Brian Sinfield Art Gallery
Just In
Michael Kidd - Sissinghurst Arch
Just in, this stunning new painting by Michael Kidd.
Michael's work shows a strong imaginative streak, quirky at times, surreal at others. Working in acrylic, he tends to work on themes - gardens, chateau’s, coastal scenes and cityscapes, whatever subject holds his interest.
His paintings are highly distinctive and possess an unworldly, surreal quality with a playful sense of mystery, occasionally bordering on the abstract. Whilst, of course, Michael's work is defiantly uniquely his own, perhaps it is the artist's fascination with Alfred Hitchcock that has laid the foundation for his work. Michael says "I love the odd and quirky feeling you get in his films, something sinister or mysterious which helps move the plot along. I quite like playing with different perspectives - it's not about perspectives, it's more about perception, which is the way you see it rather than the way it should be".
Michael Kidd was born in London in 1937. He studied at Wimbledon School of Art where he gained a scholarship to the Royal College of Arts in the late 1950s. Fellow art students included the film director Ridley Scott and artist David Hockney. He started his career working as an art director in some of London's leading advertising agencies and spent some years in America. On his return he began directing TV and cinema commercials in Europe, the US, and the UK, working, among others, for British Airways, Coca Cola, Lloyds, Barclays Bank, and Ford Motor Company, and won many awards.
He gave up directing to become a full-time artist in 1981 and held his first solo exhibition in Mayfair in 1997, and since has devoted all his time to painting.
Image illustrated: Sissinghurst Arch | acrylic on board | 60 x 80 cm
To view the painting details please click here
Featured Artist
Ann Armitage
The gallery is very excited to be representing the artist, Ann Armitage.
Yorkshire born Ann Armitage studied Fine Art at Canterbury College of Art and Design graduating with a BA Honours Degree in 1987. She lived and worked in London for many years before moving to the remote West Penwith peninsula of Cornwall in 2006.
Working predominantly in oil, Ann paints still life subjects from her studio of pots, bottles and cups. She has recently developed a series of paintings where each element is set up in a careful relationship to the other objects depicted. The attention to light and form has resulted in paintings which are reflective, and almost meditative in tone.
Ann was accepted on several occasions to the Royal Academy summer exhibition and the Discerning Eye exhibition, the New English Art Club and the Royal Society of British Artists at the Mall Galleries, London. She was invited by selector Fred Cuming RA to exhibit paintings in the 2008 Discerning Eye Exhibition and won the Regional Prize for the West Country, amongst others.
Painting illustrated: Field Poppies | oil on board | 30 x 25 cm
To view all available paintings by Ann please click here
Exhibition
Vanessa Cooper 7 November - 21 November 2020
It is impossible not to smile when you see a Vanessa Cooper painting, but that’s not why she’s given the title ‘Keep Smiling’ to this, her sixth exhibition with the gallery. In her words “In this recent time of crisis I have felt even more aware that happiness comes from appreciating the simple things in life. Even a broad smile from someone can get me through the day, and so I hope this exhibition not only makes you smile but grin, beam and quite possibly laugh.”
Vanessa explains: "Nature has always been very present in my paintings and I’ve recently become even more grateful for its wonder and endless inspiration. My painting ‘The Tree of Life’ is a celebration of nature, the glass dome protecting our native species we are so fortunate to find on our doorstep. For those interested, the order of the branches begins with Oak, then Apple, Beech, Hazel, Cherry, Pear, Rowan, Yew and finally Passion Flower, to symbolise love.”
Vanessa’s paintings are a delightful combination of naivety balanced with playful humour and a confident sense of colour. Brian sums up the feeling evoked by her work in just three words - joie de vivre! Who’d have thought dogs could actually enjoy ‘Bath Time’, but in the world of Vanessa Cooper, they look positively carefree, especially the dachshund. In the painting 'The Good Life' - how much fun can a group of goats and chickens have? Never have I seen a goat looking quite so perky!
Hampshire born, Vanessa Cooper has been painting since her early teens. She studied at Portsmouth University and had her first exhibition in 1987. Her work has been exhibited at the Royal College of Art, Royal Western Academy and Chelsea Art Fair. Her inimitable style results in paintings which are so appealing they are impossible to resist. Everyone should have one in their home.
Painting illustrated: Bath Time | oil on wood panel | 100 x 95 cm
Exhibition Catalogue available from 22nd October.