Our Door is Always Open...

Our door is always open... well sometimes it's closed but figuratively speaking it IS always open :)

We always welcome people into the gallery and whether the weather be rain or shine we hope the door does not provide a barrier...

In Summer the door always sits open allowing fresh air and warm sunshine to stream in...

In Winter we tend to keep the door closed, not because we fear the fresh air (Bridlington Beach in January makes for a bracing walk!) but because we are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of allowing heat energy to escape...

Of course an open door is an open invitation to you to walk in and have a look around... the closed door could be seen as a barrier however we like to think that by keeping the door closed we are keeping the gallery at a comfortable temperature to give you a place of solace and warmth when the weather is less than hospitable...

So next time you are passing, whether faced with rain or shine, call in, say 'hi' and give yourself some time...

Happy New Year!!

Let me start the first blog of 2012 by saying that Diane & I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and a big THANKYOU for your continued support.

I have been rather lazy and I have failed to update the blog with the top sellers for November and December... I blame that chap in the red suit and white beard for distracting me!!

So here goes,
Top Sellers for November are as follows:-

1. Paul Horton
2. Mike Jackson
3. Alexander Millar

Big Congratulations to Paul and we have to say it's very nice to see Mike still in the running. We have sold 5 originals this month and 3 of them were Mikes!!

Top Sellers for December are as follows:-

1. Paul Horton
2. Peter Smith
3. Bob Barker

Yet more congratulations to Paul for the second month in a row being at the top and also on becoming a grandfather, a priviledge indeed!! It's also nice to see Bob Barker, a Yorkshire artist, at last get into the top three, he has had a fantastic year and we expect much more from Bob in 2012!!

Now for the overall Top Sellers for 2011 here at the Acorn Gallery... Drum rolll please....

1. Paul Horton
2. Peter Smith
3. Alexander Millar

Congratulations to Paul on being our top seller for the year, however I must point out that there is only two pieces difference between Paul & Peter... and yes I did do a re-count, just in case :)

I know there are followers of the blog who like to know who is the overall top seller in the gallery since we opened our door in December 2007 so here is that all important information:-

1. Peter Smith
2. (Joint) Paul Horton & Bob Dylan
3. Alexander Millar
4. Keith Proctor

Well done Peter on maintaining the overall top seller spot... and with a strong year to come with the launch of your 'Lost Impossimals' then we think you're still gonna be there in a years time!

Well done to Keith Proctor for getting into the top 4 after only being published for 2 years.... Keith is going from strength to strength and there could be a battle for top spot next year... It's going to be an interesting race...

Diane & I are currently planning which artists we would like to see here this year and what exhibitions to put on... so stay tuned for more information....

Too many shoes...? Impossible! ;)

Email from Estelle...
Hi Diane, I am releasing a series of small paintings on paper. They are a more affordable version of the shoe paintings, and are limited edition original oil paintings (only 30 of each). One full set has already been sold! I like their feel, it looks cute and fun so I’m planning on doing a collection of them!

I hope that the Shueya is flirting enough with your customers… otherwise I might have to have a word with her ;-)

Reply from Diane...
Wowee! How fabulous! Totally individual original oils... in miniature!

They sounds absolutely stunning and yes please I would like the full set to hang alongside and support Shueya and her entourage... after all, a girl can never have too many shoes ;) Do please dispatch at your earliest convenience and I shall wait with baited breath... :)

I should tell you that Shueya is much admired but hasn't yet seen anyone she's fancies enough to go home with... ;)

Recent History and Todays Tomorrows...

Here at The Acorn we like to let you know who's hot and it's come to our attention that we've slipped a little in our reporting! Something to do with having Keith Proctor here last weekend I shouldn't wonder :)

Right then... top sellers for the last two months... Well its hard to ignore the presence of Bob Dylan along with top three constant companions Peter Smith and Alexander Millar... no surprises there you might say but it is nice to see Sarah-Jane Szikora creeping in there too with a couple of old favourites tickling the fancy of a very impressed admirer :)

Hamish Blakely has made a triumphant statement this month too with the sale of three superb original pieces to an offshore collector...

We have also seen fantastic interest in the watercolour work of Mike Jackson (also known for his Quirky Houses) with several originals being sold in recent weeks!

Maureen Crofts is also getting alot of interest for her carefully detailed pencil work.

St Pauls Original Graphite by Maureen Crofts

So, what's hot at the moment you may ask... well Mike Jackson and Hamish Blakely for sure with Keith Proctor also taking an easy romp through the line-up! Since Keith's appearance here on the 15th October we have seen a noted increase in sales of his gorgeous prints of Jack the Lad!

Love Heart by Keith Proctor

And that's it from the newsroom here at Acorn Radio...

Tune in next time for your catch-up on recent history and your insight into todays tomorrows...

Meet Shueya...

And so here she is... safely arrived in all her glory and not a papparazzi in sight... except me! Good job she was dressed to impress... :)

Shueya and her Entourage...

Tuesday 17th October - Estelle to Acorn

Good news! The Shueya is safely cocooned and ready for her trip to Pocklington! Lucky her, it would have been so lovely to meet you in person, hopefully we’ll get opportunities for this in the future. I do have to apologise in advance for the imposed game of “pass the parcel” that John and you will have to endure to get to the painting, there are a few layers! I am sending 2 parcels, 1 for the Shueya and 1 for the 3 B’s. It’s ready when you are!

Tuesday 17th October - Acorn to Estelle

Wow! How exciting! I love Pass the Parcel :) If you're happy to send her off along with the 3 B's then we're happy to receive them :)

Wednesday 18th October - Estelle to Acorn

The courier is booked and she is ready for collection. There are 2 parcels and more tape and cardboard than paintings!

Wednesday 18th October - Acorn to Estelle

Thankyou for the shipping info, we'll let you know when she and her entourage arrive :) We'll watch and wait for her...

Thursday 20th October - Estelle to Acorn

The parcels have been picked up and hopefully, should arrive to you tomorrow. Loved your line about "her and her entourage"! :-)

Thursday 20th October - Acorn to Estelle

Our Special Guest has not arrived yet but we are keenly watching for her vehicle and will let you know when she arrives…

MEET KEITH PROCTOR!!

MEET KEITH PROCTOR

15th OCTOBER 2011

Between 12PM-3PM

The Acorn Gallery are pleased to announce that Keith Proctor will be making a live appearance at the gallery on the 15th October 2011 between 12-3pm to discuss his ideas and inspirations behind his latest tour 'Making Memories'.

Leave Me Be by Keith Proctor RRP £495.00

Keith will be happy to dedicate any purchases made on the day. Drinks and nibbles will be served. As a special thank you for your attendance you will be entered into a FREE PRIZE DRAW to WIN a signed limited edition by Keith!!



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...

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

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!