More Concrete Grids

This is a practice piece for something I've got planned, which I'm hoping to try out soon.

London Stretch

Newcastle I

Grid V

Grid XII

Take the 3rd Left

Half an Hour Wait

High Level Bridge

Above the Bridges II

Another concrete Grid

I've finished playing with concrete, for a while. Returning to the paint with some fresh ideas. I've got some other ideas for concrete, which I shall put on the backburner for now. Got a couple of commissions to get through first.

Sequential Plot

Sequential Plot, painted a few years ago, based on thumbnail sketch (see below).

Thumbnail sketch

Here's the initial sketch for the triptych painting 'Somewhere'.



This reminds me... I need to do a painting of the thumbnail at the top of the page. I painted the other a couple of years back.

Grid I

The 1st of The Grid paintings. It's turning out to be a long series, mainly because I keep coming up with good/new related ideas.

Grid in concrete

I'm mean't to be painting chubby bridges or something. Something constructive that I can sell. But at the minute, all I want to do is play with concrete. I'm having a Richard Drefuss moment (Close Encounter..), and I'm driven to do my abstract 'GRID' ideas in concrete. It's trying to tell me something, to go somewhere, and it's not Devils Tower! Maybe NY? I'm enjoying doing something sculptural, for a change, something that involves alot of process. I've been working on some other things, which I will put on the blog over the next few days (if they're any good).

Somewhere Triptych

I Went to an Investment bankers yesterday,to photograph an old painting of mine they had on their boardroom wall. It was the first large (triptych) I painted, back in 2002. Part of a solo exhibition I had at the Biscuit factory. It was my first attempt at abstracting the cityscape, based on a thumbnail sketch I did in Amsterdam. (I will have to try and find it). I was interested in the markmaking in the initial sketch, and was trying to reinterpret those marks in paint. Not the best splicing together of 3 seperate images. The stretchers have bowed a bit, since I painted them, and dont align so well anymore.

Grid XX

I'm juggling with a few ideas for new abstract paintings, continuing with the 'Grid' series. I've even been experimenting with different media, including more sculptural forms (cement and plaster). Partly inspired by Natalie Bells sculptures, who I just happen to be in a relationship with (and share a studio). I will try and remember to take some photos of my experimentations, and upload them. Maybe tommorrow.

Gateshead

I've finally put the finishing touches to an epic four panelled painting (polyptych), commissioned by Gateshead council. Measuring 50 x 160'', it took the best part of two months to paint, and it stretched from one end of the studio to the other.
It's my own interpretation of Gateshead, featuring familiar landmarks from the Shipley Gallery to the Tyne Bridge and Newcastle in the background. As with all of my cityscape paintings, the composition is worked out from memory. Certain buildings are altered, moved or forgotten, giving the painting a unique perspective.
Over the next month, Gateshead Council will be unveiling the painting in their newly refurbished 'Bridge Room', at the Civic Centre.