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

Obvious Pop

It was a great opening night to Horace Panter, bassist of The Specials', exhibition in the cool location of the The Square Gallery last Thursday.

Curated by 1loveart, the exhibition had a very apt name; Obvious pop. With pieces that included the iconic McDonalds and Coca-Cola branding the show had an anti-capitalist feel. There was also a strong musical influence to Panter’s work, with images of cassettes and montages dedicated to musicians such as BB King and Bo Diddley.

Panter describes himself as the luckiest guy in the world; a touring musician and an artist when he’s home, something I’d have to agree with.

DJ Derek accompanied the opening night which was a real treat.
The Square Gallery is open daily from 11am - 10pm. Obvious Pop will run until September 2013.

The Big Park Draw 2013

This is not the luckiest project of the summer with some strong winds during their first Saturday draw and some pretty heavy showers during the second!

This didn't stop the fun however...I'd forgotten how relaxing it is to sit and draw in the great outdoors. A big thank you to the team who run this event. There were people from young to old having a go at putting on paper the sights of the park or anything else that came into their minds.

Fingers crossed for some calmer weather for the third big park draw on 6 July 10.30 - 5pm. You'll find the event in the gazebo next to Mrs Brown's Cafe.

(Photos by local photographer David Smith)

My attempt!

Intricate Insects

UWE student, Rosie McLay, has some intricate lino prints with gold leafing on show at the Victoria Park pub this month. Rosie’s subject matter is insects and the portrayal of death as an event that unites us all / shouldn't be shied away from. I particularly like Rosie’s grotesque skeletal sculptures of insects (£50 each).

Rosie’s work is juxtaposed alongside Cordelia Hutchinson’s idyllic oil paintings which I've previously blogged about.

Rosie has also recently exhibited at The Parlour Rooms in the show By Natural Causes.

...mentioning UWE just reminded me that the degree show is currently on at the Bower Ashton Campus and Spike Island until 13 June.

Colourful Illusion

“If we choose, we can live in a world of colourful illusion”

3Dom’s take on Noam Chomsky’s quote is exactly what he paints; colourful illusion. I like the out of this world, sense of fun that his work brings. It certainly livened up the M32 Underpass in the rain this morning! This smoking man, done with spore and macism, has some pretty cool details like the smoke from his mouth and the light from his eyes.

If you’re from the Bristol area the chances are you’ll recognise some of the other pieces 3Dom has worked on.

More local art

What big eyes you have

These are some haunting eyes, found heading through the M32 underpass - St Agnes side. It really does feel as though you could see into her soul. This piece and others below are the work of Irish street artist, Eoin, who decorates landscapes with eyes intended to bring you to the point of reflection - a spiritual place. I've included Eoin's recent work from Upfest urban paint festival.

Upfest 2013

More local art

Suffolk

I renewed my love of Suffolk last week on holiday by the coast and spotted a few artists that I wanted to share…

The first of which is Suffolk’s Maggi Hambling, often pictured with her customary fag-in-mouth. Hambling’s wild wave paintings are everything I love about the sea; full of colour and ferocity. Her enormous steel sculpture of a scallop on Aldeburgh beach is a piece to stop and sit by. The sculpture was made in honour of Suffolk composer, Benjamin Britten, and is inscribed with the words "I hear those voices that will not be drowned" from Britton’s opera Peter Grimes which he wrote for life partner, Peter Pears. I lay on the pebbles to take in the enormity of this powerful and romantic sea sculpture.

Peter Grimes will be performed on the beach as part of the Aldeburgh music festival beginning 7 June.

Another artist whose work I spotted in several venues during my stay in Suffolk was that of David Kirk. His pop arty graphic style depicts some of the well-loved scenes of the county.

The third artist I wanted to mention is Suffolk-based Theronda Hoffman, whose work I spotted in the art Gallery at the Suffolk county show. Hoffman is owner of Kesgrave Arts in Ipswich and works in a variety of mediums. I love the sense of freedom her loose sketchy style brings.