Vanessa Hartley

I don’t usually write about gigs but this one definitely needs mentioning. I was blown away by 19-year-old Bristol based singer songwriter, Vanessa Hartley, at the Arts House in Stokes Croft this week. It’s not often you see an up and coming artist of this quality.

Vanessa’s beautiful mellow voice and honest lyrics left me alternating between goose bumps and holding back tears. She has a real humbleness and sincerity that shine out through her music. Above all it’s her voice and amazing control of it that stick in my head. This is definitely one to see live.

Vanessa, who describes her music as “a warm mix of folk and soul, with a pinch of jazz”, was accompanied by backing singers, violin, base and harmonica. She had clear support from her family at the launch of her first album and I for one wish her great things.

Vanessa is playing at The Old Bookshop on 23 March and regularly plays at Viva la Mexicana restaurant.

Andrew Litten

BV studios hosts a collection of passionate abstract oil paintings this Friday to Sunday (15 - 17 November 2013) by Aylesbury born artist Andrew Litten.

I love this introduction to Andrew's work by Jane Boyer:
"Andrew Litten’s work stirs from the groin – that place of raw bestiality and tenderest compassion. It is the place we all fear; a place of the extreme duality and conflicting, barely controllable urges – a bipolarity of our human beast within." 

Nigel Shipley

There are some lovely impressionist oil paintings of South Bristol and the city centre currently on display at Bedminster cafe Grounded. The artist, Nigel Shipley, captures the atmosphere by painting there and then in outdoor spots.

Imaginarium

Imaginarium is a show of dark and surreal work at the Philadelphia Street Gallery running until 19 August. Detailed sculptures by German-born artist, Joachim Seitfudem, bring the imagination to life before your eyes. While Bristol illustrator, Rachel Falber, delves beneath the skin revealing a more skeletal side of our animal world. The exhibition explores themes of human psychosis and spiritual exploration…the more you look, the more you see…

Joachim Seitfudem

Rachel Falber

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.

Jewel of the Ocean

I'm really pleased with this giant muscle necklace £25, bought from The Metal Press stall at Bristol's BIG market - 22 June. The stall had an array of underwater beauties cast in Pewter (and electroplated in silver) from shells found on the shores of Pembrokeshire. The technique came about by a happy accident that lead to some fishy business (sorry).

There was some great drumming at Bristol's BIG market by Batala percussion band.

UWE degree show

Loved the illustration rooms at the UWE degree show last week - there was some really professional stuff. Here are some of my favourites...

Andi Pratt

Liz Stration

Amy Mattingley

and some beautiful oil-paintings by Helen Frances Green of gritty everyday scenes