Fine Art Blog

Category: Figurative Art

  • Artist Craig Davison, continuing to capture childhood imaginations!

    Artist Craig Davison is able to capture the imagination of every child within us with his limited edition artwork…question is, how does he do this?

    On one level he paints children and judging by their clothes (e.g. bell bottoms) they are 1970s children & this fits in with Craig’s childhood era, having been born in 1965; so visually we are drawn to thoughts of our own adventure filled younger years as we are looking at children.


    ‘Whooooooooow!’ a limited edition produced on both
    canvas board & box canvas editions

    But there us something more than this within the art which makes you connect more deeply with it, once you notice the 2nd characters within the background shadows, on the beige. It is that part of you that in the school play ground could, with the drop of a hat, turn on your dreamer mode and imagine you where some magnificent character…when’s the last time you used that ability? Instantly I think of the cartoon character Mr. Benn from the 1970s, google it!


    Iconic 1970s/80s cartoon character Mr. Benn

    In ‘Whooooooooow!’ the boy is peddling at speed on his chopper bike imaging he is a brave knight riding into battle or a joust. Now tell me, who didn’t imagine there push bike was some amazing motor bike, or a horse or something else?.

    Taking a moment looking at ‘Guns of the Magnificent Seven’ – A recurring theme for Craig is the Magnificent Seven series of Westerns, this one paying homage to the 3rd in the series from 1969, featuring the legendary Yul Brynner. In this delightful painting one can image two rival gang innocently squaring off in the playground or in the forest or defending their secret base against some imagined enemy. These young guys managed to save the world and get home for tea time!


    ‘Guns of the Magnificent Seven’ a limited edition
    produced on both canvas board & box canvas editions

    It seems plausible that Craig Davison would have kept his childlike imagination alive as his work background meant he was both a cartoonist for such greats as ‘The Shoe People’ & ‘Huxley pig’ And later a 3d animator & designer for computer games including ‘The Hulk’ & ‘Johnny Bazookatone.’ In fact Craig your prints and artwork show me that your imagination must be at a ‘cartoonish’ level now!

    thank you

    Adam

    View & buy from Craig’s limited edition art collection
    His Publisher produced biography
    Craig Davison’s Facebook page
    Watch an episode of Mr. Benn

  • Timmy Mallett celebrates ‘The Railway Children’ – film’s 40th Birthday

    To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the ‘The Railway Children’ film adaptation, Timmy Mallett has painted & released three brand new limited editions prints in Timmy’s classic painting style:

    Timmy stands proudly with his paintings

    As well as having Timmy’s signature style there is also something special about these pieces. As normal each limited editions is signed by Mallett ….AND AMAZINGLY each is also signed by 3 stars from the film – Bernard Cribbins, Jenny Agutter and Sally Thomsett! So these pieces are an absolute must have for anyone who loves one of Britain’s all time favourite children’s films!

    This is a real opportunity to invest in something that you loved during your childhood or to be part of this celebration. Perhaps you are new to this film or Edith Nesbitt’s original book?


    ‘Send Our Love To Father’ by Timmy Mallet
    (available as an on paper or canvas limited edition)

    The editions of these pictures are very low – only 50 Canvas and 100 paper limited editions have been produced & this is going to heighten demand and increase dramatically the collectability of this range.


    ‘Saved By Red Petticoats’ by Timmy Mallett
    aka: ‘Saved by Red Petticoats’
    (available as an on paper or canvas limited edition)


    ‘Oak Worth’ by Timmy Mallett
    (available as an on paper or canvas limited edition)

    Thanks

    James

    Links:
    Timmy Mallet Interview Part 1
    Timmy Mallet Interview Part 2
    Timmy’s Official Website

  • Painter Louise Dear – ‘An Artist In Love With Colour’

    Louise Dear’s first collection of 5 artworks, published by Washington Green Fine Art Publishers, has caused quite a reaction, turning heads in many a gallery window & indeed in the home of buyers. Her beautiful multicoloured, hand layered art work has shone a ray of light onto the UK art scene.


    ‘Yum Yum’ by Louise Dear
    (Limited edition box canvas)

    Louise’s inspiration comes from her extensive travels throughout the world during her youth, from Europe to Asia and beyond. Her beautiful pictures draw the eye with wonderful colours, bold outlined figures & large floral designs, as well as the sultry poses of her subjects, which are either self-portraits or pictures of her daughter, Lama.


    ‘Crush II’ by Louise Dear
    (Limited edition box canvas)

    I love the varying array of colours that she uses, they are vibrant and a lot different from those usually seen in high street galleries; at the same time they are not gaudy or over the top. How would one describe the work?: Figurative, urban, contemporary? I guess that is up to the viewer but there is something that grips the viewer, a style and a vision that is communicated through these evocative images.

    Louise says that many women respond to her artwork and the message within them – that women enjoy their sexuality and are in control & she tells us that men also buy her artwork, as it reminds them of their partner. The artist tells us: ‘My pictures are about women feeling lush and gorgeous and free and I think a lot of women who buy my paintings can relate to that.’


    ‘Lovely’ by Louise Dear
    (Limited edition on paper)

    By not adding too much detail to her subjects, Louise makes her figures stand out & their poses all the more seductive and alluring. The artist believes that less is more & her figures and faces are only really outlined with the use of black & then these are cleverly sited onto the backgrounds. Louise then accentuates the figures with large and eyes & lips or masses of flowing hair.


    ‘Coo…ee!’ by Louise Dear
    (Limited edition on paper)

    Louise is one of Fine Art Blog’s hot picks for success in 2010, keep doing what you’re doing Louise, because it’s absolutely gorgeous.

    The other piece not featured that is also in the collection is ‘Crush I’

    thanks

    Vicki

    Links:

    Empowering women through art & music
    Sexuality & Love in the Arts

  • Keith Proctor, an artist who is a bit of a ‘Jack The Lad’

    This blog will features Keith’s debut collection from earlier in the year.

    Keith Proctor is a newly published artist for 2010, whose sketches and paintings currently feature his own son, ‘Jack.’ His artwork will obviously be endearing to those who have children and it will bring back fond memories for those that have grown up sons and daughters as well.


    ‘Jumpin’ Jack’ limited edition print by Keith Proctor

    Keith is also friend of fellow artist Alexander Millar; as well as sharing artistic similarities, they also now share the same publisher, Washington Green Fine Art, thanks to Millar for introducing Keith to them and for singing his praises. Incidentally Keith also lives in the same area of the country, Northumberland, as Millar.


    ‘Bzzz’ limited edition print by Keith Proctor

    Keith Proctor’s first published collection is called the ‘Jack The Lad’ – Tour and is still available to buy but you will need to hurry, as there are only few copies remaining from this magnificent collection of 7 limited editions. He has proved to be extremely popular with art lovers & most of his available originals have now sold to his new fan base. Keith appearance on the published art scene has caused a bit of whirlwind of excitement from buyers across the country and galleries have reported great sales since he was published In February.



    ‘I Have A Dream’ limited edition on board by Keith Proctor

    Keith told us that despite attempts over many years, the ‘Biscuit Factory’ in Newcastle did not show his art. The Biscuit Factory is the UK’s largest commercial gallery space & where numerous artists are able to showcase their work. This is the same area that Washington Green Fine Art first found Sarah Jane Szikora, another of the UK’s most popular artists. Ill bet the Biscuit Factory wished they had shown his art now huh?!

    I love the cheeky poses and actions in these pieces by Proctor and the fact that is his own child, ‘Jack’ in many of the pictures, puts extra emotion into the art for me. Art lovers can look at this art and see their own children, little brothers or nephews.

    Although they are clearly prints taken from ‘oil paintings’ that have a traditional painting style about them, there is also a vibrancy, a freshness and lightness to the art somehow. Perhaps it is the subject mater that causes this and draws the viewer. The youthfulness and energy of children is a constant source of wonder for many people.

    Useful Links:

    How to paint and draw children
    The Biscuit Factory gallery space in Newcastle

    thank you

    Vicki