Monday 29 June 2009

Richard O'Connell


Richard O’Connell with The Southerndown Sphinx

 

“The painting symbolises woman and man's age old quest for

immortality.The great forces of nature: the sea and sky surround a huge

cliff 'face' that stares out at the worst nature can throw at it. This

is an ongoing theme which I will develop in my future artwork.”

 

Tuesday 23 June 2009

Pauline Williams

Pauline Williams in her studio

I studied art at St. Helens College of Art and at The University of Wales in Cardiff; I also have a Post Graduate teaching qualification from the University of Newport.

My art is a representation of life from my perspective. I have been painting and drawing from life, recording places, events and people wherever I go. I will not only draw randomly just to keep my observational skills tip-top, the artist equivalent of ‘sight reading’, but also I will select my subject matter to suit my interest at the time. I have recently been making studies of skateboarders and rugby players enjoying their fearless commitment to their sport, providing me with great dynamics. I prefer to work directly in front of my subject wherever practical making a direct response, but I do also work in my studio allowing my memory and imagination to kick in. Studio working for me also encourages a more painterly approach to my work. My art studio is at home allowing me to fit my art with the rest of my family commitments. I regularly find inspiration to paint from my own garden and frequently include family members into my paintings. I also teach drawing and painting, mostly to adults, specializing in portraiture and life-drawing.


A Typical Sunday Afternoon


A theme I am constantly drawn to is the coast , Penarth in particular. This painting was created in the studio working from sketches that were created on location.

Jean Francis

There is a long standing tradition of artists making self portraits. Of course they aren’t a commercial proposition unless the artist is famous - and dead! In a self portrait one can be merciless, take as long as is needed, and, most importantly - explore and experiment.



1) Photograph of a charcoal pencil self portrait drawing done over a period of three weeks.

2) Ink drawing (with stick pen, broad nib) Done very quickly.

3) First cut and proof of lino block print.

Cutting the white areas and leaving the black is so different to drawing black onto white that it can be inhibiting. I cut it rapidly so as to come as close as possible to the frenzy of the ink drawing (frenzied- because working from life, holding the pad, and splashing the ink about does not make for a reposeful kind of drawing). After proof printing I cut into the block again and printed the final version. The self portrait, aged and lined, contrasts with the face of the sleek and enigmatic cat. I thought of calling it Beauty and the Beast, the cat (beast) being, in this case, the beauty.



Monday 22 June 2009

Exposed!

This BLOG is about VOGA Exposed - Bringing the Studio into the Gallery a concept proposed by three of the exhibitors, Shirley Anne Owen and Kay Keogh and Jean Francis, who gave it this description:
An exhibition of work by 14 members of the professional artists' group VOGA which is based in the Vale of Glamorgan. Bringing the studio into the gallery reveals the artists' varied working practice. The rarely seen evidence of the process from concept to final resolution is exposed.
The 14 members who took part in the Washington Gallery showing of this concept were self-selected: Eileen Allan, Paul Baker, Susan Edwards, Melinae Forse, Jean Francis, Eve Hart, Rachel Irwin, Kay Keogh, Richard O'Connell, Shirley Anne Owen, Sue Roberts, Ann Townson, Bernard van Lierop and Pauline Williams. For details of all 21 members of VOGA visit www.voga.org.uk.