Not Handsome Enough To Tempt Me

Not Handsome Enough to Tempt Me captures a defining early moment inspired by Pride and Prejudice. Here, Elizabeth Bennet sits composed and thoughtful, having just overheard the remark that would become one of the story’s most memorable slights. Rather than appearing wounded, she carries herself with quiet defiance, a hint of amusement in the knowledge that she is not easily impressed.

Surrounded by flowers, patterned ceramics, and soft daylight from the window behind her, Elizabeth remains entirely at ease in her own company. The calm domestic setting contrasts gently with the social tension of the moment, reflecting her independence of spirit and her refusal to measure herself by another’s opinion.

Painted with rich colours and warm interior light, the scene celebrates Elizabeth’s wit, dignity, and resilience. Not Handsome Enough to Tempt Me captures the beginning of a famously complicated relationship with Fitzwilliam Darcy, a moment when pride meets pride, and Elizabeth Bennet chooses confidence over offense.

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Jacquie Hughes is an up and coming artist based in Perth, Western Australia. A self-taught painter, she began painting in 2015 and started honing her craft to focus on subjects such as people, animals and landscapes in 2019. Previously, her works mainly consisted of charcoal abstracts and drawings, but she has since moved on to working primarily with colourful and contemplative acrylics on canvas. By viewing her work you are stepping into the world she has created inside her head, filled with carefully selected hues inspired by nature and imaginary landscapes; and with creatures of exaggerated sizes expertly placed to draw in the viewers’ attention. Her brush strokes flow smoothly over every piece with care and grace, bringing to life every scene as if the viewer was transported there themselves in a dream.

Jacquie’s use of acrylics is relaxed and alluring. She expertly weaves in both the real and the whimsical to present a delightful spectacle in each piece. Be enchanted away to a fairy-tale land with her tranquil and soothing designs, perfect for any setting to relax and reflect on the captivating fantasies the mind can generate. Her illustrative expertise tells a story of its own, weaving together familiar scenes of the world around us while incorporating unique and memorable mythical imagery. “My work encapsulates the breath-taking characteristics you would imagine in a marvellous realm of fantasy and dreams. The mind is a fascinating place where you can envision endless possibilities. I found the perfect way to capture my thoughts and imaginations by brushing them out on canvas for the world to see,” she states, in regards to her artistry. She transmits her own feelings right onto each piece itself, breathing a personality into it that each onlooker may interpret in their own way.

Jacquie partly uses her own home for inspiration, where she resides with her husband and two children. Although equipped with a beautiful garden and her own personal space to create each canvas, she still allows her imagination and the universe inside her mind to take over in the creative process. Her artwork has been sold in Europe, America and all over Australia. It’s possible to take home a stunning original piece by Jacquie Hughes, either through the Bluethumb online gallery or the yearly markets in Perth Western Australia.

Featured Artist on Bluethumb
Selected by Bluethumb curators for originality and quality