It's certainly been getting very much colder and I'm now having to layer up, thankfully I have some protection with my new polytunnel wall, which makes working up here bearable. The Gallery is going really well I have sold Church Road and many prints in frames. Christmas cards have also proved very popular, I'm now working on a couple more Fox Hill paintings and a commisson of a pile of pooches...very cute. I'll put the images up when I'm allowed. I've been amazed at the repsonse to my work this year and I am genuinely moved and motivated to keep going. I'm hoping always to have a space in The Triangle to put my work, not quite sure how yet, but have a couple of ideas.
We are having late opening in the Bigger Picture Gallery in Church Road. Brilliant new work by Roy, has really freshened up the space. Looks so good.
Last Wednesday I was talking to Guy Beggs and he asked me if I knew of Peter Doig. I remember going to a Saatchi exhibition and saw "Orange Sunshine" - 1995-6, Oil on Canvas, 276 x 201 cm and fell in love with it. So beautiful and haunting. It really inspired me. I painted my Fucking Yellow Tree after that and have been painting ever since. Thank you Peter Doig, my inspiration. I also use photos in my work as an entry point into the process. I would really like to do some screen printing and combine the painting and the printing.
Studios are open again this weekend. It's your last chance to meet the artists working here at Gipsy Hill Studios in Crystal Palace.
Open studios last Friday was excellent with a catwalk designed by Adam Higman and men in kilts as well as Annette's designer wear and Pete's amazing jewellery which has such a wow factor, wait till he tells you how it's made, amazing.
Rick Reimann was a legend and DJ'd for over 5 hours during which time I earned a terrible hangover and bought rather a gorgeous top from Annette's label Urban Buzz from her sample rail...beautiful bargain.
We even had a real stripey cat on the catwalk; an annual occurrence.
Last year we adopted a ginger cat for the duration, might have clashed with Adam's floor though. Hmm.
I'm working on a commission at the moment for Dee, her two dogs plonked on her studio chair. There's still time to me for a great Christmas gift if you are quick.
It's your last chance to see Fox Hill at The Bigger Picture Gallery (93 Church Road, Crystal Palace) before it goes to it's new owner at Christmas this month.
Pisarro did get there first in 1870 with his Fox Hill Upper Norwood and I'll have to find out if the two houses are those one's there on the right in his painting. It really snowed and snowed earlier in the year and Huw got some excellent pictures of Fox Hill in The Snow. I absolutely love these two buildings and they looked so magical at night covered in a blanket of white, the snow still falling gently.
I've had such lovely feedback and it's been a real talking point for people looking at my work. I'm already thinking what Crystal Palace view to do next.
I've made some Crystal Palace cards for Christmas, although as they are not actually printed inside the Fox Hill ones can be used all year.
I am selling these online or buy direct from me at the gallery or open studios on 5th/6th December. There's still time to buy!
Prints are also available now the original has gone.
I hope to see you this month. Come and do your Christmas shopping in Crystal Palace!
No less than four more paintings finished recently. One from my trip to Spain in May and one more from my Massa Lubrense trip, a celebration of all things snowy in Crystal Palace this year and a commission for a birthday.
Pisarro did get there first in 1870 with his Fox Hill Upper Norwood and I'll have to find out if the two houses are those one's there on the right in his painting. It really snowed and snowed earlier in the year and Huw got some excellent pictures of Fox Hill in The Snow. I absolutley love these two buildings and they looked so magical at night covered in a blanket of white, the snow still falling gently.
Official Christmas cards this year and Fox Hill in The Snow is also available as a print.
They are now showing in The Bigger Picture Gallery in Crystal Palace.
My first trip abroad to Estepona in Southern Spain. Along the coast is The Laugna Beach Club. It was very quiet as the season had not yet started properly.
It was the last day and the very last of the sunshine on the last day of our trip. Light and dark, night and day, happy and sad. Always the opposites that make for interesting dynamics in images as in life, the more interesting relationships. The dark is creeping across the pool to take the last of our sunshine, whilst that group in the corner have their backs turned. With such unpredictable summers in London we appreciate just a square of sunshine anytime. In the morning the night, though, will inevitably give in to the day.
The sun rises behind the town so down by the sea, at the bottom of steepness you have to wait for the sun to come up and over the back of the town, leaving the harbour in shade first thing in the morning. It is
Whilst waiting for the paint to dry I've been pootling round the interweb for inspiration and entertainment. I live with two spaniels right now, but used to live with cats. Look a these fabulous animations.
Another fabulous spaniel, so full of joy at just being. You cant help but cheer up with "The Doodles" is around.
Humphrey is pure joy and it shows in his whole being. Only 10 months old he embraces all that life has to offer a puppy.
Together with Croydon Enterprise we have been successful in securing a great new space for the Bigger Picture Project in Crystal Palace.
Thanks to the generosity of S G Smith Motor Group we are looking forward to transforming this space at the top of Anerley Hill into a vibrant creative venue.
Our aim is to draw attention to the space for S G Smith, revitalise this corner and provide a space for local creatives to use for exhibitions, workshops performances etc. This will bring new life to Anerley Hill and should attract the attention of all those drivers and passengers pulling up at the lights. The space is quite daunting, but also means it offers tremendous scope.
A bit of Jack the Cat here I think
You can now buy limited edition prints directly from the website via Pay Pal. All digitally printed on quality A3 Archival paper and priced at £40.00 (including £5.00 post and packing).
These are also available to see at framed at The Bigger Picture Gallery
This was the first affordable art sale and a house party, which brought together two different types of event and creating something unexpected and random.
Two cars were painted live by some of the best graffiti and illustration artists in the UK, great food and drink, affordable art and the opportunity to discover new art from Britain and abroad.
Lucky me, I was invited to particapate. Here I am looking very summery next to my work.
Ibiza Town, shown on the wall has now sold (see below)
Let me know if you are intersted in coming to any future events.
The project is going from strength to strength, but we are still looking for other local artists to exhibit and look to be securing another venue soon.
Local art lovers continue to discover us since we opened on 6th June. We have had a great opening night and late opening party, we'll be having another one soon. If you don't want to miss out on a great night with some excellent local DJs then sign up for our mailing list at The Bigger Picture Gallery.
The Bigger Picture Gallery is open most Saturdays from 10am until 5pm where you can come and see my work and have a chat.
Following an excellent time in Ibiza, despite the rain, I managed to do some preliminary work for a new view of of Ibiza Town which is good as I sold the last one I did just before I went away (eyes right).
I'm still finishing off one swimming pool painting from a trip to Estepona in June...all yellows as the sun is starting to go down. The process slows down as the image progresses for me as I need to spend time contemplating my next move.
I still have three paintings on the go from my Masse Lubrense trip in June, but have finished two of these and this project is going well.
A couple of trips to Germany for the first time this year had me visiting Berlin to see Kings of Leon (amazing) and Regensburg.
Regensburg (north of Munich) is very pretty with an ancient stone bridge crossing the Danube. It's a beautiful city and I have two paintings in the early stages with two more to come. One is a view from the bridge and the other a square with the cathedral towering over the buildings optimistically.
The harbour in Hamburg at night is in the early stages: cobolt blue. The view is from a boat on the water looking towards a bridge with the warehouse light up along the dockside. Yellow triangles and square windows very bright against the night sky.
I'm looking forward to starting a new commission to do another canine portrait for a family Christmas present along these lines:
If you would like to commission me to do a contemporary painting for a Christmas present now is the time to let me know so that the paint has enough time to dry.