Image of the Day - Kaori Tatebayashi

 

Kaori Tatebayashi

Artist of the Week - Geoff Hands

Geoff Hands produces paintings, drawings and monotypes made from studies of the coastlines of Sussex and Cornwall.

Where did you train? What did training teach you and what do you wish it had taught you?

My training as a painter essentially started on the Foundation course at Shrewsbury School of Art where I had a brilliant fine art lecturer, Tony Vetisse, who taught me the discipline to plan and prepare well for painting. On my degree course at West Surrey College of Art & Design (Farnham) we were encouraged to work with integrity and passion.

Probably all that was missing was an awareness of what we now call ‘professional practice’. This is an integral part of the Fine Art degree at Northbrook College where I teach. The students are quite amused that I did not know what a ‘CV’ was until the end of my own degree course!

Is being an artist your only job, or do you have other employment?
As I mentioned above, I teach fine art at Northbrook College although most of my teaching career has been involved with the Foundation Studies courses in Horsham (now closed) and Worthing.

One favourite living artist?

I have many favourite artists. At the moment I have been looking again at Gary Wragg’s work. He is an intuitive abstract painter who works with great integrity and is not influenced by fashion.

One favourite historical artist?

Again, like the previous question, there are so many. I am tempted to say Turner or Matisse but I am thinking about Rembrandt’s portraits as I make my current work. His paint surface and ‘touch’ is incredible. The greatest painters stand out of their historical time and stay relevant decades and centuries later.

What is the most interesting / fun job you have had?
Well, working on an ice cream van after school was a great fun! But I have great memories of working as a road sweeper in Brighton for 18 months in the early 1980s. The people I worked with were wonderful. All, in their own way, were strong and interesting characters that could survive the indignity of low pay and the public misconception that it was a lousy way to earn a living.

If you could collaborate with anyone living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?

I don’t think I could collaborate with my painting practice so I would have to go for my ultimate fantasy of jamming with Neil Young! He is an incredible guitarist – unfortunately I cannot play any instruments so it’s unlikely to happen!

At age 16 who most influenced your style?

My art teacher at school, Martyn Lewis. He taught painting and drawing by example. It would be great to meet him again one day.

Last book / film that blew your mind?
‘The Language of Landscape’ by Anne Whiston Spirn. It’s an academic book but she discuses the formation and development of human language and thought from our ancestor’s experience of the natural world through to our experiences today. Every landscape artist should read it. It’s beautifully written too.

 What music are you currently listening to?

In the studio: Steve Reich, Max Richter, Morton Feldman, Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett, Ralph Towner – plus Nick Cave, Bob Dylan and Neil Young in the car. That’s all men isn’t it! I shall have to listen to Joni Mitchell and Patti Smith to get some balance.

 How many hours do you waste on the internet each day?

My wife, Pam, would say most Saturday afternoons when I listen to the Shrewsbury Town FC commentary on the internet radio! But none at the moment as the football season has ended.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

I love Brighton too much to move away. Sometimes I imagine living in France or Italy for some good weather.

Where and what is your studio?

At the moment my studio is in my house but I am looking for an extra studio where I can use oil paint even more.

Do you have a good work/life balance?

t’s all one experience to me.

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

Frustratinglytraumaticbliss.

What would your dream commission be?

I’m not really a fan of commissions. I’ve had good ones and bad ones. I prefer to do what I want.

If you could exhibit in any gallery in the world, which would it be?

The Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens, London.

Image of the Day - Geoff Hands

 

Geoff Hands 

'Red Sea' (2012)  Acrylic on canvas 50.5 X 66 cm

The painting is based on a seascape series that were predominantly painted in blues. I decided to make some red versions from the sea images that are currently taking my painting in a more abstract direction.
 

Maker of the Week - Holly Berry

Holly Berry makes woven blankets, scarves, shawls, cushions and accessories using traditional artisan weaving practices. She will be exhibiting her work at MADE LONDON and MADE12 in Brighton.

Where did you train? What did training teach you and what do you wish it had taught you?

I trained in Fashion at Kingston, I learnt how to use colour, push boundaries and not to always do what I'm told.

Is being a designer / maker your only job, or do you have other employment?

As well as making and designing woven textiles, I am the co-founder of The CottageProject London, a micro-department store consisting of cafe, gallery and shop space. We launch in Autumn 2012 and are now running a pop up making space for the Olympics and a designer makers show room

One favourite living designer?

My boyfriend Osian Batyka-Williams, because he can build and create almost anything from a chair to our house! A dreamer and a do'er! 

One favourite historical designer?

Gunta Stolzl, a master weaver from the Bauhaus, the most perfect mix of technical know how, rule breaking and creative genius!

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

Spending a day in Belfast earlier this year talking to emerging makers about small craft businesses, we sat in a museum, chatted, shared and generally got motivated.

What is your most prized item of design / craft?
My first 3m length of weaving, it was a real turning point in my life when I switched from fashion to weaving, I fell in love.

What item of design / craft do you covet most?

I quite want a hand carved and painted skateboard.

At age 16 who most influenced your style?

Probably something very tacky so I'm not going to say. I wasn't the best teen.

Last book / film that blew your mind?
I watched 'The Boat that Rocked' with my sister last week, about the pirate radio ship, loved the music and the free vibe!

What music are you currently listening to?

The Beach Boys, Dusty Springfield, Rolling Stones. (and blaring Drum and Bass from my boyfriend's workshop)

How many hours do you waste on the internet each day?

Yesterday none, but today I've spent far too long on twitter! I try to be very strict with computer usage, it saps my brain power.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

High up on a hill in Hungary looking down to a lake surrounded in fruit trees! My creativity and imagination comes alive when I'm there.

Where and what is your studio?
Beautiful little room in our basement in New Cross Gate, South London, doors open onto the garden, just enough room for me and two looms.

Do you have a good work/life balance?

Yes I think so, I sometimes work too much, but then sometimes play too much, so I guess it's a good balance.

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

Euphoric.

Image of the Day - Charlie Crowther Smith

Charlie Crowther-Smith

Ash Coffee Table

430x800x500mm

Charlie Crowther Smith will be exhibiting at MADELONDON with Made in Bristol

Image of the Day - Catriona Faulkner

 

Catriona Faulkner
Pest unlimited
Vintage and found objects hand stitched
25x25cm

Catriona Faulkner is exhibiting at MADELONDON in October
 

Image of the Day - Clara Breen

 

Clara Breen

Paper rings, coloured paper, fine silver (999)

Clara Breen will be exhibiting at MADELONDON in October

Image of the Day - Dawn Stacey

 

Dawn Stacey, 

Night Flight, acrylic on canvas, 100cm x 100cm 

 £1,200

Image of the Day - Chris Forsey

 

Chris Forsey. Downs Slopes. 6"x4". £195

Chris Forsey will be exhibiting at Brighton Art Fair in September with ACEO Gallery

Image of the Day - Aline Johnson

 

Aline Johnson Glass Design - Frosty Snowdrop Chandelier

Kiln worked glass lighting

Aline Johnson will be exhibiting at MADELONDON - The design and Craft Fair in October.

 

FeltedFido - Needle Felted Dogs by Dee

This is Ottilie, my 3 year old black Labrador, otherwise known as Ottie. I've never really been a dog person. I always wanted one as a child, but only as most children I imagine 'think' they want a pet. In a moment of weakness, I succumbed to the pressures from my children, and by massive fortune and the help of my sister, this 8 week old puppy arrived in our lives. Three years later we are all totally besotted by her. Properly! She has become like one of the children, so strong is my affection for her. I'm cringing writing this, but there you go!

Knowing this, my fabulous bosses (who are also pretty smitten with her), gave me my own custom felted miniature Ottie.

Made by Dee of FeltedFido, Felted Ottie is regal, beautiful and perfect - just like the real thing. Dee produces custom needle felted sculptures of your favourite pet or breed of dog via her Etsy page. All you need do is provide a few photos of your pet and your mini likeness is created within a few
weeks.

My miniature even came with her own blanket and stick. Ottie loves sticks!

Image of the Day - Natalie Salisbury

 

Natalie Salisbury

Flat Lace Rings

Handpiercing and lasercutting techniques

Natalie Salisbury will be exhibiting with Quarter Studios at MADE LONDON - The Design and Craft Fair in October

Artist of the Week - Diane Rogers

Diane Rogers is based in Brighton and produces beautiful hand painted or printed silk embroidered textiles. Diane will be exhibiting at the Brighton Art Fair.

Where did you train? What did training teach you and what do you wish it had taught you?
Foundation Art at Rochdale College of Art & Design. Great fun loved it. Loughborough College of Art & Design – before it joined the University of Loughborough it was then the largest independent Art College in the country. I have fond memories of the print department, as I studied a degree in Fashion/Textiles. I wished they had taught me more of the business side to Art, which would have been very useful. I know it is taught as part of courses these days.

Is being an artist your only job, or do you have other employment?  I first started work as a fashion printed textile designer and over the years my textile artwork developed out of my design work. My textile design work has lapsed over the last few years, and I am now more a textile artist than a designer. I still do a little freelancing but I need to up my skills on Photoshop and learn to use Illustrator.
I work with a friend, Julie Angel, developing art products. We had a joint project Learn to Paint – watercolour a few years ago with Winsor & Newton, which had a little success and for which Julie won a BIFFIN Award. Now we work on our own art products, which we are proud to say are developed, designed and made in the UK. We have been unable to get any help financially and are trying to get that first big order for Young Fashion Designer, which would mean we can progress with the production of two further painting products for children. I also have a part time retail job in Brighton (small but regular, reliable income!)

Last but not least I am also wife to Brian and mother to two sons Jack and Adam (23 and 19 – still at home) so am also a cook, cleaner and bottle washer!

One favourite living artist? David Hockney. He is fellow Northerner, although from the wrong side of the Pennines.

One favourite historical artist?
Georgia O’Keefe. I like her close up images of flowers. 

What is the most interesting / fun job you have had? Developing art products with Julie Angel.  It continues to be challenging and rather a steep learning curve but we have lots of laughs, especially doing sales promotions together.

If you could collaborate with anyone living or dead, who would it be and what would you do? Not sure I would enjoy collaborating on a piece of textile art. I wouldn’t mind if someone wanted to take a finished piece and then do something else with it.

At age 16 who most influenced your style?
My father.

Last book / film that blew your mind?
Pulp Fiction. Didn’t blow my mind, but quite enjoyed reading The Descendants recently. (Better than the film)

What music are you currently listening to?
Listen to Radio 4 when working. Have also been listening to Edith Piaff, Seasick Steve and Ella Fitzgerald. 

How many hours do you waste on the Internet each day? Too many catching up with emails!

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
The Greek Islands. I have many fond, memories of beautiful beaches with crystal clear water and sunny skies - carefree holidays with my husband Brian (pre kids!)

Where and what is your studio?
It’s at the bottom of my garden. My studio/shed was originally a broken down conservatory, which had 3 breezeblock walls, concrete floor and a wooden framed glass roof and frontage, which had long since fallen in and smashed. A wooden front was added, also double, glazed doors and a polycarbonate roof. I insulated and dry lined the interior walls, laid a wooden floor and moved in! I do have to share the space however, with the lawn mower, DIY tools, paint pots and the overflow fridge freezer!

Do you have a good work/life balance?
No, there’s never enough time, or I’m too tired to do everything I want to or need to do.

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

What would your dream commission be?
An extremely lucrative one, which would create lots of interest in my work.

If you could exhibit in any gallery in the world, which would it be?
If possible, The Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice - what a private view you could have in the garden overlooking the Grand Canal!

Image of the Day - Rose Wallace

 

Rose Wallace Ceramics - 'Gone to Lunch' 

Traditional Staffordshire Glaze,  16cms high 

FLATBACK FIGURE SERIES
Recalling traditional Staffordshire mantelpiece ornaments, these
unique ceramic figures are crafted from contemporary packaging
and discarded ephemera. Quietly narrative, they capture the
minutiae of modern life. Traditional Staffordshire Glaze,  16cms high

Rose Wallace will be exhibiting at MADE12 - Brighton's Design and Craft Fair

Image of the day - Bernard Lodge

 

Bernard Lodge - TWINS. (Three colour linocut)

Bernard Lodge will be exhibiting at Brighton Art Fair in September

Image of the Day - Fergus Hare

 

Fergus Hare - Through The Ice.

Pastel and water on paper.

 "It came about at the end of a long day in the studio and just sort of happened by itself. I made it up as I went along"

Fergus Hare will be exhibiting at Brighton Art Fair in September

Image of the day - Chito Kuroda

 

Chito Kuroda

Hand thrown porcelain bottles. Shiny glaze.
Size etc; Ø 9-12cm H 10-18cm
My latest bottles "Pottery" take their inspiration from Patrick Caulfield's 1969 painting "Pottery".

Chito Kuroda will be exhibiting at MADELONDON - The Design and Craft Fair

MADE LONDON - Poster

We're working on all the printed matter for MADE LONDON - The Design and Craft Fair. Here's a preview of the poster.
Hope you like it, we wanted a focus on our magnificent venue - One Marylebone (Road) which most people in London will have at least passed on foot, by bus or in a car and might recognise when they see the poster.

Image of the Day - Frances Bloomfield

 

Frances Bloomfield

Dreambox: Trees 1
43cm x 63cm x 22cm
Box art - mixed media materials

Frances Bloomfield will be exhibiting at Brighton Art Fair in September

Image of the Day - Leonora Richardson

 

Leonora Richardson

Cylinders Cells - 2012

Size W:26cm  D:26cm  H:7cm

Hand made porcelain paper clay with gold lustre on the tips. 

At the moment exhibited at the

Summer Exhibition at Royal Academy until 12 of August 2012.

Leonora Richardson will be exhibiting at MADELONDON in October

Artist of the Week - Paul Wadsworth

Paul Wadsworth is a painter based in Cornwall and produces work inspired by his local environment and from his travels.

Where did you train? What did training teach you and what do you wish it had taught you?

I trained at Ipswich and Falmouth art college. Both taught me to be playful with my work .. also loved studying the figure.. worked on many paintings and drawings from the nude which taught me to find the creative space you need to paint. 

Is being an artist your only job, or do you have other employment?

I am only an artist which is wonderful.  Its what I earn my living from.. for me to paint and survive from what I love doing is a good place to be.

One favourite living artist?

So many artits I like but I seem to return a lot to Anthony Fry. I love his power of story telling and use of colour. He has painted a lot in India and I love the exotic. I have spent the last 13 winters painting in the Middle East which provides me with great narratives for my paintings.

One favourite historical artist?

Chagall, for his power of colour and narrative.

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

Mmm,  most fun job.. definitely not the sugar beet factory!  I worked once for a theatre company designing and creating the stage set for a Wizard of Oz production which I then took to Glastonbury Festival to use on a music stage.

If you could collaborate with anyone living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?

I would collaborate with Turner    his use of paint and emotion and my installation of colour and narrative would be fun

At age 16 who most influenced your style?

At 16 I can't say I was at the high end of fine art.. although Dali was an interest as I remember buying a poster.. other than that some poster art or album cover designs .

Last book / film that blew your mind?

I think it was called ' Faust'. I love the use of puppetry to tell a story and have been thinking of using puppets to tell the story of paintings and to bring them to life somehow.

What music are you currently listening to?

I listen to so much music but at the moment on digital radio I am listening to smooth 70,s  - mmm showing my age.

How many hours do you waste on the internet each day?

Not a huge internet user but probably 30mins approx.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

I live in Cornwall and love it. The sea is an important part of what I do. I love painting the coast, surfing, kayaking, fishing, swimming.. so I'd be lost without the coast. Also Cornwall has a great music and art community.

Where and what is your studio?

My studio is in Porthtowan on the north coast of Cornwall. It is an old barn conversion on Mount Pleasant Ecological Park.

Do you have a good work/life balance?

Painting I feel is my life. That sounds a bit corny but it is really the main thing I'm here for and do. I don't ever see it as work but as life.. so amazing to deal with this self on a daily basis .. a continual learning experience through creativity which runs parallel with growing as a person.. oh god that sounds really pretentious but I hope you know what I mean.

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

Energy.

What would your dream commission be?

Mmm a dream commission.... I did do a large one once for a bank in Dubai. It was approx eighty paintings which was fun. But I suppose if someone popped into my studio and asked for 40 large paintings telling the story of my travels in the Middle East, I wouldn't turn it down! 

If you could exhibit in any gallery in the world which would it be?

I don't know every gallery but the obvious answer I suppose would be a one man show in the Tate.. maybe next year!

Image of the Day - Eve Shepherd

 

Eve Shepherd

Cow Boy: 17x 9x 9 cm
Material: Bronze
Edition of 7

Eve Shepherd will be exhibiting at Brighton Art Fair in September

Image of the Day - Lisa Ridgers

 

Lisa Ridgers  - Calm Scape IV

40" x 40" Original acrylic on canvas
Lisa Ridgers will be exhibiting at Brighton Art Fair in September