Tuesday 30 July 2013

Gone Surfing Exhibition Raising Money for RNLI Interview with Martin Sloman

The Friends are back from having a summer break and the gallery opens 10 - 4pm Tuesday to Saturday and 12 - 4 Sundays,  with a stunning exhibition by Martin Sloman and Karina Goodman.
Gone Surfing is the title of the exhibition and will also be helping to raise funds for the RNLI.
We caught up with one of the artists Martin Sloman to find out more about his inspirations.
 
 
 
Who are you and what do you do?
I'm Martin Sloman and I am a professional watercolour tutor and  owner of Cromford Studio and Gallery.
What’s your background?
I loved art at school and was always top or close to the top of the class. I didn’t paint again until I had a dabble with oils in the mid 70s,there where some passable results until my brother and I took up golf, that took up most of my spare time until my wife Barbara's accident in 2000.
 
 
What themes do you pursue?
I don’t particularly work to any theme I just see things that excite me and make me want to paint them.
What’s your favourite art work?
There are so many but the scenes of Venice by Turner are something else.
 
 
Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?
I was commissioned to paint a picture of a little girls pony that she had outgrown, the parents said she was very upset the pony had got to go and wanted the painting as a keepsake. I took dozens of photos of this beautiful pony, and I suppose because it meant so much, I was inspired to make picture as memorable as I could.
 What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
I left school at 15 and went to work for an opticians as a trainee optical technician. I eventually a small optical lab and was taught how to dispense spectacles. After about 16 years I joined a manufacturing opticians as manager this lasted until Jan 2013.During my years there I travelled all over the uk including Northern Ireland to build up a customer base. In latter years I helped to set up and manage two optical practices.
 Do you find the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?
Not really, I like my own company at times and there are plenty of opportunities to meet up with other artists at shows and galleries etc.
 
 
 
 What do you dislike about your work?
I wish it had a little more spontaneity about it.
 What do you like about your work?
I like that other people seem to like it. I get a great buzz that my paintings are on walls in places like America, Japan, Germany  as well as the UK.
 
 
What research to you do?
I like to visit or see what I’m painting, I take lots of Photographs and try to get a feel for the subject.
 What is your dream project?
It was to have my own spacious studio with enough room to teach up to 10 people and fortunately for me that is about to happen with the opening of Cromford Studio and Gallery.
Name three artists you’d like to be compared to.
I wish I could be a fraction of the artist Turner was.
Professionally, what’s your goal?
To work hard and strive to improve, to take on more teaching which is so enjoyable and rewarding and finally to produce work that people get pleasure from viewing and hopefully purchasing.
Thank you Martin!
 
 
We hope you can come along and support this fantastic exhibition and help raise funds for the RNLI.
Meet and Make will be on Tuesdays from 10.30 am come along for coffee and arty chats more talking than making!

Monday 8 July 2013

ART BOOT THIS SATURDAY 2-4 pm

 
Last Saturday saw the start of our Art Boot Sales a great way to find an art bargain or get rid of unwanted arty items! Contact the gallery to book your space if you want a pitch or come along on Saturday and buy some low priced goodies including mounts frames paints and artworks!
 




 
 

Friday 5 July 2013

This Saturday 2-3 ART BOOT SALE at Studio 61 Gallery

Studio 61 Gallery are having an

 

ART BOOT SALE!

 

 in the courtyard. 

 

2-3pm

 

Artists & makers....are  selling old paintings, frames, mounts, paints and other stuff !!!

  

This is going to the first of these impromptu rummage type Art Sales.  

 

Come and grab an arty bargain and soak up the sunshine in the courtyard.

 

Tea and coffee and visa facilities available.

 

Monday 1 July 2013

July Artist in a Window Interview Bhabhinder Kaur Gill

 Julys Studio 61 Gallery artist in a window is Bhabhinder Kaur Gill  we caught up with her to find out more about her background and influences.

 
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Bhabhinder Kaur Gill, I live in Derby.  Was born in West London but moved to Derby with the family many years ago.  I’m 30 year old. 
 I love tea, Ferrero Rocher chocolates, baking cakes and running.   
In January 2013 I set up self employed making handbags and home accessories.  I also write for an online blog Crave Handmade.   
 
Why do you do what you do?
I love making textiles pieces and enjoy the creative process.  It’s an amazing feeling seeing my sketches and samples as finished products. 

How do you work?
Work from memories and nostalgia.  Look at current trends and colour palettes and mix it all together to create a mocktail of design. 
 

What’s your background?
I always enjoyed drawing, sewing and being creative.  I remember when I was young how colouring books were the best pass time.  Also At primary school I made a textile pouch out of felt with blanket stitching to hold it together, with chain stitch and a bead to decorate it. 
I studied GNVQ Art and Design at college and then graduated in 2006 from Birmingham City University in Textiles Design Embroidery. 
I completed a short work placement at Brooklyn Bow in Coventry.   Some of my work was published in the Progressive greeting trade magazine few years ago. 

What themes do you pursue?
Nature, wildlife, animals, florals and the polka dots. 
 
What research do you do?

Trend research online looking at fabrics and colour palettes and trend magazines. 

What’s your favourite artwork?
So many too choose from but a few, Viv Silwka aka Hens Teeth she makes quirky handmade art and accessories.  With a whimsical feel that makes you smile.  Cath Kidston –love the florals and polka dot in her works.  Claude Monet-Water lilies and the water lily pond.  Also Inkquisitive-Amandeep Singh artist/graphic illustrator. His work is amazing, I love Pink Delight-Golden temple. A magical place of worship captured beautifully.  

 
 What jobs have you done other than being an artist? 
I worked in retail for many years.  Then as a visual merchandiser at Bhs and a merchandiser at Asda –CPM on music and dvds department. 

Favourite or most inspirational place?
Everything around me inspires, may it be the cobbled streets in Paris and the coffee shops.  The ambience around the Sacre Coeur-Paris the corner shops from my childhood in West London.  Architecture is fascinating. 

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
Someone once said, “Never give up, keep knocking on those doors.”

 
Julys main exhibition is 'Wish You Were here' Karina Goodman and Friends of Studio 61 display a collection of Cornish inspired works.