British Art Prize Exhibition London

Well blow me down! I’ve only gone and been selected as one of the 50 finalists for the 2022 British Art Prize!

A competition run by Artists & Illustrators Magazine, I found it by chance when I was looking at online portfolios and thought, well, why not. Then completely forgot about it until I had the email telling me I was one of the final 50!

It almost doesn’t feel real! It’s like all the “wasted time” I spent drawing animals as a kid has been justified. It feels very healing.

The judging panel included;

• Scottish artist Bruce McLean
• Professional artist Jake Spicer
• The One Show’s Artist In Residence, Adebanje Alade
• Andy Gutteridge, Managing Director of edding
• Niki Bowes, editor of Artists & Illustrators

The drawing selected was the one I did of a Puffin I photographed at RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

Well, seeing it on the wall in the OXO gallery London on the opening night didn’t make it feel any more real! I suppose that’s the imposter syndrome most artists get.

I’d decided while I was heading down to London for the day, to see what else was on. By chance I found a gallery on Southbank called The Hayward Gallery.

They’d got an exhibition on called, “Strange Clay,” and the preview photos looked like great fun, so I booked my ticket and popped in.

Well, I had the most magical time admiring, laughing and smiling at the works on display. I even bought the exhibition book (and 3 others) and it was worth the pain of lugging them around the city for 6 hours. I felt inspired and have new exciting ideas and concepts I want to explore.

I’m working on a new collection of pieces which are currently drying in the kiln before firing. They’re solid so it’s an even longer process than usual, and it’s a new clay so I’m praying the kiln gods will be kind, even if the electricity bill won’t be!

While the bus was late, I had a wander around Meadowhall and spotted this dude -