Spring Art Releases Launched

Sunday 4th February saw the launch of the Spring Collections by the UK's biggest fine art publishers.

New collections were unveiled by publishers including Washington Green Fine Art and Demontfort Fine Art to name but a few. With some of the best known UK contemporary artists coming from these two stables, it was a key milestone in the contemporary art calendar. Artists on display included:

• Doug Hyde
  
• Peter Smith


• Jack Vettriano
  
• Caroline Shotton
  
• Mackenzie Thorpe
  
• Fabian Perez
  
• Sarah Jane Szikora
  
• Lorenzo Quinn
  

A brief run down of the key new releases are detailed below:

Doug Hyde

Two new Doug Hyde limited edition prints were released, following on from "Together" which hit the galleries a couple of weeks earlier in time for those romantic art collectors purchasing for Valentine's day.

I Love You by Doug Hyde

Friendship by Doug Hyde

Both "I Love You" and "Friendship" are strong Doug Hyde images with the uplifting feel that has become synonomous with his work.

Each piece is from an edition of 395, a smaller edition than some of his earlier pieces, and retail at £395 mounted. The image size of both pieces is 26" x 26" - making them rare examples of Doug Hyde working with a square format as most of his pieces have tended to be in landscape or portrait format. Both images are currently available to purchase at http://www.hepplestonefineart.com

Together by Doug Hyde

Together reunites Doug Hyde's famous smiley character with the black dog that was the subject of possibly his most sought after image, Beware of the Dog. With Beware of the Dog now selling on the secondary market at well in excess of £1000, Together promises to be another sell out hit with collectors.

Released in conjunction with the standard edition of 395, 95 additional pieces were made available with an original sketch (remarque) by Doug Hyde himself. The sketches have been drawn on underneath the main image, in line with the signature, and offers Doug Hyde collectors the opportunity to own something penned by Doug's own hand, without having to spend in excess of £10000.

The original issue price of the standard edition is £370 mounted with the rare remarque edition retailing at £749 mounted where it is still available! Once again, both images are currently available with free UK postage at http://www.hepplestonefineart.com

Together (Remarqued by Doug Hyde)

Peter Smith

The Spring Collection sees an exciting new era for one of the most popular artists of 2006. Three new releases are available which will surely appeal to Peter Smith's die hard existing collectors. Theses three images offer an interesting twist on Peter's style, whilst not diverting too far from the appeal of his earlier work.

The Boys by Peter Smith

"The Boys" is nine individual images, all with different coloured ties, that have been mounted together to create one fabulous piece. A nice twist on Peter's existing style that creates great visual impact. RRP: £376 mounted.

The Love Collection by Peter Smith

"The Love Collection" consists of nine individual box pieces that can be displayed together as shown, individually or in smaller groups. This piece offers the ultimate in flexibility allowing you to display them as a square, in a horizontal or vertical line, or even have one or two in each room of your home.

The original issue price for the set is £695, making it only £77.22 per image!

We Are the Boys by Peter Smith

"We Are the Boys" is reminiscent of the popular characters that appeared in Peter Smith's early works, "Meet The Firm" and "The Management". The addition of the moody sky back drop adds to the impact of the piece. RRP: £340 Mounted.

This is where we depart from Peter Smith's well know style and enter into the darker, more edgey work that Peter has started to produce.

Peter Smith - Far Beyond Driven

The Far Beyond Driven collection is a symbol of how Peter Smith has changed over the last 18 months with him now able to tackle much deeper issues in his work including subjects like isolation, aspirations and family life. Anybody feeling some similarities to Mackenzie Thorpe's journey through art?

Whether Peter Smith's more expressive work will hit a cord with collectors remains to be seen, we will watch on with great interest. Full details of the Far Beyond Driven collection can be found at http://www.washingtongreen.co.uk

Govinder

Govinder appears to be on a rich vein of form at the moment with more strong releases. Influenced by his recent trip to Japan, Govinder has released three new limited edition prints along with new limited edition sculptures.

Strange Love by Govinder

RRP: £293

King Tut by Govinder

RRP: £246

Big in Japan by Govinder

RRP: £500 Framed

Why Can't I Be You by Govinder

£398 Framed

Hungry for You by Govinder

£398 Framed

Caroline Shotton

Caroline Shotton has been the star performer from Washington Green over the past 6 months with all of her releases selling out almost immediately after publication.

Caroline has followed up with two of her strongest images to date that are sure to wow existing and new collectors alike. Expect these images to follow her previous box canvas offerings and sell out very quickly indeed.

Wakey Wakey by Caroline Shotton

Hide n Seek by Caroline Shotton

Mackenzie Thorpe

New for 2007, Mackenzie Thorpe has released a four seasons collection of limited edition prints depicting Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring. At only £141 each mounted, they will make a refreshing addition to any Mackenzie Thorpe collection, either individually or as a set.

Sarah Jane Szikora

Two new limited edition prints are now available to order by Sarah Jane Szikora. The first, "We are not Amused" is a humourous portrait of the Queen, featuring the Queen wearing a lollipop crown and sat on a cake thrown - a trademark Sarah Jane Szikora piece.

RRP: £210

The second piece, "The Biscuit Factory", is a self portrait of Sarah Jane Szikora sculpting a giant gingerbread sculpture.

RRP: £188