New paintings and regular art updates.
I was going to enter a couple of paintings to the three counties open this year. I thought the closing date was 30th June, but it turns out I had misread the email. The closing date has gone, it was the 20th. The work will be on display from the 30th of July 2021. I am a little annoyed with myself. I knew it was soon but I’ve been busy. I’m very disappointed. I could try next year. But that’s a year away! Grrrr!
A tryptich I did a couple of years ago. It’s for sale at the Waiting room gallery in Longport, Stoke-on-Trent. Based on one of the photos from the Juno mission to Jupiter a few years ago. It shows the bands of Jupiter viewed from above one of the poles of the planet. I also did a large blue painting of one of Jupiter’s poles too. It was very difficult to capture the swirls and vortices that make up it’s atmosphere. These are acrylic on canvas.
Vision was a collectively curated exhibition by local artists exploring themes of aesthetics, sight, self-image, re-authoring and mythology, showcasing a variety of work including traditional painting, collage, resin and soft sculpture. Working outside the typical white cube gallery space at The Rigger Venue allowed for a unique and exciting exhibition experience. You could book a time slot to enjoy this Covid-safe art space with a table to sit, discuss and enjoy the art works after seeing the show.
Curation and artworks by Liz Ankers, Megan Kettle, Lorna Lakin, Christine Mallaband-Brown, Deborah Travis and Eve Travis.
One of my paintings from a couple of years ago. I’ve decided to put it in the Vision Exhibition this Saturday and Sunday at the Rigger Venue in Newcastle-under-Lyme. I have been working on it to give it a more three dimensional feel. That’s why I’m posting this at 2.21am…I just finished it. It’s acrylic on canvas and about 12 inches square. Now I need mirror plates and screws. That will be a task for tomorrow.
This is up now at the Rigger. Hope things go well. X
I started this in 2018, but it was sitting in my studio so last year before the pandemic happened I tried to finish it off, but I only went in a couple of times. So today I finally finished it, I tidied up some untidy lines, added various dark greens and black. Then I added some magenta, white and iridescent silver and gold to brighten it and add contrast.
I’m happier than I was with it. I think it’s going in the exhibition I’m part of next weekend at the Rigger Venue, Newcastle-under-Lyme. The works I have chosen are all mythical, based on the four ancient elements or the green man idea. Some have been exhibited before. Some haven’t been seen before. X
A post by @thewaitingroomgallery of my tryptich of Jupiter. I was there featured artist this week. The gallery is situated in Longport, Stoke-on-Trent and is linked with the British Rail Longport Train station which they are gradually restoring. They have won awards for their community work there.
I have a few paintings and glass jewellery on display there at the moment. There is lots of work by other artists there too.
We visited the Fine Art and Cartoon degree shows at Staffordshire University today, and I have to say that I was very impressed. I think they were probably the best I’ve seen in years. I haven’t included any images because of copyright. In the Fine Art section there was a lot more figurative work and portraiture than I’ve seen in years. There was also a lot of diversity which was great. In the Cartoon section there were a lot of fun ideas and comic strips. I chatted to some of the students there and they were very helpful explaining what they do.
I realised as I went round that the work is relevant to my illustration course. I really enjoyed the day.
This years fine art degree shows at Staffordshire University are on this week. Thirty nine years after I got my degree. I’ve visited almost every year except 2020. This year it’s on but you have to book a time slot and have a lateral flow test before you can go…. So I had to frantically find somewhere to have one done with enough time to spare to get to the shows afterwards. Anyway I’m looking forward to it. Great to be able to go and see real art in a real gallery space.
X
Helps you see your mistakes.
My copy of the Mona Lisa has eyes that are a bit too big, and maybe the irises don’t quite line up properly. Painting with acrylics means that I don’t always get the paint blended that well. I quite like this double portrait, it feels a bit surrealistic.
I’ve just started a dog painting and I’m blocking in the colours. As you can see he’s a terrier. I think he looks a bit like a Teddy bear at the moment. Work in progress, acrylic on canvas. x
Mallaband-Brown