It's A Man Thing!

Today was a good day!

It is always an uncertain time between having sent out the invitations, hanging the work and opening on the day of the event! Is the gallery clean and tidy? Have we remembered everything? Is the bubbly suitably chillled? (All the important questions!).

Well we needn't have worried! The first people came in almost as soon as we opened the door and we made a sale straight away! Jumping Jack was the first off the starting block!

A steady stream of people allowed us to spend quality time with almost everyone who came in and we are delighted to report that Jack the Lad has stolen several hearts today!

'It's A Man Thing' created quite a stir and we have had to order extra copies to fulfil demand! 'Bzzz' and 'Jumping Jack' were next in the popularity stakes! The oil on display was already sold but we've taken notes of interest from a few new people as a result of seeing it! Keith - I hope your brushes are clean and ready to go?

We had a few nicely timed lulls during the day - just enough to catch our breath and boil the kettle!

Everyone has been very impressed and we have had lovely comments. Sales have come both from those who came specifically and also from people who just popped in as they were passing! We have made sales across four counties and had visitors from all over - even a lady who had just flown in from L.A.!

Without a doubt we can say that today was a resounding success! Fifteen sales by the end of the day and that tells a story all of its own!

Today The Acorn Gallery was 'Bzzz'-ing ... 'It's A Man Thing!' ... and the man is Keith Proctor!

'I Have A Dream'

On Your Marks... Get Set...

Many months ago whilst surfing the web, we came across an artist whose work had an instant appeal... there was something about the innocence of the boy in the paintings... a charm which captured and held you... we followed the blog notes and picture posts with keen interest, finally approaching the artist to see if he would be happy for us to show some of his work... the artists name was Keith Proctor!

Tomorrow we are so proud to show you 'Jack the Lad' the first exhibition of work from Keith Proctor, published by Washington Green.

The collection comprises of three stunning canvases with four beautiful paper editions. Each image carries the figure of Jack, the completely charming young boy whose antics are sure to coax a smile from even the hardest of hearts.. he is a boy for all seasons with a charm for all ages and we hope his adventures will amuse us for years to come...

Ladies & Gentlemen... Keith Proctor with Jack the Lad!!

Excitement is building...

Well at last the images have been released from Keith Proctors debut collection 'Jack the Lad'! Follow the link in the title (above) to see his charming studies of childhood...

 Interest in this new work is building and we have had more requests than usual for original work by this artist! Original oils are very scarce and even pencil sketches are hard to get hold of but we will have one of each on the wall on the day of the exhibition! If you have an interest in these original pieces then we recommend that you let us know as soon as possible!

Also released this week are the images for the fantastic new Spring Collections by all your favoutite artists!

One piece which is long-awaited is 'I eat cake' by Peter Smith - those of you who read Peters Blog or who follow him on Facebook, will be well aware of the excitement created by this subject!

Another piece we'd like to mention is the Charity piece painted jointly by Alexander Millar and Jeff Rowland. These two are great friends and when Washington Green asked them to work together they were delighted. Jeff, who needs regular dialysis, was keen to try and use the venture as a fundraising exercise for charity and Alex happily agreed.

The image which they created is called 'Singing in the Rain' and features Alexander Millars classic gadgie with his umbrella, splashing his way happily down the road in the pouring rain!

Artist royalties from the sales of this print will be donated to the Renal Ward at Birmingham Childrens Hospital and Washington Green are delighted to match this sum which means a sizeable donation if both editions sell out!!

The print is available on paper for £375 or on canvas at £425 and looks stunning!! (For now the website image for both options shows the paper version as no canvas image has been provided but it will be updated as soon as we have stock in the gallery.) One of each will be displayed for you to admire!

  
All in all an amazing selection of new work for you to enjoy - including this stunning Paul Kenton piece entitled 'London Red'...

... and the Caroline Shotton classic 'Shit Happens' shown below... so follow the link in the title (above) and have a click around the website :-)

New Kid on the Block!

For a while now we have been watching with interest the work of an artist whose subject and style have captured our hearts!

Upon approaching said artist to ask if he would be interested in showing some pieces with us we were told that he had just signed with a publisher and so would be unable to do so.

Happily the publisher is Washington Green and so we are now delighted to introduce you to Keith Proctor!

Keiths portrayal of childhood innocence and freedom is truly uplifting and has a timeless appeal that will span generations.

We are proud to announce that we will be launching an exhibition of prints and original work entitled 'Jack the Lad'. Invitations will be going out soon so if you are interested in attending then please contact us to be added to the guest list.

Champagne will be flowing and there is certain to be a 'Bzzz' in the air!

Hello February!!

Its February and we can finally waive goodbye to the January blues!! We even had sunshine this week already!

January was a fairly quiet month but we can still let you know the top artists were:-

1. Alexander Millar/Govinder Nazran/Paul Horton
2. Peter Smith/Caroline Shotton
3. Mike Jackson

A three way tie for first spot and a two way tie for the second spot!! Congratulations to all the artists!!

We have alot to fit into February - it's going to be a busy month!! Starting with our sons birthday on Friday - he will be 14!!! (I think he sleeps in a growbag as I swear he is getting bigger every day!!)

Its is also the Spring Fair event held by Washington Green to launch the latest work by all of their top artists! This is the first chance for us to see what they have been up to since their last release in September. We'll be able to chat to them first hand and get the run down on the background ideas for their new work.

We are hoping to be good on Sunday and not spend to much but we say this at every one of these events and end up buying lots of great pieces to display in the gallery.

Diane and I are very excited to see that an artist who we have had our eye on for a while will be launched at this event! When we approached him about taking his work at The Acorn he advised us that he had just signed with a major art publishers! Fortunately for us Washington Green have snapped him up - and we think you will too!! Look out for news of a LAUNCH EXHIBITION to be held here soon!!

Of course February is the month of St. Valentine and The Acorn Gallery has prepared a few suggestions in our 'Valentine's Day' Gallery (14th February just in case you couldn't remember the date!!) AND we are offering a FREE box of chocolates when you spend £100 or more in store with one lucky customer winning a bottle of bubbly too!!

As if all of that isn't enough... we are also really pleased to be showcasing the work of new artist Phil George, a North East painter who's characters, Norman and Reggie, reflect the ups and downs of post recession Britain. We are sure you'll be enchanted with this charming new work - we think he is one to watch!

It's all going on at The Acorn! More news coming soon!

Happy New Year !!

It's the start of a new year for The Acorn Gallery and we are kick starting it with our January Sale!

We have over 40 pieces in the sale including a few stunning originals at unbelievable prices. These prices are temporarily reduced so this is your chance to aquire a stunning piece of art for less than you would expect!

December was a good month and the top sellers are as follows:

1. Paul Horton
2. Peter Smith
3. Caroline Shotton

'Paul Horton Mania' is still in evidence as he beat his fellow artists with ease!! Well done Paul No. 1 for a second month in a row!

I can also reveal the overall top sellers for the gallery in 2009 are as follows:

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

It was a one horse race, Peter Smith romped to the overall top seller slot with Paul Horton coming out of nowhere to push Alex into 3rd spot!! Congratulations Peter - you have retained your 2008 title as top seller at The Acorn Gallery!!

Diane and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers for your continued support and we would like to wish you all a very Happy & Prosperous 2010!

Thank You

Well it took two years to get him here but Paul Hortons first visit to The Acorn has been a huge success!

Paul's latest collection of nine stunning limited edition prints and a beautifully proportioned sculpture, is entitled 'Love is Life' and the interest in this work has been incredible!

We could tell by the number of advance orders that we could be in for a busy evening but you surprised and delighted us by keeping us busy all night!

Paul arrived early at 4.30pm and turned down a cuppa, eager to get a head start on the advance-order dedications we had waiting for him but we soon had our first customer arrive to pick up his copy of 'When The Circus Comes To Town' which Paul duly dedicated... and so it began...

There was a steady stream of people coming in, happy to stay and enjoy a glass of bubbly whilst listening to the tales behind the work. Paul was kept busy throughout the night, answering questions, signing dedications and generally being the star of the show!

Paul has been 'on tour' since September and we were his 33rd appearance! Many galleries have already sold out of some images and he knows already that some of the remaining pieces will not last for his few remaining appearances!

Eventually about 7.45pm we managed to put the kettle on and make him a cuppa!! A couple of times we had enough of a breather to look around a share a grin but the rest of the night was just buzzing! To have so many people in at once, chatting, comparing and admiring his work was amazing - the atmosphere was great!

Some of you knew exactly what you wanted and some of you waited to chat with Paul before making your choice.

Several of you were left disappointed at the lack of availability on the piece entitled 'Love is Life'. This is the image which gave its name to the tour and it has been incredibly popular - so much so that we had sold out of it last month and many galleries were already sold out before us!

We have it on good authority that another seaside piece will be coming at some point so do register your interest with us now if you want advance notice of this.

Paul told us that he enjoyed his visit to the gallery immensly and would love to come back if we want him - you  can guess our answer! Paul you are welcome back anytime :-)

And before I forget - I can now update you with the top sellers for November, sorry they are late!!

They are as follows:-

1. Paul Horton
2. Peter Smith
3. Tim Fowler

I can already predicte that Paul will be top seller for December too!!

Thank you all for coming along on Thursday evening - we know Paul had a fantastic night and we hope you did too!

Happy Birthday To Us!!!

The Acorn Gallery is celebrating its 2nd birthday today!! There are those who doubted that we would survive but it is with credit to the superb work that we sell and due also to you, our fantastic loyal customers.

Diane and I would just like to say THANK YOU for your support and to help us celebrate our birthday we have Paul Horton appearing at the gallery on the 10th December between 5-8pm to discuss his latest releases from his 'Love Is Life' Tour.

We will be holding a raffle on the night to win a signed limited edition print by Paul Horton - there will also be a runners up prize!

We will have champagne and nibbles so come on down and join in the celebrations! It will be a good night and Paul will be happy to dedicate any pieces purchased!!

Happy Birthday Acorn :-)

Diane Makes Me Proud:-)

Well Saturday 21st arrived and for the first time in a long while I didn't have to be up to open the gallery as Diane had made me close for the day as it was her Triple Whammy Adrenaline Experience at Magna, Rotherham!

We had to get Diane checked in by 2.30pm ready to start at 3pm and so we all jumped in the car and headed off to Rotherham and arrived an hour earlier than we needed to!

I have to say 'The Abyss' is big!! It is high and very dark inside with large video screens and music playing with the odd body flying through the air as people throw themselves off a gantry 150 feet above us!!!

We stood for a few minutes, watching and then returned to check-in. The queue wasn't huge but it did seem to take ages! At this point I was berated by Emily our daughter wanting to know what I was thinking when I purchased the voucher for the afternoons events!!!

We eventually got to the signing in desk and Diane signed away her right to sue them if anything went wrong! We were then directed back inside and told to head for the zip wire first!!

The kids and I armed with cameras followed Diane and watched her get strapped into the harness for the zip wire. The kids were offered the chance to have a go but they said no as it was her day!

The zip wire was 250 feet long and stretched away into the darkness. The kids and I had trouble making out Diane in the darkness and we almost missed catching her on the camera as she came whizzing down and past us to the landing area!!

Diane thought it was fab and not scarey and told the kids they should do it!  Next it was the abseil... This time with gloves to protect her hands on the rope, she was pointed in the direction of a staircase, a steel tread staircase made up of many flights of stairs!

The abseil was 150 feet free fall no wall to walk down just Diane, the rope and 150 feet of darkness!!

So, back to the harness area for a re-fit with the adrenaline pumping through her, before the power fan! Diane was strapped up again and once more pointed in the direction of the stairs!! It's a good job the power fan was last as this made us all nervous!!

 

All I got was this photo above as Diane came hurtling 150 feet towards the ground!! She was busy screaming but I didn't know if it was fear or excitement!!

As you can see from the photo above she had an amazing time and the kids and I are so proud of her :-)

Diane said she loved it... But the adrenaline has gone! What's next I ask myself?

November Already!!

I cannot believe we are already into November!! Where did October go?

October was a busy month with Peter Smiths appearance and we are hoping that November will continue at the same pace :-)

Well, whats new this month? The NEW Fine Art Collector is now in the gallery!! It's packed with all the latest work and has some great articles and fabulous new accessories - perfectly in time for Christmas!!

The fantastic new Paul Horton cufflinks and keyrings have now arrived and seem to be leaving just as quick! We are also expecting delivery of the new cufflinks and gifts by the late Govinder Nazran, Simon Claridge and of course the cheeky Drew Darcy!!!

We have also taken delivery of some fantastic Lawrie Williamson original pieces including oils, watercolours and a superb pencil sketch!!

'Pregnant Bitch' by Lawrie Williamson

Original Watercolour

Washington Green have just released 8 fantastic new pieces by four of their top artists! The new release are by Caroline Shotton, Paul Kenton, Paul Horton and Peter Smith, checkout http://www.theacorngallery.co.uk/. These superb items have been released just in time for Christmas!!

Speaking of Christmas The Acorn Gallery are very proud to be hosting the very first visit by Paul Horton on the 10th December between 5-8pm to showcase his new work entitled 'Love Is Life', put the date in your diary and if you would like a complimentary brochure and invite then just ask :-)

Anyway, moving on ... I can now update you with the top sellers for October. They are as follows:-

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

Congratulations Peter, you stormed to first spot with ease and we can all see why as your latest releases are superb...

..... And finally, please note that the Gallery will be closed on the 21st & 22nd November as Diane is tackling her Triple Whammy Adrenaline Rush (!) which includes a 250ft zip wire, 250ft indoor parachute jump and an abseil!! This is not likely to be repeated and so I need to be there to capture this crazy moment!!

No doubt I could be pursuaded to post an entry after the event... :-)