The News is kindly Supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council.
One of my greatest pleasures in producing this website is that I get to share all kinds of beautiful work with you. If you haven’t yet seen the series “The Bones of Time” that I have been publishing over the last few weeks then please do take a few minutes to have a look. I feel so honoured to be able to publish such wonderfully sensitive poetry which complements the artwork so well and I’ll be sad when the final one goes out in a couple of weeks’ time. In a similar vein, many of you will know Janet Lees and I recently featured some of her photography work in one of these news updates. Whilst it’s perhaps pushing the boundaries of the scope of this website, I couldn’t resist sharing this gorgeous piece with you (click the following link) – it’s a poetry film which has been featured in Lucy English’s Book of Hours project. The project is about collaboration. For Janet’s film, she sampled words and lines from five of Lucy’s poems and wove them together to create a new five-stanza poem, then combined the text with footage and music by the beautiful and generous spirit that is Moby, via mobygratis. If you’re having a stressful day, click the link and take five minutes to watch this and let it wash over you. You’ll come out the other end feeling like you’ve just spent the day being pampered in a luxury spa.
Staying with beautiful words for a minute, Petrina Kent’s blog is a lovely one to follow. Petrina’s faith inspires her not only to produce some gorgeous artwork but also to write about how she translates her belief into her life. Petrina is a Christian but I find it easy to sense the larger, spiritual picture through her words which translate to any religion. Petrina has a series of ‘Little Gems’ which will make wonderful Christmas gifts and they are very reasonably priced. At just 10cm x 10cm they can easily be posted throughout the UK or even further afield. You can buy them via the Directory or visit her website.
There are lots of Artists busy selling their work in the run up to Christmas. In particular, do head to the galleries – Studio 42 in Port St. Mary, The Isle Gallery at Tynwald Mills, Hodgson Loom at Laxey Woollen Mills and The Sayle Gallery under the Villa Marina colonade. They all have stocks of original artwork, prints and other goodies that make for interesting and affordable gifts. Also keep an eye out at the Christmas markets as there are some great Artists selling their wares at these events. Of course, if you’ve missed the particular market you wanted to go to you can always track down the Artist you’re looking for via the Directory! Use the main navigation pages to see the Artist profiles and contacts and the Christmas shop page has quick links to Shops, Websites and Facebook pages.
Phil Kneen has produced some more of his stunning work in a new post on his WordPress blog “Ebony and Ivory” which goes into some ‘techie speak’ for those interested in photography. I’ll just share this one image with you and if you’re offended by nudity then don’t visit the page. Due to a huge amount of interest, Phil is now taking bookings for Film Photography Wedding packages (35mm, medium format and instant film) but be quick if you want to book him as a few Saturdays throughout the summer have already been filled. He is also offering a Portrait Package for Artists and Perfomers – whether it’s for press releases, brochures, album artwork or promotional material. As he says, if you want to be professional, you need to look professional. The package includes 20 final images and is priced at £450. Message Phil: mail@philkneen.com for details or to book a shoot.
Bryan Moore has been busy working on his graphic novel and he is hopeful that it will be available around Christmas. I’ll keep you posted when I hear it’s to be released and I for one definitely want a signed first edition!! Here’s a taster for you.
Svetlana Cameron goes from strength to strength, this week having been Elected a Full Member of Society of Graphic Fine Art by the UK national drawing society. Congratulations Svetlana! After her recent exhibition in London, whilst it’s been a wonderful achievement, it sounded like she was glad to be back in her studio and re-united with her paint brushes!
Manx Tails recently published an article about the most prestigious award for Manx culture. The article gave some background to the award and its previous winners, but also explained that the RBV (Reih Bleeaney Vanannan) award was now open for nominations of people or groups who have made outstanding contributions to Manx culture. The nominations close this evening (Monday 28th November) so you’ve still got time to nominate someone you feel is worthy of the award. More about the RBV award can be found here: Culture Vannin RBV Award.
Dates for your Diary
On now – 27 November – The Isle Gallery : Myths and Morphons
On now through November – IOM Arts Council Loan Collection at the Erin Arts Centre
On now to 3 December – Creature Cornucopia Preview at the Hodgson Loom Gallery
On now through December – Studio 42’s Christmas Show
3 – 7 December – handing in – Hodgson Loom Open Art Competition ( show dates tbc but probably from 14 December)
24 November – 23 December – Christmas Shop at The Sayle Gallery
25 November – 23 December – Paul Parker – Aspects of Man at The Sayle Gallery
30 November – Presence of Mann at Laxey Woollen Mills – Late Night Shopping from 6pm – 8pm
1 December – Artist Networking Event at The Sayle (tbc).
3 December – The Isle Gallery – Pot Thrown Ceramics and Christmas Decoration Workshop with Faye Christian (and Motown and Jazz and seasonal snacks and beverages…)
Here’s this week’s round-up of pictures sourced from Social Media. Enjoy!
Please Share these updates with your friends and colleagues on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin to help raise awareness of our very talented local Artists. To get in touch please email:jane@graceandhall.com.
Have a great week!
Jane
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There are some very exciting goings on down near the Douglas Market Hall at the moment. Jimmy Duggan is painting a mural on the side of Spill the Beans coffee shop. It’s not finished quite yet but it’s getting there. There are a few pictures of this on FB but I’ve chosen the one with the ladder in it to give you an idea of the scale of this piece. It’s mahoosive! If you’re an office-dweller like me, instead of whiling away your lunch hour in the shops why not do something different and take a walk down towards the quay and take a look at it? If you’re quick and get there in the next couple of days you might still get to see Jimmy working on it – do say hello if you do.
