Friday, September 23, 2011

Burning Curiosity...

One fine day back in June we came across a piece of work which absolutely blew us away... It was like staring at the sun, the brightness of its white hot centre was so real that you could almost feel the heat...

Stephen Simpson is the man behind this exciting new creation... and these pieces really are just that... created from visions of time and space, taken from the burning heat of exploding stars and the powerful intensity of the sun...

'Beaming Light' Original by Stephen Simpson £695

We contacted Stephen through Twitter (@stephenpsimpson) and asked him how he captures this magic on canvas!

Stephen explained how he first adds layers of modelling paste onto the canvas, building up a fantastic texture and helping him to see just how this piece is going to turn out... he adds oil paint glazes for colour and finishes off with a layer of resin which he heats up with a blow torch... a brave and often nerve-wracking time but he assures us that as long as he keeps it moving then it simply makes the resin completely transparent and gets rid of any bubbles... the canvas does get very hot but doesn't (often!) set on fire!



When working he follows his instinct and lets the piece lead him... he admits he is often surprised at the final result!


Future Spectacle' Original by Stephen Simpson £895

Here at The Acorn Gallery we are delighted to have secured a selection of Stephens latest works, resplendant in red, which we expect in the gallery any day now!

Check them out on the website and if you are viewing on an iPhone or iPad (or other device with a shiny screen!) then you will get a taste of just how magnificent these pieces are...

Take a look for yourselves and if you are interested to know more about this exciting young artist then register your interest and we will keep you up to date with information and new releases as he sets off on what promises to be a brilliant career...

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

My Mum Fancies Him...

This afternoon a small girl wandered into the gallery with parents in tow and began searching the walls as though looking for something she had seen on a previous visit...

John asked her if she was indeed looking for something particular and she replied quite matter of factly that she was looking for Doctor Who...

Smiling, John knew straight away what she wanted to see and went upstairs to bring down an original painting of David Tennant by Black Country artist Chris Oxenbury...

As he carefully carried it down the stairs the girl pointed at the canvas and proudly announced 'my Mum fancies him!' Mum at this point came around the corner and stopped short as she saw the almost lifesize image looking back at her...

'Oh I say, he is rather good isn't he?' she said... 

Sadly unable, though not unwilling, to take him home she reluctantly left him with us for the right person to come along... and in the meantime, she said with a glint in her eye, she would click on our website everyday to look at him... :)

'The Tenth' Originl Acrylic on Canvas by Chris Oxenbury

Friday, September 9, 2011

Oil Painting Restoration and Repair...

We had a visit from a local lady today asking if we knew anyone who could look at an old oil painting she has which is in need of some cleaning and restoration work.

We didn't know anyone but placed a call to Ford Framing who advised of a lady living at Skidby who is 'a miracle worker'... so we thought we would share the link in case any of you are in need of just such a service...http://www.elizabethmcclory.com/

She has some excellant examples and client references on her website so worth checking out!