10.6.12
Big Top Tease
I've just started another piece called 'Big Top Tease', as part of the circus series.
You can see the start of this below - I'm particularly interested in capturing the shapes, lines and angles throughout the scene, as well as a vintage feel.
28.5.12
14.4.12
Circus Time
I've recently become interested in illustrating the circus and all it's mysterious elements..Inspired by vintage circus illustrations and my own photographs, I've started on a big piece which incorporates both burlesque and circus aspects.
The circus is something that has always caught my imagination from an early age. In this piece I want to capture these memories and bring to life a familiar, yet other worldly scene that most childhoods have been inspired by in one way or another - conveying it in a slightly abstract and surreal style.
Please see below the work in progress and circus illustrations that have caught my eye;
I've recently become interested in illustrating the circus and all it's mysterious elements..Inspired by vintage circus illustrations and my own photographs, I've started on a big piece which incorporates both burlesque and circus aspects.
The circus is something that has always caught my imagination from an early age. In this piece I want to capture these memories and bring to life a familiar, yet other worldly scene that most childhoods have been inspired by in one way or another - conveying it in a slightly abstract and surreal style.
Please see below the work in progress and circus illustrations that have caught my eye;
13.3.12
1.3.12
The New Artist Fair took place last weekend - it was great to see everyone's work up and meet the artists exhibiting. The opening night was packed and there was a good mix of work up, in a well curated exhibition by the organisers Leah and Oliver.
Visitors were able to vote for their favourite artist and the one with the most votes wins the Hogan Art International Art Prize. My favourite work was by Mark Powell, who does very detailed bic biro drawings on vintage envelopes..you can see his work here.
Looking forward to maybe showing work again with them, their next one is scheduled for September 2012. Here's some photos from the fair;
Visitors were able to vote for their favourite artist and the one with the most votes wins the Hogan Art International Art Prize. My favourite work was by Mark Powell, who does very detailed bic biro drawings on vintage envelopes..you can see his work here.
Looking forward to maybe showing work again with them, their next one is scheduled for September 2012. Here's some photos from the fair;
24.1.12
13.1.12
New Artist Fair
Looking forward to showing a few paintings at the New Artist Fair. This will be at the Candid Arts Galleries in Islington, from the 23rd-26th February..and will be an affordable and friendly gallery environment.
It looks like there'll be a lot of exciting art work there from new and emerging artists.
Here's what the organisers have to say about the fair;
"As an artist-run organisation, the New Artist Fair gives artists back the power over how their art is promoted and sold, by cutting out gallery fees.
We promote all artists who are looking to sell their work directly to art lovers, buyers, and collectors.
Our goal is to make selling artwork directly to buyers easier and more cost-effective for artists and we promote a varied mixture of artworks at prices from £50 to £1000. We exhibit good quality, affordable art to a wide range of buyers and encourage people to invest in art while supporting new talented artists. "
You can find out more here
and here's an article on a previous New Artist Fair in Art Review
Look forward to seeing you there!
Looking forward to showing a few paintings at the New Artist Fair. This will be at the Candid Arts Galleries in Islington, from the 23rd-26th February..and will be an affordable and friendly gallery environment.
It looks like there'll be a lot of exciting art work there from new and emerging artists.
Here's what the organisers have to say about the fair;
"As an artist-run organisation, the New Artist Fair gives artists back the power over how their art is promoted and sold, by cutting out gallery fees.
We promote all artists who are looking to sell their work directly to art lovers, buyers, and collectors.
Our goal is to make selling artwork directly to buyers easier and more cost-effective for artists and we promote a varied mixture of artworks at prices from £50 to £1000. We exhibit good quality, affordable art to a wide range of buyers and encourage people to invest in art while supporting new talented artists. "
You can find out more here
and here's an article on a previous New Artist Fair in Art Review
Look forward to seeing you there!
30.12.11
I'm now working on 'Jive' - the figures are smaller than I usually do them - as my main interest with this piece is in capturing the whole scene of the night - the mood, lighting and perspective of the moment is what I want to achieve here.
Here are some sketches for Jive below;
Also in progress is a smaller version of Balloon, see below;
Here are some sketches for Jive below;
Also in progress is a smaller version of Balloon, see below;
16.12.11
Wilhem Sasnal at The Whitechapel
Wilhem Sasnal is a Polish artist, whose work echoes that of Gerhard Richter. I recently went to his show at The Whitechapel and was very impressed.
Born in 1972, Sasnal helped form a Krakow-based artist collective known as the Ladnie ("pretty") group. They reacted to the classic and conservative techniques of their instructors at art school, choosing to focus on everyday scenes and images from pop culture.
He draws no limits as to what he paints - everyday objects, portraits of historical figures, views of his home town Cracow, photos of friends and family and sometimes just images from the internet that inspire him.
His paintings are bold and graphic in style – using a lot of neutral grey tones, mixed with one or two colours. What I like most about his work is the texture of the paint and his many different ways of applying it, his use of light and the fact that his paintings look so simple, though they are not at all.
Here’s some of my favourite pieces from the exhibition;
Wilhem Sasnal is a Polish artist, whose work echoes that of Gerhard Richter. I recently went to his show at The Whitechapel and was very impressed.
Born in 1972, Sasnal helped form a Krakow-based artist collective known as the Ladnie ("pretty") group. They reacted to the classic and conservative techniques of their instructors at art school, choosing to focus on everyday scenes and images from pop culture.
He draws no limits as to what he paints - everyday objects, portraits of historical figures, views of his home town Cracow, photos of friends and family and sometimes just images from the internet that inspire him.
His paintings are bold and graphic in style – using a lot of neutral grey tones, mixed with one or two colours. What I like most about his work is the texture of the paint and his many different ways of applying it, his use of light and the fact that his paintings look so simple, though they are not at all.
Here’s some of my favourite pieces from the exhibition;
15.11.11
13.9.11
Excited to say, a series of prints of my work are showing at The Hideaway, a quirky bar and restaurant in N19 from next week. These are smaller prints on canvas (20in x 16in). The illustrative nature of my paintings works well at this size - but I won't be trading in my large brushes for miniature ones just yet..
1.9.11
Miro Exhibition
I was really impressed by the range of paintings on show at the Miro exhibition. I have been a bit sceptical about his work, but this show made me think again.
What struck me most was how much his style changed throughout the years. Starting out with neat and intricate paintings and ending up with the massive canvases with crude abstract forms. I am drawn to the detail and subtle shapes of his early work, but I was amazed by the variation in the work of one artist - and that he was able to fulfil all styles well, whilst keeping his identity intact. If you still have not been, it's definitely worth a trip before the exhibition ends.
Here are some of my favourites and you can see the progression in style - I particularly like The Hunter, where he starts to explore the objects with just shapes and lines and the subtlety of the colours used.
The Farm, 1921-1922
The Hunter, 1923-1924
May 68, 1968-1973
http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/joanmiro/default.shtm
I was really impressed by the range of paintings on show at the Miro exhibition. I have been a bit sceptical about his work, but this show made me think again.
What struck me most was how much his style changed throughout the years. Starting out with neat and intricate paintings and ending up with the massive canvases with crude abstract forms. I am drawn to the detail and subtle shapes of his early work, but I was amazed by the variation in the work of one artist - and that he was able to fulfil all styles well, whilst keeping his identity intact. If you still have not been, it's definitely worth a trip before the exhibition ends.
Here are some of my favourites and you can see the progression in style - I particularly like The Hunter, where he starts to explore the objects with just shapes and lines and the subtlety of the colours used.
The Farm, 1921-1922
The Hunter, 1923-1924
May 68, 1968-1973
http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/joanmiro/default.shtm
26.8.11
19.8.11
Let me introduce you to the other Houchen...
Louisa Houchen is a freelance illustrator, specialising in mini sculptures out of fimo.
Remember that plasticine substance that you used to play with as a child? and then you cook it, and it becomes an intriguing and mysterious object, taking on a life of its own.
Her latest project and collaboration with Abstract Greetings, is 'Poptastic'; this range shows intricate models of celebrities and their make believe worlds. This is a work of genius, one that takes unbelievable time, skill and most importantly, patience.
The result is extremely stylish and entertaining and can be seen here; http://www.weezadesigns.co.uk/untitled-gallery-38099
If she wasn't my sister, I would still be talking about it, but as we are two in the same there must be a mention on here.
Louisa Houchen is a freelance illustrator, specialising in mini sculptures out of fimo.
Remember that plasticine substance that you used to play with as a child? and then you cook it, and it becomes an intriguing and mysterious object, taking on a life of its own.
Her latest project and collaboration with Abstract Greetings, is 'Poptastic'; this range shows intricate models of celebrities and their make believe worlds. This is a work of genius, one that takes unbelievable time, skill and most importantly, patience.
The result is extremely stylish and entertaining and can be seen here; http://www.weezadesigns.co.uk/untitled-gallery-38099
If she wasn't my sister, I would still be talking about it, but as we are two in the same there must be a mention on here.
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