Artists Blog – Joe Hendry

Last night fellow artistGillian Orr and I attended an exhibition at the “Tall Ship” on the River Clyde in Glasgow.

It was one of those nights when you don’t know what to expect but it was a great hoot: but then, most nights out with Gil are.

Sometimes I am not keen on these things because I detest art snobbery, although I love a good argument with an art snob! I wanted to go to this because I knew one of the organisers and he is a fab chap. I also felt guilty that I had never visited the Tall Ship.

We were a tiny bit disappointed that the event was not hosted on the ship.

This was all turned around though when the head of the trust who was an septegenarian sea expert invited whoever wanted for a guided tour of the “Glenlee”. It really was amazing walking around this ship which had been built around 150 years ago. Well worth a visit, especially to the “poop deck” (yes it did raise a titter) and there was even some nautical art hanging from the walls.

I feel that I might be building up to some water related art.

I know a few artists who repeatedly paint over artwork which they have created and it really annoys me! To think that someone took the time to create something and then destroys it in a couple of minutes with a large brush and a pot of black paint just seems wrong.

I have done it myself a couple of times and no more. I have painted a couple of paices in the past few months which have not sold. This is no big deal in the art world and especially not in a recession. I am grateful that I have not really had much of a recesion but I know some other artists have had a really tough time. It’s not necesarily a measure of the artwork. I know some painters whose work is outstanding but they may just not be so great at getting it “out there”

I have been quite harsh with myself but I think it’s because I have painted a couple of pieces which i was very happy with and 3 months on, I still have them. So, today, my painting “Cocktails”, rather than being whitewashed or turned into a blackboard got some additional work on top.

I have some meandering ideas in my head but we will see where she heads….

It’s been another funny few days. Yesterday I had an interesting time browsing around the Homes & Interiors exhibition. There was a lot more artwork there this year than last which made it a bit more interesting for me. As a former Interior Designer, people think that I am really into this kind of thing but to be honest, it does nothing for me, so I spent most of my time there looking at the paintings.

I had an interesting discussion with a very pleasant and experienced art gallery owner who told me that I had to decide if I was a “commercial artist” or a “fine artist”.  This has haunted me since the discussion as I hate the term “commercial artist” . The gallery owner told me that they were interested in a piece of my artwork which they saw in a competitors gallery and yet, they only exhibit fine art. Well at least I have some pieces which crosss over.

I have uploaded an “art wall” where i hav about 80% of my paintings from the last few years in one place. An attempt to bring something new to the website and for me, a really interesting experience to see all this work in one place.

In previous years, I travelled around Scotland a lot more than I have been able to more recently. This has meant that much of my painting has been based locally. I have commented that I look forward to travelling more.

Last week, I had a visit from a friend, Ed, who is a lorry driver. Ed had told me earlier in the year that he is interested in photography. He showed me some of his photos which he had taken with his mobile phone when he is out driving, sometimes very early in the morning as the sun is rising. Some of the shots were fantastic.

I did not hesitate in asking for permission to use them as source material for some painting. Above is my first “Ed Landscape” based on a photograph of some early morning “Scotch Mist” over a valley to the west of Glasgow.

More Ed’s soon!

If you asked me years ago, I would possibly have described myself as a “glass is half empty” type of person. I see myself differently these days and I think that life experience turns many of us into “glass is half full” people.

This has been a week when I have been exposed to some really fantastic, positive people. It is great for me to be exposed to people whose enthusiasm is infectious and makes you look at yourself and appreciate things more.

Talking of appreciation, today I saw some fantastic artwork which always gives me a boost. I was delivering my art to the Ealain Gallery at the Homes & Interiors exhibition which takes place this weekend. I got “roped in” to helping hang the art and it was great fun. It took me back to my interior design days and the gallery owner even listened to me. I didn’t want to push my work forward for the best positions but I ended up fairly much centre piece on one wall so I had to compromise and have another piece on a small easel on the floor.

A quick look around the other galleries hanging work and I have to say, it looks much more exciting than last year. More art and there is even a special gallery display with all the various gallery artist’s mixed in which looks fantastic.

If you see me milling about on Saturday afternoon do say “hello”.

This could possibly be the first time I have posted a blog without an image but….I have nothing to post!

Thanks to those of you who have emailed to ask if I am on holiday, ill or dead! Either people really care or they just want to know if the value of their Joe Hendry paintings have suddenly rocketed.

Well, thanks for the concern, it really does mean a lot. The honest answer is that I have had a touch of “painters block”. This has happened before and more experienced artists than me have advised that it always goes away and a return to form just “happens”. I am pretty ssure that this is sound advice as I have been here before.

So, other than finishing  few pieces off for the upcoming Homes and Interiors Exhibition I have been dabbling in a couple of landscapes and a few other bits and pieces but very aware that I have not been uploading new artwork.  Today it felt like I was getting back into the swing so please watch this space…

Landscape Painting in progress

I am really getting in to this landscape painting thing again.

It’s strange because landscape painting is what I used to do for relaxation before I took up painting full time.

This new piece is based on a stop I made in the car in the hills just above Loch Lomond.

There is a farmhouse or white washed building of some kind nestled in amongst the hills and I am wondering if it will make the artwork look too “chocolate box”. However, it is there in real life so I guess that’s my answer.
Completed artwork to appear soon.

I have always had an interest in all things sculptural but never taken anything beyond dabbling.

In the late 80′s I sculpted some items in plasteline, a French wax for a company my brother had at the time which made miniatures of almost everything. It was amazing to work in. Other than that there was the odd thing at college. Our lecturer was none other than Scottish painter George Devlin but he was quite greedy with the potters wheel in his studio and students rarely got near it!  I certainly never.

Anyway, this week I have been semi-house bound and not able to make it to the studio much but this has been a great opportunity for my daughter to introduce me to the wonders of polymer clay. I thought this stuff was just for kids but it is utterly amazing. I have since discovered several incredible artists online making outstanding objects from this material which was first developed in the 1930′s (this was news to me).

So, proudly displayed is my first ever attempt at polymer clay work.

I can see me painting less if this gets a grip….

Yesterday I gave my first ever painting demonstration at the Park Gallery in Glasgow.

I was not too sure what to expect and had chatted to a few other artist’s before hand. Some told me that they had done it and it was a great experience, others said they had done this type of painting demo and would never do it again and another said that they just wouldn’t do it!

This left me feeling a tad nervous. Add to that, I had to wear my glasses because my eyesight is starting to go (buy your Joe Hendry’s now before he can’t see anymore!) and that I was dressed in my trampy painting gear and I headed for the Park Gallery with a “whatever will be will be attitude”.

I have to say, it was a fantastic experience and I am very glad that I agreed to do it. You can read all about it in the Park Gallery Painting Demo page at Joehendry.com

Ok, call me thick but I just cannot get my head around this WordPress blogging. Those of you who follow my art and ramblings will know that the blog has been all ove rthe place. Please accept my apologies ….but I just can’t seem to get it right!

Anyway, technicalities aside and I am back painting allsorts at the moment.

I have had this landscape on the go for nearly a year, just playing with it now and again inbetween other pieces of artwork. It is in oil and is sightly unusual for me. It is based on the view from a friends cottage in the country.

I am glad that I managed to finish it in time for my first ever painting demo on Saturday 25th at Glasgow’s Park Gallery when I will be painting a landscape. When I say painting, I will be beginning to paint as where it will go on the day I have no idea.

That’s the way I like it though.