Sunday 29 September 2013

Octobers Artist in a Window Lynn Presland

Studio 61 Gallery are very happy to be displaying the work of Lynn Presland she is our artist in a window for the month of October. While she was here dropping off her work we asked her a few questions!



Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Lynn Presland and I paint in pastels and acrylics, working from my home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

How do you work?
I like to work from sketches with photographs to back them up, although I often see something I want to paint when I don`t have my sketchbook with me.  If I have just a photograph for reference, I firstly do a tonal sketch so that I can see the notan and re-arrange the composition.   I do a colour sketch, and then a further colour sketch for the under painting.  The wonderful Carole Baker taught me how to do complementary colours for this, it is quite complicated but the result can be a very vibrant painting.

What is your background?
As a child with a disability I was always more interested in reading and drawing animals than playing outside.  I read numerous books on different breeds of horses, dogs and cats and found that I could draw them easily.   At school I won prizes and my dream was to go to art college – unfortunately, I had to leave school and get a “proper job” as a secretary, but never forgot my dream to be an artist.
I got married and had two children, along with many horses, dogs and cats of my own!  I went to Chesterfield Art college to do A level Art at the age of 40 and was then able to realise my passion of drawing and painting animals again.    I had many requests for commissions and now have animal portraits hanging in homes in various overseas countries, including Russia, Australia, America, Canada, Switzerland and the UK



How has your practice changed over time?
Well, I always thought that I would paint animals forever, and was never really interested in landscapes.  I was late in discovering other artists and soon found that I could look at an incredible array of talent on the internet.  This really opened my eyes to the infinite possibilities available and I became really excited about trying new media and different ways of painting.
I started to paint landscapes in pastel and just couldn`t stop!  I now knew that it was ok to paint in the unrealistic colours I had always imagined landscapes to be.  Over the past few years my paintings have evolved into a more impressionistic style (I think!) and I am continuing on my explorative journey.  Acrylics are fast becoming my choice of media as I have found that I am slightly allergic to pastel dust, although the pastels will always come out from under the spare bed from time to time as I love them so much.



What themes do you pursue?
Derbyshire landscapes, sometimes with animals in them, and will soon be starting on a Scottish theme and also a Venetian series both inspired by recent visits.

What memorable responses have you had to your work?
When I did the Derbyshire Open Arts in 2012 a lovely young art student loved one of my paintings of Beeley Moor.  It was the only image that I didn`t have a print of and she became really upset because she couldn`t afford the original artwork.   I never thought to take her details and I wish I could find her again and present her with the print she wanted, because her response gave me so much confidence to go forward with my dream of being a professional artist.

 
Is the artistic life lonely?  What do you do to counteract it?
Yes, I do find it lonely at times, as I live by myself, but since “finding” Facebook and joining various art groups I have found many artistic friends who are so helpful and generous.  I also get out into the Peak District quite often and honestly love the solitude that gives me. 
I have a large family and I see my daughter and son in Sheffield quite regularly – they are both very creative and we have so much fun together.  When I am home, it is really good to be able to spread my work around the house without getting in anyone`s way!

What do you dislike about your work?
I dislike the artistic blocks that I heard so much about and didn`t understand until it happened to me.
I try to counteract these by trying something new, and I have found that playing with Brusho and mixed media really frees me up!


What do you like about your work?
I love it when I realise that several hours have passed since I first started painting, and it seems like only minutes.  At those times I feel so “in the zone”, uplifted and lucky to be doing what I am doing.

What`s the best piece of advice you`ve been given?
To paint what you love and know best!

Thankyou Lynn!

Our main exhibition programme continues with Jenny Oldknow's 'Autumn Song' in the main gallery.

Saturday 28 September 2013

Autumn Song Exhibition Interview Jenny Oldknow

Award winning water-colourist Jenny Oldknow is filling the gallery for the month of October with her animals and landscapes perfect for this time of year so come on over and grab a hot chocolate and view her stunning work. We wanted to know more about her so we asked her! Below are her answers.
 
 
 
 Who are you and what do you do?

I am Jenny Oldknow and I am a full-time watercolour artist living and working in Belper, Derbyshire. I am married with three young children. and have two dogs, a cat and two tortoises who keep me company as I paint!

How do you work?

I prefer to work in my studio, rather than outside. I get better results in these familiar surroundings, and feel less pressure to complete a piece in one sitting. A painting may take me several days to complete, working on it for short periods of time to avoid overworking it (a common problem with watercolour painting), so working from my studio at home gives me the flexibility to work when I want. 

When painting animal subjects I work from photographs, as my subjects never stand still long enough! My work can hardly be described as photographic though! Landscapes are also painted from reference photographs, although again with a large degree of artistic license! I paint floral subjects from life, such as the blackberry paintings I have been doing where I bought a sample in from my (rather wild!) back garden and created a painting from it, even using berry juice on my palette, mixed with paint as part of the composition! 
 


What's your background?

All I wanted to do throughout school was work with horses, and that is exactly what I did do for many years. Painting had always been an important hobby throughout my life, and I was a member of a couple of art groups. I stopped work when I had my first child, who has profound special needs. It wasn't until I had my second child that I made the move to professional artist, back in 2006, when people started asking me to paint commissions and suggesting I approach galleries with my work, and I have never looked back! 
 
 

How has your practice changed over time? 

Most noticeably, my style has got far looser and expressive. I push the boundaries between representation and abstraction far more. After trying most mediums over the years, I now paint exclusively in watercolours, and I have made my subject matters more specialised - the natural world, the rural landscape, wildlife and pet portraiture. I have also branched out into teaching art.
 
 

What work do you most enjoy doing?

All of it, although there is something very special about painting a much loved pet, and handing over the painting to a delighted client. I adore painting all animals, especially dogs, capturing the expression in their eyes and their personalities, in a sensitive style. 

What is your dream project? 

Painting Johnny Depp's dog, cat, whatever! (of course, I would have to meet him in person to discuss the commission!)... And get paid lots of money for it! 

What inspires you? 

Being a country girl at heart, inspiration for my art comes from across the natural world. Living in Derbyshire, on the doorstep of the Peak District National Park, means I am surrounded by beautiful landscapes, and an abundance of wildlife and flora which lives within it. I don't need to travel far to get material for much of my work. I also love domestic animals, and love to paint pet portraits.
 
 

What do you like about your work? 

All of it, I love time spent painting, but I also enjoy the time spent doing administration, promotion and marketing, which is a bit strange for an artist! I also love to inspire and teach others to paint, and I run popular weekly classes and workshops, which are great fun! I love just about every part of being an artist and painting tutor. 
 


What's the best piece of advice you have been given?

To follow your heart, and be individual as an artist. If it feels right, it probably is. 

Professionally, what's your goal? 

To carry on developing my own unique style, and to paint as many different species of animal as possible, both wild and domestic. I would love to travel more to see different animals in the wild too. Over the next few years I will be working on building up a portfolio of work with the aim of being elected into the Society of Wildlife Artists. I also have an ambition to be elected into the Royal Society of Watercolour Artists or the RIW!



Thankyou Jenny!
See more of Jenny's work on her website: www.jennyoldknow.com
 
 
Octobers artist in a window is Lynn Presland, we have walking with your camera workshops coming up too and also The Big Draw on October 15th 10.15 -11.30am supporting the charity campaign for drawing we will be drawing the future! Follow this blog for more information coming soon. 

Friday 20 September 2013

This Weeks Shout Outs!!!! We Need You!

Shout out for painters, ceramicists & jewellers.
 We are now compiling the
 2014 ARTIST IN THE WINDOW PROGRAMME.
 
 
 Each month will see a painter, a ceramicist and/or jeweller exhibited in our main window & all will be featured in The Artist in The Window Blog with their website/Facebook links.
This is promoted widely via Facebook and Twitter by the gallery and Friends of Studio 61.
 
 

 
A great way for emerging artists/makers or indeed those established who wish to raise their profile, especially via social media for £25 with commission at reduced rate of 25%
If interested please email karinagoodman@btinternet.com with images of the type of work you propose to exhibit. Work will then be selected to offer a wide variety of styles.
 
 
 
Does anyone want  to have another Art Boot? A great way to get rid of old stock, art supplies, materials etc. these are organised last minute for a Saturday afternoon depending on weather forecast. Contact the gallery if you would like one organising!
 
 
Date for your Diary:
Friday 27 September 10.30-12pm
We are fund raising again & it's the gallery's 8th Birthday too.....all invited and bring cakes we are artists not bakers!

Introducing New Artist Interview Jayne Low.

Here at Studio 61 we are always welcoming new artists and this week we have had the pleasure of meeting Jayne Low who came to visit us with her new artwork which is wonderfully colourful and is cheering us up as the days are getting slightly darker.
 We fired off some quick questions to Jayne to see how she creates such textured pieces.
Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Jayne Low and I’m an artist working in mixed media.

How do you work?

A rarely use a brush, but use flicking, splashing and dripping the paint.
 

What’s your background?

I trained as a florist for 5 years, and had two flower shops, and after a family members illness I had the opportunity to retrain so went back to college to study textiles and art.
 

How has your practice changed over time?

I experiment more with different mediums, if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t matter!

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

I was a manager for Tesco for ten years, before I went back to college to study floristry.
 

What memorable responses have you had to your work?

Energetic, colours spontaneous.
 

What inspires you?

Nature, flowers and changing seasons.

Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?

I am as well as an artist a full time carer for my husband and mother of 6. I never get lonely!
 

What do you dislike about your work?

It can get really messy I get paint on my feet, in my hair indeed everywhere!

What do you like about your work?

I can let go. The colours make me feel happy. There are no rules to follow its quite liberating.

Professionally, what’s your goal?

To earn a living, and provide for my family as a full time artist.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Stop worrying about what people think paint from the heart.
Thankyou Jayne!
Gareth Buxton and Jayne Woodbridge exhibitions continue through September please pop up anytime coffee machine is always on!

 

Sunday 8 September 2013

Young Artist Given Chance of One Day Exhibition at Studio 61 Gallery


 
 
 
Karina Goodman of Studio 61 Gallery is proud to host the launch exhibition of Ellie Depp who is a young emerging Derbyshire Artist. 
 
Ellie's work is a burst of bright colours and will be exhibited together for the first time for one day only Saturday 28 September 10-5 at Studio 61 Gallery in Holloway near Matlock.
 
 

 Ellie will be at the gallery for you to meet and all her original paintings will be for sale.
 
 

"I was a renowned doodler, a pen-to-school-book artist, a swirly pattern connoisseur of biro scribbles…and then decided to take up painting. I like to get the brightest colours I can find and create my own visual utopia. I take all my emotions and use them to produce something wild and fantastic. I can watch my journey unfold in every new piece and I love every second of it. I'm 21, a self-taught artist from Chesterfield trying to make a living from my paintings. I can't see myself doing anything else now I've found art."

Meet our Latest Friend Painter Max Hale


Max Hale is a painter and tutor from Wiltshire, a Professional Associate and RSC SAA, member of  Bucks Art Society, a tutor for Art in the Algarve, his awards include  the Royal Talens Award , the Artist magazine at Patchings Festival and has had paintings accepted there three years in a row. Max also writes on commission for The Artist and SAA Paint magazines. The Friends are pleased to welcome him and look forward to Max displaying his work at Studio 61 Gallery. Please read our interview with him below to find out more!
 
 
 

Who are you and what do you do?

I’m Max Hale; I’m a full time painter, tutor and demonstrator. I prefer ‘painter’ to ‘artist’ as it identifies me more accurately. I also write articles and tutorials for art magazines
Why do you do what you do?

I have to paint. I have no choice it is my total life and it is what I am. My teaching and demonstrating have been borne out my desire to spread my experience, enthusiasm and motivation to others. Art can change and enhance lives in so many ways and is in all of us in some way. I derive almost as much pleasure from tutoring  to help artists improve their vision as I do when I paint for myself.


What’s your background?

I was born in Bushey, Hertfordshire but brought up in Harrow, Middlesex. I gained a Fine Art degree at Harrow Art School and then worked in London doing story illustration in a studio near Fleet Street.  I continued my art career but to supplement my income I chose commercial photography my second love and latterly sales to make ends meet. I now live in Wiltshire where I moved five years ago and of course painting is full time career along with my teaching and demonstrating.


How has your practice changed over time?

I consciously adapt and change my style and practices almost monthly. I paint with all mediums and attempt to reinvent myself and my art on a regular basis. I am hell-bent on removing detail from my work to the extent of working with large brushes right through execution. I am always looking for more efficient and effective ways of making marks. It is not the end result that drives me but the pure process of making art. I view the result as the stepping stone to the next piece of work.

 

What art do you most identify with?

I love simple shapes and cerebral work. I admire artists that have thought out their paintings with purposeful, determined and beautiful mark making. I admire the impressionists and the post impressionists. There are many contemporary painters like David Curtis, Mark Demsteader, Ken Howard who was one of my tutors at Harrow. Lucien Freud was a superb painter but I couldn’t work as painstakingly slowly like he did. His people are so believable and gutsy, I don’t like pretty, prissy work.

 


Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?

My inspiration is form and light especially hard, raking light from windows giving interesting shadows. I visited a local pub about a year ago and I saw five men at the bar, two were chatting to a group of others at a nearby table one was looking towards the window and the remaining two had just come in and one had a dog on a lead. The light was amazing and the value play between them and the busy bar behind just fascinated me it was a scene waiting to be painted!

 

What inspires you?

I am inspired by so many things but I get really excited by beautiful form and shape. I have been recently inspired by interior lighting coming from windows and then interplay of natural and artificial light and how they change the subject colour. I also love backlit and rim lighting it gives wonderful shadows and describes the subject subtly by removing detail and just showing the simple form. I can feel the excitement in me by just describing this!
  

Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?

I recently started an art circle. I am regional co-ordinator for the SAA and we meet just once a month but we also go on gallery visits and paint out in the summer months. Also as a demonstrator and tutor I run workshops and do demonstration for art societies which can take me up to 100 miles from home. No time to be lonely!
 

What do you dislike about the art world?

The current trend towards supporting ultra realism.  Art should be art not a photograph. I teach my students to rejoice in their individual styles, to be free and to make sure they are not disappointed if their paintings do not look exactly like their subject. I have made several representations to art organisations and magazines that give disproportionate exposure to realism. Expressionism and impressionism is far more challenging to both the artist and the viewer. There should always be something to discover in a painting and realism in my opinion, is dull genre.

 


What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Something I pass on to my students which came from my art school days is ‘draw every day’. 

Art is like playing a musical instrument and if you don’t practice your scales then your playing will deteriorate. It’s exactly the same with art; you MUST keep up the practice. I give my students a little lesson by saying ‘try to draw every day for two weeks just for ten minutes a day and at the end of the fortnight you will have improved.’ I promise it works.
Thankyou Max!
Max Hales work is arriving at the gallery this week, please come in and take a look the main exhibition continues with Stormy Weather by Gareth Buxton and our artist in a window is ceramics by Jayne Woodbridge.

 

Friday 6 September 2013

September Artist in the Window Interview Jayne Woodbridge


Our Artist in a window this month is Jayne Woodbridge we are delighted to be displaying her ceramics and textiles we caught up with her as she was creating her window display to find out more about her.
 
Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Jayne Woodbridge and I am a Textile/Ceramic Artist.

Why art?

I have always been creative and love fabrics and anything that is tactile that can be used to create my work.

How did you start out?

After finishing a City and Guilds, level 3, in Design and Craft I went on to do a three year degree at Derby University. I specialized in weave and men's fashion. After leaving university I decided to work for myself. This enabled me to work around my sons schooling.

Where did your ideas come from?

I had been making bags for people and came up with the idea of 'upcycling' clothes. This seemed a really good use of garments that were no longer wanted. I made bags from scarves, jumpers, shirts, trousers and even curtains. Aprons were popular and bunting is a must for summer parties outside.

Everything item I make is a one off creation and unique.
 
 

You said you were also a ceramic artist how did that come about?

My ceramics are something entirely different!

I started going to a adult education class when my youngest child was 9 months old. Pottery was the only class that appealed to me and as soon as started I became hooked. I went on to complete an Open Collage Network course, gaining 21 credits. After saving and buying my own wheel and a small kiln I started to work a bit from home.

What is it about ceramics you like? They certainly look good in our window!

I love working with clay, it’s very therapeutic. I can just work and loose myself in what I am making.

I am hoping to combine my ceramics with my weave and have been experimenting in my studio. I now have my textile side and my ceramic side.
 
 

You have a studio where is that based?

I have a studio space that I work in and teach at Banks Mill in Derby. My door is always open to anyone that wants to know or see what I do.
Thankyou Jayne!
Our exhibition in our main gallery 'Stormy Weather' continues this month by Gareth Buxton.
 

 

Sunday 1 September 2013

Artist Interview with Gareth Buxton September Solo Exhibition Stormy Weather.

September has arrived and there is a distinctly fresher feel to the air! And certainly within the gallery there's a storm brewing! In the wonderful form of Gareth Buxton's solo exhibition 'Stormy Weather'
We caught up with Gareth to learn more about him and his work.


Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Gareth Buxton and I am an artist, some of my work is based loosely around landscapes.


Why do you do what you do?

Having started to paint I feel that I have to keep doing it now, its like an addiction. Painting for me is a therapy, and although I am not deeply troubled or anything I think I would be if I didn’t paint!

 

How do you work?

I work very expressively and in short bursts of intense activity. I often walk around afterwards and people comment that I have paint in my hair or the back of my neck! I find it impossible to copy a scene either from reality or a photo, the painting comes from inside and develops as I “express”!


What’s your background?

I come from and IT background and still do some part time work in this area.  I have done this out of choice; I feel my brain needs some analytical exercise which the art work doesn’t currently provide so I choose to keep working in this world.

 


 How has your practice changed over time?

When I started I painted very small canvases and my subject was quite small and I felt that painting had to be representative.  The more I paint the larger the canvases get and the less literal my paintings become.


What themes do you pursue?

Moorland, mountains and seascapes.  I don’t like to paint flat bright sunny skies, I like to see the battle between clouds and sun and lots of mist!


What memorable responses have you had to your work?

I have a few lovely emails over the years , this is a recent and quite typical comment

 

 I love your sense of movement, solitude, mist, and the relationship you create between moor and sky.  Just fab”

 

What do you dislike about the art world?

Meaningless CVs full of pompous words that don’t say anything.

 
What research to you do?

I do very little formal research I tend to absorb the world visually when I go walking and I am not the type of painter who treks across moorland with bags full of brushes and a large canvas strapped to my back. If I did I’d probably take off!


Do you have a favourite or inspirational place?

That’s a tricky one, its tempting to say, Kinder, Snowdon or similar beautiful places.  However the urban night sky can be just as stunning.

 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

“Don’t try to paint like another artist, find your own style.”
Thankyou Gareth!
Our artist in a window this month is Jayne Woodbridge. We would love for you to come along to the gallery and browse our exhibitions and view the work of our British designers. Coffee and Tea available and a warm welcome despite the 'Stormy Weather' !!