Blog

2022 is a landmark year for our Gallery. After 36 years passionately promoting contemporary artists, I am so delighted to welcome our eldest Grandchild JACOB TALBOT. Jacob recently Graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Fine Art Photography from the prestigious Leeds Arts University. During his time at University he not only studied Photography but also, due to the Pandemic restrictions, taught himself to sculpt, make his own moulds and cast his work, plus the art of welding metals and loads more self-taught accomplishments. Jacob shares a Studio in Leeds with other young highly talented artists. With my encouragement, he has been inspired to create B A N G – Blackstone Art Next Generation, a totally separate venture for our Gallery. His aim is to bring these amazing artists into the Public Eye while still pursuing his own career as a Fine Art Photographer. Since the age of 13 (apart from school commitments!) Jacob and I have worked together at International Art Fairs. All who have met him during this time have voiced admiration for his warm friendly nature and terrific work ethic. “Welcome Jacob”.

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Another “Annus Horribiles” but here we are at the end of 2021 and the Art World has actually had its first chance in 18 months of exhibiting successfully to real life public audiences. The AAF Autumn Fair in October welcomed our customers old and new, and our artists were delighted to be selling their work again to a “live” appreciative audience. Who knows what 2022 will bring but fine art will always have a place in all our hearts and is such a wonderful way to lift our spirits. Best wishes to all. Linda & Jacob…

2021 Signature Art Prize Award Winner Jacob Talbot is holding his first Solo Show. since graduating from Leeds Arts University last Summer with a 1st Class Honours Degree in Fine Art Photography. As there were no Graduate Shows for the 2021 Graduates, Jacob has gained sponsorship from Leeds Inspired and Leeds Arts Council to hold this immersive and interactive exhibition debuting photographic and sculptural work.

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Travel restrictions will not get in the way of our superb Still Life Artist Ian Mastin. Despite living in Queensland Australia he has put together this collection exclusively for our Gallery to exhibit “online” for the month of November. View at your leisure and when the show goes “live” order with confidence from Linda and Jacob, knowing that each piece is a stunning work of art. Enjoy!

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Jacob Talbot BA(Hons) Photography – 1st Class Degree 2021

On Thursday 23 September Jacob won the prestigious SIGNATURE ART AWARD 2021 PHOTOGRAPHY & FILM CATEGORY – an annual award for Graduates from art schools across the British Isles. His work was shortlisted from hundreds of entries and we attended the Prize Giving Ceremony in Central London where he was announced the Winner of his category. Congratulations Jacob!! We look forward to seeing him grow and blossom in the Art World! Jacob will be exhibiting some of his latest art work at the Autumn Edition of Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Park, London 2–24 October 2021 – Visit us on Stand E1 to view!!…

After more than a year of staying at home and keeping safe, we are now beginning to venture out in the hope that life will get back to some sort of normal very soon! We plan to exhibit for the first time in 16 months at an outdoor Fair – THE GAME SHOW – in the grounds of Ragley Hall, Warwickshire 22 – 25 July. LAPADA members have been invited to exhibit in a Pavilion of Art in the midst of this “Hunting, Shooting, Fishing” country pursuit Fair. FRESH Cheltenham is 5 – 8 August and we will be exhibiting new work by many our wonderful artists. See you all there!…

We are so excited to announce that after many many months of creating, Jonathan Hateley has just finished casting and meticulously hand painting the very first in a series of 12 Bronze Resin pieces entitled “INTERTWINED”. There will also be an edition of 9 pieces in solid Bronze. This exquisite piece comes out of our year of Lockdown and the repercussions from the Pandemic. “Intertwined” gives us the emotion that throughout all the prickly times shared through life, and especially now, relationships can continue blossoming and flowering. We are bound together even more both physically and emotionally. Life should be celebrated! See more images on Jonathan’s page on this website!!…

Spring is showing signs of arriving with the daffodils making a great show and some blossom on the trees. Our artists are busy creating their art and can’t wait to start showing their work live at Art Fairs later in the year. We are hoping to exhibit for the first time at an outside event under the auspices of LAPADA in July, so watch this space!………..…

We are fast approaching the end of January and more time in Lockdown looms ahead. Keep the idea of Spring in your minds and concentrate on the positive things in life! Our artists have been busy creating beautiful art to lift your spirits during these many months. Please enjoy our website and treat yourself to some uplifting art! (the 2 bronze beauties on my coffee table can be viewed in full on Anita Birkenfeld’s page of the website – Enjoy!)

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Despite the grey and depressing start to 2021 Spring is just around the corner with its golden yellow colours. Pantone have picked “Ultimate Grey” & “Illuminating Yellow” for their 2021 Colours of the Year! This must reflect the grey we are all feeling but the bright yellow or golden days ahead free from sickness and ill health! HAPPY NEW YEAR to all our wonderful clients all over the World. May we all look forward to happier and healthier days ahead! (Image Courtesy of Susan Brown)…

As this Annus Horribiles draws to a close we want to thank you our wonderful clients for your support over this past year. Despite the virus stopping our presence at all International Art Fairs throughout the year, we have been so surprised and humbled by your desire for wonderful art despite the setbacks. We have been shipping sculpture and paintings to all parts of England and to Singapore, Italy, Belgium and many parts of the United States. On behalf of all our talented and innovative artists “THANK YOU ALL”! We wish you all a healthy and fulfilling 2021, and we look forward to greeting you all to our stands at Art Fairs in the not too distant future!

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Christmas is here and New Year in just a few days time, we feel sure that we all cannot wait until the end of this Annus Horribiles! Our artists have been working hard to bring joy to you all by producing some fabulous and uplifting works to buy for that special Seasonal Gift. Enjoy browsing! All purchases come with FREE DELIVERY within the United Kingdom. …

Our wonderful artists Astra Taylor-Todd has just launched the first in a series of seven illustrated children’s books. Written and illustrated by Astra. Her beautifully detailed ink drawings of a little blue tit’s travels throughout the world, meeting many endangered species of wild animals, cannot fail to enchant any child or adult. A percentage of sales will be donated to “Explorers Against Extinction”, a passionate charity dedicated to protecting the endangered animals that Astra loves to draw. Suitable for ages 3 – 7 years. A perfect Seasonal Gift and available from Amazon, Waterstones or Barnes and Noble.…

ASTRA TAYLOR-TODD has had a very busy and successful year. Her original drawings sold well in Hong Kong, Singapore and London and she was shortlisted for the David Shepherd Wildlife Painting of the Year Award. Recently Astra has been writing her first Children’s book. “The Blue Tit’s Travels in Africa” is a delightful story for 3 – 7 year olds both written and illustrated by Astra. The book can be ordered through Amazon, Waterstones, Barnes & Noble and other outlets for £4.99 and is the first of a series. A percentage of sales will be donated to “Explorers Against Extinction” – a passionate charity dedicated to protecting the endangered animals that Astra loves to draw.…

Delighted to announce that “Sunset” – Bronze Resin – Edition of 12 by Jonathan Hateley has totally sold out. We sold the very last piece in the edition this morning along with Number 4/12 in his newly completed edition of 12 “Imprinted”. Imprinted was only launched at the end of July 2020 and can be viewed on Page 2 of Jonathan’s section on this website. Jonathan’s two newest pieces – “Imprinted” and “Contemplations in Lockdown” are currently on view in Savill Gardens in Windsor Great Park until the end of the month. “Sunset” in Bronze, in a smaller edition of 9 pieces, can be commissioned through the Gallery.…

On 11 September 1985 we opened the doors of the Old Slaughterhouse in historical Pinner Village, Middlesex. Built in 1715 (the year of the Jacobite Rebellion) to serve the Butcher shop in the old High Street. For 23 years we held mixed and solo exhibitions with our clients travelling long distances to enjoy the eclectic mix of artists we were lucky enough to tempt out to the Styx of North West London! Since then we have taken our wonderful artists to approx. 8 UK and International Art Fairs each year, widening our circle of art loving Patrons. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT OVER THIS 35 YEAR ROLLERCOASTER JOURNEY! To be continued………..!!

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We are delighted to welcome Yorkshire based abstract artist Tessa Houghton to our Gallery team of artists. Tessa was due to be introduced at the now cancelled AAF Hampstead Heath this coming November. We now introduce her online in the hope that FRESH Cheltenham goes ahead in November enabling her work to be seen “In the Flesh” then?! Please click on Tessa’s page on our website for images and a full biography. Welcome Tessa!…

Be sure to follow us on Social Media and look out for our latest Newsletter later this month.

Due to Covid19 none of our artists have been able to exhibit with us at International Art Fairs. All Spring and Summer Fairs were cancelled and it is now fingers crossed that the Autumn Fairs will go ahead?! The only way we can promote our wonderful artists at present is through our website as we no longer have Gallery space. We have some wonderful art to cheer you up during these depressing times. We need to support our innovative artists, so please do keep visiting our website for some inspiration.…

It is with great sadness that I have to announce that on 9 June a very special man and a brilliant artist passed away. My Gallery has been associated with Ken Paine PS SPF for well over 30 years. During that time, apart from working together, Ken became a very good friend and a positive influence in my Art World career. One of the highlights of our time together was my organising and presenting his 80th Birthday Party at the Arts Club in Dover Street, London. Many dignitaries attended this memorable occasion.            

Ken’s soulful portraits will live on, and his sharp whit and forthright thinking will never be forgotten. Be at rest my dear friend. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his partner and artist Penelope Lee.

There are two books available covering the life and works of Ken Paine: “Ken Paine – His Life and Work” by Michael Simonow and “Nowhere to Hide” by Penelope Lee 2014

Stay safe and stay well!!!

Best wishes Linda

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