Being an artist

Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself

There’s two sides of me (as far as art goes).
I generally tend to produce realistic, almost photographic, paintings and drawings. I suppose this is the scientist in me – an eye for detail, almost to the point of being perfectionist. I’m never really happy with any painting or drawing I’ve done, as I can always find fault or an area that needs tweaking.
On the other side, I sometimes produce more abstract or free-flowing paintings (often with a natural theme). I suppose more emotionally involved. I’m not so fussy or exacting with any of these!
I’m also a photographer who paints and draws and an illustrator who takes photographs.

How and when did you start out as an artist?

As long as I can remember… I’ve always been intersted in nature, science and history. As a child I used to draw a lot, trying to capture as realistically the natural world around me.

What training did you have?

None really… self-taught so far as painting goes. I have held quite a few illustrator jobs (specialising in archaeological illustration). I started out in archaeology 30 odd years ago – my first job was as an archaeological draughtsperson. I did a few technical drawings the night before the interview… they were ok, but a bit ‘cold’. So, I included some Seagull drawings I’d done a week or so before… I got the job on the back of those Seagulls.

What has been your best creative achievement so far?

If pushed, I’d have to say my first proper commission and sale (a Christmas present for someone). To be honest though, I don’t think I’ve managed it yet

General Questions

What’s your favourite quote?

‘Non fatuum huc persecutus ignem’ – It is no will-o’-the-wisp that I have followed here

Who is your favourite artist?

Akseli Gallen-Kallela

What are you aiming for?

A croft in the Scottish Highlands, with my wife, three cats, two dogs and chickens. Living a simple and comfortable life being an artist / photographer, my wife making woolly knits and sipping single malt whisky.

How will you get there?

Do the day job, sell a few paintings, give up day job, sell more paintings

Is anything holding you back?

Thinking I’m not good enough and Bills

You and art

From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?

Depends… if I’m really into the subject (or the reason behind the painting) then a matter of days. The otter took two days start to finish.

What is next in the pipeline for you? Any new directions or shows coming up?

A couple of commissions (including a painting of a wild boar piglet). Then I’d like to try more black-and-white paintings / pen and ink. My ‘dark phase’ approaches!

Being inspired by art

What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?

My copy, or rather reworking, of a pen and ink drawing of a squashed crow (I did change it quite a lot so as not to infringe any copyright). Very different to what I do normally… people seemed to really like it. I should do more of them apparently.

Featured websites

Our current featured website belongs to interior accessories designer and maker Lettie Belle. Her site is well considered, fun and informative, and we particularly love the woodland collection!

Earlier this month we featured printmaker Carmen Gracie RE. Her website covers her extensive career, dating back to the 60s when she studied at the Slade school of Fine Art. Fantastic work!

Featured art work

This beautiful mixed media charcoal and ink drawing by Jo Lee caught our attention:

We reminisced over snowier times in this winter wonderland by Susie Parry:

This amazing photo by Fred Sorsdal captures the aurora borealis in Norway:

Featured event

Event: Tulipmania
Dates: 1st Feb – 14th April 2013
Cost: Free entry to gallery
Where: The 78 Derngate – Charles Rennie Mackintosh House & Galleries, Northampton, NN1 1UH
Details: Tulipmania: A solo exhibition of recent work by Northampton Professional & International Selling Artist and MA Fine Art graduate of The University of Northampton Angela Stanbridge. Friday 1st February – Sunday 21st April, 2013.

Tuesday -Sunday, 10.00am-17.00pm (Closed Mondays).

Tulipmania is an exhibition of recent work by Northamptonshire professional artists and MA in Fine Art graduate from the University of Northampton. This exhibition demonstrate Angela’s obsession with the endless variety of patterns and shapes plus the intense colours of tulips. For Angela “Nature is ever changing; there is beauty to behold in every step. Each of us has the choice of simply seeing a tulip or something much more. I love to take tulips and enhance their drama, which can allow you to view them in a completely different way”. Angela is a botanical artist who adds a modern & abstract twist to her work that draws you to look at tulips in a new light. She has recently had work selected for the Society of Botanical Artists Annual Exhibition in London, plus has been part of the joint exhibition ‘Tidelines & Tulips’ at The Rugby Art Gallery & Museum.

Website: http://www.angelastanbridge.co.uk

ArtWeb Submissions

Event: Tulipmania
Dates: 1st Feb – 14th April 2013
Cost: Free entry to gallery
Where: The 78 Derngate – Charles Rennie Mackintosh House & Galleries, Northampton, NN1 1UH
Details: Tulipmania: A solo exhibition of recent work by Northampton Professional & International Selling Artist and MA Fine Art graduate of The University of Northampton Angela Stanbridge. Friday 1st February – Sunday 21st April, 2013.

Tuesday -Sunday, 10.00am-17.00pm (Closed Mondays).

Tulipmania is an exhibition of recent work by Northamptonshire professional artists and MA in Fine Art graduate from the University of Northampton. This exhibition demonstrate Angela’s obsession with the endless variety of patterns and shapes plus the intense colours of tulips. For Angela “Nature is ever changing; there is beauty to behold in every step. Each of us has the choice of simply seeing a tulip or something much more. I love to take tulips and enhance their drama, which can allow you to view them in a completely different way”. Angela is a botanical artist who adds a modern & abstract twist to her work that draws you to look at tulips in a new light. She has recently had work selected for the Society of Botanical Artists Annual Exhibition in London, plus has been part of the joint exhibition ‘Tidelines & Tulips’ at The Rugby Art Gallery & Museum.

Website: http://www.angelastanbridge.co.uk

Event: Parallax Art Fair
Dates: 22nd – 23rd February 2013
Cost: Free. Open to the Public
Where: Chelsea Old Town HallKing’s Road, Kensington and Chelsea, London, SW3 5EE, Great Britain
Details: Open to the Public on Friday 22nd February 11am – 6pm and Saturday 23rd 11am – 5pm. Private view 7pm – 9pm Thursday 21st February Where David Axtell will be exhibiting a small range of paintings (examples: www.DavidAxtell.artweb.com)
Website: http://www.barlowfinedrawings.com/parallaxaf.html

Event: Art exhibition
Dates: 4 feb 2013
Where: Sacred heart seminary, rumuibekwe port harcourt opposite shell gate aba road, port harcourt, 234, nigeria
Details: There are many works to be confirmed
Website: http://brightnwankwo.artweb.com/

Event: Celebrate
Cost: Free
Dates: 03/02/13 – 24/03/13
Where: Nest Gallery, Newgate Street, Barnard Castle, DL12 8NG
Details: Showcasing work from local, national and international artists, in photography, fine and contemporary art, textiles, ceramics, wood turning and glass.
Website: www.barnardcastlenest.co.uk

Other exhibitions happening in February

Event: Light Show

Cost: £7.50-£11

Dates: 30 January – 28 April 2013

Where: Hayward Gallery

Details: Light Show explores the experiential and phenomenal aspects of light by bringing together sculptures and installations that use light to sculpt and shape space in different ways. The exhibition showcases artworks created from the 1960s to the present day, including immersive environments, free-standing light sculptures and projections. Light Show features works by 22 artists including David Batchelor, Jim Campbell, Carlos Cruz-Diez, Bill Culbert, Olafur Eliasson, Fischli and Weiss, Dan Flavin, Ceal Floyer, Nancy Holt, Jenny Holzer, Ann Veronica Janssens, Brigitte Kowanz, Anthony McCall, François Morellet, Iván Navarro, Philippe Parreno, Katie Paterson, Conrad Shawcross, James Turrell, Leo Villareal, Doug Wheeler and Cerith Wyn Evans. The exhibition is curated by Dr Cliff Lauson, Hayward Gallery Curator.

Website: http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/venues/hayward-gallery/exhibitions

Event: The Albert Project
Cost: Free
Dates: Until July 2013
Where: 1-5 Albert Road, London NW6 5DT

Details: THE ALBERT is a pop-up venue for experimental projects and community well-being. The site of the former British Legion on Albert Road in South Kilburn is currently being transformed by a team of architects, carpenters, artists and local construction trainees into a new pop-up venue for arts and community well-being. A new external ballcourt and green space will be opened to the public in January. In December a diverse range of artists, cooks, performers, dancers, choreographers and the unexpected moved into the Albert Centre to work and provide a new exciting programme of activities, workshops and events to the general public. For a limited amount of time THE ALBERT will bring together a range of playful projects that people can take part in – projects that test you physically and creatively. The local neighbourhood and the general public are invited to THE ALBERT to embark on experiments, enjoy the pop-up café and restaurant, join the cycle training, try out something new: sing in a choir, perform as a dancer, grow vegetables, and learn to cook or get physical! There will be lots of interesting spaces and activities to explore including a community food growing project, a public kitchen, exhibitions, and a food market.

Website: http://www.thealbert.org.uk/index.html

 

 

Event: Francis Alÿs: Reel Unreel
Cost: Free
Dates: Until 09.02.13
Where: David Zwirner, 525 W 19th St., New York, NY 10011

Details: This exhibition presents new paintings and the U.S debut of the 20-minute film, REEL-UNREEL. The artist was recently part of documenta 13 in Kassel, Germany and subject of a major survey at the Museum of Modern Art and PS 1 in New York, which began at Wiels in Brussels and then traveled to Tate Modern, where it was called the museum’s “finest show to date by a living artist” by Richard Dorment of The Telegraph.

Website: http://www.davidzwirner.com/exhibition/francis-alys-ny-2013/

 

Event: We used to talk about love
Cost: Free
Dates: Until 21.04.13
Where: Art Gallery of New South Wales, Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Details: Is it possible to surmise the mystery of love or to reveal the emotions it engenders? From Polly Borland’s playfully dressed-up bodies, replete with sexual suggestion, to Tim Silver’s disintegrating sculpture of a stargazing young man, this exhibition considers the variegated terrain of love’s language – joy, elation, longing, loss, melancholia and memory. For the first time since they were opened in 1988, the now-named Franco and Amina Belgiorno-Nettis and Family Contemporary Galleries at the Art Gallery of NSW will be architecturally reconsidered, in collaboration with Jan van Schaik of Minifie van Schaik Architects. This more intimate viewing experience will take visitors on a spatial and emotional journey through love’s language, from beginning to end.

Website: http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/we-used-to-talk-about-love/

 

Image: ‘Another Happy Customer’ by Bayswater Road Sunday Art Exhibition

How can testimonials from buyers help with future sales?

People who buy art online are like any other kind of customer – they want to trust where they are buying from. They want to be sure of the quality of the work, and that the seller is genuine. One thing to remember is that online, people will find it hard to gain an idea of what you’re about – unless you have all the information and proof they need. Things like having a profile image and writing a biography can really help, but all of these things backed up by actual reviews from previous buyers could make all the difference.

Another reason: the power of persuasion – knowing that other people like a certain artist’s work will inevitably make people more intrigued, and more likely to want to see for themselves!

How?

The best way to do this is to include quotes from buyers, galleries you’ve worked with, people who have attended your workshops, or peers you’ve collaborated with, that demonstrate your professionalism and the quality of your work. Follow up any sales with a thank you email, which includes a request to quote them on your site. Try to be selective, and choose quotes that are unique and specific to your work. Avoid cliches or things aren’t relevant  (Oh and try not to quote your Mum/Brother/Grandma, unless they are a curator at the Tate!)

Additionally, if you’ve had anything in the press such as online articles, magazines or publications, include links or scan in the articles. These are great for building a professional and established image, and proving you have the experience and talent to get noticed.

Finally, here are some examples of artists who include quotes and press history on their websites to great advantage:

Diane Rogers – sold work and comments

Ulrika Jarl  - press section

Julia Rigby – Testimonials

Do you use customer testimonials on your website? If so have you noticed an increase in sales since doing so? Leave a comment with your thoughts!

Featured website

The Beach Hut Gallery are our most recent featured website. Based in Cumbria, they feature a diverse collection of artists and makers, and are currently showing wood engravings, linocuts and paintings by Beverley White in ‘Ending and Beginning’.

Earlier in the month we featured the website of painter and teacher Jenny Holland. We loved her watercolours of lodges in Langdale Valley,  Cumbria, and her art classes sound wonderful!

Featured art work

January getting you down? This painting by Leyla Murr will soon sort you out! ‘Inner Balance’:

Continuing the sunny theme with ‘Chatting in the sun’ by Graham Berry:

We were taken with these lovely Green Tea cups by  Doreen Spears:

… and loved the use of colour in ‘Lurraga Land Wars’ by Tim Bradford:

Featured spotlight interview

Camilla Brendon is a multi-media artist, to whom travel and exploration are important factors in her creativity. We talked about her inspirations and career highlights in our most recent Spotlight interview…

Featured event

Event: Cork Street Open Winter Exhibition
Dates: 18th-25th january 2013
Cost: Free entry
Where: The Gallery in Cork Street, 28 cork Street, London
Details: The Cork Street Open Exhibition takes place in the Gallery on Cork Street and provides an opportunity for both emerging and established artists from around the world to compete for an invitation to have their work shown in Mayfair and the heart of London’s art dealing centre while supporting a selected charity.
Website: http://www.corkstreetopenexhibition.com/

Being an artist

Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself

I am a London based painter, printer, installer and collage artist. I explore themes of culture, geography, faith and existence. My work has an emphasis on strong, vibrant colour and powerful, bold shape. I love experimenting with new ideas and materials. My website documents my development over the last decade: www.camillabrendon.com

When did you decide to pursue art as a career?

I have always been an artist. My family is very creative. I grew up surrounded by sewing, cooking, music and gardening. Starting to draw and paint came naturally to me.

What training did you have?

I did a National Diploma in Fine Art at home in Kent, then went on to do BA in Fine Art at Kingston University.

What has been the high point of your career so far?

Experiencing different cultures and places is key to my artistic practice. Bearing this in mind I would have to say a couple of things stand out. In 2007 I was awarded the Stanley Picker travel grant this was as a result of my proposed trip to South Korea. I use the grant to research how Contemporary Korean art was being affected by the globalisation of the art market. I used what I found out during the trip to produce several series of work, including ‘The Lotus Series” and to write my BA dissertation.

The second thing was in September 2013 I was selected to take part in the And’Art residency held in Casablanca. During the residency international and Moroccan artists worked together to exchange cultural ideas and professional practice. The residency allowed me to work in new surroundings and focus on different subject matter, outside my normal life with the pressures of juggling a full schedule in London. I also experimented with media I had not used before, making my first stop-animation.

The residency culminated in an exhibition where I showed individual work and installation work with Mariell Hehir.

Coming away from And’Art I entered a new phase of work producing the ‘Memories of Casablanca’ works.

General Questions

Who is your favourite artist?

I don’t really have a favourite artist but Cy Twombly and Frida Kahlo are both inspirational and amazing artists.

What are you aiming for?

I am aiming to make art that reflects on my experiences of life and travel in a way that encourages people to explore and question their own culture and surroundings. I plan to do this through my fine art practice and by running a hostel galley with an artist residency program.

How will you get there?

I’m on the way. The next step is to begin 34South|61North a project that will see me travel from Chile to Alaska collaborating with artists and showing work physically and online as I progress. The project is explained here.

I am currently looking for people who are interested in taking part. The concept and requirements are explained at the link above. The success of this work will be determined by audience participation, so even if you can’t participate publicity is really important, so pass on the philosophy, basically you can help me to get to my goal!

Is anything holding you back?

No, I’m flying to Chile in February.

You and art

What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?

I get a variety of reactions. My paintings and collage work are normally the most popular. I have been shocked by extreme negative and positive reactions in the past. As I get more experienced reactions don’t surprise me so much. Art is subjective so you have to expect anything!

I recently did a performative installation piece “Sakura Instal’ at The Shag 5.  To do this I created hundreds of cherry blossom cut using old newspaper. I installed the work over the duration of the event interacting with the audience as I went. The result was a transformation of the three story house come studio space. Then I answered the audiences question and they seemed to have connected with the idea or changing an environment with something fragile to change how a place is perceived even if only for a few moments. I was really taken back by how popular the work was and am really looking forward to pursuing this work as I travel for 34South|61North.

From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?

It depends. When I begin physically making the art its normally a matter of hours. Having said that the idea sage of the work can take years. I write poetry to begin and take photos. I also have some themes that are continuous through my practice. I have been using symbolic images of cherry blossom, since I lived in Japan three years ago.

What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?

During 34South|61North I am going to continue to show work in the UK and attend group crits via skype that I normally physically attend. I am also planning to help UK based artists show work in The Americas. If you are interested in a cross continent work dialogue and exchange get in touch with me, to do this use my Facebook project page 34South|61North or email me camillabrendon@gmail.com

Being inspired by art

What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?

As an artist I am constantly considering my environment and how it compares to different places.

What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?

The Spectrum series was made over summer 2012. This work captured ideas that I had been considering for a couple of years. The resulting work marked my transition into more collage work. The whole seires is here, or have a look at Spectrum Gold on my HOME page of  ArtWeb.

an artist’s advice

Have you got any advice for those starting out as an artist?

My advice is to stay true to what you want to do. Don’t make things that you think people want to see. If you persevere and do what you really believe in it should pay off.

See more of Camilla’s work at http://camillabrendon.artweb.com/ or http://www.camillabrendon.com/, and remember to visit her upcoming project page: 34South|61North

Being an artist

Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself

Im a single mum living and working as a contemporary artist in County Durham. I graduated form Sunderland University in 2011 having achieved a first class honours degree in Fine art. I have exhibited in several galleries throughout the North East including the NGCA in Sunderland as part of their New Talent programme.

When did you decide to pursue art as a career?

I have been creative all my life and art has aways been a huge part of both my working and personal life. Having found myself in several roles as an art tutor within special education I made the decision to go to university in 2008 in order to pursue my dream to be a full time artist.

What training did you have?

I had trained to work within education as a learning support assistant. My last post was as an art tutor delivering the Art GCSE programme to students aged 14-16 who were permanently excluded from mainstream education.

What has been the high point of your career so far?

Every day is a high point! I am doing what I love. Money, fame and acclaim are irrelevant to me as an artist. But if Saatchi is reading this I’m always open to persuauion!

General Questions

What’s your favourite quote?

‘Better to fail at something you love, than to succeed at something you hate’. Not sure of the author but I say it to myself everday.

Who is your favourite artist?

That is impossible to answer. All art inspires and astounds me. But Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, Claes Oldenbburg and Doris Salcedo rate very highly in my opinion.

What are you aiming for?

Perfection.

How will you get there?

Pure determination.

Is anything holding you back?

Only my own doubts.

You and art

What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?

My art is intended to stimulate a personal response from the viewer. However it is not my intention to try to determine a particular response. I consider any response to my work as a sucess, whether mind blowing to nonchalant.

From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?

That depends on the particular piece I am working on, whether it is greatly detailed or if I am developing a new idea. Size can have a bearing on time scales but I find that other things like new materials, can affect progress to a greater extent.

What music do you like to listen to when you work?

Most of the time I prefer to work in complete silence. But I have noticed that when I am working on particularly large works or tackling repetitive techniques I often turn to music, sometimes singing as I work. My taste in music is as diverse as my taste in art so anything from Bon jovi to Frank Sinnatra goes.

What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?

Expect the unexpected!

Being inspired by art

Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?

All artists living or dead are inspirational to me. If you appreciate all art and artists, irrespective of genre, style or notoriety, the subconscious creative mind has no limits.

What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?

All art relates to the basic concept of ‘being’. It is simply ‘being’ that inspires.

What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?

Requien Aeternam Donna Eis is my favourite work so far. It represents the point at which I could say with confidence ‘I am an Artist’.

an artist’s advice

For those thinking about turning a passion for art into a career, could you give any advice?

If you are a true artist you don’t need any any advice. Just do it!

Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?

Follow all avenues and knock on all doors and if doors remain closed or you find yourself at a dead end, just take a step back and find another way.

Featured website

Erika Luukas

You might remember Erika’s great spotlight interview last month (if not, read it here!). We loved Erika’s enthusiasm and obvious passion for her art, and thought her website was well worth a mention. Although fairly new to ArtWeb, Erika’s site is well-laid out, clear, and has plenty of information on her artwork and herself as an artist.

Featured art work

We were immediately struck by the beauty of Kevin Pearson’s night sky photography – it was hard to choose a favourite!

Kate Clews uses a number of techniques and processes to create her kaleidoscopic images. The delicate nature of ‘Diamond Trees’ is really beautiful, reminiscent of crisp winter mornings:

This painterly digital artwork, ‘Bernadette’, by Stephen Molyneaux caught our eye…

And this watercolour of an art deco cinema by T.J Oliver brightened up an otherwise grey day!

Featured spotlight interview

Yoh Nagao is a Japanese artist with an amazing eye for colour, and his detailed collage pieces are brilliantly out of this world! We caught up with him to talk about his creative background, influences, and future plans – read the full interview here!

Featured event

Event: Reigning Cats and Dogs
Dates: 11th january 2013 – 15th March 2013
Cost: £5
Where: Royal West of England Academy, Queens Road, Clifton, BRISTOL, BS8 1PX, UK
Details: This large group exhibition celebrates our relationship with cats and dogs, our most beloved pets and companions. Cats and dogs have appeared in art throughout history as subjects in their own right and in combination with their owners (who owns who exactly?). Mary Rouncefield will be exhibiting some of her screen prints as a small part of what promises to be a jolly exhibition.
Website: http://www.rwa.org.uk

Being an artist

Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself

My name is Francisco Bernardo, and I live near Guimarães, European Capital of Culture 2012. I’m 33 years old, love to work with drawing and painting and develop creative projects! I’m open to challenges!

When did you decide to pursue art as a career?

I do not just work with art, I am also a school teacher in Portugal. I Developed creative work from a young age, and I hope to one day have the opportunity to work more professionally with art. Until then I will continue my path, as I am delighted by the work I do and enjoy sharing my experiences with you

What training did you have?

My academic training is directly related to the arts, but I have done training in other areas such as ICT, scientific illustration, engraving … Experience in the development of collective and individual exhibitions have also contributed to a personal enrichment and appreciation of my works.

What has been the high point of your career so far?

As I am a young, emerging artist, the work I have developed so far can be considered very positive. Perhaps the high point was the development of the exhibition at the Portuguese Grand Vasco Museum in Viseu or the integration of my work in group exhibition with well known brand names of Guimarães (Orlando Pompey, Alberto Dassumpção, NI Carvalho, Armenian Sa, Silvana Violante). I have had work exhibited in multiple locations and am integrated in the art collection of the IAC in the Azores.

General Questions

What’s your favourite quote?

Dream, dont work…unless you do!

Who is your favourite artist?

I like some artists of different styles and periods but inevitably Picasso, Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Jean M Basquiat, The twins, José de Guimarães, Julian Sarmento, Helena Meireles …. and then many others – if you like my work I will reveal!

What are you aiming for?

I hope for recognition of the work I do, and to continue working with art all my life! I hope to get as far as possible!

How will you get there?

‘If you work really hard, and are kind, amazing things will happen!’

Is anything holding you back?

Everyone has their limitations … the conditions of life of each dictate their rules.

You and art

What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?

I’ll leave this to the public!

From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?

Depends on the work that I’m developing.

What music do you like to listen to when you work?

No music, or quiet…

What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?

I am currently exploring the portrait … and will keep going with this.

Being inspired by art

Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?

Françoise Nielly, Francisc Bacon, Paula Rego, Graça Morais, Lucian Freud…. Because I identify a lot with the work of these artists.

What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?

I draw on the human condition that drives the people in life. I draw on my personal stories and interior… Art works as cathartic…

What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?

I have one that I keep in my memory, that no longer exists, and that is the first drawing I remember doing… and that is the beginning of my life in art…a tree with crayons. It was not anything special, but for me it was the genesis of my love and passion for art.

an artist’s advice

For those thinking about turning a passion for art into a career, could you give any advice?

Continue to work no matter what, and love the work you do.

Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?

Show your work on ARTWEB!

ArtWeb Submissions

Event: Cork Street Open Winter Exhibition
Dates: 18th-25th january 2013
Cost: Free entry
Where: The Gallery in Cork Street, 28 cork Street, London
Details: The Cork Street Open Exhibition takes place in the Gallery on Cork Street and provides an opportunity for both emerging and established artists from around the world to compete for an invitation to have their work shown in Mayfair and the heart of London’s art dealing centre while supporting a selected charity.
Website: http://www.corkstreetopenexhibition.com/

Event: Sicilia – Terra di Luce
Dates: On now
Cost: Free
Where: Friedrichstr. 5, In the rooms of Generali Versicherungen, Offenburg, 77652, Germany
Details: 25 pictures in acrylic on juta, technique nature and structures in flux

Event: Reigning Cats and Dogs
Dates: 11th january 2013 – 15th March 2013
Cost: £5
Where: Royal West of England Academy, Queens Road, Clifton, BRISTOL, BS8 1PX, UK
Details: This large group exhibition celebrates our relationship with cats and dogs, our most beloved pets and companions. Cats and dogs have appeared in art throughout history as subjects in their own right and in combination with their owners (who owns who exactly?). Mary Rouncefield will be exhibiting some of her screen prints as a small part of what promises to be a jolly exhibition.
Website: http://www.rwa.org.uk

Event: London Art Fair (submitted by Patsy Dixon)
Dates: From 16th January
Cost: Free
Where: Business Design Centre, Islington, London, N1, UNITED KINGDOM
Details: Liberty Gallery will be showing on stand G33. Limited complimentary and discounted tickets will be available shortly – Please do email your request to Patsy at info@liberty-gallery.com
Website: http://WWW.LONDONARTFAIR.CO.UK

Other exhibitions happening in January

Event: Film in Space: an exhibition of film and expanded cinema selected by Guy Sherwin
Dates: 15. Dec - 24. Feb 13
Where: Camden Arts Centre, Arkwright Road London NW3 6DG
Details: Film in Space is a group exhibition selected by British artist-filmmaker Guy Sherwin. The exhibition focuses on expanded cinema, a film movement which came to prominence in Britain in the early 1970s, at the time Sherwin started making films.
Website: www.camdenartscentre.org

 

Event: The Power of the Print: Leonard Beaumont Rediscovered
Dates: 22. Dec - 14. Sep 13
Where: Graves Gallery, Surrey Street, Sheffield S1 1XZ, United Kingdom
Details: Leonard Beaumont (1891-1986) was a prolific Sheffield-born artist and designer, whose skillful etchings and bold modernist linocuts have rarely received the attention they deserve. A new exhibition opening at the Graves Gallery this winter, The Power of the Print: Leonard Beaumont Rediscovered will revisit the work of this arguably neglected son of the city.
Website: http://www.museums-sheffield.org.uk/museums/graves-gallery/home

 

Event: Fujio Ishimoto Exhibition
Dates: 2012-12-12 To 2013-01-14
Where: Spiral, 5-6-23 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
Details: Fujio Ishimoto is known for his work as a textile designer with Finnish brand Marimekko. Inspired by both the vast natural landscape of Finland and a Japanese sensibility, Ishimoto brought a fresh touch and approach to the Finnish textile design scene. This is his second large-scale retrospective in Japan, showcasing an installation of ceramics and fabrics that evoke a rich, wintry landscape.
Website: http://www.spiral.co.jp/e_schedule/detail_364.html

 

Event: David Humphrey “New Paintings”
Dates: 2012-11-28 To 2013-01-19
Where: Fredericks & Freiser Gallery, 536 W 24th St., New York, NY 10011
Details: Fredericks & Freiser presents an exhibition of new work by David Humphrey. He paints imagined worlds where the boundaries between psychological interior, physical urges, and familiar settings fall away. Humphrey’s source images are often derived from the public realm, which he mutates, hybridizes and reframes into jarring and comic situations. Images posted on Facebook fold into classic mythology, advertising, art history and commercial entertainment to tell stories about the way individuals are woven into their world.
Website: http://www.fredericksfreisergallery.com