Fine Art Blog

News and Opinions on published UK Fine Art

  • Old Slang and Colloquialisms – Govinder Nazran sculptures remind us

    UK artist Govinder Nazran has produced 4 very cute Cat and Dog art sculptures for the hungry collectors of his work. Here’s a picture of Nitty Nora by Govinder Nazran:

    Nitty Nora - Sculpture by artist Govinder Nazran

    But I actually find some of the names of the sculptures as interesting as the actual look of the pieces themselves, many of them just tickle me!

    The four pieces are ‘Happy Larry,’ ‘Nitty Nora,’ ‘Sigmund Squelch’ & a very long one: ‘Just Because I Rock Doesn’t Mean I’m Made Of Stone.’ II thought it would be fun to delve in and find out where these names may originate from.

    Happy Larry – sculpture

    Seems to be a number of suggestions about this one and the origin of the much used phrase: ‘Happy As Larry’ and it perhaps originates from a nineteenth century writer G L Meredith from new Zealand.
    www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-lar1.htm

    (Here is an image of the sculpture:)

    Happy Larry - Sculpture by artist Govinder Nazran

    Nitty Nora – Sculpture

    Seems to be the nick name for the ladies that came into British schools and clean Nits from children hair, although I personally can’t remember the name!

    http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/stuff/irem22.php?opt=irem
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,1934763,00.html

    Just Because I Rock Doesn’t Mean I’m Made Of Stone – Sculpture

    (Here is an image of the sculpture:)

    Just Because I Rock Doesn't Mean Im Made Of Stone - Sculpture by artist Govinder Nazran

    I’m not sure if this is a lyric from a rock song but certainly it’s a quote from a film “Me Myself and Irene” with Jim Carrey, who has a split personality and plays the demented Hank Evans in parts of the movie.

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0183505/quotes

    Sigmund Squelch – Sculpture

    I think this is probably a pun on the Name of Sigmund Freud, the world famous pioneering Austrian psychiatrist

    (Here is an image of the sculpture:)

    Sigmund Squelch - Sculpture by artist Govinder Nazran

    These stunning sculptures are a great addition to Govinder’s range and yet again allow us to delve into the imagination of the man. The finish on these pieces is always very clean and the colours are always vibrant.

    thank you

    Russell

  • Nigel Hemming & Steven Townsend appearance – 5 days left to go

    Picture of artists Nigel Hemming & Steven Townsend

    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

    Just Dogs - Brown Roan Italian Spinone 2 by Nigel Hemming

    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

    Striding Stones - Porth Nanven, Cornwall by Steven Townsend

    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

  • Cow-A-Bunga! Cows vs The Art World – Caroline Shotton shows us how!

    Has the Art world now officially gone as a Mad as a Milk Maid?

    UK Artist Caroline Shotton has taken the bold step in repainting in her own ‘Milky Way’ some the ‘Great Masters’ in history and putting them in Cow form. These Limited Edition prints are ‘Moovelous’!

    Moona Lisa by artist Caroline Shotton

    Caroline Shotton painting: ‘Moona Lisa’ (2007)
    vs.
    ‘Mona Lisa’ by Leonardo Da Vinci
    (painted circa 1503–1506)

    Moona Lisa by artist Caroline Shotton

    The Cow With The Pearl Earring by artist Caroline Shotton

    Caroline Shotton painting: ‘The Cow with a Pearl Earring’ (2007)
    vs.
    ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ by Johannes Vermeer
    (painted circa 1665-1666)

    The Cow With The Pearl Earring by artist Caroline Shotton

    The Laughing Cowvalier by artist Caroline Shotton

    Caroline Shotton painting: The ‘Laughing Cowvalier’ (2007)
    vs.
    ‘Laughing Cavalier’ by Frans Hals
    (painted 1624)

    The Laughing Cowvalier by artist Caroline Shotton

    The Moo by artist Caroline Shotton

    Caroline Shotton painting: ‘The Moo’ (2007)
    vs.
    ‘The Scream’ by Edvard Munch
    (series of paintings 1893)

    The Moo by artist Caroline Shotton

    The Persistence Of Moomory by artist Caroline Shotton

    Caroline Shotton painting: ‘The Persistence of Moomory’ (2007)
    vs.
    ‘The Persistence of Memory’ by Salvador Dali
    (painted 1931)

    The Persistence Of Moomory by artist Caroline Shotton

    The Smooch by artist Caroline Shotton

    Caroline Shotton painting: ‘The Smooch’ (2007)
    vs.
    ‘The Kiss’ by Gustav Klimt
    (painted 1907)

    The Smooch by artist Caroline Shotton

    I personally love these and find them a very confident statement on Caroline Shotton’s part. Some really great painting, not to mention creativity, went into these pieces. You really have to these pieces in the flesh to appreciate them fully. Everyone who has seen them has commented how the pictures have grown on them and how their favourite of the 6 keeps changing.

    The frames on the 4 framed pieces are about 4” wide but are light in colour and give the pieces both a modern and contemporary feel at the same time. The other 2 are Box Canvases, the style Caroline has made all her own in recent years.

    thank you

    Russell

  • NIGEL HEMMING – STEVEN TOWNSEND – Joint exhibition and appearance – Dec 1st & 2nd 2007

    Picture of artists Nigel Hemming & Steven Townsend

    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.

    Picture Perfect Gallery - logo

    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

    Homeward Bound by Nigel Hemming

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

    Monty by Steven Townsend

    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