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!

What do YOU Think...?

We have come across some very interesting pieces by a Spanish artist called Luis Frutos... We find them quite intriguing and wondered what you thought?

'There' Original

Born 1947 in Madrid , Luis has been a working artist for over twenty five years. He lives and paints mainly from his home studio in Altea (Alicante), as well as spending a portion of each year at his second home in Norfolk in the U.K.

The past decade has seen him produce new work for over twenty well received exhibitions in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Germany as well as three in Spain (Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid), two is the U.S. (Miami, New York) and two here in the U.K (London, Norfolk).

Luis describes his work as being "touched by magic realism", and these distinctive images do seem to blend elements of fantasy and reality. We have not seen any of his work in the flesh but we understand that they are richly textured, expressive and highly energetic.

'Etereo' Original             'Secrets' Original

We are keen to know if you would be interested in seeing this work if we could get some pieces here at The Acorn for an exhibition. Please comment below and tell us what you think... 



Catching up...

Wow! I can't believe it's been so long since we blogged! Did you miss us? Lol :)

We've had a busy few weeks and it's a shame we haven't found time to tell you about them... until now! Gosh, where do we start?

Following the success of the exclusive 'Icon Collection' from Paul Horton we are surprised and delighted to tell you that there is still some availability on three of the images! I know, we can't believe it either! It seems the summer holidays have got the better of you and maybe you think that the collection had sold out before you could bagsy a piece for yourself? Well although the collection has sold out from the publisher we at The Acorn still have three pieces so get in quick and secure your favourite... :)

'Love Shines Down' by Paul Horton (Icon Collection)

Hamish Blakely has seen some action these past few months too with some sales from the Muse Collection and a fabulous original piece which has now found a new home in Guernsey!

Some of you may be envious to know that Caroline Shotton's gorgeous original 'I Can See Moo' is also now sold, much to the delight of its new owner who had almost given up hope of ever owning one of Carolines originals!

In fact original art is really coming into its own and several other stunning original pieces have also found their way onto walls up and down the country, including work by Peter Smith, Kevin Day, Mike Jackson, Doreen Greenshields, Maureen Crofts and Harry Brioche.

I know some of you will be keen to learn who is topping the charts in the art world so just for you here are the TOP SELLERS for the last few months:

May: Bob Dylan, Alexander Millar, Drew Darcy (Originals by Kevin Day, Mike Jackson, Maureen Crofts)

June: Caroline Shotton, Paul Horton, Peter Smith (Originals by Mike Jackson, Peter Smith, Harry Brioche)

July: Bob Dylan, James Milroy, James Blinkhorn (Originals by Doreen Greenshields, Caroline Shotton, Hamish Blakely)

So, what is new and coming up at The Acorn?

Well the next big thing is happening this Bank Holiday Saturday when we are inviting anyone and everyone to come along dressed up as a character from Batman and Robin... we are expecting a good spattering of each and if we're lucky, perhaps even a Poison Ivy... There will be a prize for everyone who dresses up :)

Holy Dash Batman by Craig Davison

And the occasion? Well we have four brilliant new pieces from Craig Davison who loves to draw from childhood make-believe for his work... Of course if any grown-ups fancy getting dressed up too then there will be a special prize for you ;)

Are you game for a laugh? Fancy dressing up? Go on... We Dare You!

The Icon Collection - Don't Blink...!

On Saturday Paul Horton was here at the Acorn gallery to unveil his stunning 'Icon Collection'. The five new releases are very special as there are only 25 of each one available!

Each image was shrouded in black and unveiled piece by piece... The audience were enthralled as Paul told the story behind each character and each iconic scene...

Champagne corks popped and nibbles were nibbled as Paul chatted to the collectors who had come along to share this proud day...
One lady had proudly brought in her pride and joy...two of the Noahs Ark pieces which she had bought in previous years with the intention of eventually passing them on to her two sons... She is now the proud owner of a third Noahs Ark 'Man of God' which she is delighted with!

Part way through the day we were told by Washington Green that The 'Icon Collection' is now fully sold out and the only images still available are those in galleries.

At the time of writing we have just three images remaining and the details are as follows:

'Love Shines Down' No.21 of 25 Priced at £995

'The Powerful Truth' No.21 of 25 Priced at £995

'The Legend' No.21 of 25 Priced at £995.

We have just one of each and they will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
Amazingly we still have two originals available, both uniquely exquisite! Firstly the Wizard in a piece entitled 'I Will Lead You Out of Darkness', simply stunning and priced at a very shrewd £2,250.

 Gallery Owner Diane with Paul Horton showing 'I Will Lead You Out of Darkness' Original

The second original is one of Pauls beautiful single houses, set in Autumn with golden leaves and clear blue sky... and simply called... 'Somewhere in my Heart' This piece is keenly priced at £1.950.

'Somewhere in my Heart' Original by Paul Horton

Priced at £1.950.00

All remaining pieces will be sold on a first come, first served basis so don't delay...

Ring and Reserve your favourite today!

Paul Horton - Getting Excited!

Here at the Acorn Gallery we are getting very excited about Saturday's imminent appearance by the legendary Paul Horton!

Paul will be here to unveil his fantastic new 'Icon Collection'. This is a superb collection of five brand new and incredibly limited editions... with only 25 of each image being printed! 


Each piece celebrates one of Pauls central characters who appears throughout his work, each on their own journey...

The five images, some of the largest prints produced to date, will be unveiled one by one, by Paul, as he tells it's story to the waiting audience... 

This little bit of theatre will enthrall and entrance you and in doing so will help you to truly appreciate this stunning new collection!

So, come on down to the Acorn Gallery on Saturday, 11 June... Paul will be here from 12 noon and you can help us celebrate the launch of this fantastic new work with a glass of chilled bubbly and hopefully some summer sunshine...

Alexanders Angel...

We have just taken delivery of the brand-new Alexander Miller sculpture entitled 'The Angel'... 


This iconic piece is simply stunning and shows the much loved gadgie at his best! Nobody can ignore the link to the artists own background as a window cleaner and knowing this you can't help but see this piece as the cornerstone to any collection and it will certainly be an item of pride in years to come!


Of course the obvious link is to Anthony Gormley and his famous 'Angel of the North' but Alexander Miller's gadgie, with his good nature and his heart of gold, has captured our hearts and he is, in his own way, 'The Angel' of the North...

'The Angel' by Alexander Millar

Limited Edition of 150

£495

The Icon Collection Saturday 11th June 2011

Diane and I are excited and very honoured to be hosting a visit to The Acorn Gallery by top selling artist and story-teller:

PAUL HORTON

SATURDAY 11th JUNE

12-3PM

Paul will be launching a brand new, exclusive body of work, entitled The Icon Collection.

Comprising of five never-before-seen paintings available as a very rare EDITION OF ONLY 25, this atmospheric collection features some of Paul Hortons best known characters and we are sure they will enchant and delight you all.

We are proud to have been selected as one of only a handful of galleries worldwide to have access to this exclusive collection.

We are also pleased to offer YOU the chance to meet the artist in person and to listen to the stories behind each print as he unveils them one by one and tells their story to you... his audience!!

We will have some chilled bubbly and some non alcholic drinks along with an assortment of nibbles for you to enjoy whilst Paul shows off his incredibly EXCLUSIVE Collection.

 

For more information,contact the gallery on 01759 307652

Here Comes Summer... and its gonna be hot, hot, hot!

Click on the word Summer to see a special 'Summer' edition of the Fine Art Collector magazine!

There are some fabulous releases from all of your favourites including Peter Smith, Alexander Millar, Paul Kenton, Caroline Shotton and Sarah Graham...

Sarah Graham gives us a taste of make-believe in 'We're Off To See The Wizard'...

Take a look at the images behind the titles and then come back and tell us what you think... Tell me you're not enchanted by Peter Smiths 'Thumpers in Jumpers' or totally won over by 'Still Naughty'

Let yourself peer down the streets of Paris in Paul Kentons 'Vue Parisienne' or picture yourself watching the world go by in 'Cafe Du Coin' or at 'Le Metro'...

Caroline Shotton adds a floral high note with 'Daisy', 'Buttercup', 'Poppy' and 'Forget-Me-Not'...

Now if that isn't a taste of Summer then I don't know what is... Take a peek now... and remember... it's never too early to reserve your copy... some of these are going to fly!!!