Saturday 3 December 2016

Open Studios



A huge thank you to everyone who came to see me at the recent Open Studios and artisan fair at Banks Mill Studios.

The turnout was again fantastic with so much going on throughout the weekend. I only wish I could have seen a bit more of it!

I am loving being in my new larger studio, only having one flight of stairs to climb instead on four is also a bonus!



Wednesday 30 November 2016

Aspin Family Magazine Collage Commission


Aspin Family Collage

A2 magazine collage commission depicting the recipient with his three sons and the family dog. A favourite family walk along the Norfolk coast.

The light in this was really lovely and I wanted to make sure I captured it. 


original photograph

I loved the little dog and was really pleased with how he turned out, lots of tiny pieces but it was worth the effort.


Aspin Family Collage Close Up

The sun catches the hair beautifully, again lots of tiny pieces were needed to recreate it.


Aspin Family Collage Close Up



Happy Customers!

Lovely feedback on this -
Just unwrapped! My husband is totally blown away by the collage you did of him and our 3 boys on a walk in one of our favourite places on the north Norfolk coast. It's for a 'significant' birthday - we are both totally in awe of the exquisite detail and the way you've captured a moment so perfectly in a beautiful piece of art to enjoy forever. You are so clever!

Wednesday 16 November 2016

St Michael's Mount A3 Magazine Collage

St Michael's Mount was a really lovely commission to receive. 


There was so much detail to capture, it really put my collaging skills to the test! Achieving the effect of brickwork and the windows were the main challenge.


I highlighted interesting details such at the white gates, doors and windows.





Tuesday 1 November 2016

Father Time Magazine Collage

This is my entry for the EcoCreate Time & Tide exhibition to be held at Banks Mill Studios January 2017. Learn More

Father Time Magazine Collage

'Time rules the world', magazine collage depicting Father Time watching the tide rise and the sunset on parliament. The stars become dandelion clocks as they fall, they read 'Tick Tock'. Made entirely of ripped and cut magazines, on recycled board using non-toxic adhesives.

This piece was collaged on the back board of a preloved frame, reinserted once complete. I have a matching frame which I hope to use for a related piece. I hope this will be the first of many in my 'Personification' series.



The collage had such a positive reaction on line that it is now available as an A4 print and A6 art card.





Friday 14 October 2016

Hubble Bubble A3 Magazine Collage

Hubble Bubble is the latest in my 'Let's Pretend' series for my solo exhibition September 2017.


The collage was based on a photograph my daughter posed for in our back garden.

Original Photograph

The collage had such a positive reaction on line that it is now available as an A4 print and A6 art card.




Friday 30 September 2016

Vanter Family A2 Magazine Collage Commission


This piece was created using several family photographs to place the family on the coastal path they wished to be depicted on. I love to collage sea, sky and rural scenes so this was a fun one for me to work on.

There were lots of details to get correct and changes had to be made to clothing to suit the location. I also used my artistic licence to widen the path enough for them to walk in pairs.




Friday 16 September 2016

Szabo Family Magazine Collage Commission

I love how sunny this magazine collage feels, mainly due to the light colours used and bright yellow of the field on the left.
A2 Magazine Collage Commission
It was based mainly on one photograph supplied by the client, with some additional requests to make more of the buggy visable, To remove the jumper tid aound the waist and to remove the oncoming cyclists.

Client Photograph
There was a lot of detail in this piece which was fun to highlight.


The client opted to organise framing this piece themselves.

Wednesday 7 September 2016

Magazine Collage Commission - Audi R8

A slightly different one for me, taking me out of my comfort zone! I was requested to create an Audi R8 in Cadbury's purple for a 50th birthday gift. This was commissioned by the talented Bad Dog Designs who I met through a networking hour on Twitter. It was wonderful to meet them both when they came to collect.

Karen & I with the piece commissioned by Paul

Luckily the client was able to provide an image of her driving one albeit in a different colour.

Client Photograph
Completed magazine collage. As this was a full face shot and a depiction as appose to a portrait, we agreed to add sunglasses to Karen.



The lights and grill provide a great opportunity to add some detail to the piece.

Close up detail
 This was framed in one of Roaring Tree's gorgeous handmade, reclaimed wood frames.




Magazine Collage Commission Szabo Family

This is a recent A2 magazine collage commission for a 40th birthday gift.
Magazine Collage Commission Szabo Family
I was really pleased with how sunny this piece felt, thanks it part to the field which left my hands very sore from the scissors!

The client asked for some details to be altered from the original images but on the whole provided photographs very close to the final piece.

Client photograph

Client photograph
I particularly loved working on the verge in this piece, highlighting some of the plants found there gave extra intrest to the texture of the piece.

Close-up detail
The client chose to have unframed, I would love to see which frame they chose!




Sunday 21 August 2016

Exhibition Dates August 2016

I am thrilled to have work in three exhibitions taking place in August this year.

Unity Exhibition Exchange Place, Sheffield, from 18th – 25th August

Magazine collage 'Oranjezon Forest, The Netherlands' will be part of the Unity Exhibition at Exchange Place, Sheffield, from 18th – 25th August. The exhibition will be open every day from 10 – 4.

Unity is a direct response to the EU referendum, which has seen a vote for Britain to leave the European Union. The immediate aftermath from this has seen a nation disordered, bewildered and divided.

We all hope the negotiations that take place over the coming two years will steady the uncertainties in the UK. However, in the short term we seek to look past our differences and turn to creative action – celebrating the virtues of unity, what unity means and what it can provide in times of uncertainty.

Oranjezon Forest, The Netherlands

Midlands Open 2016 Tarpey Gallery 20th August – September 18th

Midlands Open 2016 is Tarpey Gallery’s annual open submissions exhibition, this year taking place from 20th August – September 18th 2016. The Seventh Midlands Open aims to offer a visually stunning and diverse exhibition presenting a dynamic array of artworks from all Contemporary Fine Art disciplines. This year’s exhibition will feature the very best work selected from entries by artists living and working in the Midlands region.
 
Selected work will be on display in three exhibition spaces; Main gallery, secondary and upstairs gallery spaces. The opening will be held on August 20th, 2 – 5pm.

'For Kicks' magazine collage is included in the exhibition.

For Kicks

Dame Catherine 23rd Annual Summer Art Exhibition August Bank Holiday Weekend 2016

Now in its 23rd year, the Dame Catherine Arts Summer Exhibition brings the sleepy Derbyshire village of Ticknall alive as hundreds of buyers flock to view over 1000 pieces of original art from over 200 artists.

For artists, this is a unique opportunity to be involved in the biggest art show outside of London, and to exhibit alongside professional and celebrated local and national artists.

Located in the picturesque village of Ticknall, the Dame Catherine Arts Summer Exhibition takes place over August Bank Holiday weekend and offers buyers a unique opportunity to pick up an original piece of art! Affordable artwork combine with artist demonstrations, children’s workshops and the delights of the vintage tea rooms make this a very special event and an enjoyable day out.

I have four collages included in the exhibition 

Dart - Emperor Dragonfly At Riverside


Flit - Satyr Butterfly On Thistle


Buzz - Bumble Bee On Lavender


Flutter - Comma Butterfly On Japonica







Friday 12 August 2016

Featured Interview Reloved Magazine

It was fantastic to see my work in Reloved magazine this month! I was pleasantly surprised to see my interview published as a six page spread.

Issue 33 if you'd like a copy it can be purchased online here www.relovedmag.co.uk



Wednesday 13 July 2016

'Monster Splash' magazine collage

'Monster Splash' is the next in my 'Let's Pretend' series of collages for my solo exhibition next September.

Monster Splash

The series is based on the original idea that climate change is real and not fantasy, from the EcoCreate 'Fairytales, Myths & Legends' exhibition we curated in January. My 'Lets Pretend' series explores the theme further by depicting children in role play situations, pretending and imagining the fantasy world around them. Drawing a parallel between those who choose to ignore the reality of climate change. Each piece is made entirely from upcycled magazines using non-toxic adhesives all on recycled board. I use reclaimed wooden frames by a local artisan or preloved frames to present the pieces. I'm still hunting for the perfect frame for this one!

'Monster Splash' is based on photographs I took of my son splashing around puddles on our way home from Granny's. He was pretending to be a monster in his dragon/dinosaur (we're undecided!) rain poncho.

The first piece in the series was 'Red Ridinghood' which was exhibited at January's exhibition.

Red Ridinghood
I have sketched out a 'Goldilocks & Little Bear' ready for collaging. I hope to add some more traditional tales to the series.

Goldilocks & Little Bear

I also have 'Lion Boy' sketched out and ready to go

Lion Boy

'The Princess & Her Horse' which you can learn more about in my previous post, will also be included.

The Princess & Her Horse

Lots more planned, watch this space :-)

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Friday 8 July 2016

'Let's Pretend' magazine collage series

I'm really enjoying working on my 'Let's Pretend' series of collages for my solo exhibition next September.

The Princess & Her Horse

This is my latest piece which you may have seen me working on at the May open studios if you visited me then.

The Princess & Her Horse Rough Sketch

The Princess & Her Horse WIP

I spotted this photograph on my cousin's Facebook wall and asked permission to use as it fit my theme perfectly!

The Princess & Her Horse Original Image
I have started using reclaimed frames again for my none commissioned pieces, this preloved frame seemed ideal.

The Princess & Her Horse In Reclaimed Frame

I have several more pieces for this series in the pipeline so watch this space to see more.....

Tuesday 28 June 2016

Bluebell upcycled magazine collage art commissions

I do love walking in the woods when the bluebells are out and walking with my family locally was the inspiration for 'Among the Bluebells' magazine collage.



Since completing this I have completed two further commissions and had further interest.

This collage depicts the same location as the first. A composition comprised of several photographs to included the family's dog that they had recently lost.



In this second collage the figures are much more prominent with the bluebells playing a subtler role in the composition. This was taken from a landscape photograph but put into a portrait composition at clients request. This piece was a 1st wedding anniversary gift, very fitting as one year is paper!


Would you like your family depicted among the bluebells? Find out more about my commissions Visit Website