Help! I Have No Room!

As we go through life we accumulate pieces of artwork from all kinds of places. Some is inherited, some is gifted, some is impulse bought and some is carefully chosen and deliberated over...

Have you ever thought how different your home would look if you took down all of your art and started again?

You know straight away that there are some pieces you would never get rid of, and also some that you may take down but still keep, safely wrapped up for another time. Perhaps even loan them out to family :)

You look at what's left and decide what to put where... you'd be surprised how different a piece looks in different light, or on a different wall...

All of a sudden you're back in control, you have those pieces that mean the most in prominent sight, and you have space... room for something new, a piece that you have looked at and loved but felt unjustified in buying because you already had so much...

Life is short... Look at your house with fresh eyes, look at your art with new critique, allow yourself to break old moulds and try something new...

After all... Variety is the Spice of Life!

Art in the Marshe

Last night after work John and I took a drive over to Saltmarshe Hall near Howden. Kate and Roland who own the property popped into the gallery earlier this year and we had a very interesting conversation about the possibility of holding an art event at the hall.

Set in 17 acres of Parkland this magnificent Regency building was designed by Pritchett and Watson who were respected Yorkshire architects of the day. They were also responsible for the design of Rise Hall, also in East Yorkshire and owned by Sarah Beanie of Channel 4’s programme ‘Selling Houses’. In fact the two properties recommend each other when functions overlap so that guests can take advantage of a building with a similar design but catering for varying capacities.



Kate and Roland have quite a story behind them having moved from a terraced house in Clapham to this totally new way of life. Kate is the first to admit that it has been a very steep learning curve but the lifestyle change to this wonderful rural setting can only be a good thing for their three young children.

Since buying the property last year the couple have renovated a significant part of the main house although one entire wing, the former servants quarters, are still as they were in the 1930s having being left unused since that time.



In the early days of the project Kate brought in a colour expert from paint experts Farrow & Ball who was able to advise them on the best colours to show off the beauty in the hidden gem of a building.



Now beautifully painted throughout the venue is perfect for weddings and conferences and even though this is their first season the pair have an impressive 21 bookings so far!



A regular programme of events at Saltmarshe Hall has brought people from far and wide into the building allowing its new sense of identity to be advertised widely via word of mouth and Kate and Rolands idea of an art evening stems from existing interest in art and music in the area.

John and I have agreed to take a display of artwork to show on the evening of Friday, 25 April and the event will be open to anybody who is interested to look around the hall and visit the exhibition.

For more details please contact Diane at The Acorn Gallery on 01759 307652.

For enquiries about hiring Saltmarshe Hall for weddings, parties and other occasions please contact Kate Whyte on 01430 434920.

NEW ARTIST MrGo is the Go To Man of the Moment!

MrGo is the intriguing name of the latest addition to the Acorn stable! Hailing from the south of England and now living and working in the busy metropolitan hub of our capital city, MrGo has found his way on a journey which has taken him right through school and university and several jobs before he finally found his calling...

His exciting Debut Collection, launched through the innovative Wishbone Publishing, has a varied theme but each piece has something to intrigue us... 

'Love You to Death'
£295

'Love You to Death' is bold and striking and the contrast of the 'happily ever after' pretty pink roses contrasts with the dark skull... the normality of the light 'sky' compared to the dark patterned 'underground' really makes you look harder and yet what might first repel you now draws you in and intrigues you still further...

'We All Scream'
£295

The photo-realistic quality of 'We All Scream' is stunning, created with a digital painting programme and every stroke done by hand... the deliciousness of strawberry, raspberry, dark cherry and vanilla is all too obvious from the luscious red lips but is this a reminder that we indulge all too often and the scream surrounding the chocolate flake is maybe the helplessness we all feel when faced with the inevitable dilemma of the local ice-cream parlour...  

'Bang' Gold-Leaf Edition
£295

The farsical use of a gun which fires a 'BANG' flag from the end is well known in comedic circles but imagine it pink with a half peeled banana for its grip and suddenly the laughter is almost hesitant as we wonder why the clash of shapes and colour... the addition of gold-leaf on the wording of this very limited edition adds class and a certain 'je ne sais quoi'... intriguing... 

'Great Escape - Acquiesce'
£295

From the photo-realistic to the cartoon-like, MrGo has shown us the width and breadth of his talent but yet there is still more... In the 'Great Escape' series 'Acquiesce', 'Empire' and 'Shine On' MrGo shows us he is also an incredibly talented figurative artist with a clear natural ability to draw...

The ten pieces in this edition are all limited to just 25 or 45 pieces each and with the ultra-keen prices of this debut collection we are sure to see a fantastic response to the opening song of this most impressive young man!

It isn't Art that's elitest - it's all the hangers on!

A fascinating read from Middlesbrough artist Mackenzie Thorpe, 

who once promised never to get too big for his boots...

Click the image for the full article!

York Lifestyle Exhibition 2014

Turn Your Dreams into Reality!

Having just celebrated our 6^th Birthday we have decided to venture into the world of outside exhibitions!

Two months ago we were delighted to accept an invitation to join the York Lifestyle Group, a select group of independent businesses in and around the York area who each offer a specialised service to their clients. Together the group aims to raise awareness of the fantastic expert advice that is available freely on your doorstep from each of these independent businesses.

A very successful exhibition was held last February and building on its success we are now putting together the 2014 York Lifestyle Exhibition to be held at Dean's Garden Centre, Stockton on the Forest, York YO32 9UE on the 1st-2nd February 2014. This is a FREE EVENT and everybody is welcome! 

Each of the businesses taking part in the exhibition will be available to talk with you about projects you are considering for your home. From elegant fabrics to stylish flooring, beautiful bedrooms and bathrooms and artful finishing touches for everywhere! You can even get a bespoke landscape design for your garden!

The York Lifestyle Group are there for you! A showcase of top quality, stylish products with expert advice available. Come along and help us to help you turn your dreams into a reality!

Whether art is the start of your journey or the end and however many stops there are in between, The Acorn Gallery and The York Lifestyle Group are there to help!

For more details about the exhibition or to register for a free entry in our GRAND CHARITY RAFFLE then please visit www.yorklifestyle.co.uk

SALE AWAY!

It's hard to believe its been 8 months since we switched our blog to the website, are you following us there too? You'll find it HERE

Well it's January now and time for us to make you a seasonal offering of pieces which are all brand-new, never-before-owned and sometimes even sold out from the publisher and therefore quite sought after... 

Here are just a few of the sale images but there are almost 60 to look at... You can find ALL the bargains on our SALE PAGE !

'One Man and His Dog'
by Alexander Millar

'No, I'm Spartacus'
by Craig Davison

'Who Would Have Believed It?'
by Paul Horton

  

'Hold Me Close'
by Peter Smith

'Thumpers in Jumpers'
by Peter Smith

'The Powerful Truth'
by Paul Horton (The ICON Collection)

'The Lost Snowflake'
by Paul Horton

A Snowy Surprise...

Yesterday evening we had an appointment at Mackenzie Thorpe's Gallery in Richmond to collect some work for our new display having recently been approved as a Mackenzie Thorpe Partnership gallery.

Wendy as usual was a complete oracle of information about Mackenzie and his work and everything we were expecting was ready and waiting for collection... but not before she invited us to join her in a cup of coffee and some tales of adventure.

By the time we left we had acquired another print and a gorgeous bronze sculpture! You know when you just close you eyes and wish... well it happened! 'Grandads Little Finger' was coming home to the Acorn...

'Grandad's Little Finger' in bronze by Mackenzie Thorpe

To our surprise Wendy had also planned on including an original for our display and to our total delight the piece she had in mind was one which we had admired on our last visit!

Entitled 'Snowy Tops' this magnificent pastel work has bold but simple colours and a strong message that even in deepest winter when the snow falls and the leaves are gone, the Shepherd will always take care of his flock. 

Of course the Shepherd and his sheep are not only a literal representation they also make a symbolic reference to the family and those in all places who take care of others...

'Snowy Tops' by Mackenzie Thorpe

Mackenzie's use of warm gold colours in stark contrast to the cold you know there must be, reminds us of the force of nature and yet in the strong and calm presence of the shepherd we feel comforted and safe.

My heart sang as we took a steady drive home although I'm sure the car was a little heavy on its axles!

Never too young to start with art...

This week a new family found The Acorn Gallery and we have met one of our youngest ever customers.

Harriette is just 10years old and had been in the gallery last weekend with her parents. Whilst here she saw, and fell in love with 'Thumpers in Jumpers' by Peter Smith.

We understand that Harriette was so smitten with this print that she spent the weekend talking about it and making drawings and even a model! Finally the question came up 'Can I buy it?'. 

Now Harriette is the kind of girl who looks after her money carefully and is not prone to rash decisions! So, her parents replied that she could if she had enough. Harriette checked her savings and breathed a sigh of relief - she had just enough!

So Harriette withdrew her savings and Mum rang us to reserve the print, advising that they would call after school to collect it. Of course even the receipt would have Harriette's name on it.

And so it was that 10 year old Harriette collected and paid for her very first piece of art!

We have today received an e-mail to thank us for giving Harriette such a 'wonderful experience'! 

The print now hangs proudly in her bedroom and even the wall had a fresh coat of paint to make sure that everything was perfect! Congratulations Harriette :)

January Blues!!

January what a month!! It is so different to December, the number of people coming into the gallery hasn't slowed, we are still getting about 50 people per week through the doors, however the sales have slowed down - but I am assured by many other shop owners that it is just January-itis!!


Roll on February, with the new Valentines releases hopefully the January Blues will disappear!! There are some fantasic images available - just the thing to banish those blues and get people smiling again! As Valentines Day gets closer people are sure to feel the need to buy one of these fabulous gifts for their wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend!!


February is a good month as it is the month our son was born (he will be 12 - going on 22!!). It is also the Spring Fair which is a trade show for us to go and see the new images to be released by all the artists. It is a great day out and this will be the first show we will have been to as Gallery Owners - I must be careful as my wallet and credit card are sure to take a hammering - these reps are very good at their job but really the images sell themselves!!

Opening Day

Well 3rd December 2007 crept up on us very quickly. We (myself and my lovely wife Diane) opened the door at 9am and sat there wondering if any one would call in and say hello!!!


Our fears were vanished within 30 minutes of opening the door we had our first visitor call in and say Hi, what a relief!!!. The day was hectic we had people calling in all day with good luck cards and words of support. By the time 5pm came we were tired out! We reckoned that we had 40 people through the door. No sales but a great feeling that we had brought something new to Pocklington and by the response we had received it looked like we had done the correct thing by opening here.


Our first sale came on the 6th December 2007 at the late night shopping event quickly followed by our second sale - what a rush! We had made a couple of sales on what was a very, very busy evening. The gallery was packed out, there was no room to swing a cat!! I don't know if that was down to the weather (it was pouring down outside) or whether it was down to the wonderful limited editions that were on display and possibly the pull of free wine!! Who cares we were having a great evening and our database was slowly filling up with details of people interested in the artwork on display.


For the rest of December we were busy with people coming in and showing great interest in the originals and limited editions that were on display. Our sales increased with our best week being the week ending 22nd when we sold a Paul Horton original now that was a rush I can tell you!!


It has been a fantastic month for us and we would just like to say thank you to all those people who have been into the gallery and we hope that we can continue to show you the different array of pieces that these very talented artists can produce.