In Charitates

I just finished the drawing I've let evolve over the past few weeks.

'In Charitates'
Charcoal and Pitt Pastell on Paper
65x50cm

Doing Things Backwards : The progress shots

If you weren't a student at The Academy, where I was based while working on 'The Weavers', then these progress shots will account for the developmental stages of the painting.  I thought it better to keep them until the painting was unveiled, which it will be tomorrow night at the awards ceremony.
There are quite a few gaps in the progress though...sitters were painted in and out in a matter of hours sometimes.  If it didn't work, it didn't stay.

 

 

 

 

 

BP Portrait Awards 2012

So this year, I am exhibiting the largest painting at the BP Portrait Awards from my time in Peru for The BP Travel Award 2011.  I had a sneak round the exhibition today while they were finishing the hang and It looks really bloody strong this year.  I'm thrilled with how 'The Weavers' looks in context;  I'm also exhibiting a body of supporting works on paper and smaller canvases next to this.  Super happy.

The Exhibition opens to the public this coming Thursday 21st at The National Portrait Gallery in London.

New Studio

I find I am too rarely in a consistent enough mind space to allow for frequent updates.  However, here!...I have recently moved studio and took some shots this morning that I'll share.  The space is still in Edinburgh, but I'm splitting my time pretty evenly each week between Edinburgh and London to work on regular portrait sittings and new paintings. 

 

The Inspiration to Write Essays

I'm writing some essays for a couple publications here on the leather bucket couch under some hopeful cranked up dimmer spots.  Somehow I feel like the brighter thery are, the more likely I am to want to write.  Previous BP Travel Award essays are strewn open around me too, like, for good energy, you know?  I know it's not just me who settles down to write in the morning and reaches 17:28 having triumphantly expunged all appropriate essay subject matter by filling my brain with everything else instead.

Anyway, I meant to digitally pen down a week or so ago about a shoot I did last week with a good mate and awesome photographer Angus Behm.  Some really nice photos came from this studio visit and I've kept myself from showing them all.  I sort of want to keep the painting for The BP till it's finished.  Check out Angus's work here www.angusbehm.co.uk

Studio detail © Angus Behm 2012

Mixing a palette with a view of the Peruvian wall © Angus Behm 2012

© Angus Behm 2012

© Angus Behm 2012

Sitting with the Quechua Weavers.  A preview of the painting unfinished © Angus Behm 2012

The Studio © Angus Behm 2012

I'm also digging the work of Ryan Mosley today.  For the folkish, quirk of the carnivalesqe and for the colour and paint quality.  And the equally quirky musical brilliance of the Stockholm based music duo Niki and The Dove.

Ryan Mosley - Emperor Butterfly

Blue, Innit.

Because sometimes a shot of a working palette is just the ticket people.

January Newsletter

Side note:  If you wish to be kept up to date with studio processes, new works, exhibitions and exciting news, enter your email address here: Jo Fraser Updates

From The Studio of The Artist | January 2012

Happy New Year to you all.


As work continues on the paintings I am exhibiting at The BP Portrait Award exhibition in June, It seems there is little headspace retained for much else. I aim to finish the Peru work by mid-March when it will be taken down to London.


A little heads up to those who are interested in reading an insight into my residence in Peru - the February 2012 issue of Artists & Illustrators Magazine has published a three-page spread brandishing, for the majority, my own words. Because... as those affiliated with the world of publishing will know, one’s personal style of writing with which one might perhaps see as another creative outlet and thus have considered such things as word flow and tone... in the hands of another is often edited and perhaps tinged with a slightly corny hue not unlike that of a cheery bright sock among an academic white wash.

Nevertheless, It is an informative, fun article that yes, I have written, and there are lots of pictures.

Another bit of news - I have just today revised the Terms and Conditions for the Shop section of my website, which provides the platform for purchasing my artwork online through my website. Once verified and put into codey goodness by my Site Guru, it will go live and I will send out a newsletter to inform you all that the time is nigh when thy pennies can be digitally exchanged for original paintings and prints.



Lastly, I have had many people asking about a publication of my work. It has been said before - It is happening, and will most likely happen in the first half of 2012 and, you guessed it, will be available to buy through the jofraser website.

Until next newsletter,



All the very best to you lovely people and stay in touch

Jo Fraser