Tony Nero’s Art
NEWS
The really random newsletter all about my art.
An explosion of art in the City I really didn’t want to start this issue by saying wow, but wow! what an explosion of art there’s been in the city recently. Since my last newsletter, there has been a real upsurge of arty events. This issue is a bit of a bumper issue, as it was due out in June. But because of all the the exciting events going on I just couldn’t get around to producing it.
The Peterborough Museum has reopened its doors, Art in the Heart has evolved, PAOS artists took Cathedral Sq by storm, Art Village jumping at the Willow Festival, Blok Collective doing it live at the Green Backyard with Handmade and Redbarn Crafts keeping it real. In the mix of things I managed to land some nice press by the Evening Telegraph and a super cool radio interview by BBC Radio Cambridge.
AinRg iTn line
Ke e p ! l ymp ic s O e h t h wit u t to Big sh o d. i n v o l ve e n o y r e ve
www.tonynerobrushworks.com
In this issue: Launch of Art in the Heart The Willow Festival Peterborough Open Studios
June/Aug 2012 ISSUE 06
From Harriets to Art in the Heart After Harriets Gallery made such an impact on the city it was sad to see the gallery close, but curator Dawn Birch-James has since created a new brand called ‘Art in the Heart’. With a complement of just a few of Peterborough’s finest artists and the teaming of the Information Centre, Art in the Heart was in launched in May. An excellent VIP reception attended by leaders of the council, business executives and the local press. Speaking to Dawn recently I can safely say there are some big plans in the pipeline for Art in the Heart.
Previous mayor Paula Thacker offically opened the evening and chats here with curator Dawn Birch-James.
Ann Ardron working on a new piece and demonstrating her skills.
Managers and staff at the Information Centre making sure everything’s running smoothly.
Artists in the mix, Kane Kulczak, Tony Nero and Luke Payn.
Queen of the spoken words, Keeley Mills with artist Charron Pugsley-Hill and teddy bear artist Sally Knibbs giving the thumbs up to Art in the Heart.
Heroes revisits Town Hall In October 2008 the Black Heroes collection was first shown at the Peterborough Town Hall. This was actually the first showing in public of the collection. So it was quite an honor to be invited back in April this year to show the now growing collection. Which I must say, looked very impressive on the balcony at the top of the stairwell, just outside the mayors parlour.
Cliff Walker, MBE Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, reunites with his portrait.
Pat Mungroo, Chair: Ethnic Minority Network at Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Pat Mungroo and Ping Yu of CPFT have a closer look before attending the conference.
Most recent painting
This pencil drawing of the young Sasha-Marie, taken from the depths of the archives was completed in 1997. It was never shown in public, up until recently appeared on my facebook page. Due to the response it received, I decided to include it in this issue of the newsletter. Here we have ‘The Urban Youth’ gracing one of the shop fronts in Peterborough Town Centre. This was part of a window display to promote the Peterborough Artists Open Studios exhibitions. The display was up from May through June and taken down at the end of the exhibitions at the end of June. So some nice exposure for my work and also my Urban Youth collection. Yeah more to come!
Again we have another most recent piece of work. This time in the form of the amazing poet Maya Angelou. This piece was featured at my recent PAOS exhibition and made a very brief appearence at the Willow Festival. Heavily textured and vibrant, I do like the impact of this piece. I have written to Dr Angelou and sent her a photo of the image, hoping to get a response from her. Any response is good even if she says she doesn’t like it. This painting will now join the Black Heroes collection and will be featured alongside the other paintings in the October BHM exhibition. Please check out my website for the full collection.
Thank you! Ten Thousand dots (dis one) YouTube smash
Moody blues I so love this moody picture, taken by Darren Fower, of this grumpy artists without any tea or biscuits. Featured on facebook it recieved a few comments. And although it wasn’t a caption competition I feel that Kathleen Headley’s comment made me smile so much that she deserves a little surprise in the post. So if you’re reading this Kathy mail me your address. In a previous comment on facebook I said that I was asked to join BBC Radio Cambs presenter Paul Stainton to break the nude mini golf record in Hunstanton. Kathleen suggested that this is what my face looked like after I was asked the question. Yeah that one tickled me.
All thanks to you guys who have taken the time out from your busy and crazy lives, sat down with your tea and biscuits and watched my little video. My video ‘Ten Thousand dots’ has had over 1000 hits now and YouTube was kind enough to invite me to ‘monetise’ my channel. So massive thanks to all who jumped on and had a look. While am at it, big shout to local poet Mark Grist for his Massive Youtube hit ‘Don’t Flop’.
I said it once and am saying it again:
If you’ve ever done any stipple dot drawing you’ll know that this style of drawing takes forever. If
If I deny myself, the art in me, then, I may never grow into the artist that I could become. TN
www.youtube.com/user/ArtofTonyNero
you haven’t seen the video have a look on my YouTube channel:
Art Village at Willow Festival
Visitors to my Marquee
In May, the people of Peterborough saw the ‘return with a vengeance’ of the Willow Festival, on the Embankment. And I think I can safely say that it was jumping. If you missed it no need to cry, make sure you catch it next year in July.
The sun was up and because of the hard efforts of Dawn Birch-James, curator of Art in the Heart, a bunch of artists were there mixing it up in the art village. Two exciting days of art and music, so much so that on the Saturday, I caught my silk shirt
Marion and artist Stacey-Ann Cole...no they weren’t the cause of my shirt ripping to shreds
Made a start on Jimmy Hendrix. One little girl kept coming back to check on my progress.
on the edge of my display stand. By the end of the day it just got worse so I had to throw it away when I got home.
These are just a few pictures from the weekend’s event 100’s of exhibition pictures on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonynerotheartist/
Tony Nero with Valentine St Aubyn, doing her stuff on the day for Peterborough FM.
Jewellery designer Deanne Bullimore and the master of wood craft Jonathan Clynch, putting the finishing touches to their display.
Mahemuda Arsalani demonstrating her skills and her beautiful mosaic works.
Doing what he does best Jaroslaw Kukowski bold and surreal abstract paintings.
Blok Collective’s Kaine Kulczak and Lee Mason keeping it real and live for the public.
More exciting stuff from Blok Collective with a piece from Alex jumping off the page.
PAOS Artists storm Cathedral Square
As a kick-start to the June exhibitions, PAOS artists took Cathedral Square by storm. In May almost 20 artists from the Peterborough Artists Open Studios showcased samples of their work and demonstrated their craft to shoppers in the Town Square. The work was of such quality that a wasp landed on a piece of work by textile artist Emma Raffle
and held on for dear life, trying to extract nectar. A variety of items including, paintings, jewellery and mosaics were on display for visitors to browse through, with an opportunity to chat to the artists about their work. I spent most of the time chatting to visitors but managed to do at least half of a pastel drawing, while fellow artist Garth Bayley finished two complete paintings.
The master at work or just doodling? I did actually start a new pastel drawing.
Garth Bayley smashes his way through another masterpiece, but no cows in sight.
Kids go crazy for Mini Art
Ceramics artist Christine Withall and Rene Viner with her paintings, setting the pace.
At my PAOS exhibition which was held at Shine charity in Park Road, I offered visitors a chance to do their own mini canvases. I was really pleased to see the amount of response I got from the kids and grown-ups alike.
Mosaic - Mahemuda Arsalani & textile - Emma Raffle’s first showing of their work. Lucy and Zadie Shaw having a go as Benny gives some advice on acrylics.
Artist in crime Prue Pye and Jane Catherine Sanders exchanging ideas.
Zainab Arsalani and Shraddha Gohel getting stuck in. Thanks for all your help guys, most appreciated. More photos and review on this exhibition in the next issue.
Charron Pugsley-Hill talking to visitors.
View 100’s of exhibition pictures on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonynerotheartist/
What’s On ! l Craft,
Photo by Lee Daniels
Peterborough Museum re-opens with exciting news of a city gallery. Myself and fellow artists listen with great interest as Shelagh Smith, chair of Vivacity offically launches the Open Exhibition, which will run from 1 Oct – 23 Nov 2012. Entries in by 9 September 2012 guys.
Holistic and Psychic Fayre Saturday 8th September 2012 12-4pm, Held at the Regional Fitness Centre, Sports Pavillion, Bishops Road PE1. (The sports pavillion, located next to the track.) l Peterborough
FM music festival Peterborough FM hosting a music festival at the Cherry Tree Pub Sat. 29 September and Sun. 30 Sep. info: s.goffecaldeira@btinternet.com
Picture of the day Hanging out with top celebrity chef Marco Pierre White at the opening of Stewart Porter Antiques & Craft Centre in Stamford.
l Black
History Month Celebrations - October 2012, Art, poetry, music and refreshments. Information to follow shortly. l Realitas
Community Arts Centre - If you haven’t been to Realitas, over there in Peakirk then I urge you to jump over there asap. Lots of arts & crafts going on daily with something for everyone. Tel: 01733 252 538 (Closed Mondays) Come out and support all the efforts the artists, musicians, poets and craft men and women are putting in to keep their craft alive and local.
www.tonynerobrushworks.com
art@tonynerobrushworks.com