11JAN 2010

More and more snow and ice have kept us indoors again. There was a very brief spell when the previous snow and ice melted to allow some deliveries. And bingo! We got the first print proof copy of the new catalogue.
So for the last few days I have spent as much time as possible checking tweaking rechecking to get it correct. Last night I uploaded the new monster file to Blurb who are doing the printing, and ordered a half dozen books.
You can see the whole book, all 160 pages and over 300 pictures, here.
http://www.blurb.com/books/1134148

Most of the prints featured in the retrospective catalogue have come from original paintings which have been sold. If you have a Ruffell original, have a look through the catalogue to see if it is in there. If it is, please let me know.

1st Jan 2010

Crikey! I am so slack. It is a month since our last blog post.
However, December 2009 was not wasted. I spent a deal of time creating the definitive catalogue showing Ruffell prints over the previous decade. The book is 160 pages long with just under 300 images. Quite a few are full page [12"x13"]. There are some explanations and some quotes from happy viewers, plus the usual biography and stuff. The problem is that it costs an arm and a leg :-(
You can see it here www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1110796
However, I suggest that you control your eagerness to own one until I receive my first proof copy in a few days time because I will probably need to make final tweaks and edits after seeing it.

The 2010 catalogue book is destined for unveiling at the trade only Spring Fair in Birmingham in February where I will share a stand with the other Artreo artists again. I have agreed to deliver a seminar as well at the Fair, entitled 'The Artists Role in the Art Industry'. So I have been working on that as well. Panic.

So here is a picture of the snow that imprisoned us for several days in December, and my Christmas dinner.

Then the dreaded lurgy [man flu cold thing] hit Fran and I which has drained our reserves.
Now we are both recovering, it is a glorious day following last nights rare blue moon, the sun is shining, and all is well for the new year and next decade. Happy new year.

30 November 2009 Phew!

Phew! At last it seems that I have a moment to put up a blog message.
We have been very busy getting our Open House exhibition ready and hung. Then we opened on Sat 21st, and Sun 22nd. Then again Sat 28th and Sun 29th. And of course we now get ready for next weekend when it all happens again.
Despite the fact that the weather has been 'interesting', very wet and windy in fact, we have played host to many intrepid visitors, sold lots of prints and cards, taken commissions for originals, prepared and drank gallons of mulled wine, eaten mince pies, and run our daily prize draw during open days.
Meanwhile the retail gallery and online gallery world is waking up for Xmas and orders for prints are coming in thick and fast. Help!!
And it goes on... tomorrow I am demonstrating my painting techniques at Canary Wharf London in the afternoon, plus in the evening we will be attending a private view where we are showing in a London east end gallery. That is the Art Group show 'Lets Play'.
Todays image is the solid gold 'Trevor the Cat' pendant that Graham Hale is showing at our Open House. Anybody who has looked at our website www.crabfish.com will recognise our mascot Trevor.

11 November 2009 Poppy Day

Today is a pretty significant day.

Armistice Day, when the world remembers those who died in war.

In 1918 WW1 peace was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

WW1 was billed as 'the war to end all wars'.

Today is 11/11/09.

That is 91 years after the signing of the armistice.

But war has gone on somewhere in the world ever since.

Here is one of Shyama's prints with lots of poppies.

Click here to see more about this print.

8 November 2009 New Brighton prints

These three new Brighton originals are being shown in The Art Group 'Lets Play' exhibition in London in December.
However I am keeping the publication of the prints for myself. In preparation for the upcoming Artists Open Houses in two weeks time I have proofed new Limited Edition prints of 250 each. I have decided to publish them in two sizes, A2 [approx 38cm x51cm] and A3 [ approx 26cm x 37cm].

Lets Play on the Bandstand

Lets Play on Palace Pier

Lets Play on Brighton Beach

23 October 2009 The Affordable

Shyama and I went up to The Affordable Art Fair in London today. It is held in Battersea Park twice a year. It has been going for ten years already. Also nowadays in Bristol, Paris, New York, Brussels, Amsterdam, Singapore, Sydney and Melbourne.

Here is a super idea. Great big cushions to relax on when your feet start to ache.

Shammy and I have both exhibited and worked at previous Affordables. Shammy shows with Lara Bowen on the Four Walls stand [this is Lara pictured today with her new baby Tom]. Show them art appreciation early! Actually Tom's arrival on the scene is the very understandable reason that Four Walls are not exhibiting at this show.

We met several old friends, looked at some great art, and had a really enjoyable day out.

21 Oct 2009 Literature of New York

Sabrina Fuchs-Abrams sent me a copy of her new book.

As you can see she has illustrated the cover with one of my paintings of New York.

She did ask me, and I was happy to allow her to do it.

The painting has been sold, but the print is available on my crabfish.com website here;

http://www.crabfish.com/catalogue/cat15_ser81_pai441.htm