I am pleased to announce that my drawing ‘Waiting’ has been selected for the RBSA Drawing Prize. This piece depicts a misty scene at Cannock Chase in Staffordshire. Although I have produced quite a few pieces of work of the area, I feel that this one is perhaps my favourite drawing of the series. It captures a very quiet and dream like state which I really like.
The exhibition starts 5th September and runs until the 15th October. The RBSA Gallery is in Birmingham within St Pauls Square. Do pop down and take a look.
New work and Exhibitions
I’ve just completed a new drawing called ‘Milvale Street’. which is based on some derelict buildings I discovered whilst urban exploring in Middleport. For this one I used a new set of graphitint pencils which I have never tried before. I like the muted colours and the way I can build up textures and washes quite quickly. It’s a medium I think I will used again.
I also have an ink drawing and acrylic painting planned which will feature buildings from the same area. There are a few factories near the canal which have become abandoned but you can see traces of the past when the ceramics industry was thriving.
I have two ink drawings selected for the forthcoming Society of Graphic Fine Art Annual Exhibition which runs from the 17th to the 21st May at the Mall Galleries in London. My pieces include ‘The Igloo’ and ‘Whiskey 13’ which are both based on buildings from RAF Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire.
SGFA
I have just been accepted as an Associate Member of the Society of Graphic Fine Art. (SGFA). This is a great opportunity to meet new artists and it will also mean more opportunities to exhibit my work. Drawing is a big part of my practice and so it’s good to be involved with an organisation who focus on that.
I have had drawings in the last two SGFA Open Exhibitions and look forward to working with them on a more regular basis. Take a look at their website to find out more.
Happy New Year
Nobody needs reminding how difficult 2020 has been. We’ve all found it challenging and have coped in different ways. For me, I have largely shut off the news, spent more time in nature and focused on my art.
Despite all the disruption I have had several very positive moments throughout the year. I won first prize in the RBSA Open Art Competition, had work included in the Broadway Open, the Three Counties Open and the RBSA Prize exhibition. I held an online exhibition with Jemma Gunning and went urban exploring with her to find new subject matter for a third show.
In the Autumn I started working with Bullclough Art School, delivering ink pen and painting workshops. All being well, I will be running several more workshops there next year.
My drawing mostly focused on ink pens this year and I have produced some of my favourite work in this medium. Near the end of the year I started working in oil paints again for the first time in over twenty years and found it enjoyable.
My art classes will resume at the venues as soon as we are able to return. In the meantime I will be teaching online at the start of the year. New students are welcome to join.
Life is never completely bad or good - there’s always a mixture of the two. Challenges will come to us all and we just need to make the most of what we have. I feel next year we will see a gradual transition into a more ‘normal year’ as the vaccines roll out across the UK and I will continue to make more art. I am never bored!
Into the Light
I’ve just completed a small ink pen drawing which will be heading to the Menier Gallery next month and will be part of a charity sale in aid of the Artist General Benevolant Institution. The drawing is called ‘Into the Light’ and is the size of a postcard.
My drawing, ‘Waiting’, will also be heading to The Menier Gallery as part of the Draw 19 Open Exhibition run by the Society of Graphic Fine Art. This is my first time exhibiting with the organisation and i’m really looking forward to seeing the show.
RWA Open Exhibition and Birmingham Art Circle
I was very pleased to find out this week that two of my drawings, ‘The Hidden Tree’ and ‘Opening’ have been selected for the 167 Annual Open Exhibition at the RWA Gallery in Bristol. The show runs from the 29th September to the 1st December. I’m looking forward to seeing the show.
I have four pieces of work in the new Birmingham Art Circle exhibition at The RBSA Gallery in Birmingham. The show runs from the 23rd September until the 5th October. This features my ‘Aonach Mor’ paintings, ‘Renewal’ (painting) and ‘Entrance’ (ink drawing).
My watercolour, ‘Frozen Earth’, features in the new exhibition at The Guildhall Gallery in Stafford which runs until the end of the year.
Society of Graphic Fine Art Open Exhibition - Draw 19
I am really pleased to announce that I have been selected to exhibit in the Open Exhibition for the Society of Graphic Fine Art, Draw 19. I created a drawing specifically for this exhibition and took inspiration from a unplanned photoshoot that I did earlier this year on Cannock Chase. My selected drawing, ‘Waiting’, is based on a similar area to my watercolour, ‘Frozen Earth’ and captures a very quiet and frosty scene in the forest. I’m looking forward to seeing the show in London and meeting the other artists.
Three Counties Open Art 2019
I am pleased to announce my ink drawing, ‘Fragments’, has been selected to appear in the Three Counties Open Art 2019. This piece depicts the remains of a World War 2 pillbox found on a beach in Northumberland near Ashington. This large concrete structure cuts a strange silhouette on the landscape and pieces of it can be found strewn across the beach. From a holiday makers point of view it’s an eyesore but on the other hand it’s a fascinating glimpse into history. A number of names have been drawn on the concrete mixing recent history with old. The exhibition runs from the 27th July until the 26th August at The Burslem School of Art.
I am currently preparing for my exhibition with Jemma Gunning which starts in September. The show is also called Fragments which relates to the themes running through both our work (we’re both fascinated by dereliction and abandonment). Whilst selecting work for the show I decided to revisit my painting of RAF Seighford as I had felt for some time that it needed some extra work. The changes I have made are subtle but noticeable and it is now a stronger piece.
I am currently organising giclee prints for some of my work. These will be available from myself and selected galleries. More information on this soon.
Open Exhibitions
I recently found out that I have had work accepted into two Open Exhibitions.
Firstly, my paintings ‘The Shack’ and ‘XA’ have been accepted in the annual Open All Media Exhibition at the RBSA Gallery in Birmingham. It’s been a while since I entered this show and so I’m looking forward to attending the private view to see the other work and meet the artists.
Secondly my paintings ‘Clearcut’ and ‘Clearcut II’ and my ink drawing ‘Entrance’ have all been accepted into the Open Exhibition at Brampton Museum and Art Gallery. This show has become more popular since the closure of the Shire Hall Gallery and now that the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery no longer run an open competition.
It’s always a pleasure to get into these competitions and it’s impossible to know whether you’ll be successful beforehand. I’m planning on trying the RBA one next.
New Year, New Art
After a relatively quiet December i will be back to my busy creative life working on a number of different projects. Firstly i have an ongoing sketchbook project sharing drawings and ideas with Jo Walton and Karen Wicks which aims to capture the atmosphere of quiet spaces. This may result in an exhibition or further collaborations.
I also have a number of Open Exhibitions that i intend to enter. I did well last year getting work in the New English Art Club (London), RWA Bristol and the Three Counties show in Stoke-on-Trent.
I am also building up a new collection of work based on abandonment and dereliction which will combine both urban and natural landscapes in different media. I’m currently working a lot in ink which i’m enjoying. This work will result in an exhibition with Jemma Gunning, a Bristol based artist and urban explorer.
I will also be busy with my art classes and workshops, details of which are on this website. Lots to do!
RWA Open Exhibition - Success!
I have just found out that my recent painting, ‘XA II’ has made it through the final round of the RWA Open Exhibition. This is the first time I have exhibited there and in fact anywhere in Bristol so it’s nice to be branching out. I’m really pleased with the painting and am looking forward to seeing the other work and meeting the artists.
The RWA Open runs from the 7th October to the 25th November 2018.
I am currently finishing off my current commission and will then be working towards my show next year.
Exhibitions and New Work
My Aonach Mor paintings are now on show in the latest exhibition at the new Guildhall Pop Up Art Gallery in Stafford. The gallery show Staffordshire based artists and craftspeople and it's well worth a visit.
My recent "Signing Off" painting is currently part of the Autumn Exhibition at Reuben Colley Fine Art. This is a mixed show featuring some of the artists represented by the gallery. Again, very much worth a visit.
I am currently working on another urban landscape which is developing nicely.
Christmas Exhibition
Some of my work will appear in this years Christmas exhibition at Reuben Colley Fine Art in Birmingham. This will include my two recent paintings of Aonach Mor. The exhibition also features work by other artists represented by the gallery and it will no doubt be a good show. It runs from the 5th December to the 7th January.
Coast
To coincide with the summer time the Shire Hall Gallery in Stafford are holding an exhibition entitled "Coast" which features work by various artists who have responded to the theme. My Whitesands paintings are included and are nicely situated on the first wall as you walk into the space. The exhibition runs until early September.
I am currently finishing off my painting of the New Navigation Inn and will soon be taking a trip to Scotland where i will find fresh inspiration for a new body of work. The plan at the moment is to respond to the mountains.
My art classes with Stafford College are taking a break at the moment and will resume mid September. The art class at Gainsborough Artworks will relocate to Haughton Village Hall as of the 7th September. Details for all classes can be found in the teaching area of the website.
Woodland
The Woodland exhibition is now on at Reuben Colley Fine Art gallery in Birmingham. It features my drawings and paintings of Cannock Chase. I am very happy with how the show looks and am delighted that a few pieces have sold quite quickly - the response has been very positive. This work has been a pleasure to make and it taps into my love of nature and connection to the forest which i have visited all my life.
The exhibition also features work by Reuben Colley who has produced drawings and paintings of Sutton Park and a few pieces by Mark Godwin and Mircea Teleaga.
I am currently working on a commission off the back of the exhibition as well as finishing off a painting of a Birmingham pub.
I'm planning on a trip to Scotland later this year to gain inspiration for a new body of work. Possibly mountains......