Manet at the RA

Enjoyed the Manet at the RA on Sunday 17th Feb - followed by afternoon tea at Selfridges.  Loved the display at Jonathan Adler and Anthropologie - two of my favourite brands.  I enjoyed the Manet's where black anchors the composition, often set against whites or skin tones.  The influence of photography, as in his sister-in-law's portrait, is obvious and often divided his work into two camps.  For me, I don't think his skills as a draughtsman were his forte but his use of colour, tone and texture is always rewarding. 

I also had time last week to call in at the Portrait Gallery to see The Lost Prince.  The wonderful miniature by William Larkin never fails to exhilarate the senses - his delicate portrayal of ruffled lace!  I felt Kate Middleton's portrait was a lost opportunity; more befitting a L'Oreal advert, technical but not inspired. 

Art & Culture in Istanbul

Just spent a long weekend enjoying Istanbul's culture and history.    The Sultan's palaces are incredibly opulent, colourful full of history and great wealth.  The Blue Mosque has an atmosphere of religious ceremony, particularly when call to prayer, with awesome tile decoration, walls and ceiling. The absolute surprise and highlight was the Basilica Cistern, built and designed by the Romans in 500AD to provide water for the city.  Have to say the Turkish people are incredibly welcoming, courteous and keen to please.  Really recommend it as a destination for anyone who is interested in ancient culture, where East meets West.  Also thoroughly recommend the Sirkeci Konak Hotel, near Sultanamet, as it's right in the heart of the old city and a really well-run boutique hotel.

Advent Calendar Creates Impact Both Sides of the Atlantic 

Just out, Advent Calendar for leading American Hedge Fund, showing a ‘Dickensian’ street scene set in front of the New York Stock Exchange, featuring Angela Merkel, handing out the fatted goose to Italian, Spanish and Greek street urchins in National colours, Ben Bernanke (Federal Reserve Chairman) as Father Christmas throwing dollar bills from a helicopter, Lloyd Blank-Fein of Goldman Sachs in down-at-heel clothing, Uncle Sam offering hand-outs, market stall selling cut-price corn and gold, and much more. 

The Calendar has attracted much interest; taken up by Bloomberg News, with an interview of Pamela for their online site and plenty of Tweets from both UK and USA. 

See the illustration for this great concept on the Pamela’s website:  http://www.pamelastoreyjohnson.com/about_pamela.html

Christmas 2012 TV Times Christmas Special

Illustration completed for the Christmas TV Times Special’; this is now on the shelves, showing Santa and his reindeer.  Six years in a row of illustrating the TV Times Christmas Edition; a circulation of around 900,000.

Exhibitions, Commisioned work and Gardens

Loved Bronze at the RA and enjoyed looking around the Jonathan Adler shop, such interesting and creative design ideas.

Currently working on an Advent Calender for an American Hedge Fund, Christmas at the New York Stock Exchange! My Fungi illustration for Microsoft Small Business is looking good on their leaflets and this week I have just heard that I will be doing the front page of the TV Times again - Great news. Christmas must be coming as I have also been commissioned to do the Houghton Phillips Xmas card.

Visited an exhibition at Lauderdale House two weeks ago in Highgate, featuring local artists, where we also met some old friends and had a really enjoyable evening.

Managed to visit Hidcote gardens in Gloucestershire before the weather deteriorated, what an inspired vision, experiencing 'garden rooms', different atmospheres and colours around every corner and wood - will definitely go back and stay in Chipping Campden next year.

Out and about in London

Having seen pieces of Damian Hirst's work at different times, I was interested to see such a large collection at Tate Modern on Friday 20th April.

My overriding feeling is that he is a great showman, marketeer and technician. The brand that is Damian Hirst is clearly successful and draws the crowds, which then enables the work of other artists in the gallery to have a viewing they would otherwise not get. After that experience a pleasant evening spent at the Dock Cafe off Portobello road rounded off the day.

Tuesday 24th April, I will be doing a portrait day at a local school in Hertfordshire which I aways enjoy as the children are so enthusiastic.

I am also looking forward to going to the Decorative Antiques and Art fair at Battersea later this week and the Claude/Turner exhibition next week.

David Hockney & Johann Zoffany at the RA Versus Yayoi Kusama at Tate Modern

So many exciting exhibitions in London right now. I have seen Hockney twice and was completely impressed by his ipad work, so innovative and original. Zoffany, one of my favourite 18th century artists. To the non TV viewing audience of the 18th century, my interpretation of Zoffany is Downton Abbey versus Hogarth's East Enders, with Canaletto in between.

Yayoi Kusama at Tate Modern immersed me and the viewers in a riot of colour and polka dots and takes me back in time to Andy Warhol and the Factory. I really enjoyed the visual feast of all three exhibitions and the complete contrast between them.

I will soon be doing some work again at Woburn Abbey in the Curators Dept and am currently working on commissions for corporate clients.

My new page in the Contact Illustrators design Annual is 156 and available to see in the 28th Edition, now out. I am in the process of designing more pieces for the 'Funky Botanical' range which continue to generate successful sales and interest, with the help of Andrew Garner of Visual Impact. A range of prints from the collection can be seen at Breathing Space Spa in Harpenden, Herts and on my website.

Summer Exhibition - Royal Academy

Pam here - have wanted to get to the summer exhibition but not seen it yet.

If you have seen the show, do let me know your thoughts and recommendations on any specific pieces?

I have been a little disappointed in recent years to see so many of the same RA's exhibiting pretty similar works from year to year, (Mary Feddon excluded - love her work) taking up valuable places that could be filled by new artists? Any suggestions how to get round that?

By the way, really like the Saatchi Gallery space and the way it is set out - the cafe/restaurant next door is quite good and well priced - some interesting exhibits.

Interested to hear any thoughts on art work generally and current exhibitions in London? - have also enjoyed the watercolour exhibition at the Tate Pimlico, have you seen the fantastic miniatures?

All the best - Pam