Fine Art Collector | Spring 2015

View the spring 2015 edition of our biannual magazine, Fine Art Collector.

SPRING 2015 UK £3.00 US $5.50

CASTLEGALLERIES.COM

UNVEILED! BRANDNEW WORKS FROM THE UK'S TOP ARTISTS 2015

SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND Marilyn Monroe sparkles in an exclusive collection from Simon Claridge

ART

THE POWER OF FAITH IS CHALLENGED IN NEWWORKS BY LEADING FIGURATIVE ARTIST HAMISH BLAKELY

MASTER FRAMING TECHNIQUES SCARLETT RAVEN LONDON LIFE

B I O P H I L I A

RAPHAEL MAZZUCCO | COMING SOON

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Editorial Feature

20 TheFigurativeEdit

04 StarDust

58 PrivateView

32 TheComplete Picture

44 ScarlettRaven

welcome As we emerge blinking from the greyness of a British winter, and with spring just around the corner, what better time to consider buying art that will both enhance the quality of our daily life and inspir e on every level. With an eclectic mix of new and established artist collections there is something pleasurable here for every taste this season. The transformative p o w e r o f art can instantly change the mood of a room, and the choice is all yours, with an unrivalled collection of bright and b e autiful prints over the page just waiting to be appreciated.

FineArtCollector ispublishedbyWashingtonGreen (F.A.P.C.)LtdanddistributedbyCastleGalleries. Email art@castlegalleries.com Website castlegalleries.com Alltheartfeatured inFineArtCollector isavailablethroughCastleGalleriesacrossGreatBritain.Visitourwebsiteatcastlegalleries.comtofindyournearestgallery.The images containedwithinthis literatureareanartistic representationofthecollection.Tobestexperienceourart,we recommendyoucontactyour localgallerytoarrangeaviewing.Prices illustratedthroughoutthismagazineare recommended retailpricesandmayvarybetweenPartnershipGalleriesdependingonstylesofpresentation. Designed&ProducedbyNowMedia.Contributors:SallyRowland, JayneHowarth,StephanieRichman.

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AllOfUsAreStars,We DeserveToTwinkle Silkscreenonpaper withDiamondDust Editionof95 ImageSize26”x20” FramedSize36”x29” Framed£995 Silkscreenoncanvas withDiamondDust Editionof15 ImageSize36”x28” FramedSize39”x31” Framed£2,995 Silkscreenoncanvas withDiamondDust Editionof3 ImageSize60”x46” FramedSize64”x50” Framed£7,995

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Editorial Feature S mon Claridg

Acclaimed artist Simon Claridge brings together a sparkling collection of stylish monochrome images of Marilyn Monroe, in a celebration of her iconic status, which marks her enduring appeal and proves that diamonds really are a girl’s best friend!

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y goal is to leave the viewer with some tangible emotional feeling” says Claridge, whose work captures the female formwith immense dexterity and artistic skill. Commissioned by Kate Moss, Henry Holland and LA stylist Rachel Zoe, amongst other

Claridge was given the opportunity to delve into library images, owned by Twentieth Century Fox some of which have never before been released. “To be able to use images from the Fox Studio archive is the closest I will ever be able to get to painting Marilyn for real. It has been an absolute highlight of my career,” enthuses Claridge who was given free access to the hallowed archive. “I’ve always regarded myself as a portrait painter – it’s where my passion lies – and for me the screen shots of Marilyn are the ultimate portrait. It doesn’t get any better than that!” Immortalised in art for over 50 years, Claridge offers up a fresh and interesting interpretation of Marilyn Monroe.

starry names, he has carved a niche for himself chronicling timeless society figures from the annals of music history, fashion – and now his ultimate challenge – Marilyn Monroe, whose luminous beauty and appeal still shine bright half a century on from her death.

� SoundsJustDreamyToMe Silkscreenonpaper withDiamondDust Editionof95

HOWTOMARRYAMILLIONAIRE&GENTLEMENPREFERBLONDES arefilmsofTwentiethCenturyFoxFilmCorp.

Silkscreenoncanvas withDiamondDust Editionof15 ImageSize28”x36” FramedSize31”x39” Framed£2,995

Silkscreenoncanvas withDiamondDust Editionof3 ImageSize46”x60” FramedSize50”x64” Framed£7,995

ImageSize20”x26” FramedSize29”x36” Framed£995

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Simon Claridge

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“I’ve always regarded myself as a portrait painter – it’s where my passion lies – and for me the screen shots of Marilyn are the ultimate portrait. It doesn’t get any better than that!” will view the art in the same way. While Claridge says the diamond dust is handmade and applied by hand he will not be drawn on the actual technique. It’s the one question he is repeatedly asked but says he likes to keep it ‘under wraps’ as it is such a unique and special effect. The sheen created by the shiny particles dictates that it will reflect differently, according to the light sources around it. “Whether viewed The six images of Marilyn created for the collection are drawn from both her most famous Fox movies; ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ and ‘How to Marry a Millionaire’ together with a prestigious and rare collection of photography stills, test shots and outtakes from Fox Studios’ coveted archives, including those from less well known films, ‘Sounds Dreamy to Me’ and ‘How to Marry a Millionaire.’ The Diamond Dust Collection , comprises six silk screens, represents Marilyn in symbolic black and white, enveloped in Claridge’s trademark ‘diamond dust’ as a nod to the glamour and opulence of Hollywood. The use of glittering diamond dust on each image ensures that the works portray something of the aura of Marilyn and the luminescence of her being under the spotlight. Using diamond dust also means that no two people

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� IJustWantToBe Wonderful Silkscreenonpaper withDiamondDust Editionof95 ImageSize26”x20” FramedSize36”x29” Framed£995 Silkscreenoncanvas withDiamondDust Editionof15 ImageSize36”x28” FramedSize39”x31” Framed£2,995 Silkscreenoncanvas withDiamondDust Editionof3 ImageSize60”x46” FramedSize64”x50” Framed£7,995

� It’sAllJustMake Believe,Isn’tIt Silkscreenonpaper withDiamondDust Editionof95 ImageSize20”x26” FramedSize29”x36” Framed£995 Silkscreenoncanvas withDiamondDust Editionof15 ImageSize28”x36” FramedSize31”x39” Framed£2,995 Silkscreenoncanvas withDiamondDust Editionof3 ImageSize46”x60” FramedSize50”x64” Framed£7,995

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� Fantasy Silkscreenonpaper withDiamondDust Editionof95 ImageSize26”x20” FramedSize36”x29” Framed£995 Silkscreenoncanvas withDiamondDust Editionof15 ImageSize36”x28” FramedSize39”x31” Framed£2,995 Silkscreenoncanvas withDiamondDust Editionof3 ImageSize60”x46” FramedSize64”x50” Framed£7,995 Silkscreenonpaper withDiamondDust Editionof95 ImageSize26”x20” FramedSize36”x 29” Framed£995 Silkscreenoncanvas withDiamondDust Editionof15 ImageSize36”x28” FramedSize39”x 31” Framed£2,995 Silkscreenoncanvas withDiamondDust Editionof3 ImageSize60”x46” FramedSize64”x 50” Framed£7,995 � DiamondsAreAGirl’s BestFriend

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in bright sunlight, in artificial light, or through the beams of light cast by a setting sun, the same piece will appear transformed.” explains Claridge. Building up layer upon layer of colour and shade, the images are a testament to Claridge’s skill as they literally bounce off the canvas. The collection is fitting and appropriate to Monroe as she had so many guises – she was open yet guarded, and was known to so many

but understood by so few. In short, she was many different things to many different people. This is where the beauty of The Diamond Dust Collection lies – allowing Marilyn to shine through in the freshest interpretation of her iconic image for years. A truly beautiful collection. GALLERY The new collection fromSimon Claridge is available now. Viewonline at castlegalleries.com

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Simon Claridge

In brief

Who is your favourite artist andwhy? AndyWarhol, because he’s been a huge inspiration for all artists who celebrate popular culture. I wouldn’t dowhat I do if it wasn’t for him. What is your ambition artistically? Every day I like to be in a position to be able to makemore art tomorrow. Where did you last go onholiday? My last holidaywas cycling in Provence. Favourite place in theworld andwhy? Gibbs Beach, in Barbados, as it’s where I spent much of my honeymoon. Who has been your biggest influence? My family ismy biggest influence. I dowhat I do because of themand for them. Cat or Dog? Dog person! My pugs Coco and Elvismakeme smile every day. Night owl or early riser? I’ve been both, but at themoment I’mbeingmuchmore productive as an early riser. Greatest achievement? Professionally my greatest achievement has to be seeing mywork in thewindow (of Castle Fine Art) on Bruton Street in London – but in life it is marryingmy beautiful wife Ruth. Favourite Film? Rocky IV. Where do you live andwhy? I live in Berkshire andmoved there for love.

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IN THE GALLERY Ryd e r

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Through my art I try to convey a dream-like world, mixing fantasy with a naive realism.

� HomewardBound Canvaseditionof95 ImageSize24”x24” FramedSize30”x30” Framed£595 Canvaseditionof95 ImageSize24”x24” FramedSize30”x30” Framed£595 � UnderTheMilkMoon Canvaseditionof95 ImageSize24”x24” FramedSize30”x30” Framed£595 � Tip-toeingThrough Autumn

� LongGoodbye

Canvaseditionof95 ImageSize24”x32” FramedSize30”x38” Framed£695

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Editorial Feature

The new 'Water' collection references Monet and Turner in a loose Impressionist style.

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Alex Echo ECHO POINT In a mélange of intricate brushstrokes, Alex Echo’s new ‘Water’ collection brings together a focus on the natural world combined with a harmony of colour, light, movement and emotion – every print a striking visual narrative which is guaranteed to lift the spirit of any room.

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� AfternoonCloud Reflected Boxedcanvas

ImageSize391/4”x391/4” £Priceonrequest

� WaterfallNo.7 Boxedcanvas

ImageSize251/2”x44” £Priceonrequest

hoosing art to complement a room is no easy task, and for some dedicated art collectors the ideal is to pick one piece of art, or a series of paintings, and create the room around it, rather than the traditional piecemeal way most of us approach to decorating a room.

Collector View

The work of Alex Echo is perfectly placed for this kind of approach, and while being easy on the eye to the passing viewer, his work offers up new interpretations the longer you live with them. The new ‘ Water ’

Emma& JohnKnott Bath, UK John and I first sawAlex’s work shortly after the Paul Smith show and knew immediately it was amust have for our collection. We bought a large piece initially and then some smaller pieces over time. We first met Alex at the Bath gallery andwatched himpaint live. If we hadn’t been blown away before we certainlywould have been then. I have had the great honour of meeting Alex on a number of occasions since, andwhilewe continue to collect more of his work, I have realised that Alex Echo is larger than life (or maybemore than you can realise simply fromhis work), aman as colourful as his art, with depth, insight and awonderful perspective on life, the universe and his place in it. He is a true artist in every sense of theword.

collection, which references Monet

and Turner in a loose Impressionist style, is made up of 75 striking images focusing on the power and beauty of water. Stand out prints include ‘ Waterfall 7, 21 & 42 ,’ employing bright blue hues which will provide a dramatic central focus for a hallway, kitchen or dining area. The calm and cool yellow ‘ Reflections of Willow on Thames ’ provides a

tranquil backdrop, creating a peaceful atmosphere, ideal for bedrooms, while the bold ‘ In the Tide Pool ’ offers an energetic, almost psychedelic effect, which would add a pop of vibrant colour to a living room. ‘ Deep Calm Tide ’ and ‘ Raindrops ’ offer a cooler, quieter and more reflective style and colour theme which would work effectively in a bedroom or bathroom setting. »

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Editorial Feature

Collector View

MarkWilkins Miami, USA

I bought Alex’s work simply because I love it. I am drawn to it, as I can see the elemental sources that he captures. The serene light, ripples, flow, movement and time that he captures on his canvases. Living inMiami and being a sea and sun worshipper, I get great enjoyment fromseeing these paintings every day. An added bonus is they are a good investment, not that I will ever want to part with them! I finally had the pleasure of meeting Alex Echo a couple of weeks ago for the first time in Castle Fine Art Mayfair. Alex is a great guy. I was very lucky to hear him talk about the newexhibition ‘Water’ and the techniques he used to create such an impressive collection. He is very humble about his success, enthusiastic and passionate about the progression of his art, as well as being a real familyman. We have invited himand his daughter to visit us inMiami, where he nowhas a couple of loyal collectors. I own Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter quadriptych fromAlex’s Alchemy showand bought ‘Into theWave’ fromhis current exhibition ‘Water’. I amgoing to be commissioning Alex to paint me a large scale piece for a specific location later in the year oncemy home is remodelled. Alexmanages to harmonize everything I love in the art world. The confident use of colour, the abstract detail, the contemporary twist on Impressionist styles. His paintings are unique, I enjoy collecting art work, but I haven’t seen anyone elsemanage to achieve this level of continuity and uniformity of design, as well as the evolution achieved through his different collections.

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“There is a ballet between light, water, colour and time that I try to capture in each new painting”

“There is a ballet between light, water, colour and time that I try to capture in each new painting” says Echo, an American-born artist, now living deep in the Sussex countryside. A lover of what he refers to as the ‘lushness’ of England, he says “each painting has several thousand strokes and movements. Every painting is an attempt to see and feel that dance of colour and light reflected in a flower, a tree, a hillside or the sea.” Water is elemental to human life and yet an abundance of it floods and destroys, in scarcity it ravages and brings us to our knees and it is this dichotomy that provides the driving force

behind this powerful new collection, producing striking images of electric colour, light and shade which any interior decorator would seek out as a starting point for a room scheme. It is no wonder that Echo has become a highly collectable artist found in the private homes of Oprah Winfrey, Robert Downey Jr., Cindy Crawford, and former President Jimmy Carter amongst others. Here is your opportunity to enjoy the same experience. GALLERY The breathtaking new collection ‘Water’ fromAlex Echo is nowon view in galleries across the UK or vi ewonline at castlegalleries.com

� RippleReflections AbstractedSouth BankMidnight Boxedcanvas

ImageSize391/4”x391/4” £Priceonrequest

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� WaterfallNo.1 Boxedcanvas

ImageSize251/4”x251/4” £Priceonrequest

� WaterfallNo.2 Boxedcanvas

ImageSize251/4”x251/4” £Priceonrequest

� WaterfallNo.3 Boxedcanvas

ImageSize251/4”x251/4” £Priceonrequest

� WaterfallNo.4 Boxedcanvas

ImageSize251/4”x251/4” £Priceonrequest

Alex Echo Exhibition

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IN THE GALLERY B o b Bark e r

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� Discombobulated

Canvaseditionof195 ImageSize151/2”x47” FramedSize22”x53” Framed£795

� GravyBoys

Canvaseditionof195 ImageSize26”x26” FramedSize33”x33” Framed£595

Who wouldn’t want to grab some balloons

� ComeRainOrShine Canvaseditionof195 ImageSize151/2”x47” FramedSize22”x53” Framed£795

� IfOnlyADream

Canvaseditionof195 ImageSize26”x26” FramedSize33”x33” Framed£595

The inspiration behind this collection is simply love and the relationships and fly off to a place that s just our own?

we have with one another.

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IN THE GALLERY J o hn Myatt

� NympheaInThe StyleOfClaude Monet,1904 Stretchedcanvas Editionof50

ImageSize30”x24” FramedSize38”x32” Framed£2,250

� ElephantInThe StyleOfSalvador Dali,1948 Stretchedcanvas Editionof50

ImageSize30”x20” FramedSize 38”x28” Framed£1,950

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Monet’s paintings are so beautifully simple in design and composition, but so complicated in the blending of tone and colour.

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Editorial Feature

TheShallowDream Stretchedcanvas Editionof50 ImageSize241/2”x34” FramedSize301/2”x40” Framed£1,500

You want accuracy, but not representation. If you know how to make the figuration, it doesn’t work. Anything you can make, you make by accident. In painting, you have to know what you do, not how, when you do it. –Francis Bacon

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The Figurative Edit

Go Figurative art has stood the test of time, with one of the earliest examples being a 40,000-year-old sculpture of a lion man discovered in a cave in Germany. Through the Baroque, Renaissance, and Aesthete periods, right through to the contemporary age, artists have explored and feature on figurativism, we unveil not only the works of two new artists, but are also privileged to present powerful new paintings from the established UK figurative artist Hamish Blakely. Figure redefined the genre taking their influences from life around us. Now, in this special

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Editorial Feature

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“I love the bleakness, the drama, and I love working and re-working until I’m happy with the detail, colour and contrast of light and dark. Seeing it come to life over time is the ultimate thrill of being an artist.”

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The Figurative Edit

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� CafédeParis

� LyingInAShallowDream Stretchedcanvas Editionof50 ImageSize19.5”x26” FramedSize251/2”x32” Framed£1,250

� AfterTheDance Stretchedcanvas Editionof50

Stretchedcanvas Editionof50 ImageSize26”x40” FramedSize32”x46” Framed£1,950

ImageSize24"x48" FramedSize30"x54" Framed£1,950

igurative art has played a central role in art for tens of thousands of years – from the simplest

snapshot of a singlemoment. For such fragile objects, the bubbles provide a powerful metaphor for our fleeting time on Earth and have been a recurring theme in his art since 2009. However, their meaning has changed subtly over the years. Frompainting a subject in profile, blowing a bubble, as we see in the painting Café de Paris, it has developed into playing a greater role in the story. “They are used to

cave paintings tomodern representational studies of the human form. Weaving its way through

reference life and death, to depict amoment in time,” says Kinsman, who is not only a self-taught artist, but also an accomplished and self-taught musician who has playedwith bands Kasabian and The Specials, as well as artists including Noel Gallagher. The ShallowDream shows a ballet dancer seemingly suspended in

history, figurativismhas been used to describe recognisable objects that provide verisimilitude. Andwhile some art lovers might enjoy heated discussions about where figurative and abstract art overlap, one thing is for certain; figurative art is a style that is linked strongly to the rules of perspective and proportion. For AndrewKinsman , who unveils his debut collection for Castle Galleries this spring, it is about capturing amoment. The self-taught artist, whowas commissioned in 2012 by the Royal Mail to paint 11 stamps to commemorate 150 years of League football, has produced four stunning pieces that drawon the same theme. The ShallowDream , After theDance , Lying in a Shallow Dream , and Café deParis explore the symbolismof life through bubbles – a pictorial depiction of the ephemeral nature of life, a

ANDREW KINSMAN

The immortalBirthofVenusbyfigurative masterpainterSandroBotticelli,completed duringtheearlyRenaissanceera

mid-air, as light as the bubbles that float above her, while After the Dance sees Kinsman take Titian’s 1583masterpiece Venus Of Urbino as his starting point, painting a dancer lying on the bed, staring directly at the viewer. A discarded tutu can be seen behind her and bubbles rise above her. “I wanted to develop the posesmore in this collection, so the ballet dancer is suspended by the bubbles while in After the Dance, she is looking at us, no longer a dancer. The bubbles depict

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The Figurative Edit

�

“I try to create a piece that’s incomplete so that the viewer can explore the image for about getting a drawing out of this complete figure and breaking it apart again.” themselves. For me, it’s

� GirlI

� GirlII

Boxededitionof95 ImageSize42”x28” FramedSize46”x32” Framed£850 Unframed£595

Lionpictures in theChauvetCave arebelievedtobe theworld'searliest

figurativeartpainted around40,000years ago-andnowafforded UNESCOWorldHeritage status

DAVID REES

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that stage of her life,” he says. “It’smore arbitrary but I wanted the bubbles to rise through the planes of the background, showing the surroundings, emotions and thoughts enveloped in a singlemoment.” Drawing on Pre-Raphaelite influences, Lying in A ShallowDreammirrors John Everett Millais’s Ophelia. Unlike other paintings in the collection, which feature floating bubbles, here the bubbles are subtly suggested in thewater, helping to keep themodel afloat. And romance and symbolismwill continue to play a key role in his art. Kinsman says he has begun to explore allegorism, nature and literary references, whichwill heavily influence the next phase of his work. “I love the bleakness, the drama, and I loveworking and re-working until I'm happywith the detail, colour and contrast of light and dark,” he says. “Seeing it come to life over time is the ultimate thrill of being an artist.” Another artist making his debut this spring for Washington Green is DavidRees . A former international development worker, the 27-year-old history of art graduate only took up art as a profession in the summer of 2013. “I feel like Alice falling down the hole,” he laughs. “I feel very fortunate to be given the chance to give it my all.” A lover of Italian renaissance art and contemporary artist AndrewSalgado’s large figurativeworks, Rees’s oils collection – Girl I and Girl II – use these influences to produce paintings that comprise intricate brushstrokes, building up layers of richness and texture, so that our eye constantlymoves around the canvas. “Oils went out of vogue but they are enjoying a renaissance, particularly in figurative art,” he says “I never set out to be a portrait artist – it’s all about the painting and the processes, the colours, the balance. Rather than a portrait, these are a reflection of human understanding and it makes it easier for people to read into it. “Itrytocreateapiecethat’s incomplete sothattheviewercanexplorethe image forthemselves.Forme, it’saboutgetting adrawingoutofthiscompletefigureand breaking itapartagain.” GALLERY The new collections from AndrewKinsman and David Rees are available now. Viewonline at castlegalleries.com

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The Figurative Edit

LeaveOfAbstinence Canvaseditionof95 ImageSize32”x32” FramedSize40”x40” Framed£995

OUT OF WORK ANGELS Leading figurative artist

Hamish Blakely has always painted with passion. Using his wife as his inspirational muse, he has produced two powerful new paintings, influenced in style by the Great Masters but given a modern twist, which are designed to make us think, evaluate and question the power of faith and the celestial life.

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The Figurative Edit

HAMISH BLAKELY

igurative art has been out of the spotlight in recent years with so much fashionable interest in the power and impact of abstract form, but for artist Hamish Blakely there has only ever been one way to paint – by employing the formal elements of true figurative

AllYourPrayers Canvaseditionof95 ImageSize26”x26” FramedSize34”x34” Framed£795

art. In giving full attention to line, shape, colour, and form with a strong narrative context, he has carved out a highly successful career as a bold and interesting artist with total confidence in his talent and what it can deliver. Like all great figurative painters he is drawn to a confined area of the anatomy – a spotlit area that reveals a rigid jaw line, or the tension in a turned neck. Honed in the techniques of anatomical drawing his work keeps the human form at the centre of all his work. “While I count Caravaggio, Degas and Velasquez amongst many influences, I have no interest in emulating others,” says Blakely, whose figurative art is highly regard- ed and sought after by collectors. Like all great painters he is spurred on by self doubt before starting to paint, but he says this “keeps me on my toes”. His fluid lines and use of rich colour, together with that attention to detail are key to creating such dramatic images “I don’t over analyse but keep the heart and mind open, rely on the inner voice and be willing to learn – everything is a work in progress.” Two new releases from the new ‘ Out of Work Angels ’ collection provide a stunning opportunity for Blakely to display his skill, once again using his wife, an ex-ballerina, as his model and inspiration. “Gail doesn’t appear merely as a decorative or passive pictorial element, she endows the work with nobility, nuance, intrigue and grace.” explains Blakely, who says her great appeal is that she makes the poses look natural, while fixing her eyes on a point in the

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room and thinking clearly so that her face, as well as her anatomy, tell a story. In ‘ All Your Prayers ’ a tattooed angel with a detached, world-weary sense of beauty and grace is placed centre stage. Blakely wryly observes that “Celestial beings are supposed to be omnipresent hearing all heartfelt prayers” while this sultry angel looks as though her eternal patience has been well and truly tested! There is a nostalgic quality to this image that is reminiscent of some of the movie posters of the 1950s, bringing to mind pin-up icons such as Jane Russell and Rita Hayworth. The languid pose, the self-assurance and smoky sensuality of this rebellious angel make it a seriously commanding piece of art. The theme of the angel in conflict is interpreted differently in ‘ Leave of Abstinence ’ featuring a more rebellious creature “There is a saint-like trance that belies the actions of this fallen angel, “says Blakely whose defiant angel echoes the religious paintings of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. Blakely says there were challenges in creating this painting. “The distinction between the denim skirt and cotton top, the vodka bottle, wings, the shimmering locks of her hair and the jewelled crucifix – but these are all ingredients that make painting worth doing.” These two releases herald Hamish’s major one-man exhibition in Mayfair this spring. ‘Out of Work Angels’ will explore the engaging theme of Heaven's creatures in a state of flux. Attested by falling congregation numbers, the younger generation are turning away from the Church, making angels expendable. They are arriving on Earth having lost their jobs and a new journey awaits them. GALLERY The collection is available as signed limited canvas editions of 95. Viewonline at castlegalleries.com

“I don’t over analyse but keep the heart and mind open, rely on the inner voice and be willing to learn – everything is a work in progress.”

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IN THE GALLERY J e ff R o wland

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�

The 1950s film noir genre has always captured my imagination. I want to portray that feeling of noir in my work.

� ForeverAutumn

Canvaseditionof150 ImageSize19”x24” FramedSize261/2”x31” Framed£495

� I’veMissedYou

Canvaseditionof150 ImageSize19”x24” FramedSize261/2”x31” Framed£495

� YouKeptMeWarm

Canvaseditionof150 ImageSize19”x24” FramedSize261/2”x31” Framed£495

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Editorial Feature

THE COMPLETE PICTURE

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Framing

Mounting and framing a piece of art is an intricate process – and one that we at Castle Galleries take very seriously indeed. Here we take a look at how a piece of artwork is finally prepared for our galleries.

ore than merely a decorative border, the picture mount and frame are the defining edge to the work, complementing and – some might argue – enhancing the artist’s vision. It should complete the picture. And for Tim Goodwin, Operations Director at Castle Galleries, the process for choosing a mount – if one is required – and a frame presentation is crucial, an integral part of what makes Castle Galleries products so special. Every month, about 3,500 paintings and prints are expertly hand mounted and framed by a team of talented craftsmen, who work in a specialised modern facility in the heart of Birmingham. “We pride ourselves on making exceptionally high quality mounts and frames that work well with the commissioned artworks,” he said. “We spend a long time and put a lot of thought into the presentation of the artwork because getting the right frame can make a huge difference.” »

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Framing

IN A DEDICATED SELECTION ROOM, TIM, ALONG WITH OTHER CASTLE GALLERIES DIRECTORS, GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS OF CHOOSING THE BEST POSSIBLE FRAME AND MOUNT PRESENTATION

During the process of creating a mount and frame, the artwork will be worked on by up to seven highly skilled craftsmen.

With a selection of about 400 wood frames – from slim black edged to ornate hand-carved frames – and 40 different mount designs, including floating and French wrap, this is not as easy as it sounds. “You can achieve a completely different look, simply by changing the mount and frame, so we try many different styles to see which works best with the art,” he says. “You need it to enhance the artwork without dominating it.” Quality of materials is crucial and only the best available are used. All materials that come into contact with the artwork are natural, with conservation grade mounts and paper used, so that the artwork maintains its pristine, as-new quality. High quality float glass completes the frame, although clients can request UV-filtered, anti-reflective glass, or museum-grade glass. During the process of creating a mount and frame, the artwork will be worked on by up to seven highly skilled craftsmen. Two specialists – a mount cutter and assembler – will make up the

mount, while a frame cutter will hand operate a mitre saw to ensure that the edges of the chosen frame are perfect before it is handed to another specialist who pins and glues it together. The backboard and glass are cut to size before an assembler inserts the art into the frame, taking particular care to clean all surfaces before sealing the backboard to the frame. The certificate of authenticity is then added to the back of the picture. At the final station, the rearside is completed by the taping of the joints, the addition of felt bumpers to stop it damaging the wall, and string to hang the piece. At each stage of the process, the mount, frame and artwork are checked for quality and only when it is completed to the highest standard does the final assembler sign the quality label. “The attention to detail is what makes our frames stand out,” says Tim. “You only have to see the skills of our craftsmen and the care they put into their work to appreciate that.”

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“You can achieve a completely different look, simply by changing the mount and frame, so we try many different styles to see which works best with the art”

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IN THE GALLERY Craig Davis o n

�

My childhood remains my biggest source of inspiration, trying to recapture endless summer holidays spent outdoors with friends.

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�

� SkyeWalker-Sketch Gicléeeditionof295 ImageSize12”x91/4” FramedSize23”x20” Framed£225

� Hyperspace-Sketch Gicléeeditionof295 ImageSize12”x91/4” FramedSize23”x20” Framed£225

� Underestimate-Sketch Gicléeeditionof295 ImageSize12”x91/4” FramedSize23”x20” Framed£225

� Blast ‘EmChewy!

Canvaseditionof195 ImageSize28”x211/2” FramedSize35”x271/2” Framed£450

� Blast ‘EmChewy!- Sketch Gicléeeditionof295 ImageSize12”x91/4” FramedSize23”x20” Framed£225

�

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Editorial Feature

� ThamesCurves Boxedcanvas Editionof150

ImageSize30”x50” £775

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Paul Kenton

FOR THE LOVE OF LONDON A fabulous new collection by acclaimed cityscape artist Paul Kenton steps back into the ever- mesmerising spirit of the capital.

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�

� DistantReflections Boxedcanvas Editionof150 ImageSize24”x60” £750

� LightItUpLondon Boxedcanvas Editionof150

� WestminsterMoods Boxedcanvas Editionof150 ImageSize30”x50” £775

ImageSize30”x50” £775

"I have a real soft spot for London and it's a continuing theme for me. The skyline is always changing, which is why my paintings change too. Every time I come here I see something new."

�

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Paul Kenton

aul Kenton's stunning collection of four new artworks is testament to his enduring love affair with London. Spanning itsmagical spectrum

very happy picture," said Paul. "It has a feel of both dusk and dawn andmixes old and newbuildings to reflect the city's wonderful architectural and cultural diversity and 24-hour lifestyle." Themagnificent sunset in 'WestminsterMoods' epitomises Paul's ability to depict both the stillness and high action that can typify London in a single image. The softly glowing colours look set to envelop the city in a comforting blanket of night but, at the same time, buses are racing across the bridge towards their waiting passengers. Withwater a strongmotif in his work, the river is central to all the pieces. "The Thames is the lifeline of London and everything has grown up around it," said Paul. "My paintings are about using this extraordinary river to reflect the buzz andmovement that's above it, the stillness and depth below the surface and its calming influence."

of moods andmovement – fromhigh speed to tranquil – the pictures capture a citywhere iconic buildings steeped in history, themajestic Thames and the frenetic energy of modern life interweave into a romantic, vibrant, hypnotic city that never loses its allure. "I have a real soft spot for London and it's a continuing theme for me," said Paul. "The skyline is always changing, which is whymy paintings change too. Every time I come here I see something new. I spend four or five days wandering aroundwith my sketchbook and camera fromearly in themorning until late at night so that I amcompletely emotionally immersed. I think it's the onlyway to get a true sense of place." Paul also continually experiments with new techniques, and is currently doing a lot of work inwatercolours. In 'Thames Curves' , for example, he uses watery acrylic paint, which he builds up layer upon layer. With a view fromThe Shard and buildings in the far distance just visible through a bank of light mist, Tower Bridge proudly spans the river in its important role as a link between north and south. The vivid red lines curling and spinning across the buildings arewhat Paul calls his 'movement lines', illustrating the energetic pace of the city. 'Light It Up London' captures the nights when the bright lights create an incredible depth of reflection in the river – the quiet window in time before the revellers come out for the evening. The strong contrast between light and dark also has the effect of the light changing in the painting as you look at it throughout the day. 'Distant Reflections' has a dreamy quality and a sense of distance encapsulating London's ever-evolving skyline. "This is a

GALLERY The collection is available as signed boxed canvases in limited editions of 150. Viewonline at castlegalleries.com

�

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IN THE GALLERY P e t e r Smith

� IScream,YouScream,We AllScreamForIceCream

Boxedcanvas Editionof150 ImageSize30”x30” £650

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�

Childhood memories never left me over the years, and it’s these feelings and playful emotions I like to convey in my work.

�

� YourLoveLiftsMe Higher Gicléeeditionof250 ImageSize16”x16” FramedSize28”x27” Framed£375 � GoBigOrGoHome Gicléeeditionof250 ImageSize20”x111/4” FramedSize32”x23” Framed£375 � ThisIsHowWeRoll Canvaseditionof150 ImageSize181/2”x40” FramedSize25”x46” Framed£595

� ABalancedDiet

Canvaseditionof150 ImageSize181/2”x30” FramedSize25”x36” Framed£495

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Editorial Feature

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Scarlett Raven

Castle Galleries is thrilled to unveil two limited edition pieces fromThe Eleventh Hour collection - a stunning tribute to loss and to life by contemporary artist Scarlett Raven.

n a deeply expressive exploration of the multiple facets of the poppy and its enduring symbolism, Scarlett Raven’s The Eleventh Hour collection is a poignant

movement, with each of her pieces uniquely composed. Faster-drying paint laced across slower-drying layers of oils creates cracking, revealing colours and textures underneath, whilst a scratching technique on the surface adds wonderful depth and movement. In The

and powerful homage to the fallen and to nature’s ability to triumph over the most brutal of manmade scars. Directly refer- encing Armistice Day, the collection of some 30

“The paintings are my way of showing my respect and gratitude to them all, and helping new generations engage with their sacrifice and bravery and remember them too.”

Eleventh Hour No.4 , the dense ground where poppies are almost vying for space is set against an airy

paintings is both a commemoration and reflection on the First World War and a celebration of the hope and new life that ultimately blossoms. With nature Scarlett’s greatest influence and inspiration, she uses abstract forms, patterns and sculpture to form texture and

sky, bright with white birds. Painstakingly crafted out of wood then painted, the birds represent the spirits of the soldiers flying free. “This is a very active painting and a thank you to the soldiers that will never be

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Scarlett Raven

�

� TheEleventhHour No.4

Boxedcanvas Editionof100

ImageSize32”x48” FramedSize35”x51” Framed£1,295 � TheEleventhHour No.19

Boxedcanvas Editionof100

ImageSize32”x48” FramedSize35”x51” Framed£1,295

forgotten,” said Scarlett. “I wanted to show their spirits soaring and that what they left behind is not just death and destruction but new life too.” The raw simplicity of The Eleventh Hour No.19 is charged with emotion and depth. Reflecting the horrors of the war and honouring the debt we owe to the fallen, at the same time it embodies a sense of hope and new beginnings. “What I've tried to do is juxtapose the innocence and brightness of the poppy with the darkness underneath - new life springing up from the despair of a ravaged landscape.” GALLERY The Eleventh Hour No. 4 and The Eleventh Hour No. 19 are available as framed and signed boxed canvases in limited editions of 100. A donation of £100 from the sale of each onewill be made to The Royal British Legion.

�

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Supporting The Royal British Legion

Launched at a private viewat Castle Fine Art in central London at the end of September 2014, The EleventhHour collection of some 30 paintings was exhibited for twoweeks in advance of Remembrance Day amonth later. The first of the series - The EleventhHour No. 1 –was gifted by Scarlett to The Royal British Legion for auction at the Poppy Ball, its prestigious annual fund-raising event. Working collaborativelywith The Royal British Legion, the paintingwas put on display in Trafalgar Square as part of the Armistice Day commemorative gathering in November, with a unique partnership with augmented reality company Blippar making it theworld's first piece of digitally interactive art. By downloading a free app, viewers couldmove their smartphones across the painting, bringing its layers to life and showing the process of creating it from blank canvas to finishedwork. Music to accompany the experiencewas written and performed by Scarlett's father Raphael Ravenscroft, known for his haunting saxophone solo on Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street. "Every poppy inmy paintings represents individual soldiers as well as their collective emotional experience," said Scarlett "and I wanted to conveywhat theymean separately as well as together. The paintings aremyway of showingmy respect and gratitude to themall, and helping new generations engagewith their sacrifice and bravery and remember them too. I feel very honoured to be part of what The Royal British Legion is doing."

� TheEleventhHourNo.1 Boxedcanvas Editionof 100 FramedSize 391/2”x391/2” Framed£1,295 £100donationtoThe RoyalBritishLegionfrom eachsale

�

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IN THE GALLERY Paul C o rfi e ld

Collectors often talk of escapismwhen I speak to them. They imagine or dream of living in the world I create.

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�

� CloudsOverTheSea Canvaseditionof150 ImageSize20”x28” FramedSize26”x34” Framed£550

� LavenderSunset

� SunSettingOverThe Meadows Canvaseditionof150 ImageSize161/2”x40” FramedSize221/2”x46” Framed£695

Canvaseditionof150 ImageSize20”x28” FramedSize26”x34” Framed£550

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IN THE GALLERY Xue Wang

�

� NoJamTomorrow

� RSVP

Canvaseditionof95 ImageSize18”x18” FramedSize25”x25” Framed£450

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� YesMadam

Canvaseditionof95 ImageSize20”x15” FramedSize27”x22” Framed£395

My take on ghosts is perhaps a little tinged with light-heartedness. As they creep amongst us we needn’t shrink from them, but welcome their witty messages from the other side!

�

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STILL RO KI � �

� Ronnie (1) ,Charlie Gicléeeditionof295 ImageSize17”x15” FramedSize20”x18” Framed£2,650 Unframed£2,226 (2) ,Keith (3) ,Mick (4) - Portfolioof4

�

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Ronnie Wood

�

Renowned Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood

delivers another set of accomplished drawings of his fellow band mates, in a four-piece collection following the launch of his new ‘Legends’ series in January 2015.

�

or Ronnie Wood, music and art have always gone hand in hand creatively, and the intensity that he brings to his music is

washed with watercolours, to create a stylish and elegant feel - instantly captur- ing the swagger of Mick Jagger; the laid back demeanour of Charlie Watts; Keith Richards’ unswervingly cool attitude; as well as his own assured self-portrait of a man at ease with his musical talent. Having honed his skills drawing his band

translated onto paper with a tangible energy and spirit. Wood has drawn admiration recently in art circles for his technical brilliance and his ability to iconic band mates. A talented artist, he has painted for the last 35 years with subjects ranging from other musicians to self-portraits, and he says his art is almost like a compulsion - ‘When I get inspired I get possessed and just have to paint’. A new set of line and watercolour drawings of the band members shows Wood’s undoubted talent and eye for detail. The new limited edition collection of four portraits, entitled ‘Drawn to Life’ were created using pen and ink and then create images of such an exacting likeness of his

mates over the years, Wood has also recently launched a new ‘Legends’

collection – where he turns the spotlight from his illustrious musical career with the Rolling Stones to his own musical idols. The first in the series is a

hand-signed limited edition giclée black and white print of Bob Dylan. A stylish and simple print it is a worthy aesthetic tribute from one iconic rocker to another. GALLERY The newDrawn to Life collection is available in galleries nationwide, or view online at castlegalleries.com

� Dylan

Gicléeeditionof150 ImageSize211/2”x161/2” FramedSize20”x18” Framed£1,295

SPRING2015 FIN e ARTC o LL e CT o R 53

�

IN THE GALLERY Emma Grz o nk o wski

�

� MeltingHeart Boxedcanvas Editionof25

� SplinteringHeart Boxedcanvas Editionof25

� CrimsonEnigma Boxedcanvas Editionof25

ImageSize50”x36” FramedSize54”x40” Framed£1,250 Unframed£895

�

The women within these pieces are compelled by deep all-consuming love and emotion, which is paralleled through my own personal heartache.

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IN THE GALLERY J o hn DWils o n

�

When the viewer stands in front of my 3D paintings they see the perspective painted in reverse. This is a perfect example of how art can play tricks on the brain.

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�

� TwoCanals 3-Deditionof150 ImageSize19”x39” FramedSize22”x42” Framed£850 � TheMeetingPlace 3-Deditionof150 ImageSize19”x28” FramedSize22”x31” Framed£650 � WaitingForOpening Time 3-Deditionof150 ImageSize19”x28” FramedSize22”x31” Framed£650

�

SPRING2015 FIN e ARTC o LL e CT o R 57

IN THE FRAME Simon Claridge

January saw the launch of the The Diamond Dust Collection by Simon Claridge with a sparkling private view at Castle Fine Art, Mayfair in London. Claridge has created a six-piece collection of beautiful Marilyn Monroe silkscreen images, having been granted exclusive access to photographs hand-picked from Twentieth Century Fox studio archives. Never before translated into fine art, and all hand embellished with sparkling diamond dust, the limited edition artworks are currently on sale in galleries across the UK. We can confidently report the evening was a glittering triumph!

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An exclusive new collection of original oils from rising contemporary art star, Stuart McAlpine Miller was officially launched at a private view in London on Thursday 4th December. IN THE FRAME Stuart McAlpine Miller

‘Mirror Mirror’, goes above and beyond classic portraiture and offers a storyboard of social commentary. Cited by art critics as “changing the course of art history” and having had his influence and appeal likened to Picasso, Stuart McAlpine Miller has catapulted to the forefront of the contemporary art scene.

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�

IN THE GALLERY K e ith Maid e n

�

� OilBeBack

Boxedcanvas Editionof95

ImageSize42”x28” FramedSize46”x32” Framed£850 Unframed£595

� CrudeReality Boxedcanvas Editionof95

ImageSize42”x28” FramedSize46”x32” Framed£850 Unframed£595

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The inspiration for these pieces centres on the ongoing debate about the war for oil and the West’s presence in the Middle East. Is it really about national security or is it about greed?

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IN THE GALLERY Car o line Sh o tt o n

�

� Trinity

� Harmony

� Devotion

Boxedcanvas Editionof150 ImageSize271/2”x44” £695

Boxedcanvas Editionof150 ImageSize32”x32” £650

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