The Fine Art Blog team have been busy beavering away for most of the spring and early Summer and are now fresh and full recharged to start bringing you some more regular Blog posts about the current art scene.

‘The Last Gasp’ limited edition print by Beryl Cook
Released Febraury 2010

As a reminder we feature mainly published limited edition Artist’s work who are popular in the UK and who you’ll see in good quality high street and shopping centre locations.

We will of course from time to time post about other art related matters.

As always your feedback & blog post comments are appreciated & please look forward to much more art news over the coming weeks

take care

James

Just a quick one, our sponsor are having huge art sale this week until Friday 16th January 2009 and it’s on nearly 400 limited edition prints and sculptures.

I had a brief look and some are up to 50% off, definitely worth a flutter! But I have also been told that it’s on a first come, first served, basis and that some items have already SOLD OUT.

Most of the items where published by Washington Green Fine Art publishers.

Anyway hit the ‘Buy Fine Art Here’ button near the top of the page (on this blog) and you will see a link to the sale on their homepage.

Happy buying

Thank you

James

Washington Green Fine Art Publishers, have today released a statement regarding Govinder’s death, it also contains the address to send letters of condolences.

(’Chutzpah & Claptrap’ by Govinder Nazran)

“Dear Customer,

It is with great sadness that we announce the tragic death of one of the country’s greatest contemporary artists - Govinder Nazran.

Govinder died on Tuesday 30th December after an accident on Christmas Day which left him with severe head injuries.

(’The Patriot’ by Govinder Nazran)

It is our intention to commemorate the incredible talent that was Govinder to support his family, details to follow in the next few weeks. For this reason and as a mark of respect, we have withdrawn all available Govinder art from sale for the time being and would ask all our partners to do the same.

2009 would have been our tenth anniversary of working with Govinder, a decade of the most amazing and creative art from one of the most talented, gentle and innovative artists we have ever had the pleasure of working with.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Messages of condolence may be sent to:

Jo Colley,
Washington Green,
44 Upper Gough Street,
Birmingham,
B1 1JL
United Kingdom

for forwarding to the family.

(’One Love - Sculpture’ by Govinder Nazran)

‘It is often the brightest star that burns for the shortest time’

Kind Regards,

Glyn Washington”

It is amazing that this year would have been the 10th year Govinder’s limited edition work was being produced, I have become so used to his work being regularly released by Washington Green, that largely one takes it for granted.

It is a tribute to the man and his abilities that he has been at the forefront of published limited edition art for 10 years.

Thank you

Russell

It is with great sadness that we report that the UK Artist Govinder Nazran passed away over the Christmas period, I believe on Christmas Day.

I thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.

It is very sad that an artist whose work brought so much joy to so many, died at such a young age.

I found some lovely words by the artist, where he talks about what inspires his paintings, I read them and it comforted me somewhat to know how caring a person he was: (click here:) Govinder Nazran Biography

I also included pictures of his 2 winter 2008 releases so you can see some of the colourfulness of his work:

(Pussy Galore by Govinder Nazran)

(Big Tom by Govinder Nazran)

Thank you

Russell

It was with great sadness that I learnt the artist Beryl Cook had died on Wednesday morning the 28th May 2008, with her husband John and her son by her bedside, she was 81 years old.

Beryl Cook is undoubtedly one of the most popular British Artists of the late 20th century and the popularity of her work is absolutely huge both in the UK and worldwide.

(Beryl Cook - ‘Party Girls’)

In my experience, age, race, colour and social class have never been an issue amongst differentiating her fan base. Nearly every person I spoke to about her work found it to be funny, uplifting and appealing, with her bold, and outlandish characters usually depicting something that looked hilarious and yet it was something we recognised from our own lifes.

Her cheeky take on British life and culture have been printed into multiple formats over the last 30 years, from calendars, notebooks and postcards, to signed limited edition prints and silkscreens, she has bought smiles to the faces of countless people.

(Beryl Cook - ‘Clubbing In The Rain’)

Beryl used to quietly sit in the pub or in local café and paint people in real life situations, always managing to capture something funny. She loved painting people laughing and enjoying themselves.

She was also awarded the OBE in 1995, something I wasn’t previously aware of!

I read that Beryl Cook was actually a shy and retiring person in real life. It was though her work, painting these outrageous and larger than life personalities, that perhaps we see the type of person Beryl would have loved to have been herself.

(Beryl Cook - ‘Lady Of Marseilles’)

She lived in Plymouth and I she died peacefully there 2 days ago. My thoughts are with Beryl’s family and friends at this very sad time. If you find any other tributes to her, please feel free to comment.

Usefull links:

Bristol City Council Tribute

Plymouth Herald Newspaper Tribute

Daily Mail Tribute

Gallery of 70+ Beryl Cook’s images

thank you

Russell

The excitement is now building as we are only 5 days away from one of the biggest Dog Art events of the year.

For the first time ever UK artists Nigel Hemming and Steven Townsend will be appearing together in the same venue for a 2 man exhibition and appearance.

‘Picture Perfect Gallery’ of London are organising the event in Birmingham UK and is being held at: Claire Galleries, 7 The Orb, Tenby Street, The Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, B1 3EL

On Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd December 2007
From 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, both days

Nigel Hemming’s very latest release: Just Dogs - Brown Roan Italian Spinone 2

I will personally be at the event and will publish a report soon after. Although I have been lucky enough to be in the company of Nigel Hemming several times, I have never met Steven Townsend and am very much looking forward to it.

Steven Townsend’s very latest release: Striding Stones - Porth Nanven, Cornwall

I’m sure this event will prove hugely successful, Nigel Hemming and Steven Townsend are arguably the most famous published canine artists in the UK and possibly the world.

Out of interest, Nigel has become best known for his gun dog Limited Edition prints and Steven for both his border collie and wildlife Limited Edition prints. As you can see by the image in this blog post, Steven is also an accomplished landscape and seascape artist.

The Exhibition is free to attend.

thank you

Russell

Links:

Full details: Nigel Hemming & Steven Townsend exhibition
Free Invitation Front - View or Download
Free Invitation Reverse - View or Download
If you don’t have Acrobat Reader (for .pdf files), please download here:
Adobe Acrobat Reader

Some incredible breaking News, for the first time ever two of the UK’s greatest canine artists will be doing a joint exhibition and appearance in Birmingham UK, Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd December 2007. This is also the first time the two artists have met each other.

Congratulations to the hosts, Picture Perfect Gallery of London, who are holding the exhibition at the following Venue:

Claire Galleries, 7 The Orb, Tenby Street, The Jewellery Quarter,
Birmingham, B1 3EL

Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd December 2007

Full Information, including directions can be found on Picture Perfect Gallery’s Website, including your free invite (.pdf format) and directions.

This event is open to all and you do not need to RSVP

Nigel Hemming specializes in Gun Dog Art.
Steven Townsend specializes in Border Collies, Wildlife and British Landscapes but both have painted many breeds.

thank you

Russell

Some Helpful links:

Free Invitation Front - View or Download
Free Invitation Reverse - View or Download
If you don’t have Acrobat Reader (for .pdf files), please download here:
Adobe Acrobat Reader

Readers of this blog are now able to submit comments on all posts, having not previously been able to do so.

I am looking forward to reading people’s opinions on art related subjects.

thank you

Russell

Welcome to a new blog for Fine Art in the UK and abroad, including industry news, reviews and trends, as well as discussion of the art itself. Please feel free to comment on any articles you wish to.

thank you

Russell