Monday 27 January 2014

Wednesday 15 January 2014

Coastal Gallery Hop

I visited some coastal galleries at the weekend.  I enjoyed Bircham Gallery in Holt- they had a Modern British exhibition on, showcasing the likes of Sir Peter Blake and Barbara Rae.


These pieces were my favourites , I am a big fan of collage and mixed media I think it gives the eye something new to look at each time. It is like art especially for ADD brains, always challenging the eye. The Pop Art works of Sir Peter Blake are layered and colourful yet coupled with neutrals do not become brash. I have a passion for using vintage imagery and text within my pieces, I think he has added depth with his use of text taking the narrative further than if it were purely image based. I also appreciate his use of sparkle within these pieces adding glamour and movement to the still imagery


   

Wooden Puzzle Collection- Friendship
 Silkscreen and collage 2013
Sir Peter Blake



                Wooden Puzzle Collection- Landscape
 Silkscreen and Collage 
Sir Peter Blake







Barbara Rae is a highly acclaimed painter and printmaker who creates beautiful and colourful works. Her inspiration comes from the places filled with light yet she rejects the fact that some people refer to her as a landscape painter.



                                                                Repare- 2010 Silkscreen


Rae uses washes of bold colour; merging form, line and hue into each other with dynamic composition, breaking up the picture surface with thrusting lines. The works draw the viewer into the artist's vision, emitting energy and warmth. I love the textures she creates using unusual brushstrokes and creating a sense of movement with her vast colour schemes. It seems that she can't stick to a small colour palette which is how I feel within my own work.


I also visited Burnham Deepdale- The Hare and The Hen Gallery. I have previously heard of this shop where the ceramic works of the owner are made and sold and also pieces are sold on behalf of other artists.  I really enjoyed the work of Nicola Hart who paints coastal and wildlife scenes using paint layered onto tatters of paper. If you look closely you can see text and or pattern peeking through from the fur of the animal or a sail on a boat. Simply beautiful. I can see comparisons with my own work, I think using text as texture is really fun to work with.

http://www.deepdalefarm.co.uk/dalegatemarket





Tuesday 7 January 2014

Materials

It's the start of the last project of uni life...I am slightly terrified. To ease my panic I've decided to keep busy by heading out to source materials. I decided to buy 4oz wadding because my intention is to make a lamp and a parasol so I don't want the quilting to look too heavy. I also picked up some different weights of plain cotton to experiment with in terms or weights.

My best finds were in a charity shop as usual, some teeny weeny brass chairs and a teapot, some vintage pearls, satin and a pre-embroidered table cloth. I'm excited about what I can use these for...watch this space!