Liam O'Farrell at the Affordable Art Fair

Michelin Building, London

From tomorrow, watercolour artist Liam O'Farrell will be exhibiting at The Affordable Art Fair in Battersea.
Obsessed with 'day to day' stuff and the architecture surrounding us, Liam's paintings effervesce with recognisable characters, places and buildings. The exhibition continues until 27th October.  More information here.

A Cambridge Companion

 

John Holder creates many beautiful drawings for 'An Armchair Traveller's History of Cambridge'.
Living and working in the city itself whilst being one of the best contemporary reportage illustrators, makes John the perfect artist for this job. Full with on the spot drawings, this book, written by Richard Tames is out now and follows the launch of John Holder's celebration of mark making; G.O.D. - Good Old Drawing at the Cartoon Museum in London and in Cambridge.

Pentonville Road

John Walsom is happy to have this gorgeously moody watercolour accepted for the Sunday Times watercolour competition. "Pentonville Road" will go on exhibition at the Mall Galleries in September.

Pintar Rapido London

Cheyne Walk (oil on board)

John Walsom braved the heat on what was the hottest day of the year so far in London to take part in Pintar Rapido. Meaning 'to paint quickly' the event originating in Spain is an art show that celebrates 'the urban spaces we live and work in'. Alongside hundreds of other artists, John completed two paintings, one of which was exhibited the following day at Chelsea Old Town Hall on the King’s Road where the paintings could be purchased by the public. Roger Beckett founder of Pintar Rapido London says of the event;

"Pintar Rapido is going to be a celebration of art and the city backdrop that inspires artists of all styles to create a painting in a day. I want them to capture the spirit of city – from its parks to its architecture, industrial locations to a river scene. The chaos and the calm and the people who breathe life into it. But most of all I want it to be a fun and exciting event for all those who take part."

Dubai on a Deadline

Liam O'Farrell triumphs with this illustration for the Celebration of Dubai Airports 2013. Using watercolours with his fluid and confident style, Liam was required to supply the painting on an extremely tight deadline. He says "All seemed to work out well despite being a next day delivery."

Brick Lane Market at The Mall Galleries

Liam O'Farrell is currently exhibiting at The Royal Society of British Artists 296th RBA Annual Open Exhibition. Running from now until 23rd March, Liam's painting ‘Brick Lane Market’ has been selected and hanging at The Mall Galleries in London - ‘Exhibiting the best of contemporary representational painting, sculpture, printmaking and drawing, sourced from member artists and open submission.'

Liam says "I am particularly pleased as I know the competition is very tough. Paintings aside the gallery is a lovely place to visit too, it has good coffee, great cake, and The Queen lives in the same street so do go along if you get the chance." Admission: £3.00, £2.50 Concessions. Free to FBA Friends, National Art Pass holders and under 18s. 

St John's College

Liam O'Farrell has put his brushes to paper and created this wonderful watercolour for a fellow of St John's College Cambridge.

Liam says " The college was founded in 1511 and its statutes are specified as ‘The promotion of education, religion, learning and research’ and it has to be said they have done rather well as it's alumni boasts nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints!
I chose to paint the Great Gate which is adorned with the arms of the foundress Lady Margaret Beaufort. The odd creatures are yales, mythical beasts with elephants' tails, antelopes' bodies, goats' heads, and swivelling horns.
Above them is a figure of St John the Evangelist with an Eagle at his feet and symbolic, poisoned chalice in his hands. Why he carries a poison chalice god only knows, it seems a rather negative idea to me and would never get past a focus group.
Anyway, despite delicious architecture Cambridge to me is all about the people and most of them are on bikes as the students are banned from owning cars. I took the opportunity to add as many cyclists as the space would allow."

The client was immensely pleased, and so is Liam!

Affordable Art Fair

Liam O'Farrell is exhibiting a number of artworks at this year’s Affordable Art Fair in Battersea, London. "The Affordable Art Fair is returning to London this Autumn, with a feast of contemporary art from £40 – £4,000. With Battersea Park with over 100 galleries, finding the perfect artwork has never been simpler or more fun'.
You can find Liam at Habasco, Stand F2, from Thursday 25th October to Sunday 28th at Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ.