Derby City Open Art Exhibition - Entries

My entries for this year's Derby City Open Art Exhibition are below. Consists of two paintings and a sculpture
Judges will make decision by 1st October


Tywyn 24x24 inch: Acrylic on canvas


Your Heart Is Mine: 16x20 inch: Acrylic on Canvas



Momento Corpus: One Day I Know I Will Die
Mixed Media sculpture

New Peterborough Stencil

New Peterborough Stencil 2, originally uploaded by korp.

I've been asked to do a multi-layer stencil of Peterborough and after tinkering with a few photos I've decided this is the one to do. I like how it covers all aspects of the city from the office blocks to the CCTV camera and all that's inbetween. It'll be a complex job but I'm looking forward to doing it.

This is a preview I've knocked together in Photoshop of how it will look. Next step is to separate the layers and print them off.

Commission?

Yesterday delivering drawings to Oriel Pendeish, Caernarfon,
a good day out with swing bridges, art, castle and hufen ia......

art caused much discussion @ library & Galeri....ha!

arrived home to a request for paintngs on aluminium for a liner in Singapore!

ha!

International Drawing Competition - Wrocław 2009‏

Sonja Benskin Mesher from Llanelltyd near Dolgellau is the only artist from Wales selected for the International Drawing Competition in Wroclaw, Poland.

Only two artists from the UK were selected!



"We have a pleasure to let you know that the Jury of the 4th International Drawing Competition - Wrocław 2009 have decided to select your works for the exhibition. We would like to inform you that we have received 724 works by 274 artist from 21 countries. We congratulate you.

Organizers of the 4th International Drawing Competition - Wrocław 2009"



One of the jurors commented, 'It will be an amazing exhibition I think... but the jury was very, very, hard work because the standard was so high!'





More information on the Wroclaw exhibition can be seen here:-



http://www.mkr.wroclaw.pl/en/

Sonja has been a practicing artist since 1999 after a period of study at Coleg Merion Dwyfor, and is presently showing much of her collection of paintings and drawings in Europe and the US







sonja benskin mesher

www.sonja-benskin-mesher.co.uk
www.sonja-benskin-mesher.com
www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/artist/details.php?id=3008

http://twitter.com/sonjabm

Helfa Gelf - Open Studio

International Artist opens her studio to vistors.
Sonja Benskin Mesher, Tynllan, Llanelltyd, Dolgellau

26 Artists in Gwynedd will be opening up their studios to the public for the first time as part of North Wales's ever popular Open Studios scheme. Helfa Gelf

Sonja Benskin Mesher, fine artist in Llanelltyd is opening her studio over two weekends, Friday 11, Saturday12 and Sunday 13 September, and Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September.
Opening times are 11 am till late

This is a unique chance to see inside her working studio, view the work, and talk to the artist.

A Book About Death

pleased to be taking part.

A BOOK ABOUT DEATH : ARTISTS CONTRIBUTE 500 POST CARDS EACH TO CREATE AN UNBOUND BOOK ABOUT DEATH. AN HOMAGE TO RAY JOHNSON, A CELEBRATION OF EMILY HARVEY, A GLOBAL EXPLORATION OF DEATH.

EXHIBITION AT THE EMILY HARVEY FOUNDATION GALLERY IN NEW YORK CITY. OPENING: THURSDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2009. EXHIBITION: 10 - 22 SEPTEMBER 2009. OPENING : 7:30 - 11 PM.

Altar Piece Three

'Altar Piece, Three' has been purchased for the Tabernacle Art Collection, MOMA Wales

Shortlisted for the London Internation Creative Competition 2009

Great! Made it to shortlist of London International Creative Competition. Sculptures. See http://bit.ly/Ogz8E

Recycling art...

Recycling art..., originally uploaded by korp.

I'll (hopefully) be exhibiting 7 records at Peterboroughs Green Backyard Trash exhibition of art made from recycled materials...

A BOOK ABOUT DEATH: Sonja Benskin Mesher [231]

A BOOK ABOUT DEATH: Sonja Benskin Mesher [231]

My artwork for the band "Pro-jekt"

Click image to view full details

I'm delighted to announce, that my sculptures have formed the basis of the new album cover art, inlay and CD of the Gothic Metal/Darkwave band Pro-jekt. The new album, the band's third, has an international release and has been produced by Ade Fenton, Gary Numan's producer. The band will be promoting and playing the new album songs in their upcoming live dates. For more details about the album click here

Gareth Buxon

Shroud Haemorrhage

Shroud Haemorrhage is my largest abstract to date. The layers in this picture have been built up over several months. Paint has been applied and then scraped off when dried. There is texture to the final painting in places. The painting is about the non-seperation of body and mind and how the idea of self is a function of the physical body. Despite this being a fundamentally athiest painting, "shroud" like areas of the canvas were revealed as I worked on them and and as I liked these aesthetically I left them in.


Full Painting 24x36 inches


Detail 1


Detail 2



Details 3

Thom Yorke Disc

Thom Yorke Disc, originally uploaded by korp.

It's been a while since I've done anything (to do with art). So here is a Thom Yorke commission I've just finished for a flickr friend...

I might just be in the mood to start cutting some new stencils tonight...

Key Times Article

Key Times Article, originally uploaded by korp.

The art exhibition has made it into another publication. This time it's Peterboroughs Key Times distributed with the Evening Telegraph.

Charity Art Exhibition

The Young Carers art exhibition at Morley Court closed today with several pieces sold throughout and a burst of activity on the final day. Special thanks have to go out to all the artists that donated and everyone who came to have a look at the work on display.

It's now time to look forward to the first Young Carers art exhibition open to the general public. This event will be happening at the Peterborough Key Theatre from the 25th August and last for 2 weeks. The preview night on the 24th August is invitation only and will feature complimentary wine and nibbles as well as first opportunity to select your favourite piece of art. If you'd like to attend please get in touch as numbers are limited.

The Bullet- Issue 4 Out Now!

Open publication - Free publishing - More ovenden

Sculpture/3D Entries to Self Competition

Title: Colourwheel (2009)
Medium: Mixed-media installation
Artist: Kunte Howell-Ojidade
Location: St. Kitts, The Caribbean


Title: Trial Figure 1 (Bound)
Medium: Mixed-media sculpture
Artist: Leanne Harris
Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK


Title: Self-portrait (Anger Due To The State Of Things) (2008)
Medium: Earthenware, glaze, thread and papercrafts
Artist: Alisha Lewis
Location: Jacksonville, Florida, USA


Title: Carry Me Away Into The Wind (2009)
Medium: Edible thistle birdseed & velvet cushion
Artist: Joshua Gagliardi
Location: Ohio, USA

New Photography/Digital Entries to Self Competition

Title: Untitled (2009)
Medium: Silver gelatin print
Artist: Gregory T. Davis
Location: Lexington, Kentucky, USA

Title: (Out Of A) Concept (2008)
Medium: Digital
Artist: Nico Yerna
Location: Maastricht, The Netherlands


Title: Faded (From The 'Invitation To The Voyage' Series) (2003)
Medium: Photography
Artist: Cornelia Nauta
Location: Amersfoort, The Netherlands


Title: Coming Home (2006)
Medium: Photograph
Artist: Daniel Farnum
Location: Columbia, Missouri, USA


Title: Hi Five (2008)
Medium: Photograph
Artist: Hugh Jones
Location: Arlington, Virginia, USA


Title: Underneath: The Act Of Splitting- 5 (2008)
Medium: Digital photograph
Artist: Susan Coffman
Location: Levittown, New York, USA


Title: Black (2007)
Medium: Photograph
Artist: Laura Swanson
Location: Rhode Island, New England, USA


Title: Double Self-portrait (2008)
Medium: Photograph
Artist: Nikki Johnson
Location: New York, New York, USA


Title: Last Pages
Medium: Photograph
Artist: Jan Beerling
Location: Hengelo, The Netherlands


Title: Stretched Too Thin From 'The Light Painting Project' (2009)
Medium: Digital Photograph
Artist: Adrienne Stinson
Location: Sylvania, Ohio, USA

New Sketch/Print Entries To Self Competition

Title: Emerge (2009)
Medium: Pen on paper
Artist: Chloe Green
Location: Mexico City, Mexico


Title: Untitled (2008)
Medium: Graphite pencil on paper
Artist: Samantha Lewis
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA


Title: An Honest Look (2009)
Medium: Soft-ground etching
Artist: Meredith Adamisin
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA


Title: Fix You (2005)
Medium: Mixed-media on paper
Artist: Taryn Wells
Location: Medfield, Massachusetts, USA


Title: Can I Be Your Bunny? (2008)
Medium: Oil bar on paper
Artist: Karin Janssen
Location: Amstelveen, The Netherlands


Title: Self-portrait (2008)
Medium: Coloured pencil on paper
Artist: Emily Taigen
Location: Tolland, Connecticut, USA


Title: Green Heart (2008)
Medium: Graphite, chlorophyl, madder & indigo on paper
Artist: Judi Pettite
Location: Oakland, California, USA


Title: Not disclosed
Medium: Not disclosed
Artist: Ken Reker
Location: Not disclosed

New Film Entry To Self Competition

Title: Nature Of Truth (2008)
Medium: Film (6:18)
Artist: Joshua Gagliardi
Location: Ohio, USA

Painting Entries in The Self Competition

Title: Juane (2009)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Artist: Juane Xue
Location: Amersfoort, The Netherlands


Title: Self-portrait (2009)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Artist: Mohammed S. Shafiq
Location: Greater Manchester, UK


Title: Metal Head (2007)
Medium: Oil, conte and metal on drafting film
Artist: Michal Tkachenko
Location: London, UK


Title: Passion (2009)
Medium: Watercolour, pen & ink
Artist: Caitlin Callahan
Location: Boynton Beach, Florida, USA


Title: Profile (2009)
Medium: Oil on panel
Artist: Niamh Butler
Location: New York, USA


Title: Rolina (2009)
Medium: Acrylics on canvas
Artist: Rolina Nell
Location: Delft, The Netherlands


Title: Fig. 8 (2009)
Medium: Mixed-media on canvas
Artist: Emma Melton
Location: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK


Title: Morning Cigarette In The Heart Of Brooklyn (2008)
Medium: Mixed-media on wood
Artist: Adam Weal
Location: Brooklyn, New York, USA

Summer Exhibition at Needhams

Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery is pleased to present the 'Summer Exhibition' for 2009, our annual, eclectic, group exhibition of art by a variety of UK and international Artists.

Featuring:

Barbara J. Lloyd

Lynsey Storer

Jeremy Mayes

Jean Picton

Anna Laurini

Jason Walton

Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery
186 Main Street, Witchford, Ely, Cambs CB6 2HT

31st July to 24th September 2009

Compendium: A mixed group show at Courtyard Arts Centre

We are pleased to announce 'Compendium', a group exhibition of contemporary paintings, digital art & photography at the bustling Courtyard Arts Centre in Hertford. The exhibition will feature work from many well-respected UK and international Artists, including:

John Lyons

Barbara J. Lloyd

Jason Walton

Neil Graham-Cameron

Sioned Eleri

Craig Kerrecoe

Kaine Kulczak

Sonja Benskin Mesher

Ruth G. Martin

Peter D'Alessandri

26th October to 6th November 2009

Opening Reception on
Monday October 26th!

Courtyard Arts Centre
Port Vale
Hertford SG14 3AA

Opening hours Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am to 4.00pm

The Old Palace Art Exhibition

We are pleased to announce The Old Palace Art Exhibition, a group exhibition of contemporary paintings, digital art & photography in the prestigious Long Gallery in The Old Palace in Ely. The exhibition will feature work from several well-respected Cambridgeshire Artists, including:

John Lyons

Neil Graham-Cameron

Sioned Eleri

Craig Kerrecoe

Kaine Kulczak

Jo Tunmer

Also featuring will be several Artists from around UK, including:

Nash Francis

Sonja Benskin Mesher

Lynsey Storer

Ruth G. Martin

Marc Allen

A percentage of sale proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to our hosting charity partner Sue Ryder Care. Sue Ryder Care supports people with specialist palliative, end of life and long-term neurological care needs. Each year they provide 4 million hours of care to people living with cancer, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, stroke and brain injury.

Click here for details of their important work.

Opening Reception on Monday
August 17th from 7pm to 9.30pm!

The exhibition will be available to view, free-of-charge, until Saturday 22nd August
Opening hours Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am to 4.00pm

The Ultimate Crumbling: A Solo Exhibition by Nash Francis

Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery proudly presents 'The Ultimate Crumbling', a solo exhibition of work from the 'Human Nature Painting' series by the winner of the recent Needhams Open Art Competition 2009:

Nash Francis

Chimera: A Solo Exhibition by John Lyons

Craig Kerrecoe at Brick Lane Gallery

‘An Age of Miracles’ draws together a rich variety of inspired contemporary art from both emerging and established artists. Whilst many of the works in the exhibition have experimental and abstract qualities, others reflect the communities in which the artists live.

The exhibition at the Brick Lane Gallery will provide visitors with a vibrant and striking view of how contemporary artists can use a dynamic range of media and subject matter to produce an outstanding display of distinctive works of art at an affordable price.

‘An Age of Miracles’ is a collection of photography (Glenn Gibson), glass (Arabella Marshall), metal work (Yasemen Hussein) and painting (Mark Bell & Craig Kerrecoe), providing an eclectic mix of themes including abstract, landscapes (Patrick Simkins), people (Agnieszka Klus) and dancers (Charlotte Baynes). The exhibition has something for everyone at prices within the reach of all pockets.

17th June 2009 – 21st June 2009

Private View: Thursday 18 June, 6 – 9 pm

Sonja Benskin Mesher at Opera Gallery in Budapest

British Art in the 21st Century, featuring OC Artist Member Sonja Benskin Mesher.

Special Guest: Count Zoltan Rhedey !
June 25 to July 9 2009

Opening Reception 2009-06-25.

Gareth Buxton at Ingleby Gallery, Derbyshire

Gareth Buxton - Landscape Art

I am an established professional artist with paintings in many collections throughout the uk. For me painting is a process of filtering and interpretation, I never paint a scene as-it-is and literal copying of the landscape in-situ or working from photographs just doesn't work for me. Each painting is a unique snapshot and emotional representation of me at the time its created.

Current Exhibition

Where: Ingleby Gallery, Ingleby Gallery, Derbyshire
Date: June 14th - June 28th 2009

Time: Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 10am - 4pm, Weekends: 12 noon - 5pm
Telephone: 01332 865995 / 01332 862301
Address: Ingleby Gallery Ingleby Nr Melbourne Derbyshire DE73 7HW

'Even After The Honey' at Clare Hall, Cambridge

Art Liberating Lives

"Artists of all forms are invited to submit for Sue Ryder Care’s unique Art Liberating Lives Exhibition.

Art Liberating Lives is our signature art event which celebrates the power of art as a form of therapy, expression and liberation. Open for submissions throughout the summer, the campaign culminates in an exclusive exhibition at London's Mall Galleries in December.

If you would like to take part, click here to submit your artwork.

Submitted artworks must be created to the theme of 'Liberation'. Entry costs £12.50. All entries must be received by midnight on 21 October 2009.

Selected pieces will be shown at December's exhibition. For more information about submission criteria click here.

Artists’ awards and prizes available including £500 worth of art supplies courtesy of The Society For All Artists (SAA). More prizes will be announced shortly."

Cambridge Art Fair Preview Tonight

The 2009 Cambridge Art Fair opens this evening at Chilford Hall Vineyard, Balsham Road, Linton, Cambridgeshire, CB21 4LE, with a Preview Reception starting at 6.30pm.

OC Team Member Craig Kerrecoe will be attending tonight from 6.30 to 7.30 on stand D2 with his agent Jack Roberts from Art Addict. This will be the first time Craig has been shown at the Cambridge Art Fair.

Ely International Open Art Competition

We are proud to announce the inaugural Ely International Open Art Competition 2009. Visual contemporary Artists from around the world, working in any medium, are invited to submit their entries for an exhibition to be held in The Long Gallery at The Old Palace in the beautiful and historic city of Ely, in Cambridgeshire. The competition will culminate in a fund-raising launch party and selling exhibition in November 2009. A commission of 25% will be placed on all sales from the exhibition, all of which will be donated to Sue Ryder Care.

Please visit the new event website to find out more about the competition.

Exhibition: Gareth Buxton at the Ingleby Gallery

Gareth Buxton will be putting on his largest exhibition to date the beautiful Ingleby Gallery in June. Months of work will be culminating in an exhibition of over 25 paintings at the gallery from the 14th June. The majority of the show will feature acrylics on box canvas with a small selection of limited edition prints.

Date: June 14th - June 28th 2009

Telephone: 01332 865995 / 01332 862301

Address: Ingleby Gallery, Ingleby, Nr Melbourne, Derbyshire, DE73 7HW

Preview: June 14th Noon till 4pm

INVITE BELOW!

About the Artist:

His dramatic landscapes and seascapes are inspired by places, memories and emotions. He finds more beauty in a dark rainy sea than in a glorious sunset. Many of his paintings show a battle between darkness and light, and this interplay creates a mood of tension and drama in his work.

“Elements like the wind, rain, dark skies, the moon and the light bursting through the clouds that stimulate me profoundly. Landscape painting for me goes beyond literal representation of the land: it’s as much about representing me and my state of mind.”

Sunday by Adam Mclevey

Sunday by Adam Mclevey, originally uploaded by korp.

This beautiful portrait titled 'Sunday' has been donated by Adam Mclevey to the Peterborough Young Carers Charity Art Exhibition. It's one of four, click on the image and follow the link to see the other versions.

I've received many donations for the exhibition, including Ovenden artists Jason Walton and Craig Kerrecoe.

Thanks for your support.

Peterborough Young Carers Charity Art Exhibition

On Wednesday 13th May I had a quick meeting with the Peterborough Young Carers Project Coordinator Janine Baxter. It was great to be able to update her on the progress that has been made over the past few months. I was able to tell her that the PYC art pool now has 12 pieces of art in it from Lex, Funky Red Dog, Nick Cain, Jason Walton, My Dog Sighs, Sherrie Tate, Ytak, Lynne Lamb and Ysbryd with a further 8 pieces in the post from Craig Kerrecoe, Plura Bella, Mr. Burning, >tony< and Dogtired. Thanks to all of you that have donated your art recently, I can tell you that Janine was very excited not only at the prospect at raising money for the charity but also because it will give her the opportunity to bring some of the young carers to the exhibition. I was also able to let Janine know that the Key Theatre had agreed to host the Young Carers exhibition later in the year, this is a great venue and will really help to promote both the charity and the artists donating.

It's getting late but it's not too late if you want to donate to the exhibition. I know there are a lot more of you out there who want to help or have agreed to help out but so far have not been able to send anything in. Please, please get it in as soon as possible because I'd like to exhibit as much as possible at the first exhibition starting on the 22nd June.

Contact me for more details.

'Chimera: Myth & Colour'

Craig Kerrecoe at Cambridge Art Fair

OC Artist & Team Member Craig Kerrecoe will be featured at the Cambridge Art Fair next month on the Art Addict stand (D2) in the main Hall. Dates as follows:

Preview Evening & Drinks Reception:
Thursday 4th June 2009

Public Open Days:
Friday 5th June 2009
Saturday 6th June 2009
Sunday 7th June 2009

Chimera: A Solo Exhibition by John Lyons

We installed the new solo exhibition by John Lyons this morning at Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery in Witchford, Cambridgeshire. The exhibition is called 'Chimera: Myth & Colour' and marks the first solo exhibition of his work since his exhibition at Three Cups Gallery in Ely in 2005.

The exhibition will be on display at the restaurant until 25th June. Many thanks to John (pictured below) and his lovely wife Jean for their assistance during the install!

Needhams Open Art Exhibition- Public Vote Winner!

The Finalist's Exhibition for the Needhams Open Art Competition 2009 finished yesterday. We received a good deal of feedback regarding the featured work from visitors to the building- Andrea Rowbotham's large paintings in the Lounge Bar were very popular with guests apparently.

We ran a public vote for the exhibition, giving diners an opportunity to vote for their favourite piece. We've counted the votes this morning and are pleased to announce that we have a tie for winner of the Public Vote- both Marc Allen for 'Light Plays: Untitled C' (above) and Georgina Vinsun for 'Debbie' (below) received exactly the same amount of votes throughout the exhibition. Congratulations to Marc & Georgina!

The Key Theatre Peterborough

GREAT NEWS..., originally uploaded by korp.

The Key Theatre Peterborough has agreed to hold the second Peterborough Young Carers Charity Art Exhibition. The dates are still to be set but expect it to be some time this summer.

If you're an artist interested in taking part in the exhibition please let me know as I'm accepting entries now.

A few words about J.G.Ballard (who died yesterday)

I first discovered J.G.Ballard when I bought a battered second-hand copy of Hi-Rise from a bookshop many years ago. The book was unlike anything I had ever read, the understandable immortailty of the characters was a shock to the system, cognitive dissonance from the written page, this was new and exciting! This lead to me reading many other Ballard books over the years, the highlight probably being Crash, which I still don’t understand but enjoy unlocking the puzzle a little bit more everytime I read it. Just reading about the people that he influenced has been an additional bonus to me, this has opened opened new worlds of art, books and music. The Ballard community is a wonderful framework of sanity to ground myself against in an increasingly crazy world, one that he predicted through his books. Everytime I’m affronted by celebrity “news”, survellience and new consumer fetish cults I have a group of people to turn to who are equally bemused and angry. To new readers if you asked me what book to read first, I would say his autobiography, Miracles of Life (2008). From this gripping, warm and honest book you will get a true measure of the man that was J.G.Ballard.

More Self: Competition Entries- Paintings

Title: Self-portrait (2004)
Medium: Oils on canvas
Artist: John Lyons
Location: Littleport, Cambridgeshire, UK

Title: Point In Time, Portrait Of Myself With My Family (2009)
Medium: Oils on canvas
Artist: Clare Shepherd
Location: Cranborne Chase, Dorset, UK

More Self: Competition Enties- Photography

Title: Bits Of Me (2009)
Medium: Photography
Artist: Steve Hunt
Location: Birmingham, UK

Title: Self-portrait (2003)
Medium: Handprint Photography
Artist: Asaki Kan
Location: London, UK

The Old Palace Exhibition

The Old Palace Art Exhibition

A group exhibition of selected artists from Ovenden Contemporary
The Long Gallery, The Old Palace,
Palace Green, Ely, Cambs
August 17th to 22nd 2009

More details to follow!

A Month In Africa- Featuring John Lyons

A Month In Africa, an exhibition of art by:

Roland Eva
John Lyons
Deanna Tyson
Deryck Campbell

Michaelhouse
Trinity Street, St. Michael's Church, Cambridge CB2 1SU

4th May to 30th May 2009

The opening will be an evening of art, poetry and music showing art by Roland Eva, Deanna Tyson, John Lyons and Deryck Campbell, poetry by John Lyons and Jean Rees-Lyons and music by Kasai Masai

Monday 4th May 6.30-9.30pm

Chimera: A Fusion of Imagery Inspired by Caribbean Mythology

Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery proudly presents 'Chimera', a colourful solo exhibition: a fusion of imagery inspired by Caribbean mythology by the accomplished Artist:

John Lyons

Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery
186 Main Street, Witchford, Ely, Cambs CB6 2HT

15th May to 25th June 2009

"When you consider one of John's paintings, you are intrigued and repelled in equal measure, as you are forced to acknowledge your own unique reaction to such powerful imagery."

The Caribbean-born Artist John Lyons often relies upon the rich vernacular folklore and mythology of his homeland to conjure up images of such immense power that you can hardly take your eyes off them. Lyons describes his work as an 'ambivalent pleasure' and a 'playful dialogue' but they are much more than that. Intuitive and breathtaking, courageous and disturbing- when you consider a painting such as 'Birth Of Soucoyant' or 'Folklore Convention' you are intrigued and repelled in equal measure, as you are forced to acknowledge your own unique reaction to such powerful imagery.
An Artist with an incredible career behind him, Lyons has considerable achievements in visual arts, curating, poetry, teaching, adjudication and he was even a Purchaser for the Arts Council National Collection in the eighties. He co-founded the Hourglass Studio Gallery in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and remains a board member to this day. He is also one of three judges for the inaugural Needhams Open Art Competition 2009.

We are immensely proud to be exhibiting the work of an Artist of Lyon's skill and standing. 'Chimera' is the first solo exhibition in the Cambridgeshire region of work by John Lyons since his show at Three Cups Gallery in 2005. It will feature a fantastic selection of his oil paintings, watercolours, pastels and woodcut prints.

Click here for more details...

Peterborough Yound Carers Charity Art Exhibition- Call For Art!

WHO ARE YOUNG CARERS?

Young Carers are children and young people under the age of 18 whose lives are in some way restricted because of the need to take responsibility for the care of a person. This person may be ill, have a disability, be experiencing mental distress or affected by substance abuse or HIV/AIDS.

A young carer could be in any family and from any social or cultural background. Most are caring for a parent, commonly in a single parent family, but some may be taking responsibility for a grandparent, sibling or other family member. Some may be a primary carer, the only person providing care, but others, secondary carers, may share responsibilities with family members.

This is a call for artists with a conscience to contribute artwork to be sold at the Peterborough Young Carers Charity Art Exhibition between June 22nd and July 3rd 2009 at the Coca Cola Business Services Centre in Peterborough. All proceeds from the exhibition will go to the Peterborough Carers Centre charity.

For more details go to the website or send an email to the Project Manager Kaine Kulczak.

Needhams Open Art Competition 2009- The Finalists Exhibition

Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery proudly presents 'The Finalists Exhibition', the mixed group exhibition of works submitted to the inaugural Needhams Open Art Competition 2009, as selected by the judges John Lyons, Craig Kerrecoe & Kaine Kulczak.

Featuring:

Georgina Vinsun
Christopher Lessware
Esther Albone
Daniel Young
Ami Shin
Donna Carter
Andrea Rowbotham
Marc Allen
Carol Tarn
Cathy Smale
Nash Francis
Stuart Bush
Fernando Edwin Cari Chavez

Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery
186 Main Street, Witchford, Ely, Cambs CB6 2HT

3rd April to 14th May 2009

Since autumn 2005, the charming Needhams Restaurant in Witchford, near the historic city of Ely in Cambridgeshire, has hosted a visual art exhibition programme specialising in and providing opportunities for new and emerging artists from around UK.

In the true spirit of the now well-established exhibition programme, the Needhams Open Art Competition was launched in 2008 to create an exciting opportunity for new and emerging visual artists from around the world, culminating in this exhibition of the shortlisted work in April/May 2009.

We are pleased to announce the winner of the competition is Nash Francis for his entry 'Untitled 16' (below). Our congratulations to Nash- we look forward to working with him over the coming year.

Click here for more details...

New Artist- Barbara J. Lloyd

Barbara J. Lloyd primarily uses photography, digital processes and collage techniques to create wonderfully colourful, atmospheric and often humorous images filled with whimsy, mystery and an intriguing surrealism.

She says, "Art opens a window into my mind, allowing pieces of my subconscious to escape onto the canvas, paper or whatever substrate I'm using to capture the elusive bits. It's the ordinary, utilitarian elements of life that inspire and challenge me to present them in a new and, hopefully, exciting way. If my art engages the viewer in a satisfying dialogue, I consider it a success”

"It's the ordinary, utilitarian elements of life that inspire and challenge me to present them in a new and, hopefully, exciting way. I love to create a distinct atmosphere. "
Born in New Jersey, USA, Lloyd graduated from Kean University of New Jersey with a Fine Arts degree. A former art teacher and album cover designer, she now lives in Danbury, Connecticut and became a full-time artist sometime ago. Her artwork is currently being exhibited in the Upstream People Gallery, the American Juried Art Salon, and the Artist's Haven Gallery. She has just received a Special Recognition for two of her artworks in the Upstream People Gallery Juried Competition and her body of work was recently recognized by Mosaic Globe with a cash award.

Click here to see more of her profile...

2 pictures accepted by FEH

Heard today that two pictures have been accepted for display at the Old Fire Engine House in Ely :)

"Triangles" and "Hold my Hand"

The Paper Bag Art Project...

The Paper Bag Art Project..., originally uploaded by korp.

Just finished my entry into the Paper Bag Art Project. Artists from all over the world have been given a paper bag to do whatever they like with. I did a few mistakes first then finally plumped for this multi-layer stencil.

Click on the image to see more angles and links to the group.

New Landscapes From Gareth Buxton - Available Soon

I am currently preparing for two upcoming exhibitions, below are some of paintings that will be featured.

23 - 25th May 2009: Derbyshire Open Arts - Little Gallery Belper
14 - 28th June: Solo Exhibition - Ingleby Gallery, Ingleby


Twilight Near Buxton


Mist Over Carsington


Mist Over Carsington #2


Moorland Vista #15


Stanage Edge

Andrea Rowbotham in 'The Finalists Exhibition'

These are the huge but very beautiful abstract paintings by Andrea Rowbotham that we failed to get to Needhams yesterday! 'Reaching Summit' and 'Summit Experience' are now safely installed in the Lounge Bar of the restaurant where all the guests and diners are welcomed with drinks and menus before being shown to their tables.

This pair of paintings look fantastic, we're sure you'll agree.

Voice from the darkness...

Voice from the darkness..., originally uploaded by korp.

Janine Baxter coordinator of the project said “We have carried out a survey of young carers to find out what they want. It takes a great deal of courage for a Young Carer to identify themselves because they fear that if they ask for help their family will be broken up. We found that there was one major demand the children had. They want a childhood. We are going to use the survey to challenge every school, social worker, doctor, in the city to help them enjoy their youth.”

This is a call for artists to help support the young carers charity.

Join the Flickr group here.

Needhams Open Art Competition 2009- The Finalists Exhibition

The Finalists Exhibition!

The Finalists Exhibition for the Needhams Open Art Competition 2009 was installed this morning (mostly!). It went reasonably well apart from the fact that we couldn't get two paintings by Andrea Rowbotham to the restaurant as they were too large to get in our car (a large SUV). We've arranged alternative transport for tomorrow and will post photographs tomorrow afternoon.

The striking painting above is called 'Rape of Ghia' by Esther Albone, now hanging in the conservatory.

The winning piece, 'Untitled 16' by Nash Francis, is also hanging in the conservatory.

You can hardly tell from these photos just how beautifully tactile this painting is. It's an abstract painting in the usual sense of the word but the materials Nash uses add an interesting dimension to his work- it's cold to the touch (which is odd) and the contrast between the flat matt of the white areas and the high gloss of the colours is very strong. The colours almost jump off the canvas. Congratulations to Nash Francis- the first Winner of the Needhams Open Art Competition 2009!

The piece on the left is called 'Blue Dream' by Daniel Young- it got the second highest number of points from the judges in the competition and is, therefore, our second place entry! Well done Daniel!

The piece on the right is called 'Untitled C' by Marc Allen. It's actually a photograph (not digitally edited in any way) and is printed onto aluminium sheet.

This is a portrait piece by Carol Tarn called 'Zoe'. It's very large and very striking!

This is the second piece selected for the exhibition by Nash Francis. It's called 'Untitled 7'.

2nd place painting 'Blue Dream' by Daniel Young.

These two charming little prints are from Ami Shin. The bottom one is called 'This Is My Pet 3' and we love it.

'Outback- Mount Connor' by Hertford Artist Cathy Smale, in the brasserie dining room.

A photograph called 'Untitled 2' by Donna Carter from Northampton, hanging in the brasserie dining room.

The gorgeous 'Debbie' by Georgina Vinsun in the brasserie dining room.

'Land & Sea' by Christopher Lessware in the main dining room.

A print of 'Untitled 3 (Hopes & Fears)' by Stuart Bush, hanging in the main entrance hall.

'Broken Image' by Daniel Young with 'Untitled 7' by Nash Francis in the background.
This is a fantastic & diverse exhibition of paintings, illustration, prints and photography by new and emerging artists from around the UK. It will look even better tomorrow when we get to hang the two selected paintings from Andrea Rowbotham!

Two new prints today ....

One on the left is called 'Replete' and the other is called 'Coot'....

Editorial in Cambridge Style magazine

We got a bit of editorial and two pictures in a full page article in Style magazine this month :)

Page 92 if you're interested (quicker if you go to the end and work backwards!)

Click here to view!

Brilliant New Canvas Prints At The Emporium

Jeremy has been one of our top selling Artists since we first started trawling the art fairs back in the day and we are very excited to be able to offer great value open edition prints at last! Our suppliers use high quality canvas, an Epson printer and Epson pigment inks to ensure a quality product that will look great and last for many years. All our deep-edge canvas prints have a water-based clear lacquer applied to them as a UV barrier and to protect the canvas prints from scuffing. It also makes them easier to clean! All canvas prints are stretched over a sturdy, hardwood frame, Eucalyptus Regnans to be exact.

And don't forget there's FREE delivery to UK mainland addresses too!!!! We're just too good to you!

Print size: 31x46cm
Price: £114.99

For UK mainland deliveries the price includes postage and packing. All other delivery destinations please e-mail us before purchase in order to obtain the correct postage & packaging for an item. Please read our terms and conditions. All dimensions are approximate only. Please be aware that photography and individual monitor settings can alter the appearance of colours.

Click here to see more!

The Bullet- Issue 3

Open publication - Free publishing - More ovenden

Needhams Open Art Competition 2009- The Finalists Exhibition

Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery proudly presents 'The Finalists Exhibition', the mixed group exhibition of works submitted to the inaugural Needhams Open Art Competition 2009, as selected by the judges John Lyons, Craig Kerrecoe & Kaine Kulczak.

Featuring:

Georgina Vinsun
Christopher Lessware
Esther Albone
Daniel Young
Ami Shin
Donna Carter
Andrea Rowbotham
Marc Allen
Carol Tarn
Cathy Smale
Nash Francis
Stuart Bush
Fernando Edwin Cari Chavez

Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery
186 Main Street, Witchford, Ely, Cambs CB6 2HT

3rd April to 14th May 2009

Since autumn 2005, the charming Needhams Restaurant in Witchford, near the historic city of Ely in Cambridgeshire, has hosted a visual art exhibition programme specialising in and providing opportunities for new and emerging artists from around UK.

In the true spirit of the now well-established exhibition programme, the Needhams Open Art Competition was launched in 2008 to create an exciting opportunity for new and emerging visual artists from around the world, culminating in this exhibition of the shortlisted work in April/May 2009.

The first prize, awarded to one of the shortlisted artists/photographers selected by our panel of judges, will be a solo exhibition at Needhams during 2009. The winning artist/photographer will also be offered non-exclusive representation from Ovenden Contemporary.

New Member Coming Soon- Caroline Hall

We are close to finishing the profile of another new OC member- Caroline Hall, from Winchester. Caroline came to our attention with an excellent entry to the Needhams Open Art Competition, receiving a commendation from the judges.

Caroline completed a degree in Visual Art in 2005 with First Class Hons, and then a Masters in Fine Art in 2007. Since graduating she has exhibited throughout the UK and held her first solo London exhibition with degreeArt.com in November last year. She was a named finalist in the Chelsea International Fine Art Competition in New York which was judged by Manon Sloane and her work was subsequently featured in the arts magazine ARTisSpectrum 2008.

Her profile should be up tomorrow sometime. Let us know what you think...

New Prints From Jo Tammaro at The Emporium!

We are now offering framed and mounted prints and stretched-canvas prints in a variety of sizes from several of our artists at the Emporium on-line boutique gallery. Look at these fantastic new photographs from OC Artist Jo Tammaro of Margate Harbour and Lighthouse. Don't they look beautiful in these wonderful frames?

Our fine art prints come with a beautifully-crafted, charcoal coloured custom frame made with quality timbers 3cm wide by 2cm deep. A mount (minimum of 6cm wide) surrounds the print to emphasize the artist’s work and bring the piece to life. Premium ultra-clear perspex provides a superior finish and means the piece is lighter and easier for you to move without breaking.

And don't forget there's FREE delivery to UK mainland addresses too!!!! We're just too good to you!

First FILM Entry to the Self Competition

Title: Becky 2007 (2008)
Medium: Animation (2:09)
Artist: Becky Moore
Location: Manchester, UK

We are really pleased to have received our first film-based entry to the SELF competition. This one, an animation, is from a UK-based Artist and is the first of many we hope! Thanks Becky!

New Photography/Digital Entries to the Self Competition

Title: Lady Would Grain (2007)
Medium: Digitally edited photography
Artist: Emma Thackham
Location: Cheshire, UK

Title: De-Faced (2009)
Medium: Digitally edited photography
Artist: Jason Walton
Location: Loughton, Essex, UK

Title: Machine Head (2008)
Medium: Photography
Artist: Tiffany Bisconer
Location: San Francisco, California, USA

New Sketches/Printmaking Entries to Self competition

Title: Autorretrato Con Conejito (2006)
Medium: Graphite on panel
Artist: Teresa Dunn
Location: Lansing, Michigan, USA

Title: Self-portrait (2009)
Medium: Pencil on paper
Artist: Rosa Balgarnie (Aged 8)
Location: Cheltenham, UK

Title: Self-portrait With Found Object (2007)
Medium: Coloured pencil & pastel
Artist: Brian Fencl
Location: Wheeling, West Virginia, USA

New Painting Entries to the Self Competition

Title: The Red Hat (2007)
Medium: Oils on canvas
Artist: Tudor Francu
Location: Romania

Title: Self-portrait, Weeping (2008)
Medium: Acrylics & oils on canvas
Artist: Beata Harasim
Location: Crewe, UK

Title: Demise Of Commitment (2004)
Medium: Oil pastels
Artist: Tiffany Bisconer
Location: San Francisco, California, USA

Title: Fractured Flash Of Clarity (2009)

Medium: Acrylics on canvas
Artist: Suzanne Bort Gray
Location: Poland, Ohio, USA

Title: Guarding St. Francis (2008)
Medium: Oils on panel
Artist: Teresa Dunn
Location: Lansing, Michigan, USA

Korporate Soldiers...

Korporate Soldiers..., originally uploaded by korp.

Just finished this two layer stencil of my boys. It's on a 40cm x 40cm canvas and is another addition to my urban portraits portfolio.

Urban Portrait

Minikorp 1 and 2...WIP, originally uploaded by korp.

A little work in progress shot of my latest urban portrait. This halftone stencil is one of two layers that I hope to have finished this weekend.

New Artist Member- Jason Walton

Jason Walton, a successful Graphic Designer based in London, creates vibrant digital images using illustration and photography, heavily influenced by his design training. A keen traveller, many of his images are derived from his travel photographs, edited into abstract forms. Alternatively, using Photoshop on his trusty Apple Mac, he will create cloissonist illustrations with thick black lines enclosing bright colours.

"...with digitally collaged images like 'Cockerels', you can see a desire to recreate, reform reality, turning random items into something else, something abstract."

Walton is inspired by images or photography that show texture, contrast, linearity and unusual perspectives or angles. He will often repeat an image to form a pattern and this, in itself, changes the quality of his images. He cites the British collage artist Richard Hamilton as one of his favourite artists and, with digitally collaged images like 'Cockerels', you can see a desire to recreate, reform reality, taking everyday, random items and turning them into something else, something abstract.

His images are available in a variety of sizes and formats. Please contact us if you are interested in talking about printing options.

Click here to see Jason's profile.

Do something good with your money...

Do something good with your money..., originally uploaded by korp.

Winston's Wish is the leading childhood bereavement charity and the largest provider of services to bereaved children, young people and their families.

Help raise a little money for this great cause by bidding on one (or all) of several pieces of artwork to be auctioned starting on the 25th March 2009.

Click here to bid.

Self: Competition Entries

Title: The Devotee (partial) (2009)

Medium: Sculpture
Artist: Stephen Farley
Location: Birmingham, UK

Title: Self-portrait in Paynes Grey (2009)
Medium: Acrylics on canvas
Artist: Lynsey Storer
Location: London, UK

Call For Art! Peterborough Young Carers Charity Art Exhibition

Click here for more details...

Dreaming Methods: New Forms Of Fiction

New forms of fiction

Dreaming Methods, known also as Digital Fiction, evolved from obscure, floppy disk-based collections of short stories that were available for free in the Amiga Public Domain during mid 1990s. It is now an experimental venture into combining fictional narratives with atmospheric multimedia designed to be read and experienced on-screen.

Dreaming Methods is inspired largely by abstract concepts that would perhaps be difficult to capture using writing alone. The multi-layered complexity of dreams/nightmares and real/imagined memories that feature in many of the narratives are represented by a heavy mix of media that is designed to be compulsive and immersive. Projects are inspired by music, film and web design as much as literature, and attempt to take strands of each and weave them into something entirely new.

Dreaming Methods is however experimental. Our plan is to continue to attempt to produce challenging hybrid fiction projects that push the boundaries of digital writing.

Click here to visit the Dreaming Methods website.

'The Bullet' Issue 3- Out Now!

We are pleased to release Issue 3 of our 'quarterly' magazine...

New Sculptural Entry for SELF competition

Title: Building My Future Robot (2008)
Medium: Oils, pastels and marker pen on board with christmas lights
Artist: Ami Shin
Location: Surbiton, Surrey, UK

This is a new entry to our SELF competition from Surrey-based illustrator Ami Shin. Ami is one of the finalists in the Needhams Open Art Competition 2009 and features in the Finalists exhibition opening on 3rd April at Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery.

2009 News

2009 is shaping up to be a landmark year for Ovenden Contemporary. We have some fantastic events booked or in development, which we'd love to tell you about:

April
The finalists exhibition for the inaugural Needhams Open Art Competition 2009, for new and emerging artists, opens on 3rd April. This competition has been a great success for OC and Needhams, bringing new artists to our organisation and raising the profile of Needhams locally. We look forward to announcing the winner of the competition very soon.

June-July
OC Team Member Kaine Kulczak has organised the Peterborough Young Carers Charity Exhibition in aid of the city's many young carers, at the Coca Cola BSC in the city. A call for artists will be issued shortly for this charitable event and we hope that many of our artist members will consider donating work to the project.

July
We also have another event planned for the summer (dates TBC), this time just outside the famous horse-racing town of Newmarket in Suffolk. This event is in partnership with an exotic car specialist based in a historic flint barn in the beautiful Suffolk countryside, surrounded by stud farms. This event will hopefully take the form of a weekend long combined launch party and art exhibition with supercars provided by our event partners and fantastic art provided by us. More details to follow...

July
The deadline for 'SELF', our on-line competition for self-portraiture arrives in May and will culminate in our first large online exhibition planned for July. We have had a huge number of entries to this competition from around the world and are really impressed with the quality of many of the entries.

August (TBC)
We are in the process of organising a major open art competition for the City of Ely in Cambridgeshire in partnership with Sue Ryder Care. The competition will be open to all art forms and artists from around the world. There will be an exhibition in the magnificent Long Gallery at The Old Palace in the centre of the city and a share of sale proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to the Sue Ryder charity fund.

October-November
We have booked the charming Courtyard Arts Centre in Hertford for two weeks towards the end of this year. The group exhibition will feature work from many of our artist members and will be launched with a Preview Reception on 27th October.

Keep reading the blog for news updates as and when they occur. Please contact us if you are interested in becoming involved or attending any of the events.

Illustr-Eight presents 'Transitions' at Courtyard Arts

Courtyard Arts Centre in Hertford is open with contemporary art on show and for sale Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm and to 5pm on Fridays.

The gallery houses a gift shop which stocks a range of ethically sourced home accessories (rugs, cushions, bags), gifts, handmade cards and jewelery. The private view for each exhibition is generally on the first Tuesday of the opening week.

Exhibitions change fortnightly and for details of current and forthcoming exhibitions please contact gallery for details on 01992 509596.

Our programme of classes offers a wide range of subjects for all age groups and abilities, including those with special needs. The centre offers a range of classes to choose from. Classes are held in the well equiped ceramic studio and studio1. Class sizes are small (6-10) and repeat bookings confirm the popularity of these small but sociable weekly workshops.

To book, please contact us on 01992 509596 or admin@courtyardarts.org.uk

Recent Sketch Entry to SELF Competition

Title: Self-portrait at 42 (2009)
Medium: Colour Intaglio
Artist: John-Mark Schlink
Location: TBA

Recent Photography/Digital Entries to SELF Competition

Title: Untitled from the 'Timeless' series (2008)
Medium: Cyanotype Photography
Artist: Natalia Skobeeva
Location: London, UK

Title: Queen Of The Recently Undead (2008)
Medium: Digital
Artist: Barbara J. Lloyd
Location: Danbury, Connecticut, USA

Title: At Seven (2008)
Medium: Digital
Artist: Carol Radsprecher
Location: New York, USA

Recent Painting Entries to SELF Competition

Title: Self-portrait (2005)
Medium: Mixed-media
Artist: Lisa Sayles
Location: Amboy, Washington, USA

Title: Meditation Moment (2009)
Medium: Oil On Canvas
Artist: Fanny Diaz
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida, USA

Title: Gray Matter: Inside The Insight (2009)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Artist: Suzanne Bort Gray
Location: Poland, Ohio, USA

Title: Me (2008)
Medium: Acrylic
Artist: Mark Whelan
Location: Wirral, Merseyside, UK

Title: Mrs. Kenan Davis (2007)
Medium: Oil on board
Artist: Jennifer Drinkwater
Location: Ames, Iowa, USA

Title: Stillness (2007)
Medium: Mixed-media on board
Artist: Dorothy Fitzgerald
Location: Buffalo, New York, USA

Title: A Shabby Tale (2008)
Medium: Mixed-media on board
Artist: Maria Holohan
Location: TBA

Title: Self-Portrait If The Artist Could Grow A Beard (2008)
Medium: Oil & Gloss
Artist: Graham Lister
Location: Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Click here to submit your own entry to our SELF competition.

Sonja Benskin Mesher- Coming to OC Soon!

In a medieval long-house in Llanelltyd, North Wales, surrounded by mountains, lakes and rivers, and also very near to the sea, is the studio of a highly-rated Artist called Sonja Benskin Mesher. Sonja has lived in this spectacularly beautiful part of the world for more than 15 years now and the ancient landscape has been affecting her work profoundly ever since. The sense of freedom, peace and sheer space of the environment has given Sonja's work an almost inherent, sensual, rhythmic quality. She uses a dialogue of shape and colour to create ideas about the landscape and inherent memory.

She is well known for her prize winning sketches as much as for her abstract work. She says, “I like to draw. I like the immediacy and physical connection I get with the media. I like the memories that form themselves on the paper. I like the marks, and patterns. In quieter moments, the drawing work occurs, reflecting on life, remembering childhood, and unravelling problems.” Many of her sketches have been submitted in our 'SELF:' competition for self-portraits. Click here for more information.

The sense of freedom, peace and sheer space of the environment has given Sonja's work an almost inherent, sensual, rhythmic quality. She uses a dialogue of shape and colour to create ideas about the landscape and inherent memory.

Sonja was born in Bournemouth in the late 1940's and became a full-time professional artist in 1999 after a period of study. She has won many awards and prizes since then and also runs art workshops from her studio.

Photography/Digital Entries to SELF:

Title: Swing
Medium: Digital media
Artist: Chris Beetow
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Title: Smoking Mirrors (2009)
Medium: Photograph
Artist: Catalina Piedrahita
Location: Miami, Florida, USA

Title: Self-portrait (2009)
Medium: Photograph of sculpture
Artist: Dominic Chinea
Location: Southend-on-Sea, Essex, UK

The Bullet- Next Issue Coming Soon!!

It's been a bit of a wait, but Issue 3 of our new quarterly (ahem) magazine The Bullet is nearing completion and should be released by next week. With a new look to go with the new OC branding and proper on-line browsing courtesy of the brilliant ISSUU system, it should be worth the wait!

For those of you who can't possibly wait, or haven't seen our magazine before, have a look at the previous issues...

Issue 2



Issue 1

Saatchi's Art Talent Show

SAATCHI'S BEST OF BRITISH

Do you think you have the talent and ambition to be among a new group of great British artists?
The BBC and The Saatchi Gallery are launching a search for people who possess the drive and passion to make great art. To apply and to find out more about becoming part of a major BBC series, please go to:

www.submityourart.com

The search is now open for submissions and closes on Sunday 29th March 2009 at midnight. Applicants must be resident in the UK, over 18 by April 2009 and not currently represented by a gallery. You don't need an art education to apply.

"I am looking forward to the prospect of finding undiscovered British talent. Anyone with a fresh creative approach should enter - because nobody knows where the next art star will emerge from."

Charles Saatchi

TO APPLY:
You can apply by uploading between 3-5 images and/or videos of your work and by telling us a bit about yourself. The artwork you submit can be in any medium e.g. instalation, digital media, painting, sculpture, printmaking, perfomance art and other. You can also upload a film of yourself talking about your artwork if you wish.

Pictures Hung at Bannold

Got in to Bannold this morning and hung 8 of our pictures. After two hours drilling holes in 400 year old beams, we managed to attach the chain and hang the pictures.

Regards, Neil & Sion

'Grey & Distant Allusions' at Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery

Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery proudly presents a solo exhibition of abstract paintings by the Cambridgeshire-based Artist

Craig Kerrecoe

Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery

186 Main Street, Witchford, Ely, Cambs CB6 2HT

23rd January to 3rd April 2009

More Entries for SELF

Title: Inspiration (2009)
Medium: Watercolour on paper
Artist: Paula Visnoski
Location: Providence,Rhode Island, USA

Title: Self-portrait 1 (2009)
Medium: Wood, paper, oils
Artist: Jasmine Murrell
Location: Brooklyn, New York, USA

Title: Before The Discovery Of Helium (2009)
Medium: Photographic silver gelatin print
Artist: Kristen Pickard
Location: Arkansas, USA

Title: Creator
Medium: Photographic C-Print
Artist: Maria Kamenskaya
Location: Kiev, Ukraine

Title: What U C Is What U Get (2006)
Medium: Oils on canvas
Artist: Esther Albone
Location: Norfolk, UK

Entries to our online competition 'SELF' are arriving every single day at the moment and we are impressed with the diversity of the work we are receiving. It's good to see an entry from Ukraine in there.

Click here to submit your entry...

'Egression Tag' by Kaine Kulczak

This is a clip by OC Artist Kaine Kulczak creating a 'tag' called 'egression'. It's part of a series of clips called the 'dog sighs tag tree project' (ask Kaine!?) which are available to view on his KORPORATE youtube site.

Click here to view the other clips...

The Finalists Exhibition

Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery proudly presents 'The Finalists Exhibition', the mixed group exhibition of works submitted to the inaugural Needhams Open Art Competition 2009, as selected by the judges John Lyons, Craig Kerrecoe & Kaine Kulczak.

Featuring:

Georgina Vinsun
Christopher Lessware
Esther Albone
Daniel Young
Ami Shin
Donna Carter
Andrea Rowbotham
Marc Allen
Carol Tarn
Cathy Smale
Nash Francis
Stuart Bush
Fernando Eduardo Cari Chavez

Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery
186 Main Street, Witchford, Ely, Cambs CB6 2HT

3rd April to 14th May 2009

Since autumn 2005, the charming Needhams Restaurant in Witchford, near the historic city of Ely in Cambridgeshire, has hosted a visual art exhibition programme specialising in and providing opportunities for new and emerging artists from around UK.

In the true spirit of the now well-established exhibition programme, the Needhams Open Art Competition was launched in 2008 to create an exciting opportunity for new and emerging visual artists from around the world, culminating in this exhibition of the shortlisted work in April/May 2009.

The first prize, awarded to one of the shortlisted artists/photographers selected by our panel of judges, will be a solo exhibition at Needhams during 2009. The winning artist/photographer will also be offered non-exclusive representation from Ovenden Contemporary.

Mike Bell at The Biscuit Factory

Mike Bell is exhibiting in the Spring Exhibition at The Biscuit Factory, Stoddart Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1 AN.

Come to the preview night for a glass of bubbly and see his mixed-media paintings, including the Belsay Quarry Garden Series & limited edition prints & cards.

Friday 6 March 6 - 9 pm!

Mike Bell

Over 100 Entries to SELF Competition

Title: I Love The Future (2008)
Medium: Linoleum Print
Artist: Mark Andrew Webber
Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK

Title: Breakthrough Extract 03 (2008)
Medium: Typoetry
Artist: Guido E. Alvarez
Location: Richmond, Virginia, USA

We have had well over 100 entries so far to SELF: our free-to-enter self-portrait competition, ranging from traditional oils on canvas to photography to digital art and experimental mediums such as Guido Alvarez's 'typoetry' (above).

A large proportion of the entries are coming from USA & UK, but we have also had entries from Germany, Iran & Estonia. We would love to receive entries from Artists based in other countries so that we can present a truly global 'snapshot' of contemporary self-portrait practice.

Click here to submit your entry.

New Representation for Mike Bell

Hi All

I'm now represented by Monsoon Galleries, Bethlehem, PA, USA.

Click here for info images/bio...

Thanks

Mike Bell

New Art Review issue out now

The March issue of ArtReview:Digital is available now, FREE! ArtReview:Digital is the entire magazine on your screen - with videos too.

> Instant access, anywhere, anytime
> Searchable across the entire archive
> Links to artists and galleries
> Audio: listen to select articles
> Video of artists, works

SELF: More Entries...

Title: Mother & Daughter (2008)
Medium: Photograph C-Print
Artist: Molly McCafferty
Location: Athens, Ohio, USA

Title: Wild Self-portrait
Medium: Porcelain
Artist: Jasna Nikolic
Location: London, UK

Title: Blowin'-up Avenger (2008)
Medium: Pigment print
Artist: Matthew Dayler
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Title: Self-portrait With Hindi Script (2002)
Medium: Acrylics on board
Artist: Lara Summers
Location: Jacksonville, Florida, USA

Title: Matthew Dayler & Gamble (2008)
Medium: Silk screen print, aerosol paint and acrylics on board
Artist: Matthew Dayler
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Click here to submit your own Self-portrait.

John Lyons New Cookery Book!

From Peepal Tree Press:

‘Cook-up In A Trini Kitchen’ extends with an exuberant impetus the concept of the recipe book. It is a unique collection of easy-to-follow recipes, watercolour paintings, drawings, poems, stories and anecdotes recounting experiences with food and cooking by the author, painter and poet John Lyons.

Apart from enthusiastic well-wishers, and admirers of his art and poetry, the culinary inspiration for this book comes from John Lyons’ all-abiding love of food and cooking as an added fulfilment to his enthusiastic, creative life. The recipes reflect the cultural fusion of many nationalities that have played a part in the history of his native Trinidad and Tobago.

The dishes range from the homely, traditional fare of his mother and grandmother, through to new recipes which are the results of his experimentation. These recipes make a significant contribution to the ever-growing reputation of a Caribbean gastronomy. ‘Cook-up In A Trini Kitchen’ is a book, not only for those who enjoy good food and cooking, but assuredly will be of interest to lovers of fine art and story telling.

John Lyons was born in Trinidad. He came to the UK many years ago. He has established a reputation as a fine poet, a successful artist and an imaginative cook. He is the author of three collections of poetry, Lure of the Cascadura (1989), Behind the Carnival (1994) and Voices from a Silk Cotton Tree (2002). His poems were included in A Caribbean Dozen (1996); The New British Poetry 1968-88 (1988). He has given many readings, including at national and international festivals.

Click here for more details...

'Grey & Distant Allusions' at Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery

Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery proudly presents a solo exhibition of abstract paintings by the Cambridgeshire-based Artist:

Craig Kerrecoe

Needhams Restaurant & Art Gallery
186 Main Street, Witchford, Ely, Cambs CB6 2HT

23rd January to 3rd April 2009

"Kerrecoe expertly taps into the insecurity, the unsettling fear that we are not actually in control of our selves, of our identities.....of who we really are."

Kerrecoes' work, frequently abstract, invariably focuses on the concept of identity. He seems driven by a desire to understand who he is and what makes him that person. Is he little more than a machine, programmed to function in an extremely specific way? Is his identity just an elaborate illusion, the result of billions of chemical reactions?

We believe his work appeals to others because so many of us, at one time or another, are forced to confront who we really are. We can hide behind a facade for so much of the time but every now and then, inadvertently, we let our true selves show. Kerrecoe expertly taps into the insecurity, the unsettling fear that we are not actually in control of our selves, of our identities.....of who we really are.

'The Code' series of paintings, started in 2004 and first shown at Needhams in October 2005, uses a complex language of abstract colour and pattern, designed to convey Kerrecoe's internal conflict to balance his genetically produced instincts with his sense of 'free-will'. He collaborated with OC Artist Esther Appleyard BA (Hons) on a joint project based on 'The Code' series, entitled 'A Series Of Lines' which was shown at Three Cups Gallery in Ely during 2007 and then at Worcester City Art Gallery in April/May 2008.

He exhibited in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, by invitation from Atelier EAST, with a solo installation of his work for the month of August 2007 at the Angles Theatre which was reviewed in the August 2007 Edition of Art & Soul Magazine by Curator Karen Harvey. 'Within The Weave', the short film by Craig & Esther, made to accompany their joint exhibition at Worcester City Art Gallery, was selected for the international Streaming Festival based in The Hague in October 2008.

New Prints from Neil & Sion at the Emporium!

We have a range of completely new images from the combined portfolio of Cambridge-based photographers Neil Graham- Cameron & Sioned Eleri available as great value open-edition poster prints in the Emporium on-line boutique gallery store.

The prints are 20x30" and we are currently offering Free UK mainland delivery too! Our suppliers use Epson Stylus Pro 9600 printers with Epson Ultrachrome ink and Kodak Professional paper to achieve outstanding results for our prints.

SELF: An amazing 'typoetry' competition entry

We have received an entry to the SELF competition from Guido Alvarez, an artist from Ecuador, currently living in Richmond, Virginia, USA. Guido calls his work a self-portrait poetry book, a hybrid of poetry, typography & photography.

Click here to view it...