Still Haven't Found What You're Looking For?

We all know Kerry Darlington and her beautiful figurative and dreamlike paintings. Kerry has become a household name and in recent years collectors have seen her work go from strength to strength!

Works of incredible beauty such as 'Ophelia' and pieces of playful mischief like 'The Eccentric Machines' are just two of the strings on the bow of this very talented Welsh artist!

Here at The Acorn Gallery we are delighted to welcome a beautiful new Kerry Darlington original painting entitled 'Pendan'. 

The gorgeous colours merge together giving a stunning oil on water effect. The haunting abstract meld of colours are relaxing and yet at the same time boldly strike a chord! 

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!

An Interesting Babblement!

Stephen Hanson has had a prestigious career as an artist working in film and television. He was responsible for the drawings which led to the creation of 'Arthurs Christmas' an animated movie, released in 2011. You will also have seen his drawings in the animated story of Roald Dahl's 'BFG' and even in 'DangerMouse'! (You remember Penfold right?) He has worked on 'Despicable Me' which has it's sequel 'Despicable Me 2' out this month in cinemas across the country! Stephen has also had his own TV series 'The Ink Thief' starring Richard O'Brien and he has written and illustrated a childrens book.

Stephen has approached the Acorn Gallery with a view to us showing his work and we are delighted to say yes! Many of Stephens prints feature a family pet named Toby, who was bought as a Labrador but as you can see is of mixed heritage. Toby always loved to have his red ball close by and often got into mischief! Haven't we all had that moment when we know we should be cross but we always find it in our hearts to forgive them!

Stephen thinks of himself as a digital artist, working on a computer tablet to create his final work. Elements of each print are hand drawn in pen and ink or painted using paper and paint as you would expect. These individual elements are then scanned into the computer and Stephen brings them together to create his final piece.

It is a very clever technique and one which has been famously used by local artist David Hockney.

The resulting image is stunning in detail and in quality and is a brilliant manifestation of natural talent and a mans quest for perfection. The work is fascinating and endearing and we can't help but lose our hearts to Toby, as we share in his scrapes and adventures!

The Search - An Interview with Mackenzie Thorpe

Q, What was your inspiration for the title 'The Search'?

A, The title was from the 1956 John Ford Movie 'The Search' What makes a man to wander, what makes a man to roam, what makes a man turn his back on bed and board, what makes a man turn his back on home.

Q, Is the duffle coat characters search over?

A, No the search lasts forever.

Q, What music were you listening to when you painted this piece?

A, Vera Lynn's 'Harbour Lights'

Q, Is the painting set in a particular place?

A, No

Q, Is the path red for a reason?

A, Yes, it is the passion of the journey.

Q, The colour spectrum in the sky is amazing, how did you know it would turn out so powerful?

A, I knew because I painted the rainbow colours of the sky as homage to Tom Wall, my tutor and my friend.

Q, Do you think you will use new techniques after using lacquer and varnish on this piece?

A, Yes! I have just found new metallic inks with patterns such as fish scales, which I am really excited about using!

Q, Can I buy this piece?

A, You can buy the original! It's big, like you!

This interview took place by phone whilst Mackenzie was drawing new works for his November show in New York and Mackenzie likes quick conversations on the phone so it was pretty good that it lasted this long!

Katy and her Amazing Technicolour Palette!

In this world of neutral minimalist furnishings and 
carefully chosen muted mood boards 
you will find East Yorkshire artist Katy Jade Dobson 
who has burst onto the scene 

with bold and glorious colour!

Katy's latest works include this magnificent

Siberian Snow Tiger 'Felid I' 

(taken from the Latin meaning 'Big Cat'). 

Felid II

Jungle Leopard

These two pieces directly support the Born Free Foundation,
a superb link for this exciting new artist!

The Born Free Foundation has now 
made Katy Jade their 'go to' artist for 2016 

and a celebrity charity auction will be held in the Spring! 

This girl is really going places so remember her name... 
...you will see her again and again!

You Blew Him Away!

Danny Abraham's first ever Summer Exhibition was held in August 2015 and the day itself was busy from start to finish! Visitors came from as far as London and Coventry also there were lots of people from Danny's home area of West Yorkshire.

There were 36 brand new original paintings on display including the biggest canvas Danny had ever painted! It measures 4 feet high by almost 6 feet wide and is a real sight to behold! 

Sales went on all day with some people choosing two or even three pieces! Danny stayed much longer than he had anticipated and was delighted to do so! Your response to his work had completely bowled him over!

He was chatting and signing paintings and having his photo taken all day long and he loved it!

TO SEE DANNY'S CURRENT PAINTINGS CLICK THIS LINK:

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

Not so Arty Art Prints!

CAVEAT EMPTOR is a Latin phrase meaning 'let the buyer beware!'

ART PRINTS is a phrase that some people use to describe framed pictures of prints. ie NOT a limited edition print, NOT a genuine, hand-signed print, but a framed card, a framed calendar image or even sometimes, a page from a catalogue or brochure!

If you are looking to buy a limited edition print then please take the time to consider the seller, the description and the price. If you cannot see the item for yourself then do please be careful!

If you cannot see the item before you buy then always turn to a trusted gallery for your purchase.

Not By Royal Command!!

I can't believe that Good Friday is only a week away!

Good Friday, 29th March this year, might not hold much significance for many, apart from the start of Easter weekend and the thankful end to rows of easter eggs in our shops taunting those of us who foolishly gave it up for Lent! (What do you mean I was the only one?!?)

On Good Friday we are having a few drinks here at the gallery to launch our new exhibition with artist James Milroy, entitled 'Waving Royals and other paintings'.

James is travelling up from Stroud to bring the work to us and will be here for the evening from 6.30-8.30pm. We are hoping to pry from him some stories about his experiences painting during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations last summer, not every artist can say they had a Right Royal Summons!

Join Us from 6.30pm... beer, wine and soft drinks will be available along with some tasty treats (not including cucumber sandwiches!)