Manchester Art Gallery

Had a fantastic time at the Manchester Art Gallery Christmas Art Market last night when I was sharing my stall with Phinefibre Art, Josephine Gornall. Despite it lashing outside, we both had a successful evening, met some lovely fellow artworkers/designers and sold a lot of work! A huge thank you to the organisers and to those of you who bought our work.

If you would like to hear more about the event, please click on the link: http://manchesterartgallery.org/exhibitions-and-events/event/first-wednesday-2/

Looking forward to next year’s event already!

Horse & Bamboo Theatre, Art Market

Why not come down to the Horse & Bamboo Theatre Company in Waterfoot, this weekend? Why, ah yes, because there is going to be a fantastic Christmas Art Market and I hear, by all accounts, this is a fun and popular venue. I also hear there will be mulled wine on tap and mince pies, yum yum (oohhh I’m so getting into the Christmas spirit!!). What’s not to love! Get on down!!

I shall be there, selling my work alongside loads of other art and craftists, so come and say hello! I look forward to mooching around and seeing what’s on sale. Got several presents to buy and if something catches the eye, I shall be buying it!

Anyway, the times and dates are above. Hopefully see you there!

ART! (That's short for Amazing Rare Things)

Hello art lovers! This blog comes as an invitation to you, dear reader, and I will tell you about it in a moment. But first, I want to tell you about this beautiful gallery/shop in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, called Water Street Gallery. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it because, well, it is well stocked with truly exquisite art, cards, jewellery, ceramics and a cornucopia of fabulous goodies. Beautiful things to lose yourself into and feast the eyes upon! Ever since, I have been coming here to buy gifts and cards, oh, and to look for inspiration!

So, I am very pleased to announce that, along with some wonderful artists, I will be showing several of my works as part of their annual Christmas exhibition, ‘Amazing Rare Things (ART for short!). The exhibition starts this Thursday on November 8th and will continue until January 27th.

And now for the invitation part. There will be a private view this Thursday between 6 to 8 pm. Alcohol will be served. Conversation aplenty. A great opportunity to meet the artists and get to know what makes them tick and why they do what they do and perhaps, talk about your own art practices, if you are an artist…. I always love to hear about people’s art journeys.

See you there.

Sale!! (kinda....well, cheap until after Christmas)

I have to say that I have been quietly beavering away at a series of miniature paintings recently (18.5x13cm with mount). It’s been part of a campaign to get people to buy original art to put on their walls. I don’t know about you, but I have been to many houses where there is no art, or the art is a shop bought, mass reproduced print where there is often little or no engagement with it. But to have an original piece of work on our wall, one that has a quality that cannot be repeated in a reproduction, well, that takes things to a new level! Having original artwork on our walls gives our home new life, quality upon our walls, pride in our interior design skills, and very often something to talk about among our guests.

But we can’t buy any art. We have to take a lot into consideration such as our response to it, does it make me smile? do the colours work for me? is the subject matter one that is close to my heart? Which room will it look best in?

Once we have established that the work speaks to us in some way, the artwork can quite often seem to be too expensive, which is off putting. Which is why, for a limited period only (up to Christmas), I am selling my miniatures for a ridiculously low price of £19.50 (without a frame). Call this an introductory price if you like, but it is one that is definitely worth it if it gets you thinking about looking at art, the purpose it serves and decorating your walls with confidence.

Todmorden Open Studios 2018

Aah, just finished an intensive three day Open Studios event in Todmorden, where over 50 artists were showing their work in various studios and venues around town. I was lucky enough to exhibit my work at the Old Co-op (my second home these days). Couldn't ask for a better place in terms of lighting and space and not to mention the gorgeous team (big thanks), who were hard at work making the event run smoothly while serving delicious tea and cake. 

The weekend, overall, was fun and very buzzy (and busy!). Conversed hugely with many fascinating people who took time out of their weekend to visit the venues. I exhibited alongside some very talented artists, sold lots of work (yayyyy!! and thank you so much those of you who bought some artwork from me), and came away with more projects for the future. 

Just thought I would post this lovely snapshot taken by Clare Pearl, who was showing her work across the room from me and  who creates some beautiful, eye-catchingly colourful work (which, unfortunately, isn't in the photo but check out her website). All the artwork when hung together looked stunning and here you can see artwork by yours truly, Ronan Quilty, Donna Ryan and Fran Armstrong (the stag head). Pol, the official Todmorden Open Studios photographer is sitting in the front of the photo taking in the awesomeness of the work that is in front of him. I am wearing red and underneath the stag head (more or less) :)

Favourite quote of the weekend: "With a name like Quilty, I'm surprised you didn't take up textile art!"

Todmorden Food Festival, September 1st 2018

Hello art lovers! Been busy beavering away at a series of miniature pictures, painted lovingly in gouache. These signed, little originals are all being sold at a very reasonable and affordable price of £19.50 each. This above miniature, entitled 'Ewe Look Lovely in That Jumper' would be an ideal present for anyone living in Jersey!! (*groans* You can thank Mr Q for that cheesy joke!). 

Work will be on display at the forthcoming Todmorden Food Festival 2018 where Arty Pants have organised an Arts & Crafts event on Saturday 1st September at the Methodist Church. There will be fantastic food galore and a mesmerizing array of artist's stalls that will make your day a real treat! The Festival will be held on Pollination Square and the Arty Pants Event in the Methodist Church, next to the square.

Alternatively, if you cannot make the Festival, please click on the shop section here on my website, thank you :)

Hopefully see you there!!