Ever Changing London

The London Skyline is changing so rapidly at the moment I'm holding fire on painting panoramic city views until later next year when new buildings such as the Shard are completed. Today apparently the Shard passed the height level of 1 Canada Square! I'm looking forward to it's impact on the skyline alongside the Helter Skelter and other proposed buildings around Blackfriars and of course to painting them in due course.


In the meantime there are plenty of classic views to be had, I'd call them protected views as it's unlikely that certain views of St Pauls and Westminster for example will ever be allowed to change.

On my to do list are more of the Gherkin, Greenwich & Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge and the pool of London, and like to continue on my theme of 100 views of St Pauls! I may never get there but it's worth having ambition. Whilst developing my London portfolio I'll also be getting started on New York and Manhattan as there are plenty of iconic buildings and views there, possibly more so than in London, and it's one of my favourite cities. Liberty and the Chrysler Building are on my to do list for early next year.

Watch this space, as they say, for more iconic views of my favourite cities. And if you're in the banking industry send some of your bonus this way and get yourself a piece of iconic cityscape art to wow your friends & colleagues before someone else snaps it up :0)

www.simonsgallery.com

From this to this

Sometimes I'm asked to work from photographs supplied by clients or from my own photography to produce paintings of a favourite scene or subject. This is a great way to commission your own piece of art with a personal touch, perhaps of a favourite view which means something to you.

Here are a few examples to demonstrate how this has worked for clients. If you have your own view waiting to be turned into a piece of art let me know I'm always more than happy to create something special and personal to you.

View from Gabriel's Wharf ... Big bright bold popart styled painting of London. This is one of the best views of St Pauls and Blackfriars.

5th Avenue ... a view from the twin towers sadly no longer there, I still have happy memories of Manhattan and New York and they were captured through my lens and eventually onto this large canvas, now residing in Sydney, Australia.

  

Old Harry Rocks painted from one of my photographs for a client who lives on the South coast very near this view.

Alpine View ... I painted this alpine view from a photograph supplied by the client of their favourite view in the French Alps close to their chalet. They had been given some money as a wedding gift and wanted to capture some memories of a special place. It has been said that the painting is better than the original photograph, even though I say so myself I have to agree.

More of my work can be seen at my website: www.simonsgallery.com

When a Toaster just doesn't do it

Some of my most popular works have been my text paintings based simply on words  - on the theme of Love, sleep, happiness, some poetry or words that are inspirational and descriptive to a situation or place like a kitchen or bedroom.

These make fantastic wedding or anniversary gifts for those special occasions when a toaster just doesn't do it. In addition to having a deep meaning they are a sharp contemporary focal point for any living space. The above examples are from my stock texts with words from 1 Corinthians 13, a poem about love in a relationship and words which sum up the purity of true love.


I also create these paintings in a variety of colours. What you may not have considered is that these can be personalised to your favourite words of inspiration too. the examples below show how people have chosen their won words to suit their story, or have added a name and a date to make it a unique original gift.


It costs no extra to do this and I'm always happy create a unique piece to suit your narrative, theme or colour. So get writing and when you're scratching your head wondering what on earth to get for that special christening, anniversary or wedding gift, give them the gift of art with a little input from your own creative side. You will be the envy of all the other guests and let's face it, it will be more appreciated than a toaster!

Paintings are 20x20 inches and 24x24 inches in size and are made up of 49 and 100 letters respectively... enjoy yourself creating. For more art ideas visit my website: www.simonsgallery.com

Hanging out with Damien Hurst

"Camden Market" & "Portobello Road"

on display at the Saatchi Gallery

Well I was at the Saatchi Gallery, as you do, with a couple of my paintings on display next to Damien Hurst, well a portrait of him at least. I have to say my art looked pretty comfortable alongside some of the more unusual works. I may not be a recognised name in the art world, but I like that you can hang my art in any environment without having to be controversial. Lets face it, certain body parts or a 10 ft high sheet of paint stained plastic are difficult to live with in any normal home... although the paint splashed carpet in my studio is looking pretty handy for the next exhibition!

It was all for a good cause and I hope that my paintings sell and make some money for the Michael A.Z. Art Fund. If you'd like to see more art you can hang in your home take a trip t my website: www.simonsgallery.com

Apologies to the lorry driver! and have your camera handy.

"Rainbow over Glen Docherty"

Probably one of my favourite shots, Compositionally it has everything, a disappearing road, the sea, a croft, mountains, sheep, heather, and of course the rainbow. Short of a man in a kilt throwing the caber it could not get more Scottish?


Even without the rainbow it's still a pretty good image. Did I plan it.. well I confess no. I was driving along and out popped the rainbow sometimes you just get lucky, but when you do it's best to have your camera handy. Apologies to the driver of the cement lorry behind me who got the shock of his life when I screeched to a halt on this mountain road early in the morning. It's a good job he was awake.


If you like this you can always visit my website: www.simonsgallery.com