"ROYAL ACADEMY" The Artist Who Refused To Quit

[@dewisch]

Congratulations with your mother! A moving film, a tribute and a reminder of what art in essence is all about.

[@Connellphotos]

I love her! Her paintings are wonderful and deserve more recognition!! She’s actually to good for the academy.

[@duncanhewitt6557]

Very true

[@tanyord3936]

I think the same.Have you noticed the ugly things they are exhibiting?

[@LollyVanmanlolly]

YOU ARE A WORK OF ART absolutely beautiful THANK YOU

[@carolinependleton8445]

What a fabulous determined lady,i love the way she never gives up and i really hope she succeeds...

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Thank you. If you get a chance, watch ‘Brushstroke’ the follow-up film I made about her and her paintings.

[@jilldavis3727]

What a beautiful memory of your very talented mum

[@joycemorrell1293]

You dont need art school to be a successful artist. Self taught art is original and often groundbreaking. This woman does beautiful work. I hope the community values her art and saves it. As time goes on it will increase and increase in value.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Totally agree about art school. I said the same to my art tutors - that only self taught artists are truly original artists.

[@dianabeaudoin3393]

R​@@TonyCane-Honeysett An artist who was told she had no talent in art school is Chris Roberts -Antieau. She has two galleries now in New Orleans and Santa Fe. She followed her own path. Check her out.

[@cristianlyon1497]

What an inspirational lady. Love her work, portraying a west London that is disappearing

[@gerryclarke9795]

A beautiful homage to your Mum' loved her dogged determination and her talent!

[@annmacnoe2434]

I love this lady and her art 💞

[@paulaharshbarger4125]

Beautiful work dear dear lady thank you for sharing this ❤️

[@drjohn5407]

Absolutely bloody BRILLIANT... Well done. PS i love her paintings, im going to find and purchase one 😊

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Thank you!

[@drjohn5407]

Just perused the net... can't find any originals for sale... any suggestions? PS my close relative was an established RA exhibitor, so I totally understand her frustrations...

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

She rarely sold any originals as she wanted us three kids to have them. Giclée prints are available of some of her paintings at www.marycanehoneysett.com and they really are beautiful.

[@drjohn5407]

@TonyCane-Honeysett thank you, I just purchased a couple...

[@cynthiastrawson3316]

What an inspiration this woman is! No gimmicks, no hooks just beautifully honest paintings, recording buildings which are vanishing rapidly. Wonderful production. Wish you good health and good luck for the future. Your paintings will endure.

[@rachelreadingart]

What a lovely sparkly human being, so enjoyed this film 🥰

[@triconcert]

Very enjoyable. I hope Mary keeps painting. I think her pieces have historical and artistic value. And I must say the verdict on that 2003 exhibition in the newspapers was spot on: all very drab and disappointing choices for the academy. Mary strive on!

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Thank you for your kind words. Sadly, she’s no longer with us but she would have loved to hear this.

[@artistclareohagan]

@@TonyCane-Honeysettsorry for your loss. You’ve done a great job documenting both your mother’s passion and zest and historic Fulham. All the best to you

[@changeshifter4852]

​@@TonyCane-Honeysett I am so sorry for your loss. I hope her paintings help you feel close to her. Thank you for introducing me to your lovely mum!

[@AmazingJane137]

Any chance of organising a retrospective exhibition of all her work.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

@@AmazingJane137 I've spent the past 2 years trying to do exactly that. It's proving to be very difficult, sadly.

[@joanmacdowell4457]

I adore your mum! True grit!….this brings back the 1st time I watched this, touched me with her determination and talent.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Hi Joan, yes she truly was!

[@mariaquintana1436]

What a wonderful film! I love Mary's paintings, they are full of life, so beautifully rendered.

[@JoyFahey]

What a wonderful story, thanks so much. I think you're an amazing artist Mary! Don't let anyone tell you differently! I used to live in Fulham and it was lovely to see some of the old buildings. I'm also an artist with the same challenge with my left eye, so I completely understand the unusual way we see things! But Mary you're truly inspirational! 😄🎨🖌️❤️

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Yes, she certainly was an inspiration to many and it seems she still is!

[@jennit58]

Amazing lady. So loved this video

[@AmazingJane137]

Marvellous paintings and marvellous film

[@stevencowdell5201]

Her line accuracy is very skilful.some of the best artists in the world are self taught.And a lot started at art colleges left due to being influenced down a one horse track.

[@cindyoverall8139]

Oh, I wish so much that I knew your mum. She was the real deal. Her paintings are gems.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

I think your sentiment rings true for many. So glad I made these films about her and her paintings.

[@mangelwurzel476]

I do feel an affinity with Mary, having been thwarted in my ambition to go to art school (although for very different reasons). She inspires me to keep going, despite all setbacks and advancing years. It really is never too late to make beautiful art.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Very well said!

[@michaellakey3565]

No artist however talented gets past the art glass ceiling Without connections, gained through nepotism ( family or usually Oxbridge old school tie friends ) or serious wealth ( usually inherited) or pushing a beautiful young body to the right older established people, if you know what I mean. Talent is of course vital but as in the case here, its a pretty unequivocal *forget it* when it comes to trying to exhibit with the RA club of 'professional varnishers ' ( Oscar Wilde ). The producers might have thought to mention the above very real caveats in this vid. 😊

[@mangelwurzel476]

David Hockney? Obvious, unmistakable talent on display from the off and utter determination to push on. Not sure any glass ceiling would have been toughened enough to contain him! I agree that of the rest, those with connections will certainly win over those without. Mary (despite her RASE ambitions) essentially did it for the love of it, as do I, in which case glass ceilings are gloriously, gloriously irrelevant.

[@BeaRobertsArtist]

Oh God - I love her. She's got such a great personality, and so talented. She's just the sort of person I would seek out to be a mate.

[@peterredman235]

Lovely painting, lovely person, super outlook on both life and some of the 'so called art that win recognition!!Enjoy your painting is all that matters!

[@hanah2306]

Great film, fantastic original artist.

[@JamesChappell-b6e]

Personally i find Mary's paintings outstanding and beautifully capturing london architecture..

[@paustinheaton]

Every time I watch "Royal Academy," I see additional things that make me love it more. Wishing you a very successful 2025.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

That’s great! Cheers!

[@janeday9148]

Wow, what am incredible artist this woman is & super filming

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@mztgood]

Great documentary! Love this artist too. Great work!

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@heavenoclock]

loved your film, what a wonderful story so glad your Mum's not stopping cos she's brilliant 2025 is gona be glorious😎

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Thank you. If you get a chance, watch ‘Brushstroke’ the follow-up film I made about her and her paintings.

[@zamanidaud9141]

She is so energetic ..love her character..

[@FlowerWater999]

She is documenting history with her outstanding paintings and determined character💙

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Absolutely!

[@Ztandard32]

Thank you. I really enjoyed your joint creativity. Such a lovely film.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Thank you very much!

[@charlesvanhorn1560]

I think youi must be an artist to appreciate the feelings Mary has about the contemporary art scene. I , like Mary, am a realist watercolor artist and have gone through the same feelings as Mary when I am rejected. When one has the passion for art making, nothing will stop you from pursuing your art and improving your skills. God Bless you Mary.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Very true!

[@juliewhiteley2211]

Wow just wow your art firstly made me smile and then amazed at the details brilliant ❤❤❤❤

[@stephsemilla1044]

i love your painting!

[@seanfaherty]

Nice, I have been making art in various media in a wide range of skill levels my whole life. At 54 I figured out how to paint the way I've always wanted. (mostly) This lady is an inspiration

[@sajahf]

well made. so funny at the end ' I hate it but I'm not going to name conceptual painters, I'm not going to name them ' LIKE WHO? ' Damien Hirst'. I enjoyed your film

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

She was never a woman to mince her words!

[@gerryclarke9795]

@@TonyCane-Honeysett She's right!

[@jselliot7958]

I thoroughly enjoyed this film and have watched it twice already! Thank you, Tony, for introducing the wonderful Mary Cane-Honeysett to the world - what a talent! I look forward to watching more of your films.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Delighted you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching.

[@no2h]

What a wonderful woman, great mum too. Loved her comments about the RA. She gets an A from me and hopefully she was a Fulham supporter too - perfect life. Excellent video I was transfixed…..

[@ebattershill445]

Wow, your mum is amazing as is your film .what a fantastic determination and what an amazing talent. I was blown away by the detail and your mum's right bricks are beautiful as are her paintings of them.i love that someone is putting them down in a permanent memory. Thank you for making the film too your mum is a down to earth delight.❤

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Thank you so much.

[@Shoshana-xh6hc]

Lovely paintings 💜 lovely lady. The film seems older than 22 years, like a completely different era: London looked glorious.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

I made the film in 2002/3. Yes, London has changed considerably since then.

[@KarinDressler]

Thank you for this gem! Now I am really motivated to keep trying...

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Thank you!

[@trudiatherton7112]

Loved your film, Mary was a true British Gem, stiff upper lip and soldier on. As a fellow artist I think many of us go to exhibitions and wonder whats going on/ where is the skill/ whats it all about ? I loved Marys paintings and wonder if she exhibits them elsewhere, they are so sellable, old bygone buildings are her passion and your mums work is to be celebrated and seen. Im sure she will keep going and some day the RA may catch up.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Thank you. You might want to watch ‘Brushstroke’ which is the follow-up film I made about my mum. Also, you can purchase Giclée prints of her paintings here: marycanehoneysett.com/purchase-prints

[@pameladonnellan6532]

Your mother is a beautiful painter, she is authentically herself which is her first piece of art and her talent is real. She makes gorgeous paintings about England and her village, there is an anthropological aspect to the Work. A study if you will about the people of her place. I was touched by the story of the florist and the grumpy gentleman in the antique store both these men have deep stories that have created who they are and what they are attached to. This is what Art is It tells stories about who we are and where we’ve come from, your mother is a storyteller and she has an exquisite tool in her brush and paint which she does immaculately, please pass on her that I deeply appreciated her and I hope she sits for a moment and really absorbs deep appreciation that I see and that others can see, well done you for your documentary of love and appreciation you have for her.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Thank you. That was very well said and an accurate observation. Sadly though she is no longer with us.

[@charlottegalletbroussard4305]

I LOVE your mom. ❤ As a fellow aspiring female artist I can relate to her.😊 And since my mom passed away about two months ago, I feel I might be able to relate to you as well. 🤗 I’m grateful that you posted this video. 😁.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Thank you. I’m so sorry about your mum. It's very tough on the heart.

[@victoriarose3349]

Loved this. You and your mum have made my day. Thankyou :)

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Glad you found us!

[@allthatrouble]

I find her art to be beautiful. So glad you filmed her and shared your mum. ❤

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Thanks, I’m very proud of her.

[@allthatrouble]

@TonyCane-Honeysett I totally get that. She is one of those hidden gems that persevered in spite of everything. And her art was so worth that kind of try. Please tell her that I hope to live up to that... one step at a time. And maybe one day I will be able to acquire one of her paintings. They really touched me. I love old buildings, too. They have charm and style that comes through the years and human experiences they've housed. Thank you again. Cheers to your mother... and you.

[@adrianwilson327]

Good for you Mary ! One day 😊

[@julie8035]

I also love painting bricks, along with stones and wood.

[@ZadenZane]

13:07 I don't stretch my own canvas (yet) but I do prime my own with half a dozen (or more) coats of gesso using various brushes, dough scrapers and squeegees until they're smooth as paper. That makes all the difference! I have done that since the very beginning not to be "arty" but because the first ever stretched canvas I bought was so under-primed the paint looked patchy!

[@AR-mu4zq]

I can't help but think her going through war and seeing houses come down, would help her appreciation of them and each brick seen as precious.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

That’s a very good point! Yes, I agree.

[@Onmeheadson1]

Fab film fab lady, My Mum lived in Fulham back in the day .I will get her to watch this. Also an amateur artist herself. Great job

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@marlenebaska5774]

Cheers from across the pond!🥃

[@raesalmon]

Fantastic Mary - a true artist. Her paintings are so much better than much of the dross shown at the exhibition.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

I totally agree!

[@margaretmaguire3329]

Definitely realism very good 👍😀🌺

[@nancyfairbrother8410]

Mary is an amazing person and a talented artist. Representational art went out of fashion decades ago among the so-called important critics and artists, but that doesn't mean it is inferior to other styles. As an artist myself, I learned that the style of art is not important. What matters is the structure and composition of the piece whether it's representational or not. Unfortunately, there is a lot of snobbery in the art world, and abstract art and the like have reached fad status. Mary knows what she's doing. Her composition is strong, her color sense is right on, and her work has deep feeling that draws you into it. I love her determination to pursue her passion no matter what. You go, Mary!

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

You nailed it!

[@megcrust7327]

Great film in several ways, a personal story and engaging as it illustrates your Mums determination, memories, the changing world, and what is accepted as good art. I think it was unkind to have her painting style called naive, glad she ignored that.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Thanks. Yes, that always irked her.

[@irenenorrisrobling2766]

This was a wonderful sensitive movie. I identified with her so much albeit I am only 68 I lost my eyesight in my right eye and it has been incredibly difficult to get the consistency back in my paintings. The grid idea helped her so I’m going to try it. I love painting and this was so inspiring for me to continue to find answers to the questions of what needs to change to help me keep on going and painting too. Thank you so very much. I felt like this was made for me. God bless

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Thank you, Irene. I think you’ll find the grid system will work well for you. Others with similar visual impairments as you (and me) have commented that they’ve found this technique extremely beneficial.

[@irenenorrisrobling2766]

@ thank you again

[@RedArtistx]

I think open exhibitions are mostly a money-making rip-off. You pay a fee per painting which you don't get back, even if they choose you, and you have no way of knowing if they ever even see your work. Also, although the exhibition is attended by many people, cramming in people's work like that is really not a good way to show someone's art. Many of them will be placed too high or too low for people to really see and appreciate them.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Very true.

[@suemason6194]

What a wonderful film about a talented, resourceful and persistent lady. I do admire her skill at frame making too. Isn't there a show of the paintings that didn't get in to the Summer Show - and don't some of the Ds find a place there?😮

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Thank you. I made the film back in 2003 so there may well be a show 'D' selections nowadays. I've always thought there should be!

[@juliewhiteley2211]

So cross some of the works chosen were not a patch on your works...ie..canvas painted blue and masking tape removed shocked the effort in yours just wonderful xx

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

I know. It’s infuriating isn’t it?!

[@suec6521]

Mary is in good company, Manet was also refused entry to the French Academy, partly for painting 'low life' (ordinary people) and for his impressionist style. Mary's style is realist. Her paintings are a delight. She beats Lowry hands down but of course he was a man :-)

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Love that!

[@margaretmaguire3329]

Yes a lot of rubbish accepted same in Oz love your work 👍😀🌺

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Yes, there’s a lot of rubbish masquerading as art.

[@gerardgannon6026]

Has your Mom ever held her own exhibition? My Dad showed his work over several days in our Towns library. She's wonderful.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

No, sadly she has never had a one-woman show. I’m trying to find a venue to permanently house her collection somewhere in London but it’s proving to be rather difficult!

[@silverflagon]

Be happy that your mum hasn't my temper, I gave my son a real dressing dow when he insisted on lecturing me on how I live. I am the same age has her and also female and paint when I can get over my block. I also have to cope with only one eye which makes things fun when I see the painting slanting to one side if I am not careful. I like to concentrate on when I am working on so interupting me makes me jump so now on he leaves me olone when he sees that I am busy, removing that green streak from across my pastel painting was not a fun process :p But thank you for this film your mum is amazing, sorry the word I really wanted to use will not come to me right now but don't forget to tell her how muych you do love her and give her the freedom she needs.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Oh she had a real temper all right! I adored her and miss her everyday.

[@Yourenotreal7]

“Now I wouldn’t use it if it were rubbish, would I.” 🤣🤣🤣

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

She put me in my place!

[@stevencowdell5201]

Framing with a miter saw isn’t real the way it’s done . They are normally cut with a guilotene.But roughly about £15 hundred to buy second hand.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

My mum never had that kind of money. She could barely afford that old miter saw!

[@mytinplaterailway]

Well the paintings are excellent - arguably too good for the RA Show.

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Totally agree.

[@mn7669]

Mary needs to shake things up a bit. Be daring, be afraid, be angry and get all of that on canvas. The view from your window needs to reflect deeper issues other than signs, bricks and mortar. She has the need, the time and the talent to make ART, not just a painting. C'mon Mary, you can do this!

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

If you get the chance, watch the follow-up film I made called 'Brushstroke'.

[@mn7669]

@@TonyCane-Honeysett I sure will! Thank you

[@chrislee-anneminturn5111]

This beautiful soul was such a talented artist. Her eye for detail and process, so exact. Her wit and humour fantastic. Pity no one realised it in her lifetime.

[@davidstevensasidewayslook8831]

Great video very interesting, however, if you Mum is 74 (as she said at the beginning) she was born in 1950 and could not have hid under the stairs with her brother during the blitz, is she 84? Further, she said she was 21 in 1949 when her husband bought her a box of artists paints, so that would make her 95 today! I think your Mum has got a bit mixed up as Mums do!! hehe....

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

She was born in 1928. That film was made in 2002.

[@diaryofacartoonist3928]

She draws better with one eye than those pompous twits and weirdos can with two good ones.

[@Yourenotreal7]

That music with horns though…😖

[@Yourenotreal7]

The royal academy accepts a bunch of crap glued together but rejects beautifully rendered old buildings?😳😖

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Yes, I know, the Royal Academy can be very confusing.

[@stevencowdell5201]

The art world is corrupted. Many great painter is overlooked for very poor works under the guise of it’s in the eye.

[@Agoodcause4U]

Such a gorgeous capture Tony ! Mary paints an adorable and stimulating genre. Historic - aesthetic - sentimental - poetic and so so beautiful !

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

Thank you so much.

[@Yourenotreal7]

Your choice of music to play in the background is nauseating at best🤔🫨

[@Yourenotreal7]

Yes I do mute it, but I don’t want to miss any talking🙄

[@TonyCane-Honeysett]

That was my mum’s favorite music which is why I used it. Sorry you didn’t like it!