A Unique Opportunity....

I have started an art project through Kickstarter with the aim to create a unique art piece that brings people from all quarters together, representing the world melting pot and the life journey in a single one off, original painting.

A Coming Together

The aim of this project is to create a unique painting depicting a world melting pot of people from all quarters who are working their way along their life path. 

Each collaborator will be depicted within the painting as an individual character together with something specific that represents them. This can be by something they are holding, like a favourite childhood toy or an object relating to their hobby or interest, the clothing they are wearing, whether it's the uniform of their career (or even what they WANTED to be!). Anything they can think of that tells their story or that shows a small piece of their personality.

There are also great incentives for backing this project. You will have an individually commissioned piece of artwork to own (see Rewards), and at the same time be part of a wider achievement and be included in an exciting process with a final result! A coming together and melting pot of people from all quarters included in a single, unique painting.

Find out more about 'The World Melting Pot' Project with 'Kickstarter'

This is a unique opportunity to be involved in a fantastic art collaboration!

Find out more about Kickstarter

New Exhibition at Artery Gallery, St Andrews

one: Trike
(8" x 8" acrylic on box canvas)

A new collection of 8 original paintings are now on show at Artery Gallery in St Andrews, Scotland, including 4 new 'one' paintings.

I'm really pleased with the response this new series has achieved, consistently selling well and one off commissions are also proving a popular choice. Artery Gallery is only the second gallery to be showing this series so hopefully the success will continue and with Artery's track record for selling my work, I'm very hopeful of a positive exhibition.

Between 2007 and 2009, my paintings received much admiration whilst on show at Artery, and now after a break, it's great to be working in conjunction with the gallery once more.

For more information log onto the gallery website at www.arteryuk.com or get on your 'Trike' and visit Artery Gallery at 43 South Street, St Andrews, Fife.

Homage to MC Escher

"Opportunity Three" (30" x 30" acrylic on box canvas)

Here is the final image of the MC Escher homage I have been working on over the last week. A sure fire headache from start to finish, but at the same time it's been an enjoyable painting to create.

I've always been fascinated by Eschers work and his image titled 'Relativity' in particular. I actually completed a large jigsaw of this image many years ago, though I'm not sure which was the more challenging, working out all the angles and gravity sources or fitting together hundreds of seemingly identical jigsaw pieces!!

The painting will soon be heading down to London and will be on show at the Chelsea Art Fair through Gallery Perutz of Calstone, Wiltshire. The gallery will also be showing 3 other brand new paintings at the fair which I hope to post here soon.

Manchester Exhibition

Original work currently exhibiting at the Richard Goodall Gallery in Manchester is now available to view online.

Richard Goodall Gallery is the leading, and largest commercial gallery for Contemporary Art, Fine Art Photography, and Rock Art in the UK.

Based in Manchester across 2 locations, the gallery has been open since 2000 and represents leading artists across a number of fields.

Go looky!

The Modern World

Here is my latest commission recently completed and I'm relieved to say, happily received by the client!

Commissions can often be tricky as you are basing the story of a painting on someone elses thoughts and what sort of painting they expect. It can be nerve racking waiting for feedback from the customer, knowing they will not see the image until they take receipt of it upon delivery. Thankfully once again, the response has been wonderful.

(20" x 16" Acrylic on box canvas)

This particular piece was for a 40th birthday present (Number '40' painted in silver on the number plate) and as a lifelong 'Mod', the main aim was to portray the paintings owner in his youth on his beloved Lambretta, viewing the world from the outside, perhaps contemplating what was, what is, and what is still to be.

All commissions are interesting in their own right, but I have to say, this has been one of my favourite commissions to work on to date. When I received a letter this morning from my customer today to say how much emotion it evoked, it made me realise once more what a priviledge it is to paint these kind of artworks for people to treasure and enjoy.

Keys to the World

(30" x 24" acrylic on box canvas)

The world seems a ridiculously large place when you are young and far away places may as well be on a different planet.

As decisions and opportunities arise throughout life, the world does seem to reduce in size. The day will come when you have the ability and the freedom to unlock new worlds and cultures. It can become your playground and you’re free to go anywhere....bar the odd strict border control!

Most people may not have the money to get to the places they want to, but a bit of drive, free thinking and adventurous spirit can compensate for any lack of funds.

The new 'one' series now available

You can view and purchase original paintings from the new 'one' series by visiting my website at
www.scottcarruthers.co.uk

One Love

'One Love', original acrylic on box canvas now available at Chelmer Fine Art

(36" x 30" box canvas)

The Sweet Fantastic

Quite possibly the best noise you can hear during a childhood summer is the sound of 'Mr Scoopy' and the likes, pulling into your street. Then frantically running round the house looking, or scrounging, for a pound, not just so you can have an ice cream but to experience BUYING an ice cream from a VAN!! A sweet shop RIGHT on your doorstep. Doesn't get any better than that.

Nowadays when I hear the rather poor tune echoing down the road, I get instantly annoyed knowing that the kids are going to ask for some money!....but how can I say no. It's ice cream....from a van!

Available at Artifex Contemporary Arts, Sutton Coldfield

SOLD

Edinburgh Art Fair 2009

New originals will be on exhibition this coming weekend at the Edinburgh Art Fair, running from the preview night on Thursday 19th to Sunday 22nd November.

4 large 30" x 30" box canvas paintings will be on display at the Scotlandart.com stand.

"All You Need Is Love" SOLD

It's the first time I've shown work at this show so am very excited about it and hope it will be as succesful as the London Art Fair a few weeks back. I also hope to get along myself to have a good look around.

You can find out more about the show and the venue by visiting the Art Edinburgh website.

Your Star Will Shine

(36" x 30" acrylic on box canvas)

Everyone hopes to have their moment of glory some day, either through a single achievement, at an event or by reaching a goal they have set themselves over a period of time.

Whether its through natural talent or just through determination and hard work, when the day comes, you feel on top of the world with a strong sense of pride from not only yourself but also from friends and family.

If you feel that goal is yet to be reached, know in yourself that one day your star will shine and shine for all the world to see…..

...unless nobody is watching, which would just be typical!!

Xmas Exhibition at Artifex Contemporary Arts

A new exhibition of original paintings is now showing at Artifex Contemporary Art Gallery in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands.

Originals on show include new versions of 'The Friendly Stranger' and 'One Love'

Artifex is a stunning gallery selling the very best in contemporary British art & craft. The 3000 square foot gallery specialises in designer/craftsman made furniture, glass, ceramics, sculpture & original paintings with a strong emphasis on originality and quality.

More about the exhibition and the gallery can be found out by visiting their website at www.artifex.co.uk

Please do not hesitate to contact either me or the gallery with any enquiries on the exhibition.

Edinburgh Exhibition Preview - Thursday 22nd October

New original work will be exhibiting at Scotlandart Galleries in Edinburgh from 22nd October through to the end of November.

I will be attending the preview night myself on the 22nd, so it will be nice to chat to anyone who is able to make it.

If you are able to get to Edinburgh at any stage over the next few weeks, please pop in to view the new work on show, some of which I have posted on here in recent weeks.

Scotlandart is based in the Stockbridge area of the City and is well worth a visit.

If you cant get to the gallery, then the work will be viewable and available through the gallery website at www.scotlandart.com

Me Plus One

(30" x 24" acrylic on box canvas) Available at Artifex Contemporary Arts
SOLD

A kid will always enjoy having his or her favourite companion by their side. Having a teddy to cuddle up to, whether out on a day trip or just tucked up in bed gives that extra sense of comfort and security.

A favourite bear, dog, rabbit or even a fuzzy tiger would be an essential partner to have by your side and you just wouldn't want to leave home without it!

This painting is also paying tribute to one of my favourite comic strips, Calvin and Hobbes by American cartoonist Bill Watterson.

Calvin is a 6 year old boy, who to be fair, is a naughty little so and so! But the adventures he gets up to with his phylosophical tiger Hobbes sometimes go beyond any ordinary imagination and propels Calvin to a higher breed of daydreamer!

Hobbes, to everyone else is just a stuffed 'fuzzy' tiger, but to Calvin he is Hobbes, his reserved but enthusiastic pal, who really is an ACTUAL tiger!

Who am I to argue.

Time

(30" x 24" acrylic on box canvas) Available at Leonardo Galleries, Toronto
www.leonardogalleries.com

Growing up and being a kid seems to be timeless. Everything is pretty much done for you and there is no care in the world. All you really need to think about is what game can be played next, or which cartoon to watch!

….And yet before you know it, 10 years have passed, then 20, then 30 and time has melted away before it feels like you even had the chance to get going.

The important thing though is that we can still look back on when we were kids and remember just what is was like and how carefree those days were.

Time continues on its path no matter what, so make the most of every minute, regardless of what age you’re at.

Handbags and Gladrags

(76cm x 60cm acrylic on box canvas) SOLD

Every little girl at one stage or another would of raided her mum’s wardrobe and put on a few of her favourite dresses and a pair of oversized shoes!

Clip-clopping down the hall, giant handbag in tow, she'd get her sister or friend to join in or even rope her brother into dressing up too…..Dads hat would probably be the only thing that fitted but at least it meant he could wear his favourite cowboy costume instead!!

All dressed up and ready to go, it was time for a bit of ‘Mums and Dads’. This basically involved pretending to go to the shops or taking a trip to the petrol station to fill up the car with ‘£5 of 4 star’. Only ending when mum’s favourite hat became buckled and bent, or ‘Cowboy Joe’ deciding to shoot everyone with his cap gun!

It's Footy Season!!

.....You wont find any overpaid prima donnas on this park though.....

'Round Our Way' - 76cm x 60cm acrylic on box canvas
Available at ScotlandArt.com

A half decent playing area, jumpers for goalposts….or perhaps a conveniently placed sign, and anything up to 25-a-side were all the essentials you needed for a good kick-a-bout with your pals and anyone else keen to join in.

Undoubtedly there would always be a couple of kids who would constantly have the ball due to their far superior skill level, while the rest of us would have to chase a few shadows, yet there was still a sense of camaraderie, each and every ’player’ getting stuck in for the cause, some more than most obviously!

As darkness approached, the numbers would slowly whittle down as tea time beckoned, leaving perhaps only a few of the hardcore, determined players eager to find a winner, which usually meant a unanimous decision of “The next goal wins!”

I wonder what the score was in the end?

North Country Boy - homage to LS Lowry

(76cm x 76cm Original acrylic on box canvas)

Part of the Artist Collection
Available at ScotlandArt of Edinburgh and Glasgow

The World is Yours ii

(90cm x 76cm Original acrylic on box canvas)

The world seems a ridiculously large place when you are young and far away places may as well be on a different planet.

Yet how many times do you hear the phrase it's a small world?

As decisions and opportunities arise throughout life, the world does seem to reduce in size, not physically of course, but certainly metaphorically. At some stage, you have the ability and the freedom to do exactly what you want. The world is your oyster and you're free to go anywhere....bar the odd strict border control!

Most people may not have the money to get to the places they want to, but a bit of drive, free thinking and adventurous spirit can compensate for any lack of funds.

The World Is Yours for the taking.

Out By My Side

Here is a first look of the new generation I mentioned previously. Not much difference you might think at first glance but there are subtle changes. Let me know what you think.

And here is the complete painting;

(70cm x 50cm) Original Acrylic on Canvas

Do you remember your favourite toy that you just had to have with you at every waking hour.....and even whilst sleeping?

My favourite teddy bear I had as a kid was named Boo-ya, a sky blue bear that looked a lot like Yogi Bear’s friend Boo-Boo (Apparently Boo-Boo was too difficult for me to say at the age of 5, so the name Boo-ya had to suffice!!).

Like many kids with their beloved companion, he came everywhere with me, whether out on a day trip or just tucked up in bed. Acting as a comfort just like a blanket.

Whether it was a teddy bear, action figure, a backpack full of favourite ‘stuff’, or what seems to be even more noticeable nowadays, the ever-present Nintendo DS, a favourite toy was an essential item to have by your side. You couldn't leave home without it!