Many congratulations to Brighton artists Natalie Martin and Perdita Sinclair who have been selected against thousands to exhibit at the prestigious Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Natalie Martin first showed her work publicly only last year at the Brighton Art Fair and was delighted with her success. Her picture Detail IX, Caretaker, Brighton has been chosen for the RA Exhibition. Perdita Sinclair's selected picture is from her Sussex Landscapes Series. Perdita paints onto raw canvas and is gaining quite a reputation for her portrait work. In 2007 her work was selected for the BP Portrait Awards exhibiting in London, Newcastle and Scotland. The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition runs until 17 August, 2008. Natalie and Perdita will be exhibiting and selling their work at the Brighton Art Fair in September, 2008.
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
Monday, 9 June 2008
ARTIST OF THE WEEK - Louise Balaam
Louise Balaam
I paint intuitively, aiming to capture the feelings of being in the landscape using colour and the energy of gestural brushstrokes.
Money spent on Books is never wasted
Books can take you to amazing places and give you access to other people’s thoughts and ideas.
Favourite living artist?
David Tress – I love the way he handles paint, and the way he engages (in his current show) with the idea of the Sublime, as exemplified by artists such as Turner.
Favourite historical artist?
John Constable – particularly the oil sketches. His work has such tenderness and emotional impact – his love of the landscape really shines through.
When and where did you first want to do what you do?
I used to work with clay, and had a hankering to paint, but felt somehow that I wouldn’t be able to do it, in particular that I couldn’t handle colour. Buying my first starter oil paint set felt very daring and somehow illicit!
What place in the world has inspired you?
I love Holkham beach in Norfolk – I think the sense of space is incredible, and the fantastic open sky. The first time I went I was only there for about half an hour – the weather was terrible – did a few quick drawings and then found that the place kept appearing in my paintings.
Last best read?
Wildwood by Roger Deakin – a beautiful exploration of his feelings for trees and their place in the landscape.
Who would you say buys your work?
People who engage emotionally with it – might be men or women, but they make a connection with something in the painting which has meaning for them.
Where and what is your studio?
My current studio is at home, after my previous studio (a shared barn) was sold. It would be lovely to have more space and a floor which would take more punishment, but it does have the advantage of being warm, cosy and has all my books in it. I can also work at night, which I often do, with Radio 4 and the World Service for company. Painting is a very solitary activity for me.
Do you have a good work/life balance?
I do some teaching which I find a good balance to the isolation of painting – it’s not too stressful and stops me getting too self-indulgent!
What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
When it’s going well, it’s a different kind of consciousness, like a trance.
Felieke Van Der Leest- Amazing jeweller
I LOVE Felieke Van Der Leest!! I LOVE her work!! I would LOVE to inhabit her world!!! (or, at least own some of it).
I find her creations inspirational, funny and incredible. I will let her amazing jewellery and objects speak for themselves.
To quote her website....
Don't ask me why I do what I do...
Don't ask me how I come up with the things I come up with...
Don't ask me where it's coming from and what it means...
Because I don't know that much...
What I do know is...
That you can't get pregnant from a spermheart...
That even a sheep can get red ears...
And that some cockroaches like to dress up as an aphid or a ladybug...
http://www.feliekevanderleest.com/gallery/sieraden.php?l=e for lots more
Thursday, 5 June 2008
Street Art at Tate Modern
Took a quick visit to Tate Modern on a very grey Tuesday morning to see Street Art. This is the Tate's first commission to use the river facade of the building to show six international artists whose work is linked to the urban environment.
The works are fantastically striking viewed from the Millennium Bridge with the mouth of a gun on the south side being perfectly placed for huge impact directly opposite St Pauls on the north side.
Street Art runs until 25th August. How will they take it all down??
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Julie Arkell Part II
On Saturday we all returned for the second day of the Julie Arkell workshop to make clothes for the paper mache creatures we had created three weeks earlier. It was such an amazing treat to have a day sitting, sewing, knitting, chatting and giggling with a constant supply of tea (thank you Laila), biscuits and homemade cakes (thank you Mary). We've decided we all want many more days doing exactly that!
The inspiration came of course from Julie who provided patterns, ideas, wools, fabric and a calm head when cries of 'help!' rang around.
Above is the beautiful Beatrice Brocade made by Julie in 1997. Below is Sally made at the workshop.
Look our for Julie's workshops as they really are wonderful. She has some coming up at Marlborough College in the summer and possibly some with Loop in the autumn.
Private View at Castor and Pollux this Friday
Castor and Pollux open two shows this weekend. Consider yourselves invited!
This Friday!
The launch party for our new exhibition
by the very talented Mr Joe McLaren
6-9pm on the beachfront (the weather forecast is fine).
A dozen small but perfect stencil paintings, plus limited edition prints, inspired by the polish picture books
from deep in your childhood.
Also starting on Friday for one week only...
If you can't see the pictures in this email click here
to view it on the web
Castor & Pollux is on the beach, halfway between the piers
Opposite the bottom of Middle St
165 King's Road Arches, Lower Prom, Brighton
Tel: 01273 773776
See the website for directions www.castorandpollux.co.uk
and for Art is Proof press information, www.artisproof.com
Monday, 2 June 2008
See the Curwen Studio at the Cambridgeshire Art Fair 6th-8th June 2008
If, like me, you love prints and printmaking, then there is an opportunity to see the Curwen Studio and an Art Fair, all in one place. From the 6th - 8th June 2008 the Cambridgeshire Art Fair will be taking place at Chilford Hall, Linton near Cambridge. Chilford Hall is also home to the famous Curwen Studio. The Curwen Studio will be exhibiting at the Fair, alongside 46 other exhibitors.
You can even create you own original print...............On Saturday and Sunday the Curwen Studio will be offering people the opportunity to create their own original mono-prints for just £15 (approx time 20 minutes).
and make a visit the Curwen Studio................The Curwen Studio itself will be open to visitors on Saturday and Sunday, to find out more about how original prints are made. The team of printmakers will be on-hand to show you round and explain the lithographic processes. They will also be showing their own work alongside more prints from the collection.
Chilford Hall is providing refreshments and the shop will also be open selling the wine made on site (tasting available). The surrounding grounds are open, with plenty of space for children to run around. If you have not visited the Curwen Studio then this is an excellent weekend to do so, and enjoy the Art Fair at the same time.
Details at: www.artcambs.com and at www.thecurwenstudio.co.uk
