The Independent Artists Group (IAG) Blog

Painting in support of Charity

2009-09-19T04:08:00.000-07:00

I've just completed this miniature watercolour painting which will be one of my entries in a forthcoming exhibition. Life has been busy recently and I hope to get some more painting done in the coming months.

I also have a painting that is being auctioned in support of "Great Ormond Street Childrens Hospital" along with others from notable UK artists. You can see the works and place a bid in support of this worthwhile Charity here.

More paintings sold

2009-08-14T04:30:00.001-07:00

The last painting shown "Meadow View" has just been sold along with two others of my paitings at the 100th Exhibition of the Portsmouth and Hampshire Art Society, one of the premier exhibitions in Hampshire. Mre of my paintings can be found at www.artyman.co.uk

A new landscape

2009-07-05T04:55:00.000-07:00

This acrylic landscape has just been completed ready for an exhibition in August.

Latest acrylic seascape

2009-06-05T09:28:00.000-07:00

I have just finished this seascape and will probably exhibit it in August at my main Summer Exhibition.

An Original Watercolour Seascape

2009-04-11T03:30:00.001-07:00

This original watercolour painting was sold recently at an exhibition, with the 100th Anniversary of the art society's Annual Exhibition this summer I need to get some work completed.

The Hot New Movie

2009-01-15T04:26:00.000-08:00

Apart from my painting I also take a fair few number of photographs, principally as reference material for my artwork, which can be seen on my website I also sell some of these photographs on Ebid I have created a short video of a selection of photographs on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iStRMtzRmE0

Happy New Year

2009-01-02T05:18:00.000-08:00

May I wish you a Happy New Year, unsuprisingly personally I didn't get any painting done over the festive period, but I am now ready to launch into 2009 with some new paintings in mind, well that's the plan anyway. I was pleased that my recent sales on eBid arrived in time for Christmas, and there is now a happy owner of this acrylic landscape painting.

Another Train painting

2008-11-21T09:44:00.000-08:00

This, my latest painting, is of a Great Western Railway pannier tank locomotive running alongside the River Dart in Devon. Taken from a photograph I took of the scene about twenty years ago. Took rather longer than usual as I had an enforced break after surgery on my hand.

Steam Power

2008-11-10T02:36:00.000-08:00

A design by Sir William Stanier, this LMS Coronation class locomotive was one of the most powerful seen on the old LMS lines. Always something majestic about these superb examples of British engineering, modern trains just don't seem to have the same magic.

2008-09-11T14:55:00.000-07:00

The twelfth annual Exhibition for The Society of Feline Artists is now on at the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery in Waterloo, London and it features the work of Full and Associate members of SOFA. This is one of my paintings in the show, Clouded Leopard. The show is on until the 20th of September.

Another Gold Medal

2008-09-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

A watercolour painting celebrating Ben Ainslie's acheivemnent in winning his third Olympic Gold Medal at Beijing.

2008-08-07T06:03:00.000-07:00

I have sold two of my paintings from the Summer Exhibition, one of which was the train painting a couple of entries before this. Have been busy this week working on a commission, a totally new subject for me so quite a challenge. When I emailed the image to the client she said it made her cry, so it sounds like I've managed to capture the character of her much loved pet.

A video to watch

2008-07-24T04:08:00.000-07:00

Artists are always busy and I'm not really sure where all the time has dissappeared this week, some of it has been spent creating my first video for YouTube which can be seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBxaIvNnCII Trying to find some music of the correct length took some searching.

If you are near the Portsmouth area in the next couple of weeks and fancy seeing my art in the flesh, so to speak, then the Exhibition venue is Portsmouth Cathedral and runs daily from Saturday 26th July until Friday 8th August, you might even bump into me. Portsmouth has plenty of other interesting things to see, so could be worth having a day out.

Latest painting for Exhibition

2008-07-12T06:52:00.000-07:00

This painting is from a photograph taken whilst on holiday with my son many years ago,it's on the Torbay - Kingswear line in Devon, showing a Great Western Railway 2-8-0 Heavy tank locomotive exiting the Greenway Tunnel on its way to Paignton.

Preparing for exhibition

2008-06-27T08:28:00.000-07:00

I am in the process of preparing for the Annual Exhibition of the Portsmouth and Hampshire Art Society which is being held from 27th July to 8th August at Portsmouth Cathedral, so if you are near the area, it will be worth looking in, visitors can be assured of a visual feast from some of the top artists in the area.

This watercolour painting is one several paintings that I shall be submitting. It is from memories of trips to the west coast of Scotland some years ago. A scene of rugged beauty.

More of my work can be seen on my website www.artyman.co.uk

Latest watercolour

2008-06-13T15:32:00.000-07:00

My latest watercolour is based on a photograph taken at the Watercress Line preserved railway, that runs between Alresford and Alton in Hampshire. Showing the train arriving at Medstead and Four Marks, the highest point on the line before descending into the town of Alton.

Wildlife or Landscape

2008-05-30T07:06:00.000-07:00

Not sure whether this should be considered a landscape or a wildlife painting since the deer caught in the shafts of sunlight filtering through the trees is the focal point. An acrylic on canvas, I really need to get round to painting a watercolour soon before I forget how to do them.

Sold at a recent Exhibition

2008-05-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

This acrylic landscape painting was sold at a recent exhibition, and have subsequently sold another Limited Edition print of it as well. This print along with more of my work can be purchased from my online store at Tazbar

2008-04-18T04:38:00.000-07:00

This is one of my paintings being shown at a local exhibition this weekend, along with the miniatures.

Another Miniature Painting

2008-03-28T05:41:00.000-07:00

Attending a local Craft Show has kept me busy this week and one of my Limited Edition prints is now hanging on a new wall. You can see more of these low cost prints at Tazbar.com

I have also been painting some more miniatures ready for next months exhibition, this being one of the countryside series.

GODDESS BAST BASTET CAT ORIGINAL ART OIL PAINTING HYR

2008-03-24T11:10:00.001-07:00

This is my latest painting. Egyptian Goddess Bast holding a Siamese cat. This is a recurring theme in my art. This dark beauty symbolizes the mysteries of ancient Egypt and the cat is my Titi.

If you would like to see this artwork at eBay please click here

New Miniature Seascape

2008-03-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

This is one of a series of four miniature seascapes I'm painting ready to show in an art exhibition later next month.

Another Exhibition Success

2008-03-16T16:09:00.000-07:00

One of my painting shown at the recent IAG exhibition in Rugby has sold this weekend at an exhibition in support of the Elizabeth Foundation, an organisation supporting deaf children. One of my watercolour seascapes showing HMS Victory entering her home port of Portsmouth.

Another commssion for an IAG artist

2008-03-07T07:47:00.000-08:00

Following on from the sale of one of his paintings at the Rugby Exhibition, Ken Gillam has been busy with a commssioned watercolour painting for a client in Ireland. A beach scene in Barbados, working from a photograph, a shame he couldn't get to do some location sketches, but I guess looking on the bright side at least the paint didn't dry too fast in the UK.

Exhibition at Rugby Museum & Art Gallery

2008-02-06T12:46:00.000-08:00

An exhibition is being held at the Rugby Art Gallery until 16th February, details of opening times can be found here.

Fifteen artists from across the country are exhibiting, with a wide range of styles and subject matter, if you are nearby then pop along to browse of the work from this talented group.

Poor light stopped play

2008-01-17T04:44:00.000-08:00

Well that's what they say in cricket I believe. The weather has pretty wet and as a consequence natural light has not been good for painting, so I have been playing with anew toy, a wireless remote release for my digital camera and I am hoping that this will help me get some good closeup shots of wildlife, hopefully ignoring the camera if I'm not stuck behind it. These are some test shots I took in the garden to try the setup. They are Goldfinches who seem to be eating me out of house and home at the moment.

IAG Exhibition in Rugby

2008-01-07T04:18:00.000-08:00

Another sale

2007-12-16T07:42:00.000-08:00

The painting of Aysgarth Falls was delivered to it's new home on Saturday with the aid of a bargain SatNav system that I won on auction on Tazbar sounds a bit like my missus though with her comments "You are exceeding the Speed Limit". I have had another sale on Tazbar with this print of an ACEO Moonlight Anchorage

Art networking site

2007-12-15T07:12:00.000-08:00

There's a few Independent Artists now listed on talentdatabase.com. The site is in it's early days, but looking good and very inspirational. I recently met up for a coffee with a local artist via the site! Here's my listing if you want to check it out:

Read some ramblings about online art galleries on My Depictions.

Sad to see this one go

2007-12-08T04:21:00.000-08:00

I have just sold this painting of the famous beauty spot in Yorkshire. It was the largest painting I have done to date measuring 48"x20". I was eaten alive by midges whilst at the location, it being late evening. The sun was just kissing the tops of the trees on the other side f the river so, I took some reference photographs and escaped to the safety of the car, completing the painting later when I returned home.

I am a little sad to see it go as it has given me much pleasure hanging in my dining room for some time before I listed it for sale. I have of course other paintings which can be seen on my website www.artyman.co.uk

CHRISTMAS SIAMESE CAT ANGEL ORIGINAL PAINTING BY VERA LUCIA EMERIM

2007-11-25T16:18:00.000-08:00

Click Here see this Christmas painting and many others at eBay!

IAG Artist Andrew Douse in the Rugby Open

2007-11-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

IAG Artist Andrew Douse has a painting in this years Rugby Open. this exhibition running from Thursday 22nd November until january next year is the seventh open art competition held by Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, and has a rigorous selection process.
Andrews selected work is a new style for him, inspired by his 18 month old sons escapades in the garden.

Christmas Siamese cats original oil painting by Vera Lucia Emerim

2007-11-14T06:47:00.000-08:00

Click Here to see these paintings at eBay!

Watercolour Commission

2007-11-09T09:24:00.000-08:00

I recently completed this commissioned painting of the Nubble Lighthouse for a couple who already own three of my paintings. They visited this area whilst on holiday in the USA and wanted a momento. I was working from photographs, unfortunately their budget didn't quite cover an on site visit.

Mydepictions Latest

2007-10-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

Mydepictions current ebay listings:

Latest from My Depictions blog: Tinkering at the Edges webmastering chat; plus, what type and kind of thinker are you? Check out: Right Brained Spacial Interpersonal Thinker.

As a result

2007-10-12T03:38:00.000-07:00

As a result of someone seeing my earlier painting of Lewis Hamilton, they commissioned this one of Michael Schumacher for their son's 16th Birthday, which he celebrated yesterday.

The Lewis Hamilton painting can be seen on my website www.artyman.co.uk and is also available as a Limited Edition print.

FAIRY AND DAISIES ORIGINAL ART OIL PAINTING BY VERA LUCIA EMERIM

2007-10-09T13:13:00.001-07:00

Click Here to see this painting at eBay!

WITCH HALLOWEEN BLACK CAT ORIGINAL ART OIL PAINTING BY VERA LUCIA EMERIM

2007-10-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

Click Here to see this painting at eBay!

SIAMESE CAT PRINCESS ORIGINAL ART OIL PAINTING BY VERA LUCIA EMERIM

2007-10-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

Click Here to see this painting at eBay!

Lewis Hamilton F1 Winner

2007-09-26T07:10:00.000-07:00

This is an acrylic painting of Formula One's newest talent winning his first Grand Prix in Canada. Currently leading the Driver's Championship, can he make history by taking the title in his rookie year. Click on the picture to buy the print.

Out of the Chaos

2007-09-05T04:25:00.000-07:00

We are currently in a little bit of a mess at the moment as the new conservatory is being installed, still I suppose it will be a nice place to paint when it is all finished. The clinet came to collect his painting of Fausto Coppi at the weekend and was delighted, he said it was far better than he envisaged. Always nice to have really happy customers.

This painting of the great days of the 'J' class yachts is listed on Tazbar

So pop along and take a look, there are also plenty of other things to look at on Tazbar which is a refreshing alternative to eBay.

Latest commission by Ken Gillam

2007-08-24T04:12:00.000-07:00

This is a commssioned painting for a cycling enthusiast. Fausto Coppi was a renowned competitor in the Tour de France in the 1950's and this depicts him way ahead of the competition in the mountains. He sadly died aged only 40 after catching malaria. Many consider him to be the greatest cyclist of all time.

A Pug Dog and Peacock ACEO Work in Progress on Youtube

2007-07-12T02:20:00.001-07:00

Here's a recent youtube movie from Naj.

The subject originates from this movie Jordan Vs the Peacock and is a response to this fun contest Winner of Pet Video Contest #2.

Make a Slideshow of your Art for Youtube
Add Youtube Videos to your Blog, Website, EBay
Depictions Youtube Channel
Mydepictions Ebay Auctions

TULIPS Mixed Media and Oil Painting by Vera Lucia Emerim

2007-07-04T10:45:00.001-07:00

Click Here to see this artwork at eBay!

Sunflowers Mixed Media and Oil Painting by Vera Lucia Emerim

2007-07-02T18:59:00.001-07:00

Click Here to see this painting at eBay!

Art for Auction by Lar Shackelford

2007-07-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

I also sell on Etsy and at ArtbyUs.

Thanks for your time!

Hydrangeas Mixed Media and Oil Painting by Vera Lucia Emerim

2007-06-30T22:07:00.001-07:00

Click Here to see this item at eBay!

See the work of Andrew Douse today!

2007-06-20T03:32:00.000-07:00

As of Thursday 21st June, Andrew will have 2 pieces in 'the colourful quirky coast' exhibition at 'our white room' gallery, Churchside arcade, Rugby.

Plus until 9th July Andrew has a piece in the "Coventry Arts Consortium" annual exhibition at The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry CV21 5QP.

You can also meet Andrew, and purchase his art at "the art in the park' event in Caldecott Park, Rugby, on Sunday 1st July, 10am - 4pm, mention the IAG when buying and get 10% off on the day.

SS2BM starts in two days

2007-06-18T16:02:00.000-07:00

Well it is only two days to go before the SS2BM 'Summer Solstice to Blue Moon' St.Elsewhere promotion. What is all this you may ask. About a year ago an increasing number of sellers on ebay were unhappy at the failure to deal with fraud and scams, the eventual outcome has been a dramatic rise in the viability of alternative auction sites that have acquired the nickname "St. Elsewheres"

Many people may not think to go anywwhere else except eBay, well here is the good news, there are plenty of alternatives and this promotion is to draw attention to the buying public, that there are plenty of bargains to be had at these alternative sites.

Just type SS2BM into Google to find thousands of links. I have listed my artwork on eBid and Tazbar but apart from artwork you never know what other delightful bargains you may find.

7 Piece Modern Abstract Painting by Shackelford

2007-06-16T22:05:00.000-07:00

Available on Ebay at Auction #110144186845
Seven Piece Abstract Techno Art Painting

As seen on YouTube.com

Sher2x4-Landing eBlogger: SS2BM Summer Solstice - Blue Moon

2007-06-16T14:16:00.000-07:00

Sher2x4-Landing eBlogger: SS2BM Summer Solstice - Blue Moon

Altered book WITCHES Original Mixed Media Collage by Vera Lucia Emerim

2007-06-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

Click Here to see this auction at eBay

Red Squirrel, Beach Huts, Madison....& Paris Hilton?

2007-06-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

New eBay ACEO art listings from mydepictions, variety of styles and prices.

Click on an image to find out more, run your mouse over to see more options.

Find out more about this widget on My Depictions blog.

My Depictions Blog
Mydepictions Website
Mydepictions eBay Art Listings

Another fresh challenge

2007-05-31T07:58:00.000-07:00

Many of my friends know I am not noted for my skills in the gardening department, but I took a photograph of a flower in the garden which was so stunning I felt I had to try and capture it in paint. This is the result, when I get a moment I will add it to my website www.artyman.co.uk

New Animal Art Youtube Video

2007-05-30T01:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a new youtube project I have recently been working on for US eBay group Animal Loving Artists. If you are registered with youtube, please show them your support by rating etc. - just double click on the arrow below to be taken to the video on the Youtube site. To watch the movie here, just click the arrow to play. I think you'll agree there is some fabulous animal art in the video!

Make a Slide Show Video of Your Art for Youtube
Animal Loving Artists on Youtube

MARY MAGDALENE AND THE GOSPEL Original Oil Painting by Vera Lucia Emerim

2007-05-29T21:53:00.001-07:00

Click Here to see

Click Here to visit my store for more original paintings.

Bast Bastet Egyptian Cat Goddess Original Oil Painting by Vera Lucia Emerim

2007-05-28T17:45:00.000-07:00

Click Here to see this auction at eBay

Visit my store to see more original paintings!

Mydepictions Ebay Art Listings

2007-05-22T04:34:00.000-07:00

Click on an image - this is more than just a slide show, it provides an eBay interface too! (If it's not working, you may need an up-to-date version of Flash.)

Find out more about this widget and some of it's shortcomings on My Depictions blog.

Garden Witch Original Oil painting by Vera Lucia Emerim

2007-05-21T18:48:00.000-07:00

Click Here to see this painting at eBay!

Click Here to visit my eBay store!

Basket of roses 8x12 original oil painting by VeraLucia Emerim

2007-05-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

Click Here to see it at eBay.

Click Here to visit my store and see other artworks!

Bast Bastet Egyptian Cat Goddess Original Oil Painting by Vera Lucia Emerim

2007-05-16T17:23:00.001-07:00

Click Here to see this auction at eBay

Click Here to visit my store and see other paintings!

Equine Art Portrait Commission

2007-05-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

Here's a little preview of a recently completed horse portrait painting. To see a larger image and read about this commission visit my post Equine Art Horse Portrait Painting Commission.

If you are interested in commissioning a portrait by Naj visit Mydepictions Gallery page for further information.

My Depictions Blog
Mydepictions Website

ACEO UK - Ebay Artist Showreel - May 2007

2007-05-10T01:12:00.000-07:00

The ebay UK group ACEO UK of which some IAGers are members have made a slide show movie showcasing examples of members ACEOs. If you are a Youtube member (remember you dont need to upload videos to join!) please check it out and show your support by rating and commenting!

ACEO UK - Ebay Artist Showreel - May 2007

More about ACEO UK on Youtube on My Depictions blog.

If you want to have a go at making your own and not sure where to start, check out Make a Slide Show Video of Your Art for Youtube.

ACEOS by Naj on Youtube
Mydepictions - Original Art by Naj

Another completed Commission

2007-05-04T01:11:00.000-07:00

I have just completed this commissioned painting for someone on Ebid A different challenge from my usual seascape and landscape work. Painted in acrylic, the finished piece is 15"x 11". If you want to enquire about a commission just visit my website www.artyman.co.uk there is no obligation, and a chat costs you nothing.

New Art, Re-vamped Website and an Exhibition to Boot!!

2007-05-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

As a result of having a temporary studio space these past 5 months or so, I've been quietly working away and have managed to build up a nice array of new daubings.

Rather than show the new paintings one by one on my existing website, I decided to expose them to the world at large in one giant fanfare with the arrival of my newly re-vamped website www.thepaintdistresser.com.

And to top it all, City Arts (who organised the temporary studio space) organised a 2 week exhibition of all 14 resident artists at VIEW from the top which was launched on 1st May and will continue until 14th May. I have 6 of my new works on show.

This is one of them:

and here is another:

Recently sold

2007-04-29T01:56:00.000-07:00

These couple of miniature paintings were recently sold at exhibition.

I have also acquired my new domain where my artwork is now displayed. www.artyman.co.uk I hope to revamp the site shortly, but I have another commission to complete first. Also being invovlved in an exciting new project, of which more later, so watch my blog http://kengillam.blogspot.com for details in due course.

MARY MAGDALENE Original Oil Painting by Vera Lucia Emerim

2007-04-21T16:28:00.001-07:00

Click Here to see this painting at eBay.

Ebay UK Blogs

2007-04-20T07:09:00.000-07:00

Ebay UK recently introduced ebay blogs. More about Ebay blogs on My Depictions.

Here's Naj's ebay blog.

Mydepictions Ebay Auctions

Mother Goddess holding planet Earth. Original Oil Painting by Vera Lucia Emerim

2007-04-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

Click Here to see this painting at eBay.

Two more acrylics

2007-04-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

Here are two more acrylic 6"x4" postcard art pieces just finished, the full set can be seen on my blog http://kengillam.blogspot.com Just need to get the framing done now.

Lar Shackelford's Art Video on YouTube.

2007-04-12T18:10:00.000-07:00

Fine Art Shack Video - The Art of Lar Shackelford on YouTube.

I also donated one for A4C - Art for Critters
Animal Art Group - Art to Help Homeless Animals

Thanks for your time!

Take care,
Lar Shackelford

Vivid Landscape Art by Lar Shackelford

2007-04-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

20" x 16" on gallery wrapped canvas
Click painting to check out the auction.

Take care,
Lar Shackelford
Fine Art Shack

Why not make a video of your Artwork for Youtube

2007-04-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

Naj recently posted a simple video of some of her ACEOs on youtube.

If you want to make a simple slide show type video of your art for a video hosting site, Naj has posted a very basic video-making tutorial on My Depictions blog.

ACEO UK Donkey Equine Art

2007-04-04T09:10:00.000-07:00

The ebay group ACEO UK, of which some IAGers are also members, has re-started monthly theme weeks. This month's theme was "fool" and here's my entry, a donkey! Check out all the ACEO UK theme week entries.

Donkey ebay art auction.
Donkey Art on My Depictions Blog.

SIAMESE CAT 4”x6" OIL PAINTING by VERA LUCIA EMERIM

2007-04-04T07:11:00.000-07:00

Click Here to see this auction at eBay

Visit my store for more original oil paintings.

Two new acrylics

2007-04-03T02:12:00.000-07:00

These are two new miniature acrylics 6"x4" painted for an exhibition at the end of the month. I really must get round to putting them on my website www.wiz.to/art as I haven't updated it for a while.

A different commission

2007-03-28T03:38:00.000-07:00

Following the purchase by a customer of one of my photographs of the lunar eclipse on Tazbar, they commissioned me to do a painting that was pure escapism, and would take them to another place. She specified the colours and the sort of scene required. It was quite challenging having no view in front of me, or photograph from which to work, so you are creating something totally from within your head.

They were delighted with the finshed result, and for an artist that is always satisfying. I am now busy painting six miniatures for an exhibition at the end of April.

Close Up - Artist Deb Foster of IAG

2007-03-25T14:13:00.000-07:00

The Humour, Brains and Art of IAG Artist, Deb Foster

When one finds Deb Foster's Bio it says, "Deb is an artist, freelance opportunist and possible space-alien living, and occasionally even working in sunny Southampton, UK. She has been growing her hair full time for the past year and occasionally embeds strands of it in her larger paintings, thus preserving her genetic material for future regeneration." One can hardly argue with the idea, I've had it in mind that the Egyptians petrified Mummies for this reason for years but Deb is such a brilliant mind, one knows that her ideas are way ahead of most of the people on our planet. It's a pleasure to know that's the case! There just aren't many people like Deb, delightfully so and they seemingly broke the mold when they made this fun, humourous and brilliant Artist. I'm willing to guess the big guy upstairs also got an earful after he created Deb, for she is ever full of great ideas and concepts.

As Deb grew up, she set out in the world looking into what might actually make her an artist. We asked her if she always suspected she'd get into art, "I drew and painted all of the time, but the issue was never raised because I was going to be a milkmaid. I had the right kind of hat, so I never doubted my chosen vocation, until I met a cow. Cows are pretty evil. Acrylics are much easier to handle, so I bought a beret. Problem solved", she admits. So the journey began, Deb would be a painter of fine, modern art.

Deb says her friends do consist of artist but she says (tongue in cheek) that this is a challenge,"I have two criteria for friendship, 1) They do not annoy me to the point of animosity 2) I do not annoy them to the point of animosity I have few friends, mainly because of #2. They are artists, musicians, physicists. People as irritating as me can’t afford to be picky." Deb is in fact also a Physicist, achieving her Doctorate Degree at the prestigious Oxford University. A case of creativity meets science, most unique indeed.

Fake Lilly - Original Painting by Deb Foster

I have this sneaking suspicion that this makes Deb both left and right brained and that I'd better behave. Having intellect like this, she's bound to be one whose vision about the people and world around her is beyond ordinary. Deb describes the way people often view her as an Artist, "Art is a way I communicate, but everyone interprets the picture though their own eyes, in light of their own experiences. It creates an ambiguity. For example, I draw girls, and men often perceive them sexually, which I don’t. I think this goes on all the time, but it is more obvious as an artist, because I am speaking my own personal language". Briefly, wonder if this means she paints nudes. Then I shove the thought from my mind back to our interview.

Violet, An Original Painting by Deb Foster

Obviously a profound humourist, we asked Deb to tell us a bit about her background, "I like alot of texture in my backgrounds, so I like to mix some sand in with the paint", she explains with a perfectly straight face. Not wanting to effect the moment or back track I smile and persist asking this time about the point in her life that she realized she was becoming interested in selling her art and taking that plunge. "I became very enthusiastic about the whole Art idea when someone gave me £300 for a painting when I desperately needed money", Deb replies again very straight faced, and blatantly honest in her answer. One can't help but find such honesty refreshing. Her approach is the same in her conversation and in her art, yes both are equally refreshing.

I asked Deb if she has a favorite art style in which she creates and what mediums she participates in. Again having some fun with the "Americanism" in my question she replies, "I’m not sure its possible to participate in a medium, unless perhaps you are a dancer, but if I do then it is acrylics. As far as style goes, to only artistic certainty I knew was that I hated watercolours. I have just started using watercolours regularly; I actually quite like them, although it means I am not sure of anything now, apart from the truth I am fickle and not to be trusted". I look closely to see if she's cracked a smile with this response or perhaps I missed her wink but again her comic appeal is completely straight faced Yet I do see a slight twinkle in her eye, yes indeed. Ok then, intellect and humour all in one package, this lady would surely keep one on their toes!

When asked what Artists are her favorite from the Masters category, both in modern and early Art, Deb says, "I enjoy Cecil Collins, William Blake, Louis Waine, and Cynthia Pell". As an Artist unto herself, we asked what her family thinks of her Art and of her being in fact an Artist, "My family is so large that it would be a small feat of market research to find out. I don’t really care what they think, so long as they behave in a reasonable manner. My mum thinks its great; but then that's her job." Yes it's official I caught a great smirk this time from Deb. Innovative, she suspends her humour into the space of the room. Now we are fairly certain, she knows she's just as humorous as can be but really enjoys most of all the dry, witty approach, watching and waiting for responses. I love this humor but question if it's a verbal teeter totter she enjoys most of all.

My Hat - Original Painting by Artist and
Physicist, Dr. Deb Foster, Ph. D.

Willing to probe a bit, we asked Deb if per chance she had pets, "I have two leopard geckos, called Geronimo and Twiglet. Twiglet has grown up and is no longer small and knobbly and my Niece has renamed him ‘Log’", Deb responds innocently. Deciding it's time to hit her with a zinger, I get very bold asking her what she would do to change the world with art if it would help to ACTUALLY change it? Prepared for just about anything, Deb says, "To change the world, you have to start with the only thing you can control; yourself, your reactions to things. When I am painting I travel down in the subconscious, to get to places other people might not want to go. I take my work seriously. Artists and storytellers have important work to do for society, especially in the modern society when reason is worshipped", Deb explains. With an outlook like that, I make a note to myself that Deb's probably an excellent counselor. I'd never managed to construe art and reason into one thought, I'm embarrassed to admit it so I say, simply nothing. By this time I realize I'm interviewing an genius. I hope my gulping looks merely a normal swallow in my throat.

Brave again, I ask, "What would you tell a child who glamorised the thought of being an artist that would help them realize what they REALLY might be headed for?" Deb stops and thinks momentarily and then tells it exactly as she sees it, "Poverty, absinthe, madness, those teeny little cigars, enamel baths, tuberculosis, being able to sing a good soprano despite said disease, berets, strong coffees, late nights, later mornings, more madness, more poverty, unrecognised genius, social outcast, continuous rejection by the establishment, more poverty, too much time spent networking & promoting, deep psychological trauma - but you can spend all day in your pajamas," Deb admits. Comfort does have it's price I think to myself again. This lady has made my head begin to spin nicely so with such brains.

Foster's A Little City
Star Light, City Light

"Artists suffer because they are human. Some people say I am a rebel but I am just true to myself", Deb says. I ask Deb about her favorite art to produce for just herself. "All of it. If I wanted to sell out I could go and work for BP selling oil and making it look like they care for the environment, because that’s what I’m qualified to do. But since I choose to live an impoverished life with little accolade, then I will paint what the hell I like. It’s only fair." No way will I argue with that, I completely agree it IS only fair. As for the future, Deb sees herself a Rapunzel of sorts. "In ten years time my hair should have reached the ground... and then I will be able to sweep to kitchen floor as I paint. So I will have to have a tiled floor, because at the moment, we have carpet which I spilt ink all over. I can’t imagine the landlady will be pleased, but whoever would put carpet in the kitchen? It’s disgusting!", Deb exclaims.

I mention to Deb that this is her opportunity to tell her audience what she'd like to point out to them, "If you buy a painting from me, it will make a big difference to my life. If you buy a print from Ikea, then who have you helped? Does anyone write you a handwritten thank you note?", Deb asks. "Something collectors might like to know about me that people don't know...I have only travelled through Glouster on a train and have had no puddle related accidents there. People that mention Glouster to me, because of my being Dr. Foster, are neither being original or funny", Deb explains.

Deb joined IAG - Independent Artists Group about nine months ago, "I think I heard about IAG through eBay, I can’t remember. Deb's favorite IAG - Independent Artists Group Artists are Sal Swingewood and Susan Barton. They are always filling my MySpace.com page with their pictures, which is something I don’t get round to, so my MySpace.com page mainly promotes their work ... which is fine by me, they are damn fine artists, and even better human beings", Deb points out. Two points well taken and perfectly stated for these two ladies are some of the cream of the crop in the IAG - Independent Artists Group. Deb doesn't mind pointing out their work and good reasons to enjoy them as human beings.

If you have a moment do go to MySpace.com Deb's work is there and it's a great spot to see it. You can also see it at ArtWanted.com/thedevilswallpaper and at www.thedevilswallpaper.etsy.com, an exploration you'll surely enjoy especially now that you met this great mind with fun humour. Check out more of Deb Foster's work. You won't regret it. Of her philosophy, Deb says it best when she says, "Life is a creative process." I suspect I need to ask her more about that deep emotional trauma she teased about but if I am hearing her right, it just goes with the territory in being an Artist. One just needs to learn to find humour in it all like Deb does. Talk about a fine example of a human being? No doubt Deb got some important gifts as she came through the talent receiving line.

* * *

Another Sale

2007-03-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

This original watercolour painting has been sold on Tazbar and purchased as a retirement present.

Golden Retriever Dog Journal or Note Book - from Lar Shackelford of Fine Art Shack

2007-03-17T12:26:00.000-07:00

Great for a journal or start your own Puppy Dog biography from the day you bring them home! 100% of this auction will be given to Happy Paws Haven Inc., a Non-Profit Animal Shelter.

Cover includes Amber What a Face, my most popular Golden Retriever dog face of all time. And...what a face, one that anyone could love, eh? She's in Heaven now, but I know she smiles knowing she's still helping other animals. Thanks for stopping by!

Take care,
Lar Shackelford
Fine Art Shack

Exhibition

2007-03-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

Mydepictions - Original Art by Naj An Award Winning Web Site

2007-03-13T02:43:00.000-07:00

Mydepictions - Original Art by Naj is now officially an award-winning website. If you saw my post here on The IAG Blog in December (Mydepictions - Original Art by Naj Website Featured on about.com Network) you may recall that I hand-built the site and

"set out with the aim to design a simple site with fast page loads and cross-browser compatibility that was both people friendly and search engine friendly."

My efforts have now been discovered and rewarded. The QIWA Certified Silver Surfer Friendly Award program recognises

"websites that are safe, attractive, interesting, useful, quick to load, and easy to read and to navigate, with good color contrast, clear fonts, tasteful graphics and an easily found e-mail routine that works".

Check out Award Winning Website on My Depictions blog where Naj also rambles on about web design issues. There's a web design resources page on Mydepictions web site packed with links to useful free resources for anyone interested in building or developing their own website. (This page is often updated, so do check back if you haven't seen it in a while.) You can find out more about other Silver Surfer award-winning sites at the Silver Surfer Award Winners page.

SPRING WITCH Oil Painting by Vera Lucia Emerim

2007-03-09T17:08:00.000-08:00

Click here to see this aucion at ebay!

2007-03-05T20:20:00.000-08:00

I've got this painting on the Saatchi Your Gallery Showdown, so feel free to vote if you want. I'm surprised no-one else from the IAG has posted their work, because all publicity is good publicity! If you use the link above you'll get to the Your Gallery Showdown, you can vote on my work (if you want, that is!) and then set up an account and post your own work. Go on have a go!

www.thepaintdistresser.com
www.myspace.com/thepaintdistresser

Maeve Wright - Prints of my original artwork

2007-02-25T03:58:00.000-08:00

Prints of my original artwork are now available in my etsy shop. I have been thinking for some time about issuing prints, but was put off by the initial costs involved. I had considered prints from my own printer, but quite frankly they were rubbish!! A few months ago my work was taken on by a local gallery and they have just started producing giclee prints of my work. They look fantastic. The colours are really intense and the detail is pin sharp. Because the prints are prduced digitally I only need to order what I sell.
Anyway have a look at them on my shop. They are available in two sizes - A4 ($40.00 + postage) and A3 ($70.00 + postage), limited edition with a run of 50 at each size. They are mounted with artist's signature, title and edition no. on the mount.

ALTERED ART BOOK MERMAIDS ORIGINAL ART BY VERA LUCIA EMERIM

2007-02-15T12:54:00.001-08:00

I DREAM OF MERMAIDS is a 4 1/2 inches x 7 inches altered book. It has 8 spreads, 16 pages, and 11 prints of mermaids from my original oil paintings.

Cick Here to see this auction at eBay

ALTERED ART BOOK MERMAIDS ORIGINAL ART BY VERA LUCIA EMERIM

2007-02-15T12:54:00.000-08:00

I DREAM OF MERMAIDS is a 4 1/2 inches x 7 inches altered book. It has 8 spreads, 16 pages, and 11 prints of mermaids from my original oil paintings.

Cick Here to see this auction at eBay

Big Cat Snow Leopard ACEO Original Art by Naj

2007-02-15T01:53:00.000-08:00

This is a mixed-media ACEO, mostly Derwent Studio Pencil, on bristol board, a super smooth illustrators card. This fantasy style original art work depicts a snow leopard surveying his kingdom by moonlight. Visit the Snow Leopard Ebay Auction or you can find out more about this piece on My Depictions blog

Mydepictions - Original Art by Naj
My Depictions

Mermaid Original Oil Painting ACEO ATC by Vera Lucia Emerim

2007-02-08T10:20:00.000-08:00

NEREIDA, THE MERMAID is an original oil painting on card by Vera Lucia Emerim.

Click Here to see this auction at eBay!

Click Here to visit my store and see other paintings!

Feng Shui or Valentine Hearts Original Diptych Painting - Lar Shackelford

2007-02-04T20:56:00.000-08:00

In the art of Feng Shui, two coupled items in the bedroom represent two lovers and are said to increase romance. The same source also mentioned painting with flesh tones in a bedroom. I had thought about painting some hearts for Valentine's Day so when my daughter pointed out to me that they are non-seasonal too, I decided to go for it. These have a multitude of ways they can be hung, too. They are such a pair!" On Auction at Ebay and as ACEO's (Art Trading Cards) on Etsy. Thanks for looking!

Homeless Animal Charity Painting Auction from Lar Shackelford

2007-02-01T22:28:00.000-08:00

Cat Painting on Gallery Wrapped Canvas By Lar Shackelford, Fine Art ShackAuction benefits Happy Paws Haven, Inc., a shelter for homeless animals. 10% of this sale will go to the shelter to help us help them!

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

2007-01-20T01:19:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-18T19:30:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-18T18:22:00.000-08:00

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 .

* * *
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

2007-01-13T05:22:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-11T21:18:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-10T20:19:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-09T17:25:00.000-08:00

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.

IAG - Independent Artists Group January 9th - 22nd Show - Nottingham, England

2006-12-31T10:35:00.000-08:00

Over thirty top notch Artists from the Independent Artists Group - IAG are showing their Artistic creations at the View from the Top Gallery in Nottingham, England (4th Floor above Waterstones Bookstore). The Gallery showing and sale will be from 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 and available artist's greetings from 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Saturday January 13th, from 2 PM - 7 PM, there will be an Artists Meet & Greet Public Event which is another chance to meet the artists involved. The art was chosen from submissions for this special event and coordinated by Independent Artists Group leader, Charlotte Thomson of Nottingham.

An International membership group of just under two hundred Artists, countries such as England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, and the U.S.A. are represented in this all star event. Thomson formed the group in January of last year when she saw the need for camaraderie amongst International artists working together to assist galleries in placing more Artists in the collectable art spotlight benefitting Artists and galleries alike. The group corresponds online on the Internet daily. The group ranges in age, with Charlotte being the youngest in age at twenty-one, to some well seasoned artists in to their sixties.

As a special added bonus to the showing, there will be concurrently showing art on Ebay. Unique art will be available online to patrons who plug in "IAG" to the Ebay search engines, preferably under the Art or Self Representing Artist's categories. A bevy of works from the Independent Artists will give those not able to attend the live gallery showing a chance at some different art works. A true multi-media event, Thomson points out the extra venue will only add to excitement. "Art viewers will enjoy the opportunity to take advantage of Ebay's bidding format, true yet this will also enable art goers to purchase in two places should they fall in love with an artist's work and want more. Additionally people around the world can buy our art and EVERYONE can email our artists with questions and special requests through the Ebay system during our sale. The gallery is very excited about the interactive format for both the artists and their clients," explains Thomson.

Thomson says the age and mixture makes for really fresh styles. "What makes it fun and exciting to see our exhibitions is the chance to experience all different viewpoints along with the individuality and creative process used by all the Independent Artists." Our group has everything from Realist painters to Expressionists to Impressionists to Watercolourists along with Illustrators, as well as Pen and Pencil Artists", Charlotte explains.

Top to Bottom; Art by Charlotte Thomson,
Maeve Wright, Paul Bowring, Richard Clarke, Karin Mear and Ken Gillam

IAG Committee member, Andrew Douse of Coventry says all styles of Art will be shown at the exhibition, "We'll show pop art, abstract, figurative, landscapes, seascapes, illustrative quirky modern stuff, highly decorative art, and even some new loft style art". According to Susan Barton of Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., some of the art will come across the pond in a special journey for the event.

"There are four Independent Artist Group - IAG members who will be represented in this showing from the States. We are excited to support such a great group of fellow artists", Barton exclaims. Selected Artists works from the United States side include artists showing from Illinois, Texas, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

Gaynor 'ArenA' Lewis of Derby says that she feels the public is ready to see such a collection as it is Art that is very current and ready for any kind of collection or decor. "It's appealing for either office or home decorating enjoyment. Collector and connoisseurs of Art will really enjoy this exhibition for it's varying looks, colors and feelings of Artistic expression", explains Lewis. "Our Artists are all very much in tune with Artistic trends and tastes of today's current styles", Lewis adds. In getting a sneak peak of the exhibit, some pieces are quite modern where as others have a hint of nostalgia or even an antique flare about them. No doubt the IAG artists are quite proud of their variety of works on display for this event.

Top to Bottom; Art by Sally Swingewood, Andrew Douse, Jan Vallance, Susan Barton, Lar Shackelford and Martin Devine

The group prides itself on being called the Independent Artists Group - IAG as like the Webster's Dictionary's definition of independent they are free from influence, control or determination of others with persuasion or bias and are self determined, self confident, and self reliant. They are introspective enough to recognize that being a team player is of benefit but all are rather uniquely rebels for a good cause. In this case of course, the cause being the group itself and it's positive collective energy.

Each Artist brings their own level of experience to the table and the end result is one of professionalism that art goers will surely enjoy during this exposition. Price ranges, are from £40 - £1000, to suit all pockets and collector budgets for everyone from novice collectors to long term art collectors, as well as those looking for unique decorative art.

VIEW from the Top Gallery
Top Floor, Waterstone's
1-5 Bridlesmith Gate
Nottingham NG1 2GR

UK Tel 0845 058 1113

Email: admin@viewfromthetop.co.uk

IAG 2006 Outstanding Dedication Awards - for Artists

2006-12-30T21:12:00.000-08:00

Members of IAG - International Artist's Group who earned the Award for Outstanding Dedication and commitment to the group this year include; Susan Barton, ArenA, Andrew Douse, Lar Shackelford, Maeve and John Wright, Paul Bowring, and Sally Swingewood. The award is an annual honor and presented by Charlotte Thomson following a secret vote.

Look for the IAG banner denoting this high honor in the Artist's Listings, About Me pages, in blogs, on web sites, and where ever IAG artists are being seen!

Many thanks to our special Artists!
- Charlotte Thompson-
IAG - International Artists Group