Sunday, March 22, 2009

Scott has the Lot!

Hello Strangers! Sorry about a recent lack of posting. I'm back now and back for good! Have some very exciting artists to tell you about over the next few weeks. I stumbled across an astonishingly talented teenage artist last week and managed to buy a few of his works. He's going to be worth millions in a few years time... but more on him in a few months!

Anyway, Julie Ann Scott is a wonderful artist who works in the beautiful Kendal in the Lake District. Before this she honed her artistic talents at school in Lancashire, worked as a catwalk model in Israel and was an actress touring in the United States. She has exhibited her work, literally, all over the UK & Ireland - from Devon to Derbyshire to Dublin.

The secret to her success may be that her work isn't the type that you have to "get". It's the type of work that hits you across the head like a frying pan. Many are overwhelmed by some of her pieces.

Above is a piece called "Complete". It's lovely. You can imagine the sweetness and joy of invisible little fairies and sprites flying around the exquisitely coloured tree. But you can also imagine all the pain and anger that is tied up within the knotted branches. It's such a bursting and vibrant work of art - it's simply delectable. Below is "Expect a Miracle". Just look and soak it all in...

Keep emailing me at: deweywinters@googlemail.com

Peace & Love,
Dewey

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Rosario Varela

Rosario Varela was born in Argentina in the 1960s. After studying graphic design, at the age of 25, she moved to the USA and evolved into a creator of fine arts. She also works as a furniture maker and photographer. Varela's award winning work is highly collectable in North America and in Western Europe. She bases the bulk of her paintings on nature and her work can be viewed at frequent exhibitions.

The piece above is called "Fitting" and was creating by using acrylics and chalkboard paint on paper. It immediately attracted me because it presents such a mix of feelings. The cool and clinical background is made seem almost dirty by the off-white, gold trimmed net. The circles are also intriguing as they are all the same colour but all have different positions, sizes and shapes. They also make the entire painting seem, in a way, under threat.

Keep emailing me at: deweywinters@googlemail.com

Peace & Love,
Dewey

Reece's Masterpieces

Robert Reece is an artist who's worked in Vienna, Milan and Hollywood. He now lives in Southern California with his wife and their twin children. Reece's mother was an award winning artist so the spirit of a creator and craftsmen is obviously within him. His statement is very vague to preserve what he calls a "beautiful mystery" that lies within his creations. When working, he thinks of nothing in particular - love, hate, violence, life, death, fate, sex... the list goes on.

"Solaritude" is the name of the piece above. I love it. The contrast can be found in not only tone, but in the shape and line. It's amazing how the seemingly careless swirls of paint compliment the solid, accurate geometric background. The colours are a perfect match for each other - the yellows, reds and blacks are occasionally interrupted by those dull creams and browns. Many may see it as a burst of creativity, but I think it's a work of art designed with much precision.

I urge you to check out Reece's wonderful website and, if you are collecting, think about purchasing some of his pieces. Contact me if you need any advice on the matter!

Keep emailing me at: deweywinters@googlemail.com

Peace & Love,
Dewey

Saturday, February 28, 2009

A Trophy for Sophy

Sophy Bristol is a Clapham based artist who's work has been championed all around the world, from South Africa to Singapore and from New York to London. Bristol enjoys frequent exhibitions in London, Chicago and Cape Town. The young artist, who was born in Brighton, is influenced by the time she has spent in South Africa. Her work focuses on, among other things, freedom, human bonding and atmosphere.

The painting above is a particular favourite of mine. The piece, entitled "Millennium Wheel", is a fantastic infusion of oils, spirit and optimism. I love the way that despite the perfectly painted scape, we concentrate on the relationships of the people in the foreground and the way the sun illuminates them. Like much of Bristol's work, this painting seems undecided about whether it wants to be a photograph or a painting - an element that can only be captured by this very artist.

Sophy Bristol is definitely a name to look for, she's going somewhere.

Keep emailing me at: deweywinters@googlemail.com

Peace & Love,
Dewey

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Solveig - The New Banksy?

A ten year old girl, Solveig, from Brighton is causing a storm internationally with her quirky graffiti work. She started when she was just eight after seeing lots of such work on walls around her home town. Each piece, of which she has done seventeen, is marked with her tag, "Sol".

The piece above is my favourite, it's stunning. Solveig says "I wanted to do a picture of two skeletons that have a hair salon called 'scare cuts' the skeleton on the left is not very good and is always messing up the hair cuts. the one on the right is the boss and drops the cups of tea when he sees what the other one has done. The dude with the glasses is cross because he is late for work as he only wanted a trim. The girl has accidentally been turned into a blond Amy Winehouse. The black man likes his haircut though."

I have always loved work by adults who can replicate the mind of a child but Solveig is obviously more authentic. It's incredible that her imagination can be transferred to stone. It must be said that art like this is often looked down upon. This little girl, however, has talent and gusto that can't be matched by many her age. She's even worked on the Berlin Wall. I wish her the best of luck.

Keep emailing me at: deweywinters@googlemail.com

Peace & Love,
Dewey

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Comfort Art

In the current economic climate, it is unlikely that trading volume of fine art will decrease, or increase, dramatically. However, in times like these it is very likely that "comfort art" (as I like to call it) sales will sky rocket.

I hate the word "cheap" because of the awful negative connotations but this art often is exceptionally good value. My rule for good value comfort art, therefore, is buy what you like and buy what you can afford.

Since moving online, I have stumbled across one art website time and time again. It's called Etsy. I'm sure most of you readers are very familiar with Etsy but for those who aren't it's basically a lovely website where craftspeople can sell their handmade goods. Etsy, in other words, is comfort art heaven. The especially brilliant thing about Etsy is that you can get original comfort art for often less than cheap prints!

My Favourite Etsy Shops
Keep emailing me at: deweywinters@googlemail.com

Peace & Love,
Dewey

Friday, February 6, 2009

Wang's Winning Formula

Happy February!

Let me introduce Tianyin Wang to you. He comes from an artsy family in Shanghai but now lives in the UK. Wang combines blisteringly real elements with abstract splurges to form wonderful illustrations. He's funny and amusing on one level, but scary and dark on others. His images are pleasant to look at but can haunt you.

Wang has been published in many magazines and been hired for many "art gigs". However, his work can be bought privately as well.

The piece above is called "Tiger" and it's just incredible. The subject is astonishing and seductive. The first look tells you she's to be kept clear of, but then she looks sweet. From then, you're torn as to what she is. Maybe she just is.

Keep emailing me at: deweywinters@googlemail.com

Peace & Love,
Dewey