Creative Process

Quite often I'll use a smaller work as a study to a larger canvas to ensure the technique or colours will work. Here I wanted use a stenciled technique to create the impression of a grid behind the splash art style, whilst also introducing a colour to the tonal work. The effect is a lovely combination piece perfect for a modern interior design.

Having established that all the tones and styles worked I then created this larger work using the same combination.

I loved the black and the red on it's own so much I created a larger painting just using those colours. Now thisreally is a strong image. Red and black work so well together and this large work will certainly make a statement.

Just a little insight as to how the creative process works sometimes. All of these works and many more can be seen on my website where you'll find art available direct from the artist... that's me :0)

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The Art Process

Quite often I'll use a smaller work as a study to a larger piece to ensure the technique or colours will work.

In the first study I needed to make sure that I placed the colours on the in the right order before committing myself to a large canvas. In the second I replaced the white with ivory to see the effect. There wasn't much in it but in the end I settled on Ivory for the larger work as it was just a little warmer.

The technique looks random and and easy to achieve, however these take quite a bit of planning to create a balance across the whole piece built up over several layers, and you need a lot of space in your studio to work around the horizontal canvas. but it's a lot of fun and highly expressive too.

Painted in black ivory and grey tones the completed piece is based on a continuing theme representing the constant battle against being placed in a convenient box by society. You're a teacher, a banker, you earn this much and buy those things. We are all constantly being categorised for convenience by big data and others when in actual fact we are all individual and unique and should celebrate this.

simonsgallery.com

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Creative Process

I never really know when I wake up in the morning (early!) what I'm going to paint, unless I'm working on a commission or creating work for an exhibition. In the few steps it takes me to get in the studio my mind is usually made up, on ocassion I'll have a coffee and wait for inspiration but mostly I am clear.

This is a reasonably haphazard process but it means that when I start to paint I'm painting what I really want to which is much more enjoyable and this process gives me total freedom to be creative.

It also explains why i paint so many different thems in a number of styles. here are 6 of my recent works just to prove the point.

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Autumn Colours in Art

I love autumn, the crisp morning, leaves crunching underfoot. I love the low angle of the light in the morning and especially I love the colours. As you would expect I reflect this in some of my paintings, the colours bring a rich vibrancy to any interior space.

Autumn is a theme that is very popular, people love the colours and the warmth they bring to their interior. Whether it's a large painting or just a small piece of art, the tonal quality of autumn really can become an exceptional focal point in your home.

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Latest London Painting

My latest painting of the London landscape is of the Millennium Bridge from Carter Lane Gardens looking down Peter's Hill towards the Tate Modern. This bridge, yes the wobbly one, has quickly become a modern icon in the London landscape and connects the North with the Southbank near St Paul's cathedral.

Painted in grey monochrome tones, using a tonal popart style, creates a striking piece of urban cityscape art, a small piece of London for your interior design. Perfect your London apartment or if you just love this great city.

I have included here the original photographic image from which I worked to create this piece. I always carry a camera around London it's much easier than lugging a canvas and easel around!

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Free Expression

After spending much of my time in August painting images of London in my photorealistic style it's refreshing to be breaking out into the splash art style once again.

I love painting London and it's one of my major themes, but it is very labour intensive. The results are spectacular clearly demonstrating the impressive buildings of our capital city and they create a powerful presence in any interior design.

I now feel an urge to break free... at least for a short while it's time to move to the opposite end of the style spectrum and create some abstract works base on my splash art style. A complete change allowing for free expression in shape form and colour. It's great to be literally throwing paint at a canvas rather than concentrating on the detail.

 

This style of work looks very random and easy, however in order to gain a tonal balance across the whole painting it is actually quite difficult. The effect is built up from several layers of colour painted at varying stages of drying over a number of days. It is still a very free and loose technique however and a complete change to be able to express myself in such an abstract way.

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London Paintings

A continuing theme in my art is painting the landscape and cityscape of London. The iconic buildings and landmarks make a great subject of this wonderful city. Here are some of my recently completed works for those of you who love this city in which we work and play.

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London Art Commission

The View from Tower Bridge

40x30 inches London Commission

I was asked to create this London painting, the view from Tower Bridge including the London Assembly Building. My client had worked there for some time and was retiring and wanted a memory of an important element in her life.

A trip to London to take some photo images and working from these this was the resulting finished work a large painting with a real wow factor. Needless to say she was absolutely stunned, and very happy.

Commissioning a piece of art from me is very simple, all you have to do is let get in touch and we'll discuss your ideas about size colour style and theme. After that I'll create something stunningly beautiful and personal to you with a real Wow factor which will stay with you for the rest of your life.

simonsgallery.com

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The Creative Dilemma... and an artist's solution

Now I'm usually pretty good and do eventually get round to finishing paintings that I've started, there is however a constant dilemma. Whilst I'm working on a painting, some of which take weeks I'm constantly thinking of my next idea., and in that amount of time you can come up with a lot of ideas!

The problem is you just can't turn your brain off!

As this creativity ferments and formulates into a finished design, in my head at least, my impatient side just wants to stop the work I'm on and get going on the next. Mostly I can control this urge, it is very frustrating for a creative person to hold back on those passionate thoughts which make you excited to be creating new things.

Currently I have a painting of the OXO Tower in London underway, seen here on the left. I'm looking forward to finishing it but it may be some weeks as I have already started my next London painting, an image of commuters crossing London Bridge with Tower Bridge & HMS Belfast in the background.

I just couldn't resist making a start on it. Just as I'm beginning this, one of those inspiring moments has come along and forced it's way into my brain again, an idea I've been thinking about for some time. An image of some bikes stacked in one of those beautiful corners of London under an archway in Butler's Wharf with Tower Bridge in the background.

I will, resist.... I must resist the temptation to start another until at least one of these is finished, I have to say however that If I don't I'll end up with some absolutely fantastic unfinished works and broke.

There is an alternative solution of course. If someone out there wants to commit to buying one of these works, I'll be happy to finish that one first for you... I'm looking forward to your offers!!     :0)

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Art for Grandad

Some of my paintings are very personal for example these abstracts are for my Grandad, no longer with us but still inspiring me despite his passing many years ago.

He worked as a miner all his life, always cheerful and always very hardworking. He used to come home from the pit black with coal dust and his white eyes and smile were a joy to see.

Every morning before he left to descend into the depths of the earth I used to watch him light a fire in the hearth to keep the family warm and to provide hot water. He never complained, he just cheerfully went about his tasks.

Grandad's Embers

Anthracite

These two abstracts reflect some of this, the orange is for the hearth and fire he lit to keep us warm, the greys and black are for the coal he used to dig, and the white is for his bright shining cheerful eyes.

simonsgallery.com

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