This week I would like to give thanks to D Emptyspace for creating an awesome artist interview about me and my art practice and for also featuring my work in their app. The interview really hits home on what I am about as an artist and the freedom and expression I feel when I paint. I forgot to mention in the interview that as I got older my Nana Grace was also a huge influence on my decision to become an artist as I used to watch her paint landscapes from home sometimes and she would give me tips on painting as well as lessons in life! Very much needed at the time. Check out the D Emptyspace app as it is great for artists showcasing a collection of work in a virtual gallery environment, I have three galleries on show in the app at the moment. Also, if you would like to read more about my art practice and discover more about me as an artist then click below to read the full interview on Medium. Artist Interview: 'Finding Freedom in Paint'
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The Riverside Festival in Leicester this year was so much fun. It’s the sort of place where I can meet fans of my work, new friends and interesting people from all walks of life all whilst enjoying music, good company and tasty food. The sun was out on Saturday and beaming hot, luckily I grabbed a spot under some trees for shade. Of course, there can’t be a festival without a little rain and on Sunday the showers arrived so the art was covered in clear plastic sheets but the rain didn’t last long and the sun came back around. I sold two paintings, one painting that hadn’t even appeared on my website yet (Break all the Rules, pictured above) to a lovely man named Peter who bought it as a gift for his daughter. The second was my Trying to Sleep/Live painting that I sold to a man named Gareth who really liked the story behind my paintings. I really enjoyed talking about my work as I don’t always get the opportunity to talk about them much so the conversations I had at the festival really gave me a sense of freedom and I was happy they were so well received. Thanks to all who stopped by to talk and view my work and thanks to those that spend their hard earned cash on my paintings, it means a lot to me. Well, back to painting now for my next outing/show, what will I produce next I wonder ;-) Back in April, I met @kristenrollinson the owner of @we_are_leicester_cic and got to see the creative hub and arts shop she has created right in the heart of Leicester. I got there in time to see the sign for the shop going up which is also a great logo too and being part designer myself I enjoy seeing other designers logos in context. The shop itself looks amazing and there are not many shops and creative hubs like this in Leicester so I hope We Are is the first of many. There is an awesome array of goodies on offer including art, jewellery, clothing and more. We Are is definitely worth a visit and I am not just saying that because my own art is in their too, the whole place feels like an Aladdin's cave and its a real nice hang out for artists and any creative individuals. Anyway, here are a few photos I took at the opening, I went in the morning as I couldn't make it in the evening but still met some new artist friends and was made to feel really welcome. SAT 1st & SUN 2nd JUNE 2019 12 NOON - 6 PM WESTERN BOULEVARD, LEICESTER Yep, its that time again. Last year I took part in an art exhibition along the river during the Riverside Festival at Western Boulevard in Leicester called 'Art on the River' organised by Leicester City Council's Festival & Events team. This year I am back again and bringing something a little different to the party. As well as the smaller works I usually take with me, I will be breaking out this beast (image pictured here) and selling larger works at smaller prices. See you there peeps! SATURDAY 6th APRIL 2019 TIME: 10:00 - 20:00 44A THE BASEMENT, HUMBERSTONE GATE, LEICESTER Some of my work will be on show soon at a new multi-functioning arts hub and shop based in Leicester City Centre and there will be a grand opening with drinks and the shop launch too as well as live music from some of Leicesters finest acoustic artists and dj's. Come and check it out to see the new exciting hub and some other amazing artists on show too. Its going to be an awesome event full of 'epicness', is that even a word?! It is now! :-D I have been selected to be a member of WebinArt, a one year professional development programme helping artists and creatives in Leicestershire get to that next level in the industry. This is a great thing for my art practice as I now have a mentor, access to opportunities via a peer group network, creative meetups and valuable insights from industry experts via video advice webinars online. So excited to see what the future brings, more on this in a later post soon! WebinArt Site: https://webinartuk.wixsite.com/2019 Recently I have been in the studio working on my new series of abstract paintings. The painting pictured is the first in the series featuring a bold gold colour on a bright blue background with other experimental marks. These paintings aim to document my emotions of love and attachment and how we as humans feel when we approach the subject. Some people are shy and hide their feelings, keeping them a secret while others are more inclined to talk about every relationship detail so the world knows their story. I will post more as I continue this series and I hope they bring you feelings of love and peace in 2019. SUNDAY 16th DECEMBER 2018 MARKET PLACE, LEICESTER This weekend I exhibited some old and new work at Leicester Market for the 'Art at Christmas' event as part of Leicester's Christmas celebrations organised by Leicester City Council's festival and events team. We had an awesome day out, sold some art, met some lovely people and a possible commission in the works too. Thanks to everyone who braved the cold to come and see me and a big thanks to my wife Jo and sister-in-law Hannah for helping me tend the stall. Also a huge thank you to my mum Angie for looking after the little ones so I could be at the event. |