'Big Red' is Selected for the Gallery Prize at the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery

'Big Red'

While on holiday in Canada I found out that my painting Big Red had been selected by the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery to receive their gallery prize for best in show. The painting is one of four I am currently exhibiting as part of The Society of Feline Artists annual exhibition in London.

Having recharged my batteries while on holiday I'm really looking forward to getting back to painting. I have hundreds of new reference photographs to choose from including both grizzly and black bear, elk, small mammals and many birds. I also took many photographs of trees, rocks, streams etc which will come in very useful.

I was lucky enough to see a humpback whale from the ferry when crossing back to Vancouver from Vancouver island, that was a very special couple of minutes.

I'll be exhibiting at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show later this week, probably still suffering from jet lag!

The 2009 Exhibition of the Society of Feline Artists

'Moody Blue'

On Tuesday I travelled to London to attend the 2009 Society of Feline Artists Exhibition held at the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery.

I had met up with my friend, fellow artist Katherine Tyrrell. Katherine has written an exhibition review on her blog 'Making a Mark'

My paintings were in the window and the first thing that I noticed was that 'Moody Blue' had already sold, in advance of the official opening.

The opening was exceedingly well attended and as in past years opened by the patron of the Society, David Grant, well known celebrity Vet.

As always the standard was high and the work diverse. You can see lots of photographs of the event on the Society Blog. These can be viewed as a slide show or photo album.

My personal favourite was 'Geoffrey's Cat' by Natalie Mascall, not surprisingly it was already sold.

For anyone interested in feline art the exhibition is well worth a visit, it runs until 18/09/09 and the gallery is open until 7.30pm Monday to Saturday.

I also discovered that The Cat magazine had used an image of 'Moody Blue' to promote the exhibition. The Cat magazine is the official supporter magazine of Cats Protection. That was the finishing touch to a very pleasant afternoon.

Tabby Kitten finished

'Practice Catch'

I finished just in time to meet my deadline. A courier is collecting the paintings tomorrow and taking them to London to be included in the 2009 Society of Feline Artists Exhibition at the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery.

Society of Feline Artists 2008 Exhibition

'The Aristocrat'

Original sold by the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery

On Tuesday I travelled down to London to attend the Private View of the 2008 Exhibition of the Society of Feline Artists. Still jet lagged I did wonder if this was a good idea but I had a fabulous time.

I first met up with Katherine Tyrrell of the Making a Mark blog for lunch and a good chat. Katherine is excellent at finding nice places for lunch so we had a thoroughly enjoyable time.

Katherine went into the Gallery slightly ahead of me, and imagine my delight when she came back to tell me 'Aristocrat' had the coveted red spot to mark it sold. I later found out that it had been one of the first paintings to be bought.

We got time to speak to some of the other SOFA members and I found them a really friendly set of people. (Denise if you read this I have been showing off your business cards and have ordered some of my own).

The exhibition continues until the 20/09 so if you like feline art and can travel to London then it is really worth a visit.

Links:-

Denise Laurent - The Painted Cat

The Llewellyn Alexander Gallery

The SOFA blog

Home Again to Exciting News

I'm now back from my American holiday although I think part of me remained on the plane, hopefully the jetlag will soon pass.

We travelled almost 4000 miles and I probably shot the same amount of photographs. I was lucky enough to get some lovely close up shots of various creatures and some spectacular early morning shots in Yellowstone. This one however sticks in my memory, "The one that got away"

I have also received some exciting news.

In early August I submitted a portfolio for consideration by the Selection Committee of the Society of Feline Artists, when I arrived home I found that I have been accepted as a full member. I consider this a huge honour as the standard of work produced is consistently high.

I don't think it's really sunk in that I can now add the letters S.O.F.A after my name.

Some other exciting news is that I have been approached the Snow Leopard Trust and I am going to be supporting them as part of their artist program, more details to follow.

The 2008 Exhibition of the Society of Feline Artists

Yesterday was the selection day for the Society of Feline Artists 2008 exhibition at the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery in London.

I met up with my friend and fellow artist Katherine Tyrrell and we both had all our work accepted. I had a slight hiccup with one of my frames but Katherine has kindly sorted everything out for me.

I sent in three of the images earlier in the year and 'Aristocrat' was one of the images selected to feature in the 2008 Private View Invitation.

I will be going back to London on the 2nd of September to the Champagne Private View at the Gallery. It will only be 2 days after I'm due to fly back from America so I'm not sure how alert I'll be!