Artwey Group Exhibition

Allsop Gallery at Bridport Arts Centre

20th Feb-21st March

Fantastic art exhibition at the Bridport Arts Centre by the Weymouth based Art Group, Artwey. Really pleased to be taking part in this exhibition with such a varied style of art as well as many different media. Acrylic, Oils, Pastel, Ceramic, Wood, Encaustic Wax. Realistic and abstract styles catering for every taste. Also at very reasonable prices.

There is an incredible amount of work that goes into holding a group exhibition like this. I won’t mention names for fear of forgetting someone!

• Booking the Venue
• Contacting the Artists
• Asking for photos, Artist Statements, Contact Details.
• Publicity. Posters. Invitations. Press articles.
• Organising the Stewarding.
• Arranging, placing and hanging the works in a presentable manner.
• Preparing the Private View. (Buying the Wine! And tasting Hic!)
• Selling the Artworks. Receipts, card payments, cash.
• Cleaning up afterwards.
• Stewarding, taking care of Visitors.
• Taking down the exhibition.
• Tidying up.

It’s Not Just The Making.

For every artist, the pleasure is in the making of their creation. Making something from your imagination. Making it real. It never turns out as you imagined it and that’s why you do it. To find out what it may look like. As you create with the material they show their personal characters. Suggesting different possibilities. It’s this interaction that is so exciting. As a famous artist once said. ” I always do what I don’t know how to do. Because what I know how to do, I’ve already done”

After the making, you have to get your work out there. Galleries, friends, social media, Art Groups. Lots of time promoting your work and lots of perseverance. At times you may have lots of compliments but nothing sold. It takes perseverance and belief in what you are doing and to be honest I have to do it for my wellbeing. It’s part of who I am.

So getting ready for the opening night and looking forward to meeting other talented artists, friends and hopefully clients. A big thank you to Artwey and the volunteers who made this possible. If you would like to see more of my work feel free to visit my sculpture page and leave a comment. Always open to constructive interaction.

Showing my Stone Sculptures in the Coastal Gallery is such a treat. The Gallery has notably a great selection of Artworks. Many different styles and media. There is quite a significant Maritime theme including very colourful paintings, ceramics and Sculpture. Well worth a visit. Furthering my audience. ” Sail V ” and ” Tale “.

Coastal Gallery is a leading independent contemporary art gallery, situated in Lymington in the New Forest

Coastal Gallery, Lymington, is a touchstone for exceptional and unusual contemporary art and design. Working with both emerging and long-established artists, the gallery specialises in collecting modern and contemporary art with an intrinsic life-enhancing value. Coastal Gallery champions painters, sculptors and designers, based locally and in London. Displaying outstanding talent, creativity and technical expertise in their work.

The Coastal Gallery collection is curated by Stewart Mechem and Bev Saunders. Together, they bring years of experience working in the art, fashion and design worlds.With a keen eye for contemporary design and a thorough knowledge of what’s trending on the broader art and design market, Bev and Stewart have an instinct for sourcing the best range of artwork for each and every client. Coastal Gallery’s aim is to excite and inspire with an ever-changing selection of painting, sculpture, ceramics and jewellery.  http://www.coastal-gallery.co.uk

Sail V. Abstract Portland Stone Sculpture

This Stone Sculpture is a variation on a series I ‘ve been working on recently. Inspired by the dynamic and sculptural forms of sails. I find the fragility of the Portland Stone carved to its structural limit and the tension of the wind-blown sail really work well together. Since I was a youngster I’ve been fascinated by the Sea. Consequently, pulling on these memories to demonstrate Natures beauty. There’s a very relevant connection from the Sail Sculpture to Portland stone which was formed in a marine environment. Unfortunately, mine doesn’t float!

“Tale”. Carrara Marble.

Here, in particular, I ‘ve been playing with circular shapes. Bisecting them to see the forms they create. I particularly enjoy carving these abstract shapes. Especially as the viewers can interpret the forms in their own way. Some might, for example, see a Butterfly others a Whales Tail. Its been the first time I’ve carved Carrara Marble. What a beautiful stone it is. Consequently, I had to learn the techniques of polishing which is a long process. I specifically contrasted the sculpture and the base by using different stones. This really emphasizes the patterns and textures.

So whenever you find yourself in the area of Lymington do definitely drop in and have a look in this Gallery. Certainly, look out for my Stone Sculptures.