Two Small Paintings

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I find it creatively refreshing to flit between different artistic mediums every so often. So whilst I was waiting for the resin to dry on the latest sculpture that I'm working on, I thought I'd have a break and do a couple of small oil paintings.

 

'Bow Tie Man Crying', 2020, small oil painting by Wayne Chisnall

As you can see, they're quite different. The first one is more of a quick, cartoonish oil sketch, that I did to get myself back into the flow of painting again.

The second one, which I've titled 'The Monster' is painted over an earlier painting - one that had turned out unsuccessful because, at the time, I'd probably been too tired or lacked enough enthusiasm to put any real effort into it. I call it 'The Monster' because I've recently re-read Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein', and whilst painting it I was trying to envisage a version of the monster that didn't resemble the iconic one that Boris Karloff played in James Whale's 1931 classic horror movie, 'Frankenstein'.

 

'The Monster', 2020, small oil painting by Wayne Chisnall

On the whole I don't have a favourite colour, but when it comes to oil painting, I do love a bit of red.

'Unlockdown' at University Centre, Telford

The first piece from the 'Unlockdown' art collaboration project between myself and ceramics artist, Sharon Griffin, is now on display at the UniversityCentre, on the 3rd floor of Telford Town Centre's Southwater One building. 

 

Sculpture from 'Unlockdown' art collaboration, exhibited at University Centre, Telford

Sharon and I plan to create a body of work that we can exhibit/tour around the country. We've already had our sculptural work accepted for a prestigious exhibition that will be taking place next year - details of which we should be able to reveal next month.

Sharon Griffin with sculpture from 'Unlockdown' art collaboration

As Sharon and myself are both Shropshire-born artists, who use a lot of locally sourced materials in our work, we thought that we'd have our series of Unlockdown exhibitions kick off in Shropshire. The University Centre is the first venue but we're already looking at other spaces in the area in which to exhibit.

Small Paintings Update

Back in mid-January of this year I came up with the idea of setting myself the ridiculously ambitious challenge of trying to paint 1000 small oil paintings in a year. My initial thoughts behind the project were that I'd knock out a load of quick oil sketches as a way or generating a few new ideas and trying out different painting techniques. Although the majority of the paintings didn't turn out to be quite as quick or sketchy as I'd initially intended, I was, for the first few weeks, still on schedule for my target.

 

'Hollow Dog Warrior', oil on board by UK artist, Wayne Chisnall

However, I soon realised how all-consuming a twelve month painting challenge of this scale would be, and that putting that amount of pressure on myself would take a lot of the fun out of painting. Also, it wouldn't allow me any free time for working on my sculptural projects - and I've always found that taking a break from one medium and switching to another for a while keeps me motivated and helps generate new ideas.

 

'Meaty Hair', oil on board by UK artist, Wayne Chisnall

Around a hundred paintings into the challenge I switched over to sculpture, with the intention of switching back after a month or two. However, it was around this time that I was invited by the ceramics artist, Sharon Griffin, to collaborate with her on a sculpture project (which we have named Unlockdown). And it is this project that has taken up most of my free time over the last few months - so much so that I've just realised that I only got round to posting photos from the first half of the hundred paintings that I produced. So here are a few more from the second half of the, as yet to be continued, series - and I'll try and remember to post more photos over the coming weeks.

 

'Schrodinger's Match', oil on board by UK artist, Wayne Chisnall

Apart from two or three, all of the paintings in this 2020 series are painted directly to the painting's surface with brush and oil paint, rather than being penciled in beforehand. I really like the immediacy of this approach. You can often end up with a piece that has a vibrancy that you might not have got if you were being more considered and calculated.

'Wide Mouthed Hollow Dog', oil on board by UK artist, Wayne Chisnall

The mini oil paintings/oil sketches that I've produced so far are mostly painted on small, wall mountable, plywood or chipboard plaques (recycled form pieces of  Victoria and Albert Museum packing crates), or on old book covers and recycled pieces of primed mount board (recycled from the V&A museum's Paper Conservation Department and from their Picture Framing Dept.).

 

'Clown Nipple', oil on board by UK artist, Wayne Chisnall

I've already sold some of the pieces from this new series. Apart from works in my Taster Menu series I don't usually sell original artwork for less than £500 but as some of these pieces are very small and quickly executed I've put up a few for as low as £200. For info on the prices and dimensions of any of the mini oil paintings I'm currently posting about please feel free to get in contact (waynechisnall@yahoo.co.uk). Some of my collectors prefer to pay in monthly instalments, so that's always an option if you're interested. To see all of the paintings in the project, as I paint them, check out my Instagram page.

 

'Hollow Dog Carcass', oil on board by UK artist, Wayne Chisnall

I'm also taking part in the Artist Support Pledge on Instagram (where any of my posts that have #artistsupportpledge in the text will be offering artwork for £200 or under). The initiative was set up by the artist, Matthew Burrows, and now has hundreds, if not thousands of artists taking part. Check out the pledge as there are some great artists involved (and surprisingly, some reasonably well known up-and-coming names in the artist world) - all offering prints and original artwork for £200 and under. So now is the time to pick up some art bargains.

 

Here's what Matthew has to say about the initiative:

"Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many artists have found themselves without work, teaching, technical support and gallery work. Exhibitions and sales have disappeared. In an attempt to help alleviate some of this stress I have instigated the ARTIST SUPPORT PLEDGE #artistsupportpledge The concept is a simple one. Artists post images of their work, on Instigram which they are willing to sell for no more than £200 each (not including shipping). Anyone can buy the work. Every time an artist reaches £1000 of sales, they pledge to spend £200 on another artist/s work.

To make a pledge, post your work with the #artistsupportpledge and follow the # to see everyone else's work. Keep updated on new opportunities and announcements @artistsupportpledge Repost and tell your friends, colleagues and collectors. Let generosity be infectious."