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

Feeling Good About New Work!

Ok, the good news is, I'm still here! I haven't been sleeping on the job, I've just been very busy painting from dusk to dawn, so please excuse my absence from the world of Blog! 

Generally, most of my work is on the larger side, and given the image dynamics, overall composure and bold use of colour, I believe it has to be big. This is statement art, so painting big is essential, although the statement in this case is one of emotion, passion and energy, playfully hinting at intriguing ideas within the construct of the imagery, without being too obvious, thus retaining a sense of mystery and contemplation.   

For those of you who are interested in my work, but don't have the wall space to hang large work, Giclee prints are available from my website www.markelliottsmith.co.uk  Once nicely framed, these would look great too.

       
 Work in progress

Studio shot - 2016