Artist of the Year competition shortlist

The UK magazine Artists and Illustrators runs an annual artist of the year competition. I entered it and was delighted to hear that the judges had shortlisted my  Shelves of Inspiration. There are 50 artists on the shortlist, and all of the pieces will be on display 23 - 28 Janaury 2017 at the Mall Galleries, London.

Part of the competition is a Reader's Choice vote. If you want to vote, you can see the whole shortlist here:

Artists and Illustrators Artist of the Year Shortlist

If you know that you want to vote for me, click here.

Ropley (Steam Train)

Ropley, oil on canvas, 50 x 50 cm

£225

 

Ropley is a station on the Mid Hants Railway (a heritage railway that is also known as the Watercress line). This knife painting was based on photographs that I took on a half term visit with the children. We were standing on the "Harry Potter bridge" - a bridge that was used in one of the wizardly films - under which the train was about to pass.

Man in a Tree (Robin Hood)

Man in a tree (Robin Hood)

Looking back at the work in progress post, this one has changed even more than I remembered. But it's a lot closer to the concept than the version posted there, although - unfortunately - the opportunity that I was painting for has since vanished into thin air.

So I have shelved my Robin Hood project for the time being, but this fellow is now happily ensconced in his tree, awaiting a rich, unscrupulous (and unsuspecting) abbot to pounce upon - or is it the sherriff of Nottingham he's lying in wait for?

Where does the time go? - SOLD

Acrylic on canvas, 10 x15 cm

I recently succumbed to the lure of a box of random mechanical watch parts. There are many fascinating tiny objects within; these are just a few of them.

SOLD

Man in a Tree (work in progress)

This one is going to change direction, but I quite like it as it is, for what it is (which isn't what is was meant to be).

It's based on one of a series of sketches of a friend who cheerfully agreed to climb a tree for the purposes of this picture:

Incongruous Lime

Incongrous Lime, 12 September 2016
Oil on canvas, 22 x 18"

This was a still life set up by a friend for a meeting of the brand new Clere Art Club. I have been wondering what sort of dish it would make - it all seems to go very well together until you notice the lime, which would no doubt be an interesting addition, but doesn't seem to be part of any well known recipes that include the rest of the ingredients.

Ground black pepper
Olive oil
Red pepper
Red onion
Tomato
Lime
Courgette
Tomato purée

Artikinesis exhibition at Blakes Lock

Artikinesis at Blake's Lock began its run on Saturday. There have been quiet times (such as the time that I drew the exhibition hall, above), but there have also been very busy times, and it does seem as if the people who have come to see the exhibition so far have enjoyed it. So have at least some of the people who came to see the Turbine House itself, or who popped in from the adjacent restaurant, or who came to say hello to one of the artists.

Artikinesis at Blake’s Lock, Reading, RG1 3DH.

Open 10 to 6 daily until 30 September, 10 to 3 on the final day, 1 October.