Ben Mosley: the footballers' artist

Skylark 2 artist Ben Mosley tells us about his recent painting success in the world of professional football.

I was recently commissioned to do a painting by the League Managers Association (LMA), an organisation that represents football league managers from the Premiership to League 2. The LMA, which found my work through my website, asked me if I would be interested making a painting for its Hall of Fame. I was informed that it would be speaking to other artists, and that I would be given a brief and have to come up with a proposal. In the event, the LMA liked my proposal and I was selected to do a painting for them.

They liked the resulting painting, "The Manager" (shown here), so much that they bought it, and they then commissioned me to do another work to be auctioned off at their annual dinner at the Hilton Hotel in London.

The painting the LMA commissioned had to include all the football league clubs, the FA badge, the PFA badge, the Premiership logo and the Football League logo. I also had to include the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Premiership Trophy, the Championship trophy and the League 1 and 2 trophies. My painting, "A Manager For All Seasons" (illustrated below), shows a manager celebrating and consists of everything that is good about the game. The painting also had to be designed so that a famous manager could sign the painting. I designed the work so that Jose Mourinho could sign the advertising boards in the background.

The annual dinner was designed to be a celebration of the FA Cup, and among the people attending were some of the biggest names in football, including Fabio Capello, the England manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United, Jose Mourinho, formerly at Chelsea and now with Real Madrid, and Harry Redknapp, currently manager of Tottenham Hotspur.

The painting was eventually auctioned off for £3,000. Mourinho was particularly impressed with my work and took some of my business cards, as did other football celebrities including Fabio Capello, the England manager.

I have shown in a number of football related shows. “The Beautiful Game", a solo show in Gallery 93 in Bow East, London, in 2006, was a celebration of the World Cup in Germany, and it was televised on "The Lick" on MTV Base. My work was televised on BBC Look North in 2008 during my time as the official artist of Barnsley Football Club, after they had knocked Chelsea and Liverpool out of the FA Cup. I also participated in a show at Wrexham Arts Centre in 2004 that commemorated the 10th anniversary of "Let's Kick Racism Out of Football".

You can see Ben's work at Skylark 2 on the South Bank, London, and find out more about him at www.benmosleyart.com.

Skylark 2 Christmas Show opens

The Skylark 2 Christmas Show is open now with plenty of great affordable art gift ideas, and something for everyone. The gallery is open from 11am to 6pm every day (except Mondays). It will be open late on Thursday 9 and Thursday 16 December - a perfect chance to warm yourself with mulled wine as you scour the walls.

Gift vouchers, which can be redeemed in either Skylark 1 and Skylark 2, start at £10.

Kathleen Dutton: Skylark 1 featured artist

Kathleen Dutton is the featured artist at Skylark 1 gallery, Gabriel's Wharf, from 8-14 November.

"My work explores inner landscapes. Images emerge through meditation and observation and everyday life. Zen and Taoism inspire me. I strive to distill ideas and visualisations to their simplest essence, relying upon spontaneity to express emotion. This graphic, symbolic approach allows me the space to focus. I enjoy doing personal commissions and illustrations; each work is a unique challenge."

kathleenduttonblogspot.com

Previous commissions: Conran Design Group, Nomura Investment Company (Japan), the Trade Development Council (Hong Kong), K2 Design (Japan), The Seer, Chelsea and Westminster Council.

A small selection of Kathleen's work is also at Skylark 2 Gallery • Unit 1.09 • Oxo Tower Wharf • SE1 9PH (first floor riverside up the stairs) • Tel 020 7401 9666

Skylark stand opens at Affordable Art Fair

The Affordable Art Fair's charity private view opened last night, and as usual, the aisles were packed to overflowing with people viewing works by more than 1,000 artists showing with about 120 galleries. The works of ten Skylark artists are on show in the marquee: Nicolette Carter, Saskia Ellis Holden, Veta Gorner, Gill Hickman, James Hobbs, Clare Johnson, Deana Lee, Eileen Martin, Liz Meier and Steve Yeates.

The fair opens to the public this morning with these opening hours:
Thursday 21 October 11am-9.30pm
Friday 22 October 11am-6pm
Saturday 23 October 11am-6pm
Sunday 24 October 11am-6pm

Our stand number is G4 - come and give us a visit!

Sara Sherwood: in Vogue

In fact, Sara's jewellery is not just featured in the November and December editions of Vogue magazine, but in the December issue of GQ magazine (see right). And that's not the end of her media blitz. In the new year, her work will be shown in the January and February editions of Brides magazine.

And her paintings are always on display at Skylark 2.

Coming soon: Skylark at the Affordable Art Fair

The Affordable Art Fair in Battersea Park is coming soon, and Skylark Galleries are going to be there once more. More than 25,000 people come each year to the UK's leading showcase of contemporary art under £3,000. Running from 21-24 October, it is the perfect place to meet Skylark artists and find a great new piece of affordable work.

Skylark has special vouchers offering half price entry for up to two people. Like one? Email us at info@skylarkgallery.com, or come in to either of the Skylark galleries to pick one up.

More information about the Affordable Art Fair will be appearing here soon.

Dreambank images sent worldwide

During the Dreambank weekend in July, visitors to Skylark 2 were given the chance to create a mini work of art on a postcard that expressed their hopes and aspirations.

About 40 postcards were made with Skylark artists over the weekend, and these have just been sent on to their creators around the globe.








Most have been sent to inland UK, but others were sent to France, Romania, Bulgaria and the United States.






Here are some of the works made by visitors to the gallery.
















Greetings to those who took part!






The Dreambank weekend was such a success, the gallery has its own dream and aspiration: we are planning similar events in Skylark in the future. Keep an eye on this blog!

Four Skylark artists shortlisted in Blackfriars competition

Four Skylark artists or with links to Skylark have been shortlisted for the London Lives competition - the winner, to be announced on 8 September, will have their work enlarged and exhibited on Blackfriars Bridge, the bridge closest to the Skylark Galleries.


Clare Johnson (above), Sara Sherwood, James Hobbs (below) and Kelly Stewart, the Edinburgh-based artist who showed in Skylark's recent Oxo Gallery exhibition, are among the 100 shortlisted artists whose entries will be shown at the Bankside Gallery, close to Tate Modern, in September. The competition is a partnership between the Bankside Gallery, Network Rail and Cass Art with the support of the Guardian.


The winning work will be shown on hoardings across the bridge while the new Thames-spanning Blackfriars railway station is being built. A selection of longlisted artists can be seen here on the Guardian's website.

London Lives, Bankside Gallery, 48 Hopton Street, London, from 9-19 September
more info

More images from Oxo Gallery

There's still time to visit Skylark Galleries show at gallery@oxo, on the ground floor of Oxo Tower Wharf. The exhibition continues until 15 August. Here are a few images of what's been going on.


Artist Ben Mosley (left) congratulates Mark Alder, the winner of Skylark's recent World Cup competition, as he accepts his prize of a £100 voucher to spend in the gallery.


Child friendly: there's things for the kids to do while you look around.

Kelly Stewart demonstrates at Oxo

Guest artist Kelly Stewart, who has arrived at the Oxo Gallery from Australia via Edinburgh, demonstrates her silkscreen technique to visitors to the gallery.

For details of more talks, demonstrations and workshops, see earlier posts here and here.

The exhibition continues until 15 August.

Photos of the Oxo gallery private view

The gallery@oxo was crowded on the night of the Summer Sizzle private view last week. The exhibition of work by about 30 artists continues until 15 August.

Here are a few photos of the evening, starting with flowers for Skylark Galleries' tireless and enthusiastic director, Gill Hickman...

More images coming soon...

Images from Dreambank

Dreambank at Skylark on 23-25 July - part of the series of Open Weekend events in the buildup to the 2012 Olympic Games - was a great success, with visitors to the gallery being challenged to make a postcard-sized artwork that portrayed their dreams and aspirations.



Kathy Dutton, one of the Skylark artists involved in the event, said: "It was busy right from the start, with people really getting into the creative challenge, making some fantastic work for the Dreambank. All the works will be photographed, and then uploaded to our website and Facebook pages. And finally we will post them to the creator of each card."


Here are a few images from the weekend.

Coming soon: talks and demos at Skylark

During the Skylark Galleries group show at Oxo Tower Wharf, which runs from 29 July to 15 August (see previous posts), participating artists are taking part in a series of free talks and demonstrations at the gallery@oxo. There's need to book - just turn up on the day. This programme is being added to, so check back for more information.

See the previous post for details of workshops - you need to book these.

Fri 30 July 5pm and Sat 31 July 2pm
DEMO: Screenprints with Kelly Stewart – artist
Kelly, just arrived from Edinburgh, will demonstrate how she uses several acetates to create each of her unique prints
www.skellydesigns.com

Mon 2 August and Fri 6 Aug 2pm & 5pm
DEMO: What IS a Collograph? With Eileen Martin – artist
Eileen, one of the well-established Richmond Printmakers, will reveal some of the mysteries of how a collograph print is made

Thur 5 Aug and Sat 7 Aug 2pm & 5pm
TALK: Why I paint Happy Cells with Gill Hickman– artist
Gill (artist and director of Skylark) will explain how the first Happy Cells emerged in her paintings in 2006
www.gillhickman.com

Fri 13 Aug 2pm & 5pm
TALK: Tactile Ceramics
Ceramic artist Ruty Benjamini will talk about her inspirations and techniques and will encourage you to touch and hold some of her organic, tactile work that is on display www.rutybenjamini.com

Sat 14 Aug 2pm & 5pm
DEMO: Using Real Gold Leaf with Gill Hickman– artist
Gill (artist and director of Skylark) will demonstrate how she applies 23 carat gold leaf to the mitochondria in her Happy Cells paintings
www.gillhickman.com

Workshops by Skylark artists: book now!

Details of workshops, talks and demonstrations at Skylark's group show at the gallery@oxo on London's South Bank (see previous post) are just in.

Workshop spaces are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment at info@skylarkgalleries.com.

Fri 30 July and Tues 3 Aug, 10 – 11.30am
Collage Creations with Christine Moores - artist
Use mostly recycled materials to create your own artworks to take home and hang on your wall
Cost: £5/ £8 per person – all materials included
Age group: 5 – 95 years

Sat 31 July 11.15am – 12.00 midday
Doodles & Drawings with Sara Sherwood - artist
Sara will encourage you to play with pencils. Create hand-drawn greetings cards or bring your own sketch pad
Cost: £20/£25 per person
www.sarasherwood.com

Weds 4 Aug and Tues 10 Aug, 10 – 11.30am
Marvellous mosaics with Concetta Perot – mosaic artist
Concetta will demonstrate how to decorate a picture frame, a small tile or a stone paperweight using vibrantly coloured soft glass pieces 

Cost: £25/£30 per person – all materials included

Age group: 8 – 88 years
www.glitteringshards.com

Mon 9 Aug and Weds 11 Aug, 10am – 12 midday
Silk Painting with Gill Hickman - artist
Use gorgeous colours and soft natural silk to create one or maybe two A4 silk paintings to take home and hang on your wall or in your window. Bring your A4 design ideas
Cost: £25/£30 per person – all materials included
Age group: 8 – 87 years
www.gillhickman.com

Details of talks and demonstrations will appear here shortly.

Skylark Summer Sizzle, 29 July-15 August

About 30 Skylark Galleries artists and others are showing paintings and sculptures that reflect the sparkle of summer at the gallery@oxo, opening this month (29 July-15 August). Running alongside the show is a series of talks, demonstrations and family activities by gallery artists to keep gallery-goers entertained over the summer. Check back here soon for more information on these events.

The gallery@oxo is situated on the ground floor of Oxo Tower Wharf, overlooking the Thames, directly beneath Skylark 2. The gallery will be open from 11am to 6pm, seven days a week, for the duration of the show.

It's a great opportunity, too, to meet Skylark artists, who will be present at the exhibition every day, and find out more about their work. We look forward to seeing you!

Dreambank at Skylark, 23-25 July 2010

Dreambank... come and post your goals, dreams and aspirations

Skylark Galleries are delighted to be partners in this year's Open Weekend from 23-25 July 2010 as part of the buildup to the 2012 Olympics. Open Weekend gives audiences a unique opportunity to participate within a variety of London's world-class creative and cultural venues.

Skylark Galleries will be hosting a series of free artists events. Come and join the artists at Skylark Gallery 2 who will help visitors to create mini works of art on postcards expressing their hopes and dreams. All artwork will be collected into our Dreambank before being posted back to participants.

Friday 23 July, 3-5pm, visual artist Kathleen Dutton
Saturday 24 July, 3-5pm, textural artist Gill Hickman
Sunday 25 July, 3-5pm, figurative artist Dwayne Shirley

You can follow events on the London 2012 Open Weekend on Facebook.

Skylark Galleries are partners in the Cultural Olympiad for 2010
(Part of build up for the 2012 Olympics)

And the winner is...

The winner of Skylark's World Cup competition (see last post) is Mark Alder of London SE1. He wins a £100 voucher to spend on a work of art from either of the Skylark Galleries.

Congratulations to Mark!

Skylark's World Cup competition - closing soon

Time is running out to enter Skylark's World Cup competition and the chance to win a voucher worth £100 to spend on a work of art from either of the Skylark galleries. The competition closes on Sunday 11 July - the same day that the Netherlands and Spain meet in the World Cup final in South Africa. Just visit the gallery in the Oxo Tower and fill in an entry form. The draw will take place on 13 July at 6pm, and the winner will be published on this blog and on the Skylark website on 14 July.

Sunday 11 July is also the final day of Skylark 2 featured artist Ben Mosley's show of football-themed works that capture the energy and excitement of the beautiful game. England's exit from the World Cup may have been premature, but Mosley's work is an excellent reason to visit the gallery before the weekend is out.

Skylark 1's relaunch party

The new Skylark 1 reopened last month with a launch party attended by artists, gallery regulars and passers-by. Here are a few photos from the opening night...




The new Skylark 1 gallery is at Unit 5 of Gabriel's Wharf on London's South Bank, just a few doors away from its previous venue. For directions and contact details, look here.

Skylark 1 relaunches Wednesday 9 June!

Skylark 1 relaunches in its new venue at Unit 5 of Gabriel's Wharf — a few doors away from its previous location — with a Grand Relaunch Party on Wednesday 9 June from 6pm-9pm.

This coincides with the launch night of Wedding by Design, a new alternative wedding list service from designers and artists based at the Oxo Tower Wharf and Gabriel's Wharf, for which shops and galleries will be open from 5pm-9pm. There will be music and refreshments on offer.

It's a perfect opportunity to come and meet the Skylark artists, see the new gallery, and enjoy the long summer evenings on the South Bank. See you there!

Gregor Harvie's Gene Meme, 9-20 June

Skylark artist Gregor Harvie is creating an installation about population in the crypt underneath St Pancras church, Upper Woburn Place, London NW1 2BA. Fifty beautiful paintings replicate and mutate, evolving from simple cells to complex crowds. Fifty elegies remember past societies whose rapid growth led to collapse. For each painting sold, Street Child Africa will offer a vulnerable child in Ghana a year's apprenticeship to help raise them out of poverty.

You can listen to Nicky Barranger of The Interview Online talking to Gregor about Gene Meme here.

Gene Meme runs from 9-20 June, Monday-Sunday 11am-7pm. On 10 June a public debate about population will take place in St Pancras Church from 6.30-8.30pm chaired by Radio 4's Geoff Watts with speakers including Professor Aubrey Manning of the University of Edinburgh, and Fred Pearce of the Guardian. Tickets are £6 - for tickets call 07949 093885.

Find out more at http://www.genememeart.blogspot.com/.

Skylarks in the Park

Skylarks in the Park, an exhibition of works by 17 artists from Skylark Galleries and their friends, opens on Monday 24 May in Mile End Art Pavilion, in east London. The gallery is set next to a lake in the 90-acre Mile End Park in Tower Hamlets, a perfect place to relax in the sun and see the latest work from artists from the South Bank-based artist-run galleries.

There are works by Melissa Alley, Amando Averillo, Lucinda Beatty, Carol Edgar, Saskia Ellis Holden, Michelle Elwell, William Frost, Keith Gretton, Gill Hickman, Clare Johnson, Orson Kartt, Deana Lee, Eileen Martin, Ben Mosley, Sara Sherwood, Sally Swingewood and Steve Yeates.

Opening hours: 11am – 6pm daily
Dates: Monday 24 May – Sunday 30 May 2010
Venue: Mile End Art Pavilion, Mile End Park, Clinton Road, Off Grove Road, Tower Hamlets, London E3 5BH
Public transport: 5 minute walk from Mile End tube

Skylark 1 is on the move

Skylark 1 is moving - but not too far. Work is currently underway in Unit 5 at Gabriel's Wharf to prepare a brand new exhibition space in preparation for the move in a few weeks' time.

Gill Hickman, Skylark's director, said: "Unit 5, which is at the centre of the Wharf, is closer to the river, closer to the other galleries, and has a fantastic open outlook. I believe that we are really fortunate that this opportunity has presented itself just now."

The move is expected to be completed by the beginning of June - check back here for more details and images of the new space.

World Cup fever comes to Skylark

The World Cup kicks off in South Africa on 11 June, and with perfect timing, Ben Mosley joins the Skylark team. His works explore the passion and unifying force of football and sport in general - and they're on show in Skylark 2 now.

"I’m 28 and a professional artist from Hertfordshire. Since completing my BA honours Fine Art degree in 2003 at the University of Liverpool, I have continued to progress as an artist and my work can be found in private collections throughout the UK. I have had solo shows in London and have been fortunate enough to have my work televised on MTV Base, and BBC 1 Look North respectively.

"I paint about football and sport because it is something that I have grown up with. In my work I try to convey the passion and emotion that football generates. It’s a tribal game and the spirit and the excitement that is felt by fans and players alike is special. The cultural side of sport is important as well because it brings together in celebration many different cultures from around the world. This is what I try and portray within my work.

"Through my paintings I look to bring together the world of art, football and sport, and portray the passion and raw emotion that football and sport can generate among both players and fans. I depict scenes within football and sport that provoke an emotive response from the viewer, such as scoring a goal, or celebrating an event that is completely magical such as the football world cup, which promotes cultural diversity and racial equality."

Find out more about Ben's work here.

Top, Team Spirit 5, right, The Trinity Hall Samba Boys