Supporting other artists

In looking at the whole area of working as an illustrator/writer, I have identified the following three main areas that I wish to specialise in:

       * writing and supporting artists through my professional writing skills

·      * working as a freelance illustrator for magazines, whilst developing children’s book (writing and    illustrating) work, getting it ready for publishers and self publishing (my ultimate goal, but obviously being a realist knowing that this can take a long time) 

       * working as a community artist with local museums/schools encouraging children with the art of writing/creative illustration to fit in with the new Creative Curriculum plan the government is implementing

I     In the past week I have written a press release to support two fellow artists in Stroud who are hosting a joint exhibition at the Lansdown Gallery in March. I sent this to my contacts at Stroud Life and Stroud News and Journal to help with publicising the event. This week I was also contacted by another artist, asking how much I charge to write press releases, so this confirms it is an area of expertise I can help with. I recognise that artists want to get on with what they know best - painting, sculpting, writing, creating, drawing etc. They are not so hot on publicising their events and talents so it something I recognise that I can help with.

EARTHLY CONCERNS

One takes a lively bold approach; the other is more considered and tonal. Their styles may be different, but artists Nigel Westaway and Christina Rice both work with Stroud's landscape in their own unique way.

Earthly Concerns at the Lansdown Gallery, which runs from Tuesday, March 10th until Saturday March 15^th, celebrates the countryside and buildings of the five valleys.

Colour and light are key aspects of their refreshing oil and acrylic paintings which have a natural organic feel to them, reflecting the painters’ spontaneous and individual responses.   

Nigel's energetic, vibrant compositions compliment Chris's earthy palette and tonal play.

"We live in such a diverse landscape. Both of us are drawn to work with this, whether for its beauty or for its symbolic value,” says Nigel, who will also have some wood carvings on display.

"We hope people will find their own interpretation of our work and go away uplifted."

Earthly Concerns by Nigel Westaway and Christina Rice is on show at the Lansdown Gallery from March 10-15, 9.30am-5pm.

Nigel Westaway

Christina Rice