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!