A MOMENT OF STILLNESS BY ZOE JAMES-WILLIAMS, WATERCOLOUR

#WATERCOLOURWEDNESDAY

A MOMENT OF STILLNESS BY ZOE JAMES-WILLIAMS

WWW.ZOEJAMESWILLIAMS.COM

Happy New Year for 2016

Happy New Year to All my Blog followers for 2016!

Love Zoe xx

Chris Riddell Illustrator and Writer New Childrens Laureate 2015-2017

Congratulations to Chris Riddell on becoming Childrens Laureate 2015-2017. Love that he is promoting books and art. BBC article below.

Illustrator and author Chris Riddell wants to encourage "drawing every day" as part of his new role as children's laureate.

The ninth laureate, Riddell, creator of the Goth Girl series, has taken over from Malorie Blackman.

"I'm interested in illustration in all its forms," he said.

"Not only in books for children but in posters, prints and performance, as a way of drawing people into books and stories."

Riddell, 53, who is also a political cartoonist, was officially appointed on Tuesday at a ceremony at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) in London.

He said he planned to put "visual literacy" at the heart of his term of office, which runs until 2017.

You can see Chris talk about his new role on the link below. 

Childrens Laureate 2015 Chris Riddell

Film Review Mr Turner

Mr Turner Film Review

Synopsis
An exploration of the last quarter century of the great, if eccentric, British painter J.M.W. Turner's life.


My Musings

Thinking it was an excellent idea to turn Mr Turner into an art class outing for my students I was a bit put off when 3 of my students, having already seen it said it was awful, long and he was odious. Well, I thought, the tickets have been booked so off we went expecting the worst. At over 2 and half hours I thought it was going to turn into the longest evening ever! However I am very glad to report I was pleasantly surprised and was riveted throughout it all. It is however a required taste and I am not surprised it has had mixed reviews. Timothy Spall as Turner is Brilliant. He grunts, growls  and gruffles throughout the film whilst using a wide vocabulary to show off his lurking intellect. He does not portray him as a refined man and the way he grabs his women through out really irked some of my female students. However it shows also his tender side, his closeness to his father and his relationships with Mrs Booth in his twilight years. This is a film about a great artist who has made it but never bends to society rules always sticking to his own path. His own vision.

Talking of vision the film is visually gorgeous. It was my favorite part of the film. The cinematography should get an award by the bucket load. The scenes and the lighting where as if you were in a Turner painting. Beautiful. A little nod to A Girl with The Pearl Earring I think. It was just a delight to let your eyes wander around the sets, especially if your an artist.

 This film is a little long and Turner is portrayed as a very bright and astute but still basic, and at times rough man which will be not to everyone's tastes. However I would urge you to see it if you love Turners work or that period to wallow in its visual delights. Oh yes and a shout out for Dorothy Atkinson who plays his long suffering housekeeper and had all the laughs in the film. She started out a bit hammy as did the others but as the film builds they all got into their stride and she was a real joy to watch. Marion Bailey who played his last love, Mrs Booth also added sensitivity and gentleness to the film.

An arthouse film that is an acquired taste but for me insightful, beautiful and a real surprise.

New Open Edition Prints of Ballet and Figurative Paintings.

One of  three new open edition prints available exclusively on my website in Shop Page

www.zoejameswilliams.com

£32 unframed and unmounted inc P&P

Perfect for a  Christmas present

 In Rehearsal

In Rehearsal

Art Exhibition of The Ostreme and Grand Theatre Art Group

The Ostreme and Grand Theatre Art Group Art Exhibition at The Arts Wing, Swansea Grand Theatre is on from August 27th-Sept 6th.

The Art Group consists of two art classes taught by professional artist Zoe James-Williams.

I was absolutely thrilled with the team work from the group, selling raffles, donating prizes, helping putting up the exhibition and donating wine and nibbles for the event. They were absolute stars.

We were all thrilled that Paul Thorburn,  a former Neath RFC and international Wales rugby union player who played at full back and captain of Wales agreed to open the exhibition.

We are also very proud to announce that we were able to raise £300 to be shared between Stepping Stones and Hill Community Trust from our raffle. Thanks to all the donors of the wonderful raffle prizes and all the of the group that sold tickets like crazy!!

BBC 1 Looking for Amateur Artists

Just saw an exciting opportunity for budding amateur artists. Wish I could enter!!

BBC One is on the hunt for the best of Britain's amateur artists for a new competitive arts series.

The programme is looking for amateur painters from all over the UK who have a passion for painting and drawing. 

 How to enter click on the link below

BBC Programme for Amateur Artists link

What Do Artists Do All Day? BBC 4

What Do Artists Do All Day?

 

Well worth a watch again.
BBC 4 are repeating great series about a day in the life of well know artists

This weeks was looking at Shani Rhys James
To see the episode follow the link below.

Shani Rhys James What Do Artists Do All Day?

Drawing At the Welsh National Opera in Swansea Grand Theatre

One of my favourite times of the year in the theatre is when Welsh National Opera visits. It is a world class company, extraordinary gifted singers and amazing costumes and sets. First on Friday I took my sketch pad etc and drew my way through Tosca. Such dramatic sets and visuals, a real pleasure. I had tingles. The opera stars Claudio Otelli and Mary Elizabeth Williams were also very generous with their time for me as always. I can't wait to work on the drawings I have done from the production.

Next was Roberto Devereux, one of their Tudor opera's. I saw the trailer and the 2 leading ladies and thought I MUST have those to paint!! First in blue shot taffeta was Leah Marian Jones playing the Duchess of Nottingham. Very striking. Then I got to meet French CAnadian soprano Alexandra Deshorties in a swathe of red silk, black high leather boots, and a beautiful metal glove. An artists dream. I would have loved to have spent more time with both but there was something about them having to get on stage to sing.....