Al Jarreau 1940-2017

For Mr Al Jarreau - jazz vocalist par excellence - who passed on Sunday, (and all the jazz dancers who used to move to this in Berlin). Thank you for that voice, and the music.

Whole Lotta Love

It's that time of year again - the season of love, and currently gracing the Rowley Gallery front window is a 'whole lotta love' provided courtesy of yours truly. They have L.O.V.E. Love (above), inspired by both the Al Green classic, and the seminal piece of Pop Art by Robert Indiana. It is 50cm x 50cm in an ash box frame.

The Rowley Gallery also have Romance (above), a 23cm x 23cm piece created from vintage sheet music of a variety of classic love songs. 

There is also Gesture VI and Gesture VII (below), pairs of hands stitched from golden thread forming the heart/love symbol - so beloved of Instagram selfies - with a central golden butterfly.

And lastly are my brand new Allegiance hearts (below), available in gold or silver leaf. Stop the press! Apparently the gold version (pictured below) has now sold but you can contact the gallery to commission one of your very own. (The larger gold version of Allegiance will be available in the gallery very soon). All pieces come in ash box frames.

To get a piece of this hot love action contact the Rowley Gallery. Happy Valentine's Day!

Rowley Gallery
115 Kensington Church Street
London, W8
Tel: 020 7727 6495
www.rowleygallery.com

BFPC: Butterflies Through Other Eyes #26

Art Nouveau era-inspired cards courtesy of Spanish designers - Bona Fide Playing Cards

Biomes

So there I was, one week to go before Christmas, and I had fulfilled and delivered all outstanding commissions, hung up my scissors, and was hoping to coast into the big day with my feet up, in a sherry and mince pie stupor. Fate had other plans though, when I took a call from Chris at the Rowley Gallery. Could I create not one, not two, but twelve!! small pieces for a client of theirs to be given as Christmas presents?

The client had seen the Gloriole piece (above) in their showroom, that I had created for St Mary Abbots' Christmas  Living Advent Calendar initiative, and wanted to commission something similar - but with no defined shape such as a circle or oval.

Never one to shirk from a challenge I first confirmed with my framer that he could turn around an order and delivery for twelve smaller frames in four days. He promised he could, and, ever the professional was as good as his promise. With that I set to gilding and then cutting.

I envisaged the twelve pieces as biomes - distinct biological communities that are self-sustaining and co-exist in a small defined space. Although they are separate little eco-systems within their frames, they are ultimately connected because of the similar flora and insects that each of them contain. It was a little strange to work to an undefined shape at first, as I kept wanting to revert to a circle or defined shape, but in hindsight I think this was a good thing for me personally, and is something that has the potential to lead to new things in my work. 

I enjoyed lining up all twelve to make comparisons and ensure that each piece was at the very least slightly different to the previous piece.

All pieces arranged and fixed to my satisfaction I then set about framing. 

Worrying as this commission was, given the tight time constraints, it was with a great sense of relief, that I made my way to the Rowley to deliver the twelve pieces within deadline and in the knowledge that they were going to good homes, and being added to appreciative budding art collections.

I hope all of the recipients are as pleased with them as I was to make them.

Picasso Portraits

Self Portrait - 1896

 Self Portrait - 1899-1900

Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler - 1910

 Fernande With A Black Mantilla - 1905-1906

 Portrait Of Jacqueline In A Black Scarf - 1954

 Portrait Of Olga In An Armchair - 1918

Portrait Of Olga - 1923

 Gustave Coquiot - 1901

 Woman In An Armchair no.4 - 1949

 Paloma And Her Doll - 1952

 Woman In A Hat (Olga) - 1935

Self Portrait With Palette - 1906

 Old Man Seated - 1970-71

I didn't think that this show was the most compelling survey of his work. The Courtauld's 2013 exhibition - Becoming Picasso: Paris 1901, was a much more focused exhibition. There is though, more than enough evidence here to serve as a real reminder of just how brilliant, and inventive he actually was.

Picasso Portraits
until 5th February
National Portrait Gallery
St Martin's Place
London
WC2H 

Carmen Almon: Butterflies Through Other Eyes #25

These incredibly life-like plants and flowers by Carmen Almon are created from sheets of copper and then finished off with washes of oil paint. The finishing touches are the butterflies and other insects that Almon adds to complete the illusion of reality. Amazing.

Art For The Heart: Cambridge Contemporary Art

Delighted to have been invited to participate once again in Art For The Heart, which opens today at Cambridge Contemporary Art. New for this year are these gorgeous silver and gold-leaf hearts entitled - Allegiance. 

 Allegiance are available in two sizes - 23cm x 23cm or 40cm x 40cm in an ash box frame.

To swear your Allegiance to a loved one contact Cambridge Contemporary Art or The Rowley Gallery.

Art For The Heart
14th January until 5th February
Cambridge Contemporary Art
6 Trinity Street
Cambridge
01223 324222
www.cambridgegallery.co.uk