Up, Up and Away

Hot air balloons are an iconic part of Bristol culture, and in the run up to this year’s International Balloon Fiesta (8-11 August 2013) I'm celebrating with a collection of balloon inspired artwork.

Caroline Tomlinson - Illustrator

Jenny Urquhart - Collage

Leanne Winter - Acrylic on canvas

Emmeline Simpson - Collage 

Fiona Clabon - Illustrator

Emily Gibbard - Digital Illustration

Sandra Moore - Watercolour

Mural at Harvey Nichols

Brush, Needle & Whisk - Watercolour 

Jonathan Margetts - Pastel Painting

 Tazia Fawley -  Acrylic

 Jenny MacKendrick - Illustrator

Watercolour 



And a couple of pieces designed to showcase Bristol with it's iconic docks, Suspension bridge, street art, steep hills and of course...balloons.

Susan Taylor - Typographic Print

Ben Newman - Illustrator 

Bristol Airport Mural by Halo Media 



Scrap Metal Life

I've admired the scrap metal sculptures in the window of Freak Street Studios on Bedminster Parade for a while, so I thought it was time to find out who'd made them. The line of angular, skeletal dinosaurs are the work of Sparx Metal Works. Originally trained in scrap metal sculpture, artist Samuel has since broadened his work into other aspects of metalwork, welding and fabrication. This is some very cool metalwork with larger sculptures available for event hire and work done on commission.

New Visions III

The latest exhibition at the Grant Bradley Gallery, New Visions III, shows the variety of talented artists from the region. From hand cut paper to sculpture to oil painting it's an eclectic show. The exhibition is on until 27 July, here are some of my favourite pieces...

I've previously blogged about Oliver Sidaway but I'm a big fan so was really pleased to see a couple of new paintings depicting some unglamourised spots of Bristol in his usual style of loose brushstrokes.

Some incredible hand cut paper by Lisa Richards. I can only imagine the time and concentration these must take.

And this beautiful textile collage by Su Williams.

Jon Porter

There are some wonderful, moody portraits dotted around the drinking establishments of Totterdown by Jon Porter. John claims to be half-way through a five year plan to teach himself to become a portrait artist...well I think he's doing pretty well! The portraits around the music stage at the Oxford really fit the feel of the place.