Exhibit your work at Sofra Covent Garden

There is an opportunity for Artists to exhibit their work at central London Restaurant, Sofra Covent Garden in Tavistock Street. There is no charge for displaying your work, and no commission is taken from the sale of your work.

Their website has a virtual tour of the restaurant which needs updating, and I have suggested that they include the work of their current Artists on that as well.

Here are the contact details:

Restaurant Manager - Richard
Sofra Covent Garden
36 Tavistock Street
London
WC2E 7PB

T: +44 (0) 20 7240 3773
T: +44 (0) 20 7240 3972

Interesting Artists blogs

I have discoverd two great blogs for Artists, via https://twitter.com/TheArtistsWeb, who I follow on twitter. One is http://tonymoffitt.blogspot.com/ the other is http://onlinevisualartists.com/forum/ run by Sarah Schoenfield. They both offer a wealth of ideas, help, advice and support for Artists, buyers or collectors. So pleasd I found them, thank you TheArtistsWeb.

Had a good day yesterday, sitting in my garden with my pastels exploring ideas for my next series of paintings. Bliss. Always get excited by colour, and I am 'feeling' how I want to paint them and how I want to use colour and texture. Going through a phase where I don't think my work is good enough yet, so I REALLY want to dig deeper and go up a gear or two. I can feel that it is all there, just to need to realise it on my canvas.

I may be wrong, but I think that the best ideas pop effortlessly into your mind, when you are relaxed and open, and the best paintings seem to 'breath' themselves onto the canvas almost as though you had nothing to do with it.

Off for a walk now, then more pastel sketches when I get back.

Smiling dog with poppies

Available as a limited edition giclee print. Already mounted and ready for framing. Image size 15 x 20 inches - Price £70.00

Tilly

SOLD

Tilly is a Bernese Mountain dog belonging to Sue from the Blue Ginger Art and Craft centre, Cradley. I got to know Tilly when I had my studio there, she has a wonderful personality and nature and I always got a friendly and enthusiastic greeting from her every morning!.

Blind Artist Esref Armagan

I came across an amazing Artist today, Esref Armagan, who was born blind and 'sees' with his fingertips. http://www.esrefarmagan.com He says he 'feels' the shapes first, then works out the whole picture in his mind. It is incredible how he deals with space, light and perspective, without being able to see it. His colours are so fresh,vibrant and full of life. Truly incredible.

Hereford Craft Fair

Visited Hereford Craft Fair today, in the centre of town near the Cathedral. The town has a lot of character with some very interesting architecture. The weather was great so there were crowds of people out and about looking at all the stands. Basket maker Jenny Pearce had a great selection of baskets, bowls and decorative pieces at very reasonable prices. Glass maker Elaine Mason showed bowls, coasters, sun catchers, dishes of all sizes and jewllery, all made from recycled glass and beautifully displayed. Designer Phillipa Day had a very colourful display of hand made bags, purses, cushions and brooches, all made with gorgeous fabrics, textures and colours. I got some good ideas for display which will help me when I next exhibit. Also visted the Library and Art Gallery, then went for lunch with my family.

Looking forward to the annual Blues Festival next week. If the weather stays like this, there will be as many boats on the river as cars on the roads.

James Halliburton - Raw Business magazine

James Halliburton, painted for Raw Business Magazine.

Imran Hakim - Raw Business magazine

Imran Hakim, painted for Raw Business Magazine.

Levi Roots - Raw Business Magazine

Bradley Chapman, MD of Million Impossible and publisher of Raw Business Magazine, recently asked me to paint some of the Entrepreneurs featured in Raw Business. They were Rachel Elnaugh, Ex Dragon, Author and Mentor, Levi Roots, creator of Reggae Reggae sauce, Imran Hakim, creator of iteddy and James Halliburton, creator of waterbouy, all of whom have been on BBC's Dragons Den. I was quite nervous, but had a great time painting these charismatic people. I did several drawings and pastel sketches first, to familiarise myself with their faces, features and expressions, work out composition and backgrounds, then used acrylics to do the final pantings. You almost have to deconstruct then reconstruct faces and form them in your own visual langauge.

The feature will be published in edition 9 of Raw Business Magazine

Went for much needed walk today. Surrounded by by fields of long grass and hedgegrows, wild flowers everywhere, spotted some vibrant orange poppies gently swaying in the breeze. Birds singing, bees buzzing. The hills in the background all smokey greens and browns in the hazy sunshine, with soft terracotta and some golden ochre showing through here and there. Dark olive green and deep bottle green trees and shrubs forming a freeze at the base. Wonderful colours. All good for the soul and costs nothing.

Water Melon and Lemon

One of a series of Six still life paintings, which were on exhibition at the Sofra Restaurant in Covent Garden, London. The restaurant specializes in Turkish cuisine and I wanted to create paintings that reflected the colours, shapes and textures found in Turkish food and Art.

24 x 24 Acrylic on canvas - £600

Lemon, Apricot and Pepper

One of a series of Six still life paintings, which were on exhibition at the Sofra Restaurant in Covent Garden, London. The restaurant specializes in Turkish cuisine and I wanted to create paintings that reflected the colours, shapes and textures found in Turkish food and Art.

24 x 24 Acrylic on canvas - £600

Pot of Herbs

One of a series of Six still life paintings, which were on exhibition at the Sofra Restaurant in Covent Garden, London. The restaurant specializes in Turkish cuisine and I wanted to create paintings that reflected the colours, shapes and textures found in Turkish food and Art.

24 x 24 Acrylic on canvas - £600

Rachel Elnaugh

I painted this portrait of Rachel Elnaugh after meeting her last September on one of her fantastic masterclasses. A very inspiring, creative, generous person, who is not afraid of showing vulnerability. She is a wonderful source of knowledge and inspiration.

SOLD

Pomegranates in moonlight

One of a series of Six still life paintings, which were on exhibition at the Sofra Restaurant in Covent Garden, London. The restaurant specializes in Turkish cuisine and I wanted to create paintings that reflected the colours, shapes and textures found in Turkish food and Art.

With this still life painting, I wanted to create something poetical and magical, with a stillness and timeless quality.

24 x 24 Acrylic on canvas - Not for sale

Fig with Walnut

One of a series of Six still life paintings, which were on exhibition at the Sofra Restaurant in Covent Garden, London. The restaurant specializes in Turkish cuisine and I wanted to create paintings that reflected the colours, shapes and textures found in Turkish food and Art.

24 x 24 Acrylic on canvas. Price £600