Andre Lichtenberg - Award Selection

Andre Lichtenberg's "Red Dot, from the Vertigo Series" has been selected for the 4th Annual Photography Masters Cup - International Color Award 2010. The image was selected for the Aerial professional category.

This is great news for the Vertigo series that has been successful in prestigious Awards across the Atlantic for two years consecutively.
To view the all the categories and the shortlisted images please visit: http://www.thecolorawards.com/gallery/

For further info and more Vertigo images, please visit Andre's website: http://www.photoandre.com/

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Artist of the Week - Frans Wesselman

Frans Wesselman produces paintings, etchings and stained glass work which often tell a story. People are central to his work, which is also based on the close observation of the natural world. Frans works from his studio extending over Shropshire to the hills of the Peak District.

Where did you train? What did training teach you and what do you wish it had taught you?
In Holland, as an art teacher. It taught me to draw, and a lot about theory of education, which I found very interesting. But I never really enjoyed teaching and only did it for a year.

When and where did you first want to do what you do?
When I was 17, when we were living in the South of the Netherlands.

One favourite living artist?
Ana Maria Pacheco, because she draws and creates worlds in which beings communicate with each other in strange ways.

One favourite historical artist?
Rembrandt, for his empathy with human nature.

Where do you get most of your inspiration from?

Literature, things I see, things my girl friend tells me, things that just come into my head.

What is the most interesting / fun job you have had.

Definitely what I am doing now, painting, etching and making stained glass

Do you work mostly on your own? Have you had any interesting work related collaborations?
I do work mostly on my own, but have recently got involved with an Olympics related arts project that requires collaboration with all sorts of people, from architects to carnival designers.

At age 18 who most influenced your style?
Leonard Baskin, an American wood cut artist.

How much do you bend your 'vision' to suit the marketplace - if at all?
I have “lightened up” a bit over the years.

Who would you say buys your work?
Mostly professional people, often towards or in middle age.

Where and what is your studio?
At home, which is a large Edwardian attic surrounded by tree tops and with a 40 mile view towards the Peak District.

Do you have a good work/life balance?
Yes

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Love.

If you could be doing anything else what would it be?
I’d be a baker.

If you could exhibit in any gallery in the world which would it be?
The Groeningen Museum in Bruges.

Please list any exhibitions you have had in the past 12 months.
Solo show at Twenty-Twenty, Much Wenlock.
Group shows at Bankside Gallery, London; RWA in Bristol; Gorstella Gallery, Chester; Printfest, Ulverston

Frans will be showing his work at the Brighton Art Fair in September.

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Artist of the Week - Andy Beck

Andy Beck is a contemporary portrait painter and figurative artist, specialising in paintings of figures and portrait commissions. Andy will be exhibiting his work at the Brighton Art Fair in september.

Where did you train? What did training teach you and what do you wish it had taught you?
I learned a few things regarding perspective while I was at school but as a painter I'm self taught. At school we were encouraged to do our own thing but I wish art classes had involved some formal training perhaps in anatomy and colour theory.

When and where did you first want to do what you do?
I've been interested in drawing and painting ever since I can remember, all through school I wanted to be either an architect or an artist.

One favourite living artist?
I couldn't choose a single favourite living artist. There are quite a few who's work I really admire, Alex Kanevsky is currently among them. His paintings have a very loose and casual feel while at the same time being technically very accurate.

One favourite historical artist?
Edgar Degas. A master in the depiction of movement but equally adept at capturing the subtle details of people at work or in quiet contemplation.

Where do you get most of your inspiration from?
I'm mostly interested in painting people, if a situation catches my attention or gives me an idea I'll immediately start thinking about how to turn it into a painting.

What is the most interesting / fun job you have had?
I worked in the games industry for a little while, there's a crossover in some of the technology used in games production with some of my graphic design skills. I met some funny and talented people while working there.

Do you work mostly on your own? Have you had any interesting work related collaborations?
So far I've not done any collaborative work.

At age 18 who most influenced your style?
Back then I was still probably very influenced by the ideas, if not the style of Rene Magritte - who was my favourite artist while at school.

How much do you bend your 'vision' to suit the marketplace - if at all?
I'm still at an early stage in my career but so far my work seems to appeal to quite a wide range of people, so hopefully I can just keep painting subjects that interest me and not worry about it.

Who would you say buys your work?
My work has sold to collectors in Canada, I've also had buyers from America and Hong Kong. I'd like to get more established in the UK.

Where and what is your studio?
Currently my studio is a corner of our living room, not ideal - but its got very good light and it's handy.

Do you have a good work/life balance?
I think so, I get very absorbed while I'm painting but having a break from it gives you a useful fresh perspective.

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Striving.

If you could be doing anything else what would it be?
Definitely something to do with dogs. I don't think I could face all the exams to be a vet, so maybe a Shepherd?

If you could exhibit in any gallery in the world which would it be?
The Royal Academy of Arts

Any exhibitions you have had in the past 12 months.
Paintings of Boxers at The Foragers in Hove.

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Lindsey Mann's Jewellery Book

Jeweller designer Lindsey Mann has written a beautiful book called 'Coloured Aluminium Jewellery: Design & Make'


Anodised Aluminium is a fascinating and diverse material, which can be decorated to create a wide variety of stunning effects for contemporary jewellery. This book is an informative guide to the anodising and colouring aluminium for jewellery, which will enthuse and enlighten any jewellery maker looking to inject a little colour into their work. The book contains a host of colouring techniques including dip-dyeing, direct application, printmaking techniques and the clever use of resists. The trouble-shooting chapter will help to resolve any colouring problems, and there are sections on designing specifically for anodised aluminium, fabrication and assembly, workshop health and safety and a useful list of suppliers. The generous gallery provides a source of inspiration and represents the wealth and diversity of jewellery being made using anodised aluminium in the UK and around the globe.




Lindsey says; ‘Writing this book was a wonderful opportunity to bring together the research and development that I have done over the past few years and to combine it with my love of teaching and sharing knowledge. There are countless ways to colour anodised aluminium, within this book I offer a glimpse into many processes and techniques, each of which serves as a starting point for individuals to experiment and find their own direction. ‘

'The perfect guide for anyone interested in this exciting and growing area of jewellery making.' Craftsman Magazine (May 2010)

The book is published by A & C Black Publishers Limited, London and retails at £16.99


Lindsey will be exhibiting and selling her jewellery at MADE10 in November.

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Cardigan / Modern Toss Pop Up Shop

Cardigan and Modern Toss are excited to announce the opening of their pop up shop at BRIGHTON FISHING QUARTER GALLERY on Brighton Beach from 26th August - 7th September. There will be lots of new products available including limited edition prints, new cushions, and a few Brighton inspired tattoos.

BRIGHTON FISHING QUARTER GALLERY
BRIGHTON BEACH
203 KINGS ROAD ARCHES
BRIGHTON BN1 1NB

26TH AUGUST - 7TH SEPTEMBER
12.00-7.00 EVERY DAY

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Artist of the Week - Anthea Walsh

Anthea Walsh produces original textile art works based on her direct observation drawings, translating these to other mediums such as silkscreen print and digital print combined with hand embroidery.

Where did you train? What did training teach you and what do you wish it had taught you?
I did a BA in Fine Art at Falmouth college of Art. It was a very open minded course with a strong emphasis on self motivated learning. It taught me to explore my interests and to find out what they were. I wish it had prepared me more for the reality that comes after leaving the golden bubble of college life, but then again the difficulties I experienced in the couple of years that followed are what motivated me to focus, take my art practice more seriously and also to specialise by doing an MA in Textile Design at Winchester School of Art. So there is something to be learnt from every situation.

When and where did you first want to do what you do?
It has never felt like a conscious decision, I have always been creative and just knew it was something I had to pursue.

One favourite living artist?
Somewhat unrelated to my field, but my favourite living artist is Iggy Pop. And what a life he’s had! His powerful performance, his passion, originality and most of all his music, is hugely inspiring. I also admire his struggle and perseverance over the years.

One favourite historical artist?
I have many favourite historical artists, but for the sake of choosing one I will say Max Ernst. I like the way his mind works, his inventiveness and the emblematic qualities of his art.

Where do you get most of your inspiration from?
I am always inspired by museum natural history collections. When I travel to a new city I try to visit their natural history museum. The Rothschild Zoological museum in Tring is one of my favourite in Britain, a great spot for drawing and quiet contemplation.

What is the most interesting/fun job you have had and why?
I was once asked in a bar on a small Greek island if I could paint a sign for a boat that took tourists on day trips round the nearby islands. I turned up the next day and was presented with a couple of paint brushes, gold paint and the back end of the boat! Not the easiest thing, stretching over the very edge of the quay trying to keep a steady hand whilst simultaneously inventing a suitable typeface for the infamous Barbarossa while she swayed back and forth in the sea. I was paid in shots of single malt whiskey and a free boat trip for me and my friends.


Do you work mostly on your own? Have you had any interesting work related collaborations?
I have always worked on my own but I am open to the idea of collaborating. It is something I have been considering lately.

At age 18 who most influenced your style?
Edward Burne-Jones, Henry Fuseli, PJ Harvey and Vincent Price.

How much do you bend your ‘vision’ to suit the marketplace- if at all?
I don’t. My theory is that if I carry on making the work I believe in, it will eventually find its own market.

Who would you say buys your work?
People with excellent taste?

Where and what is your studio?
I am between studios at the moment but have just started a new project in Newcastle, working with the Great North Museum natural history department in their resource centre, drawing specimens from their wonderful taxidermy collection on site.

Do you have a good work/life balance?
No, never. I like the idea of it though.

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Satisfaction.

If you could be doing anything else what would it be?
There are other things I could be doing but nothing else that I want to be doing.

If you could exhibit in any gallery in the world, which would it be?
I love the Sir John Soane’s Museum in London.



Anthea will be exhibiting at the Palace Art Fair in October and will be giving a lecture on her creative practice at The Embroiderer’s Guild in Bristol on Tuesday April 19th 2011.

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AOP Photographers Awards 2010 - Andre Lichtenberg

Three of Andre Lichtenberg's new images have been selected for the AOP Photographers Awards 2010. The "Wish Series" which was created in January 2010 during the heavy snow falls in UK, has been selected for the "Non Commissioned Environment Series". This is the second year in a row that Andre's photgraphs have been selected, after the success of the Vertigo Series in 2009.

The Awards Exhibition will run at the AOP Gallery from 20th September to 28th October 2010. Further information about the exhibition (including the various categories which will be on show and the dates of the private views) will be issued on the awards website www.the-awards.com by mid-August.

More images of Andre's worrk can be found on his website.

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Cross Street Workshops

I had a lovely day absorbed in a jewellery workshop run by Laila Smith,who apart from running the courses, also makes her own very beautiful and original jewellery.
The Cross Street Workshops are lovely and full of character, and the Real Patisserie 2 minutes away meant that I did very well for my lunch.


We all got so much done under Laila's careful guidance, and on the first ring that we made learnt about anealing the metal, sizing the ring, different methods of adding texture to the metal, shaping or forming the ring, careful soldering and polishing.
At the end of the day I had made a ring and matching earrings, I have never made 'proper' jewellery before so was amazed how 'proper' they were. The ring hasn't been off my finger since, and I don't usually wear rings.

Laila also runs a workshop where you can design and make your own wedding rings.

"Come as a couple or one partner could make a pair of rings. You also recieve a CD with photos of your workshop, just in case no-one believes you made them!"

I think this must be the most perfect way to have something so personal.

Two of Laila's beautiful brooches.


The Workshops also offer mosaic classes with Anna Tilson.

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Gillian Royal - Crafts Council Hothouse Scheme

Gillian Royal, a textile maker who creates fine felt vessels, has been awarded a place on the first Crafts Council Collective ‘Hothouse’ scheme. The programme provides emerging makers with focused, intensive business skills and creative development, complimented with 1:1 mentoring from established makers and professional coaches. The programme is aimed at emerging makers who intend for their practice to be a long term main occupation and who show promise and the ability to become successful in the crafts sector.

Gillian’s seamless felt vessels are hand crafted from luxury natural fibres, including merino wool, and are often embellished with embroidery. Smooth, fine and light weight, they are available in a range of styles, combining colour, pattern and texture, making them ideal for contemporary interiors.



Gillian won the attention of the Hothouse selection panel due to the quality of her work and the passion and commitment she showed about her practice. The panel were impressed with Gillian’s advanced manipulation of felt to create self supporting textile structures, showing a high level of control and finish with her medium.

The first ‘Hothouse’ pilot scheme is delivered by the Crafts Council in partnership with the University of Creative Arts, the Crafts Study Centre, Farnham Maltings and the New Ashgate Gallery, all based in Farnham, Surrey. During the summer and autumn of 2010, Gillian will develop her practice, with the help of the partners and mentors, and will exhibit her work at the New Ashgate Gallery from 9th - 23rd October 2010, along with nine other emerging makers selected for Hothouse.

Gillian will also be showing her work at MADE10 - Brighton's Design and Craft Fair MADE10 - from 19th - 21st November.

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Artist of the Week - Gosia Kryk

Gosia Kryk is based in London and produces oil paintings. Gosia chose oil painting as a way to express herself. Years of designer’s work have strongly influenced her idea of creation and her oil painting process aims towards a two-dimensional piece of applied art.

Gosia will be showing her work at the Palace Art Fair in October.

Where did you train? What did training teach you and what do you wish it had taught you?
I graduated from the State Art Secondary School in Naleczow and the Gdansk Academy of Fine Arts. Mainly I was trained in painting during my study. At that time I made an acquaintance with screen printing, theory of design, visual art and many more. As result I fell in love with decorative art. Maybe it sounds strange but the solid ground for painting was built from long lasting, arduous drawing practice. Both in secondary artistic school and higher school I was preoccupied with using a pencil. Obviously I have been painting a lot as well. In many ways it turned out to be beneficial for me. I believe I gained more confidence in what I am doing and what I am going to do . Imagination, the sense of the rhythm, the balance and freedom with using medium to express myself, to create something new..it is what I need the most. All because I consider myself to be a designe .
Equally important is what I want to create and the quality of my creation. In my case the idea itself has different meaning hidden in the composition and the marks. The years of study taught me what is the best way to combine both design and painting to create pieces of art as a pattern.

When and where did you first want to do what you do?
Ever since I was very young I have enjoyed painting and drawing however for the first time I decided to use painting as main, serious medium over ten years ago. It happened during my study of design in Gdansk .

One favourite living artist?

Banksy is the one favorite living artist of mine . He is a very clever guy. I like his ideas, his projects and attitude towards all aspects of life. By following his work you can not deny he is a very good observer. In some peculiar way he is both a painter and designer.

One favourite historical artist?

The historical one? …I think Tamara Lempicka. I admire her relentless attitude in order to achieve whatever she wanted. Boldness and exuberance for filling her real life and painting . Quality of her work is worth a mention as well.

Where do you get most of your inspiration from?

The inspiration comes from experience of art and life itself. If you are sensitive enough you can always find something evocative, stirring your mind, stimulating your creativity and imagination. I visit places which boost my zeal to design and paint. I think generally commune with something like museums, galleries, exhibitions and so on supply me with magic power to turn what I see and experience into something of mine.

What is the most interesting / fun job you have had?
Once a friend of mine invited me to take part in plein-air painting. I knew what it might be like but one thing took me by surprise … a batik. I enjoyed being involved in that ‘process’. It was a very interesting and beneficial experience.

Where and what is your studio?
Basically I work on my own . I’ve converted one room of my flat into my studio. There isn’t much space but it is still a nice place to be in . Usually I create a big mess during work however I like it. It is a characteristic feature of my activity. Every nook and cranny is filled with piles of sketches and drawings, tubes of paint and tools to paint with. I really do like my small humble place called studio.

How much do you bend your 'vision' to suit the marketplace - if at all?
I am not a type of ideological warrior nevertheless I do what I like to do. I mean every now and then new trends have some slight impact on my work which is actually good. I believe everybody needs some fresh air” to breath” though in the end it is all my vision. I know it is original typical style of mine taken from somewhere inside me. The demanding rules of the market press me to do my job the best as I can.. that’s all.

At age 18 who most influenced your style?
When I was eighteen I was lucky enough to be a pupil of a very special art school settled in small tranquil and really beautiful town called Naleczow which in the past was one of the favorite places of the Polish artistic society. The atmosphere was just right for my young developing mind. Surroundings and school was such a magical place to be. I was under the spell of it so much I suppose it had a big influence over my taste. I spent a big deal of time in the shelter of school’s library flicking through artistic books. Now as far as I remember I liked the work of Paul Klee and Paul Gauguin. I have got to confess I was their fervent follower.

Who would you say buys your work?
The purchase of an art masterpiece is a matter of taste or investment. If I could choose I would prefer the first option. I believe that as long as I am not a famous artist people buy my paintings just because they like them. I noticed my potential customers are the ones who look for something of good quality, different and special.

Do you have a good work/life balance?
I think I have good balance between work and personal life. I would say they intersperse each other. I spend the time on canvas as long as I need and want to. In the course of a common working day I can find enough time to care about my children, husband and home. Obviously sometimes I have a lot to do, so I spend most of the time crammed in my studio in the process. I can’t complain even though everything in my life has it’s time. I know I can cope perfectly well.

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Quest is the one word describing my work.
Insatiable is the one word describing my feelings about it.

If you could be doing anything else what would it be?
It would be photography.

If you could exhibit in any gallery in the world which would it be?
I can’t state it precisely, however I would be one which is in harmony with my style.

Please list any exhibitions you have had in the past 12 months.
The Affordable Art Fair Battersea Park - 2010 - London
• Knapp Gallery the Regent’s Park - 1st December 2009 to January 2010 London
• THE CHRISTMAS SHOW - 26th November to 24th December 2009 London
• SUMMER MADNESS SHOW - 13th August to 26th August 2009 - London
• Colomb Art Gallery –July/August 2009 - Marylebone / London

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Maker of the Week - Peter Spilsbury

Peter Spilsbury is a jewellery designer based in London. He uses beautiful natural objects, hand cast in resin to make contemporary fashionable jewellery. Peter will be exhibiting and selling his work at MADE10 in November.


One favorite living craft maker.
Ooh that’s a hard question because there are so many interesting craft makers. I recently visited the New Designers show at the Business Design Centre and was really impressed by the high standard of work. I guess that I have been a fan of the Dutch design collective 'Droog' since I discovered them when studying for my BA 3D Design at Falmouth. I aspire to their clarity, simplicity and consistent strength of concept and vision. Looking through their portfolio of work I feel that at some stage in my career, I would like to make time to design furniture. Check out some furniture design from my teenage years... http://www.peterspilsbury.blogspot.com/search/label/Furniture

What was the last art/craft/design thing you purchased?
I have recently acquired a Lloyd Loom chair but I often buy some smaller crafts items such as ceramics, textiles or prints when visiting other makers’ open studios. That's the great thing about living in London you meet so many people who are here to make and create.

At age 18 who influenced your style? Was there any individual who very much helped you on your way?
I was studying for a BTEC GNVQ Advanced & A level both in Art & Design. William Morris has always been an inspiration but of course I have never met him. I guess both William Morris' work and my own have been strongly influenced by patterns that can be seen in nature. My father, a keen furniture hobbyist, took me to Parnham House where exquisite furniture is produced. This was a big influence too.

What music are you currently listening to?
Right now I'm listening to Aphex Twin. I like a variety.

Where and what is your studio? Do you work alone? In silence, radio?
I work in a co-operative studio, a converted stables hidden away in Crystal Palace. At the moment we have furniture, ceramic, web design, painting, dress making, jewellery and signage. I started out by subletting a desk on the corner and now have a space of my own. At the beginning of 2010 I took on some extra room and spent January transforming the space. The space always seems to be growing and changing with more shelves going up or a new process introduced. I have been here at the Gipsy Hill Workshops for 3 to 4 years now.

Sometimes I have help in the studio and there is always another maker around to chat too. I have built a separate room where I go to do the making, containing my messy/ noisy stuff, so these are my headphone times.




What is your favourite (art) website?
Today I was looking at a jewellery based website named benchpeg. A useful resource for finding out about exhibitions and commission opportunities.

Surprising activity/hobby?
Cycling, tennis, friends, Guinness, cats, tattoos and Dr Who.

Do you have a good work/life balance? Are you able to switch off from art work?
I'm much better than I have been. When I started making jewellery in Cornwall I was working from home. Now that I have a studio separate from home, I find it much easier to switch off. My work/life balance varies as I think it does with all self-employed creature's. When there’s a deadline it’s all work and no play. At theses times I'm often in the studio into the early hours of the morning.

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Freedom

Do you think art and craft has any real importance?
The communication of messages heard in different ways bringing people together. Other than that a bit of fun and indulgence is very important.

Any other relevant information? Prizes won, exhibitions etc.
I recently had the pleasure of exhibiting at the Contemporary Craft Fair held in Bovey Tracey. Situated on the edge of Dartmoor, Bovey made a beautiful setting for the event. It was my first craft specific fair and a really great show for me. To those of you who I met at the fair thank you for showing an interest in my jewellery. It was a pleasure speaking to all of you.

I have been working away to create many new and exciting individual pieces of jewellery, as well as some beautiful new ranges specially for Made10 including some bespoke map men’s cufflinks. To get a taste of these cufflinks which are being created from a vintage map of Brighton follow this link:
http://www.peterspilsbury.blogspot.com/2010/05/comic-jewellery-by-peter-spilsbury.html

Making my new paper & resin jewellery has been a thoroughly enjoyable process and I think the fun and experimentation shows though in the work. My next project is going to collaborate with illustrator James Cottell.

I'm also taking on commission work, so if there is something you would like specially made or saw something that sparked your imagination from my website, I would love to make it for you.

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