News and snaps from my studio. Sometimes I write about new pieces that I’m working on that are not released yet. If I think of a tip or piece of advice that will help you look after your painting I’ll often share it here. If there’s something specific you want to find, there is a search box down below.
multi-coloured brush strokes
I have been working on a set of four new originals, which are now available for sale. These are textured pieces with brush and knife work and in very rich bright and beautiful colours. These pieces will be ready to ship soon, Benavie is now on my website. There are three larger pieces at 80 x 100 cm approx / 30 x 40 “ , and one square format canvas at 76 x 76 cm approx / 30 x 30 “
Summer sale of original paintings
Sale of my demonstration art pieces, small acrylic originals
I have gathered together all of the demonstration paintings that I have created at my workshops and demos over the past year. I have finished the ones that needed more work, and I’m going to present them for sale on Sunday. This is a chance to acquire one of my paintings at a preferential rate. These pieces are smaller than I typically have available, around 45-50 cm, some are acrylic, and some are acrylic with oils. There will be sheep, cows, hares, kingfishers, stags etc, with painted sides, ready to hang. There are around 30 paintings that will be available, and this will be on my new site, so Klarna pay in instalments is an option.
My mailing list subscribers will receive an extra discount code for 20% and will get 24hr early access. so its worth signing up.
I’m delighted to be part of a group of fantastic artists holding an ‘open studio ‘ exhibition as part of the above event this year. We are lucky enough to be holding our collaborative exhibition and ‘meet the artist’ event at the brand new Creative Melbourne art gallery in Melbourne, Derbyshire DE73 8EJ. The gallery is a wonderful space, on three levels and we are taking over the first floor on both days. We are Sujata Allen, Teresa Barlow, Jane Bevan, Amanda Hughes, Susan Olumide, and Kate Westwood (and me ). Please pop along, we will all be there, there will be one or two demonstrations of work in progress and we would love to see you. I’ll give you the link to the Trail Event and you can use the map and do the whole trail if you like. Our spot in Melbourne will be the most Southern point on the trail map, so you can start with us and then come back at the end again, exhausted on Sunday if you like :D We will all have things available to purchase but, will be just as happy to see you if you are simply coming for a nice day out! It will be so nice to be out sharing our work and seeing people again this Summer. When you get to the Creative Melbourne Gallery, come upstairs to the main gallery-its like a hidden treasure up there, tardis-style- bigger than you think!
This photo was taken at the Creatiove Melbourne ‘Splash of Colour’ exhibition last month.
Detail from ‘Bluebell Season’ 2022 Sue Gardner
1) When you buy an original painting or sculpture, whether directly from the artist or through an art gallery, you are helping to support the arts and perpetuate original art-making, which makes the world a better, more enjoyable place.
2) Original art carries all of the texture and original mark-making from the artist’s hand and has a much more tactile quality than a reproduction print. There may be lumps, bumps, scratches and heavy brush marks and even finger marks all adding to the uniqueness of the artwork.
3) There is a cachet to owning the one-off original, there is only one available, and it’s yours.
4 ) An original painting will usually carry the signature in paint on the front of the work, and a certificate of authenticity so you have all the official provenance, in case you decide eventually to sell the piece of art.
5) An original piece will accrue in value over time, so that when you are buying an artwork, you are making an investment, rather than just filling a space on your wall as you might with a print.
6) Original pieces of art are collectable. When you purchase from an artist, you become a collector of their work. If you really love the paintings by the artist and follow them, it’s exciting to see new pieces come onto the market.
7) Original art seems to bring enlivening energy to a home, perhaps its the excitement of owning a one-off piece by an artist that you love, or maybe the piece carries with it some of the heart and spirit that caused the artist to create it. Either way, its always a positive addition to your living space.
8) A painting is a truly elegant way of bringing your own taste and style to a room, when you choose a painting that resonates with you, it’s a bit like playing your favourite music, your guests will immediately see what you are all about.
9) Originals are a talking point and a focal point. The clarity of colour and variety of texture grabs the eye and can be a great conversation starter
. 10) The sheer joy of owning an original that you love will make you smile every day as you look at it.
Here are a few items to take into consideration when thinking about buying a piece of original art.
1) Choose a painting that really calls out to you, youll know when you definitely love a painting. Unless you are spending huge amounts on a piece that will be kept under lock and key, you want to be able to enjoy your painting every day as it hangs in your home. So trust your own taste and if you love and need a particular painting, it is never going to be the worng purchase.
2) Decide whether you are looking for a painting in a particular medium. Your chosen type of piece will probably dictate your presentation options. For instance, an original oil painting would typically be framed without glass.. Works on paper such as watercolour or soft pastel paintings are framed under glass, Oils and acrylics on canvas may be framed or hung unframed, gallery wrapped (painted sides)
3) What is your budget? As original art generally holds or increases in value you are making an investment. You might acquire a piece from an emerging artist at a very preferential price before he or she becomes sought-after, and the prices go up accordingly. Or you might want to buy a piece from an established artist who is selling at higher prices, and choose to look for a smaller piece from that artist depending on budget restrictions. If you work out a firm budget before you start it will give you a clearer idea of how and where to begin hunting.
4) Where will you hang your original painting? Whether your piece is framed traditionally under glass or on a stretched canvas over a wooden frame, you will need to by mindful of temperature and humidity fluctuations as these can warp the wood. Although most modern paints and inks are very lightfast , it would still not be advisable to hang a painting in direct sunshine for a number of years just in case .
5) Measure your space carefully - if buying a larger piece, its wise to really measure your available hanging space as measuring with the eye can be rather deceptive.
6) Budget for shipping costs in needed, and for framing your new piece if thats what you plan to present the work.
7) You will need to arrange for the painting to be covered by your home insurance before you take it home.
8) Is your desired painting ready to hang or will you need to organise framing initially before you can place the piece in your chosen spot
9) Is provenance paperwork supplied with the piece. A certificate of authenticity is very nice to have and many artists will supply this for you upon purchase. Is the painting signed on the front or the back? As long as the piece bears the signature of the artist it does not really matter, but you may have a preference
10) IWhen you are intending to buy from an artist that you dont know well, you can usually find out a lot by cdelving into their website and social pages to get a feel for their practice and their values. You can check their recently sold paintings and get a feel for how well their work is selling and for what prices currently.
