Curly Bob Needs More Friends!

Best Wishes to everyone for a peaceful & healthy 2020!

We had a business meeting today. Yes I know it's a holiday but Bob was insistent we approach
2020 in a more organised manner than 2019.

Our builders have left and my studio is now available for me to work so it is time to sort out our strategy. Being a bear that is up to speed with modern communications Bob sees Social Networking as the key to promoting our fundraising work.

He thinks we should be more pro active and reach out to find more friends and followers. He takes it personally that he doesn't have celebrity status on the web. So if there is anyone out there that is willing to be Bob's friend or follower he would be very grateful. We aren't asking for anyone to buy a painting but rather to help him raise his profile so we can raise money for good causes.

Please like his Facebook page. We have put my work onto Etsy, Ebay UK, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest and of course Google Blogger.

Thank you for any support you can give with your time. It's very much appreciated!

My festive period work is called "Godrevy Lighthouse, Impression", an acylic painting on canvas from 2019. It is for sale on our Etsy shop.

"Godrevy Lighthouse, Impression", an acylic painting on canvas, 2019

Work on the website progresses!

Things are becoming a bit stressed. Curly Bob called yet another management meeting to discuss our latest post. I tried to explain to him that between promotion on Social Networking and redesigning my website I am having little enough time to paint let alone attend more meetings.

Bob was having none of it and stressed the need for maximum effort to raise the profile of Curly Bob's Art Emporium on the internet. He has a publicity project for the New Year but details have yet to be revealed to me.

The website has been neglected for over a year due to technical reasons and medical issues. These are mainly resolved so a rebuild should be done by mid January 2020. I noticed an article somewhere last week discussing the balance between time  to be spent on promotion and time actually creating art but I haven't had time to read it yet!

The work we agreed to publish is called "Y Carneddau, Impression", and acrylic painting on canvas from 2019. It is 30cm x 30cm (approx) and is available in our Etsy shop.

"Y Carneddau, Impression", 2019

Merry Christmas to all our followers!

Curly Bob's annual Christmas Bash is in full swing. Copious amounts of alcohol, chocolate & honey are being consumed as I write this. I have again warned Bob & his guests that any repeat of the fiasco involving line dancing and bananas this year will not be viewed lightly.

I have left them all to it for a few hours. meanwhile I have decided to do a post during the festive period but looking forward to warmer days and holidays in France again. I have decided on " Les Deux Cabanons", acrylic on canvas from 2019. It measures 30cm x 40cm and is for sale in our Etsy shop.

" Les Deux Cabanons", acrylic on canvas from 2019

Santa Claus is on his way!

Curly Bob and his fellow bears are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus. While concluding our festive preparations we were discussing holiday locations for 2020 from an artistic point of view.

Bob felt that we all had many happy holidays staying at Coverack on the Lizard peninsula, Cornwall. The county has many  disused tin mine sites and one of the most spectacular locations was that of the Crowns Mines, Botallack, North Cornwall. Sadly we never actually made it to see it in person so I have had to paint it from a web photo which was inspirational in itself.

However I do have fond memories of many happy afternoons painting  the cliffs & sea at Pendeen which is a similar setting and I drew upon these memories when working on the painting.

This is "Crowns Mine, Botallack" , an acrylic painting on canvas which is available in my Etsy shop.

"Crowns Mine, Botallack" 

If you like this painting please visit my Facebook pages to like it there. Thank you.

'Tis the Season to be Merry!!

'Tis the season to be merry. Curly Bob will be celebrating the opening of our Etsy shop, his re election as BMP for Rotten Borough and of course Christmas and New year.

Having given it some thought over his large glass of mulled wine (who else would drink mulled wine with a straw??) he has decided that something white would be desirable for obvious reasons.

Therefore we have chosen "Carneddau, Winter Night". It is an acrylic painting on canvas from 2017. It is 50cm x 40cm and is for sale in our Etsy shop. The Carneddau are a range of mountains in North Wales which I still refer to fondly as Snowdonia.

"Carneddau, Winter Night", acrylic, 2017.

Our very best wishes for a peaceful Christmas & New Year to all of Bob's fans, followers and anybody who has been good enough to give us feedback on my work. We hope to see you all in 2020!

Not Long Now to Christmas!

Curly Bob and his fellow bears are becoming more excited every day as Christmas draws ever nearer. There is much anticipation of chocolate, jelly and custard and all the other delights enjoyed by our furry friends over the festive period.

Meanwhile work on our fundraising project goes on by listing even more artworks for sale in my Etsy shop. There are 13 more works to list. The next one is called "Pen Y Ghent, First Snow" and is a structured acrylic painting on canvas from 2019.

"Pen Y Ghent, First Snow", 2019

More works will follow over the Christmas period.

Bad Weather in France

Curly Bob is still busy trying to convince floating voters in Rotten Borough that he is the right bear for the job.

At least having him out of the house allows me to get some painting in around other matters.

We holiday in France when we can and the Brittany coast is a great source of inspiration. Bob hates getting his fur wet so the storm scene I have painted was based on a photograph

It is titled " Le Phare et la Mer Orageuse -The Lighthouse and Stormy Sea"  an acrylic painting on 40cm x 30cm canvas which is for sale in my Etsy shop.

As always all profits to a worthy cause so please like my page on Facebook and on Etsy. It all helps!

"Le Phare et La Mer Orageuse - The Lighthouse & Stormy Sea", 2019

Curly Bob for P.M.!

Curly Bob has come to the end of his 6 weeks of his 2019 Election campaign to drum up his support in Rotten Borough. We caught up with him and he gracious enough to allow us to photograph him with his bear friendly IPhone which he also uses to run the Emporium online and elsewhere.

While on his " battle bus" Bob & I agreed that we should publish something a bit brighter given the dire weather to lift the spirits of his fans. Therefore here is "Brittany Cottages #3", an acrylic painting on canvas, 2019 and it is 20ins x 8 ins. As always it is available in our Etsy shop.

If you like this please "like" this on my Facebook Page.

Thank You.

"Brttany Cottages #3", 2019

Curly Bob on the Campaign Trail

Bob's 2019 Election Rosette

The Weather Takes a Turn For The Worse

Curly Bob has been busy with the hustings here in Rotten Borough. However given that Christmas is now fast upon us he has asked me to post something in keeping with the season i.e. with some snow in it.

Therefore I have selected a work from our last winter holiday in North Wales.

It is called "Snowdon, Early Snow" and is an acrylic painting on 40cm x 30cm canvas. It is available in my Etsy shop.

More on Bob's election antics later in the week.

"Snowdon, Early Snow", 2019

Facebook Page Launch!

In line with Curly Bob's desire to spread the work across Social networks we are launching a page on Facebook officially tonight. It will mirror the content on this blog but will reach more of his friends on Facebook.

Todays offering is an acrylic on canvas incorporating some mixed media preparation for the paint surface.

It is called "Fort, Corsica" and I painted it in 2017. It is for sale in my Etsy shop.

Back to Cold, Wet & Windy!

After the heat of the desert Curly Bob thought we should have something more local. My wife's cousin lives on the edge of the Trough of Bowland so this view came to mind. I painted it  for my exhibition in Eccles a couple of months ago.

It is mainly acrylic paint and mixed media beneath. The Trough is a beautiful place but can look very moody when the cloud comes down.

The painting is called "Ward Stones, Trough of Bowland". It is 40cm x 30cm and is painted on canvas. It is for sale in my shop on Etsy . If you like what you see please "Like" my Etsy shop snd Facebook page.

Freezing Snow Followed by Hot Sand!

This is called "Sinai Sunrise"  in which I attempted to capture a cool foreground with the promise of the day's heat to come. As with all my works they are unframed, gallery wrap style and ready to hang.

The previous painting posted in my Etsy shop was a snow covered mountian in North Wales so we thought this would be a change of scenery.

If you like it please vote for it on my facebook page.

Thank you to All At CPIU, Salford Royal Hospital!

I have just spent half a day in the CPIU at Salford Royal Hospital having a blood test and would like to thank Karen & all her colleagues for looking after me. Their dedication, friendly attitude, care, consideration and supportive attitude are everything that makes the NHS and SRH so special.

Sadly Curly Bob didn't come with me to say hello because he hates needles!

Bob has pointed out that hospital or not today is posting day. My next work is "South Stack , Anglesey", another acrylic painting on canvas from 2017.

It is for sale in our Etsy shop with all profits going to our causes (see list).

As always please vote for it on our Facebook page , if you like it. Thank You!

1 More From The Easel!

Bob & I have been busy selecting the next work to be shown on our Etsy shop from today.

It is called "Y Garn, Winter" it is 40cm x 30cm and is in acrylic paint and mixed media below. The process takes much longer than painting only in acrylic paint. Because of the thickness of the media this drying time can be weeks for technical reasons.

We take lots of holidays in Snowdonia and North Wales and I collect photos and post cards to work from. We hope you will enjoy this.

2 More Paintings Published on my Etsy Site!

2 more works published today on my Etsy shop. This means we are on target to have 26 works posted by the end of November.

The first one is an abstract form. I was experimenting with this for a couple of years around 2015 but decided to concentrate on Landscapes. It is called "Iris in Fire" and is 40cm x 30 cm in acrylic paint and various media.

The second one is a ladscape view of "Snowdon, Crib Goch & Crib Y Ddysgl". It is 40cm x 30cm and has been created by using various media to create a rugged texture to the surface which is then painted with several layers of acrylic paint. It takes several weeks to arrive at the finished item.

Original Acrylic Contemporary Landscape Painting on Canvas 40cm x 30cm (approx) - "Lighthouse, Early Evening"

Bob & I have decided to publicise my new shop by posting a new painting every day up to the end of November. Our target is to have 26 new works in our shop Curly Bob's Art Emporium on Etsy

This work is called "Lighthouse, Early Evening". It is an acrylic on canvas 40cm x 30cm and was painted in 2017 and was one in a series intended to convey the endless sea and sky in a tranquil setting.

We hope you will like it and vote for it on Facebook.

Opening a New Shop on Etsy!

After months of planning and countless management meetings Curly Bob & I have decided to open a shop on Etsy. Of course Bob will run it and I shall provide the labour and artwork.

This will require us to up our game as regards promotion via social networking. This looks like being a fairly steep learning curve and we hope any visitors will bear with us. (no pun intended)

I understand some new artists will refer to this as a "soft opening".  Personally this seems to mean blundering around until we get it right but we will get there.

The intention is to raise money for what we regard as our chosen worthy causes and an online shop was the next logical step. It will definitely be the proverbial voyage of discovery and every effort will be made to keep Bob on board until we reach our destination.

The first painting to be be shown is called "Winter Crows at Sunrise". It was inspired by a painting by Jean Claude Daubigny which I saw in the Musee D'Orsay in Paris 15 years ago. It is very difficult to locate online and was only hung for a couple of years. I  remember I was deeply moved by the winter light. I have tried to convey the deep cold using my own palette and hope any viewers will like it. Any constructive feedback always welcome.

It is for sale in my shop on Etsy

Another Work Sold!

This is one of the works that I sold during my month long show at Eccles Community Art 

Gallery which ended last week. All proceeds to Parkinsons UK.

It is titled "Llynau Mymbyr & Snowdon Horseshoe" 40cm x 30cm in acrylic.

The paint is applied impasto over several layers of substrate. 

Like many I was inspired by the paintings of Sir John "Kyffin" Williams only 

my rendition methods are unique as far as I know as I use layers of material 

before applying paint in multiple layers. 

These evoke the atmosphere of any mountain or moorland scene.

I have also been inspired by the works of Van Gogh and Monet. I found the 

subject matter very attractive but rendered it in my own palette.

A Successful Show Comes to An End!

My 4 weeks showing at Eccles Community Art Gallery came to an end. It was a most enjoyable and rewarding experience. 

My sincere thanks for everyone who helps to run the Gallery and gives so much  of their free time to do so and to help others. I met many new artists and learned much from them.

The gallery is run on a non profit making basis and deserves to have more visitors so Curly Bob & I are going to do our best to raise its profile over the coming months.

Below are some photos from the past 4 weeks with more to follow.

New Show at Eccles Community Art Gallery!

It doesn't seem 6 months have passed since I exhibited at this friendly gallery just next to Wilkinson's in Eccles Town Centre. The builders have been with us for 4 weeks converting Bob's loft space. The preparation before and the decorating afterwards have reduced my time in the studio severely. On the other hand it will improve Bob's office and admin arrangements considerably.

Curly Bob & I have chosen 13 of my latest works to be displayed for the next 4 weeks finishing on Saturday 5 October 2019.

The 13 individual works will be posted over the coming month. There are several other artists showing in the gallery at the same time so a visit would be well rewarded if anyone is in the Eccles area. The gallery is open every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 10.00 to 16.00. At least one artist will be present during opening hours. I plan to be there from 10.00 - 12.00 every Saturday.

The gallery prides itself on being run by volunteers and participating artists. They look forward to meeting you and answering any questions you may have.

All my works are painted  in acrylic and mixed media on canvas. They are presented as "gallery wraps" which means they can be hung without any frame necessary. Please feel free to ask any questions either in person or via email vanbear7@gmail.com

Half Way Through!

The joint exhibition at Eccles Community Art Gallery is now half way through. It is amazing how fast the time has gone. The gallery is situated down the side passage next to Wilkinsons.
The gallery is open on the following dates:-

Friday 22 February

Saturday 23 February

Tuesday  26 February

Friday    1 March

Saturday 2 March

On 5 March most works will end their month's display and the gallery will then be restocked with new works by new local artists. The gallery is a fantastic place because it in run by volunteers on a non profit making basis.

Artists are "in residence" every day the gallery is open. They welcome visitors who come in and talk to them. It is very interesting to see what others get up to and how they produce their works for display.
There is no obligation to buy but if if you wish to do so please note the Gallery operates on a cash only basis to keep overheads down which can be passed onto the customer.

These are 4 of my 14 paintings that are hanging in the Gallery.

Below is a shot of the Gallery with 58  more works on display.

The Show Goes On Until 2 March 2019!

New exhibition of paintings, by local artists, now running until Sat inc. at Eccles Community Art Gallery . The gallery is run by volunteers for the benefit of the community. There are over 60 new works on display in a range of sizes and prices. The gallery is open Saturday from 10am – 4pm.

There will be some artists “in residence” during all of the day so you are all very welcome to call by and ask any

questions you may have about the works on display and anything else that interests you.

We look forward to meeting you there. We are next to Wilkinsons.

I Have 14 paintings on display and will be in the gallery 

tomorrow from 10.30 - 14.00.

Help For Heroes

Whenever the chance arises I like to use my art works to help our favourite charities. I offered a fundraiser for "Help for Heroes" who do fantastic work for ex servicemen of the British Army. This offer was accepted and the painting used in a fundraising evening.

It is called "Forward Observation Post, Musa Qala, Afghanistan". It is an acrylic on canvas (60cm x 50cm). I have to say it was not done from nature. Instead I worked from a web photo taken by an unknown member of the armed forces.

It seemed relevant to the worthy cause concerned and I chose it because of the rock colours and the deep heat/dust haze. It should be judged purely on its artistic merit alone.

(Donated & Sold 2017)

Clearing the Archives

Bob & I have decided to clear out the image archive over the next week or so. This is to make room to post images of the 14 works that are now hanging in Eccles Community Art Gallery a.k.a. "The Gallery"

These are works that have been completed between 2014 - 2018inc but have not been posted .

Once some of these have been posted I shall begin to publish images of individual works created especially for my solo exhibition within the gallery.

"Monochrome", oil on canvas, 60cm x 50cm

(Donated)

"Explosion in Aqua", oil on canvas, 2016, 80cm x 50cm

(Sold)

Hanging Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, 5 Feb 2019, I am hanging my works for display & sale at Eccles Community Art Gallery. It opens on Friday 8 Feb 2019.

Meanwhile here is "Mountains, Snowdonia", an original acrylic painting from 2017. 

Sold

Further posts of items for sale will be included in daily posts from tomorrow.

Preparation fof my Exhibition in Eccles, Manchester Continues

Only 10 full days to go before hanging on 5 February and opening on 11 February. I am publishing all my archive before the opening so I can concentrate on showing works on sale there and afterwards on EBay UK and Etsy UK.

This is "Les Hautes Alpes", Acrylic Painting on Canvas, 60cm x 50cm

by Aluitios Vanbear 2015 

Back Home at Last!

Curly Bob has finally returned from his 2 year quest to "find himself". he is now back home in his old room and this time he assures me it is for good.

There should be no further tales of dissolute excesses from around the globe. Bob has finally realised the need to be able to fund his retirement. He wants to live in a manner to which he has become accustomed.

If this conversion lasts then it will mean much more work for me. Bob has been down to my studio and feels more activity is required by me.

He will devote his retirement to keeping bees and directing our art enterprise. Following a brief team meeting we agreed that I am to open 2 online "shops" on EBay UK and Etsy UK. These will be launched as soon as my forthcoming exhibition opens in Eccles Community Art Gallery, a.k.a. "The Gallery" early in February 2019.

Another mini show is planned there in September 2019.

Meanwhile we are to clear out all items from the home archive before the end of February.

First work to be shown for over 2 years is " La Ferme a la Crepescule". Acrylic on canvas (60cm x 50cm), 2017.