’s work in 2003.

For our stock paintings of 19^th and 20^th century it is more difficult to gather the paintings of one artist or a specific theme as stock is determined by what is available at any one time in the market place. Therefore, we publish a major catalogue of our paintings twice a year and this is mailed to our client list worldwide. It is also published on our website and emailed to all our web based clients.

PA: During my recent visit I learned that the gallery has affiliations with New York City galleries. What galleries in New York do you work with, and how does this relationship work?

PA: Can people purchase work by artists that you represent in New York?

JL: Many of our clients come from New York and the surrounding states, and collect work through a variety of ways. They purchase during visits to London, via transparencies and photographs, and we are now conducting a growing business through our website and sending quality images through email. We are currently looking into establishing an annual show in the New York area so that many of our clients and new clients can collect and learn more about the European art market of the 19^th and 20^th centuries.

PA: Of the artists that you represent which one is the most popular with the public? What makes this artist so popular?

JL: Art is a very personal choice and taste. What is ideal for one person is not the liking of the next, however certain subjects are very popular. Perhaps one of the most popular is views of Venice. In our area of specialization one artist that stands out for his appeal is Antoine Bouvard Sr., who painted evening views of Venice that have very appealing senses of light. These works sell well since Venice is such a romantic place with international appeal.

PA: Does the gallery have any ties with museums in London?

JL: We do have very specific ties with museums in London, and do place paintings with museums. This past summer we sold a painting to the Yale Centre of Art in Newhaven, Connecticut, USA.

JL: I think the classical style, i.e. realism will always be popular because it is relatively "fashionless."

There will always be a trendy/fashionable section of the market but this tends to come and go. The 19^th and 20^th century has many fine artists who were at least taught the basic techniques of draftsmanship that seems so sadly lacking at art schools today.

PA: What criteria does Burlington Paintings use in selecting artists to exhibit?

PA: What would you say makes the art scene in London different from scenes in other European countries?

JL: I think that we have an enormous variety of art to offer in London, unparalleled in any other city in the world, from old master through the 19^th century, to very modern avant-garde.

PA: What types of people typically attend opening receptions at Burlington Paintings?

JL: Our clients include, politicians, celebrities, business people, and entrepreneurs from London.

PA: Does the gallery work in conjunction with any community events?

JL: We sometimes hold exhibitions in conjunction with a charity, and the proceeds of a catalogue or sales from the exhibition will go to the charity. Our last Larry Norton exhibition was to aid the wildlife charity Tusk Trust, and the celebrity, Rory Bremner opened the exhibition live on TV in which a painting was sold for GBP 5,500 (8,500 USD) that benefited the charity.

PA: Can the gallery be contacted via Internet to purchase artwork? Does the gallery ship internationally?