IAG Week End Update - Maeve Wright's Hits on Etsy.com and Charlotte Thomson's Shapely Lady Painting ... Going Going, Gone!

Stop by www.Etsy.com and see IAG - Independent Artist Group's own Maeve Wright as the Featured Artist! With luck you can still purchase some of her art there. She's sold several since the site started this exciting event and has gotten record breaking numbers of hits on her art pieces at Etsy. Click the images below to check out Maeve's auctions!

Maeve finds the sales just jumping now as Featured Artist so there might not be much left of her work if you don't get there quickly. She's had over a thousand online hits for her online highlight at Etsy.com

Maeve and her equally talented husband, John Wright are veteran IAG - Independent Artist Group members. You can also catch some Wright art at the View from the Top Gallery this weekend in Nottingham, UK. That IAG - Independent Artists show closes Monday at noon so stop by and see before it you miss it!

IAG - Leader, Charlotte Thomson has an extraordinary piece in that show as shown here, it's been quite a traffic stopper. Some lucky patron may get this one at the View from the Top Gallery in Nottingham, UK. It's the bright pretty lady painting here just to the right, the one with great, bursting colors! Perfect for the dressing room, a bachelor pad, or even in the bedroom. You decide! She's a fine lady, ready to add a big boost to any environment in which she's hung! Talk about color, yes color is the way to define this shapely lady painting by Charlotte Thomson. Special thanks to IAG's Andrew Douse for the photograph of this piece.

IAG - Independent Artists Group w/ Lar Shackelford's Art Available through January 22nd, 2007 - View from the Top Gallery, Nottingham, UK

Birds of a Feather Series by Texas Artist, Lar Shackelford - An expression of Nature and his love for the great outdoors and it's wildlife, Shackelford has six of his series available during a January show at the View from the Top Gallery in Nottingham, England (4th Floor above Waterstone's Bookstore).
20" x 16" size - £550 ea., 10" x 8" size - £225 ea.
Contact: Gallery Tel: +44 (0)845 058 1113, Charlotte Thomson

Time is Running Out in This Limited Engagement
Come See the IAG Group's Art Before the Show Closes!

Art in Show Featuring IAG Artist, Andrew Douse of Coventry, UK

Fine, Really Fine Art from IAG Artist Andrew Douse!

Andrew Douse, IAG - Independent Artist Group Artist, is an artist who even has a child had a propensity to paint and create but he also has a scientific side. It's often said that a person like this can use both hemispheres of the brain equally. Interesting to note even though we as a group we all knew he is a very intelligent gent. "My dad's always been artistic, doing any kind of art and craft as a hobby you can imagine, but always painting", Andrew explains. So I've always had an artistic leaning, though it was science subjects I did at school rather than art, he muses.

Online Andrew is one most obvious leaders of IAG and a great volunteer for the group so he has a lot of contact with Artists, but he also managed to stay in touch with a few he's met along the road of life, "I am still in touch with the crowd I hung out with at Uni, all of whom are artists," no doubt those fellow classmates are glad to still be in this kindly Artist's life.

Douse's Exhibition Paintings Being Shown in Nottingham, UK

Andrew was born in grew up in Rugby, England. He studied science at school, then when it was time to enter the University in Wolverhampton he says, "I loitered for a few years before doing an Art foundation course, leading to a degree in 'Visual Communication & Illustration' from UCE in Birmingham. Then I loitered again before getting into painting and selling on eBay in 2002." Little did Andrew know that taking that step would put him into the lime light as it eventually led to his art being shown in person too.

"I spent three years after finishing my degree trailing round card and book publishers trying to get illustration work before coming across ebay and discovering the joys of selling paintings...Which is slowly leading me into showing in online galleries, and physical galleries", Douse explains. Andrew's art is creating much buzz and discussion at the current Nottingham, View at the Top Gallery show, he's got several pieces in the event.

Andrew is very open about his creations and his technique, unusually so. It speaks of his good character that he's so willing to share and yet it takes pure talent to create even if one is given a recipe. We asked Andrew how he creates his beautiful fish and Koi aquatic creations, "I use acrylics to texture my backgrounds and airbrush medium and acrylics to add washes over the top. This technique favours watery subjects, so I do tend towards fish. I also like very flat colour, like you'd get with gouache, but using matte acrylics, unfortunately Liquitex have stopped making them though", Andrew explains.

Seeing such a unique style we wondered what artists had stimulated Andrew over the years and what appreciation factor they had to inspire him, "I like a lot of artists - particularly Edward Hopper, Jackson Pollock, Gustav Klimt, Picasso as well as most of the impressionists - post impressionists, but I don't consciously use these styles, they're just part of the background to how I see art", Andrew muses and seems to reflect momentarily during our conversation.

Andrew's family seem to be a large part of his fan base even if they don't always cheer as loudly as one might in a soccer match, "My Dads always been arty, so we dont comment on each others work really, Andrew admits. He explains further, "We have very different styles, so stay polite rather than critical! But my wife Rachel tends to see things I haven't in my paintings, so she can be good at naming pieces. My sisters both have some of my paintings in their houses so they must like some of them!" No doubt they brag about them as they show them on their walls to friends and visitors and carefully out of the ear shot of their brother. Some things just remain perhaps a consistent for siblings even as adults such as bragging out of ear shot.

Andrew is himself proud, the Father of a nine month old, "Our son Matthew, is reordering my time at the moment, as his Mum's going back to work, so I'll either have a bit more time to paint or a lot less!" he says as he laughs. One can imagine Matthew, soon a toddler, running with crayons in hand as a third generation Artist and Andrew beside him gathering the child back to his large drawing paper on the floor while he picks up his own paint brush again. To grow up with a painterly Dad would be a heaven place would it not? It might be that Andrew will hold off a bit on the finger painting though if he's going to race circles around the house chasing a giggling, squealing, fun loving toddler with paint on his hands and then on the curtains, then the sofa, then the... Well, one can get the picture complete with household cleaners.

When asked how art might be explained to a child who aspires to paint for a profession Andrew honestly admits but teases in his reply, "The term 'starving artist' exists for a reason." Obviously heart and soul are in Andrew's work as his face lights up when he tells of his favourite art to create just for himself when time allows, "I really like to do the straight watery pieces. Those are my favourites, just rippling cool water...but they really need something else to make them saleable, hence the fish!" Good to see an artist that knows his market but still admits to enjoying those moments of creations just for himself. So often those moments simply do not come about and one in the art world remains a fish out of water in more ways than one.

Happy with what he is working with at this moment, Andrew finds no great itch to stop and learn another medium, he's very comfortable with himself, "I'm confident that I could do anything with acrylics given a bit of time, so I'm happy sticking with them." Douse is loyal to his craft, enjoyment and his work.

We asked Andrew if he felt the world at large found an understanding toward the artistic frame of mind, he says, "I think that if you think you understand anyone, you're deluded", and laughed. His air of humour is contagious as one begins to reflect about the number of times one has thought they truly understood a person in life and only found later that they in fact did not. Taking a few more notes I begin to realise that not only is Andrew a great humorist, he is probably more realistic than many a person I've known in a while. I make a mental note to dig a little deeper when I know him better. How can one argue with truth or knowledge of the human race that seems so realistic but at the same time appreciative. This comment from Andrew stimulates thought for quite some time after we talked.

Andrew with His Young Son Matthew

Andrew has been a member with IAG - Independent Artists Group near it's inception a year ago, we asked him once again if he had any favourite Artists amongst the cast of characters in the group and he confesses, "Thats a tricky one, a bit like 'what sort of music do you like?' and the answer is really that I'm eclectic in my tastes so individual pieces will appeal to me, but I dont really think of particular artists (or bands) as favourites, just individual pieces."

Individual being the key word to Andrew Douse, a unique person unto himself, a truly individual person. One that is caring about his fellow Artists, willing to volunteer in a team effort for the common good of all and judges only an individual piece, one at a time. He seems able to stay within the moment and not mistaking the sum total with a closed mind. In the road of life Andrew is choosing his paints, colours, brushes and canvases deliberately just one at time, just like he chooses his favourites of anything. That's our Andrew, relishing life just one moment at a time, a very grounded Artist, very down to earth chap. As we gather my notes and stand up, knowing I must leave, I begin to recognize I admire Andrew. The truth is all of IAG admires him, we're lucky to have him with us.

The IAG Group, showing is at the View from the Top Gallery in Nottingham, England (4th Floor above Waterstones Bookstore) through January 22nd. Exhibition hours are from 9 AM until 7 PM Monday to Saturday and 10:30 AM until 5 PM on Sunday.

Then Monday the 22nd, hours will from 9 AM to 12 AM. This special event was coordinated by IAG - Independent Artists Group leader, Charlotte Thomson of Nottingham. Concurrent IAG member art sales, including Douse's art will be available on Ebay for those who cannot make the Nottingham show. Just click here: IAG .

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Andrew Douse joins IAG - Independent Artist Group participants for the View from the Top Gallery, through January 22nd, 2007. Others showing in Nottingham, UK are; ArenA, James Baker, Susan Barton, Jennifer Blenkinsopp, Paul Bowring, Richard Clarke, Martin Devine, Mark Fenwick, Katy Fillingham, Deb Foster, Louise French, Ken Gillam, Kirsty Grayem, Chris Green, Joe Hendry, Jane Horton, Denise Laurent, Sabe Lewellyn, Ginger Lovellette, Natalie Adele Mason, Denise May, Karin Mear, Vicky Mycock, Basia Roszak, Steph Salt, Lar Shackelford, Lucia Stewart, Sally Swingewood, Glen Tapper, Charlotte Thomson, Jan Vallance, Terry John Waites, Suzanne Gorjuss Woolcott, and John Wright.

New Shop

My work is now available online at etsy.com. And well as paintings and prints, freaky new dolls are available- check it out at thedevilswallpaper.etsy.com

Nottingham UK, View from the Top Gallery, IAG - Independent Artist's Group Art Show Underway

Paintings from IAG - Independent Artists Group are being
shown in the View from the Top Gallery in Nottingham, UK.

For information about the artists and the event itself, scroll down
the entire page.

The planning phase took months, for the IAG show.

A concurrent Ebay event is available for those who did not make
the trip to Nottingham. Just put IAG in the Ebay search engines
under the Art category or click here.

Award winning Artists are displaying eye popping works in the
View from the Top Gallery until January 22, 2007.

A variety of pieces are being shown, something for every one.

Read more below about this interesting art show and some of the artists involved. A juried event, the group was brought together by group leader Charlotte Thompson.

Photography ©IAG - Independent Artists Group-2007, Andrew Douse, Photographer, All Fine Art © Individual Original Artists. As in most Artist copy rights, originating Artists retain copy rights, and are solely responsible for the representation of those copy rights under International and local copy right law. No art may be reproduced without expressed written consent upon the part of the individual artists.



IAG - Independent Artist Group individual participants for the January 9th - 22nd, 2007 showing in Nottingham, UK are; Andrew Douse, ArenA, James Baker, Susan Barton, Jennifer Blenkinsopp, Paul Bowring, Richard Clarke, Martin Devine, Mark Fenwick, Katy Fillingham, Deb Foster, Louise French, Ken Gillam, Kirsty Grayem, Chris Green, Joe Hendry, Jane Horton, Denise Laurent, Sabe Lewellyn, Ginger Lovellette, Natalie Adele Mason, Denise May, Karin Mear, Vicky Mycock, Basia Roszak, Steph Salt, Lar Shackelford, Lucia Stewart, Sally Swingewood, Glen Tapper, Charlotte Thomson, Jan Vallance, Terry John Waites, Suzanne Gorjuss Woolcott, and John Wright.

A Very Classic Lady - IAG Artist, Naj of Norfolk, UK

IAG - Independent Artist Group Artist, Naj cannot remember a time in her life when she did not know she would be an artist, "I seemed to always think 'I am going to be an artist when I grow up,'" she confides. It shows. Her art is well developed and very sought after. It has a sophistication that lets the viewer sense it didn't begin just yesterday, the talent looks developed over time, nicely so.

So some where early in life the seed was planted, the talented felt and Naj began her journey that lead to being an adult artist. She says she'd rather just have some friends than to find that her friends are only artists. Naj does realize though that artists are known to be different but she does not seem to mind explaining that in her case, "Sometimes non-artists don't seem to understand the urgency to complete work that comes with inspiration, or that an artist may want to continue working uninterrupted deep into the night or early hours of morning!" The artistic impetus is not something that one can often turn off like a tap. Some deal with such dry periods of non-inspiration that when it flows most know they'd better hop to the creating, quickly.

Naj has quite an interesting background, "I currently live in Norfolk, UK. I'm a bit of an all-rounder and I have had a wide range of commissions over the years. Commissions for portraits and animal portraits have proved the most popular. (One of Naj's recently completed commissions, a portrait of an English Bull Terrier, can be seen above.) Other art work I have undertaken includes sign writing commissions, illustrations, wood carving, and canal folk art! Among other things, I am currently working on a fantasy art mural commission. As I work mainly to commission, I own very few pieces of my own artwork and therefore rarely exhibit", she admits. "Sadly, I was unable to submit work to the Nottingham show, due to current commitments", Naj explains. So to find ANY of her art available in the current IAG online Ebay exhibition, running concurrently alongside the show at Nottingham is a huge treat, indeed!

Building her art career has been a steady course for Naj, "Following A level fine art, I attended a Foundation Course in Art and Design in the eighties, where life drawing and stone carving were my main passions. I then pursued a technical career, while at the same time continuing to produce portrait and other commission work. My technical work involved draughting plans and graphics work for a government department. I stopped full-time technical work in the nineties."

Eventually Naj began selling her work online, "I have continued to produce art commissions as well as selling small promotional samples of my work through ebay, mostly ACEOs. (ACEO's are tradable art cards.) In the nineties I took up barge ware painting, which I find pleasantly relaxing. Then in 2005, I completed a basic HTML web page design course, which provided a basis for hand-building my artist web site www.mydepictions.co.uk, an on-going obsession which is slowly turning me into a geek," she smirks, though there is hardly a geeky thing about this interesting, talented lady.

Naj was but a young teen when she sold her first painting, "I was fifteen years of age when I sold my first portrait, so became interested in selling my work then when I realized people may be interested in buying it." Her favorite classical artists are probably a bit of a clue as to where some of her inspiration comes from since those teen age years, she enjoys Da Vinci, Gauguin, and Renoir, for example. "My favourite art style might be described as a 'soft old-world Renaissance style', such as that in my 'Madonna and Child after Da Vinci' pastel work. The wide range of work I undertake, means I use a wide range of mediums; pastels, pencils, acrylics, gouache, watercolour, ink, enamel paint, and chalkboard pens," Naj explains.

Naj's family is supportive of her art, "My late father was my most enthusiastic supporter of my work as an artist, but most my family members support my work", Naj explains. She has some other fans who are close and cheering her on, too. "I have one child who enjoys Mum's Art and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, often posed at my feet while I paint. I like dogs as much as cats and once had a vocal Siamese-cross cat that would steal things and used to growl at the binmen and postman,"she smiles. Naj has had no patrons threaten to bite an ankle though, all are thrilled when they get her Art home or in their office and see her wonderful work in their own world.

However when it comes to pleasing only herself, not family, nor potential patrons Naj likes to create abstract collages with texture for fun and time off from the commissions she does for clients. Creating art like in that genre is really Naj's favorite break for personal enjoyment.

When asked how art as a vehicle might change the world or how Naj viewed the thought as a potential she says, "It would be good to end all violence and all poverty. Poverty is relative, and life is a drudgery if you are poor. Violence? Who needs it?" Like other IAG Artists, Naj seems another rebel for positive change,"I was a bit of a teenage rebel and was once famous for five minutes in my then hometown for an outrageous painting I did. No, I wont say what it was, or what it was about - my reputation could suffer!" So it might be that we'll have to just use our imagination about this one, Naj and hope that we aren't painting a more vivid picture portrait than we should about this subject!

Canal Folk Art - Hand-painted Plate & Milk Churn w/ Traditional Roses, Castles

Naj says she is at her best when, "I...am happy, healthy, inspired and can work uninterrupted", she laughs. She does find her creative streaks can hit her at just any time of the day, "I work and paint at the time inspiration takes hold, be that day, night or afternoon. Any time at all," Naj explains smiling. We asked Naj how she learned about IAG - Independent Artists Group and she teasingly told us, "I found the IAG through browsing the community groups when I first joined Ebay in 2005. I also found the International Association of Geomorphologists and the Intelligent Agents Group through browsing Google near the IAG listing. I'm not a member of these by the way", she winks good naturedly.

We asked Naj who in the IAG group she really admires as far as the art they produce. Not willing to step on friends toes of course she back slid for a moment and fidgeted in her chair, paused and then said, "It wouldn't be fair to single out a few favourites... Some of my favourite works in the past year have been Sal Swingewood's Hoodies paintings, but there are many more - I just cant recall them at the moment. IAG has so many good Artists, you know", she takes a quick opportunity to boast a wee bit about the group talent around her.

What would Naj advise a young person interested in connecting to and pursuing the Art Universe? Refreshingly honest, Naj admits, "There's plenty of people out there with good artistic ability and talent. Its more about marketing and who you know, not what you know", sounds like just another business of networking. One has to wonder if it is really that simple or Naj like many talented Artists with a lot of success is just entirely too humble.

We begin to have a gnawing thought that only Naj's Staffordshire Bull Terrier knows for sure, but he's not talking! He's too busy admiring the recent pet portraits Naj had been commissioned for. Perhaps he's hoping for a portrait of himself like so many others he's seen her create. Given his owner has twenty years in portrait painting, he's probably barking up the right tree. As we leave we have the strangest impression it's just what her dog has wanted so he can ask about his portrait, while barking privately or growling privately Now, this dog really KNOWS the rules.

The IAG Group, showing is at the View from the Top Gallery in Nottingham, England (4th Floor above Waterstones Bookstore) January 9th through January 22nd.

Exhibition hours are from 9 AM until 7 PM Monday to Saturday and 10:30 AM until 5 PM on Sunday.

Then Monday the 22nd, hours will from 9 AM to 12 AM. Opening night private viewing on the 9th includes wine with nibbles from 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

This special art show event was coordinated by IAG - Independent Artists Group leader, Charlotte Thomson of Nottingham. Thomson hosts an International Art group online and Naj is one of it's members. Concurrent IAG member art sales, including Naj's art will be available on Ebay for those who cannot make the Nottingham show. Just put IAG in the Art Classification of Ebay's Search Engines or bookmark this page and click the blue IAG above.

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IAG Membership Participants at View from the Top Gallery, Nottingham, England

IAG - Independent Artist Group individual participants for the January 9th - 22nd, 2007 showing in Nottingham, UK are; Andrew Douse, ArenA, James Baker, Susan Barton, Jennifer Blenkinsopp, Paul Bowring, Richard Clarke, Martin Devine, Mark Fenwick, Katy Fillingham, Deb Foster, Louise French, Ken Gillam, Kirsty Grayem, Chris Green, Joe Hendry, Jane Horton, Denise Laurent, Sabe Lewellyn, Ginger Lovellette, Natalie Adele Mason, Denise May, Karin Mear, Vicky Mycock, Basia Roszak, Steph Salt, Lar Shackelford, Lucia Stewart, Sally Swingewood, Glen Tapper, Charlotte Thomson, Jan Vallance, Terry John Waites, Suzanne Gorjuss Woolcott, and John Wright.