'Only when the last tree has died . . . . '

An image from The Etching Series - the Wistow Trees Collection.

Images in The Etching Series form part of my ongoing 'painting by camera' concept, which I first described here in December 2011 -

        'Painting by camera' is my term for many of the images that I create,
        combining my vision of an image, playing with light and using the camera
        as both the canvas and the brushes, where the final image is created in camera
        as much as possible.' 

The Etching Series develops the concept further by adding manipulation in order to combine the initial capture with the concept I had on the day, of clean, sharply detailed monochrome forms.

The rich heritage and symbolism of trees is an integral part of timeless cultures and mythologies. I also support the need for rural and environmental protection as essential to the human spirit. I leave this post with the quotation below.

'Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realise that we cannot eat money,'  (Cree Native American proverb).

Ellerington Fine Art - New Jewel in Clarendon Park

This Saturday 15th September sees the opening of a new gallery in Clarendon Park, Ellerington Fine Art, run by Louise Ellerington. This is just what Clarendon Park needs. With the finishing touches being put to the inside, the gallery already looks stunning from the outside.

To celebrate the event, this new gallery will exhibit works by a number of selected artists, following the theme of Beauty and Ruin. The final selection of one piece per artist was made by Scott Bridgwood. Both fine art paintings and fine art photography are included, displaying a range of interpretations from a number of established and emerging artists and fine art photographers.

My selected piece is a little different in style to my previous work and it will be interesting to see the reaction.

EXHIBITION & NEW GALLERY OPENING DAY:  Saturday 15 September 2012
                                                                        -  from 10.30am to all day
Visitors are welcome to drop by at any point in the day to view the superb collection of work on show.

Exhibition:  Beauty and Ruin
Dates:  Saturday 15 September - Saturday 13 October

Ellerington Fine Art
190 Clarendon Park Road
Leicester LE2 3AF

OPEN        Tuesday - Saturday  10.30 am - 1pm  and 2pm - 5.30pm
CLOSED   Sunday, Monday and Tuesday

..

New exhibition at Charnwood Museum, Leicester Friday 3 August - Sunday 30 September

I am delighted that I have been asked back to Charnwood Museum, Loughborough to show my exhibition 'Beyond Contemplation'.  The exhibition of fine art prints are on show throughout August and September. The images continue the theme of abstract and semi-abstract work, allowing the viewer to contemplate and imagine, as a pause from everyday reality. 

From 3rd September - 30 September, there will be a changeover of some of the images so that viewers can see a greater range of my work.

For full details, click  CHARNWOOD MUSEUM EXHIBITION

Sunday Art House Leicester 2012 & extra day at 190 Clarendon Park Road

The Art House 2012 Leicester set off to a flying start this Saturday. The venue at 190 Clarendon Park Road where a selection of my work is on display, was buzzing. 

All nine houses are also open on Sunday 10th June, as the final day of the houses art trail. However, since this is a once-a-year event, Louise Ellerington has decided to open her Clarendon Park venue for an extra day, on Monday 11th June, from 11am - 6pm.

Art House 2012 Leicester
190 Clarendon Park Road,
Leicester LE2 3AF

Saturday   9th June 11am - 6pm
Sunday   10th June 11am - 6pm
Monday  11th June 11am - 6pm

 See the post below for full details of all nine venues.

Local Art Trail - Art House 2012, Leicester

Maria Bragoli at Art House 2012, Leicester

I was delighted when Louise Ellerington invited me a few months ago to take part in this prestigious annual event. 

For two days only a selection of my fine art images will be on show at 190 Clarendon Park Road. This forms part of an artists' trail in a number of houses in Clarendon Park and Stoneygate and shows the very best of local artist talent with a wide variety of work, from photography and painting to sculpture and ceramics.

I finished setting up my pieces earlier this week and have a superb space to show my work.

Opening times are as follows:



Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th June 2012

11am - 6pm

190 Clarendon Park Road, Leicester LE2 3 AF

Please note that there is a free hopper bus service on these two days to transport visitors to the various venues.

_____________________________________

'... unique creative slant' - Solo exhibition: Beyond Contemplation, Charnwood Museum, Loughborough

1st - 29th June 2012

Below is an extract from the Loughborough Echo about my latest solo exhibition. I would also like to thank Alex Gasson of Charnwood Museum whose organisational skills and enthusiasm for my work have helped to make this exhibition possible. And to Councillor Paul Harley for his appreciative comments about my work.


Art collection on show at Queen's Park

May 30 2012 - Loughborough Echo

THIS month, visitors to the Queens Park Cafe Gallery in Loughborough will be able to set their eyes on the latest exhibition from Leicestershire artist Maria Bragoli.


The exhibition, titled Beyond Contemplation, is a vibrant collection of images, enigmatic and intriguing with Marias unique creative slant.


Coun Paul Harley, cabinet member for Leisure and Culture said: Were delighted to welcome an exhibition from such an accomplished local artist to the town.


With the exhibition running throughout June, including the public holiday, I hope residents will embrace the chance to enjoy her work for themselves.


Charnwood Museum Operations Manager Alex Gasson said: Id describe Marias style as work in which even the most everyday subject matter either shouts out at you, or makes you curious about where the image comes from and what it might represent.

Link to full Loughborough Echo article   HERE

Leicester Contemporary Art Group Exhibition - LGAG 2012 Annual Show

This is the last day of the Leicester Contemporary Art Group Annual exhibition. Each artist could exhibit a maximum of two works. As a newly joined member of this group, I have been very pleased with the feedback and comments that I have received. I am also delighted to be associated with a group of artists who produce such a high calibre of works.

The private view was packed and Don Hutson, an honorary member of the group and long-established artist, gave the main speech, showing an understanding of the sensibilities of artists and an awareness of the many reasons underlying the creative drive.

Louise Ellerington is the originator and driving force behind the LCAG. She encouraged artists to go to the West End Gallery during the two-week show so that visitors could not only view and buy the works but also meet and talk with the artists. This created a greater connection between artists and those who appreciate art, including when I went there. In my opinion, meeting the artists makes a gallery more interactive. In my imagination, it harks back to Mediaeval and Renaissance times, of the patron (as buyer) speaking directly with the artist, who has brought along a sample of their work to show.

Leicester Contemporary Art Group

Leicester Contemporary Art Group is a collection of artists brought together by Louise Ellerington, a highly talented artist in her own right. Her vision was to create a group where two and three dimensional artists could have a showcase for their work, both online and in real-life group exhibitions. Artists are able to explore and develop new themes and projects, while still working autonomously. I have known about this group for a number of years and was always impressed by the quality and diversity of the work on display. Following on from my first solo exhibitionn at the LCB Depot last November, I am now delighted that I have been asked to join this dynamic and locally based group.

New developments

I have been very busy over the last month, preparing some new work and organising it for display in some prestigious galleries and other events.

Talking of an exhibition . . . . .

I am currently in discussion with a museum gallery regarding an exhibition.

Photorealism, photography and painting

I am in the process of preparing new images. They develop and extend the theme of photorealism  and hyperrealism in art, but in reverse, that is, by creating photographic images which display a painterly aesthetic through the photographic medium.

'They need to be seen'

... a comment made by a visitor to one of the events I attended. So, I am pleased that my printed images are being seen by more and more people. Images look very different in print to when they are simply online. In print, the tonal quality of the colors and the texture of the fine art paper really come into their own. This is combined with seeing them at a size which complements the image, with expert mounting and framing. In effect, my fine art images are presented as they were intended to be viewed.


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