The artist Paul Gildea, who lives near Brixton, South London, has two exhibitions a year, when he has an artist's open house, usually in June and again just before Christmas.
This year I was excited to see his new work, and in fact was so pleased with the new oil paintings that I decided to buy one!
There were several I particularly liked, but came home with a view of Cromer Pier, in Norfolk. This is a lovely thing, lots of creamy whites and blues with a touch of red, and pale purple mass on the right hand side - the painting is not exactly figurative and not, in the usually accepted term, an abstract. I know Paul paints en plein air and visits Norfolk every summer.
His beach paintings are very collectable. In this exhibition he had paintings of Clapham Common, and Herne Hill cycle track amongst others.
The largest painting, which he said can only be moved with difficulty from his studio to transport it on the roof rack of the car, is entitled The Night Watch. He told us that this large group portrait has as its subject several young men - of West Indian families - who live in and around Brixton. They posed for him in his studio, sometimes coming in a group and sitting down while one of them was being painted. They are a bit on the wild side - to put it mildly!
Sometimes the lads come round and ask to show the painting to their friends, apparently turning up well after Paul's bedtime!
The title is a reflection on the well-known Rembrandt, and the young men are posed in a similar way, with hands in similar gestures.
Friday, 25 June 2010
Thursday, 27 May 2010
XAVIER PIX - PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS AT MUMFORD FINE ART - BASRA
Went to see the exhibition of Xavier Pick's work yesterday - where we were pleased to meet up with Xavier again. He describes himself in articles printed in various newsapers and magazines, as a 'Peace Artist' and a buddhist.
He paints on wooden panels.
Brilliant work, from his sketches and photos. Some very large pieces were hung in awkward places because the gallery is so small. Some sketch books are on display.
Link to a video clip from the BBC from December 2008, gives you an idea of how Xavier works on the spot.
Artist on drawing life in Basra
I hope to go back to see the paintings because the gallery was very busy - some people had been to Iraq and were talking about their experiences there (but not to me) but I listened in, which was of course very interesting.
The smaller paintings were very well priced, and there is also a book on sale (limited edition of 100) which is £100, although a bit too much for me to pay!
An artist friend who has visited the show was concerned that some of the work was painted on top of photographs that have been transferred to wooden panels. I think this besides the point. They are paintings using mixed media, which is how they are described. Some have drawing in pen or crayon as well, and in the history of art this is a common practice. They work well.
He paints on wooden panels.
Brilliant work, from his sketches and photos. Some very large pieces were hung in awkward places because the gallery is so small. Some sketch books are on display.
Link to a video clip from the BBC from December 2008, gives you an idea of how Xavier works on the spot.
Artist on drawing life in Basra
I hope to go back to see the paintings because the gallery was very busy - some people had been to Iraq and were talking about their experiences there (but not to me) but I listened in, which was of course very interesting.
The smaller paintings were very well priced, and there is also a book on sale (limited edition of 100) which is £100, although a bit too much for me to pay!
An artist friend who has visited the show was concerned that some of the work was painted on top of photographs that have been transferred to wooden panels. I think this besides the point. They are paintings using mixed media, which is how they are described. Some have drawing in pen or crayon as well, and in the history of art this is a common practice. They work well.
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
XAVIER PICK - BEHING THE LINES IN BASRA AT MUMFORD FINE ART GALLERY, SOHO, LONDON
This should be a good one, exhibition on from 27 May to 3 July, in D'Arblay Street, Soho, off Poland Street. It is a rooftop gallery.
Xavier Pick is a brilliant graphic artists - I mean he draws amazingly and I love his work. Will write more when I have been to see the exhibition.
Xavier Pick at Mumford Fine Art Behind-the-lines-in-basra
Xavier Pick is a brilliant graphic artists - I mean he draws amazingly and I love his work. Will write more when I have been to see the exhibition.
Xavier Pick at Mumford Fine Art Behind-the-lines-in-basra
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
JULIE BENNETT HAS NEW PAINTING 'SHE'S ON THE PHONE' AT BERMONDSEY, LONDON
We went to see Julie Bennett's latest oil painting last Friday. Called 'She's on the phone'.
It is a very big oil, too, and extremely dynamic, with a great 'presence' - it was a focus and in a different class from the other exhibits. The painting was on show at the Biscuit Factory, in Clement's Road, Bermondsey, in South East London.
The group show was of 2nd Year Fine Art students at Camberwell College of Arts.
If you are quick you can catch this exhibition, as it ends on 26 May (2010). The large complex of buildings is about 5 minutes walk from Bermondsey Tub station.
Julie has painted with household gloss in the past and I am please to see this one painted in artist's oil colours, which I think is an improvement for her, and a good direction to follow.
The show was hugely popular, crowds of people having a good time and a fine warm evening made it possible for the socialising to continue outside in the couryard.
We went for a cold beer on the way back to the tube, at the little pub in St James's Road, I think it is called the St James's Tavern. It had a flag - cross of St George - draped over the bar (because of the football, of course) and a quite, relaxed atmosphere, being an early Friday evening, where I found it pleasant to hear the soft tones of the Bermondsey accent. I recall this accent from friends who I got to know when I had a pottery studio in Rotherhithe years ago, at Hope (Sufferance) Wharf. The local people probably find this influx of the arty gangs in their midst rather a laugh.
It is a very big oil, too, and extremely dynamic, with a great 'presence' - it was a focus and in a different class from the other exhibits. The painting was on show at the Biscuit Factory, in Clement's Road, Bermondsey, in South East London.
The group show was of 2nd Year Fine Art students at Camberwell College of Arts.
If you are quick you can catch this exhibition, as it ends on 26 May (2010). The large complex of buildings is about 5 minutes walk from Bermondsey Tub station.
The show was hugely popular, crowds of people having a good time and a fine warm evening made it possible for the socialising to continue outside in the couryard.
We went for a cold beer on the way back to the tube, at the little pub in St James's Road, I think it is called the St James's Tavern. It had a flag - cross of St George - draped over the bar (because of the football, of course) and a quite, relaxed atmosphere, being an early Friday evening, where I found it pleasant to hear the soft tones of the Bermondsey accent. I recall this accent from friends who I got to know when I had a pottery studio in Rotherhithe years ago, at Hope (Sufferance) Wharf. The local people probably find this influx of the arty gangs in their midst rather a laugh.
Monday, 17 May 2010
CLOCKTOWER, CROYDON - EXHBITION BY CROYDON ART SOCIETY
This is the exhibition of Croydon Art Society at the Croydon Clocktower gallery, in the centre of Croydon town centre, Surrey (UK).CROYDON CLOCKTOWER
I have three works on show here until the end of May, 2010.
One oil painting, of the Polo play at Windsor Great Park last summer, when I painted this little study 'en plein air' at my easel next to the polo ground. Sorry the photo is very poor quality!
I also have on display two collagraphs of engines, one called The Rocket, and one called The Tank Engine, self-explanatory titles.
Collagraphs are an unusual form of printing, because you make the original as a collage using various textures and card, sand, seeds, thick paper etc. Then you seal the collage with many layers of varnish to keep out moisture and preserve the soft material. This 'plate' is then inked up with etching ink and printed on special paper in the same way as a conventional etching, but not so many finished prints can be made before the 'collage' shows signs of wear.
Invigilation at the exhibition again was interesting, and while I was there, one of the organisers of the exhibition, the wonderful Archie, was taking photos of all the exhibits to put on the Croydon Art Society website:
Croydon Art Society
ORLEANS HOUSE GALLERY - REVOLUTIONS: CYCLING AND ART
The Orleans House Gallery is in Twickenham, down a little lane near the Crown pub, and very near the Riverside (River Thames). The Octagon is the only part of the original Orleans House still standing and it is a beautiful room, used for wedding receptions. It dates from the 18th century.
This group exhibition was on from 7 - 14 May, 2010.
The private view was part of an open museum project, but unfortunately not many people attended, although I met some very accomplished artists. It was an interesting exhibition of different media, including wire sculpture, prints, paintings and jewellery.
The photo etching which I showed is called 'Brooklyn Bridge Commuter'. I used a photo which I had taken when on a recent visit to New York City. In New York there are a lot of cyclists and I saw many of them commuting near Brooklyn, and in particular some fine specimens of muscular cyclist!
Last Friday I met an artist, Derek Kinsett, who showed his sculpture in his current series, the Love and Femininity Collection, which I particularly admired because of its beautiful mass, delicate textures and subtle colours. The piece is called Lady and the Bicycle, which reminds me of the lovely song White Bicycle, by Julianna Raye on her album Dominoes. Derek told me he works in Wiltshire and gave me his web site address, which is
Inner Spirit Sculptures
I took a few photos while at the Orleans Gallery, here they are, first a photo of my etching 'Brooklyn Bridge Commuter' (on the right in the photo) then
some of the exhibits in the Orleans Gallery Octagon room, then Derek Kinsett, by his scupture, Lady and the Bicycle
This group exhibition was on from 7 - 14 May, 2010.
The private view was part of an open museum project, but unfortunately not many people attended, although I met some very accomplished artists. It was an interesting exhibition of different media, including wire sculpture, prints, paintings and jewellery.
The photo etching which I showed is called 'Brooklyn Bridge Commuter'. I used a photo which I had taken when on a recent visit to New York City. In New York there are a lot of cyclists and I saw many of them commuting near Brooklyn, and in particular some fine specimens of muscular cyclist!
Last Friday I met an artist, Derek Kinsett, who showed his sculpture in his current series, the Love and Femininity Collection, which I particularly admired because of its beautiful mass, delicate textures and subtle colours. The piece is called Lady and the Bicycle, which reminds me of the lovely song White Bicycle, by Julianna Raye on her album Dominoes. Derek told me he works in Wiltshire and gave me his web site address, which is
Inner Spirit Sculptures
some of the exhibits in the Orleans Gallery Octagon room, then Derek Kinsett, by his scupture, Lady and the Bicycle
WANDSWORTH ARTISTS' CO-OPERATIVE GROUP SHOW, PUTNEY EXCHANGE, SW15
The Wandsworth Artists' Co-operative group organised a group show in May, in the Putney Exchange Shopping Centre, Putney High Street in South London.
The show was for three days, on 7th, 8th and 9th May, 2010. I took part as a guest, and showed ten of my small paintings.
The recent painting called 'Merton Park Rugby, Old Ruts' which I painted in acrylic on canvas, sold on the first morning to a charming lady who bought it to hang in her son's room.
The centre was not secure so we had to take turns in invigilation, which was in many ways a good idea for me, because I got a chance to meet some of the members of this co-operative and discuss ideas and swop information - artists always need other artists!
The show was for three days, on 7th, 8th and 9th May, 2010. I took part as a guest, and showed ten of my small paintings.
The recent painting called 'Merton Park Rugby, Old Ruts' which I painted in acrylic on canvas, sold on the first morning to a charming lady who bought it to hang in her son's room.
The centre was not secure so we had to take turns in invigilation, which was in many ways a good idea for me, because I got a chance to meet some of the members of this co-operative and discuss ideas and swop information - artists always need other artists!
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