Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Behind Closed Doors exhibition

It is still not all organised but there will be an exhibition in the Artworks Space at Blackhorse Lane Studios of the artists in the studios. 11, 12 and 13 October.

Neil Irons is selecting the show and I believe it will be called Behind Closed Doors.  The title is fitting as we will be showing what the artists are up to in their studios and because we are not having an open studio this year because of the hiatus of the E17 Art Trail.

Our near neighbours at Inky Cuttlefish may also open their studios that weekend so there will be another reason to come to Blackhorse Lane.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Waltham Forest Arts Club Summer Exhibition

Waltham Forest Arts Club Summer Exhibition
The State of the Arts in Waltham Forest

An exhibition of painting, drawing, photography, printmaking and more representing the work of the artists in Waltham Forest, East London.

August 15th to September 7th, 2013
Open Evening Thursday August 15th 6-9pm to meet the artists

At The Mill on Coppermill Lane (near St James Station)
7 – 11 Coppermill Lane
London E17 7HA

Mill opening times:
Friday and Saturday- 10 - 6pm
Tuesday to Thursday- 10 - 7pm
Sunday- 11 - 2pm




Tuesday, July 16, 2013

and yet More Apples

Another apple pastel drawing today.

Three Apples - Julie Caves
Conte crayon (hard pastel) on paper - 2013

Monday, July 15, 2013

More apples

I have been obsessed with apples as a still life subject for a long time.
They are my go-to object when I want to do some observational drawing or test out a new material.
I love looking at the individual apple and getting to know its shape, colour and texture, how the light reflects off of it and the shadow it casts.

Apples in conte crayon (hard pastel) - July 2013 - Julie Caves

Tuesday, July 09, 2013

Lisa Freeman's text about the Curiosity Exhibition

For her talent with words in addition to her talent with art a big thank you to Lisa Freeman for her great text about the Curiosity Exhibition.

Excerpt:

"Art, to Julie Caves, is all around us. There’s a fine line between a work of art and the art of nature, and she is constantly walking the tightrope between the two. This is most notably seen in her large window paintings, where she has created a series of works of views through windows, some with panes in view so the window is quite apparent, and in other compositions no pane is shown so the work resembles and references traditional landscape painting. Reminiscent of Gary Hume’s enamel Door Paintings from the mid-90s, instead of confronting us with a barrier to a world beyond, Caves’ windows invite us to explore that same world, and realise it really is quite beautiful.

Read the full text in the press release on the website.

Monday, July 08, 2013

Julie Caves artwork for the Memorabilia exhibition

I got excited about participating in the Memorabila exhibtion and for a few weeks devoted my complete time to producing work for it.

Here were the results: (click on images for larger views)


"Big Bird Brought to You by the Letter J"

50x50cm acrylic on canvas




"Remembering Pong"

24x30cm acrylic on linen


 



"Memory (fish tank)" approx 10x15x5cm acrylic on wood




Memory
One Christmas in the 1970's when I was a child in California my sister and I were given a huge dollhouse. All the furniture was made by hand to be a duplicate of our apartment (except even better because it had separate bedrooms for the sisters). My parents must have worked on it for a whole year. It was amazing. 

One item was made by a close family friend who was a painter. He made a little copy of our fish tank. We moved often as my father was always searching for greener pastures. Each time we moved we left behind our possessions to “travel light” so I have no childhood possessions anymore.

The last one to go was that little painted wood fish tank. I still had it in my late teens.

For 'Memorabilia' I wanted to re-create this personal object. I thought it would be easy as it was a simple object. But as I made each decision about the size and shape I found that I didn't really remember. The harder I thought about it the less I was sure. 

Each step in the creating process was one more unknown. So I made uncertain decisions about the size, shape, design, colours and kinds of fish and plants. I couldn't even say if the original had a cover or the water was visible on top. (I think the water was visible.) Did it have a covered back or were the plants and fish visible through from the front and rear? (Even less sure- but I think maybe it was visible.)

Before I started I was certain that I knew this object, but I came to realise I really only have a general idea of it. I have a memory of it that you can describe in words but not the specifics you need to paint a picture of it (the difference between the word ‘chair’ and a picture of a specific kind of chair). Although it feels like the picture in my mind is specific, that feeling is actually an illusion.

What I thought would be a comforting reminder of a relic of my childhood instead became a process of acceptance of the vagueness of memory. I had this toy for a long time. The fish tank was important to me so the vagueness is upsetting. It is disturbing to see how unreliable my memory is. Even important memories cannot withstand scrutiny.

I am my memories so if they are not solid what am I?
Julie Caves
July 2013


Two views of the building block set I did for Gillian Swan's project and one of it on display.
Acrylic and 24kt gold leaf on wood.


Sunday, July 07, 2013

Arts Club at The North Star images

Waltham Forest Arts Club at The North Star
part of the Leytonstone Arts Trail 
July 6-14 2013




Brett Banks






Julian Beere






Julie Caves







Linda Rowland







Kathleen Gregory




Lucy Gregory




Natalie Gray








Thursday, July 04, 2013

Memorabilia Paintings

Studio snapshots of paintings I am delivering in a few hours to the Memorabilia exhibition.




'Remembering Pong'
24x30cm acrylic on canvas

'Big Bird or Brought to you by the Letter J'
50x50cm acrylic on canvas.

Tuesday, July 02, 2013

E17 Art Trail Summer Show 2013

E17 Art Trail Summer Show 2013

1–25 August 

with an artists’ reception on Thursday 1 August from 6.30


I have had a painting from my recent series of bird paintings selected for the salon-style exhibition and fundraiser for the E17 Art Trail.  

Around 200 artworks were selected by the hanging committee to go into the show at 

Penny Fielding Gallery & Interiors is hosting the first E17 Art Trail Summer Show which will showcase artwork by both emerging and established artists including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking and architecture.

Penny Fielding Gallery & Interiors is a beautiful, eclectic gallery/shop selling contemporary art and 20th century collectables. In Walthamstow Village, London E17. Supporter and champion of local artists and designers.