2020 so far...

Can you believe its 2020? I still keep writing 2019 and frantically scribbling over the last two digits, but so far I've had a good year, January has been fun.

 I've been continuing my research into needlework activities classed as women's work or feminine pursuits. Following from my residency at Manchester Jewish Museum in December, I came away with a lot of ideas and thoughts I'd like to pursue. I'll be concentrating on some of these in my next post so stay tuned.

I'm currently working on a portrait commission which will be a surprise gift (the recipient isn't online so it's safe to share). This work in progress is based on a beautiful photograph of the client's wife taken in the 1970's and I'm painting it in a romantic mood with colours that put me in mind of that era. I've been listening to lots of Roxy Music while painting this...

I've also been doing portraits on a smaller scale of people's pets. This came about after I took part as one of the artists drawing 3 minute portraits at Levenshulme's Christmas Market in December. Some punter's asked me if their dogs could sit for a picture and from that night I've had people getting in touch to ask if I can draw their own animal friends. These quick A5 pen drawings are so fun to do!

This month also saw the start of the Manchester Open Exhibition at HOME where my Joan Collins embroidery of Alexis Carrington Colby is showing. The opening night was absolutely packed with over 2000 people queuing to get into the gallery! It was really great to see such a lot of enthusiasm for an exhibition. There are over 500 artists with work on show and its well worth a visit. The Manchester Open runs until 29th March so make sure you put it in your diary... oh, and you can vote for your favourite pieces too, just so you know...

I've also been working on getting my Dolly Parton embroidery finished this month. It was this piece of work that helped to trigger my feminine pursuits project, yet I have to admit I've been having issues with it since I began.

This is an image of a very young Dolly from 1977 caught in a pensive moment. Her hair is big her lips are glossy but I don't feel like it's right. Maybe I'll capture whatever 'it' is in time... maybe I should start again...

Lastly, as a little side project I've been enjoying writing on my other blog The Page Dipper, a book blog featuring reviews, feelings and observations about the books I read. I love reading and this was my way of chatting about all the thoughts I'm left with after finishing a book. It's still early days so every time I post on it the format is different as I'm finding my style. Anyway please go and check it out, I read fiction, biographies, history and art and I write about the books that really capture my imagination.

Until next time, if you'd like to get in touch about my work or just say hello check out my Instagram @gemma_parker_Artist to find out more.

Having a little work done

February was spent retouching an old painting I'd done for my first ever exhibition 12 years ago!

The piece is called 'All Or Nothing At All' which is based on a title of a Frank Sinatra song and it was chosen by the model who posed for me to represent how she felt about herself in that point in her life. 

 Claire with her portrait at the private view of Gentleman Prefer Blondes

After recently commissioning a new painting from me, Claire decided to also buy her old portrait. However I really wasn't happy selling her something I knew I could paint ten times better now than how it had turned out 12 years ago.

I've never gone back and worked on my old paintings before and I have to say the experience was really satisfying and something I'd like to do more of. It's made me realise that work doesn't have a use by date and can be revamped into... anything! However for this particular piece I just wanted to rework the head which for some reason I had originally painted with dark heavy outlines and don't even get me started on the mouth! (why did I paint in weird teeth that shouldn't even be there?)

Before and after

I'm much happier with it now, and it definitely looks more like the polaroid photo I'd used the first time round. Thank goodness I keep everything! I was able to go back and work directly from the photo and blow it up to see the details better.

My main effort was in softening the lines of the face and reshaping the features. I also worked to make the skin tone slightly richer and make her hair a bit more believable. 

I retouched the background too to brighten and tidy it up. I could have continued but this was a retouch not a commission for a new painting, so I had to rein myself in. Still, I'm pretty happy with the result and now I've gotten over the metal boundary which prevented me from looking at old work as a prospect for new work I think this has been a good exercise for me.

I wanna booth with you!

 Some of last nights portraits while I was in the Sketch-O-Matic booth

This week sees the return of Sketch-O-Matic at the Cornerhouse Manchester. Held in conjunction with Top Bunk! currently exhibiting in the cafe-bar, Sketch-O-Matic is a full size photo booth where the camera is replaced by an miniaturised artist studio and one very cramped artist!

Only on until this coming Sunday come and catch it while you can and get you portrait done by one of over 40 Manchester artists including ME!

My confirmed times are:

Friday 7-9pm

Saturday 7-8pm

Thursday afternoon tbc!

I was in there last night for two hours and had a blast drawing a host of beautiful Mancunians! I love your faces people! See my Facebook page for updates and photos of portraits done so far!...

News and updates

 

 

Today Fiona visited the studio to pick up her portrait. Even though I'd completed this painting a couple of months ago it wasn't until today that Fiona saw it with her own eyes.

I'm very pleased to say she loved it and said she thought it was beautiful! I love to see the finished article in the hands of the person who commssioned it as it gives me a sense of real satisfaction!

Other news:

Currently I'm busy putting a profile together of who my audience is based on the results of my online survey. Thanks to you lot who helped me out! And congrats to the prize draw winner, Mikey from Stoke, who was lucky enough to gain a limited edition print just by answering some questions about my art practice!

I plan to use my survey information in marketing my work. It's been fun because this is a totally different aspect to the creative hands on side of being an artist and I feel I'm learning new skills as I go.

Art news:

 

 

In between the pie charts and data analysis I've been putting together some ideas for a new series of paintings; I recently read a book based in the early 1800's where reference was made to a 'tatez-y' (pronounced tat-ay-zee). To put it into context, a lady's freckle was being admired and was refered to as a 'tatez-y' or 'touch here', to translate the french slang.

I thought how wonderful this idea was; subtley sensual but sweet at the same time, to focus on a blemish or mark on the skin and turn it into something desirable and decadent. I've looked online for more about this phrase but so far have only found reference to it as a low lacey neckline from the same peroid. I'll continue to research to see what more can be found and I have an idea to make this an interactive project turning the intimate into a celebrated theme. It's all a bit hazy at the moment but I'll keep you informed as I go...

A long long time ago I told you about my femme fatale diptych I planned to embroid based on historic themes. Those of you who visit my Facebook page will have seen this photo before but I have now completed Madame Guillotine (I just haven't got a finished photo of her yet) and I'm going to start work on Lady Gunpowder in the next few weeks!

When they are finished I plan to frame them, unlike my past embroideries which I have left in the hoop to be displayed, I think these ladies need a gilded window in which to look out of so I'm hoping to find for some antique style gold frames. I'll let you know how I get on :)

Fiona

 Fiona, acrylic on canvas 2012

Here's Fiona's portrait commission all finished. It was a real pleasure to paint. I really enjoy painting hair and as you can see Fiona's hair is very abundant in this picture! I completed this piece a few weeks ago and now I have a special 'Commission me' section on my website. There you'll find how easy it is to commission me for your own portrait or original art work with each stage broken down to explain the process. Whether it be as a gift for a loved one or an indulgence for yourself just get in touch to chat about ideas and we can take it from there.

Click on my 'Commission me' link HERE to find out more.

Here's some examples of other commissions I have worked on, in most cases I work from a few photos to capture the subject. Other times the image is mocked up by myself and approved by the client. To see more of my work visit my website HERE:

I was so impressed with Gemma's work that I asked her to commission a painting for me. I honestly didn't think that I would be so amazed by the finished product; it exceeded all of my expectations. Gemma is a true credit to her profession, and my painting takes pride of place in my bedroom.

Miss Chambers 

Your art is mesmerising and brings characters and features to life and each piece has it's own unique story to tell. My portrait still has pride of place in my house. Big fan of your work, it's fabulous.

Abbe

Just wanted to say what an amazing portrait! I love love love it! You have captured the essence of me beautifully and your talents are second to none. Every woman should have a painting by you hanging on her wall! Thank you so very much.

Rene La Rouge 

I had never commissioned a painting before, but any fears were soon allayed by Gemma's enthusiasm and willingness to help me through the process. The result was a beautiful picture that each day brings a smile to my face.

Steve 

Gemma Parker is a truly talented young lady. I was fortunate enough to be part of a project Gemma was undertaking and I had my portrait painted and it is literally a work of art!

Scarlet Fever

Updates and a host of deadly women!

It feels like ages since I last posted, and the reason for that is because it has been ages! But rather than kicking back and watching re-runs of Horrible Histories on loop (as much as I'd love to), I've been busy putting several projects into place;

Firstly,  I have been putting together some market research to find out more about my audience; that means YOU!  I will soon be launching a Gemma Parker Artist Survey to find out who you guys are and your relationship with art. I'll need your help and to show my eternal thanks there will be a chance for you to win a limited edition art print of my work in a prize draw as part of the survey! 

I'll be doing this very soon so keep posted!

Secondly the portrait commission for latex model and all round glamour puss Fiona is all but finished, I just need to do a few tweaks here and there, and she will soon be the proud owner of a very striking portrait of herself in a haze of vibrant rouge!

 

Lastly I have been working on a new diptych embroidery based on the concept of the 'femme fatale', but with an historic theme. I've really been enjoying this rather bloody inspired work and will report more soon!

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In the meantime here's some of my favourite Femme Fatales from art and film!

Rose Loomis -Niagara

Marilyn Monroe plays a sultry yet vulnerable mistress of doom in this fabulous fifties drama. Dubbed as 'A raging torrent of emotion even nature can't control' Monroe was given the chance to play a different character to her usual dizzy gold digger, and she does a great job! As the manipulative and shallow Rose, Monroe was photographed in front of the famous falls comparing her unparalleled form to one of natures wonders.

Lizze Siddal - Artist and model

Starting out as a model to the Pre Raphaelites after being 'discovered' in a milliners shop, Lizzie soon became the sole muse of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who she went on to marry. Their relationship before the marriage however was far from perfect with a firey courtship, constantly falling out then passionately in love again. Rossetti's infidelities caused Lizzie to become insecure and exacerbated her mystery illness (probably the results of laudanum addiction). After just  two years of marriage and a miscarriage Lizzie took an overdose and passed away. But she was to have the last laugh as her image haunted Rossetti for the rest of his life causing him to slowly lose his mind, believing her restless spirit blamed him for her death. Even today Siddal is an icon of feminine mystery and the power a woman's allure can have over men.

Medusa- Greek Mythology

Poor old Medusa has always had my vote. Turned into a monstrous serpent woman with snakes for hair, her mere gaze turned mortals to stone. But she wasn't always the badass bitch you see here. Originally she was a beauty who inspired much jealousy from the gods eventually being turned into a hideous form as punishment by Athena. The ultimate woman wronged, she took her revenge on all men by creating a garden of statues from their lifeless bodies.

Other Femme Fatales worth a look: 

Bridget Gregory - The Last Seduction; Linda Fiorentino plays the ultimate bitch who has her cake and eats it!
Lora King - Die a Little; Amazingly evocative 'noir' thriller written by Megan Abbott
Norma Desmond - Sunset Boulevard; Wonderfully flawed and gloriously glamorous Gloria Swanson

Portrait update

I was trying to think of a way to share with you the progress of my latest portrait commission. Stuck for any better ideas I've sort of glued a bunch of photos together so they look like passport photos. I think when the painting's finished I'll try to find a way that will put the whole thing in a slideshow (but slicker). So far I've been concentrating on Fiona's face but I've moved onto her shoulders and chest this week and once that's done I'll finish her hair.

Anyway here it is so far :)

To find out more and see regular updates check out my Facebook page: Gemma Parker Artist