London Art Fair

The London Art Fair, The Wing Assignment, and other projects of distinction

So the London Art Fair is now over, a massive thank you to Opus Arts for supporting my work and showing the pieces at the London Art Fair – all wort represented at the fair (and more besides) are available from their website http://www.opus-art.com .

There was much expectation from Artists and galleries across the country at this year’s Fair, lots of great things on show and in my humble opinion some not so great things.  Galleries pushing boundaries and some playing it safe.  The Fair is always a good chance to see a lot of work in one space but that can also be it’s downfall – being bombarded with so many pieces in one room can sometimes give you a bit of a headache, however I really enjoyed the project space this year and discovered some exciting artists who opened my eyes to possible ways of working.  It’s good to feed on this visual bombardment and absorb new influences but visiting the fair just makes me want to return to the studio and push my work further.  Sometimes it can make you realise how far you have to go with your own body of work, it highlights things that you are missing from your own pieces and bodies of work but in a positive way.

Today I am working on a couple of projects and looking forward to some events in February which seem to have arrived far faster than I anticipated!!

The Wing Assignment

A good friend, Nina Farrell from KIAD (way back in 95!!), has put together a fantastic concept for an exhibition, using wings as an influence and starting point she has called upon various artists to produce images which will form part of an exhibition later this year.  I have decided to keep the same format I used for the Journey pieces and am currently exploring the theme of old nursery rhymes and superstition for the piece.  Here’s some work in progress images.

The Sketchbook Project

The fantastic Sketchbook project, which I became involved with last year is now touring the UK as well as many locations worldwide.  If you haven’t heard of this project already – you should look it up.  inspiringly ambitious, the project sent out over 28,000 books last year and exhibited just under 10,000 (artists!!) returned full sketchbooks as part of it’s tour in 2011.  I was really happy to have work in the touring exhibition which allows you to check out an artists sketchbook – library book style – from any number of it’s travelling locations.  This year’s book needs to be complete by the end of January.  The work I have produced for this year is based on the concept along the line, and has really been a therapeutic return to automatic and abstract drawing.  The type of work that you can really lose yourself in.  It’s tempting to just travel around with this little book soaking up the atmosphere of different places and allowing drawings to take shape.  I am looking to devote a couple of hours a day over the next week to complete the work but for now here is a sneak peek at some of the pages.

   

Postcards

Sending out packs of the new winter postcards which are available from Etsy.  These have been great fun to send – something about sending artwork through the post and making a parcel something really special to receive gives me a lot of joy. Over the last couple of days I have sent out about 15 packs and I am not sure if I can continue to manage a full drawing on each envelope but it’s fun so I find it hard to resist.  Plus the final action of sealing the envelope with a wax sealing stamp is just so satisfying.

Here’s a sample image of the cards and some of the envelopes but you can see plenty more over on my facebook page (I post them up just before sending)

Art For Heart’s Sake

A little reminder that I will be showing the work Margarita at a charity auction on February 9th. with the exhibition running from the 10th – 17th February 2012.Please do come along and support this great cause.  If you would like tickets to the event please RSVP hello@artforheartssake.co.uk

Debut Contemporary

Private View 1st february – It would be amazing if you could make it along for the Debut Contemporary Private View on the 1st Feb,  I will be showing some new works including the Tryptich ‘Immortal’ – to attend the evening please rsvp to rsvp@debutcontemporary.com or call 0207 221 1651

Some of the pieces on show …

Sold Works

2 original pieces were sold recently, Another Place, at debut contemporary and Swarm through Eyestorm. .. both below
Many thanks for the support of my work…

 

… I’m off to post envelopes – then to the studio!!

Happy mondays….

 

 

 

London Art Fair

Tomorrow sees the Preview launch of the London Art Fair and I am delighted to be showing some brand new work with Opus Arts  If you are visiting you will be able to see the work at stand g35.  This will be my second time showing work at the London Art Fair, and I’m delighted to be involved again. If you would like more information about the work showing – please get in touch with Opus Arts online at http://www.opus-art.com

I’m also looking forward to seeing the new print on display from good friend & artist Dan Baldwin.

Dan will be showing the working proof of ‘Love’.. in Dan’s words..”a pure silkscreen,(30 layers), diamond dust,gold leaf, gloss, satin glaze and more layering -about 1 mtr square..still being worked on -stage proof to be shown Tuesday then edition to be finished/tweaked after London Art Fair . .”

It’s a stunning original piece of work and I’m looking forward to seeing how it translates into print with so much attention to detail. – more of Dan’s work over at http://www.danbaldwinart.com/

With over 100 galleries also showing at the Fair it’s a great chance to have your senses bombarded…Roll on Tuesday!

Brown Paper Packages

The new postcard sets are now ready, signed, and I’m sending them out this morning to those who have pre-ordered.  Each set is sealed in a cello envelope and then posted in a manilla envelope, with a hand drawn sketch on the reverse and a wax seal.  The postcards are individually signed and editioned in a limited set of 250.  If you would like a set they are available to order here and I usually send them out same or next day.

There are also just a few editions left of the print ‘Another Place’ (below) you can pick up one of the remaining prints here.

Current and Upcoming Exhibitions
TRIPTYCH OF DRAWINGS – IMMORTAL – MORTAL – 11 @ dEBUT CONTEMPORARY [LINK]
LONDON ART FAIR – 18th -22 January Stand G35 / Opus  [LINK]
dEBUT CONTEMPORARY – 1st FEBRUARY – PRIVATE VIEW  [LINK]
ART FOR HEART’S SAKE – EXHIBITION AND AUCTION [LINK]

 

Kick Start January

After a rather sleepy December and some lovely time spent with friends and family, a little break from the stone space gallery that I have some involvement with and a general look back over the last year, I started getting ready to ease into 2012 and plan some new works in the studio.  Before I get down to the New Year sort out – here are a list of upcoming events that I will be attending / showing work at in Jan/Feb/March

The London Art Fair with Opus stand G35, 18-22 Jan

I will be showing 6 framed works with Opus over the duration of the show. Some new pieces previously unreleased and some represented pieces from 2011, I am really excited to be involved with the LAF again this year and am looking forward to seeing the broad spectrum of work to be found there – if you would like to come and see my work at the LAF please contact Opus for a a complimentary, their website can be found here ( opus )

Art For Heart’s Sake

I have been invited by Sophie Wharmby from Art For Heart’s Sake to donate a work for Auction at their exhibition which will run from 10th – 17th February 2012.

Art for Heart’s Sake is a social enterprise that seeks to raise awareness and encourage charitable donation through creative engagement.  The event has been created in partnership with Hipstamatic, and is sponsored by Kids Company and EDC and will feature 100 photos, (selected from a submission of over 5000!) as well as a selection of creative works from supporting artists all available for auction over the course of the exhibition. I would love to see the piece raise money at the auction so if you are interested in any of my work and would like to support this great cause please contact myself or Sophie through the Art for Heart’s Sake website http://www.artforheartssake.co.uk/

loves me....

 

E D E N

Looking ahead to March, I am beginning to plan an installation drawing entitled eden which will take place from the 1-11 March 2012, The Stone Space, in Leytonstone. Here is the text from The Stone Space site where more information about their programme of exhibitions can be found for 2012.

The Stone Space is pleased to present the live drawing event ‘E D E N’ by artist Carne Griffiths.  Created in calligraphy ink and tea, EDEN will employ imagery connected with creation and evolution whilst exploring the interplay between artist as creator and the outside influences of chance and suggestion from viewers.

Visitors to the gallery are encouraged to bring plants to the exhibition, to create a central installation which will be used as inspiration for the drawing, as well as write suggestions for imagery to be included within the piece. A live broadcast of the event will be available at the website http://www.carnegriffiths.com and http://www.thestonespace.com

So I already have plenty to look forward to in terms of creating and showing new work and am now keen to get into the studio to explore work for the exhibition ‘The Wing Assignament‘ which is being curated by a good friend from Maidstone College of Art.

Hope to see you at the LAF or sooner!

 

 

Nature’s Healer

New piece of work breaking down anatomical shapes into more abstract areas, not wishing to move away from the figurative but trying to incorporate successfully automatic and subconscious mark making alongside figurative drawing – starting to take shape I think..

Parassita

–  it’s a comment on the fashion industry’s use of models… ink and tea on paper 76 x 56cm

Recent Work – Available from Eyestorm

Thistle
Ink Tea and Graphite on paper – Available Now online from Eyestorm.  2011

Nettle
Ink Tea and Graphite on paper – Available Now online from Eyestorm.  2011