Creative Talents Magazine - Leabrooks Arts Complex Special Edition
Editors Preface
Back in November '23 when I started my own personal journey as an emerging artist I was constantly searching for places to display my framed prints (and still am today). Ideally it would be local and the gallery owner would open to learn about me and working beside me to promote and sell my artwork.
Its sounds simple, in reality it is incredibly hard work. The type of art I create is seen by many as a novelty, not mainstream, after all when you create art digitally it doesn’t take skill or training and there are no techniques to master, its just press a few buttons and hey presto its done. In reality this is far from true. Yes there are apps that you can use to make digital images and yes you can now create art using AI but this is a totally different thing to creating Digital Mixed Media Concept Art.
A wise man once told me, "Its not the length of time it took to create the art, but the length of time it took to learn how to create it that needs to be considered". My artwork tends to be either dark and moody or bright garish and bold. Each piece is made of 50+ individual layers that have been manually blended together to create a seamless image. Normally I blend items that should not be found in the same space, such as rusty mentl spikes to replace the backbone of a female model.
Anyway I digress, you can find out more about me and my artwork via my website and blog. Let's continue the story: I was lucky enough to be pointed in the direction of a gallery based in Derbyshire, they expressed an interest in meeting me and seeing my work.
James Hurley Editor & Artist
From the moment I met Carol and John at Leabrooks Arts Complex I knew no matter what came out of our meeting we would remain in contact. Seeing their reaction to one of my pieces of framed art when I unpacked it and talked them through the creative process was reward enough for me.
As a result of this meeting they hosted a solo exhibition for me and still display my work today. It is therefore a great pleasure to dedicate this whole magazine to some of the amazing artists they represent.
James Hurley Editor & Artist
Important
This magazine does not offer financial or investment advice. It simply showcases the creators behind art and photography projects and gives you to opportunity to explore their work. As with any financial transaction you should ensure you are aware of what you are buying, if it has unlockables, utility and any associated terms and conditions.
All images in this publication are sourced / owned / created by the creators featured, unless otherwise stated on their websites or social media pages and as such must not be copied or sold without the express consent of the artist.
Please feel free to share the magazine but do not make changes to any of the content.
Cover Artist - Susan Tracey
Leabrooks Arts Complex in Perspective
Derbyshire is a beautiful county, known for its picturesque vistas and landscapes which embody a range of narratives. There is a profound history in its stones and running waters, offering an endless source of inspiration for creatives.
At the edge of this area is Alfreton, a town known more for its industry than its visual appeal. It was once the center of rope making, tanning, and agriculture, surrounded by coal mines that are now long gone. Local legend suggests King Alfred gave the town its name, though a settlement is mentioned in the Domesday Book from the late 1100s, predating any association with King Alfred. The manor of Alfreton was first overseen by Earl Roger de Busli and was passed down through heredity, gift, and sale over centuries, eventually belonging to William Palmer Morewood, the last Lord of Alfreton, who died in 1957.
Leabrooks was part of Alfreton Manor. A farm and a few laborers' cottages were built there in the early 18th century. The farm, known as Horse Mill Farm, was given with 28 acres of land as a dowry at the marriage of a Palmer Morewood daughter in 1762. Its name was then changed to Leabrooks House.
Over time, the farm shrank as houses and roads were built around it.
The Monet Garden at Leabrooks Arts Complex.
Palmer Morewood by George Romney, hanging in The National Portrait Gallery.
In the millennium, it was bought by another farmer’s daughter and her partner.
The farmhouse, with its hidden wells, subterranean ice house, dairy, and ancient apple trees, became a home. The barns, haylofts, and pig farrowing pens were converted into a modern art gallery, and the farmyard became a garden.
Leabrooks Gallery and Gardens came into being.
Now, twenty years later, there is an art gallery, coffee shop, conference room, interiors gallery, a secret garden with pagoda, a Mediterranean garden, Monet’s pond and walk, and a bonsai terrace.
The gallery exhibits original artwork –paintings, sculpture, and jewelry – by over forty highly talented artists. Each month, the Main Exhibition Room features a display of recent works by an invited artist.
Leabrooks Art Complex
The Conference Room is available for meetings and hosts the Artists' Forum, a gathering of artists on the first Saturday of the month, along with the Creative Wellness Group and small art groups.
The gallery also supports three charities each year with special events. The owners aim to foster a creative hub that promotes the arts at all levels while playing a constructive role in the community, as Horse Mill Farm/ Leabrooks House did from the outset.
The story of Leabrooks Arts Complex, which began three hundred years ago, continues.
https://leabrooksartscomplex.com/
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
Ebb Tide Acrylic on canvas, optical art and colours reflect the seascape.
The seashore at Holkam, Norfolk
Carol Barton-Jones
Artist’s Bio
Carol Barton-Jones, CBJ, has always been interested in art and exploring the possibilities of personal expression through painting. From her first attempts at producing work for public consumption, (a flamboyant but unappreciated mural on the sitting room wall at the age of three), to the present, where her canvases pay homage to a number of artists who have inspired her current output, art has been a consistent pleasure.
Despite the fact that this interest and practice has been lifelong, it has taken a subsidiary role while her passion for education has dominated her thinking and energy throughout her adult life. With time there has, inevitably, been a fusion of these two pursuits and she has developed a strong belief in the transformative and productive influences of art and education. She believes that both are essential to the development of balanced individuals who can contribute to a successful society.
Some time ago she began to explore new avenues: she has helped to develop a Gallery where she promotes the work of a number of outstanding local artists and influencers and she has created a personal portfolio of art work which has enabled her to understand the demands made on exhibiting ar tists. Since its inception the Gallery has provided opportunities for people within the local community to engage with art and artists.
Her current paintings reflect all of these pre-occupations and also convey a fascination with colour and the mathematical relationships, evident in the natural world. As a body of work it illustrates a ‘ learning curve’, which extends with each new experience, providing real joy and an energising influence on her life. Art, for her, continues to be an educational journey and a positive influence in an uncertain world.
Artist’s Statement
Art, for me, continues to be an educational journey and positive influence in an uncertain world. Art, and creativity in general,enables individuals to express unique ideas, solve problems and heal the broken spirit. It needs to be shared. ‘Creativity is contagious, pass it on.’ Albert Einstein
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork? A plant in the garden
Root
Pen and ink on paper
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
A dried up root found while walking in Lathkill Dale, Derbyshire
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork? This painting was inspired by my wildlife pond at the bottom of my garden. I was clearing leaves in Autumn, looking at the reflected sky and the overhanging branch of the magnolia and thinking about the cycle of the seasons and of life, the magnolia had been glorious in spring , now it would sleep to reawaken.
Branch Oil on canvas
Susan Tracey
Susan Tracey lives and paints in Derbyshire, she has always painted but spent many years teaching before taking the opportunity to study at Sheffield Hallam University where she gained B.A Hons, in Fine Art, Painting and Printmaking. After moving to Cambridgeshire she continued to teach part time while developing her work . She exhibited widely across the Southeast in both group and solo exhibitions, and Welwyn Garden City where she won a solo exhibition as winner of the inaugural exhibition of the New Maynard Gallery. Her work is in private collections and NCR London.
Since returning to Derbyshire group and solo exhibitions have included Wolverhampton City art Gallery, East Midlands Airport, Art in The Gardens Sheffield, Derbyshire open arts, Courtney Gallery, Leabrooks Arts Complex and also working with schools for the The Future is Ours exhibition in the Sheffield Millennium Gallery.
Artist’s Statement
My work is inspired by my experience of landscape, of trees and water, time and light. It is a meditation on the fleeting moment and the passage of time, the eternal now. I am always aware of the history written on the landscape of the Peak District in hill and stone, wood and water. I feel a deep connection to the earth, everywhere around me has been changed, trodden by feet, used by people and beings over thousands of years, and also a fascination with water in all its forms both changeless and everchanging.
It begins by walking, sitting and observing, goes on with sketching and notes , reading and music and then back to the studio where I put everything on one side . I work with oils, building layers, adding and subtracting using brushes knives random tools and my hands, until the work takes shape and makes the connection.
Exhibitions
Artist’s Bio Links
• 2023 Derbyshire Open Arts
• Leabrooks Arts Complex Solo exhibition
• Salon Contemporary Arts Summer exhibition, Museum of making Derby 2024
• Salon Contemporarys Arts Summer Exhibition, Museum of Making Derby
• Leabrooks Arts complex Solo Exhibition(November)
Website: www.susantraceyart.com
Instagram: @susantraceyart
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
This Painting is one of a series of paintings about rivers, they all are concerned with the way we experience time , flowing like a river in one direction.
This is also about memories, particularly memories of time spent with children , those summer days spent by the river which in memory are full of laughter and sunshine.
River Song Oil on linen
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
A celebration of Spring as the willow by the pond that I walk past every day burst into exuberant life and demanded attention.
Spring Willow Oil on linen
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork? This was a painting completed during lockdown, I loved the way in which the light pouring between the trees echoed the form of the birch tree. It was a symbol of hope and a reminder that the light always breaks through.
Adagio Oil on linen
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork? This is also about memories, particularly memories of time spent with children , those summer days spent by the river which in memory are full of laughter and sunshine.
Our lives flow on like the river, but memories remain.
River Dreaming Oil on cradled panel
Selfie III
Acrylic/oil on canvas board
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
My latest self portrait (2022) begun as a demonstration and video. Some years ago I decided to paint selfies periodically as a means of dealing with my alopecia.
Exhibitions
• Salon Contemporary Arts 2023, Museum of Making, Derby June 2023
• Ruth Borchard online self-portrait exhibition, June 2023 (highly commended)
• Salon Contemporary Arts Summer Exhibition 2024, Museum of Making, Derby June 2024
• Harley Open 2024, The Harley Gallery, Welbeck, Notts
Martin Davis
Artist’s Bio
Martin is a retired firefighter from Derbyshire, UK. He graduated in Economics from the University of Birmingham in 1976 but, after a brief spell in finance, he took a new direction and completed over 30 years in the UK fire and rescue service. He has always painted but only turned to art fully after retirement in 2008 having already brought up a family and completed one demanding career. Only then could he find the time he needed to devote to it.
Martin is almost entirely self-taught with no formal training beyond school and still considers himself just a student practicing his art. His work can be diverse & wide-ranging. Apart from his current focus on still life it includes landscapes & urban scenes to more figurative/abstract work and commissioned portraiture, but whatever the subject matter his painterly style is characterized by a trademark vibrancy of colour and attention to fine detail, sometimes accompanied by a slightly surreal twist. He is a member of the Visual Artists’ Association and a founder member of the Derbyshire Artists’ Guild and in 2020 his work was selected for show in both the Harley Gallery Open and the prestigious ING Discerning Eye exhibitions. In 2022 his work was recognized by the Royal Academy and selected for the Summer Exhibition 2022 and in 2023 by the Ruth Borchard Organisation for their virtual Self Portrait Exhibition. For the last three years Martin has been a regular exhibitor at the Salon Contemporary Arts in Derby. Even though he is almost wholly self-trained Martin’s artwork is sought by private collectors around the world and he has secured coveted gallery space throughout the UK as well as here in his native Derbyshire where he works from his home studio.
Artist’s Statement
“Much of my practice – I work largely in the mediums of oil and acrylic paint – is a response to visual triggers I see in the world around me, in current affairs, in my physical surroundings and even in the written word. My natural curiosity about how we see what we see provides a sub-text to what I do in my work and I am inspired by the tension of contrasts; contrasts of light, of colour or texture and the effects this has on form. During the process of applying paint I focus especially on the idea of boundaries or edges and the ends of things – and in those often fleeting boundaries that define and demarcate what we see I explore the possibilities of representation and visualization, often of the apparently mundane and everyday. I love the unexpected or the effect of events outside of my control on my subconscious. I never know if or how or why such external triggers may effect a response through my work. But I am interested in the linkages present through such influences and the traces they can leave through the narratives that are often there in my art.
Whatever the genre the same foundations are apparent in all my work but it is probably in still life that it finds its greatest expression. My still life work generally takes the form of using everyday objects and, by means of intense observation and exacting mark-making, raising them through art into forms of beauty in their own right. This is I suppose a kind of realism, but not exact representation as I’m essentially exploring objects in order to enhance what is there but is often overlooked in plain sight. Maybe surreal in the original sense of the word would be a better description.
I try to use my sense of colour and love of form to raise the spirits. One of my abiding hopes is that, like music, art can serve to engender a greater sense of wellbeing – in observer and creator alike. I believe art at its best can be a simple, joyful experience as well as a vehicle for asking more difficult & fundamental questions about what it is to be human.”
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork? I paint many figurative pieces and this one appealed to me as representing the very stuff of childhood innocence and it comes from a family snapshot of my granddaughter as she played on a pier.
Peering thro' cracks Acrylic/oil on plywood
Here comes summer Emulsion/oil/acrylic on mdf
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork? Created for submission to the Royal Academy summer exhibition 2022 where it was selected by none other than Sir Grayson Perry and sold at the preview even before the show opened to the public.
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
Apilco crockery is such a lovely thing to paint - it reflects well, it has such depth of colour and it contrasts with its gold edging. What's not to like as a still life artist. The vibrancy of the orange is used as a focal point. I find endless fascination in using household items that are not particularly obviously appealing and try to show how they can be so attractive in themselves if you study them closely enough.
Coffee and orange
Acrylic/oil on plywood
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
I have always had a fascination with the way light reflects differently on different surfaces
Coffee break Emulsion/oil/acrylic on mdf
November Sunset Oil on canvas board.
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
The painting is from a series of photos taken at Moorgreen Reservoir in Nottinghamshire. I was struck by the way the branches appeared to be reaching out to touch the last of the dying light as the sun set.
Sue Mutch
Sue Mutch is an artist and art tutor working primarily in oils, although also paints with watercolours and acrylics on occasion. Sue has had a lifelong interest in art since seeing Rembrandt’s magnificent painting of the Night Watch whilst visiting the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam as a teenager on a school trip. On her return home Sue asked for oil paints & brushes for her birthday and her love of painting in oils was born.
Sue takes inspiration from landscapes, seascapes, flowers and the natural world in general. Her paintings reflect the influence of the local Derbyshire landscapes and her Scottish heritage. A lover of multifaceted colour, and the effects of light and shade along with all things quirky and unusual. Sue likes to take a standard landscape and add to it with stylised branches on the trees or a particularly colourful sky to give the finished artwork a contemporary twist. Before retiring Sue previously had a wide ranging career in the Emergency Services & the Civil Service with many years of experience in Learning & Development, tutoring and mentoring. Sue is a great believer in lifelong learning and using art and creativity to support mental health and her many years of experience of learning and development underpin the very successful art workshops, and one to one teaching she delivers.
Sue believes it’s important to teach students the techniques that allows them to go off and create their own works with confidence rather than impose her own style on others. This has led to Sue working with Carol and John from the Leabrooks Art Complex recently to instigate the art group Leabrooks Creatives which focuses on bringing together individuals on a regular basis for creative art & socialising as well as enhancing mental health.
Artist’s Statement
Sue is a multifaceted colourist playing with light & shade evoking the natural environment. Sue works primarily in oils, and on occasion with watercolours and acrylics, with a lifelong interest in art, particularly inspired by landscapes, seascapes, flowers and the natural world in general. Lover of colour, light and shade and all things quirky and unusual. Prior to retiring had a wide ranging career in the Emergency Services & the Civil Service.
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork? Peonies have long been one of my favourite flowers and I wanted to capture their beauty and keep a permanent record. This is one of my favourite paintings.
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork? This was painted as a wedding present to two very dear friends. Allestree Park in Derby was where they spent their first date and is somewhere that is very special to them. It was a real privilege to be able to paint one of their favourite places as a very personal surprise for their wedding.
Allestree Park Lake Oil on canvas.
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
One of the largest paintings I’ve ever completed. By sheer good luck we visited the castle late one May afternoon when the setting sun painted the castle walls with golden light that you only seem to get in Scotland at that time of year. I ended up standing knee deep in the loch to get the view and reflection in the water I wanted in my photos, before completing the painting on my return home. I fully expected the water reflections to be difficult to paint only to be very surprised when they just ‘flowed off my brush’.
Eilean Donan Castle Oil on board
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
This was a commission after a colleague saw my peony painting. He wanted a modern & contemporary painting of tulips for his fiancée. Painting the tulips from below gave the twist & contemporary edge that he wanted. I’m pleased to say his fiancée loves it.
Apricot Tulips Oil on board
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
Here’s a close-up of a cornflower in a semi-abstract style, with oil pastel and pencil marks adding texture to the acrylic painting. These flowers are normally known for being blue but they also come in purple, pink and white. This canvas painting will add a touch of nature and beauty to your space.
Cornflower Acrylic and oil pastels.
Rachel Hayes
Artist’s Bio Links
Rachel is an abstract and mixed media artist based on the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire border. Rachel has developed a deep love of acrylics and is continuously evolving her own style. She uses a blend of self-taught techniques and experiential learning, showcasing that passion and practice are at the heart of artistic growth. Her story is an inspiration to emerging artists and art lovers alike, reminding us that the journey of self-discovery through art is both enriching and accessible to all at any time of their life. She creates a diverse range of art, including abstract and semi abstract acrylic paintings on canvas, colourful collages using handmade papers, and ink/watercolour abstracts on paper. Rachel’s work is characterized by the use of bright and bold colours in a contemporary manner drawing inspiration from nature. She is particularly inspired by the vibrant and saturated colours of flowers as well as the organic shapes found in her garden, where her studio is based.
Artist’s Statement
I have always been creative but have only recently found my love of acrylic paint and mixed media art. I work in a studio space in the garden and love being inspired by nature. In particular I love bright and bold colours that I see in my flower borders, and I feel inspired every time I walk around the garden. Flowers, leaves and shapes can be found all year round so I am never short of ideas. I love to represent flowers with simplified shapes as that is how I see them. Nature provides the palette and the ideas, and I apply to the canvas.
I love to start a canvas with random marks using oil pastels, charcoal or water-soluble crayons. I then add acrylic paint using scrapers and other tools to give random effects and start to create interest. I like to hide things in the painting such as tiny pencil drawings or shapes made by scratching into paint. I build up layers with paint and marks until I know what the painting is going to look like. Sometimes I have a loose idea when I start but other times it’s a complete unknown. I let my intuition guide me and find this much more freeing than trying to copy a photograph. I don’t copy reality; I create my own.
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork? It's hot outside and the hydrangea, roses and hollyhocks are all fighting for attention. I say get a chair and a glass of Pimms and enjoy them all while they last (and before it starts raining again!). Enjoy every petal and every sip! This painting is made on canvas with acrylic and oil pastels. There are lots of layers in this painting adding texture and interest and many hidden details to be found.
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
Here are the hot colours of summer in a flower border, where crocosmia, with their fiery reds, squeeze in between roses and the sunny rudbeckia. This painting is made with acrylic on canvas, with oil pastels adding texture. The many details continue around the deep sides and 'sgraffito' has been used to create hidden flowers. Add sunshine to your room with this painting.
Forever Summer Acrylic and oil pastels.
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork? Hydrangea are made up of florets that, while small, contribute to the overall beauty of the bloom. These dark purple florets sit against a background made of many different greens. Painted in a semi-abstract style with acrylic on canvas and with oil pastel and pencil marks adding texture.
Dark Purple Hydrangea Acrylic and oil pastels.
Acrylic and oil pastels. Acrylic and oil pastels.
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork? Summer is around the corner and the flowers are bursting into life. The rich colours of peonies, foxgloves and aquilegia put on a spectacular show. The simplification of flowers into basic shapes means you can focus on the saturated colours that take centre stage.
There are layers of interest and hidden details to be found and the painting continues around the sides to match.
Carpark
Photo
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
Photo Alfreton carpark in rain
Tony Fisher
Artist’s Bio
SInce 1977 I have created art in Film, Photography and Poetry. I work mostly in colour. I love vibrancy, however I use monochrome where I feel it conveys a different meaning as I feel it . None of my photographs are digitally manipulated and are a representation of what I see in life. What the viewer perceives is in essence the image I have captured through the camera lens. My photographs capture the moment of life; many are quirky and humorous, emotional, abstract and intense but all have a relevant and significant meaning.”
Artist’s Statement
My love of the visual arts and literature started in 1973 at school when I discovered Surrealism and continued as I studied film and photography at Derby Art College and Nottingham Trent. After graduation I received an Arts Council Filmmakers on Tour award touring my work around the UK and then later travelled to New York, Boston and Ithaca University, USA, where I showed films in 16mm and Super 8.
More recently, I have been commissioned by Arts Council England to produce a series of exhibitions in the U.K. and Europe including Only the Lonely? This three-year project explored photographic portraits of people who were lonely or in solitude. As the pandemic emerged the project developed into portraits taken at a distance in domestic environments of people doing activities that sustained them in this difficult time; a man holding his model caravans or a fire eater who performed fire eating at his window. The body of work has since been exhibited a number of places including The Art House Wakefield in 2022. The project was described by Damon Jackson-Waldock at The Art House, Wakefield as: “a wonderful collection of photographs that really captured moments of hope, resilience and the spirit of people, especially during difficult periods of time throughout 2020 and 2021.”
Moving from the traditional format of black and white to colour photography has led to a series of studies in nature which are often abstract and investigate the empowering effect of nature through colour and light. I also use write poetry, contributing to the collection “Lockdown Poetry” with an introduction by Benjamin Zephaniah. I Currently have a show EVERYDAY EXTRAORDINARY Burton On Trent till May 2025 I live alone with my cat Sweetpea, in the village where I was born in beautiful Derbyshire. My daughter and granddaughters who live in Bristol are a constant source of joy.
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork? Taken in Kinberly
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
Walk Photogrpah.
Walking in Nottingham.
Dont Look Back Photograph.
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork? The text on the sign.
This Must Be Photograph.
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork? The text and the colour.
After the rain Watercolour on Saunders Waterford.
Kris Eggleston
Artist’s Bio
Established artist, Kris Eggleston, has been creating original and inspiring artwork for over three decades. Kris previously co-owned Studio 61 in Derbyshire, then moved to Mansfield to open Studio 26 and now has settled in Sutton-in-Ashfield where Studio 26 continues to thrive at Opas House.
Kris has displayed her work at numerous galleries and exhibitions over the years, usually across her local counties Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Her pieces have been awarded 1st prize places in several competitions. She often attends events as a guest artist to deliver demonstrations and talks about her work and she has written for a number of publications, providing step-by-step tutorials for the reader to re-producing a piece of her work.
Kris has an impressive range to her portfolio, working in mixed media, watercolour, acrylic, oil pastel, Brusho, pen & ink and pen & wash, amongst others. Kris’s early pieces were inspired by her passion for nature and the inevitable effects of time, her focus was based around subjects which showed the natural decay and erosion of things left to be forgotten. Her skills for capturing the effects of nature taking back control through rust and mosses are particularly impressive.
Later, Kris has delved into the world of looser forms, her use of abstract acrylic on canvass is unique and enticing. She has produced many commissioned pieces for clients over the years. Watercolour is Kris’s primary medium; she has a natural and self-taught talent to bring watercolour to life on the page, achieving vibrant and mesmerising effects that are rarely seen in this medium.
Kris continues to experiment with techniques and styles to create beautiful pieces. You can visit Kris’s gallery and attend her art classes and workshops at Studio 26 at Opas House, Sutton-in-Ashfield.
Wall of beauty Acrylic on deep edged canvas.
Sunflowers Watercolour
Unreasobanble Expectatations
Photo-Art:blending photofraphs with textures and images in Photoshop
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
Ever felt overwhelmed by others' relentless demands? That's where this art begins. From requests to outright threats, the pressure to conform is all around us. It often starts simply, with "you must do this", or "this is your role" or "do this or else." Sound familiar? The words used to disguise the threats may vary, but the pattern remains. Comply or else! It's a web of control, from subtle coercion to overt manipulation. "Unreasonable Expectations" captures this struggle, encouraging us to break free from the expecations of others. It's a visual reminder that your desires and boundaries matter, inviting you to reclaim your autonomy and embrace a life guided by your aspirations not those of someone else.
James Hurley
Artist’s Bio
James Hurley is an emerging contemporary visual artist, known for his distinctive blend of photography and textured digital art. Self-taught in digital art and fine art photography, James employs vibrant colours, intricate details, and rich narratives to probe deep realms of human emotion and transformation.
Beginning his artistic exploration at 14, and now at 57, James’s recent works delve into human relationships, personal growth, and authenticity in the face of societal pressures. His pieces, rooted in personal experience, are vivid storytellings that invite viewers to reflect on their own emotional journeys.
James's work has garnered recognition and display in notable venues including D31 Gallery in Doncaster, where he was awarded Judges’ Choice in 2021; Holy Art London; The Old Lock Up in Crompton; Leabrooks Arts Complex in Alfreton for a two-month solo exhibition; as well as digital displays at Red Dot Miami and Spectrum. International displays include Holy Art Athens, Casa Del Arte in Spain, Andakulva Gallery in Dubai, and Andie Art in Athens.
Through his art, James fosters a sanctuary for viewers to contemplate growth and empowerment, highlighting the importance of personal boundaries and the beauty of embracing change. Each creation offers a pathway for connecting with personal emotions and aspirations, making his work a catalyst for introspection and dialogue.
Artist’s Statement
In this often-demanding world, my artwork serves as a beacon, guiding you towards a path of self-discovery and empowerment. I believe deeply in the transformative power of art to steer us toward fulfilling our deepest aspirations. Art is not only about what we see; it’s about how it resonates with our feelings and experiences.
As an emerging photo-artist, I blend photographs with personal emotions and feeling to create art that reflects the multi-faceted depths of the human experience. Inspired by my own journey through life's chaos, I explore themes such as the pressures of societal expectations, the beauty of personal evolution, the crucial role of setting and maintaining boundaries and the difficulties of expressing emotions and feelings in a meaningful way.
Every image I craft in photoshop is a mirror of my personal experiences and observations. My works are invitations to delve into the complex interplay of emotions and relationships, offering poignant reminders of our capacity to liberate ourselves from constraining expectations and forge our own paths.
Dive into my art, engage with the stories, see your own story in the artwork and embark on a journey of selfrealisation.
Links
www.mycreativeimages.com
https://www.facebook.com/JHMyCreativeImages
https://www.instagram.com/mycreativeimages/
Breaking Free
Photo-Art:blending photofraphs with textures and images in Photoshop
What's the inspiration / story associated with the artwork?
Have you ever encountered the invisible chains of constraint, the subtle yet profound forces that tether your spirit to the stillness of conformity? Imagine the sensation of being ensnared, a silent cry for progress that seems to echo without response. This feeling of being muffled, as if your voice, vibrant with ideas and passions, is somehow dimmed in the vast expanse of the world. But there is a turning point, a moment of pivotal courage where you choose to cast aside the weight of expectation. 'Breaking Free' is not just an artwork; it’s a symbol of such liberation. It speaks to the heart that yearns to beat to its own rhythm and the mind that seeks to redefine relevance on its own terms. This is about more than asserting individuality—it's a profound declaration of independence from the collective narrative that often dictates our course. With 'Breaking Free' as your compass, you are emboldened to navigate the uncharted territories of your truest intentions, to honour your unique narrative that is brimming with significance.
Exhibitions
• Sep-24 Thomson Fine Art Gallery Switzerland
• Sep-24 Casa Del Palma, Spain
• Sep-24 Andakulova Gallery, Dubai
• Sep-24 Art Unlimited, Finalist Exhibition, Lyme Regies
• Aug-24 Andie Art Gallery Athens (Digital Display)
• Aug-24 Andakulova Gallery Dubai
• Aug-24 Cipriate Venezia Vencie
• Jul-24 Thomson Fine Art Gallery Switzerland
• Jun-24 Art Basal Switzerland
• May-24 Cipriate Venezia Vencie
• Apr-24 Artbox Expo Venice 10th 30th April, Digital screen
• Apr-24 Leabrooks Art Complex, 2 month Solo Exhibtion
• Apr-24 Andakulova Gallery Dubai
• Apr-24 Nicoleta Gallery - Berlin
• Apr-24 Thomson Gallery – Switzerland
• Mar-24 Nicoleta – Berlin
• Mar-24 Thomson Fine Art Gallery Switzerland
• Mar-24 Casa Del Art Palma Spain
• Mar-24 Artspace Innovations, Time square Billboard (23rd March 2024)
