Play Dead show ‘Southsea’s Not Dead’ is a showcase of local artists works and is open from 25th July - viewing appointments can be made via the Play Dead Gallery in Southsea and works are also available online through Play Dead. My piece for the show is called ‘Nurture Nature’ and is how I’ve been coping with the last few months - through gradening and the joy of nurturing houseplants. The collage uses Antique Papers, Digital Papers, Antique book, acrylic paint, spray paint susing neons.
'Blades' Wall Mural
Commission Wall Mural, large collage in local Hair Salon called Blades - The clients had refurbished their salon with an Interior designer and were looking for something with nature and foliage. Produced using digital papers, acrylic paints, spray paints including neons.
'Alice' Commission
‘ Alice’ is a large collaged canvas (120cm). Various factors were incorporated into this very personal commission. The piece consists of Antique papers (circa 1890) alongside digital papers, acrylic paints, spraypaints and neon pink sprays.
The Wedgewood Rooms Poster Display
Because of lockdown our local music venue ’The Wedgewood Rooms’ had no need to advertise their up and coming gigs and events so local artists were asked to make a poster for the window dislplay - I cannot wait to go to a gig again, to hear live music and enjoy the company of like minded people.
Southsea wall at Frenchies
Was great to be part of the first Southsea wall in Albert Road, eight local artists have a letter to paint to spell out ‘Southsea’…. The plan is that the wall will be evolving with different artist overpainting letters as time goes on. Artists on this wall from left to right: Berk Midlife Crisis, Roo Abrook, Samo Arts, My Dog Sighs, M-one, Soak, Fark, Winnniemay.
Sunny Southsea: Neon spray paints, acyrilic paint, goldleaf, silverleaf
Staggeringly Good Limited Edition Beers
Bit late putting this up…..a few months back i was part of a wonderful project with 5 other local artists. We produced artworks/designs for cans of really great beer, DIPA brewed by ‘Staggeringly Good’. These were made into a 6 pack, limited edition, the packaging was gorgeous! There was also a show with the release of the beers at ‘Play Dead’ Gallery in Southsea, with queues going round the block! Also painted the art gallery outside wall with the lovely Samo.
Faded Memories commission for Albert Road Traders Association
I was delighted to work on this wall space just off Albert Road, on the corner of our busy road in Southsea. ARTA wanted something to brighten up the dreary corner and the project needed a theatrical feel to tie in with the Kings Theatre. I wanted ‘Faded Memories’ to have a feeling of times gone past…..in a way everything changes but stays the same, Albert road has had many changes but it still feels the same with its strong community, the shops and people of past times are memories.
Raising awareness for 'Neds Fund' with Portsmouth High School
I visited Portsmouth High School today to start a project the girls at the school are working on. They are raising awareness of mental health issues and donations are being made to paint the wall……students will make stencils and paint their shapes onto the wall for a donation. Can’t wait to see the finished piece and they have already received some generous donations that are so valuable to the charity.
Please visit: www.nedsfund.co.uk
May was the month of Art Fairs
Affordable Art Fair in Hong Kong - pleased to say one of my paintings was the first to to sold at the event, so that was exciting! Battersea London was a busy affair with sales of original pieces and limited edition prints too. There was also Fresh Art Fairs at Cheltenham and Ascot.
New works go in the beautiful interior of Becketts Restaurant & Boutique Hotel
So excited to see these large commissioned pieces in the gorgeous interior of Becketts Restaurant.
I worked with the lovely Soraya, owner of Becketts on this project, she had a vision of using bold neons that I love so much, a match made in heaven! The interior is exceptional with such detail in design, marrying history with a contemporary feel, the works sit in the space really well. If you’ve not been to Becketts, pop in, it really is a wonderful place.
'Girls be bright be bold' Outdoor Street Art Collage
Oh it looks like I’d forgotten to post this story so it’ a bit late! ‘Girls be bright, be bold’ celebrates women, using captions from original 1950’s Woman magazine, looking at how things have moved forward.
Southsea Folk Magazine
So nice to be included in this great local magazine that celabrates southsea creatives and to be chosen for the front cover too. Visit www.southseafolk.co.uk
New works launched at Edinburgh Art Fair
A new set of hand embellished prints were launched at the EAF - Edinburgh Art Fair last weekend, as part of The Soho Collection by ArtSalon and pleased to say some new homes were found…. the prints are hand finished in neon pink spray paint, metallics and gold leaf. For enquiries please contact ArtSalon, works can be viewed in the Bath art gallery and at ArtFairs throughout the year.
Opal figures beauty - Edition of 20
Rose and Blossom - Edition of 20
Mica - Edition of 20
Topaz and sunshine - Edition of 20
'Face 2 Face' Solo Show at Hounds
It was great fun at the Private View, lots of friendly folk enjoying enjoying art and a lovely social. Shows on from 17th Nov until end of December…. Sold pieces will be going out on the 1st of December so to see the full show make it before then!
Singapore Affordable Art Fair 18 - Art in Asia
A selection of my collages will be on show in Singapore, Malaysia from 16-18th November 2018 as part of the Affordable Art Fair. Represented by ArtSalon at Stand 2B-07
Seek it out... Street Art in Southsea....'Does Beauty fade?" mural in The Queens Hotel Garden
“Do not watch the petals fall from the rose with sadness, know that, like life, things sometimes must fade, before they can bloom again”
Loved working on this project, on beautiful old brick, I adore the contrast. The building is situated behind The Queens Hotel in Southsea, Hampshire.
You can view from the road by The Queens Garden, opposite the common. You can also view at night time as the hotel has outdoor lighting.
Photo Credit: Jon Tyrell
Arts Trail
It was great to be part of the Portsmouth and Southsea Arts Trail. Met some very lovely people and thanks to everyone that took part and bought artworks.
You can see more at https://www.createdinportsmouth.org.uk/
Mixing the Old with the New
I love the way my Antique book cover collages have been bespoke framed. The contast between an encaspsulated Antique object and the clean lines of a perspex box frame works really well. The collage is hung discreetly within the frame so the viewer can also see the back of the book.
Antique book cover collages can be viewed at www.artsalon.co.uk
Perspex frames made by: https://zinc-white.co.uk/gallery/book-art-by-roo-abrook/
Photo credit: https://zinc-white.co.uk/gallery/book-art-by-roo-abrook/
Perspex framed Book Cover Collage by Roo Abrook - Available from Art Salon
Antique Book Cover Collages - Books are from circa 1860, combined with Antique and Vintage book pages, drawings, paintings, stencils, gold leaf and rose gold. Imagery depicts portraits with nature inspired elements, roses, pansies, daisies, foliage, and butterflies.
Local Gallery PlayDead Trans-mission Show
Wonderful to be part of this brilliant fundraiser exhibition at Play Dead Gallery....this piece sold with funds going to a very good cause indeed, shows on til 30th June so get yourself there, from traditional to urban to street art, it's a great show.
Roo Abrook - It Always Rains Before The Rainbow
Collage - watercolour pencil, found antique papers, spray paints, acrylics and gold leaf.
Local Southsea Artists Exhibit at MP Stephen Morgon's Office
A set of new collages hang beside local artists work by the talented M-one and Midge, curated by artists Donna Poingdestre and Donna Carter
The collages are original paintings on found wooden panels using acrylics and spray paints.
Pop and have a look.... Stephen Morgon, 72 Albert Road, Southsea, Portsmouth PO5 2SL.
'Whole Lotta Love' Collage on wooden panel, uses acrylic paints, spray paints, vintage book pages, neon paint, rose gold leaf, antique papers.
Available from the Shop
'My Hearts Desire' Collage on wooden panel, uses acrylic paints, spray paints, vintage book pages, neon paint, rose gold leaf, antique papers, antique postage stamps.
Available from the Shop
'Kaleidoscope' Collage on wooden panel, uses acrylic paints, spray paints, lace stencils, vintage book pages, neon paint, rose gold leaf, antique papers.
Available from the Shop