Thursday 29 July 2010

The wild life of Jim Mahfood



London Miles Gallery artist JIM MAHFOOD aka FOOD ONE is seriously unstoppable. From live art paintings, female body decorations, new toy releases, to his new comic book release "Marajuana Man" and signing at Comic Con with Ziggy Marley to his most recent release "Kickpuncher". Jim has just not taken a break and good for him as everything this guy touches turns to gold.

Keep up to date on Mahfood's rockstar lifestyle through his weekly comic LA ink stains, where he writes about his life in LA.
Follow his blog here: http://foodoneart.blogspot.com/

This November, Mahfood will be submitting a piece for our group show at London Miles Gallery so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for new original artwork from the one and only.

Fernando Chamarellli
























Fernando Chamarelli is gaining international attention for his bold and colorful artworks inspired by his home country of Brazil. Coming up in California, opening on August 6th at Gallery AD is Fernando's first solo exhibition, Pangea. This October London Miles Gallery brings his artwork to the UK in a three person show along side Morning Breath from NYC and Ekundayo from Hawaii...

Opening at London Miles Gallery on October 8th....stay tuned for more artwork from these three talented artists!

Tuesday 27 July 2010

A sneak peek at what Alex Young has been up to..



Alex Young is preparing for something special coming up this year..we won't tell you too much other than its going to be a showcase of his incredible, intricate and wonderfully horrific illustrations...

Keep your eyes peeled to see what he has in store..
www.brainofalexyoung.com

Friday 23 July 2010

This September at London Miles Gallery: Made In Britain / Visual Splendor






























London Miles Gallery personally invites you to our upcoming themed group show ‘Made in
Britain’ showcasing a refreshing selection of artists from throughout the UK which have come together to celebrate all things wonderfully British. London Miles Gallery has hand selected a group of emerging artists to portray their representation of their home country with a 24” x 24” art piece that has been visually inspired by a British tradition, iconic figure or historical memory of theirs.

'Made in Britain' opens to the public on Friday September 10th in Westbourne Studios, home to London Miles gallery. The opening reception will celebrate everything quintessentially British and on display will be a selection of vintage mini’s supplied by the London Mini Company, tasty cider thanks to Brothers and Firefly’s union Jack health drink. The evening reception will include the showcase of more
than 30 artworks, music and a room filled of the UK's best emerging artists.


Also opening on September the 10th at London Miles Gallery:
Visual Splendor, a solo show by David Marsh aka MESH137

London Miles is proud to announce the first solo exhibition of London based illustrator DAVID MARSH aka Mesh 137. Visual Splendor is an exciting showcase of what the talented young artist David Marsh has to offer; the exhibition will feature more than 30 individual works of art creating a literal visual feast for the eyes.

David Marsh is an explosion of color, energy and boldness, his playful character and eagerness to just have a good time is truly infectious. London Miles can guarantee love at first sight with the new collection of artworks presented on September 10th in David Marsh's solo show, Visual Splendor.


We look forward to seeing you on September 10th!

Friday 16 July 2010

LMG Interview with David Marsh aka Mesh 137



























Born in 1984, London based artist and Illustrator
David Marsh, aka Mesh137 has been systematically rejecting the established 'art world' since he first embarked on a fine art degree at Sheffield Hallam
university in 2003. Horrified at his tutors statements that "there was no place for painting and drawing in the art world anymore” Marsh quickly left Hallam university and enrolled on an illustration degree at Westminster University London. Over three years here, he developed his highly original and instantly recognizable style of work, drawing inspiration from various counter culture movements such as skateboarding, graffiti, tattoo and street art, old records, pulp comics and movies and the art of ancient tribes and societies.

Marsh has a real eye for detail and always aims to give his artwork the highest grade finish possible. Skill and effort pay a huge role in the creation of his art. Some of his larger paintings with their busy compositions involving minute patterning, hundreds of individual crystals and meticulous finishes often require hundreds of hours of careful craftsmanship. His illustration work consists of vibrant interpretations of everyday objects like teapots or foods such as cupcakes, amusing characters like his sassy pinup girls and cutesy pirates and his trademark 'Mesh Band' members with their distinctive red skin, long black beards, facial tribal tattoos and tall, animal horned hats.

But if Marsh believes one thing only, it's that he likes to make pretty pictures - that is, he likes first and foremost for his work to be beautiful. He likes to make pictures and paintings that people actually enjoy looking at. A concept that seems to have been forgotten amongst the so-called 'High Brow' art world for many a decade. Furthermore he doesn't take himself or his work too seriously, after all as he puts it he's: "Making paintings, not saving lives or educating children." As such he displays a healthy and rather sly sense of humour in his work, regularly mocking both the world around him and his own person, with a particular penchant for visual and verbal puns.


Q:What is your artistic Background?

I've always enjoyed making pictures - ever since I was really little I was always happiest when I had some paper and pencils or felt tip pens to draw with. I also loved cartoons, comics, games, graphic novels, films and animation and I think these really pushed me towards wanting to be an artist of some kind, be it an illustrator, animator of painter.

Q: There are many different cultural references in your work, are you well traveled?

I haven't traveled much recently, but I was lucky enough to go to some amazing places like Mexico, Japan, Canada, New York and parts of Europe while growing up. I'd say everywhere I've been has had an impact on my work, but I think the modern and historical visual cultures of Mexico and Japan are the most mind blowing. But then as a massive hip-hop fan New York was like a pilgrimage! I'd certainly like to travel through work more - there can't be a more satisfying feeling for an artist then someone on the other side of the world appreciating your work.
Q:What are your inspirations as an artist?

There's so many! : Old comics - classic romance comics, 'Tales from the Future', 'Amazing Adventures' kinda stuff. Retro playboys, glamour and pinup art. Teapots, cupcakes, shoes, gemstones. Ancient tribal culture/art. Classic Indian, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese art. Modern day street art, graffiti art and pop art. Old records - for the music and the covers! Anything with patterns on, 80's rap lyrics/clothes, the work of author Hunter S. Thompson, B-movie posters, trashy novels Skateboard culture, old skateboarding videos and magazines. Anime and Manga, classic video games, 60's poster art, being an insomniac, dark rum, golden beers, and finally the music, illustrations and artwork of way too many individuals to mention here!


Q: Your artworks are very intricate; you must have a lot of patience. How long does it take on average to create a piece of work?

I can produce a small painting in around a day or two, but one of my larger paintings with all the tiny details like the crystals and patterning can take me up to a couple of months. I like to give my paintings as perfect a finish as is possible which means working very carefully and slowly, but hopefully it pays off in the end!

Q:Which is your preferred medium?
I use a mixture of mediums : paint pens, spray paints, metallic and acrylic paints, crystals and materials like felt. I normally work on wooden boards andblocks because I love the look and feel of the wood and I can get a much better finish then on canvas. I also like to work digitally, producing work on my Mac.



Q:What would you like to put across to viewers with your artwork?

I don't like to take myself or my work to seriously, so I wouldn't say Im trying to get any real message across. I just like to make pretty pictures and have fun with my work. I do like to include a few cheeky/naughty bits in there that hopefully make people smile but I'm not really m aking any statements - maybe just that 'we should all calm down a little, be a bit nicer to each other and try to have fun and enjoy life. Oh and that 'pirate girls are hot'.

Q:Have you ever had artistic block and how did you overcome this?

I’m lucky in that I've never really had a pr oblem with artistic block - if anything I have a problem with having to many ideas at once and never having enough time to do them all! I have about ten notebooks crammed full of little sketches and notes and ideas for future paintings, illustrations, animations music etc. So it's is definitely not an issue for me!

Q:Do you see yourself as part of an art movement or would you rather not be pigeonholed in such a way?

Yes, I'm the founding member of a new art movement called 'Super Dope Spaced Out Next Level Fine Art Pirates'. No not really! But if you feel you must, then stick me with the 'Talented, hardworking people who are doing amazing artwork' movement or failing them the 'Overly modest movement'.



Q:When you create a piece of work, do you create with others in mind or for your own pleasure/indulgence?

When it comes to my art I try to work to my own tastes and make paintings I'd want to put up on my own wall but it's inevitable you'll be influenced by your audience on some scale when your selling work to make a living. And obviously with commercial work you have to meet a client’s brief, which can be quite ridged.

Coming up this September 10th, David Marsh will be presenting Visual Spendor- a solo exhibition at London Miles Gallery.
Make sure you watch this artist as he continues to capture the attention and win the hearts of art lovers all around.

Visit www.londonmiles.com for more information on his upcoming exhibition.
Or visit his blog : www. mesh137.blogspot.com/

Thursday 1 July 2010

NEW London Miles Print release

London Miles Gallery Presents a special print edition by ~KUKULA~



London Miles Gallery is Proud to announce a new and very special print edition by KUKULA.
Title: Splice Beauty
The edition is a small edition of only 23.
All signed and numbered by Kukula.

Printed on 255 gsm Somerset velvet watercolor paper with Gilcee archival ink.

Paper size: 16. 5 x 11.75 inches
Print size: 8.5 x 12. 5 inches
Print price: £70.00
Framed with mount: £160.00

To order your unique limited edition print by Kukula,
email SALES@LONDONMILES.COM

Sales start Monday, July 5th 2010.

For more information contact London Miles Gallery.