This title is a take on today’s society. Everywhere I look these days, everywhere I walk, every restaurant or cafe I sit in, I see people, particularly the young, glued to their smartphones. Sitting with friends at the same table, all their heads are down, scrolling away on their phones. How is this going to play out in the future? Where do we go from here ? And what is this doing to our backs ? (I have osteoporosis so am particularly interested in this aspect). So to the painting. I saw this Banksy copy and a germ of an idea started in my mind. I always try and get the street artist’s permission to use their work in my compositions, but have been unable to trace the artist who made this copy. Likewise I received no reply to my request to Banksy (Pest Control) so am having to keep my fingers crossed he/they are happy with this piece. A long time ago, an art dealer told me a touch of red in a painting always lifts it and results in more sales, so here we are! I am grateful to Natalia Green for being the perfect muse here.…
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This will be a street art themed painting eventually, but this week I have been concentrating on getting the young woman in place in the composition. So far so good. I am incorporating a (as I have now found out) a copy of a Banksy painting showing a girl on a swing. The original was painted under a sign saying PARKing and this artist’s copy isn’t as detailed as Banksys. I haven’t been able to find out where and who painted it, so am going ahead regardless and hope I won’t be sued…. My working title, so far, will be either ‘Babysitting’ or ‘Modern Babysitting’ depending on what I feel like when the piece is finished. It’s my take on the fact that the young seem to spend most of their time these days glued to their smart phones, to the detriment of enjoying babysitting, albeit for a stencil on a wall ! This painting is in oils and is on canvas board. If you would like to be kept up to date with what I am up to in the next few weeks please sign up for my Newsletter at the top of the Home page. I am also…
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I saw the work of @MyDogSighs here in Bristol last year for Upfest the annual urban art festival. Street artists from all over the world descend on North Street, the street where I live, producing the most amazing street art and graffiti on every available wall, hoarding etc. I particularly like his ‘Hug’ street art images and obtained his permission to incorporate this work into my own composition. For this piece I have persuaded lovely Emily White (@ablemabeldesigns) to be my muse. She has a fabulous collection of Forties/Fifties inspired clothes and is wearing one of her vibrant dresses for this painting. She also works at @rhubarbjumble which sells beautiful retro clothes and furniture. Pop in and have a look at 52 North Street, Bedminster, Bristol just up the road from my studio. My idea is that she is deep in thought, possibly worrying about a problem and the Hug is comforting her, hence the title. You, the viewer, will have your own thoughts. I like placing my trademark woman in a situation which changes the dynamic of the 2D street art, bringing art to life and vice versa. If you would like to be kept up to date…
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