I'm off to the studio this morning, to work on a new painting, because I'm an artist and that's what artists do. An artists profession is to create - not sell. That comes later. Vision comes before profit.

It's about tapping in to the magic and manifesting it in to existence, in new work. The world always needs more magic, now more than ever. It's about being present in a sacred moment, feeling and communing with the energy and abstract concepts that come to mind. It's about opening up, going deeper, inspiring the psyche of a world that needs a story, meaning and guidance.

'The Past And Future Actions Of Involuntary Spontaneity' Sold

Acrylic on canvas, 207 x 144 cm

Vision for the Future

Starting as of next year, I predict a future where #art and #vision are leading forces in the change, attitude, and environment we want to see. 

'Kaleidoscopic Supersonic Thoughts Like Coloured Marbles Firing'

Acrylic on canvas, 150 x 150 cm

Commissioned Mural and Paintings at No.15 Great Pulteney Street Hotel, Bath

In the summer of this year, I had the great pleasure of meeting Hotel owner, Ian Taylor, who bought two of my works and commissioned me to paint a mural.

When I first arrived to make a start on the mural in one of the guest rooms, the whole place was in a process of transformation. The Hotel, now in completion, stands out from the conventional, emphasising originality, yet charm and elegance. It has a contemporary style that runs throughout which is distincive and attractively unique, and many of the furnishings exhibit this.

If you have an eye for the grand and intriguing, then this is the place to come to.

I very much enjoyed working with Ian, and wish him all the very best with this exciting enterprise.

Hotel owner, Ian Taylor and myself at No.15 Great Pulteney Street, Bath

My painting, 'The Clicking And Exploding Of Chance Actions' in one of the guest rooms

My painting, 'In The Mechanical Console Of My Orchestral Eye' in another of the guest rooms

My mural, 'The Sweet And Sour Twist Of The Curiously Luxurious' in one of the loft guest rooms

Art Into The Future

The exciting thing about being an emerging artist, is that it's down to you to anticipate how your work will fit in to a future world. There are current, mainstream artists whose work is everywhere, and their work is 'Art Now'. It's contemporary. Also, however, is the work being produced by today's emerging contemporary artists.

It's interesting to contemplate a future world, a future society, and how we as artists will shape that change. We shape it by dreaming it, by designing it, by painting it. What sort of future do we want?

Picture the scene. Feel the atmosphere. Just put it out there. Our thoughts create the reality we live in. 

My work is big, energetic, strong, colourful, vibrant, positive, playful and sensual. 

I envision a world where these are the qualities and characteristics promoted by a successful economy and culture. I do this because that's the reality I believe in, and as an artist I feel a resounding calling to manifest it. I believe in power, but one of celebration, not oppression. 

Preparing work for exhibition at The Island, Bristol, 2015

My Experience Of Working In The Studio

How would I describe my experience of being an artist, working in the studio?

Well, at times it's great. When I'm in the zone, focussed on my work, the music's playing and the world outside, and all the drama that's going on out there, just doesn't matter. The real drama is in the mind of the artist! It does at times however, get quite lonely. Dedicating your time to your vision, and how you feel how the world would benefit from your vision, is tough, it's a real slog, especially when much of the world outside the studio walls are none the wiser of your work let alone your existence. It's mentally and emotionally challenging, not to mention tiring and costly, but the way I see it, there are ups and downs in all of life's endeavours.

I think it's important to acquire a certain balance in life as an artist. When I'm not in the studio, I'm at home preparing ideas for new work, going out for long walks and catching up with other interests and activities. I believe this keeps you sane, and refreshed!





Working on a painting in the studio in 2015

Symbols And The Art Of Abstract Language

These prints are an additional thread of work I have recently been exploring. 

I started off by drawing several hundred symbols, completely spontaneously, then picked out several I felt had some kind of resonance.

I then had to learn how to do some basic screen printing. I also had to learn about the qualities of the paper and how the choice of paper affects the final outcome.

I became interested in the relationship between different symbols, in different colours.

I think abstract, symmetrical shapes are the most natural and simple forms of communication, as it is in art. Our own alphabet is composed of shapes, when assembled in to words communicate a vast complexity of meaning.

I became very interested in developing another language that could evoke interpretative concepts, and found that by doing so the means to describe new ideas and ways of thinking is infinite.

These are open to interpretation, but are in themselves playful yet sophisticated works to reflect on.

Silkscreen prints on Somerset Newsprint Velvet and Saunders Waterford archival paper,
Limited edition

These prints are available to buy on request. Click the link below for more on my website.http://www.markelliottsmith.co.uk/original-prints.html

Giclee Print In A New Home

Giclee print I sold recently, framed and looking great in a new home. 

From my original painting, 'The Cataclysmic Conundrum Of Undeterminable Forces' 

Giclee Print on smooth high white 100% cotton paper, 76.2 cm 

If you are interested in one of my prints, please take a look at my giclee print page on my website, 

http://www.markelliottsmith.co.uk/giclee-prints.html

All my Giclee prints are professionally printed at www.imagecentre.com

This is one of my larger prints, although  I am happy to discuss alternative sizes on request.

More intaglio collagraphs

Working from another plate, printing a new design based on the movement and elements of my paintings, variée edition of 10-15.

Intaglio Collagraph prints
Black on 190 gsm Saunders Waterford Paper

Intaglio Collagraph Printing

Tough day at work in the studio print room, inking up and wiping down the mount board plate ready for the the press.

Working towards a variée edition of prints, each one being a little different in resulting effect.

I love how through the process of printing, the outcome is so unique, depending on how much ink is on the plate at the time, how dry the paper is, or for whatever reason. 

These prints are based on elements influenced by my large scale, colour paintings in acrylic. These prints play with similar dynamics and visual characteristics, yet are more simplified and subtle.

Art Gemini Prize 2016

Me with my painting at the Art Gemini Prize in London last night. Very successful show, great to be part of it. See more of the exhibitors work at @artgeminiprize 

Commissioned Mural for 15 Great Pulteney Street

I am very grateful to have recently had the opportunity to paint a mural in my style of work at 15 Great Pulteney Street in Bath, a brand new luxurious boutique townhouse hotel, currently being redeveloped, soon to open. The commissioned artwork will be on permanent display on the top floor in one of the guest rooms. 

Working on the mural at 15 Great Pulteney Street, Bath


I am very pleased with the result. I look forward to seeing the work in completion of the room.
See here for more information on the hotel. http://no15greatpulteney.co.uk

Finished Piece / Acrylic paint / 2016

Relief Printing

Trying out some relief printing on mount board. These designs are influenced by the playful movement and energy of my large scale paintings, although much simplified in terms of scale, imagery and colour, using only black ink.

Giclee print Sold!

I am very pleased to have recently sold one of my giclee prints! I work with a professional, state of the art printers located near to my studio in Bath. 

Acid free and archival, the paper will last for hundreds of years (in good storage conditions) and won’t discolour or fall apart.

Prints are imaged using archival pigment inks for long life. The inks are UV stable and offer a lifespan of 100+ years.

All prints are signed and dated and come with a certificate of authenticity.

If you are interested in one of my prints, please take a look at my giclee print page on my website, 

http://www.markelliottsmith.co.uk/giclee-prints.html

This print, at 76.2 cm is larger, and a little more expensive than the ones advertised on my website. I am happy to discuss alternative sizes and have work printed to a larger scale on request. 

New painting and the natural beauty of colour

The Artist Outside his studio with new painting / 2016

There is something about seeing the true colours of a painting in the natural, pure daylight which I just love. 

Getting a decent photograph outside in the English weather is often a challenge, especially when it's nearly always raining like it has been this summer, to timing is key. 

The natural light exhibits the authentic, aesthetic quality of the paint at its best. You can feel the colours jumping out at you, wrapping around you, embracing in all their beauty.

The asymmetrical balance in this work supports the larger range of clear colours.  Following Kandinsky, intuition is a guide in the process of constructing the layers of colour.

Despite the abstract imagery, my paintings act in an interpellative manner to engage the subjectivity of the viewer, whilst also imparting an energizing, positive sense of possibility. Most important to me is to animate the viewers’ space with a stimulating appreciation of movement and vivacity. 

This painting, with its unconstrained energy, aspires to music, having its own rhythm, flow and emotion. 

 Rocking With The Weapons Of Creation And Destruction

 Acrylic on canvas          160 x 160 cm