Monday, 1 April 2013

Understanding Drip Art





The renowned artist Jackson Pollock was the creator of this style, and I can't help but feel his influence when using this technique.

When creating these pieces I try to look passively and receive what the painting has to offer as it develops and not to bring a subject matter or preconceived idea of what I'm trying to achieve. It can look haphazard and random, however to achieve a balance across the whole painting with many layers is actually quite difficult. Manipulating the paint in the direction you wish the painting to go is actually quite challenging, sometimes the painting wins, more often than not it's a draw. A combination of where the painting leads and where I managed to influence it.

These paintings don't not come from the easel. I prefer to lay the canvas horizontal, on the floor, this way I can walk around it, working from all four sides. This enables me to create a balanced work being able to apply paint from all directions. I use hardened brushes, pouring techniques and syringes to apply the paint with a fluidity which wouldn't be possible using a conventional upright surface and tools. Each layer is also applied at varying stages of drying to further add complexity to the process.

I hope you enjoy them, they're great fun to create and can bring a huge impact to a room.





Monday, 18 March 2013

Art to make you smile

I guess it's okay to like your own paintings, sometimes I create art that just makes me smile. It's all in the title and these abstract still life paintings have a real sense of fun to them. Cheese and wine... well to be honest mostly wine :0) A perfect addition to your art collection they will look fantastic in a kitchen or dining room.


we're going to need bigger glasses!

5 bottles 2 glasses no problem!

2 bottles each that should do it!




Friday, 22 February 2013

Now where are my walking boots!





I just can't help myself loving these landscape paintings, some more abstract than others. I like the way the sky dominates in big spaces. That time of day when the landscape is just emerging at dawn, features are barely distinct. It reminds me of many happy memories of walking in the highlands and moorlands, those lonely places full of atmosphere, peaceful and quiet when there is no other person to be seen.

I must get my walking boots out once again, the hills are calling!




Wednesday, 6 February 2013

Art Like Wine no longer the sole preserve of the establishment

Wine is a recurring theme in my art and it occurred to me that there are a few similarities between the art and wine.

Wine used to be the sole preserve of the establishment, 25-30 years ago you would not have had wine on the table in an average home, and probably wouldn't have been able to buy it in a local store.

The same is true of art, it was something that average people had no access to or were allowed access to. When I first started to create paintings I was determined to make my art accessible to everyone, and avoid the old stuffy art galleries and usual routes to selling my paintings. These were frankly were far too precious snobbish and protective about their little world and largely still are.

That's why I set up my website, when everybody was still saying that nobody would ever buy off the Internet, I knew they were wrong and look at it now. You can now buy great pieces of art at prices that are accessible without the fear of walking into an art gallery and being treated like some 2nd class citizen who obviously shouldn't be there.

Art and wine are now affordable and fully accessible for everyone to enjoy, thank goodness. Everyone can now buy beautiful paintings at an affordable price, and view them while enjoying a glass of the good stuff.

I'm pretty sure that wine proof that God loves us & wants us to be happy! I'm also sure he'd want us to do that in a nice environment surrounded by beautiful art.



 

Wednesday, 30 January 2013

3 Ways to Identify an Artist

When I first started painting, not knowing any better, I purchased my paint in small 50ml tubes, and had virtually every hue available to me. I soon realised that a more limited pallet produced less garish paintings, and that buying paint in a larger sized 2.5 litre bucket was far more cost effective and convenient.

I've also noticed something else too. A pathological reluctance to ever throw away a paint brush. I must now have over 350 in various stages of use, and although some of them are only good for stirring paint I just can't bring myself to throwing them away.

Finally, I now have a lot of clothes covered in paint! probably more with paint on than without. Common sense tells me to always change into some old clothes when painting, but if the creative muse comes along all that just goes straight out of the window. If you exhibit any or all of the above attributes, it's just possible that you're an artist!








Sunday, 13 January 2013

How to sell a painting twice!


I showed my latest work to a Wine Merchant Friend " Drinking Wine with Friends" who loved it and decided to buy it for his shop. I now find that I have now sold it again within hours to a second buyer and this time it's on it's way to a restaurant in California.

How did I achieve this?

Almost immediately after it was put up a couple saw it and were so taken by it they decided that they just had to buy it for a restaurant in the USA.

He sent them over to me and we negotiated a price and it's now on it's way over to California. This was only possible through the kindness of the original buyer who allowed me to sell it to them in the full knowledge that I would provide him with another similar painting in the same style and colours. With more customers like that I could double my sales!

It's only fair I should mention his wine business so thanks Jez at Wine and the Vine in Radlett. www.wineandthevine.co.uk he sells great wine by the way and apparently he's now an art dealer too!

See more of my work or buy a painting twice at:



Sunday, 6 January 2013

Dispelling the Myth that Art is Expensive

Original art doesn't have to be expensive. So far this Year I've managed a painting a day. These are smaller works in my affordable art section. I am working on some larger paintings at the moment too but these take a little longer. Here are 6 of my more affordable works completed in the last week and available for £25.00, a great way to add to or to start your art collection. They also make fantastic gifts for someone special.




My website contains all my current and newest work as it's completed and I'm always updating it with new works and images. By covering a wide range of price points I try to make buying original art accessible to all.



Wednesday, 26 December 2012

Real art Direct from the Artist


With more and more things in our lives becoming mass-produced, it is becoming harder to find truly unique objects to which we have a personal connection. Original art provides you the opportunity not only to express your own unique tastes and styles, but also share that with friends and family who have the opportunity to see the art you choose to hang in your home.

Many people believe that owning original art is beyond their reach, this just isn't true. I try to make my art as affordable as possible and I cover a wide range of price points with my art from small gifts to larger works. Buying original art direct from the artist means there is no additional gallery commissions to pay unlike other online or high street galleries who may charge up to 50% extra. In my affordable art gallery you'll find over 200 works for less than £150. This is art at artist prices.

 
All of my art is finished to an extremely high standard, I put a lot of effort into finishing my pieces of art so they are ready to hang in your home. These are pieces that will look great and last. It's convenient too... from the comfort of your own home you can browse a huge range of styles to find and buy the right work for you in a matter of minutes. Trying to do this by visiting galleries or art fairs could take days and even then you still might not find just the right work.

If you're looking for something individual to fit into your lifestyle and space, I'm more than happy to help you achieve this... I often complete pieces to fit individual needs in terms of colour, style or size. Commissioning a piece of art from me is just a matter of giving me a call to discuss your needs and ideas, I'll help you through the process or creating a piece of art unique to you and your living space.
 

The WOW factor... original art achieves what mass produced art just can't do, when a friend walks into your home your art is a reflection on you... It's unlikely you'll achieve that wow factor and individuality with a mass produced print from the High Street. When you buy an original work you are expressing your individuality.



 

Monday, 3 December 2012

Everything London.... well almost


I recently completed a London Skyline Cityscape painting for a commission delivered to Zurich, Switzerland. To say there is a lot of London in it is an understatement! The landmarks and buildings of the London cityscape are fairly well covered in this piece.














"London Skyline" acrylic on canvas 60x24 inches

Nat West Tower - Big Ben & Westminster - The Gherkin - Heron Tower - Eros - London Eye - Greenwich Observatory - London Bus - London Black Cab - Post Box - Telephone Box - Thames Barge - A Rower - St Paul's Cathedral - The Shard - Westminster Abbey - London Assembly Building - Battersea Power Station - Tower Bridge - The Millennium Dome - Guys Hospital - Tower Bridge - Canary Wharf - The Tower of London - GPO Tower - Nelson's Column - The OXO Building

I was really pleased with the results, some paintings work better than others and the composition and colours tones in this worked really well. It took a long time to complete but was worth every hour spent on it.... and the client's reaction.... "Over the Moon" was the phrase used which is even more pleasing.



Sunday, 25 November 2012

When it's Raining

When it's raining and the dark nights set in in the northern hemisphere I like to paint bright colourful things. It's been raining a lot recently and these seemed to do the trick :0)





Bright splashes of textured colour in these abstract cityscape paintings. Clearly light and fun pieces of art to brighten these dark winter days.