During the month of April we are showcasing new work by perennial gallery favourite Andrew King.
High lights include stunning views of Durdle Door, Aylsham, Pin Mill and the River Bure.
For the third time our award goes to a painting by Michael Whittlesea,'Standing Nude' reminded me a little of Picasso's ‘Saltimbanques’. Beautiful draghtmanship and colour.
This was a good year for Michael as he also won The Bill Patterson Memorial Award for his painting 'Walking Nude'.
Once again I doled out the rather grandly named A&K Wilson Gallery Award. It is in fact simply a chance for me to wander around an exhibition and chose "the painting the judge would most like to take home".
As an abstract concept it means that I don't have to deal in the realities of size or price tag, just concentrate on wether or not I like the work. This year the prize went to Stephen Teeuw for his piece 'The Mandolin'. A beautifully worked painting, and quite haunting.The palette, composition and handling, in my humble opinion are all outstanding.
Stephen got the prize last year too, so he's clearly a bit of a favourite!
Peter Wileman is the President of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters.
Founded in 1882, the Institute is proud of its royal status, granted by King Edward VII in 1909, and of the many famous artists who have exhibited with it, including Alma Tadema, Sickert, Laura Knight, Fantin-Latour and Rodin. Today, the Institute’s membership includes many of the leading oil painters in the UK, amongst them several Royal Academicians.
But Cast aside any preconceptions you may have about how the President of such an ancient and august art society should behave. There is nothing tweedy or fusty about Peter, he has tremendous drive and enthusiasm, a forward thinking positivity which is steering the ROI firmly but gently into the 21st century.
So we are really thrilled and honoured to be holding an exhibition by one of the leading artists working today.
Peter has worked in the field of art and design for over 40 years. Painting since childhood, after leaving school he worked for a top publishing company studying lettering and design.
He then became the art editor of a number of magazines. With a natural talent for painting and by now with considerable experience, he decided to work freelance to allow himself the freedom to develop his own work.
His style is bold and vigorous, both in the use of colour and the handling of the paint. Seeking atmosphere through light and colour, he works in varying degrees of abstraction.
He has exhibited widely including mixed exhibitions at the Royal Society of Marine Artists, the New English Art Club and he was elected to full membership of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 2001, being made President in 2008.
In the same year he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).
Drinks Preview Thursday 8th October, all welcome!
Exhibition runs Friday 9th - Saturday 24th October inlcusive.
Our workshop was closed today (04/02/10) as a film crew were using it to film a scene for the new period black comedy, 'Burke & Hare'. The workshop was visted by the films director John Landis of 'American Werewolf in London' and Michael Jacksons 'Thriller' video fame. Also starring are Simon Peg, Andy Serkis & Tom Wilkinson.
Great fuss and excitement at our doorstep as Ronnie Corbett stopped by to stroke Barley and give him a kiss to make his leg better.
Michael is a relative new comer to the gallery so we’re especially pleased that this exhibition offers us the chance to introduce this talented painter, we’re sure you’ll be charmed by his work.
Born and bred in Northumberland, Michael is a native of the mining communities around Felton and Ashington where he still lives and works from his studio at his home.
He has always been interested in art and began painting seriously in his late teens. However he followed a career as a teacher for thirty years before retiring to fulfill his lifelong ambition to become a full time artist.
Michael is a self taught painter who has been able to develop his own distinctive style and palette. He paints exclusively in oils - a medium in his words, "that allows me to explore the feel of the subject".
His quietly understated pictures have a charm of their own and with subtle colours and tones he is able to convey the feeling and mood of a town, its streets, buildings and people. Achieved in an economical manner, his paintings seem to offer a glimpse into the world of others as they go about their daily lives unobserved.
He travels a great deal for inspiration, both in the UK and abroad, and is always on the look out for new subjects. In this exhibition we follow Michael as he paints the canals, harbours, parks and pavements of Venice, Bruges, Whitby and London.
Drinks Preview Thursday 17th September - All Welcome!
Exhibition runs Friday 18th September - Saturday 3rd October inlcusive.
Just to thank all the people who were so kind during the time Barley our Whippet went missing. Here's what the paper had to say....
Our annual 'Rory-Fest', takes place from Friday 10th - Saturday 25th July inclusive, with a Drinks Preview on Thursday 9th July,see above.
This year is our 20th anniversary trading in Harpenden and I wanted to do something special to mark the occasion.
After going through a few ideas I decided that it would be fitting to donate 10% of all picture sales in the month of June to Grove House.
Late last year my father passed away in a hospice and so I am keen to try to support the hospice movement.
As most of our clients are from Harpenden & St Albans I thought that they would prefer to be involved with our nearest local hospice, hence Grove House.
So June would be a great time to treat yourself and help others, and for those who aren't looking for a painting at the moment, we shall of course have a collection tin for any donations, or why not try our Prize Draw? Thanks.
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The final count has been made and we are delighted to say that we raised,
£1265.95 !
So many thanks to all our customers who bought paintings & tickets during the month.
In the run up to Rory's exhibition and as part of our Fund Raising Month we are holding a Charity Prize Draw. Rory has generously donated his painting, 'Branches, Bluebells'.
Tickets are priced at £5 each and are available from the gallery with the prize draw being made by Paul Parrish of Grove House Hospice at the Preview on 9th July.
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And the Winner is......Mrs A Anthoney, congratulations !