Fine Art Blog

Author: admin

  • Artist Mackenzie Thorpe to go ‘Self-publishing’ as of Jan 1st 2010

    We have heard news that Mackenzie Thorpe is to go ‘self-publishing’ as of January 1st 2010 and he will end his publishing/distribution through Washington Green Fine Art Publishers of the UK.

    This represents a massive shift in how Mackenzie’s limited edition prints & sculptures will be marketed and the availability of his works, either he will be more ‘findable’ to the average art buyer or harder to obtain as he will now be obtained only few a few select galleries, so potentially this could be good or bad news for the art buyer. How this will effect pricing of his works, i.e. higher or lower! is yet to be determined.

    This will also likely effect distribution of his work in the USA and abroad as well. As soon as we have more details we will let you know.

    There is a rumour that Washington Green will do a retrospective collection which is normally involves: new brochures, promotion and a ‘tour’ in select galleries of previously published Mackenzie Thorpe work, will have to wait and see.

    Thank you

    James

    Useful Links:

    Niave Art Movement
    What is naive art?

  • Artist Caroline Shotton: Milking it for all she’s worth!!!

    Hi there!

    Here we are again with another Caroline Shotton Blog for you!

    She has released some more work and we thought we would show it to you fine people.

    In her new work, she has altered and developed her style and use of colours as well as mediums and given us some of her most colourful work to date.

    Please read on for more!


    Mini Moo and Mini Me by Caroline Shotton

    Mini Mee and Mini Moo

    One is Pink, one is Blue

    Bright and colourful, they will attract you!

    She hand-embellished them using glue,

    With her trademark cow watching you

    Some say her work makes them blue

    But Caroline Shotton: We love moo!


    Beef Dripping by Caroline Shotton

    How very apt! After all, her cows have got ‘dripping’ wet in the rain in this picture despite their umbrellas – lack of opposable thumbs you see. However, it doesn’t seem to have changed their expressions at all. They don’t look any more surprised than usual! As you can see, Shotton is developing her style once again using new colours and a slightly different style.

    .


    Mooon River by Caroline Shotton

    This style is a classic of Shottons, it is always popular and sells out very quickly. People must like cows and moons together, I wonder why… Hey, diddle-diddle. I do like this picture though, especially the reflection of the moon in the lake in the background half covered by the reeds.


    Kids by Caroline Shotton

    Here we see a family of cows, but the focus is obviously on the kids. But why are the kids all speckled with brown? I think it’s because they have been eating chocolate and got dirty, just like real kids!


    Have I Got Moos For You by Caroline Shotton

    In this piece she has made a collage of newspaper clippings for the background, which is another new style for Shotton. I read that she also added clippings from her critics to the background. I really like this picture, the texture and colour really intrigue me.

    Click on the links below for some random cow news!

    Cow Farts Collected by Scientists

    Get Your Very Own Mini Moo In Your Back Garden!

    Thanks for reading!

    Vicki

  • Artist Linda Charles has been sneaking off in the woods!

    This artist has just released 3 brand new pieces for Washington Green’s new Autumn Collection.

    Charles is well known for using light to create interesting reflections of colours in the still water from the surrounding fauna. She paints with vibrant colours to depict the greenery and flowers around the water’s edge.


    (Jade Reflections by Linda Charles)

    Linda says that she likes to leave the viewer wondering what is just beyond the picture, or what is just around the bend, We can imagine what we like as the answer to that question is a mystery. Charles claims her inspiration is based on her surroundings, after all, she does live in the countryside in Hertfordshire close to a National Trust site! She often goes out into the woods with her pet dog and finds areas that inspire her to paint.


    (Lilac Time by Linda Charles)

    I especially love “Lilac Time” because of her use of colour, there are so many different shades of purple and the reflections of the flowers cast on the stream looks amazing. However I also really like “Sweet Harmony” because of the vibrancy of the red shades she has used in the piece.


    (Sweet Harmony by Linda Charles)

    These pictures of her work just dont do them justice. Go to a gallery and you can really appreciate the textures and colour contrasts.

    Click here to see the countryside which has inspired Linda Charles

    Click here for my interpretation of what is just beyond the stream!

    Thanks

    Vicki

  • Jack Vettriano- From Rags To Riches

    Scottish self-taught artist Vettriano began painting at the age of 21. He paints people, often women or couples in romantic situations. His most famous piece, “The Singing Butler” has made him very wealthy indeed. In fact, he even has an OBE.


    “The Singing Butler” by Jack Vettriano

    As a child, Vettriano worked hard doing jobs such as cleaning windows and was even kept from school by his dad in order to pick potatoes at one point. Now however, he is one of the more affluent and wealthy artists, having sold many thousands of copies of his art work across the globe. Nowadays, he is reported to make around half a million per year from his print licensing alone, and the famous piece “The singing Butler” fetched £750,000 at an auction at Southeby’s.


    “The Temptress” by Jack Vettriano

    His pieces have inspired people from around the globe, although critics have always had a few negative words for him. For example, he was accused of plagiarism when he released “The Singing Butler” as the critics claimed that the figures were found to be taken from a book.

    More information about Vettriano’s career
    The Telegraph report on Jack Vettriano

    By the way, I heard he used to work for Redbridge Council!!

    Thanks

    Vicki