2016 Heath Robinson Museum Secret Art Sale

The Heath Robinson Museum had their 2016 Secret Art Sale at the Upstairs Gallery at West House, Pinner Memorial Park last week. Offering over 170 6”x 6” canvases for sale with all proceeds going towards the newly opened Heath Robinson Museum. Works of art were donated to the museum by both aspiring and renowned professional artists, cartoonists and illustrators and yours truly was one of the 143 artists that participated and I understand it was a great success.
I was artist number 58 and donated this glow in the dark portrait of the ideas man himself Heath Robinson with a symbolic light bulb above his head. As always with my glow in the dark paintings it allows the owner to enjoy the piece day and night and also acts as a convenient locater of light switches in the dark. It was a genuine honour to be able to create a piece devoted to one of my favourite illustrators, more so knowing that proceeds made from its sale will further fund the very museum devoted to him.
A gallery of all 170 canvases can be viewed on the museum's site- if you are Pinner be sure to visit the museum and show your support!

© Arfon Jones  2016. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

Arty Farty PoTATEo Party: Mail Order Mutant Potato

Artist Sigmar Polke (1941- 2010) has been heralded as one of the most significant German artists to emerge from the 1960s, making art from a various materials from painting, drawing and film to potatoes, snail juice and meteor dust. The Tate, regard him to be one of the most exciting and experimental artists of the last 50 years describes him as, “ an artist he responded to consumer society, confronted the memory of the Nazi’s, and took hallucinogenic drugs.” They recently had one of his more famous creations on display, his Kartoffelhaus (Potato House) (1967). Once again to quote the Tate, “This potato house grew in Sigmar Polke’s head; now it travels the world. Designed to flat-pack for easy transportation, the potatoes are provided at each port of call. It is not a cage, for no cage ever had one wall missing. This is the house of the ‘dissident dweller’; a temporary shelter from which to view the world, or the circling worlds of Polke’s imagination.” After the exhibition had ended at the Tate one of my creative comrades* Julie Gritten had the incentive to collect all the potatoes left over and put them to good use, namely plant them and give them out to fellow artists for them to do with them as they saw fit. On Sunday we all met up at Julie’s studio and had an 'Arty Farty PoTATEo Party', we showed off our work, discussed art and had some delicious home made Leek and PoTATEo soup, made from the Polke potatoes that Juilie had grown in her garden. I had a fantastic time my sincere thanks to Julie for inviting me.

So what did I bring to the Arty Farty PoTATEo Party? When Royal Mail delivered my potato it had already started to take root and almost seem to resemble a spider. A few weeks later it looked like a scorpion, and as the newer potatoes started to grow and the original potato shriveled up I decided to make it into a Mail Order Mutant potato!  Inside the shipping box (complete with branding and postage labels) we see the mutant potato protecting its ‘eggs’ in the corner, feeding on the 'thank you' note enclosed in the box that reads, “Dear, Julie Thank you for your order. Enclosed is your Mail Order Mutant Potato I hope you will be very happy with it, other Mail Order Mutant vegetables are available please reefer to our catalogue. Many thanks for your custom we hope to deal with you again in the future. Sincerity, Arfon Jones.”

* Creative Comrades: Lisa Hudson, Lindsey Colbourne, Julie Gritten, Harri Carmichael and Eleanor Brooks
© Arfon Jones 2015. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

Ogwen River Festival 2015: The Green Man 'A tribute to Professor David Bellamy OBE'

Has it really been a year since the last ‘Gwyl Ogwen’? Incredible! Once again the Sculpture Circle (very kindly) invited me to join their River Ogwen festival/ exhibition at the Parc Meurig woods in Bethesda and much like last year, the event (very effectively) promoted the natural environment and the creative arts in the Bethesda area. Last year I unveiled ‘The Arm of Swamp-Thing’ this year I displayed The Green Man: A tribute to Professor David Bellamy OBE. The portrait is a painted version of Professor Bellamy’s likeness used in my Bellamy Eco-Postage Labels mounted in a ‘living’ frame made up of branches, moss and plants.
I thought the woods would be the perfect location for such a piece that celebrates my favourite Botanist and not look completely out of place amongst all the fresh foliage and greenery. Once the portrait was hung on a oak tree, I had a look at everyone’s work and was able to catch up with my creative comrades Lisa Hudson, Lindsey Colbourne and Harri Carmichael who had their amazing work on display too! As the day progressed, the curious made their way across the footbridge and along the footpath soaking the tranquillity of the surrounding trees, occasionally stopping to closer examine the works of art dotted throughout the woods and discuss art with other visitors. I had a lovely day there, and it would seem that so did everyone else. I left the festival filled with new ideas and I look forward to the next one (if they will have me) my sincere thanks to Lisa for arranging this wonderful event.

© Arfon Jones 2015. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

‘Frwyth y Môr/ Fruits de Mer/ Fruits of the Sea Poster

As busy as ever here in the studio, last week I finished working on this for Menter Môn, an EU rural development programme that facilitates rural economic regeneration projects on Anglesey, North Wales. Along with the European Fisheries Fund and the Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGS) (set up to provide support for the sustainable development of fisheries areas) we developed this fun, bilingual (English/ Welsh) child friendly educational poster designed to highlight some of the diverse sea life inhabiting the surrounding North Wales Gwynedd/ Anglesey coastline for local schools.
The ‘Frwyth y Môr’ ‘Fruits de Mer’ or ‘Fruits of the Sea’ poster features 31 different species found at the varying depth that they inhabit in the North Wales sea. The original was created using acrylic paint and pen and measured (roughly) 17.50 x 25inches the labels were added afterwards by Mr Tom Pollock of Excellent Creative Design.

The poster completed it was unveiled as a 7 foot (at a guess) tall display at this year’s Menai Seafood Festival an annual event that celebrates North Wales' coastal heritage. Coinciding with Anglesey Marine Week 2015 that promotes the rich wildlife and heritage of Anglesey’s coastal waters the event showcases the best seafood and fish available around the shores of Anglesey with a local produce market and exhibitors, cooking demonstrations, art and craft and live music. I went along to see it for myself and see how the poster was received.

Some of the marine creatures made it onto the festival bunting 

More bunting...

The fish display with humans for scale

About the artist...

Children draw their favorite fish using the poster as reference  

My sincere thanks to Jane Davies and Robert Jones of Menter Môn.
© Arfon Jones 2015. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

Doctor’s Universe 2.0 Exhibition

The Doctor Who exhibition at the Spazio Open in Treviso, Italy was huge success and it looked like there was a great turnout! Congratulations to Atlantisvampir and all the other artists involved. It seems as though all the official pictures have come in so follow this link to see photos of the exhibition and then check out this live painting video featuring Atlantisvampir and Claudio Bandoli!












© Arfon Jones 2015. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

"Tura! Tura! Tura! 3" Art Show, Los Angeles

This month I was delighted to have an ‘excuse’ to paint one of the most iconic women in cinema, the late, great Tura Satana! Having long admired her work in ‘Astro Zombie’ ‘The Doll Squad’ and of course ‘Faster Pussycat Kill! Kill!’  It was a privilege to join so many gifted artists for "Tura! Tura! Tura! 3" a group gallery art show devoted entirely to Tura celebrating her life & career at the Lethal Amounts Gallery, Los Angeles on December 6th.
My submission for the show is "Tura Tiki Sacrifice” Acrylic and Pen on card 12” X 10” I think the painting speaks for itself... The opening night sounds amazing as it will not only be hosted by Tera Patrick with Lori Williams and Dennis Busch in attendance but it will also have all night music, go-go dancers and a performance by Kitten Natividad! Sadly I will not be able to make it, but I hope everyone has a wonderful time (take plenty of pics!) please follow this link for further news and updates and full list of contributing artists.

My sincerest thanks to Siouxzan Perry and Lethal Amounts
© Arfon Jones 2014. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

“Mostra: Doctor's Universe” Art Show, Milan

Has it really been a year since my last Doctor Who related post?
I was recently invited to join a group of other artists to celebrate the universe of Doctor Who in an art show entitled Mostra: Doctor's Universe opening at the Oratory of Saints Ambrogio in Milan, Italy on December 15th running through to the 21st.
My submission for the show is "Rules are made to be broken" Acrylic & pen on A3 card featuring the brilliant Peter Capaldi looking into a cracked mirror with his previous regenerations looking back at him. Follow the link for further information. Sadly I will not be there, but do please pop in for a gander!

 

 

© Arfon Jones 2014. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

Ogwen River Festival 2014: Arm of the 'Swamp-Thing'

Saturday 4th I was invited by the Sculpture Circle to join their one-day exhibition at the Parc Meurig woods in Bethesda part of ‘Gwyl Ogwen’ an event promoting the natural environment and creative arts in the Bethesda area through working with the community and in partnership for local social and economic benefit. I couldn’t think of a better location to unveil the latest edition to be added to my collection of ‘Wonderment's and Atrocities’ the Arm of the Swamp-Thing! I love the 1982 Swamp Thing movie it appeals to me on many levels as its both a superhero AND monster movie. A wronged scientist turning into a mutant plant creature starring Louis Jourdan and Adrienne Barbeau written and directed/written by Wes Craven what’s there not to like? The scene that many remember is when Swamp Thing’s left arm is hacked by a machete, later on the down hearted Swamp Thing manages to use sunlight to grow a new arm and save the day. This piece, explains what became of the lost arm, it flourished! Made from Papier-mâché and clay on a frame made from twigs and string painted with acrylics.

Although I liked the colour of the first Swamp Thing in the movie I preferred Jim Wynorski ‘organic’ look in the equally enjoyable The Return of Swamp Thing and so tried to replicate it by applying roots, lichen, moss and flowers and real ivy (growing 2” during construction of the arm). A label was enclosed that read,
‘Arm of the Swamp-Thing’ Louisiana swamps, 1982
This arm is reported to have belonged to the legendary ‘Swamp Thing’ of the Louisiana swamps believed to have once been one, Dr. Alec Holland a developer of plant/animal hybrids at a top-secret bioengineering facility. It was reported that Dr. Holland actually ‘mutated’ into the legendary ‘Swamp Thing’ by his own formula during a scuffle at the facility when a terrorist group infiltrated it. A later encounter with the group resulted in the ‘Swamp Thing’ loosing his arm. Despite being severed the arm of the of the mysterious half man/ half plant creature continues to ‘live’ to this very day.

Thankfully the heavy rain we experienced the night before held off, and the arm was placed on a tree stump along the path. The woods lent themselves perfectly to the look and it was great seeing the public, made up of art lovers and families out for the day getting up close to the piece and examining the details before making their way along the walkway to seek out other works scattered along the pathway. During the day I was also able to catch up with my fellow collaborators from last year’s 'Hidden Worlds: Hidden Artists’ Exhibition Lisa Hudson, Harri Carmichael, and Lindsey Colbourne and meet many other creative folk and local talent. It was a nice tranquil setting and everyone seemed happy and impressed, as was I and I look forward to the next one and thank them for inviting me along.

© Arfon Jones 2014. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

Exhibition at Selsey Cricket Club

On June 8th, we spent a weekend in Selsey and attend the unveiling of a permanent 3D-art exhibition at Selsey Cricket club one of oldest cricket clubs in the country (celebrating its 180th anniversary this year). The piece, created by Arts Dream’s Meryl Penning commemorates the life of one of the club’s former Secretary, President and Life vice President Sir Patrick Moore. Apart from being a world-renowned astronomer, author and television personality Sir Patrick was an intrepid Cricketer and Meryl created this wonderful recreation of his study at “Farthings” (where many of the club’s committees were held over the years) in a corner of the Pavilion (now renamed the Sir Patrick Moore Pavilion) in his honour. The piece, complete with thatched roof and leaded windows contains photographs, memorabilia, and artwork from Patrick’s study and the attention to detail is amazing. Everyone that looked in through the glass would say, “oh look there is his….” Filling in the gap with something that they recalled seeing when they visited Farthings.
Each time we looked in we would noticed another familiar item, from his famous Woodstock typewriter to the tankards hanging from the beams. The shot glasses that lined the walls, his cuckoo clock and his mother’s paintings. Also amongst the memorabilia on the walls is one of my paintings, ‘Moon Base Farthings’ which I painted for Patrick back in 2011. A gift, thanking him for allowing Beth and myself to spend what was to be our last weekend at Farthings, and for the use of his garden as a backdrop for my proposal to Beth. Last time I spoke with Patrick he told me that the painting had “Pride of place” in his study so I was delighted to find that it now lives on at the cricket club in this magnificent display. (The artwork also featured on the back of the commemorative booklet made available on the day raising proceeds toward a new clubhouse for the club)
Following on from the unveiling we had a glorious day of brass band and sunshine before Selsey played against the Lashings All Stars competing for the Sir Patrick Moore Cup. We had a marvellous time and commend all involved.
Meryl's fantastic work can still be viewed at the club on the following dates:
10-4pm on Thursday /Friday through June and July.10-4pm every weekday through August.
I urge you to visit and see this magnificent piece for yourselves, and be sure to pick up a commemorative booklet too!

Wearing my Halley's Comet Society 2061 tie

© Arfon Jones 2014. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

Bangor Museum & Art Gallery’s 2014 Open Art Exhibition

Just back from the official opening of Bangor’s Museum & Art Gallery’s 19th annual open art exhibition. This year I decided to take the plunge and submit some entries and I am delighted to say that both were accepted.  Both the Womble and Fingermouse are now on display amongst works of other local artists from the 8th of March to the 21st of April. Each year they offer artists living and working in the area the opportunity to showcase their work to the public. As a former Bangor student of art, I have visited the Museum & Art Gallery a few times over the years so I’m pleased to have this opportunity to display something within its walls before its relocation to Bishop’s Palace (The Town Hall that Beth and I were married in last year). So pop along to the 2014 open art exhibition and check out the work housed inside, and be sure to vote for your favourite in the ‘people’s choice award’ awarded when the exhibition ends in April.

© Arfon Jones 2014. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

TOGYG Artcard

I recently joined several artists in an ArtCard fundraising event. Each of us anonymously donated a postcard-sized piece of work to the Old Goods Yard Artists Group, or TOGYG to be sold in a silent auction to help raise funds for developing their new community print centre. Offering facilities and courses in various different processes of fine art printmaking to local artists and the community. Providing both the opportunity to extend their current practice, or the opportunity to learn a new skill within a professional artist studio complex.
I submitted “Patty” created with acrylic and pen on card. She was beautifully displayed along with the works of over 100 other artists. I was invited along to the TOGYG Print Studio Bangor launch party, providing me with a great excuse to get out of my studio and into the studios of other artists as part of this year’s Helfa Gelf art trail. Congratulations to everyone involved do please check out the TOGYG link(s) and find out more about this venture.
 

© Arfon Jones 2013. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

Zombies from Ireland Screening exhibition at the Galeri

As I mentioned in the previous post, Ryan Kift’s Zombies from Ireland was screened at the Galeri in Caernarfon on Friday night, There was a great turn out for it and it seemed to go down very well with the audience. I was also there showing my support and the original artwork used for the film’s production, and a few ‘extras’, which were on display in the lobby of the Galeri along with props and outfits from the film.
It’s always great to see your artwork being used, so it was a great thrill for me to see the poster itself 3 times the size I originally painted it, on display outside doing exactly what it was intended for creating interest and drawing the audience in. It was equally nice to see examples of my work being looped on the Galeri’s monitors thought the whole day too! Everyone was very nice and it was a delight being there, my sincerest thanks to everyone for coming out to see the film and taking the time to come over and say “hello”. My sincerest thanks to the Galeri for all their support and a big thank you to Jared Pegler Designs for his work on the poster.
Further screenings are in the pipeline so do please look out for them and come along and see the film for yourselves and support Ryan and Sian’s creative endeavours.

 © Arfon Jones 2013. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.

Bangor Science Festival Weekend

Yet another weekend out of the studio (This is starting to become a habit!) a weekend of both business and pleasure (but mostly pleasure). Visiting two of my favourite locations in Bangor, having returned home I attempted to sum up the weekend on Facebook. Thinking a list would be boring I wrote, “A marvellous weekend of science history and art, very pleased with how it all turned out”. Moments later it was suggested that I was somewhat “mysterious” by my dear friend Rachel White! Explaining how I thought a long-winded run-through of my weekend would be boring to read she answered, “you're wrong matey!” So, if that’s the case please permit me to run through my Bangor Science festival weekend for you all!

Bangor Science Festival Weekend: Day 1 Saturday 16th 2013
School of Biological Sciences. Brambell Building, Bangor.
 
Bangor Science Festival is part of the National Science and Engineering Week organised between the Dr Tom Parry Jones Endowment Fund, (Established by Dr Tom Parry Jones OBE, inventor of the electronic breathalyser to encourage young people to develop careers and entrepreneurship in science and technology.) and Bangor University. Each year they offer something “for everyone, with activities for families and schools groups, adults looking for entertainment and stimulating debate, or professionals interested in the latest research.” With that in mind off we went my family in tow.
First stop, the Basement floor where we were treated to a guided tour of the University’s aquariums, a genuine treat, as it’s not usually open to the public. Living within the countless tanks were a wide array of species found in the Menai Strait along with tropical fish, guppies and cichlid fishes from Africa. (I was equally interested in the archaeological finds discovered at the bottom of the Menai displayed around the room!) Studies were being conducted on the behaviour of fish. One such experiment into their mating habits had Beth comparing it to a form of piscine speed dating…

 








The marine biology theme continued on the ground floor as we were invited to ‘dip’ into a rockpool, visitors were offered the opportunity to handle species found living at the bottom of the Menai Strait including the Sea Mouse, Porcelain Crabs and Sea Stars! We also saw a row of shark egg cases displaying the various stages of development complete with shark young!
Then on to the next desk, which I had spied on the way in, I was eager to check it out as it had a replica T-Rex skull balanced on it. Scattered alongside were various fossils along with the opportunity to excavate an Ichthyosaurs fossil, which my daughter and I did. I was then challenged to name all the dinosaurs on display, so I did just that.
 

We had the opportunity to look at snake fangs under the microscope before crossing over to the Natural History Museum collection. It was nice to finally be able to show the collection (which had been updated) to Beth and my daughter who were equally impressed as I was several months back, this lead us rather aptly to the ‘Hidden Worlds: Hidden Artists’ exhibition.

Hidden Worlds: Hidden Artists’ Exhibition

I mentioned my involvement with this project in the last post but, for the last 5 months I have been visiting the Natural History Museum collection with other local artists, drawing inspiration from the exhibits and we presented our work for the Science week festival.
I was recently quoted by the University’s events page to help promote the exhibition, "'it has been exciting being able to leave my studio and sit amongst all the wonderful specimens housed at
the Brambell Building museum, long may it continue to educate and inspire others as it has me". The pieces I exhibited were “Philip J. White (1862- 1926)” a portrait of the first curator of the Zoology Collection Professor Philip J. White (and 18 specimens from the collection) and by popular demand ‘Womblus Wimbledon Vulgaris’ who watched over the works of Julie Gritten, Lisa Hudson, Harri Carmichael, and Lindsey Colbourne. Each piece reflected our take on this collection. It seemed well received by all that wondered in to have a look. My fellow Hidden artists did an amazing job, it was a delight working alongside them

Julie Gritten

Harri Carmichael

Lindsey Colbourne

Lisa Hudson

 


Bangor Science Festival Weekend: Day 2 Sunday 17th 2013
Treborth Botanic Garden, Bangor.

When I discovered that Treborth Botanic Garden was opening its doors to the public I was delighted, having visited before I wanted to further explore the grounds! This beautiful location located next to the Menai Suspension Bridge crossing was originally developed as a Victorian tourist destination, designed by the great Sir Joseph Paxton. However funding issues resulted in the project being abandoned leaving the grounds to revert to pasture and woodland until Bangor University bought the land in the 1960’s making it the beauty spot it is today.
So we returned to Bangor to explore Treborth’s Glasshouses for ourselves. I rarely have the opportunity to post about my botanical pursuits on here (I hope to rectify that in a future post). I have had a long-standing fascination for Ferns and Insectivorous Plants, so naturally making my way around Treborth’s glasshouses was a pleasure. The icing on the cake had to be various species of reptiles on hand, to my delight one of them was a Chameleon who will soon be moving into the glasshouse!

Equally interesting (for a nerd like me) was being allowed to visit the Rhizotron! This newly refurbished underground laboratory allows for easy access/ viewing of the soil and root systems. Also on hand were several microscopes that we couldn’t resist looking at! I had a marvellous time, I hope to go back there again very soon. And that was Bangor Science Festival Weekend, we all had a wonderful time and I was privileged to play a (granted a minute) part in it. If you are a nerd/geek like me but you didn’t make full use of the festival this year be sure to look out for next years to assure that you too have a “A marvellous weekend of science history and art”!


 © Arfon Jones 2013. All images are copyrighted throughout the world.