Proximity II

I've fallen behind on keeping the blog updated, so here I am overloading it with posts!
I haven't been working much with concrete lately, as I've been concentrating more on painting and turning art into money. The picture above is of my most recent concrete piece, 'Proximity II'. I made it as aprt of an exhibition with the theme 'Sustainable Environments', but I ended up putting some other work in the exhibition, as this piece was too heavy to hang on a wall that wasen't strong enough to take it. Its size is 60 x 35.5 x 3.5cm. As its a wall piece filled with holes, it also comes with concrete forms that fill the holes, so the background wall doesn't show through.
The sculpture explores overcrowding within a cityscape, where too little personal space is being shared by too many people. The hollow forms in the concrete represent reduced human spaces overlapping one another. I was also interested in the research of E. T. Hall, who introduced the term proxemics, to investigate people's use of personal space. Hence the title of the piece

Holy Island

I got carried away painting Holy Island recently, and am presently working on painting no.4. If the 4th works out well, I may get a print done. Each time I've finished a painting of the island, I've been driven to paint a different version, whilst remaining quite similar compositionally. Its really just a change in atmosphere, whilst trying to improve and have a better understanding of the subject matter. It's unusual for me to repeat a theme like this, as it would normally drive me mad. I usually like to be done with a view, and move on to something else before I get bored. I think I'll stop at four for now, perhaps come back at a later date. Take a look at the website at www.jimedwardspaintings.com to see the different versions I've been working on.

Print

I'm beginning to put together a collection of prints, taken from my favourite, most recent paintings. The most recent is 'Free Trade View II', is a small run of 145 prints. If you're interested in this print or another one, and want more information or even want to purchase online, then take a look at my website:
www.jimedwardspaintings.com

Newcastle Artists Society Launch Show

Richard Ling Gallery
14 Lansdown Terrace
Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne

01 August - 30 September 2009

I'm presently exhibiting some of my paintings, along with other artists from the Newcastle Artists Society, at the Richard Ling gallery in Gosforth. Had a great opening preview last night (1st August), and sold a few prints. And hopefully some paintings will go over the next month. For more information visit
http://www.newcastleartistssociety.com