A Paint Brush?

Well, it's been a little while hasn't it?! Time hasn't exactly been on my side for writing posts!
But! I do have a fairly good excuse! The 'move in' was last weekend, and as stressful as it was, I guess in the grand scheme of things it went pretty well - and thankfully quickly!- or at least the actual move did, the unpacking/settling in is still needing work...
I will of course be sharing photos when the place is at least semi respectable! But until then, just know I'm really loving my new home! ;)
This weekend, along with other things, is going to consist of unpacking the last few boxes, not that I can guarantee homes for all of their contents yet! But I also wanted to keep a promise to myself, and get into my painting again... so I'm going to set up my art space and get dirty with it!! I'm really looking forward to getting back to it, I think it's just what the doctor ordered...

The burning question is, can I fit everything I want and need to do in one glorious weekend? Wishful thinking?!

Portrait courtesy of Ralph Lauren...

On the note of Ralph Lauren paint swatches, you must check this out!!!
Self portrait with swatches - I love this! I've been inspired even further!!
Check out Nathan's full Flickr set here!! and his .com here!

A Simple Sheet Of Paper...

When first saw Peter Callesen's work on Marte & Louise's Blog, I was instantly drawn to it. His work is of cut paper, revealing a depth to a simple sheet we don't usually see. I love his precision, the delicacy of his work, and his humor in the pieces.
Here are a few of my favorite works, but there are a lot more beautiful ones to discover too, so please check out his website!!

Framed A4 Papercut, Clockwise from the above left, 'Holding Onto Myself' 2006, 'Cowboy' 2006, 'The Core Of Everything' 2006, 'The Lost Sheep' 2006.



"I find the A4 sheet of paper interesting to work with, because it is probably the most common and consumed media and format for carrying information today, and in that sense it is something very loaded. This means that we rarely notice the actual materiality of the A4 paper. By removing all the information and starting from scratch using the blank white 80gsm A4 paper as a base for my creations, I feel that I have found a material which we all are able to relate to, and at the same time is non-loaded and neutral and therefore easier to fill with different meanings. The thin white paper also gives the paper sculptures a fragility which underlines the tragic and romantic theme of the works."

"The paper cut sculptures explore the probable and magical transformation of the flat sheet of paper into figures that expand into the space surrounding them. The negative and absent 2 dimensional space left by the cut, points out the contrast to the 3 dimensional reality it creates, even though the figures still stick to their origin without the possibility of escaping. In that sense there is also an aspect of something tragic in many of the cuts."

Quotes from Peter Callesen.



A4 Papercut, Above; 'Wedding Dress Without Bride' 2005. Below, right; 'Distant Wish' 2006, left; 'Hunting' 2005.

My New Painting!!!!

Well I've been promising a new piece of my artwork for so long now... and here it is!!

Life's been so busy recently, but it feels so very good to complete one - and one I like so much!! It turned out better than I expected!!

Time to get cracking on ideas for the next one!!

Oh- and no name yet, I'll have one soon though, and I'll keep it on the sidebar to the right along with my other paintings! This one is Acrylic paint on a 8"x10" and 1 1/2" thick stretched canvas.

Campanelli's Apple Blossoms...

'Apple Blossoms' and 'Wild Rose Berries'

I was just browsing the internet for some inspiration for my next piece of art (starting and -hopefully! -  finishing this weekend!!) when I stumbled across the above two prints - which I really like!!

With a little follow up research, I found out they were by the American artist, Pauline Eble Campanelli (1943 - 2001). She painted superrealist still lifes, and although she never got much interest from prestigious galleries or art museums, her prints sold by the thousands through catalogues and poster and print shops. She had reportedly rivaled only Andrew Wyeth in sales by a living artist.

See my previous post about Andrew Wyeth and his artwork here.

'Mute Swan' and 'Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket'

'Summer Peaches' and 'Nuts and Oranges'

'All American' and 'Shoo Fly'

Andrew Wyeth

Andrew Wyeth, 1917-2009

Andrew Wyeth, one of the last great American painters, passed away last night in his sleep. He was at home in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.

(Today's article on his life's work, from the Washington Post.)

There are sadly few true artists like Wyeth today, and America will surely feel the loss of such a talented man.

His works, with their delicate beauty, peace, and his powerful use of light and shade, contain strong emotional undercurrents.. Every strand of hair, blade of grass and branch on a tree can be seen in it's perfect detail...

Andrew Wyeth was an inspiration, and one which will live on forever... In his own words, from his 1976 exhibition interview;

In some of Wyeth's most unforgettable portraits the subject is not even there. He told Mr. Hoving, "I think a person permeates a spot, and that lost presence makes the environment timeless to me. A lost presense keeps the area alive." Thus, a room, a house, a table setting, such as Karl Kuerner's in "Ground Hog Day" become "the very essence of the man who wasn't there."

In this sense Wyeth's painting is the epitome of the "less is more" precept, an application of measure and effacement that the artist extends even to himself. So intense is his involvement and his control of its expression that Wyeth loses himself in his work and can say quite matter-of-factly, "I don't think I exist really as a person, particularly, I really don't and I'd rather not."

Above, one of my favorite Andrew Wyeth Paintings, "South Cushing", 1955.

Below is a collage, which was passed onto me, of some of his works.. this is beautiful...

Lean Creations!

*Lock Ness* 40cm x 40cm

I am surprised at myself for not making the post much earlier!! Shame on me...

My very good friend Sarah (You may remember me yelling out a 'Happy Birthday!' a couple of posts ago to her!), with whom I met while living in Bristol, and who was also studying the same Fine Art Degree as myself, has become one of my most favorite artists ever! And no, I'm not biased - look at them for yourself!!!

Anyways, I have watched her art progress over the past few years, via her website... and I must say, I am totally IN LOVE with her new works, she's stepped it up a gear and I really feel as though she's beginning to show off her true talents as an artist.. they are simply gorgeous! I can't wait to see what she produces next, and where her inspiration takes her!!

So, I've picked out my favorites, but first, I'd like to share with you a word from her!-

"Painting has always been a passion and also something more or less self taught. My work is a pure enjoyment of colour, tone and texture. I revel in being able to play with paint to my heart's content and that others take pleasure from seeing things I have created. I feel the work itself holds a quality which allows it to be evocative and yet, equally, undemanding of the viewer. I believe that attributing significance should be a personal choice."

(Sarah's paintings are available for purchase on her website. She also works on commission, for further information on this, see her website and email her.)

*Just One Sheep* 40cm x 60cm *Nothing's Missing* 45cm x 30cm

*Making Bail* 60cm x 100cm *Looking The Other Way* 110cm x 50cm

*Raison D'etre* 40cm x 75cm *Three Apples and a Pork Pie* 60cm x 80cm

A Wonderful Over-Lapping Life...

one of the best movies ever made!

As you may have noticed, I've had a little blog revamp! It's a new year, and what's a better time to make a few updates?!

I found the above image of an old "It's A Wonderful Life" poster while actually looking for something else... and I think it's a great find! And of course, it's a beautiful movie!

I've had this feeling of things over-lapping in my life recently... take this poster for instance. I rented and watched this movie just the other day - something I'd been meaning to do for a long time, and then I stumble upon this!

And then there's my somewhat sudden drive of inspiration - as though everything around me is suddenly sparking off a torrent of creative thoughts and ideas, but only of course arriving as soon as I have to go back to work!!

Then there was this old film I found while I was back in Michigan cleaning out some things. I remember having it - and meaning to develop it - for quite a while now! I had no idea what was on it, or even how old it was. I mean, it must have been pretty old.. I've unfortunately been too connected to the digital camera. 

So anyways, bringing this little reel back to the city, I finally had it developed and picked up the pictures last night... and guess what was on it? My Fine Art Degree show!!! They didn't come out too bad too! Old images showing off my paintings on crisp white walls, in a large bright studio.. my University days in Bristol, England... 

They brought back those memories as if they were yesterday... But it was five and a half years ago... wow, how time flies...

Also in there (as well as some far too embarrassing photos of myself!) was my friend Sarah's Art Degree show too... but we actually first met outside of University! She has remained a most amazing friend all these years, through all the roads we have travelled, leading us on our own paths, and through several countries, we have remained close all the time... The funny thing is, no matter how much time seems to pass between phone calls or seeing each other, when we do its like no time has passed at all! It's like we just start up where we left off!

Well today is her Birthday!! And so of course, I called her up in England, and wished her a very wonderful day! We settled on a call date for this Sunday, so we can do the holiday catch up too! I'm hoping to hit up a trip to the UK this spring, and you must know by now, a visit to her, her house, and her might-as-well-be husband!! will be very high on that list of who I need to see over there!!!! I can't wait!!!!!

Anyways... time for a cuppa tea (as always!) and just one more time... 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!!!!! xoxo

A Softer Side....

I came across this painting by Greg Olsen, and just loved it... I think the poem that goes with it made me fall for it even more, so I posted it below also.
For the little girl in every woman, whom we should all remember a little more often, and cherish closely...


"Denim To Lace" 8x10

A rough-and-tumble tomboy with sneakers on her feet, She'll go toe-to-toe with any Joe she meets along the street. Her prowess on the playground has created no small stir, in fact the star player of the game was not a him--but her! She hits and throws and, the story goes, her fast ball can't be seen, But beneath the grit and all the grime can be found a little queen. The tomboy goes when she changes her clothes and lays her leather aside, When the sneakers come off and the slippers go on, with laces carefully tied. Then the pitcher does a pirouette that's like a curve ball she has thrown us, And with dancing shoes and graceful moves, a much softer side is shown us.

Golden Lily......

British Born William Morris (1834-1896)....now, although I don't agree with his political standpoint, I do love his designs!
As part of the English Arts and Crafts movement, he established his firm Morris and Company in 1875 which he was his sole direction, he mastered the design and production of stained glass, wallpaper, printed and woven textiles, carpet and tapestry. Through his work he was in pursuit of what he called "the beauty of life". Before 1875 the company was known as Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Company, to it's members it was known as "The Firm". They called themselves "fine art workmen" with the common goal of achieving 'earthly paradise'. At the time, it was unusual for artists to turn their attention to designing objects to decorate the home.

After Morris' death, John Henry Dearle (1860-1932) who was his protege, took over as artistic director of the firm and guided it almost to it's end.
Above is my favorite drawing, and created in John's time directing the firm. "Drawing for Golden Lily Wallpaper (detail)" 1897, Watercolor and Graphite on Paper.

Tea!!

Jean Simeon Chardin's 'Lady Taking Tea', 1735

It's time to warm it up a little. And what's a better way to start than with a gorgeous painting by the 18th Century French painter Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin (1699-1779). Louis XV had granted him a studio and living quarters in the Louvre in 1757. Chardin was especially good and well known for his still life paintings.
In 1723 Chardin entered into a marriage contact with Marguerite Saintard, although it was not until 1731 when they married. It is believed that the above work, 'Lady Taking Tea' depicts Marguerite, who died two months after this painting was completed.

My boss just recently came back from England, and although I was jealous of her going (and I told her so!) she was amazing in bringing me back some proper British goodies!! Now, I know that you can get an awful lot of British foods and things over here now (much more than when I was younger in the 80's!! We used to take road trips to Canada and stock up!!), but trust me when I say they don't taste the same!
I had a craving for delicious McVities Rich Tea Biscuits, and she brought me back three packs! And like a total Brit, I've been devouring these with many cups of tea. Hence the inspiration to post Chardin's 'Lady Taking Tea'. There's a pack in the office too, and even though everyone says 'Only a Brit could like these, they're bland' I still have them visit my desk to nab one here and there!
Funny how a little biscuit can bring back so many memories. 'Rich Tea' remind me of my Mum's parents, and having a cuppa in the afternoon. And watching them dunk these biscuits in their tea!...sitting there, studying them do it...trying it myself, and loving the taste!
You see, the thing with dunking, it's all about the timing...dunk too long, and you'll loose your biscuit in your tea! Not dunk long enough and the biscuit hasn't got that yummy tea flavor and it's still too crunchy.... it's a fine art, one passed on through the generations, a tried and tested process, a British tradition....it's a part of my history, fit into one little biscuit! Perfection...


a McVitie's Rich Tea Biscuit!

And to warm things up a little more, courtesy of Flickr, here's a few beautiful photos of some tealight candles!

An age old question...or is it?

What is art?

I know I've been promising a post on my trip to the Metropolitan Museum for quite a while now (about three weeks?!!), but now seems like a better time than before as in light of current events it seems more appropriate...
I saw many things at the museum, in my opinion, some good, some awe inspiring, and others, well, not so good. Since my visit I have had many conversations with different people about art, the classic question (these days) 'what is art?', along with some very interesting perspectives...
One of the main things I keep hearing is that art today 'is a reflection of our times'..really? hm....interesting...
Yes, on one hand, it is I suppose... people are inspired by different things, driven by different (although these days I sometimes think, lesser) ideals. But are our lives so gloomy and lifeless as so much of this 'modern' art reflects? All I can think is that if this kind of art is so highly acclaimed as a reflection of our times, and if this idea is drilled into our minds enough, we will in turn believe it as true.


Tracy Emin's 'My Bed' 1998

So, lets take a look at Tracy Emin's 'My Bed', what some, including those who pick work for the highly acclaimed Turner Prize, consider an amazing piece of art. Yes, it's her bed. Condoms, menstrual period stains, dirty underwear, cigarette butts, empty bottles of booze, and more, and all of which to show us the days of her "suicidal depression" and "nervous breakdown" brought on by relationship difficulties.
Now, lets think about this....'a reflection of our times'.... suicidal depression? And this isn't gloomy right? I mean, with all of our advancements in technology and our improved quality of living, this kind of idea is what we are today?
I let you think on that...while I take a few steps back...


Michelangelo's Ceiling in the Sistine Chapel , 1508-1512. And his 'The Last Judgment' which spans the entire back wall behind the alter, 1535-1541.

Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. Rather entertainingly, Michelangelo resented painting this 12,000 square foot chapel ceiling between 1508 and 1512, as he believed his work only served the Pope's need for grandeur! Nevertheless, this work is still viewed as his greatest.
And so often I hear that this traditional art is 'outdated' 'of the past' and 'irrelevant in today's world'.....but hold on a second, take a look at the Sistine Chapel...see it's light? It's hope? It's love? You can see the passion in it, the calm peace and delicacy...
And yet, here we are in the 21st Century with nothing left of these things to show in our art? We've come so far and yet have we become so devoid and clueless as to what beauty is? What love and hope are?
From what I gather, most people don't believe these precious things are a 'reflection of our times' at all...what a terribly sad thought.

So, I live and work in New York City, and not a day has passed this week without a discussion on the economic crisis we are being faced with, since the fall on Wall Street, the city has been a buzz with talk of it...
And if art is truly a reflection of our times, I think we just got this idea drilled in further than we imagined. The rich, well... they stay rich. Not a surprise is it? But then I have to ask the question, is art a reflection of our times, or is it in fact, just a reflection of the times for the very, very wealthy?
Think about that.....

Well it's no shock that England, for example, will be, and is, feeling the pinch coming from downtown NY. Oh, the joys of international banking.
But this week in London, the British artist, Damien Hurst, had his two day Sotheby's auction of his last two years of work he called "Beautiful Inside My Head Forever". Not only did he do well, but he in fact broke the record of sale for one artist, the last being in 1993 for 88 works by Pablo Picasso.
So, as it seems, some still have a few spare million to drop on some formaldehyde filled animals, sheep hearts, butterfly wings, spin paintings, unicorns, doves, diamonds and cigarette butts.

Now here's my suggestion to anyone who has just found themselves in hard times, or is feeling the pinch quite harshly....and no, I can't keep my sweet sarcasm at bay here (but no offense to those who are hurting)......
Step one. Get connected. Find someone with tons of money who hasn't heard of Damien Hurst (although this may be rare) or at least someone who wouldn't know a knock off if it hit them. (hey, if some people fall for fake Louis Vuitton handbags, why not a cow or two?)

Step two. Find a cow. Preferably a white one, we have to keep a little consistency here. And preferably already dead (no need to be inhumane here). Then gather about 120 of your friends and acquaintances.

Step three. Build a tank, get some formaldehyde, and gold paint. Yes, it's not real gold, but who's going to go swimming in a tank of formaldehyde to find out anyways?

Step four. Rake in that dough. A cool $18.3 million should do it.


Top seller, "The Golden Calf" Sold for $18.3 Million. Damien's take on the Biblical story of the golden calf - a cautionary tale of worshipping false idols....yes indeed Damien...

(Step five. Smoke lots of cigarettes while you and your 120 friends do this - seems there's another $3.2 million in that) If only I'd known that earlier, I would have been saving all of mine too - instead I flick them into the street. Brings a whole new meaning to throwing money away doesn't it?

"The Abyss" Sold for $3.2 Million

Oh yea, and don't forget to ask the Angles to help....

"The Anatomy of an Angel" Estimated between $2-3 Million

And then Pigs might fly...

"Pigs Might Fly" Estimated $1.39 Million

Now Jumping back to my visit to the Metropolitan Museum for a moment, I wandered around the galleries for quite a while that day. And on turning one corner, I found myself looking at an old familiar face.
Hello Miss. Tiger Shark...How have you been? Oh, not doing so well hu?
I suppose it's not really surprising, is it? How long can you keep a shark in a tank without it showing signs of, well, decomposition?
Hedge Fund Billionaire Steven A. Cohen snapped up this little lady for a sweet $8 Million, and has now kindly lent it to the Metropolitan Museum for three years, where she will sit, in a room almost entirely by herself, by a window while New York City and Central Park spread out beyond her. Her she is, Damien Hurst's "Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living".

Female Tiger Shark in Formaldehyde, "Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living"

Of course, Damien didn't make the same mistake twice. And while this lady wasn't injected with formaldehyde, he made sure his new Tiger Shark "The Kingdom", which was in the recent Sotheby's auction, was fully pumped up with it. And yes, that sold too.

Now, having said all of this, it's not like I've spent my life sitting on my butt forming my opinions of art...I have been out there and seen it with my own eyes. I've been to Sistine Chapel in Rome and looked up at Michelangelo's ceiling, wandered through the corridors of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. Stood in Paris' Musee d'Orsay, famous for it's collection of Impressionist art, I've walked through the rooms of the Louvre and looked onto Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" and "La Primavera" (when they were there). I have been lucky enough to see some of the most famous art and architecture man has ever created.

Now my experiences have not excluded the modern. In 1997 I went to Charles Saatchi's "Sensation" exhibition, where I had my first meeting with Damien Hurst's first Tiger Shark, hence why our meeting at the Metropolitan Museum was familiar. Back then too I also saw his other works, like his pickled sheep and sliced pig.. I also saw Tracy Emin's, "Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963-1995" which was a tent with all the names of those she's slept with sewn into the sides of it. And Marcus Harvey's depiction of child killer Myra Hindley, "Myra" a portrait made up of children's handprints, which caused huge controversy. Myra Hindley herself even wrote a letter from jail, asking for it's removal from the exhibition.
The "Sensation" exhibition was Saatchi's show of his mission in collecting art from young unknown artists, now commonly known as YBA's (Young British Artists), all noted for their 'shock tactics' and 'wild living', and most of which had attended Goldsmiths College in London. It was at the "Freeze" exhibition in 1988 where Damien Hurst and Charles Saatchi first met, Damien at the time was only in his second year at Goldsmiths.

Now I want to be careful here, I'm not claiming art is from one extreme to another. I am fully aware of all of the art in between these two ideas. And I also want to mention, I am not aiming for the eradication of all modern art, I'm not that naive. The general concept of art being 'of the times' has it's value, my point is that why are we being told that our times are full of vulgarity, filth, sex, lies, murder and death - without any of their opposites available too?
Has our hope, love, and morality become such a mute point in our lives that they simply do not exist anymore? Do we hold these things in such little value that there is no point in addressing them any further?
And if this 'art of the times' is just a reflection of the times of the rich and wealthy who purchase a pickled cow for $18 million, why must I adopt those same values as my own?

Just like Saatchi intended, works of 'shock' are now what makes the money, set by his own standards and filled pockets. So is 'shock' now a part of our everyday life? Is a long lasting emotion, dream, belief, inspiration now simply seen as outdated?
I live my life in a manner conducive to the life and future I want and intend to have. I am attracted to works such as Botticelli's 'Birth of Venus', because they reflect the values I have and apply to my own life. Grace, Femininity, Faith, Beauty, Morality, Peace, Love, Devotion...after all, isn't art supposed to be an inspiration to us all?

Well, to wrap up, over the next few posts I will be showing you, and explaining the art that I find such an inspiration, and most of all, what I believe is the art 'of my times', and perhaps should be ours too....

Carrot?

This is a quick sketch I did tonight of a carrot. It might seem a bit strange, but to me, it's symbolizes more than just a carrot....

And I went to the Metropolitan Museum last weekend, I saw tons of artwork I loved, and some I didn't so much!! I'll be posting all about it over the next few days and probably into next week! I've also got a project at work I'll be posting in between my ramblings on art! So keep an eye out for all of that! It's going to be a fun few days of blogging!!

As for now, it's time for me to rest and reboot the batteries to get ready for it all!