Dr Who...?

David Tennant is widely regarded as one of the best Doctor Who actors of recent years (some would say ever!).

This superb original oil painting of him as the tenth Doctor is by Chris Oxenbury, also known for his excellant portraits of other TV characters including Mr Bean and The Vicar of Dibley!

This January you have the chance to own this fantastic piece for just £1095, reduced from £1595 in the Acorn Gallery January sale!

Treat yourself to a little piece of TV Timelord history...

Diane and John go to Copenhagen... (Bob Dylan 'The Brazil Collection')

Well the day dawned crisp and clear with blue skies and we were looking forward to our flight! We checked in at Manchester for our early flight and went to find breakfast...

All was calm and clear despite snow and freezing conditions, gritters were out on the runways and planes were taking off and landing at regular intervals... until it was time for us that is! A two hour delay (ironically caused by fog in Amsterdam that morning!) meant a little longer in the airport lounge than expected! Never mind... small price to pay and we hadn't flown for years so it was a treat simply being there... :-)

Eventually we boarded and the flight took off - what fun! We could see the ocean laid out far below us and the deep blue skies stretching away into the distance beyond the curve of the earth...

The flight was smooth and scenic and as we flew into Copenhagen we came in low over a forest of Christmas Trees... all thickly decorated with fresh white snow... beautiful!

So, we made a safe landing and quickly caught a taxi to our accommodation - a fabulous rooftop apartment decorated with a comfortable mix of boho chique and having a snow covered balcony... we'd step out later with our bare feet - just for the hell of it ;-)

We had planned to visit the National Gallery first thing the next morning and were amused by the still falling snow and its ever increasing depth on the balcony... would we even get there?

The bus-stop was only a short walk around the corner and we bought a ten-trip click-strip from the seven-eleven (do you like how we got the lingo there?)...

A standing-room only trip into town and we took a walk along the snow-lined streets glancing down the festive decorated walking-streets, resolving to explore those afterwards!

Soon the National Gallery came into sight, adorned with a huge banner advertising the work of Bob Dylan - he even got bigger billing than Picasso!!

The building was very grand and the entrance led into a huge open space with a magnificent high ceiling and which echoed with a revered silence... We carefully wiped our feet on the large mat and walked over to the desk, feeling guilty about the wet footprints we left as snow still dripped from our boots...

We bought our tickets at the desk and were told that we had to leave coats, cameras and bags in the cloakroom downstairs, so that's where we headed first...

Duly offloaded we followed the signs, huge banners hung from the ceilings and the balustrades... they were obviously very pleased to be housing the collection...

Upstairs along the marble lined hallways we found the double doors leading into the room where the paintings themselves hung... a custodian sat by the door nodded quietly in greeting as we went in...

The room itself was warm with a wooden floor and walls which curved away in waves... Wooden benches were placed along the middle for those who wished to sit and admire...

The paintings immediately catch the eye as being very colourful and varied and the first to catch my attention was entitled 'Bahia'. It shows an evening scene in a small town looking across a street from a high vantage point, maybe a window or balcony. The sky is midnight blue with a church outlined against it and the only characters shown are a streetsweeper, an old man with his walking stick and a scantily dressed woman in a doorway... a single car drives by... I love the deep blue and the dark browns and blacks in this piece and wonder if that really is a Christmas Tree in the pot on the corner of the street... it's vibrant green and yellow lights standing out in the darkness...

'Wagon Master' is an agricultural scene showing cattle pulling a hay cart and its honest 'rough and ready' hand has none of the old world charm of the likes of Constable... the honest true life style of Bob Dylan tells it just like it is!

There is a scene of workers hand-picking grapes in a vineyard, they have stopped work and stare at the viewer, almost as if you have interrupted them...

There are a few mafia-like paintings showing brawls and nightclub scenes... always leading the eye to a particular character where Dylan wants you to linger and ponder their situation...

There are huge wooden benners at intervals annotated with expressions from the man himself... words of wisdom about his life and his work...

One of the quotes accompanying the Brazil Collection

(more quotes to follow over the next few days...)

Overall the collection is stunning and Bob Dylans honest, true to life, paint-it-as-you-see-it style gives every piece its own individual character, a feeling that doesn;t always leave you when you turn away...

The Brazil Collection is available to view at The National Gallery of Denmark in Copenhagen until the end of January... well worth the trip!

Bob Dylan - Copenhagen

Bob Dylan has recently completed some fabulous new paintings entitled 'Brazil'. These new images are only to be exhibited in Copenhagen, Denmark and will not be going on tour as previous exhibitions have done.

Diane & I have decided, in the interests of research, to visit the new exhibition and so the Acorn Gallery will be closed from Friday 26th November until Monday 29th November whilst we undertake this essential and fascinating mission...!

We have no idea whether any prints will be produced from this new work but we are looking forward to seeing the originals.

Copenhagen is a beautiful city and we are looking forward to seeing its stunning architecture and picturesque harbour... no doubt there will be a pavement cafe somewhere close to the museum so that we can partake of the local beverages and discuss what we have seen...

We would love to share with you what we find... so come back and visit the blog soon!

Proctormaniacs Rule!!

Saturday 13th November 2010 was a day we had been waiting for...

For a long time we had been watching the blog of a man who painted his son, Jack. The paintings were quite charming and showed a certain understanding of small boys and their delight in the big wide world...

We asked the man if we could take some of his paintings for display in The Acorn Gallery but he explained that he had been signed by a publisher and so we couldn't take anything... the publisher was Washington Green and the man was Keith Proctor...  

In February 2010 when his work was published for the first time we were very excited and delighted to see it receive such a positive reaction! His pieces have sold consistently well since then and we were delighted to be offered one of only seven appearances he would be doing this year!

As the marketing was done the excitement was building and when the day dawned we had only to watch and wait... Keith arrived promptly with his wife, Deb, and of course Jack!

We had one of each image framed on the wall along with the three stunning originals, two of which had sold in advance of the day! The third had been reserved but became available again only to be sold to the first lady through the door that morning :-) She was delighted at her prompt attendance and good fortune - fate had a hand there we think :-)

That first sale paved the way and many more followed... print after print after print sold from off the wall (it's a good job we'd had the foresight to frame multiples of each image!).

Keith was chatting and laughing with the customers as he signed and dedicated his way through the backing boards, signing the odd invitation along the way...

The gallery went through stages of being packed to capacity and taking a breather, thankfully allowing us to catch up on wrapping and packing ready for those people who had gone off to explore Pocklington and were calling back later :-) 

It's always nice to enhoy a glass of something bubbly whilst having a look at the artwork!

 Keith was happy to pose for photographs with customers!

We believe that no piece left the gallery without a signed dedication on the back!

Jack was a complete star all day, chatting with people and signing his name on invitations... he even did a few pieces of artwork of his own, most notably this magnificent pirate ship...although they were all scereted away home with him at the end of the day - well apart from one, which he kindly left for our 'Priceless' gallery!

So, thankyou to Keith, Deb and Jack for joining us and thankyou to all of you who came along to join in with this phenomenon!!

Keith & Jack Proctor Artist Appearance

We are sooo excited!!

As you know we are looking forward to welcoming Keith Proctor on Saturday 13th November between 12-3pm... but now we are delighted to announce that Keith will be bringing a very special person wth him...

JACK will be coming too :-)

Since Keith was launched in February 2010 he has taken the art world by storm and we are very lucky to secure an appearance as he will only be doing 7 appearances this year!!

The prints of these charming childhood scenes are totally engaging and the market for original oils is very keen! In fact the three pieces we have for this event sold in less than 12 hours!!

So come along and meet Keith and Jack in person! Come and chat about his inspirations and ask Jack what he thinks about being famous!!

Keith Proctor has consistently been in the top three for each month since he was launched here at the Acorn and shows no signs of slowing :-)

It was a forgone conclusion that Peter Smith would take top spot for September and October though as we always have a fabulous time when he is here and we are hoping for the same with Keith.

So, mark the date in your diary and come along and remember Keith, and maybe even Jack, will be signing anything bought on the day!

If you can't make it then ring and reserve your piece and we can have it dedicated in your absence!

We look forward to seeing you then!

International Deliveries...

Box-building is always a matter for care and consideration and we take just as good care with the packing of anything but we worry just a little bit more when the parcel is going overseas!

The box we built today had to contain a framed canvas print and a mounted print and so had to be carefully constructed to keep them both in prime condition during travel - not that we're saying couriers are careless but accidents do happen and we'd rather be safe than sorry!

With double thickness corrugated cardboard front and back and thick wads of polystyrene all around we think that these items are extremely packed but just in case there is any doubt... we've plastered the outside with FRAGILE tape - just to remind the courier that what they are handling is precious!

So, how many miles will this parcel travel...?
Over two thousand miles because it is headed off to CYPRUS!

Happy Travelling :-)

Cupcakes and Caramels...

Wow! Peter Smith really knows how to pack them in!

Saturday 2nd October and we were expecting Peter here at The Acorn Gallery between 12-3pm so we busied ourselves with final preparations including collecting 100 cupcakes... :-)


Baked by Becky Mackenzie of Pocklington

We gave the gallery a last sweep through and dusted the prints... we laid out the glasses and put the champagne on ice...

Peter arrived early to check-in and say hi and so that he could pop into his favourite coffee house for a coffee and cake... Pocklington is fabulous for foodies ;-)

But fear not, he returned in plenty of time for his devoted public and they came in droves... Fans old and new and some who didn't even know him yet... They all came to see his work and hear his stories and to choose which piece or pieces they would have for themselves...



Peter Smith - Storyteller Extraordinaire



All of the images were much loved but slightly in the lead were Forget-Me-Not and Opposites Attract... The Lovers Sculpture is staggeringly beautiful and the quality is second to none...

The Lovers Sculpture by Peter Smith

With stories being told and heart strings pulled, emotion was high! One lady was almost in tears as Peter dedicated 'Baby on Board' for the child she carried within her...

Dedication after dedication followed and Peters pencil case really came into its own when he was presented with an Impossiphant from the recent Elephant Parade Charity Event. He touched it up superbly and we all watched with avid fascination!

Mission Impossiphant...

And so the afternoon went on... chilled champagne, fresh orange or Bucks Fizz, cupcakes and caramels... Caramels? Where? Well maybe next time... ;-)

 

Peter Smith 2nd October 2010

OMG its the end of the month and in 24hours we will have the fantastic Peter Smith in the gallery.!!

Peter is here to promote his fantastic new tour 'It's A Stripe Thing' and we can't wait!! The wall has been hung, the originals have arrived in time and look fantastic.

The Gift is absolutely stunning and is a bargain at £2250!!

As I sit here typing this entry I am looking at the wall and thinking to myself what a fabulous collection and we have already started pre-selling!! There is no clear leader but we have three pieces tying for top spot. It's all very exciting :-)

We have ordered, from Becky Mackenzies in Pocklington, freshly made cupcakes... thinking back to 'I Eat Cake' and of course the one on the fabulous free print 'Keep Calm and Have A Cupcake'



We are so looking forward to having Peter and Jayne back with us again. Peter is on top of his game and it is an honour that he will be with us for the third year in a row.

And finally just a quick update on the top sellers for August are as follows:-

1. Paul Kenton
2. Keith Proctor
3. Alexander Millar

Diane and I will be pleased to see you on Saturday, there will be bubbles and nibbles and one or two cupcakes will be floating around.

I know Peter and Jayne will be pleased to see you and Peter will be happy to tell you the stories behind each of the pieces in the tour and remember if you purchase a print or sculpture from the tour you will be entitled to the print 'Keep Calm and Have A Cupcake' as a thank you from Peter :-)

See you on Saturday... :-)

Shop Local ...

Shop Local is a phrase which has been banded about for years, probably without a proper understanding of what it actually means!

The local economy depends on local support for the businesses who choose to set up in the area. Passing trade and the tourist pounds obviously make a valuable contribution but the lifeblood of a local business is the local people.

Now, as dramatic as that sounds, it can actually be used for illustration purposes: Money can be seen as the lifeblood of the community, flowing between the businesses, keeping them all pumping and supporting each other... keeping the Community alive!

Once money is spent outside the local economy then it never makes its way back, it seeps away like blood from a wound, slowing the pulse and potentially leading to the death of the local economy.

Now this black picture seems very dramatic but it is the chain of thought that goes through the minds of local businesses everywhere.

We look to support local economy whether it is here in Pocklington or away on Holiday in Scotland. We know that our choices will have a direct effect on the local community and it makes us feel good to know that we are doing all we can to support them.

Business in Pocklington has been tough this year however we are looking onwards and upwards to the Autumn Fair in early September where we will see all the latest work by your favourite artists!

We know you like to know everything as soon as we do so we'll be sure to get a newsletter out promptly telling you everything you need to know :-)

It won't be long before Peter Smith makes a welcome return to The Acorn Gallery! This will be Peters third visit here and although we will be sending out invitations nearer the time, we'd be delighted if you would pencil us in for Saturday 2nd October from 12-3pm :-)

We've not got around to telling you about the top sellers for the last two months so we've combined them together to show you the Top Summer Sellers:

1st Place ... Storeyteller Paul Horton
2nd Place ... Impossimalist Peter Smith
3rd Place ... The delicious Sarah Graham

So, watch out for the newsletter and look out for our new adverts in the Yorkshire Ridings Magazine, the regions fastest growing, paid for, quality magazine!

Oh and by the way... Think Local!
Thankyou :-)

Simon Claridge....

An insight into the work of SIMON CLARIDGE.... click to view the video...