New paintings and regular art updates.
This poster of our performance of a Christmas Carol has just been released. The painting was done by the organiser Glenn James. He’s a very talented artist and performer. If you happen to be around Newcastle under Lyme on these dates you might like to come and see us. The figure on the poster is a portrait of the actor Alistair Simm. He appeared in a film version of the story a long time ago (1950’s or 60’s), it was such a brilliant adaptation. I really love watching it.
I have to go and collect my owl painting from the Brampton open exhibition tomorrow. It was for sale and I would have liked to have sold it. I have an open studio day at Spode on November 12th so perhaps I could sell it there. I am pessimistic though. There is less money available and I think things will get a lot worse before it gets better. Being an artist doesn’t make you rich! But I can’t stop painting.
Trying to draw rain on a dry day! This was for todays #bandofsketchers prompt ‘rain’, I drew Westport Lake and then added strokes of pen to indicate rain and dark clouds above. It was a black and white drawing but I decided to add watercolours to it when I got home. Beyond the front line of trees is the A500 and the main railway line. Above that the hill leading to Newcastle under Lyme.
The two choirs I’m in were both out for performances today. First Loud Mouth Women (seen here in a sketch from 2019), and then Clay Chorus, a mixed choir for Soprano, Tenor, Alto and Bass.
Louds sang by the Guildhall in Newcastle under Lyme. We were outside singing at the artesan market.. We sang a mixture of languages to represent the Commonwealth. These included Maori and English. Including Wahine MA and Frejaro Ma Revee.
From Newcastle I went to Penkhull. We were due to sing outside the village church but it was too wet so we sang inside the village hall. Clay chorus sang six songs spanning the reign of Queen Elizabeth the Second. The room was packed with people holding an indoor picnic. We sang and other groups entertained with Rap music and dancing and drama. I’m thoroughly tired out now!
At Keele University, seen one summer evening in the glow of the evening sky. The posts are square and mirror coated, the lights reflect off them and you see a miriad of reflections as you look through them. It’s an impressive sight. It’s near the Chapel and Students Union at Keele University in Staffordshire, England. The University is on a campus about a couple of miles west of up a hill from Newcastle-under-Lyme. I’m glad that public art is on display. It gives a place for artists work to be seen.
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’m excited to be part of the Vision exhibition coming up this weekend… 19th and 20th June 2021. Its being held at the Rigger Venue in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, UK.
The link is: https://fb.me/e/29rJakDCB if you are in the area and are interested in coming along? There is also a Facebook page with more details.
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
I’ve been invited by my friend and fellow artist Eve Travis to join a group of local artists at The Rigger Venue in Newcastle-under-Lyme on the 19th and 20th of June 2021. The idea is to get the art out of galleries and move it into the community. My vision will be images based on the idea of green men and women. Better get some works done.
Mallaband-Brown