I hope everyone is keeping well and safe during these strange and worrying times.

Like a lot of people, I’ve been furloughed until further notice. At my day job, I work in digital for a pub company, so it’s no surprises as to why I’m currently not at my job.

And being on furlough leave has meant that I’ve been fortunate enough to get on with my personal hobbies, like oil painting. I had been working on this “Three Crows” in oil paint since 2018 but then my lovely cat, Mick, was tragically taken from us and I ‘downed tools’ for a while to process.

All of this ‘free time’ has enabled me to finish the painting and it’s now sold and on it’s way to a new home. Selling a piece of your art is reassuring for any artist, especially if you’re an artist that constantly doubts your skills (like me).

I’ve included a selection of images of my the oil painting below. It’s entitled “Three Crows” and the overall mood is pensive now that I’ve really looked at the finished piece. Mournfully pensive, even.

The feelings I had whilst painting were sensations of lingering time, but knowing the outcome.

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I struggle with backgrounds, always, and this was no exception but I felt the rainbow etched blue contrasted with the shiny crows. All of the doubt, hope, fear and knowing mingling pretty well.

As always, I’d really appreciate some feedback on this, especially as I haven’t been able to show anyone in person.

Hi everyone. Hope you’re well?

It’s an arty post from me today. I’ve been working with lino for the first time in over ten years (since school, even).

I’ve made these 7 original and limited edition lino prints using a black ink with silver and gold shapes.

Each one is unique and unlike the other. Even if you attempt the same composition, the texture and coverage is never alike, which is why I love printmaking.

I’m thinking about adding these to my Etsy store and potentially more of my artworks… what do you think? Are these something you would purchase?

Before the “Beast from the East” hit the UK, I headed up to London to catch the last day of Dan Witz’s Mosh Pit Paintings at The Stolen Space Gallery. I was so impressed with the full throttle energy he conveys in his works. The scenes looked so regal in the medium of oil paint yet so atmospheric that they instantly took me to the pit of my favourite gigs.

Big shout out to The Stolen Space Gallery for continuing to showcase artwork from talented artists from the street art and urban art scene. It’s one of the few galleries in London where I feel that subculture is represented and given a platform. I saw one of my favourite artists, Jouram Roukes, at the gallery many moons ago and always keep an eye out on social media for other new artists the gallery represents or upcoming exhibitions.

After the exhibitions and thirsty for more art, I wandered around Brick Lane to take in some of the murals that this area is famous for. It’s a changing canvas so it’s likely that something you saw last month won’t be there in a few weeks time and that’s what I love about the postcode; a rapid array of free art. But some pieces by, should we say, more well-known street artists, have stuck around for longer, probably because the locale wants to attract more tourists to the area using these big names.

With camera in tow, I took a few shots from the main street that leads down to the Truman Brewery. Another landmark close to my heart as it’s where I exhibited for my degree show – something else that feels like a lifetime ago!

Have you been to any art exhibitions lately? Any you would recommend?