Wednesday 29 February 2012

Hot from the Easel: Mini Bar

Mini Bar, Mini Cocktails
Oil paintings
From the top left corner of the photo and going clockwise: Berry Collins, Red Rum, Sea Breeze and Black Russian.

The Mini Bar series is a variation from the larger Usual Suspects series of paintings, a fun and bright collection of decadently high heel shoes inspired by cocktails, in a mini format.

They are oil on linen textured paper paintings, mounted on board, and framed in a 25x25cm black deep edge box frame.

For pricing and availability please contact Estelle by email.

Thursday 16 February 2012

When Mess Gets Arty: Case No. 2

Abstract Oriental Ceramic Cat?
When Mess Gets Arty: the strange, wonderful, funny or just plain inappropriate things found in “mess”, in all its glory and completely unaltered.

Case n.2
The Abstract Oriental Cat

What it really is:
a close up on the left leg of some “Studio Jeans” i.e. used to be a decent piece of clothing to walk down the street and now so covered in paint that is barely decent enough to walk down the corridor at the studios!

Now cropped and viewed from a different angle:
Estelle tells me I should have more control over my phobia, but it looks to me like a stylised, almost abstract, oriental representation of a… cat! A bit like one of those ceramic cats, don't you think?

We’d love to hear what YOU see, let us know in the comment box below.

Thursday 9 February 2012

Did you know... Breadcrumbs?

Breaded Pigeon
Sketch by Estelle Rocca-Serra
As surprising as it sounds, fresh breadcrumbs are widely used in the arts!

The kneaded soft white of the bread can be used as an eraser, its light stickiness will gently pick up particles of charcoal, graphite and even dust on drawings. It is gentle enough not to roughen the surface of soft and delicate paper.

Even more surprisingly, it is well known to be used for art conservation, in particular it is one of the safest ways to clean watercolour and gouache paintings, but less well known is its use to clean varnish tempera and oil paintings.

Our friend the pigeon holds quite a strong stance against this specific use of his staple food, but to be perfectly honest his position would be more credible if he wasn't already covered in crumbs and he is not really our friend anyway! Go have a wash mate!

Source: The materials and Techniques of Painting - Kurt Wehlte

Tuesday 7 February 2012

Breaking News: "Addiction" feature

Hesa Inprint "Addiction" feature
contribution by Estelle Rocca-Serra
The Daily Mouse is delighted to let you know that Hesa inprint has published Estelle’s contribution to their “Addiction” feature; you can read all about it here.

Hesa inprint is a bilingual (Finnish & English) blog, web magazine and printed art magazine. Based in Finland’s Helsinki, they aim to provide a platform for artists, writers, photographers, film makers and anyone who has a vision and voice to share their opinions, work and stories.

Feel free to explore it, there is so much to discover and enjoy!

Stay tuned…