I'm back!

'Such a relief!!'.. I'm back in my studio after a major, necessary, incredibly stressful and unplanned break.
However the job is done... and to start the ball rolling I thought I'd capture the current state of play at home... It's been snowing!!  The first icy cold blast of 2012. I've not really been that fussed about snow scenes, I think I enjoy light and warmth too much. However this was captured as the first snow was arriving. The light was quite sinister ... So, a spontaneous effort and one to get me back in the swing of things.


Acrylic on panel

On matters of the art...

Friends, Romans, country folk, commissioners, art buyers and dealers. 
‘Lend me your eyes.’


It has been mentioned... there have been enquiries... and  people have noticed ‘my lack of input to this blog and other matters of the art.’
It’s true, ‘I have been quiet’... Since last Autumn there has been a succession of events that quite frankly have ‘tripped me up’ consumed much of brain space and extraordinary amounts of my personal time. So 'being creative' has had to been put on the back burner. I’ve discovered that a constipated cerebral muscle and attempting to paint, draw and be merry is an utterly, utterly useless process.  The good news is the necessary laxative has been administered and the flushing process is well underway.


However and paradoxically I have actually been very very busy dealing with matters ‘family.‘   It’s been a truly exhausting and disruptive process but this oil tanker size problem has nearly turned...  and I'm pleased to announce that, there is light, there is clarity and very soon I shall return to my business and have things up and running.


I wish to apologise to my clients whose commissions I had to refer or cancel, to the events I should have attended but ‘simply couldn’t’ but I appreciated the invites and please keep them coming... and to the folk I normally see, ‘I shall be back in town very soon.’  And a ‘thank you’ to those who have been helping me out along the way on this uncomfortable journey. 


Back in the studio preparations are underway for the spring and summer ahead.. I have been painting but not with the intensity I usually have, though strangely enough the new work has an edge and depth that is very very pleasing... perhaps the break and disruption has done me some good. 

Something fruity

Rocha and Bowl... A natty new frame for a long time favourite piece of mine.
It's recently found a lovely new home.

All is calm

A new piece for my up and coming show, 'whilst walking by water'
Title: Bright light, shore to shore. (Pitsford)
Acrylic, ketchup, john innes no3, palette knife and pencil on board.

Found and studied

Found No1
Crab apple and hand made bowl
20x20cm

Happy New Year!

Blimey another year gone but a real bright one ahead! Can't wait for the longer, lighter evenings.


I've been very busy recently and there's plenty going on in the studio for a spring showing orf.
During he past few weeks I've been walking by water again... There's not really a great deal of it in deepest Northamptonshire, though we do have one or two little places of loveliness. Pictured above (fresh off the easel) is one such place, Pitsford reservoir. We're currently enduring a drought. which is most unseasonal for December. The water line has dramatically changed the perspective of the landscape and it seems rather distant. There's also a beautiful green algae hue draped over the shoreline. There's still plenty of wildlife of course and huge skies to enjoy. I do sense this may well be the start of my first project of the year. 
Keep your eyes peeled.

Strolling along the beach again..

Oh, I do love to sit beside the seaside.

Was here last week...cold though!

Acrylic on panel / 

Image size 40x40, 

Frame 50x50cm

Ink drawings

Resting...
Pen and ink...Nov/Dec 2011

On reflection...

I've little to say today other than I'm painting well and earnestly.


The piece above is a comfort blanket.
Life offers many challenges and distractions and when I've
'had enough' I rest here, where the horizon dissolves... and so does my brain.


It's a peaceful place and totally inspiring in a wild wild way.


Resting place version 1
acrylic on panel 254 x 203 mm 
but soon to be painted much much bigger!

2012 olympics

Some sketches from a recent visit to Welshland visiting Mum.

Pat has always been a willing model for my drawings.. nowadays she's even more willing as she prepares for the 2012 Olympics. Having recently taking up sleeping as her new hobby... and it has to be said, 'excelling in it'... she's in the running for a place in the 'Sleepyiad.'

Nominated in two events.... Duration sleeping and the Loud snoring event.
I have never heard an ol lady snore with such conviction and gusto! For me, a sure fire medal winner!

Pen, ink on paper

Fredrick the great!

Met this fella the other day.
What a talent and a thoroughly nice chap too!


We even had a kind visit from our Mayor who popped into say hello...... 
As you can see Fred is quite a celebrity draw with a big smile and a bright future.

Right...said Fred!

Tomorrow is an exciting day for me... a new crop of young talented artists are nipping at me ankles and number one in the cue is Fred.
I'm very much looking forward to meeting him. I've been looking at his excellent oil paintings and I'm hoping he can let in a few of his 'tricks of the trade' and help 'up my game.'

A special meet has been arranged... 'schhh though, it's a secret.' 

But I'll be brushing me boots and washing behind my ears in anticipation... you just never know whose gonna turn up!




More soon...

Thank yous, prizes, and information...

Seemingly quiet on the blog I know.... Though there’s been much going on behind the scenes...and lots still happening  and it’s all rather disruptive, yet exciting too!
However and briefly... My summer exhibition during July and August was a huge success and I’m delighted with it all. Thank you to everyone who helped make it a fun and successful event and a really really big thank you to all that attended, purchased and to those who sent me such positive messages about the exhibition, ‘they really do lift the spirits.’


During September my ‘Open Studios’ event proved to be a fun and busy couple of weekends... undoubtedly the busiest on record for me and many visitors travelled from far flung places to come and have a peek.... Much cake was scoffed, wine and coffee quaffed and suffice to say the gallery carpets worn out!


The Open Studios Central Exhibition in Northampton was a lovely affair, with varied work from participating artists ...and a thank you to The sponsors Colemans Group Stationers who graced me with a third prize in their awards presentation.


This October, I’ve had the good fortune to have had 2 paintings selected for the Northamptonshire Town and County Art Society... This is the first time I’ve offered work forward for selection and lucky ol me has won a prize.... 
I’m a ‘New talent’  prize winner.... ok ok, it’s new talent for new entrants to the society. 
And I know it’s got a touch of a  ‘X Factor’ ring to it....but...... anyway..... I’m thrilled and chuffed to be singled out thank you very much to The Primrose Gallery in Northampton for the Prize.


As for the day to day stuff, well there’s new work going on ( Stocks need replenishing) and I’m planning for next year already...  The palette is calmer for the year 2012, the imagery is more abstracted and hopefully more plein air involved.


However, you can currently see my work at:
Forge 2 Gallery in Culworth, Oxfordshire OX17 2BA
a beautiful village location for this smashing gallery.... work is on display and for sale (while stocks last) until 24th December 2011    
Wednesday - Saturday 10am-4pm
(Check out the shop and scoff days... well worth getting fat for!)


and...
A special weekend of treats in store at 
Fosse House Gallery, Swinford Leicestershire LE17 6AU
18th-20th November 2011
Friday 5-9pm  Sat / Sun 10am-5pm


and also at..
the Museum and Gallery, Guildhall Road in Northampton until 10th December 2011 
A mixed show of very talented regional artists... It’s well worth a look and lots for sale.

I have been felled..

Cough cough cough....feeling utterly cack... cough cough cough...... but at least Wales are wining in the rugby:-)  and I'm listening to two utterly fantastic new discs.. Lisa Hannigan and Paper Aeroplanes..  Strangely enough Irish and Welsh....magical music to paint too!  And when I have the energy and my lungs allow and my back doesn't ache and my head is clear, cough cough cough... much news of goings on..... in the art world......cough cough cough... will omit soon..cough cough.....cough!

Prize draw...

We Have a winner...


Congratulations to Ms V Hall of Kettering..... Who has won the prize draw for the framed canvas print of 'allium allure.'


Thank you to all who entered the competition.... and keep your eyes peeled there just may well be a Christmas stocking filler lined up!

Keeping you up to date...

NEWS UPDATE

My studio / gallery will be open for perusal, sales and natter once again this Friday - Sunday 
Noon until 5pm. Do come along, coffee, cake and some nice paintings will be available while stocks last!
(Above are some images of this years show)



And...

My solo exhibition at The Alfred East Gallery during July and August was well received... Thank you to all who took the time to go and have a look, also to those who made comments, who sent me positive messages and who came over, stopped me dead or tripped me up to say nice things... and to the people who shelled out to purchase my work in these challenging times, 'thank you all very very much indeed.'

And...

...My painting 'Sea, Stack and Sky' took third place in the Coleman Group sponsored Central Exhibition launch for the Open Studios in Northampton (Thank you very much once again...)

And...

...In October I will be showing new work at Forge 2 Gallery in the lovely village of Culworth. A smashing 'selling gallery' full of quirky ceramics, sculpture, books, cards and paintings...and if you get there on a good day, stonking coffee and cake for free!  It also benefits from being located in some lovely countryside and boats some beautiful National Trust properties nearby.
'So, a cool day out!'

Suffice to say...

I'm really looking forward to this weekend's Open event...  I've been taking part in the Northants OS Festival for many many years and it has been without doubt an amazingly successful and fun time for me. I really enjoy making the effort for visitors to come and say hello, share some time and check out the artwork.  However, I've decided to give next year's event a rest... and concentrate on other projects for the time being.

So why not pop in this weekend, there will be some nice deals on offer, maybe even a bargain bucket and your last chance to enjoy my September OS for a couple of years at least.

Best
C

Northamptonshire Open Studios 2011...

The first weekend of the Open studio has been a great success.
Lots of visitors, many of whom travelled a fair distance to come and say hello. This was surprising in itself with the weather being so volatile.... it's like monsoon season here! Once again the carrot cake has gone down well and is getting far more attention than my artwork. Saying that my pooch is getting a lot of attention too... 'and I sense I'm establishing an inferiority complex!'

My second weekend of OS commences this Friday, Saturday and Sunday...noon until 5pm.
I'll also be announcing the winner of my prize draw for the canvas print of 'allium allure.'
So watch this space.

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery

I'll be showing a new piece of artwork at the Museum and art gallery, Guildhall Street in Northampton. It'll be nestled amongst a group show demonstrating the creative offerings of those taking part in the visual arts festival.

My painting 'Sea, Stack and Sky' is a painting inspired from one of my meanderings around the Welsh coastline near St Davids.

Title: Sea, Stack and Sky
30x30 cm plus frame...
Acrylic on panel 

OPEN STUDIOS 2011.......

The 'Open Studio' visual arts festival is upon us once again in Northamptonshire. A couple of weekends are shared with the public to trade thoughts, time and artwork, along with natter and a cuppa ...or if you time it just right.. 'something more grapey!' There's a 115 listings in this years brochure ...and I guess featuring over 180 artists involved all told. So much to research, discover and enjoy should you be inclined.


I'll be showing some new paintings along with recent works in my garden studio gallery here in Loddington.... so come do come along and join in the fun.


I'll also be announcing the result of my prize draw at some point on 11th September.... 'so if you're quick you can add your name to the draw and have chance to win a signed Giclee canvas print!'

Through the barricades...

As I write ...there's just ten days left of my first solo show at the Alfred East Gallery.. Things have gone very well indeed and I'm a very happy boy!  There's plenty to see so if you get the chance or are 'plain ol nosy'...go and haveaganda!

However, there is much building improvement going on outside. The new public realm which is soon to look stupendous is well underway, so battle through the barricades. It'll be worth it!

Another event looming in September is The Northamptonshire Open studios. I take part in this and it's always great fun. You get the chance to view my paintings and some of my illustration work, have a cuppa a nibble of cake have a natter and the opportunity to purchase paintings , prints, greeting cards or simply pop in and say hello and throw a stick for the dog!

I'll be open on the days of 3 - 4th September and also 9, 10 and 11th September. Noon - 5pm

My work will also be popping up here and there at other venues across the county during September... More news in the coming days about that!

Positive stuff... at The Alfred East

Hello

Just briefly, I want to say 'thank you very much' for the encouraging and positive words about my solo exhibition via phone, email and newspaper. It's most unexpected but very very welcome.

Thank you to you all...

Chris

A Royal visit...

It's been a busy week.... and the crowning glory has been the official visit from The Queen mum....well 'my mum.' It's a 400 mile round trip for this dashing 83 year old to come and inspect my arrangement of canvas, paint and timber.
"I got the thumbs up!"

Mrs P is the lady who blessed me with the skills that have pushed me thus far, and for that (and many other things)  I'm very grateful .... suffice to say 'Mums happy with the show' ( if she's happy.. 'I'm happy') and she even laughed at her portrait...

Today marks the end of week one of my six week exhibition .... Thank you to the people who have left positive and encouraging comments. They really are appreciated. Sales have been fantastic too... and I'm really delighted about that!

Next week I'm back to the drawing board and the easel preparing for the Open Studio Arts festival in September...  It's a great event and I'm looking forward to it.
More news on that soon.

c

'of Land and Sea...Exposed!'

Thank you to all that popped in to say hello on the 9th.....
'quite overwhelming to be honest..but such fun!

'of Land and Sea' ...'and what a surprise!'

Dear All
Yesterday at the Alfred East Art Gallery was the preview of my exhibition 'Of Land and Sea'

And blimey....  "What a gathering!"

I wish to thank the collectors, guests and visitors who took the time to come and say hello.
It was the most fantastic turn out..and I have to admit it was quite a shock... In no way did I expected the numbers that appeared.... and stayed..... and purchased.... and laughed......and nattered... 'It was brilliant!'


In the coming days I'll collect my thoughts and with the aid of some pictures I'll illustrate what a great afternoon it was.

However, for now, I just wish to thank everybody who came along and made it such a magical afternoon.

Chris

Progress report...

New exhibition preview

I thought I'd offer a pre-preview of my new exhibition which kicks off on Saturday 9th July.

Enveloped in miles and miles of bubble wrap and ready to be transported to the gallery the picture above shows the current state of play.

I'm hoping it'll look a lot better when it's hanging on the walls this week.

Though I'm expecting a final edit of the work this week..there will be 40+ new pieces on display.


Very excited now...should look really good. Keep your eyes peeled!

I've had one of my moments...

I've been dreaming.. it's the lovely weather I guess. Dappled light, highlights and shadow. Very impressionistic stylee stuff indeed.
So, to celebrate 'the moment' I mutated into
Pissarro Prout....who'd have guessed it eh?


Union Wharf
50x50cm 
acrylic on canvas

at last...

As of this fine evening and as the sun sets a chilly breeze meanders around ones neither regions a digital miracle has been born... His name www.chrisproutart.com was propelled into this crazy cyberspace after many, many months of painful labour.

My advice to others is opt for artificial insemination and a surrogate parent..Why do I write, paint, design and worry when I should hand the work over to an organised, straight lined web person?
I'm all full of curves maybe, not shapeless but not straight lines either...

So, here we are, still in it's infancy and currently a 'work in progress'  it should give one an insight to the workings and undoings of theartistinformallyknownasProut.

More to show soon!

Remember www.chrisproutart.com

And 'a free prize draw' coming soon... Win a giclee canvas print of 'Allium Allure 50x50cm' ...keep your peepers peeled.

I wish to announce an engagement...

Painting is an unsettling process. It's often effected by mood and the position of the moon let alone the sun. I've always the compulsion to 'want to create' and it's generally fun, often irritating, maddening even!.....

Occasionally there are times when the paint flies of the knife with the greatest of ease, each gesture on the canvas sings and one just feels alrighty with the World.

This picture is one of those gestures, where there's 'total engagement' of mind, body and palette knife, working seamlessly together like ol buddies and without the nagging doubt lurking in the grey matter... 'is this good enough?'

I like it...it's for me.

After the rain
Acrylic on canvas 30x30cm using a knife, various cerebral parts, shoulder, arm, digits and good will...

Art@ Sudborough 2011

This forthcoming weekend I shall be showing work here:

Art@ Sudborough 2011

Saturday 28 Sunday 29 and Monday 30th May 2011


All Saints Church
Sudborough 
Northamptonshire.
NN14 3BX

11AM -6PM

A plethora of paintings, drawings sculpture, glass and jewellery...prints and cards too... in this beautiful setting.

I’m delighted to one of the selected artists to display my work at this truly excellent exhibition.

This is a great event and benefits from having The Vane Arms Public House just 30 yards away... An excellent pub with grub and “real” ales...and to cap it all.....the outstanding 'Old Rectory Gardens is just next door. 'For me'...."Better than Chelsea!" 

So a fun day out and I'll be displaying some new work fresh from the easel and some natty prints also.


Painting 
Walking at Whitesands
Acrylic on canvas
30x40cm+frame

Keep an eye out...

There's progress on my new fine art website... it's still 'in the works' but will be completed very soon.

www.chrisproutart.com

Have I mentioned???

If your in the area, or visiting, this is some news about my imminent exposure!

Selected...

Mum has done me proud.
Once again I've had a piece selected for the internationally renowned Contemporary Open Art competition in Kettering, Northamptonshire.

It's nice to take part and lovely being selected. Ta muchly.

And thank you to the model too....:-)

Acrylic paint and assorted marks of lead and ketchup. 
Arranged on a tatty ol' piece of mdf and gesso and plonked
in one of my hand made frames.

Newport - West Wales

I've a fondness for the coastal paths of the Westest of Wales...it's in my DNA of course.

Lichen, sand and sea.
40x40cm on panel

Oundle

There are several things I really like about the pretty Market Town of Oundle.

It's punctuated with stunning architecture. It also benefits from having a decent retail signage policy which means it's not blighted with garish branding from unsightly retailers visually screaming at us. And most importantly..'it has bunting!'
I love bunting, it's cheerful and adds animation to the market place and it just makes me feel good! 'Nuff said.'

"Lets big up bunting!"

No title yet
acrylic on canvas 30x30cm

The colours of spring

I've little to say at the moment and letting my paintings do the talking. The Spring warmth and sunshine seems to bringing out the best in my work.

I've been producing some paintings of surrounding villages...it's not my usual subject matter but I have to say I'm really enjoying visiting these quiet little places, sketching and exploring. With any luck I'll be displaying some at my forthcoming solo exhibition starting on the 9th July 2011 

More on this very news very soon.

Three mallards

Acrylic on canvas 30x30cm

home sweet home

Nothing much to say except I'm incredibly busy and knackered.
However here's one I prepared earlier this week.


Home
Acrylic on canvas
50x50cm

painting sketch

I'm just working on a series of paintings tracking my early morning footsteps walked with my loyal pooch Josh.

This quick sketch is proving to be a catalyst for some bigger works which I'm currently scamping out today. Working on a small scale focuses my mind and minimises the work before I tackle larger scaled artwork...the bold strokes and gestures along with lumps of colour help add the abstraction I'm seeking....often I'm not looking for detail just the mood, shapes and colour...so, less is more, more or less.

I hope to be showing the finished series in July along with countless other new works which I'm slavishly pooling together. So, watch this space!

Doodle
acrylic on panel 20x16cm

It's wild out West..

Up high.. grass,sea and sky.
acrylic on panel 70x50cm

Event Full!

Just a quick thank you for those who stopped and noticed me at the Art Fair this weekend. It's the first time I've taken myself and my work on the road, set up stall, nattered and stood up all day!! "Infact for 2 days!"

However, the residual effect was great and extremely successful and met some terrific people both fellow artists and new customers who have just discovered my work at this jam packed event!

The weather was terrific, which draws in the crowds and kept us all busy nattering etc. However, there's always a fall guy whilst having so much fun... 'somebody had to be left behind' ( just this time)... It cast a brown shadow over what was a fun weekend.  But after much fuss, a decent meal and a frisky walk.....all has been forgiven and normal service has been resumed.

He sorted the laundry too!...'Good boy.'

An Event!

My first event of the year...

With a view to overcoming my inferiority complex I've decided to man this gig in person.
I'm not one for events and shy away from exposing myself!....However...I'll be displaying some new artwork, selling cards and some top quality prints. There will also be a free prize draw promoting my solo exhibition in July

It all happens this coming weekend.

It takes place at Barton Hall Studios (details on the poster) a lovely old building which will be crammed packed full with talented artists, makers, photographers, cakes and tea!

You'll find me hidden on the ground floor somewhere, I'll be wearing a balaclava and red carnation should you miss me.

new works

Something new...


I have been incredibly busy of late...and just returned from a well earned week off.
So, it's panic stations now for Summer.
Lots more very soon.
Keep your peepers peeled.


Acrylics and all sorts on panel
40x40cm

A gardeners resting place.

Everyone should have a shed...a place to create and contemplate.

This was a place of contemplation and beauty. Sadly it's now gone and has  mutated under the banner of 'home improvements.'

It was worked and occupied by a lovely ol fella in West Wales.
Both have 'moved on' but the fond memories 'for me' remain.
A moment captured and recorded.

Acrylic on board22x 65cm

The locals...well they made 'me' smile...

Holiday sketches..

One encounters all sorts on hols
doesn't one...

hmm...

Pen, wash. sketchbook

Unfamiliar?

I reside in Northamptonshire...a very nice green space cuddled up in the middle of the UK...It's topography is.... pretty flat... it's not quite Fenland.. though vertigo is not a condition one would easily suffer.

To the unfamiliar or if you are local to me... the
image above is a depiction of a mountain from the wild west of Wales.

"I like em!"


50x50cm
Acrylic, canvas, lava bread, leek, graphite, knife, brush.

oh, I do love to sit beside the seaside...

I'm fed up with winter now... and I also need to see the sea...I could also do with some summer skies and warmth.

So here we go, combating 'winterness' I've gone for this.

Acrylic on canvas 50x50cm, along with charcol, graphite, brush, knife, pen, finger and lashings of optimism.