Life drawing and painting classes in Warwickshire 2014

I am continuing to run my life drawing and painting classes in 2014  beginning with the first of a series of day 'workshops' on Saturday 1st February. These workshops are usually held on the first saturday of the month throughout the year. They take place in the fully equipped studio at Shottery Memorial Hall (near Stratford on Avon). They start at 10am and finish at 4pm and the cost is £40 for the day - this includes basic paper and light refreshments.  The day comprises of different poses, some very short and dynamic through to longer more languorous poses. Different techniques and media are taught throughout the day. 

I also teach a weekly life drawing evening class in Leamington Spa. These take place on thursday evenings from 6.15 - 8.15pm (in the North Hall, Spencer Yard, CV31 3SY). The cost this term is £144 for twelve weeks beginning on 16th January and finishing on 10th. April (half term 20th Feb.).

Alongside my own love of life drawing I also enjoy painting from life and I like to encourage others to try life painting. Two or three times a year I do a single pose life painting day, the first of these will be on Saturday 1st March. 

In the summer I will be running two life drawing and painting summer schools. They will take place in July and August over three days (dates yet to be confirmed). They consist of a variety of life drawing activities in the morning sessions, followed by the same single pose in the afternoons to enable students to complete a life painting

If you have any questions or are interested in attending any of my life drawing or painting classes please email me therealneilmoore@hotmail.com  and I will add you to my email list and keep you informed of life drawing and painting opportunities throughout the year. 

Please note all classes must be pre-booked and paid for in advance (either by sending me a cheque or by online banking). I am keen to encourage newcomers and younger people to the delights of working from the figure and I offer a concessionary rates to those in full time education and members of many local arts societies. Please contact me for details.

Shapeshifter

"Shapeshifter"    Oil on canvas     91.5 x 107 cms.    2004

This painting of mine is currently displayed in Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum as part of the biennial rehang of the main art gallery. It is, too my knowledge, as yet the only painting of mine that has been acquired by a public collection (all my other works having disappeared into private collections). It is included in a "Medicate" themed rehang alongside works by Marc Quinn, Jason Oddy, Alexa Wright etc.. Why "Medicate"? Leamington, or Royal Leamington Spa to give it its full title, was until a few years ago famous for its healing waters and people came from far and wide to 'take' the spa water at the Pump Rooms. The art gallery is now in what used to be an NHS hydrotherapy unit within the Pump Rooms. In partnership with the Wellcome Trust, and in keeping with the buildings history, many works have since been collected with a medical theme. 

Many years ago while suffering from back pain I was referred by my doctor for treatment at the Pump Rooms and experienced the full range of hydrotherapy treatments under the supervision of the renowned, and I think last head of the hydrotherapy unit, the formidable Miss Golland. Alas, in my case, it didn't help alleviate the pain. It was however an interesting experience (it is one of the many redeeming features of being an artist that even the unpleasant parts of life are food for the imagination!)   

At the time (2004) when I painted “Shapeshifter” I had become intrigued by western society’s increasing interest in cosmetic surgery. People’s apparent dissatisfaction with their appearance seemed to intensify with the proliferation of ‘celebrity’ culture. The illusory perfection of these airbrushed icons became achievable to anyone with enough self loathing and money. Sadly, if you desired Jennifer Lopez's bum or Madonna’s breasts, there were plenty of surgeons willing to assist you – at a price. The emotional insecurity necessary to resort to such a drastic and often dangerous procedure is disheartening to contemplate.The use of same model for both the "surgeon" and the "patient" in the picture was intentional because it reflected my feeling that cosmetic surgery is often just a socially acceptable form of ‘self harm’.

I am always glad to have my work seen anywhere but I am especially pleased to be hung alongside works by Simon Lewty and Barry Burman both of whom I have known for many years (or, tragically, knew in Barry's case - sadly he took his own life some years ago). I hope that you can visit the gallery. Like many small municipal galleries they have some artistic gems and it is well worth a visit. Many, if not all, of the collection has been digitised and can be accessed via their website www.warwickdc.gov.uk/wdc/royalpumprooms  
 

The road to hull is paved with good intentions

"LIKENESS" Oil on canvas 81.5 x 56cms

This painting is currently on exhibition in Studio Eleven in the Fruit Market area in Hull. The exhibition is of figurative art including paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture. It includes works by many well known artists including Alison Lambert and Jake Attree.

My brother, Rob Moore, also a painter, is currently exhibiting his new work at the Ropewalk Gallery in Barton on Humber (at the southern end of the Humber bridge).

End of 'plugs'!

On a personal level - this glorious summer, so long awaited and so deserved, has whizzed by. My 'good intention' to do lots of new paintings has somehow been filled with exhibiting, teaching, home maintenance and many other 'time bandits'. While I haven't been very productive as regards painting I have done a lot of preparatory work and I can't wait to begin to explore the new ideas.

Unlike many artists I don't see things and want to paint them, -  I experience life (with all its vicissitudes) and try through painting to unravel its complexity. They are only 'attempts' and more often than not lead to more questions than answers. I am reconciled to not knowing (which is why I don't seem to require a religion). The one statement that the otherwise reprehensible, war mongering American politician Donald Rumsveldt made (and was, curiously, much derided for) that I concur with is "That there are known knowns, unknown knowns and unknown unknowns". The important thing for me is that, like the Olympic motto "It is not the winning, it is the taking part". When I finally slip off "this mortal coil' I will have at least tried to understand that which Paul Gaugin the painter so succinctly captured in the title of one of his paintings "who are we, where do we come from and where are we going" (forgive the bastardised quotations - the words are like my paintings 'metaphorical' but hopefully sometimes contain some insight).

More practically, I don't have any gallery to represent me and take care of selling my work and the paintings are stacking up (storage is becoming a real problem). I don't want to spend any more time than I already do on 'marketing' - I don't like it and I am consequently not very good at it. So if there is anyone out there in cyberspace that can help I will be eternally grateful.  

Open Studio

"Pas de deux" - Neil Moore  2013
Oil on canvas           76 x 107cms

I am exhibiting my recent drawings and paintings at home as part of Warwickshire Open Studios 2013 from Saturday 29th June to Sunday 14th July. For details of location and opening times for this and all the other open studios please click on this link.

Life Drawing and Painting Classes etc.

This drawing is one of a new series that I have been working on. I have been experimenting with adding colour to the 'subtractive' charcoal technique that I have developed over the past year. 

'Stop' - Neil Moore 2013   54 x 36cms
Charcoal and coloured pencils  



Life Drawing and Painting Classes

I have a couple of  life drawing workshops coming up on the 4th May and the 1st June. These will take place on Saturdays in the fully equipped art studio above Shottery Memorial Hall near Stratford on Avon from 10am until 4pm. The cost is £40 which includes paper and light refreshments (full time students only £30).

My 3 day Life drawing and Painting Summer Schools are nearly full so please let me know a.s.a.p. if you would like to come or require further details. They take place in the Shottery Studio on July 16,17 & 18th and August 13, 14 & 15th (tues. - thurs. 10am to 4pm). The cost is £120.

Please contact me by clicking here if you would like to book or require further information about these or any other classes.

Juxtaposition

'Juxtaposition' - Neil Moore 2012
76 x 56cms Oil on canvas

I am exhibiting this painting in an exhibition of my paintings and drawings at Creation Fine Arts in Beverley in Yorkshire. The exhibition also features enamelled silver jewellery designed and made by Jane, my brilliant jeweller wife. This is the first time that we have exhibited together in a commercial gallery. The exhibition opens on the 3rd April and continues until the 6th June (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Jane and I will be present on Sunday 7th April from 12noon - 4pm if you would like to join us for refreshments and a chat. The gallery can be found upstairs at 7 North Bar Within, Beverley, HU17 8AP - we hope to see you there.

LIFE DRAWING AND PAINTING SUMMER SCHOOLS  2013

July 16th, 17th &18th and August 13, 14 & 15th

In the art studio at Shottery Memorial Hall, Hathaway Lane, Shottery, Nr. Stratford on Avon, Warks. CV37 9BL

Rapid ball point pen drawing - Neil Moore 2012

Three whole days of working from the figure is a great opportunity to cover a wide variety of techniques and media. Each morning will be spent drawing. There will be a range of poses from short dynamic ones to longer more languorous ones. Every afternoon there will be the same pose to enable you to complete a life painting (or more elaborate drawing).

The days will start at 10am and finish at 4pm. There will be short breaks mid morning and afternoon. Paper, teas, coffee and biscuits are provided. You are welcome to bring your own lunch or visit the nearby pub where they do meals. There is free parking right outside the studio (the railway station is less than half a mile away).

Places are limited to only 10 students so early booking is advisable. The cost is £120, payable in advance.

Please email me if you would like to book or require any further information by clicking on this link.

Life drawing and painting classes spring 2013

My first life drawing workshop of the new year is on Saturday 2nd February, this is followed by a second on Saturday 2nd March. If it is life painting that you are interested in I have a life painting workshop (single pose) on Saturday 6th April. The workshops all take place from 10am to 4pm in the fully equipped art studio at Shottery Memorial Hall, nr. Stratford on Avon. The workshops cost £40 for the day (which includes paper and light refreshments). All classes must be pre-booked. To book or for further information please click on this link .