“An Ideal Place” represents not only abstract physical landscapes, but the terrain of emotion that Jaq travels through as she paints. This entire series was created in a few ambitious months. Her drive to be so prolific is steered by intense feelings that are released in varied brush strokes and, at times, bursts of unexpected and intense colour.
Because the complexity of emotions and moods can not simply be summed up in a word or two, Jaq, like many artists, uses a brush and canvas to communicate what might otherwise be impossible to express. This means these works are quite personal.
Abstraction also means that each viewer may find it easier to connect to these works on a more personal level depending on how they identify and connect to the represented feeling in their own lives. What Jaq may paint as a response to her own anger may trigger a feeling of fear or excitement in someone else. Because the interpretation is subjective, or widely variable for each individual, the beauty of these paintings dives deeper than the surface of the canvas.
Upstairs, the exhibition mixes vibrantly cool and wispy blues of the 'Lost in Translation' triptych with other paintings that use a washing technique in more neutral, sometimes organic, colours. Also on the top floor are seven very small canvasses that give the impression of 'Swimming Upstream' or feeling 'Submerged', metaphorically speaking.
Downstairs, you will find a varied selection of works from the same collection. 'Transition in Time' stands alone because it represents a change, something unstable or unsettled, an emotional turning point. The back wall features strong, confident colours and brush strokes in 'Secret Weapon' and 'A Walk Down Park Avenue', representing a more stable mood. The side walls are, again, more neutral. The large range of colour in “An Ideal Place” results from Jaq's painting in response to her powerful emotions.
Looking straight ahead at the back wall upstairs or downstairs, or in the gallery window, one gathers a feeling of confidence and direction, strength and a straight path toward a goal of some description. The side walls seem to depict fragments of variously combined emotions, times of reasoning, imagining, of decision making, dips into memories from the past or dreams of the future.
Standing close to these detailed works is a much different experience than viewing them from a distance. They are full of strong valleys of colour amongst mountains of texture and interwoven movements of the brush. Jaq's entire body is involved in these paintings, not just her hand that holds the brush. Enthusiasm in the creation of each piece is apparent.
You are welcome t0 visit the exhibition at 112 Heath Street, Hampstead, to see and enjoy for yourself! Please leave a note or email info@jiqjaq.com if you request more information.
Friday 9 November 2007
Friday 19 October 2007
New Exhibition and New Paintings
Human interaction with the environment is complex. From the needs of hunters and gatherers to the current obsession with recycling and global warming prevention, the land has not only been a stage where we act out our daily roles, but an intimate part of our lives. Jaq enjoys the excitement of travelling around Europe, the Mediterranean and America, where she gathers much of her inspiration from the mountains, the oceans and fields. Returning to London, it is the familiar landmarks that immediately bring a feeling of home. In that same way, we all look to well-known landscapes for comfort and unfamiliar environments for adventure.
Jaq expresses her interest in the interaction of the human mind and our surroundings with her series “Searching for a Skyline.” Instead of focusing on a literal depiction of landscapes she encounters in her travels, she zeros in on the abstract emotions and memories that these places evoke.
The most recent and most abstract work to enter this series,'Secret Weapon' and 'A Walk Down Park Avenue', are displayed in the window of Jiq Jaq Gallery, and the rest of the collection is available to view on the ground floor.
Downstairs, the exhibition veers away from landscapes and focuses on the human side with some figurative pieces from Jaq's Rococo collection. The women in these paintings are daydreaming, looking away from the viewer. They are deep in thought, perhaps longing for loved ones far away. Upstairs hangs a painting of a simple bridge stretching over a body of water, a connection between two lands and possibly the subject of these daydreams. The title of the painting is 'Between Us'. Another is of a sunrise. These illustrate the way land dictates our relationships, nudging us closer or splitting us apart.
'Secret Weapon' and 'A Walk Down Park Avenue' edge toward a brand new collection called “An Ideal Place”. A tiny canvas, 20cm by 20cm, a teaser of this collection, is on display now. There are 15 other canvases already painted waiting to be unveiled in the near future. While the landscapes in “Searching for a Skyline” are vaguely recognisable as mountains or glaciers or oceans, “An Ideal Place” takes the abstraction one step further to give the viewer just a sense of a place. This is achieved through the abstract application of bold and neutral colour and layers of texture.
But the most unique aspect of 'An Ideal Place' is the variation in canvas size. While they clearly represent the same series, the 20cm x 20cm 'A Fragment of a memory' is tiny in comparison to the three 183cm x 137cm canvases that comprise the triptych 'Perfect Moments Do Exist I, II and III'.
Enjoy 'Searching for a Skyline' and 'Rococo' now and look for “An Ideal Place” at Jiq Jaq Gallery at the next change of exhibition (date to be decided). For further information, visit http://www.jiqjaq.com/.
Jaq has also completed three new paintings to continue her "An Ideal Place" series posted in the last entry.
Jaq expresses her interest in the interaction of the human mind and our surroundings with her series “Searching for a Skyline.” Instead of focusing on a literal depiction of landscapes she encounters in her travels, she zeros in on the abstract emotions and memories that these places evoke.
The most recent and most abstract work to enter this series,'Secret Weapon' and 'A Walk Down Park Avenue', are displayed in the window of Jiq Jaq Gallery, and the rest of the collection is available to view on the ground floor.
Downstairs, the exhibition veers away from landscapes and focuses on the human side with some figurative pieces from Jaq's Rococo collection. The women in these paintings are daydreaming, looking away from the viewer. They are deep in thought, perhaps longing for loved ones far away. Upstairs hangs a painting of a simple bridge stretching over a body of water, a connection between two lands and possibly the subject of these daydreams. The title of the painting is 'Between Us'. Another is of a sunrise. These illustrate the way land dictates our relationships, nudging us closer or splitting us apart.
'Secret Weapon' and 'A Walk Down Park Avenue' edge toward a brand new collection called “An Ideal Place”. A tiny canvas, 20cm by 20cm, a teaser of this collection, is on display now. There are 15 other canvases already painted waiting to be unveiled in the near future. While the landscapes in “Searching for a Skyline” are vaguely recognisable as mountains or glaciers or oceans, “An Ideal Place” takes the abstraction one step further to give the viewer just a sense of a place. This is achieved through the abstract application of bold and neutral colour and layers of texture.
But the most unique aspect of 'An Ideal Place' is the variation in canvas size. While they clearly represent the same series, the 20cm x 20cm 'A Fragment of a memory' is tiny in comparison to the three 183cm x 137cm canvases that comprise the triptych 'Perfect Moments Do Exist I, II and III'.
Enjoy 'Searching for a Skyline' and 'Rococo' now and look for “An Ideal Place” at Jiq Jaq Gallery at the next change of exhibition (date to be decided). For further information, visit http://www.jiqjaq.com/.
Jaq has also completed three new paintings to continue her "An Ideal Place" series posted in the last entry.
Street Sleep Walking
Confetti Salami
Jumping Over
Wednesday 3 October 2007
An Ideal Place
With the turn of colours in the leaves and the freshness of autumn pushing summer into the shadows, there is a sense of renewal in the air. Over the last few months, Jaq has tapped into this refreshment that the change of seasons brings and been very proficient in her work. She has also made some important changes to her image.
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What makes art intriguing to me (and this is obviously different for everyone) is the story behind the work and the details of the artist's life. Take Tracey Emin, for example. I don't particularly like her art for what it is, but because she leads an interesting life and uses titles to expand the meaning of her work, I find her much more interesting than I would otherwise and even wrote one of my term papers on her a few years ago.
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With this in mind, we have taken the past few weeks to think about and change most of the titles of Jaq's paintings and pastels to reflect ideas or concepts and to be a bit more abstract and thought-provoking. Before, her titles pointed out what was obvious about a painting with names like “Blue Table” or “White Nude.” These particular paintings has now been retitled “Spirits Unseen” and “Sensations of Synesthesia,” respectively.
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An argument could be made that these kind of titles distract a viewer from the art itself but, in my opinion, they only add to its appeal.
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In this spirit of renewal, Jaq has also added 14 new ethereal, abstract landscapes to create a new series called An Ideal Place, and has added two new paintings to her collection “Searching for a Skyline,” previously titled “Solano”.
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The following are images of her most recent work, all oil on canvas. Please click over to http://www.jiqjaq.com/ to find an updated site and view the sizes for these paintings and the new titles for her older work. We're always interested to hear your thoughts.
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What makes art intriguing to me (and this is obviously different for everyone) is the story behind the work and the details of the artist's life. Take Tracey Emin, for example. I don't particularly like her art for what it is, but because she leads an interesting life and uses titles to expand the meaning of her work, I find her much more interesting than I would otherwise and even wrote one of my term papers on her a few years ago.
.
With this in mind, we have taken the past few weeks to think about and change most of the titles of Jaq's paintings and pastels to reflect ideas or concepts and to be a bit more abstract and thought-provoking. Before, her titles pointed out what was obvious about a painting with names like “Blue Table” or “White Nude.” These particular paintings has now been retitled “Spirits Unseen” and “Sensations of Synesthesia,” respectively.
.
An argument could be made that these kind of titles distract a viewer from the art itself but, in my opinion, they only add to its appeal.
.
In this spirit of renewal, Jaq has also added 14 new ethereal, abstract landscapes to create a new series called An Ideal Place, and has added two new paintings to her collection “Searching for a Skyline,” previously titled “Solano”.
.
The following are images of her most recent work, all oil on canvas. Please click over to http://www.jiqjaq.com/ to find an updated site and view the sizes for these paintings and the new titles for her older work. We're always interested to hear your thoughts.
.
Secret Weapon
A Walk Down Park Avenue
Still, Close Enough 1
Still, Close Enough 2
Transition in Time
Lost in Translation 1
Lost in Translation 2
Lost in Translation 3
Perfect Moments Do Exist 1
Perfect Moments Do Exist 2
Perfect Moments Do Exist 3
Breathing Underwater
Chaos Theory
Blinking Against an Icy Wind
A Fragment of a Memory
Submerged
Monday 30 July 2007
Street People Exhibition
Jiq Jaq Gallery presents Jacqueline Crofton's Street People.
Where:
Jiq Jaq Gallery, 112 Heath Street, Hampstead, London, NW3 1DR
When:
Wednesday, August 1, 2007 is open night. Come from 6:30-8:30 for wine and conversation. The exhibition will run September 18, 2007.
To an artist, homelessness, like war and poverty, is a powerful subject. Every day, we pass people with nowhere to call home, some of us notice them, others pay no attention, but they are part of our world and their colourful stories are brush strokes on the portrait of our city.
About six years ago, painter Jacqueline K Crofton sat in Camden's soup kitchen eating lunch with a group who shared their experiences. Afterwards, she was able to sketch and photograph some of them and, over the next year, developed a series of large charcoal and oil paintings on flax, which she called Street People. This controversial collection is not for everyone and has never before been shown to the public.
Many of these people use shelters at night. Others are called 'rough sleepers', the ones you see in doorways and under bridges. You may have wondered how they got there and why they have not been able to escape that life.
In 2004, St. Mungo's conducted a survey on 1,534 people without homes. What they found helped explain the tangled web of problems that sends them to the streets. The most common reason has to do with broken relationships that were destroyed by or spiralled into drug and alcohol abuse, behavioural problems and both physical and mental illness. The research found 40% of homeless people have a mental health problem and just over 1/3 have issues with substance abuse. 48% have been without permanent housing for two or more years, 17% for more the 10 years. London offers a number of support groups that help unemployed homeless men and women find jobs. Some sell The Big Issue from which 80p per sale goes into their own pocket. They are often stuck in unemployment because they have no permanent mailing address, poor hygiene, no money for interview clothes and educational problems.
Jaq's reasoning behind painting this series was not for it to be a social commentary but to create a composition of a darker, yet inevitable, reality. The rate of homelessness in London is twice as high as the rest of England and far greater than government statistics indicate, according to the charity crisis who estimates approximately 400,000 homeless in Great Britain. There is a stark contrast in London, even in this borough alone. Here, we have the upmarket neighbourhood of Hampstead, and just around the corner, you find Camden soup kitchen.
To see the entire collection online, click here.
Where:
Jiq Jaq Gallery, 112 Heath Street, Hampstead, London, NW3 1DR
When:
Wednesday, August 1, 2007 is open night. Come from 6:30-8:30 for wine and conversation. The exhibition will run September 18, 2007.
To an artist, homelessness, like war and poverty, is a powerful subject. Every day, we pass people with nowhere to call home, some of us notice them, others pay no attention, but they are part of our world and their colourful stories are brush strokes on the portrait of our city.
About six years ago, painter Jacqueline K Crofton sat in Camden's soup kitchen eating lunch with a group who shared their experiences. Afterwards, she was able to sketch and photograph some of them and, over the next year, developed a series of large charcoal and oil paintings on flax, which she called Street People. This controversial collection is not for everyone and has never before been shown to the public.
Many of these people use shelters at night. Others are called 'rough sleepers', the ones you see in doorways and under bridges. You may have wondered how they got there and why they have not been able to escape that life.
In 2004, St. Mungo's conducted a survey on 1,534 people without homes. What they found helped explain the tangled web of problems that sends them to the streets. The most common reason has to do with broken relationships that were destroyed by or spiralled into drug and alcohol abuse, behavioural problems and both physical and mental illness. The research found 40% of homeless people have a mental health problem and just over 1/3 have issues with substance abuse. 48% have been without permanent housing for two or more years, 17% for more the 10 years. London offers a number of support groups that help unemployed homeless men and women find jobs. Some sell The Big Issue from which 80p per sale goes into their own pocket. They are often stuck in unemployment because they have no permanent mailing address, poor hygiene, no money for interview clothes and educational problems.
Jaq's reasoning behind painting this series was not for it to be a social commentary but to create a composition of a darker, yet inevitable, reality. The rate of homelessness in London is twice as high as the rest of England and far greater than government statistics indicate, according to the charity crisis who estimates approximately 400,000 homeless in Great Britain. There is a stark contrast in London, even in this borough alone. Here, we have the upmarket neighbourhood of Hampstead, and just around the corner, you find Camden soup kitchen.
To see the entire collection online, click here.
Tuesday 3 July 2007
Summer News
In New York, the Whitney Museum of American Art celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love. Here in London, Jaq embarks on her own summer-long journey of creativity.
She continues to expand her brand new series, Nirvana, which embodies the values of that infamous summer in her own signature style. Introducing huge and powerful oil on canvas paintings, some measuring 137cm x 183cm, this abstracted landscape collection of florals and meadows plays with the effect of light and shadows. Luminous and striking, with strategically-placed streaks of red and some darker areas of disturbance, the tryptich Elysian Fields echoes the persistent struggle between peace and war. Experimenting with an entrancing new vivid blue, purple and green colour scheme and dripping paint, Jaq has assured her most recent work is full of energy. Watch for pictures soon.
A taste will be revealed in her first ever art catalogue, to be printed this summer by Colourhouse. This 40-page, glossy publication, complete with large, high-quality images and captivating descriptions, offers a special gift of a complimentary print to those who make a purchase.
Her catalogue brings another first to the mix as Jaq has made the decision to sell her delicate oil on paper paintings. These unique works, previously available only as prints, are highlighted in contemporary frames and feature oriental figures, still lifes and women from her Rococco series.
In September, Jaq's summer of creativity will culminate in an exhibition of her most recent work at Jiq Jaq Gallery (located at 112 Heath Street, Hampstead) which will display a selection of paintings from her Nirvana, Solano and Delicacies series.
If you are interested in a catalogue or would like an invitation to the Jiq Jaq exhibition, call the office at 020 7561 6218 or email info@jiqjaq.com. To see more of Jaq's work, visit http://www.jiqjaq.com/.
She continues to expand her brand new series, Nirvana, which embodies the values of that infamous summer in her own signature style. Introducing huge and powerful oil on canvas paintings, some measuring 137cm x 183cm, this abstracted landscape collection of florals and meadows plays with the effect of light and shadows. Luminous and striking, with strategically-placed streaks of red and some darker areas of disturbance, the tryptich Elysian Fields echoes the persistent struggle between peace and war. Experimenting with an entrancing new vivid blue, purple and green colour scheme and dripping paint, Jaq has assured her most recent work is full of energy. Watch for pictures soon.
A taste will be revealed in her first ever art catalogue, to be printed this summer by Colourhouse. This 40-page, glossy publication, complete with large, high-quality images and captivating descriptions, offers a special gift of a complimentary print to those who make a purchase.
Her catalogue brings another first to the mix as Jaq has made the decision to sell her delicate oil on paper paintings. These unique works, previously available only as prints, are highlighted in contemporary frames and feature oriental figures, still lifes and women from her Rococco series.
In September, Jaq's summer of creativity will culminate in an exhibition of her most recent work at Jiq Jaq Gallery (located at 112 Heath Street, Hampstead) which will display a selection of paintings from her Nirvana, Solano and Delicacies series.
If you are interested in a catalogue or would like an invitation to the Jiq Jaq exhibition, call the office at 020 7561 6218 or email info@jiqjaq.com. To see more of Jaq's work, visit http://www.jiqjaq.com/.
Tuesday 19 June 2007
Tangled Up In Blue
“I'm just taking a break. I'm absolutely covered in large quantities of paint,” Jaq laughed yesterday. “It's all over my face and everywhere. It will be a nightmare to get it all off.”
She was in the middle of working on a series of new paintings. I saw the first finished one last week when I stopped by her studio on the way to the gallery. They are striking and very different than her usual choice of colours. Expressive blues, purples, and greens are tangled together in a meadow -like abstract oil on canvas. Far from pale, these colours speak for themselves like those in her Mood and Colour series.
They will be used in the beginning of our second catalogue, which we will start as soon as the first goes to print. We've just added another eight pages to the first as there are so many paintings and it is crucial that each is displayed for maximum impact. They can not be squished together just so they fit. There will also be 2-3 inserts in the 40 page publication.
We're very excited for the finishing touches to come together so we can start to concentrate on the second one as Jaq keeps creating more and more work. Artists go through periods of high creativity and those that are less productive. Jaq's productivity levels are high right now. “I love my job,” she told me the other day. Can you blame her?
In September, Jiq Jaq Art Gallery will hold an exhibition of all of her most recent work. If you would like to be on the mailing list to receive an invitation, please send us an email at info@jiqjaq.com.
She was in the middle of working on a series of new paintings. I saw the first finished one last week when I stopped by her studio on the way to the gallery. They are striking and very different than her usual choice of colours. Expressive blues, purples, and greens are tangled together in a meadow -like abstract oil on canvas. Far from pale, these colours speak for themselves like those in her Mood and Colour series.
They will be used in the beginning of our second catalogue, which we will start as soon as the first goes to print. We've just added another eight pages to the first as there are so many paintings and it is crucial that each is displayed for maximum impact. They can not be squished together just so they fit. There will also be 2-3 inserts in the 40 page publication.
We're very excited for the finishing touches to come together so we can start to concentrate on the second one as Jaq keeps creating more and more work. Artists go through periods of high creativity and those that are less productive. Jaq's productivity levels are high right now. “I love my job,” she told me the other day. Can you blame her?
In September, Jiq Jaq Art Gallery will hold an exhibition of all of her most recent work. If you would like to be on the mailing list to receive an invitation, please send us an email at info@jiqjaq.com.
Tuesday 29 May 2007
Special Sale: Mood and Colour Prints
After a rainy bank holiday weekend, we've decided to extend our weekend sale on all Mood and Colour prints for another week to give those who were stuck indoors a chance to visit our new gallery display.
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We are offering a special 15% reduction on all Mood and Colour giclee prints this week only until June 3rd, and customers can choose to take these stunning pieces home loose or in silver frames.
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This collection is all about Jaq's love of colour
and texture. Each piece is vibrantly unique, and together as a series, they express her infatuation with the human form and her signature style. Jaq loves to create rich backgrounds of vibrant patchwork brush strokes in colours that compliment each figure.
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The inspiring series includes a full range of colours and a painting to complim
ent any mood. So, scroll down and have a look at some of the prints on offer, and if you are in the area, head on over to Jiq Jaq art gallery from Wednesday to Sunday (10:30 – 6:30) at 112 Heath Street, Hampstead, London, NW3 1DR. If you're interested in what you see, please call 020 7435 9300 or check out the web site at http://www.jiqjaq.com/ for more paintings.
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We are offering a special 15% reduction on all Mood and Colour giclee prints this week only until June 3rd, and customers can choose to take these stunning pieces home loose or in silver frames.
.
This collection is all about Jaq's love of colour
and texture. Each piece is vibrantly unique, and together as a series, they express her infatuation with the human form and her signature style. Jaq loves to create rich backgrounds of vibrant patchwork brush strokes in colours that compliment each figure..
The inspiring series includes a full range of colours and a painting to complim
ent any mood. So, scroll down and have a look at some of the prints on offer, and if you are in the area, head on over to Jiq Jaq art gallery from Wednesday to Sunday (10:30 – 6:30) at 112 Heath Street, Hampstead, London, NW3 1DR. If you're interested in what you see, please call 020 7435 9300 or check out the web site at http://www.jiqjaq.com/ for more paintings..
Tuesday 15 May 2007
Catalogue Additions
Deciding to offer oil on paper originals for the first time, we saw it fitting to squeeze a few into the catalogue. The design got a facelift. I revamped all of the descriptions to cut out any extra words without losing the meaning. Then we added the following works:
The three Delicacies paintings which are oil on paper, Horse, Nude, and Dancer:
The brand new triptych, Elysian Fields, I, II and III:
The three Delicacies paintings which are oil on paper, Horse, Nude, and Dancer:
Brocade Robe and Wisteria Maidens, both oil on paper from the Out of the Orient series:
And lastly, a few from the Rococo series, Nu Et Luxe, Nude Exotique and Allegra.
Friday 4 May 2007
Nirvana
Jaq's new triptych, Elysian Fields, may soon have company. Despite an eye irritation this week, Jaq has begun a new painting in vibrant purples and greens. It will be another week before she can work on it some more as it needs the time to dry. The canvas not as massive as the first three were, but it fits the mood of her new series which she has titled Nirvana, and to further replicate the tone, she may even add some drips to this one.
This collection will appear at the beginning of our new, and first, catalogue. The last stages of design are under way and I have been working with our designer the past few days to smooth out the remaining kinks in the project. It has come together brilliantly and I can not wait to see what the final product will look like. I think this will be the key to selling more of Jaq's work as it is attention-grabbing. And anyway, who doesn't love to flip through the pages of a brand new glossy publication? It will still be quite a few weeks before they are ready to use, but we've got the difficult part out of the way now.
In the meantime, we've been taking on other projects. I've been working on some postcard designs based on a sample pack from Modern Postcard that came in the mail the other day. Postcards are a great way to grab people's attention as well, because they are full of colour and like mini pieces of art. They are an effective way to spread Jaq's work around and raise awareness. They could also be used to promote special offers or lull people in to the gallery. They could be stuck to fridges with magnets as a reminder or sent off to friends.
We're waiting on one of the graphic designers to finish up our invitations for an open night at the gallery and also print the remainder of updated brochures so we can begin to send info packs to interior designers. Jaq's work is truly great for home decorating because it is not intrusive and there are so many different subjects to choose from to suit different personalities. Her signature style, which is in all of her paintings, is a mesh of colours in the background that can compliment almost any interior.
We are running a promotion on prints in the g
allery this weekend as it is a holiday, offering a percentage discount. Olivia has replaced our usual display of an original painting in the window with four prints. We were also working this week with our printers to make a giclee print of a painting called Blue Shoes for a man who works at a rent and rotate art business called Ginger White. His company allows businesses to rent out artwork for a very small price and then rotate pieces in three, six, or twelve months. He's always looking for artists to get involved, and it is good for exposure of new work and new names. His website is quite interesting and can be seen at http://www.gingerwhite.co.uk/
We're also sending out an email advertisement next week, a genuine offer to receive a complimentary print and have a few other projects on the go.
Hope everyone has a nice bank holiday weekend!
This collection will appear at the beginning of our new, and first, catalogue. The last stages of design are under way and I have been working with our designer the past few days to smooth out the remaining kinks in the project. It has come together brilliantly and I can not wait to see what the final product will look like. I think this will be the key to selling more of Jaq's work as it is attention-grabbing. And anyway, who doesn't love to flip through the pages of a brand new glossy publication? It will still be quite a few weeks before they are ready to use, but we've got the difficult part out of the way now.
In the meantime, we've been taking on other projects. I've been working on some postcard designs based on a sample pack from Modern Postcard that came in the mail the other day. Postcards are a great way to grab people's attention as well, because they are full of colour and like mini pieces of art. They are an effective way to spread Jaq's work around and raise awareness. They could also be used to promote special offers or lull people in to the gallery. They could be stuck to fridges with magnets as a reminder or sent off to friends.
We're waiting on one of the graphic designers to finish up our invitations for an open night at the gallery and also print the remainder of updated brochures so we can begin to send info packs to interior designers. Jaq's work is truly great for home decorating because it is not intrusive and there are so many different subjects to choose from to suit different personalities. Her signature style, which is in all of her paintings, is a mesh of colours in the background that can compliment almost any interior.
We are running a promotion on prints in the g
allery this weekend as it is a holiday, offering a percentage discount. Olivia has replaced our usual display of an original painting in the window with four prints. We were also working this week with our printers to make a giclee print of a painting called Blue Shoes for a man who works at a rent and rotate art business called Ginger White. His company allows businesses to rent out artwork for a very small price and then rotate pieces in three, six, or twelve months. He's always looking for artists to get involved, and it is good for exposure of new work and new names. His website is quite interesting and can be seen at http://www.gingerwhite.co.uk/We're also sending out an email advertisement next week, a genuine offer to receive a complimentary print and have a few other projects on the go.
Hope everyone has a nice bank holiday weekend!
Monday 23 April 2007
Three Sales and a Lost Friend
Jaq has said to me before, there is a balance in this life. For every negative, a positive and vice versa. As this weekend's events were driven forward, they hugged the curves of that philosophy closely.
Over the past few days, we have sold three paintings, which so happened to be my top three favourites.
The first was to a young couple. They borrowed Filomena II to test in their home a few weeks ago and have paid the £2,000 now, deciding they would keep the large oil on canvas. This was a favourite of many of Jaq's admirers and gallery visitors, so it will be a shame not to see it hanging in there, but it's great to know it will decorate another wall and make other people happy.
Two of my other favourites went to a woman, a French teacher. She bought the oil on Fabriano paper, Girl with Lotus, for £2,000. This is the one that we planned to print on the back of our new catalogue that is being designed at this very moment, so now it is my job to pick a new painting to take its place.
The other one this woman purchased was a very small, yet powerful oil on canvas called Girl with Pink Obi for £350.
So, it was a profitable weekend at the gallery. A vase was also sold as well, which caused some issues with a credit card, but it's being sorted out now by the right people.
It is interesting that all of the paintings sold were figurative when the newest paintings are all abstract landscapes. It's all a matter of taste and I am now marketing these newer paintings to interior designers as they will make a relaxing addition to interiors in our crazed workaholic society.
The balance to this positive news is that Jaq lost her beloved dog, Bijou, this weekend. She is devastated, as you can imagine if you have ever lost a pet.
Bijou began eating different food a few weeks ago, and Jaq is suspicious that this is to blame as her other male dog would not eat it and is not ill. She did some research and found that, in America, there is an uproar by pet parents because many animals are dying due to chemicals found in a type of dog food imported from China. She said the case has gone to government courts and, though there is probably a similar situation in the UK, no action seems to have been taken.
Jaq asked me, if I have spare time while I'm working, to write a letter of awareness to an investigative journalist who has the time to look into the situation in this country. It is complex and will take research. Jaq is certainly the type of person who takes action when action must be taken.
Over the past few days, we have sold three paintings, which so happened to be my top three favourites.
The first was to a young couple. They borrowed Filomena II to test in their home a few weeks ago and have paid the £2,000 now, deciding they would keep the large oil on canvas. This was a favourite of many of Jaq's admirers and gallery visitors, so it will be a shame not to see it hanging in there, but it's great to know it will decorate another wall and make other people happy.
Two of my other favourites went to a woman, a French teacher. She bought the oil on Fabriano paper, Girl with Lotus, for £2,000. This is the one that we planned to print on the back of our new catalogue that is being designed at this very moment, so now it is my job to pick a new painting to take its place.
The other one this woman purchased was a very small, yet powerful oil on canvas called Girl with Pink Obi for £350.
So, it was a profitable weekend at the gallery. A vase was also sold as well, which caused some issues with a credit card, but it's being sorted out now by the right people.
It is interesting that all of the paintings sold were figurative when the newest paintings are all abstract landscapes. It's all a matter of taste and I am now marketing these newer paintings to interior designers as they will make a relaxing addition to interiors in our crazed workaholic society.
The balance to this positive news is that Jaq lost her beloved dog, Bijou, this weekend. She is devastated, as you can imagine if you have ever lost a pet.
Bijou began eating different food a few weeks ago, and Jaq is suspicious that this is to blame as her other male dog would not eat it and is not ill. She did some research and found that, in America, there is an uproar by pet parents because many animals are dying due to chemicals found in a type of dog food imported from China. She said the case has gone to government courts and, though there is probably a similar situation in the UK, no action seems to have been taken.
Jaq asked me, if I have spare time while I'm working, to write a letter of awareness to an investigative journalist who has the time to look into the situation in this country. It is complex and will take research. Jaq is certainly the type of person who takes action when action must be taken.
Wednesday 18 April 2007
Elysian Fields
After spending the last few weeks so frustrated that I even destroyed my work at one point with black paint, I have finally finished the three massive canvasses I've been painting.
Measuring 72” x 54”
, they proved a challenge. When canvasses are so big, you can't fill every little gap with “information” or it becomes overwhelming. You need to leave space with just a hint of colour or a bit of texture.
Because of their daunting size, I didn't feel like just applying a brush to the canvas was enough for these paintings, so I used three techniques:
*Brush
*Palette Knife
*Drips
I was particularly drawn to the dripping of paint as it is a technique that allows the whole body to become involved in the piece in a sort of vehement emotional enthusiasm. I thought about abstract expressionists like Jackson Pollock who are famous for employing physical movement in the creation of paintings. Emotional energy inevitably shines through the end result.
As a whole, these paint
ings appear calming at first glance, but there is something disruptive in them, something slightly menacing. It comes out especially in the black streaks of the second painting in the triptage. These streaks fly sideways across the
sky in this landscape. They soar like a fleeting moment of pain across the pale background, like dark scars in the canvas.
I found myself thinking of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and how the pretty garden was a bit foreboding.
Ano
ther painting is darker on one side than the other, representing the yin and the yang, the good and the bad, disruption and nirvana, because that's what life is all about. I don't believe you ever get something for nothing. There are always consequences. For every beautiful and bountiful thing, there is a price.
My own personal experience is a prime example. I have been a horrible picture of health lately and I feel the pain in my body when I paint. But I will never stop because it is my passion. I suffer through the torment to taste the beauty that I can experience as an artist. These are not just pretty pictures; they are saturated with the drama of life.
I was thinking about all of these things as I worked. There was a sense of walking through a place, a meadow perhaps, and at the end, there was something very... fine. It was a utopia of sorts, a welcoming place full of light. It was Elysian.
So, I've decided to name this series “Elysian Fields.”
And one thing is for sure: even if you don't like the paintings, there is no way you can ignore them.
Measuring 72” x 54”
, they proved a challenge. When canvasses are so big, you can't fill every little gap with “information” or it becomes overwhelming. You need to leave space with just a hint of colour or a bit of texture.Because of their daunting size, I didn't feel like just applying a brush to the canvas was enough for these paintings, so I used three techniques:
*Brush
*Palette Knife
*Drips
I was particularly drawn to the dripping of paint as it is a technique that allows the whole body to become involved in the piece in a sort of vehement emotional enthusiasm. I thought about abstract expressionists like Jackson Pollock who are famous for employing physical movement in the creation of paintings. Emotional energy inevitably shines through the end result.
As a whole, these paint
ings appear calming at first glance, but there is something disruptive in them, something slightly menacing. It comes out especially in the black streaks of the second painting in the triptage. These streaks fly sideways across the
sky in this landscape. They soar like a fleeting moment of pain across the pale background, like dark scars in the canvas.I found myself thinking of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and how the pretty garden was a bit foreboding.
Ano
ther painting is darker on one side than the other, representing the yin and the yang, the good and the bad, disruption and nirvana, because that's what life is all about. I don't believe you ever get something for nothing. There are always consequences. For every beautiful and bountiful thing, there is a price.My own personal experience is a prime example. I have been a horrible picture of health lately and I feel the pain in my body when I paint. But I will never stop because it is my passion. I suffer through the torment to taste the beauty that I can experience as an artist. These are not just pretty pictures; they are saturated with the drama of life.
I was thinking about all of these things as I worked. There was a sense of walking through a place, a meadow perhaps, and at the end, there was something very... fine. It was a utopia of sorts, a welcoming place full of light. It was Elysian.
So, I've decided to name this series “Elysian Fields.”
And one thing is for sure: even if you don't like the paintings, there is no way you can ignore them.
(All of these photos were taken on my mobile phone just as examples while I wait to have them professionally photographed for out catalogue.)
Thursday 12 April 2007
Destruction of Creativity = More Creativity
Every artist destroys their own work at some point, whether it be an accident or an outburst of frustration.
It's a good thing creativity knows no bounds.
One of the three massive pale paintings I wrote about the other day is now pitch black. It bears no resemblance to what it once was, or the other two that were intended to match. After spending an entire day yesterday wrestling the paint onto the canvas in such a way that was aesthetically pleasing, I was still not satisfied with the results. It's like I suddenly forgot how to paint altogether.
And when my husband's response to these paintings was simply, “I like them,” I knew right then that they were no good.
I woke up early this morning and covered over an entire painting with black paint. It is now setting out to dry. I have not destroyed my own work in a very long time, but my guess is that this has something to do with the size of these canvasses.
Negativity accomplishes nothing, and so I looked at this mess as a catharsis, a chance to think outside the box and delve into a new realm of creativity. I could have scraped the canvasses off completely and began anew, but I have another idea in mind.
Don't laugh.
I took a trip to a very good interior design store this morning and picked up some deep red glossy oil paint. It was very expensive paint, but I can't be bothered to keep painting these canvasses with the oil paint in the tubes.
And in the true spirit of thinking differently, not caring so much what the result is because it can't be worse than what it was, I decided I will give myself a sort of release from this taxing work and throw the red paint at the black canvas once it dries.
If nothing else, it will be an experiment.
It's a good thing creativity knows no bounds.
One of the three massive pale paintings I wrote about the other day is now pitch black. It bears no resemblance to what it once was, or the other two that were intended to match. After spending an entire day yesterday wrestling the paint onto the canvas in such a way that was aesthetically pleasing, I was still not satisfied with the results. It's like I suddenly forgot how to paint altogether.
And when my husband's response to these paintings was simply, “I like them,” I knew right then that they were no good.
I woke up early this morning and covered over an entire painting with black paint. It is now setting out to dry. I have not destroyed my own work in a very long time, but my guess is that this has something to do with the size of these canvasses.
Negativity accomplishes nothing, and so I looked at this mess as a catharsis, a chance to think outside the box and delve into a new realm of creativity. I could have scraped the canvasses off completely and began anew, but I have another idea in mind.
Don't laugh.
I took a trip to a very good interior design store this morning and picked up some deep red glossy oil paint. It was very expensive paint, but I can't be bothered to keep painting these canvasses with the oil paint in the tubes.
And in the true spirit of thinking differently, not caring so much what the result is because it can't be worse than what it was, I decided I will give myself a sort of release from this taxing work and throw the red paint at the black canvas once it dries.
If nothing else, it will be an experiment.
Tuesday 10 April 2007
Experiments in Marketing
Marketing artwork can be tricky. Once you know your target audience, the avenues of possibility spiral and cross in so many directions, it's impossible to predict the outcome of every one. While some of them are tempting to explore, it is important to keep from selling out and maintain a classy image, if, of course, that's what you're going for.
We tried email marketing, which meant buying a list of names from a data company and sending out a message offering a complimentary print. This did not get a particularly great response, probably because the multitude of spammers saturating inboxes everywhere have discouraged people from opening emails from addresses that are unfamiliar, but is is definitely worth pursuing with a few tweaks.
The same tactic was tried in The Guardian some time ago and it commanded an exponentially better response. But email is the cheapest, quickest and most modern way of communicating. Surely there must be a way to stand out among the junk mail when your offer is truly genuine?
.
So we've devised a new plan: a carefully constructed series of email letters.
Whether people will take the time to read them, who knows, but we're going to give it a shot. The first is an introduction to Jaq and her work. The second, an invitation to view her blog, her MySpace page, and a few new works, and the third, an offer of a free print and the opportunity to purchase the prints presented in the second email. They will be sent out one a week for three weeks.
It is, more or less, an experiment with modern technology over print media.
The complimentary print will be Oriental Still Life, which usually sells for £60. Because we can not afford to give them away and pay for them to be sent, we are still requesting the small charge of £7.95 for postage and packaging, which I don't think is by any means unreasonable.
Oriental Still Life: 19" x 27"
- Glossy catalogue with paintings from about six or seven collections of Jaq's work.
- Postcards
- Marketing specifically to interior designers
- Marketing to fashion houses and designers whose style matches Jaq's work
- An open night at the gallery with invitations sent out to a guest list
- Attempting to get work into various art fairs
- Article and advertisement placed in Graffiti Magazine
- Artist's name and gallery address in Galleries Magazine
- MySpace, MyArtSpace, this blog, the jiqjaq website and other Internet projects
If anyone has discovered any interesting marketing possibilities, feel free to leave comments and start a discussion.
The art world is a tricky one to penetrate as is it one of great competition. What makes one artist stand apart from the crowd? As an artist, how do you market your art? What marketing tactics catch your eye as a customer?
Everyone's opinion, no matter how informed, is valuable, because purchasing art is a very personal experience.
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