Michael Ashcroft MAFA

Congratulations to Croston Artist, Michael Ashcroft, who has this week been elected into The Manchester Academy of Fine Artists! Michael's skilled paint application and interesting landscape scenes together form some of the most beautiful paintings of local scenes around.

To view more of Michael's paintings click here.

To find out more about Michael Ashcroft click here.

Philip Gray Artist Appearance

Thank you to all that attended the Philip Gray exhibition last Friday. Art collectors and Gray fans gathered in the Hepplestone Gallery to watch the artist himself personally unveil his most spectacular art pieces.

On the night, each attendee made a mark using coloured pastels onto a blank piece. Philip discussed his technique and then proceeded to develop the piece-in-progress whilst blindfolded! Final adjustments were finally made free of blindfold.


The near-finished product is shown below. The beautiful range of colours create an almost tangible ambiance within the fictional art piece. Philip is currently adding final details and finishing touches to complete the piece.

This gorgeous piece is being auctioned in aid of The Derian House Children's Hospice. Silent bids for the piece are being taken as we speak, and Derian House themelves are organising a separate auction for the piece at one of their social events. If you woiuld like to make a bid, contact us at the gallery, on 01257 451121.

Amongst collectors was the former Mayor of Chorley, past Chairman of Lancashire County Council and currently a deputy Lieutenant, Alan Whittaker. Alan is raising money for 'Help the Homeless (Chorley) Ltd.' To support Alan by donating click the following link: www.justgiving.com/Alan-Whittaker

To find out more about Philip Gray and his extreme landscape art, click here.

Todd White releases his 'Famous Collection'

Todd White's latest pieces make up 'The Famous Collection.' The Famous Collection is about turning the cameras on you, placing you in the spot light. White explains: "With each work I am taking you to places that include an event so desired that only one seat is left or that opening night that people have been talking about for months. What about a fantastic party that still has you smiling where you vizualize the faces and bright lights days after. The world better watch out when your best girlfriends get together ready for a great night out on the town. Finally, no night is complete without an army of cameras to capture you and take you to that place even for a brief moment in time. Welcome to your 15 minutes of fame."

href="http://www.blogger.com/www.hepplestonefineart.com/shop/tod_white.html">Todd White, 'Opening Night'

Todd White, 'One Seat Left'

Todd White, 'Girl Party Reunion.'

Todd White, 'Action Sticks.'

Todd White, 'All I Can Remember Was.'

A bit about the artist

Born in 1969 in Texas, he came from humble roots, Todd White is an artist whose profile and popularity have increased to the point where his distinctive style and iconic status are recognised across the world.

Until White can conceptually see the story in his head, he won't paint. He always names his pieces first, visualises faces and personalities and then develops each person's story.

The stark, unblemished delivery of his subjects is very much intended - what isn't necessary to the story doesn't go onto the canvas. Hands are a focal point for White, reflecting the subject's state of mind almost as much as facial expressions. He is a full-time observer, noticing what others don't, always studying and absorbing figures, faces, features, for later reference. Subconsciously, compulsively, he spends his life people-watching, scribbling down sketches whatever the situation (oftenon napkins, even tablecloths), to record an idea for his next work.

White's paintings are captivating, demanding repeated viewings, and often evoking laughter or familiar emotions. His desire to reveal his subjects' innermost feelings provide timeless scenes of attraction and intimacy; beneath the exaggerated features and textured skin of his characters there is truth, both ours and theirs. We experience the subjects in White's work every day, but because his perspection is so unusual he alters the way we perceive the people we encounter and the roles we play around each other. He studies body language, utilizing the nuances of his source material to capture the subtleties of what one shows and what one hides.

Todd has chosen from hundreds of artists as the official artist of the Grammy Awards in 2007, the world's most prestigious music event, and in 2009, Todd was invited by Warner Bros. to contribute to a major design exhibition celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz.

Then in 2010, the most famous brand in the world, coke-cola took 6 sketches of his and places them on their bottles allowing Todd White to be the first artist in history to have his own tademark signature placed onto a coke bottle.

White ended 2010 with the release of his first book, The Art of Todd White, and following a string of record-breaking shows in Europe, Todd returned to the US to even greater acclaim, and has since become one of the most collectable and successful living artists in the world.

To see more art pieces by Todd White see our site at: http://www.hepplestonefineart.com/shop/tod_white.html

David Renshaw - artist of the month

Local artist, David Renshaw from Southport, has seen a surge in interest over the recent months in 2011. New pieces by Renshaw include:

'My Secret Forest,' David Renshaw

The Conversation, David Renshaw

The Dreamers, David Renshaw

Flying High Love, David Renshaw

Renshaw claims that his aim is to achieve atmosphere in his paintings by paying attention to the sky and cloud formations. He states that he "consider(s) this element...to be extremely important to the mood of the finished painting, whether it be a dramatic sunset or a misty moonlight night."

For more details, visit our site here: http://www.blogger.com/www.hepplestonefineart.com/shop/RENSHAW_David.html