Friday 23 January 2015

Howard Levitt Februarys Featured Artist

February's featured artist is Howard Levitt, professional artist and illustrator. Howards landscape paintings encapsulate shifting patterns of shadowed contours and dramatic skies. He also creates stunning graphic pen and ink drawings of trees and detailed coloured pencil work of weathered architectural dereliction, we caught up with him below to find out more:


 Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Howard Levitt.I'm a professional artist and illustrator.

How do you work?
I try to stick to a regime of working regular hours at my studio and if I'm very busy I'll
take my work home and work in the evenings.


 What’s your background?
I'm inspired by the landscapes of Derbyshire and Cumbria.Shifting patterns of shadowed contours and dramatic skies.


 Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?
I would'nt say artistic life is lonely.Certainly being an artist requires a lot of self discipline when it comes to working but with networking and todays communications there is always someone to share your ideas and thoughts with. Outside of painting and drawing I like to go walking,play tennis and badminton and there's always DIY at home!

What research to you do?
Depends on the job.Something like an interpretation for the National trust would require a site visit and reference photos.With my own work I take lots of photos whenever I'm out and about looking for inspiration.



  Name three artists you’d like to be compared to.
Three artists that inspire me,not that I would ever compare my work to theirs,are Andrew Wyeth, Norman Rockwell and Michael Barnfather.

 Favourite or most inspirational place ?
The beautiful picturesque scenery above Grasmere and Keswick in Cumbria.



Professionally, what’s your goal?
I'd like to get a good portfolio of work and exhibit more in Galleries.It would be nice to be a 'named'
artist in the future and continue working in my contrasting and diverse styles which I thoroughly enjoy doing.
Thank you Howard find out more here:  www.howardlevitt.co.uk 

Wednesday 21 January 2015

Exhibiting Guest Artists 2015 at Studio 61 Gallery



Studio 61 Exhibitions 2015

We have a superb and varied line up of artists this year featuring both established and emerging artists including oils, acrylics, watercolour,  print , photography, paint and textiles so there is something very different each month. Below are the artists statements in their own words.

February  Howard Levitt
Howard Levitt studied art and design at Manchester in the mid 1970's and was tutored by, amongst others, graphic designer Cameron McClean, landscape artist 'Tub' Williams and children's book illustrator Tony Ross. Sing it Lofty! He graduated at Manchester Polytechnic School of Art with a BA(Hons) degree in Graphic Design specialising in illustration in the ' class of  '78 ' alongside fellow students including designers Peter Saville and Malcolm Garrett, artists Peter Jones, John Thompson Steinkrauss and Gwyneth Jones and furniture designer Jonathan Field  to name but a few.
                      
He moved to London where, in collaboration with the artists agency Young Artists fronted by Alison Eldred, he produced illustrations for clients in book publishing and advertising agencies.
In the early 1980's he relocated to Cheshire and worked as an illustrator mainly for Manchester and Cheshire advertising agencies and spent time lecturing to graphic design students at the Salford College of Art. Latterly he worked for major property developers, the National Trust and English Heritage associates using his technical skills to produce highly detailed architectural perspectives, aerial views and interpretation panels.
With the decline of the use of illustration and the advent of computer generated imagery Howard turned his attention to painting and drawing for his own enjoyment and for private commissions. He now sells his originals and prints at Galleries and Exhibitions throughout Cheshire and Derbyshire and he is a member of the Peak District Artisans.  Illustration briefs for retrospective styled paintings and conceptual  visualisation work still appear and are always welcome .

March Elileen Turner
Eileen Turner lives in the village of Lea in Derbyshire close to the World Heritage site of the Derwent Mills. She has been painting professionally since 2000 and works mainly in watercolour.
The sequence of the seasons, light and shade and the shapes and patterns created by animal movement are very influential in her painting.
She is continually drawn to countryside activities, farm animals and wildlife. Hares are particularly close to her heart. When walking in the meadows around her home she often comes across these mystical creatures. Creating an image of their energy and alertness is one of the challenges which she enjoys most.
Eileen’s watercolours of brown hares have become very collectable over the last ten years. Much of her inspiration has come from trips to the Isle of Islay on the West Coast of Scotland in the summer.
Here Eileen paints and sketches the local brown hares in their wild environment where they are much tamer than their English cousins. She is able to stay close to them and observe their antics as they play in the fields especially in the clear light of the evening when the suns rays are low and golden.
She has loved , owned and ridden horses for most of her life and really likes to portray the character of the horse in its many forms; in sport, working on the land, country pursuits or in contemporary art work. Eileen also paints farmyard characters, cockerels, horses and hounds and often has an interesting selection of original watercolours together with Limited Edition Prints and cards.
Eileen has exhibited in UK galleries widely over the last ten years and sells her work internationally. She has an online shop and can add you to her mailing list for invitations to her exhibitions. You may see her during the summer at local agricultural shows where she sells her work from a blue marquee.

April Louise macintosh Watson
Louise MacIntosh-Watson is a Liverpool born artist now living in Derby. She worked in art education for 17 years before becoming a full time professional artist. Louise's work is easily identifiable by her vibrant use of colour. Colours are kept clean and fresh whether using the traditional medium of batik or in her acrylic on canvas paintings.
Louise is well known across the Midlands for her vibrant collection of impasto textured abstract flower meadows using acrylics, emulsion and a hint of sparkle.

May Villager Jim
Known as "the Banksy of the photography world" Villager Jim is a passionate wildlife and country lane photographer from the Peak District National Park, his work has appeared on television programmes (Springwatch, Countryfile and Alan Carr Chatty Man) and in most of the National Newspapers on a regular basis. Jim still remains totally anonymous and no one really knows his true identity, creating a mystique and a style that is all his own.

June Janice Allen
An artist and maker working in various mediums from 5’ painted canvasses, painted fused glass panels to small glass and silver jewellery pendants and earrings.   All have a common theme, which is texture.
 ‘ Painting is very much about ME and I get a real sense of fulfillment and achievement when I paint and it allows me to express myself , I like experimenting with new products to see what it can bring to my work.  For the last couple of  years I have focused on glass fusing and silver jewellery design but I have picked up my brushes and knives once again and created ‘On the Top’ a series of work based on a picture of the same name I painted back in 2007.  I’ve loved painting again and can’t see me stopping anytime soon I like the unpredictability with the ink flow in my paintings and how the glass powders melt whilst being fused in the kiln. I never really know what the end result will be which I find exciting as well as a challenge at the same time.  Nothing is a disappointment to me as acrylics can be reworked, the underneath providing additional texture and any fired glass can be broken down and reused.
Every day is a research day to me as I can see a view whilst driving or a group of trees whilst on a walk and these could form an idea for a painting.  I  love textures and land formations and see potential in everything I see and touch.   I am lucky to live in Derbyshire but I also travel a lot so I’m never short of inspiration. ‘

July Rebecca Moorledge
‘I studied illustration at Derby University and am inspired by children’s book illustrators especially Quentin Blake and Shirley Hughes. My paintings capture local towns, streets and people. I am particularly interested in buildings and rooftops, they are often the most beautiful part of the building but we so very rarely notice them in our busy lives especially in towns and cities. I use watercolours and ink to create my paintings and they take many hours to complete due to the detail involved in each painting.’

August Valerie Dalling
In 2003 Derbyshire Artist Valerie Dalling took the leap and embarked on three years of study at the University of Derby in order to pursue her passion for fine art photography. Since starting out on her creative path, Valerie has been inspired by many, but the landscape will always remain her biggest influence and where she feels most at home.
Valerie has been involved in numerous commissions, from arts in health and schools, as well as ongoing personal projects including the effects of coastal erosion and her latest Drive Time Journeys, as she explores the Peak District by car and camera.
She enjoys working with the community, and in 2008 founded The Image Club, launching her first monthly photo forum. From beginners to those with photographic experience, she has a particular interest in how others visually respond to the world around them, encouraging discussions on image making, through the sharing of ideas and knowledge, in relaxed and informal environments.

September  Barbara Helm
‘I am a late-comer to the art world  and I am still exploring all types of artistic expression.  I find I am drawn to printmaking and enjoy the possibilities and often unexpected outcomes this allows.  The variety and combination of techniques gives me the freedom to experiment  and allows me to follow where inspiration leads.’

October  Jonathon Shepherd
‘I was born in Derbyshire in 1961 and continue to live high up in Matlock Bath with glorious views over the surrounding countryside. After leaving school at 16 I served an apprenticeship as a plumber before joining my father in a picture framing business. It was during this time that my interest in painting was kindled and I taught myself to paint, initially in acrylics and watercolours but now mainly in oils. In 1991 I took over the framing business from my father and continue to run it to this day, although a lot more time is spent painting now. I have won several painting competitions including the Derbyshire Pro Loco Painting competition final which is a culmination of paintings done in various villages throughout Derbyshire which all have to be finished on the day and are then voted for by the public. After several exhibitions my work is in collections in the USA , Australia and Europe as well as the UK. I mainly paint landscapes of Derbyshire and other rural areas of the UK but of late has been experimenting with other subjects and painting styles.’


November Jenny Oldknow
"I have loved the countryside all my life, and drawing and painting it remains my passion. My studio is surrounded by stunning Derbyshire countryside which continually provides a great source inspiration for my work.
Having a firm foundation of good draughtmanship through daily sketching and drawing, and my preference to study my subjects from life and on location, means that I have developed a keen eye for detail and ensures I can confidently adopt a more spontaneous and intuitive way of working in my favoured medium of watercolour, resulting in fresh and lively paintings, full of glorious splatters, washes and wet-in-wet blends. I aim to capture the essence of the subject with a unique combination of realism and abstraction. I am constantly growing and developing as an artist, as my work evolves through daily practice and experimentation in my craft."

December  Frances Daunt (Garden Gallery)
‘I live in Derbyshire and gain much of my inspiration from my many walks through the countryside. I love creating felted pictures of the birds and animals that I see.
To create a felted picture I lay out the wool and bind it together using a process known as wet felting, I then add details using tiny bits of wool which I push in with a needle (needle felting).  I like to have my pictures professionally framed ready for display. I accept commissions, including felted pet portraits.’



Monday 5 January 2015

"stop the bus, I want to get off"

I don't know about you but 2014 didn't fly by but jetted passed. One minute I was enjoying my Summer family hols in Cornwall and then I came back and it was Christmas!  As an Autumn baby I love the "season that gets taken over by Christmas" so I think it's a shame it doesn't get a look in yet here we are starting January and Easter eggs ads are already being aired. 

Life is short enough what with my kids growing up so fast they're now adults and flying the nest & me having to plan events this year cos I've got to. "Stop the bus I want to get off" I say..but no one is listening.

I have a lot of exciting things to look forward to in 2015, new products, new galleries, new UK events and much more but I'm hoping that it is not as hectic as 2014 and I have more time for family and friends which, at the end of the day, is what life is all about for me,

I can't wait to get back into my studio as the gallery embraces me in peace and a bit of Cornwall so if you find yourself needing time to chill or breathe in a bit of the sea, then please pop in for a coffee and catch up.  

"There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met. William Butler Yeats"

I look forward to that coffee..... Karina x



 

Sunday 4 January 2015

SALE STARTS JAN 6th 10am



BIG Sale starts 10 am on Tuesday 6 January and here is a taster of some of the fab genuine bargains in addition to some of Karinas paintings & prints..up to 50% off...featuring Ruth Gray images Susan Hill Jewellery Barbara Helm Louise Collis - Artist Zoe Wright TextilesWild and Tame Art Madbird Textiles Jayne NemethRuby Orchard Jewellery Linda Irving Felt Artist Iveta Goddard ceramics Garden Gallery Kate Beinder Art Art by Michelle Pearson plus more!



Representative images of artists work.

So call in and don't miss out when they are gone they are gone!!!!!! 

About Studio 61 Gallery

Karina Goodman Art Studio & Gallery with Fine Art Printing for Artists & Art|Design|Jewellery by 100 UK creative Friends-The Quick Cuppa-sit in-out-to go
Description for those yet to visit in Karinas own words:
The Quick Cuppa offers hot drinks/nibbles.. walkers, cyclists and browsers are welcome.

Gallery Owner. Fine Art Printing Business. Mum to two teenagers. Wife and mum to "Bruno the dog" who comes to the gallery with me most days

Studio 61 is my studio and gallery where I paint every day in either oils or watercolours . I work mainly on commissions of landscapes or House Portraits.

I love walking which inspires me to paint the lovely Derbyshire landscapes in my own style, always with the emphasis on colour.

My work is in galleries up and down the UK including Cornwall which is my favourite place on earth!

Studio 61 also has Art,, Design & Jewellery by the many creative friends made from up and down the country over the last 9 years in business.

My gallery..."Inspired by the Coast and Countryside"
.

"Karina’s love for Cornwall, VWs, Surf and the beach is reflected in her work and the gallery has a distinctive seaside feel with many Designers from Cornwall and other UK coastlines." Derbyshire Life.

Also have a FINE ART PRINTING BUSINESS

www.studio61printing.co.uk

Im also on TWITTER @Studio61Gallery

My work is online with FREE p&p on all orders

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Favorite Quotations
Outlook on life: Cherish yesterday… Dream about Tomorrow….Live for Today