Digital artist notes autumn collection 2014 by Castle Galleries

artist

notes Autumn Collection 2014

Alex Echo Autumn Collection 2014

Painting is nothing more than the study and capturing of light. Like countless other painters before me I am fascinated with, and pursue the fantasy that I can capture light, with paint on a flat, static surface. Madness… The Infinite Ballet of Light, Time, Water and Air My work, my paintings, my mad quixotic adventure of trying to paint flowing water, or blowing wind moving clouds - is nothing new in the art world. Turner, Monet, Seurat, Waterhouse, Millais, Rothko, to name

Alex Echo Autumn Collection 2014

a few, all tried, and succeeded in leaving their mark, their attempts, their visions. And that’s the best that I can hope to do as well. I love nature, I love the earth, and I love watching the stars with my child. I can meditate on the movement of a river, or the breeze on an English pond or lake for hours. These new limited editions are some of my best examples of this love affair and its attendant madness; my attempts at capturing the tiniest snapshot of the infinite ballet of quantum miracles that lay before our eyes every single second of our lives.

They are ‘water’ paintings - and in a small attempt at giving a little something back to this beautiful earth, its oceans, rivers and lakes which dazzle my eyes daily, I am donating all of my royalties from these prints to Water-Aid UK.

alex echo

Elemental Source Study No. 2

Elemental Source Study No. 4

Alex Echo Autumn Collection 2014

Reflection & Ripples Study No. 1

Alex Echo Autumn Collection 2014

Reflection & Ripples Study No. 4

Alexander Millar Autumn Collection 2014

Alexander Millar will be making his contribution to Homecoming Scotland 2014 with a five month exhibition at the Scotland Street School Museum, a project to which he has dedicated the last year in preparation. Influenced by Millar’s experiences

Alexander Millar Autumn Collection 2014

growing up in a working class family in Kilmarnock, surrounded by the archetypal working man, Glasgow’s industrial heritage is acknowledged with clarity in the collection, from which the limited edition prints were selected.

“I could not consider exhibiting anything less than my best work in Glasgow. I take great pride in my Scottish heritage, and view my Homecoming collection as a rite of passage in my career.” - Alexander Millar “The value and importance of Millar’s work is that he is among the last of those painters who know what it was like in that different place. Long may he continue working towards what made its heart beat.” - David Lee, Editor of The Jackdaw, August, 2014

alexander millar

Dusk Till Dawn

Just How I Remember It

The Exodus

The Dawn Chorus

Alexander Millar Autumn Collection 2014

No Walkies For Me

Alexander Millar Autumn Collection 2014

The Power and the Glory

King of the Castle Together Forever

Bob Barker Autumn Collection 2014

Field of Dreams

This piece was essentially a follow up to the very popular The Passion. The idea was simply give kids some chalk and a big wall and let them go. As usual I gave my grandchildren and some of their friends free range with the chalk and the wall to see what they came up with. Some of this found its way into the painting. There is enough stuff written on the wall to keep people guessing, reading and interpreting for quite a while. The painting is still about the light streaming across the field of dreams but also there is a lot of my life wrapped up in there.

bob barker

Moonlight Hearts

They have each other, I gave them the moonlight, we should leave the rest to the imagination.

Caroline Shotton Autumn Collection 2014

Heaven Scent

caroline

shotton

Caroline Shotton Autumn Collection 2014

Herd it Through the Grapevine May Day

Craig Davison Autumn Collection 2014

The majority of my previous ‘shadow’ paintings have been based on my own experiences, my latest collection is different in that it’s all imagined. I want these paintings to achieve the same as all my ‘shadow’ paintings, to take the viewer back to a time in their life when anything seemed possible and the whole of your life stretched before you.

Craig Davison Autumn Collection 2014

I’ve had so many requests from people wanting Star Wars themed images, I thought this would be perfect for a large group of paintings with plenty of different images and ideas to play with. As always the pictures focus on the imagined worlds of children where anything is achievable, Star Wars is simply the thread that holds the group of images together.

My Favourite Piece “BMX-Wings is my favourite piece from this collection. This painting was always the central piece for me, and I hope I captured the sense of chaos and ball based drama.” - Craig Davison

craig davison

5 Vaders!... Right We’re Having 5 Lukes!

BMX-Wings

Craig Davison Autumn Collection 2014

Super Troopers

I Need Your Help R2

KEEEE-OOOOH!

Yoda Am I

Full Force

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Emma Grzonkowski Autumn Collection 2014

About The Collection My latest collection was inspired by the beautiful summer months which captured my heart in so many ways. I wanted to explore the essence of the summer entwined with ethereal beauty.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important for me that people know that my work is truly soulful. I paint from the heart and each piece I create has a part of me within it. I use self-experience and emotion to drive my work which makes it very personal. The collectors are not just buying a piece of art, they are also buying a piece of my journey.

Caladium

emma grzonkowski

Earth III

Hamish Blakely Autumn Collection 2014

About The Piece

About My Style

They have just moved in. It’s a new, beautiful apartment which explains their sparsely furnished surroundings. There is more unpacking to do and arranging to take place, but amidst the frantic shifting and opening of boxes, there is a moment; a much needed pause to celebrate the excitement of new beginnings. The essential items can change depending on the circumstances. The only objects needed at this moment are two glasses and a bottle of champagne, a guitar and some space to move.

How people feel about a painting is key, and can only come from them. I do not believe a viewer should be briefed or led into a reaction. If the piece is worth anything at all, there will always be a worthwhile response. Stories about the work can enrich the experience and help the viewer relate to the painting, but they are not essential. An onlooker can feel whatever they want and can impose whatever personal agenda they wish on the work. That is their right.

As it is important to keep going and be determined to see things to the end, goals can also be reached and achievements earned, while balanced with moments of acknowledgement, counting one’s blessings and taking the time to be still and enjoy the moment. That is what this piece is all about.

I have met many people who have not wanted an in-depth analysis of the work. They have loved the print or original because they loved it at first glance and they have their own evocative stories before any intervention from the artist.

Hamish Blakely Autumn Collection 2014

“As far as what I would like the viewer to learn about me, well it’s all in the work. I really do believe you are what you paint and there are many clues to what a person is like if you study the way they paint and the subject matter they are interested in.” - Hamish Blakely

hamish blakely

Room at the Top

Jeff Rowland Autumn Collection 2014

Blue Moon

jeff rowland

This painting was taken from one of the many sketches and shots that I made when I was in New York some time ago. The view is across the Hudson looking towards the Empire State Building; one of New York’s iconic landmarks. I painted this scene because it fitted perfectly with the cinematic imagery I try to create, a classic end of the movie scene. I want a painting that looks like the director of the movie has just shouted “Cut, that’s a wrap”.

This scene was influenced from scenes of Northumberland, right on my doorstep. I spend quite a bit of time there and always find it helps with inspiration. I saw the sunset from a wood during the winter and that was enough - this painting was born. Moving from my cold palette of blues and greys, I have used the warmer colours. This still works with the falling rain and I feel that I have still achieved a director’s eye to the composition. Warm & Glowing

Jeff Rowland Autumn Collection 2014

Dance Between The Raindrops

It Must Be The Moonlight

Some of my best paintings have been the simplest compositions. With this one I have taken a simple alleyway, set in New York; the location made obvious with the fire escapes and rising steam from the alleyway. A couple are making their way back from an evening out and - on impulse - have decided to dance through the falling rain. Again I have used the cool colours achieving the 50’s movie feel.

This painting was influenced from a sketch I made while I was in London. It is a shot of St Paul’s. It wasn’t raining when I sketched it but I thought it would make a beautiful rain painting. Because I wanted to use the moon in this painting to enhance the romance, I chose the colours in my pallet to be the cool blue, grey that I have used in my past paintings. This added to the feel of a couple caught in the rain with that cinematic image.

Joanne Panayi Autumn Collection 2014

What a joy to sit down from a trip to the town, I could tell what they thought at a glance… “Oui mademoiselle, you are quite the belle, in your high-heeled boots from France.”

Le Salon De Chic

A sparkling night is such a delight, I’ll walk out with my head held high, and the people I meet, will see from my feet, I’m reflecting the stars in the sky.

joanne panayi

Lady Starlight

Joanne Panayi Autumn Collection 2014

Holiday Love

The heady romance of holiday love, with a man from afar I adore… Wherever he be, I’m sure when he sees golden shoes, he’ll love me much more.

Joanne Panayi Autumn Collection 2014

Pretty in Punk

I’m ready for this; they’ll turn and stare, with pink and spikes, there’s danger there. The diva in me laid quite bare, these aren’t the shoes that good girls wear…

John Wilson Autumn Collection 2014

About The Collection With reverse perspective paintings, the canvas has to be handmade which can take me two to three days, depending on its size and complexity. It then needs three coats of gesso and sanding down before it is ready to take oil paint. Painting in reverse perspective needs a lot of concentration as the canvas isn’t flat. The next problem is fitting the subject onto the angled sides as each section has to finish where the angles change. This allows one section to work against the other which is what gives the finished painting the impression of moving.

I recommend that my paintings should be hung at eye level to get the best effect. My new collection is all painted in the style of L S Lowry using Lowry’s iconic figures and painting in only the three colours that Lowry used, yellow ochre, prussian blue and vermillion, with an industrial scene as a background. In this collection I have managed to bring together two completely different artists and art forms by incorporating Banksy’s graffiti into a lowryesque landscape.

Street Scene

“I don’t have a particular favourite. I am pleased with the way each of the pieces has turned out.” - John Wilson

Lowry Gallery

john wilson

Lowry Meets Banksy

Keith Maiden Autumn Collection 2014

My Inspiration The first of a new collection of powerful, haunting pieces depicting social evils that scar British society today - greed, collapse of moral values and individualism. Maiden’s work is inspired by the speech made in 1964 by the legendary ABC radio broadcaster Paul Harvey - ‘if I were the devil’. Prophetic words that were dismissed back then, but in today’s society...are all too real. Maiden tells us that Avarice Egocentric was never intended to have religious connotations but they evolved over time whilst he was creating the painting; for example, the crucifixion-like composition with outstretched arms holding a British flag. A subtle twist on Apple’s branding, the tattoo showing two bites of the apple, signifies the greed of today’s

conglomerates. The Latin inscription translates to ‘centre of their own attention’. In contrast, Maiden has also included subtle humour to this piece. Look closely and you can see the name on the credit card as ‘Mr Owen Monie’. Look closely in the bottom right hand corner and you will see the social media Twitter logo with the words ‘ACCOUNT CLOSED: 0 followers...’. Maiden asks you to interpret this as you will. My Method This painting was created using Maiden’s typical medium of acrylic, graphite, oil and soft pastel. The major difference with this piece is that Maiden introduced a couple of spot colours using a red and blue, but retained much of his monochrome style.

My Favourite Piece “Avarice Egocentric is by far my favourite piece for all sorts of reasons. It’s what I want to paint, not what I have to paint, it’s visual storytelling, controversial, meaningful, soulful work. It was my biggest piece to date and was the centre piece of my very first solo exhibition in the UK at Castle Fine Art, ICC in Birmingham.” - Keith Maiden

keith maiden

Chloe

Keith Maiden Autumn Collection 2014

Avarice Egocentric

Isabella

Lawrence Coulson Autumn Collection 2014

I have been plucking up the courage to paint this for some time. As a landscape painter all I am looking for are items or subjects that can be employed to reflect light, be it from the sun or in this case, the moon. The structures of the barrier are covered in polished metal tiles or plates that pick up the light beautifully, and I saw this as not only a striking subject but also something of a departure for me in terms of subject matter. Following from this painting there will be more in this vein, something a little more contemporary but definitely reflecting my love of fine art.

Moonlight, Thames Barrier

This painting has been given this title for a deliberate reason. A few months ago I reached a point where I was disillusioned with many aspects of my career. I was not satisfied with the work I was producing and I felt I had got stuck in something of a rut. There was nothing actually wrong with what I had been painting but for me, something was missing. After some deliberation I realised that there was a lack of passion, of sparkle, that magic ingredient that separates the great from the merely good. As a result I have redefined the way I work, considering every aspect of the subject matter, what it means to me as an artist and how effectively I can transfer these feelings into the painting. New Dawn

lawrence coulson

This painting was started at 3.15am one morning, one of the (only too rare) moments of inspiration that flashed across my mind in the early hours. I had tried to create some winter snow scenes previously, with some success, but they werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite what I was aiming for. This time I experimented with portraying the effect of falling snow and it was that, purely an experiment, but it worked! I look forward to pursuing more on this theme, especially following the reaction that this piece received.

A Winters Tale

Neil Dawson Autumn Collection 2014

City Splendour II

City Splendour II depicts the view from Tower Bridge looking up river as the sun sets on a beautiful day in London. In particular I have tried to capture the subtle nature of the buildings in shadow and the last of the sun’s light reflecting on the water.

neil dawson

Nightfall, Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge ranks very highly on my favourites landmarks in London. It’s a beautiful structure and with the water to reflect the lights of the city buildings, it’s a great scene to paint which shows a different side of the capital to the busy bustling streets.

Neil Dawson Autumn Collection 2014

New Yorker Yellow Cabs, Times Square

I wanted Yellow Cabs, Times Square to encapsulate the colour, light and energy of a night in the big apple. With the speeding yellow cabs and vibrant neon billboards, I hope the viewer will be transported to a city full of life and possibility.

New Yorker is a bit more of an experimental picture, in a slightly different style. I first created a moody, atmospheric sky and then painted a silhouette on top of this. I then only used the colours of the US flag, red, white and blue to suggest the buildings and create the twinkling lights of New York.

Nic Joly Autumn Collection 2014

About The Collection As always, the inspiration for my latest collection is the world around me; feelings I have, experiences that come up, stories I hear and my reaction to them. As with all my work, all I am doing is opening the door and letting the madness and expression escape from my head in my own small way...

We are all small vital parts in the bigger picture of the world around us. My work is all about metaphor, there is meaning in everything, if we only have the eyes to see it.

My Favourite Piece “I can’t give you a favourite.... I love the piece entitled Making Love because it is what we should all be doing for the world around us, In A World of Our Own because we have all experienced the feeling of being on another planet for a moment in time with someone we love, and Recreational Drugs because of my misspent youth!” - Nic Joly

nic joly

In A World of Our Own

Making Love

Recreational Drugs

Paul Corfield Autumn Collection 2014

About The Collection I will start with Watching The Waves Roll In as it’s probably the most ambitious painting I’ve ever undertaken. Ever since I started to include the sea with the crashing waves I’ve never felt I was capturing it in a way that really tested me. I was using methods that most mainstream seascape artists use, it’s a bit formulaic and the results can be a little contrived if I was being completely honest. As an artist I don’t like to take the easy way out, I don’t look for little tricks that give a quicker solution. When I paint the sea I always have in the back of mind an artist who I greatly admire. His name is Ruo Li, he was born in China and emigrated to America in 1989. To me, he is one of the greatest seascape artists and captures the waves with a virtuosity that few people ever reach. Unfortunately there are no online videos showing Ruo Li at work and California is too far for me to go and take a class but there are some very large hi-res images online that I try to dissect. I know the type of brushes he uses and with that knowledge I can imagine what is going on when he paints. So, armed with those small snippets of information, I painted the sea in this new painting. Even in the days leading up to it, when I paint the sky, the cliffs and gradually work my way down the canvas I am thinking about the sea, how the brush will be moving, how it will feel. When I paint the sea I have to get into a state of mind, especially when it comes to the foam. I’m constantly imagining waves crashing and the foam rolling up the beach and this is what I try to translate onto the canvas. I’m content that for me, the sea in this painting is a big step in the right direction with how I want it to evolve in the future. The two taller paintings were created just because they were something new for me. I’m mindful that some collectors must have a space to fill that doesn’t suit a wide landscape shape.

The two scenes are just invented, completely imaginary places but the one titled Lavender Lane came about after chatting to a collector at a show. We were just chatting about the various methods that I use, mainly in the under painting phase. He asked me which paintings of mine I’d like to have back if it were possible and I gave him a list of about 5 images that I’d created over the last 8 years with Washington Green. Nearly all of them used a bistre wipe out style of under painting. This involves covering the canvas in a thinned mixture of raw or burnt umber, wiping out the lighter areas with a rag, darkening the shadows with more raw or burnt umber and lightening the highlights with opaque whites. It’s a really beautiful way to paint and often the painting could be left in this state as they have a look all of their own. So, after that show I arrived home and created Lavender Lane with that same method. A New Day is all about the light. With every painting I always start with the sky and I love the challenge of capturing that light in everything else in the painting. Every colour that is mixed for the rest of the painting has to include the colour of the light source. This varies somewhat with distance so you have to be thinking all of the time, how would it look in real life and how can I translate that into paint. When it works and the customer sees the effect in the viewing room, then the image basically sells itself. It’s not often that the smaller studies make it into print but it’s good to see a couple make it this year. The studies are where I experiment with ideas before sometimes using those ideas for bigger paintings. Quite often, some elements like the sea or the sky can be painted with a lot more freedom and a looser brush stroke, which I enjoy. Because of that freedom, the smaller paintings can have an appeal that the bigger paintings sometimes lack.

A New Day

My Favourite Piece “From this collection, Watching The Waves Roll In is my favourite piece. I started it with a great deal of uncertainty, it was the most challenging and the end result was very satisfying. I can’t wait to start the next big seascape and set myself new levels of expectation.” - Paul Corfield

paul corfield

Watching the Waves Roll In

Paul Corfield Autumn Collection 2014

No Place Like Home

Lavender Lane

Sweet Dreams

The House By The Sea

Paul Horton Autumn Collection 2014

The Open Road

paul horton

I’ve always been an artist who likes to produce a diversity of subject matter, to challenge myself to introduce new themes alongside interpretations of the classic and traditional genres such as landscape and figurative painting. I’ve tried to capture a real feel good factor in this image, creating an atmosphere that’s warm and uplifting. As the sun rises on a beautiful new day it casts light on the rolling countryside and brings with it the excitement and anticipation for the family as they head for the coast. It’s important that this same spirit is present in the narrative, using the pull of nostalgia to evoke fond memories of family holidays.

Paul Horton Autumn Collection 2014

The Painted Sky

Hustle & Bustle

Taking inspiration from personal experiences and observations from your own life can often bring another dynamic to a piece of work, this can be reflected in the spirit or soul of any particular painting or sculpture and add to a deeper or more poignant message that resonates as a universal theme. I like to introduce symbols and motifs that combine an underlying statement alongside the narrative. The house for instance becomes a symbol for love and the family, a protector and sanctuary from the world outside. The rainbow not only brings hope and good fortune but also adds a poetical element to the visual. The great sense of joy and love our children and grandchildren bring to our lives is one of the most wonderful things we could ever wish for. This painting is a celebration of childhood and the age of innocence which seems to disappear far too soon in the modern world.

In recent times Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m finding more inspiration from my own childhood and the events I lived through, from both a personal perspective and a cultural one. People of my generation will vividly remember the power cuts, strikes and troubled times of the 1970â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, but they will also have some surprisingly affectionate memories of the decade that bought us chopper bikes, space hoppers and the Curly Wurly. They may try to forget some of the bizarre fashion statements of the day. I have to admit I do remember wearing the purple flared trousers and yellow tank top, as worn by the central character. What Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve tried to create is a street scene that captures some of the spirit and energy of the decade, a place that the viewer may only partly recall or maybe only exists in the imagination of the viewer.

Paul Kenton Autumn Collection 2014

Blaze It Up

Blaze It Up depicts a classic, fiery sunset over the Thames with the Shard overseeing those last few moments of the sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s warmth as the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commuters head for home.

Moonlight River

paul kenton

I wanted Moonlight River to encapsulate the stillness of a London night. The glass of the Thames reflecting the warm city lights, providing a tranquil but moving image of London.

Paul Kenton Autumn Collection 2014

Final Flurry

With the imminent transformation of Battersea Power Station, Final Flurry is a warm tribute to one of my favourite London landmarks providing a time to reflect on the history of this iconic building.

Silver Shard

Paris After Dark

Paris After Dark provides a snapshot of one of my favourite streets in Paris showing, whatever the weather, how the famous corner cafés of the tall streets of Paris can frame the view of the resplendent Eiffel Tower. Sante!

Although a new addition to the iconic London skyline, the Shard blends in beautifully - like it has always been a part of it. I wanted to create the silvery sheen of the Shard’s outline, reflecting the image of the city’s magnificence back out into its streets. If people enjoy my work, that’s good enough for me, I don’t ask any more than that! However, that said, I do hope they connect to the picture whether it’s sensing the speed and energy of the traffic, the opportunities and excitement behind the twinkling lights or the calm and serenity of a sunset by the river.

Peter Smith Autumn Collection 2014

Sometimes chocolate can take over your life, whereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your secret stash? To create this image a scale model of the room was built along with a plasticine Impossimal to help with the light and shadows. It was then lit from the right using a table lamp before being photographed then painted. The chocolates, just in case you were wondering, are a selection from Thorntons.

Chocolanche

Snug as a bug in a rug this family treasures their special time together in a place most of us are reluctant to leave. Originally called Bedknobs And Bored Kids its name change reflects the family it is based upon. We always like to include a family piece in each new set of releases. The couple depicted in this piece the same couple in the companion piece Rub-A-Dub Tub. Four in a Bed

peter smith

Like A Boss

Let the world know how you roll, whatever you do, however you do it, do it LIKE A BOSS! All the queen images on the banknotes are Peter in various fancy dress garb. From Princess Leia to Pirates Of The Caribbean, only one of the bank notes contains a hint of madness, can you find it? This is the latest painting to feature the popular Management character who first appeared in the 2005 sell out tour The Art Of Surprise. Other paintings in the series were The Management, Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Barred and Under New Management.

Peter Smith Autumn Collection 2014

Rub-A-Dub Tub

Peter Smith Autumn Collection 2014

A romantic low light scene of a roll top romance from a couple that loves nothing better than sharing everything they do in life. It’s been painted with a colour scheme that will make this limited edition easy to fit in any room, that was what we intended, bathroom pictures are not only for the bathroom! Because a model was used to get the correct lighting you will find when viewing in low levels of light the candles will actually look more realistic.

99 PROBLEMS ...but a flake ain’t one! From childhood memories and seasides, the good old ‘99 has an endearing quality like no other. Go on, reach in and grab it, you know you want to. To get just the right ice cream colour the oil paint when mixed was then painted directly onto real ice cream and cone, when you couldn’t tell the difference in tone we knew we had the correct colours to paint with.

99 Problems

Are you really going to eat all that? I have an in-built indecisiveness when it comes to choosing an ice cream flavour so to prevent the problem I hedge my bets and choose just five. All at the same time. To get the just right ice cream colour the oil paint when mixed was then painted directly onto real ice cream and cone, when you couldn’t tell the difference in tone we knew we had the correct colours to paint with.

Memories

We all have them, we all need them, memories serve a purpose and a need. Without experience we would have no memories, without memories we would have no experience. It’s been nine years since the release of The Crying Game, a set of emotional eyes on a sepia box canvas. This time with its return we wanted a more powerful image that pulls memories out of the viewer. Note the two sides of memories represented by one side in each eye. Super Scooper

Peter Smith Autumn Collection 2014

Rub-A-Dub Tub - Sculpture Super Scooper - Sculpture

99 Problems - Sculpture

Richard Blunt Autumn Collection 2014

About The Collection The main inspiration behind these pieces is chivalry. From talking to collectors of my work I was taken aback by how many mentioned it reminded them of a time when men were gentlemen, more attentive and thoughtful. So this collection is for the gentlemen out there today!

“A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it” – George A. Moore I came across and really related to this quote whilst painting this collection.

My Favourite Piece

A Warm Summer Evening

“My favourite piece in this collection is A Warm Summer Evening, simply because I think it best portrays what I’m trying to get across.” - Richard Blunt

richard blunt

Body and Soul

Richard Rowan Autumn Collection 2014

Influence

My Message

This collection’s influence is all about the visual journey taken from ground level, from our own atmosphere, out to the Milky Way and through to the furthest reaches of space.

My message is simple: I want to give people the opportunity to forget about the world around them even if it is just for five minutes - and for my paintings to transport them into looking at the heart of a nebular, watching the Milky Way or the clouds rolling above their heads. As their eyes focus more on the colour in the painting their mind should be tricked into thinking the sky is actually moving, the sun is setting and the night stars are twinkling.

Richard Rowan Autumn Collection 2014

Glimpse of the Infinite

My Favourite Piece “Sunlit Night is my favourite piece; this is a sunset that didn’t want to go away. Some are over in seconds, but this one endured, the colour lingering in the sky, diffusing beautifully through the clouds and swathing the horizon in warmth. Good memories of a sunset suspended in time is what I have hopefully captured in this piece.” - Richard Rowan

richard rowan

Sunlit Night

Pure

The Shore

Ryder Autumn Collection 2014

I paint using acrylics as they enable me to build up the many layers of colour that give my work its vibrant rich colours. Each painting starts with large areas of the colour being quickly applied, so the painting in its early stages represents that of an abstract painting. From there I begin to add the tonal areas which give the painting depth and perspective. My next stage is to apply the shape and form of the painting, drawing in hills, trees etc - the whole time I’m adding layer upon layer of more colour so that, over time, the work takes on a life of its own revealing shapes and ideas I hadn’t originally thought of.

Ryder Autumn Collection 2014

This painting is about a feeling, the emotion you feel when things are just right, the landscape is idealised and perfect, and the dog innocent and mischievous, ready to take on life and live it to the full.

The whole process completely engulfs me and the outside world just seems to disappear, such is the level of concentration required to summon these paintings from my imagination; exhausting but at the same time truly thrilling. The final stage is to add a gloss varnish which revels the subtle tones and colour. This to me is the most rewarding stage, as it is at this point I finally get to see the finished painting.

Over The Moon

This painting is about the wonder and the mystery of the world through a child’s eyes, and that special bond the father and daughter have. As they look up at the night sky, he tells her of faraway places and the exciting infinite nature of space. The colours are dark and rich to create a moody feel, and to help the night sky glow.

My Favourite Piece “To me, the artist should never be more important than the work he produces. The art is the real star, everything else is just irrelevant.” - Ryder

In The Night Garden

Based on romance, courtship and the thrill of the chase.

ryder

Romeo’s Juliet

Ryder Autumn Collection 2014

Again romance all the way, he has a puffed out chest full of bravado and excitement. She hooks her tail around him determined not to let this one get away.

This painting represents the unstoppable bond between families. As they all look up on a warm summer’s night, so mesmerised by the shooting stars that they all forget to hold hands, the trees that surround adding a feeling of protection.

The Greatest Show On Earth

Juliet’s Romeo

This to me is about the feeling I get when I let all life’s stresses out and go for a run; the freedom and exhilaration of being out in the open pushing yourself to the limit racing home before the sun disappears.

The Chase

Dangerous Liaisons

This painting depicts the mother attempting to hang the washing whilst the dog does various acrobatic tricks. The idea is based on the antics of my daughter - forever the ‘show off’ but always in the sweetest way.

The Exhibitionist

Based on the idea of the beginnings of romance: meeting up in secret, the flowers on the left are blue representing the boy, on the right pink for the girl, in the distance a little house maybe one day their dream home, the start of a lifelong courtship.

Xue Wang Autumn Collection 2014

My Inspiration This collection is inspired by silver screen Hollywood iconography. It continues a long-held fascination with vintage memorabilia and the shadowy world of the childhood unconscious. Some of the images used a monochrome palette to impart a ‘period feel’ to the theme. The cinematic elements are here tinged with darkness in dramatic Hitchcockian studio lighting which accentuates each figure in these works. My Method My modus operandi is pretty traditional: I almost exclusively use oil on board. After abandoning canvas because of it restrictive ‘tooth’ which wasn’t conducive to the laborious glazing techniques, I found the meticulous attention to detail easier to produce on a smoother ground. A typical work day begins late - I’m not an early riser, and I can work at long

stretches without a break. Invariably I remain seated as my work demands an up close and personal viewpoint. As I work, sometimes on several pieces simultaneously, I try to juggle the elements of impish humour and academic realism in my paintings. My Message Style and grace are something which have to be worked on, every starlet knows this simple truth. Success in effortlessly carrying it off is though, an act of deception. Elegant ladies, loose and lost peer out through knowing and impenetrable eyes that scrutinise the viewer in mock indifference. They are too beautiful to question, too creepy to doubt. These overly large eyed dolly birds appear vacuous but are by turns amusing, odd and just a little threatening.

I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles

Straight No Gnashers

Lollipop

Check Mate

My Favourite Piece “My favourite work in this collection is the title piece, Narcissess. This one really nails the theme of vanity for me. The mirror world throws back a startling reflection of things which might be. It strips off the superficial veneer of beauty to reveal a more eerie interior parallel reality.” - Xue Wang

xue wang

Xue Wang Autumn Collection 2014

Stretch Fido

Narcissess

A Tight Squeeze

Bomb Shell