BrainCell BlogCell

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-21T19:48:00.000Z

Please forward to interested parties...

2008-08-25T20:50:00.000+01:00

Baby Boy...!!!

2007-04-03T21:43:00.000+01:00

Late news, but Edgar was born on 9th February 2007... He's already training for his first punk band!

Out of action for a while...

2007-01-08T05:24:00.000Z

I have just had a Kidney transplant and will be out of action for a while, so I shall probably not be adding many posts here for a bit...

We are also expecting a baby boy in the next couple of weeks, so my time really will be taken up with new activities!

Thanks for your support and please do pop by occasionally to see if there is any news...

Happy New Year to everyone - I hope it brings happiness and prosperity to you all.

Good luck - back soon!

Cheers,
Tim
BrainCellCollective.com

Congratulations!!!

2006-12-05T13:56:00.000Z

I am pleased to announce that the winner of this year's Artist of the Year competition is Nikki Hewish!

Well done Nikki - enjoy the prize!

Thanks to all who voted - and everyone who took part - it wouldn't have been possible without you!
Cheers,
Tim

ps.
I am typing this in a library cos some bastard has sent me a worm and my pc at home has been compromised, so I shall not be posting much for a while till I get it fixed! (aaaarrrgggh)

BrainCell Christmas Party

2006-11-29T10:31:00.000Z

The BrainCell Christmas Party is here!

December 2nd, 6pm onwards, at the Lillie Langtree room in the Lamp Tavern, Barford Street, Digbeth, Birmingham.

Please see the attached invite and map for further details...

Don't forget to vote for the Artist of the Year on BrainCellCollective.com if you haven't done so already - voting ends tomorrow...!

Last chance to vote...

2006-11-27T11:51:00.000Z

Voting for The BrainCell Artist of the Year closes on Thursday, so if you haven't voted for your favourite work yet, please log on to www.braincellcollective.com and follow the link from there...

Cheers,

Tim

BrainCellCollective.com

BrainCell Christmas Party!!!

2006-11-25T11:49:00.000Z

Public apology...

2006-11-13T16:25:00.000Z

I recently had an email from the artists Rart and Sete (www.rartandsete.com) about the following apology they have made... It is so amusing I thought I had better share it here...

The email they sent me read:
"Further to our press release for our exhibition in aid of Breast Cancer charity Breakthrough
at: The Art House North St Westbourne, Nr Emsworth, Hants.

We would like to make a public apology to Tony "chippy" mccorry.

To see the apology in full please folow the link below

http://www.sete.freeserve.co.uk/wankers.shtml"

Do visit their site, but in the meantime, this is what it says:
THIS IS THE BEST RESPONSE FROM OUR PRESS RELEASE EMAIL

As you will see it's not very charitable but does deserve special attention. Our response is below the original mail.

----- Original Message -----

From: "chippy mccorry" chippymccorry@hotmail.com

To: "Rart and Sete" info@rartandsete.com

Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 12:24 PM

Subject: you pair of wankers

hi I met you two a few years ago at a private view in colchester and you were very rude to me. On that particular occasion I was unable to react in the appropriate manner due to the location and company around. However now I know how to locate you I am pretty sure we will catch and I can make amends for the missed opportunity.

c/wood

bcfc

tony

OUR RESPONSE

Hi Tony,

Thank you for your recent mail.

The only Exhibition we have ever been to in Colchester was our own very first gig, a Solo in Trinity Studios.Unfortunatley we had succumbed to our hosts bounteous generosity, and subsequently over imbibed, on the beverage front. Due to alcohol induced malaise and memory loss, we have absolutley no recolection of either you or the insult.

As this was nearly 11 years ago we feel we must have offended you greatly, for you to bear a grudge for this extrodinary length of time. If you could please see your way to enlightening us on how we caused such grave offence, we would be indebted to you, as we would like to use it to insult somebody else.

We do apologise for blighting your existance for the past 11 years

Sorry

Rart and Sete.

FOOTNOTE

As this was our first ever exhibition Tony must have been the first artist we ever insulted which makes this very special to us.

If there are any other artists we may have insulted, in a drunken stupor, we would love to hear from you.

Also if anyone knows what c/wood and bcfc means please let us know.

Chameleon Gallery markets...

2006-11-13T09:44:00.000Z

The Annual Xmas Designer/Maker Art Market weekends at Chameleon Gallery are soon upon us - see details below.
There will be something to suit all tastes and pockets!
Free entry and tea and coffee!

New members...

2006-10-18T11:18:00.000+01:00

We have three new members in the collective - nice to have a little more jewellery and some illustrative work...

Our first is Claire Kiernan, who says about her work, "Having been nicknamed ‘Claire Bear’ for years, I designed a character to credit this point in my life which turned out to become the central character in my new art collection: The ‘Claire Bear and Friends’. The paintings reflect my personality, the moods I most enjoy and were a pleasure to paint. The canvases can be described as fun moments of escapism and are popular with art and animal fans of ALL ages."
Claire also takes on commissions (of favourite animals, pets, etc) in both cartoon and traditional styles - for more information email her at clairebearkiernan@yahoo.co.uk.

Our second new artist is a jewellery designer who makes unique hand-made designs in semi precious stones, crystals and pure glass, and combinations of pure crystal beads with sterling silver or gold (plated).
Tally Rosenfeld states "....My designs are an expression of my love for colours
transformed into stones and creating a blend of senses and emotions... sparkling with healing properties a conveying of uniqueness..."
You can see more of her work at her website.

Our third artist is an old friend who was at Wolverhampton University with us, Emma Stevenson. Emma has had a lot of success with her artwork, and has undertaken a second degree at Falmouth, where she studied illustration. More of her work can be seen here.

(Late) Welcome to the collective...

2006-10-04T15:15:00.000+01:00

Things have been hectic here and I haven't been able to post so much stuff as I'd like to. A symptom of this is not getting round to posting this welcome!

Mark Shenton joined the collective in early September - a month late isn't bad!

His abstract work has been selling well, and I'm sure it will fly away into art lovers hands at the next BrainCell event!

Here is small selection of his work to entice you...

Website of the month...

2006-09-30T11:15:00.000+01:00

It's a little late, but I have had a lot on my plate recently, so here it is (finally!).

The website I have chosen this month shows work by Helen Owen. Here is a little taster of her work to tempt you to visit her site...

All these images are for sale in the BrainCell Gallery.

Last of the photos of ArtsFest Art Fair!

2006-09-20T12:10:00.000+01:00

(Unless you have any you would like to send for me to post here...)

Membership scheme...

2006-09-20T11:53:00.000+01:00

There is now a membership card available to BrainCell Artists, which allows 10% discount at Everyman Art Supplies (not in conjunction with any other offer or promotion), in Edgbaston and Solihull.

If you are already a member and would like one please send a stamped SAE and I shall send it out.

If you are an artist or maker and would like to join the Collective then please email me examples of your work, or a weblink, and a brief creative history, to info@braincellcollective.com.

Artist's success...

2006-09-20T11:38:00.000+01:00

The ArtsFest Art Fair was a massive success - with hopefully more like it to come - and one of the artists did particularly well.

Paul Cross from Nottingham sold a staggering amount of work, and picked up a few possible commissions along the way. He was thrilled to sell so much, and was ecited to do something so different, so removed from showing work in a gallery.

"Both days of the Birmingham ArtsFest were a great success for me. I did much better than expected. When you're working in a studio, you become very attached and insular towards your work. I'm never sure how people will respond to it. I found it very refreshing to hear the comments and encouragement from people viewing my work. It's a great source of inspiration to listen to their enthusiasm. You often miss the feedback if your art work is hanging in a gallery.
All the other artists on the stalls were friendly, very easy to talk to and share ideas with. I came away feeling positive and raring to paint again. It was a very enjoyable weekend!"

We wish Paul further success with all future events and exhibitions, and shall look forward to seeing some more of his work.

Here is a little taster of his paintings...

"Mindful States" exhibition at Chameleon Gallery

2006-09-19T16:36:00.000+01:00

Hi folks,

In tandem with the Walsall Wellbeing Festival,the Chameleon Gallery wishes to invite you all to the preview of "Mindful States",this will be held on friday 6th October from 6.30p.m.- 8.30p.m.
Mindful States is an exhibition of inspirational people exploring the issues and influences of mental health on their work and the use of art to explore their personalities.It runs from 6th-27th October and is open from weds-saturday 10.30a.m.-5.30p.m.

On world Mental Health Day,Tuesday 10th October from 12 noon-2p.m. their will be a celebration of the Dawn Jones Art Prize,where the finalists will be announced.Finger Buffet provided by Maureen Jones and prizes donated by Gadsbys,Artist Supplies of Queen Street ,Walsall.

Saturday 21st October will see the launch of "Confidences and Confessions" a series of conversations concerning local service users experiences produced by Alan Cheeseman onto a CD aimed at helping greater understanding of mental health issues.Funded by Arts Council England Tea,cake and conversation all day!

Chameleon Gallery,
23-25 Sandwell Street,
Walsall,WS1 3DR
01922 646724
www.chameleonarts.co.uk

With various local, national and international artists who suffer different mental health problems, the show will raise awareness of lots of issues! Participating Artists images can be arranged, as can interviews, get in touch if you require either!

Regards Alan Cheeseman,artist/curator of Chameleon Gallery

New member...

2006-09-19T10:19:00.000+01:00

I would like to welcome a new member to the collective, Emily Mitchell...

Here is a small selection of her work - you will see much more of it in the future!

Here is the video from ArtsFest...

2006-09-16T18:27:00.000+01:00

Recorded on the Sunday, 10th September 2006...

More ArtsFest Photos - from the Birmingham Flickr group

2006-09-16T12:31:00.000+01:00

Thanks to everyone in the Birmingham Flickr Group for taking some great photos of the whole of ArtsFest 06, and for documenting a truly historical occasion... (I did try contacting someone to ask permission to use these photos, but couldn't, so I have linked back to Flickr for each photo - hope you don't mind!)

Here are some of the group's photos of the BrainCell Art Fair, from 9th & 10th September 2006.

Clicking on the photo will take you to the original Flickr page it was lifted from...

Please have a look at the other Flickr ArtsFest photos - you may be on them if you were there!

ArtsFest photos...

2006-09-15T17:16:00.000+01:00

ArtsFest was an amazing success this year!

Only about half of the artists have reported back so far with the amounts they made and it's already over £5000 in total...

We took a couple of photos, with a vid which I shall attempt to embed, and there are some amusing photos that the Birmingham Flickr group took - I shall link to those later.

For now, here are the ones I took, and some Ken Hurd took as well...

Please click the image to viewer a larger version.

... and here are a couple of 360 degree shots, that I hope to import into a little java thing so you can scroll around freely...

And these are ken's:

I shall be uploading some more photos of all the individual artists soon...

We're on the BBC!!!

2006-09-07T08:02:00.000+01:00

Well, not quite - more like we're on their website!

You can see the article HERE...

Don't forget to vote in the online competition!!!

Art by Mike Hill now on Sale at the Lateral Shop in the MAC

2006-09-05T13:21:00.000+01:00

(By Mike Hill, BrainCell Collective member)

I am pleased to announce that Lateral Internet Cafe in the MAC are selling
some of my pictures!

Sadly, mac's bookshop closed earlier this year. However, taking over from
the bookshop is Lateral, an Internet café with more than just computers.
Over the coming months they will be offering original gifts and produce
drawn from artists in and around Birmingham, whilst stocking recreational
products to help you enjoy your relaxation at mac. They've got fun games for
the park including tennis sets, painting kits and magazines for mum & dad.
Chris Cuthbert, one of Lateral's directors, said "No one was more upset than
me to see the bookshop go, it has always been an important part of mac,
however we are pleased to be able to offer the same range of hand made cards
and hope to have more unique items over the coming months." The bookshop
opening hours vary. Current opening hours are: Monday to Friday: 12.00pm -
9pm Saturday: 10am - 9pm Sunday: 10.30am - 9.00pm

Lateral in the MAC

Best wishes,

Mike Hill
Member

Michael Hill (Mike)
Company Director
Inspirational Web Help Ltd
Company Number: 5556918 Registered in Cardiff

Administration Office (appointment only; security):
2 Clonmel Road, Stirchley, Birmingham B30 2BU.

Registered Office:
16 Foxwood Road, Birchmoor, Tamworth, Warwickshire B78 1BB.

Tel: 0121 459 5659
Mobile: 07875157656
E-mail: admin@inspirational-web-help.com
Web Sites:
Main Site: www.inspirational-web-help.com
Art by Mike Hill: www.mike-hill.com
Free Electronic Ecards: www.arbour-ecards.com
Electronic Publishing: www.arbour-ebooks.com

Ecademy Profile: www.ecademy.com/account.php?id=96704

Artist of the Year 2006

2006-09-04T12:22:00.000+01:00

The Artist of the Year 2006 Competition is now open!

Please log on to www.braincellcollective.com to cast your vote and be in with a chance to win some Everyman Art Supplies Gift Vouchers!

Voting is open until November 30th, and a winner will be announced on December 1st.

Happy voting!

Tim

BrainCell

Artist of the Year is here!!!

2006-09-04T11:47:00.000+01:00

The BrainCell Artist of the Year 2006 is now live and waiting for your votes...!

Please log on to BrainCellCollective.com and have a browse through the online exhibition... then cast your vote!

If you are a UK resident you will be entered into a free prize draw with a chance of winning Everyman Art Supplies Gift Vouchers!!!

So get your votes in!

Artist of the Year 2006

2006-09-04T11:22:00.000+01:00

The Artist of the Year 2006 Competition is now open!

Please log on to www.braincellcollective.com to cast your vote and be in with a chance to win some Everyman Art Supplies Gift Vouchers!

Voting is open until November 30th, and a winner will be announced on December 1st.

Happy voting!

Tim

BrainCell

On the radio...

2006-09-02T23:13:00.000+01:00

I had a chat with Janice Long on BBC WM today about our upcoming events - she sounded very excited about it all... You can hear her show on their player here (probably not for long though...

The competition opens on Monday - only a day to go... I shall put it live at 12pm - midday - so watch out!

Competition entries...

2006-08-28T19:05:00.000+01:00

All the entries (bar one which is winging it's way to me as I type) to the BrainCell Artist of the Year Competition are in - and it's a fabulous mix of work, from jewellery and textiles to paintings and digital images - to a very high standard indeed!

The quality of work that the BrainCell members produce is outstanding, and I am proud to be able to help these artists achieve their goals - even in just such a minute way!

The competition will open on BrainCellCollective.com on September 4th which is only seven days away! get ready to vote for who you want to crown Artist of the Year 2006!

Four days to go...

2006-08-21T08:54:00.000+01:00

... for BrainCell members to get their competition entries in - then the Artist of the Year 2006 exhibition will open on September 4th...
Not long now!

Have you added to Mass-Art yet?

2006-08-21T08:37:00.000+01:00

www.mass-art.org is a project run by Boris Rogge, who believes that "the outcome of the project (when its goals are met) will not only be the first in its kind, it will also produce a unique piece of art that has been created over languages, cultures and borders." - these goals are:
* Be the world's first work of art created by a large amount of people from all over the world.
* Proof that people from all over the world are willing to work together in order to create something beautifull (at least we hope it will turn out to be very nice).
* Have one million participants contribute to the project.
* Have people from each and every country in the world participate to the project.

It is free to register, which gives you 2500 pixels with which to play with and create your own mini-masterpiece, which will be part of a much larger painting. So have a go - there are still 63,832,136 pixels left (at time of writing this - they are going fast!)...

New member (!!!)

2006-08-16T19:04:00.000+01:00

Welcome again, to another new member, Ruth Swallow!

Three of her digital prints can be seen above, but look out for more to come...

Another new artist!

2006-08-16T18:55:00.000+01:00

Sorry, but I have been away visiting family, so things have caught up with me a little here, including the blog entries...

So here is another new member to the collective, Sarah Myatt - welcome aboard Sarah!

Sarah makes fused glass bowls, hangings, necklaces and hand-made cards from her home in Leek, Staffordshire. look out for more of her work at the Art Fairs and on the main site... and here of course!

New BrainCell member... from across the sea...!

2006-08-16T18:47:00.000+01:00

We are honored to welcome a new member, who is a mixed-media artist living in San Francisco! Her name is Kelly Rae Roberts, and you can see more of her work on her site www.kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com/.

Benedict Sheehan...

2006-08-10T08:55:00.000+01:00

One of the purposes of this blog is to use it to point you in unexpected directions - ie anything interesting I find (or anybody else, if they wish to post...) while trawling the web and other blogs, and I shall post them here...

One such great little find is Benedict Sheehan. I came across this little video on the Peachpit Commons blog, which in turn got me searching further for more of Benedict's work. His Blog is worth a look, and has a little bit more about the Magic Mirror piece...

New member...

2006-08-07T18:46:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the collective Steve Farley!

Steve is a Birmingham based visual artist who works extensively with surface texture, which in turn offers up exploration through touch...

You can see more of his work at his site www.artyology.com.

Website of the Month...

2006-08-07T18:30:00.000+01:00

This month I have chosen Tim Seaward's site www.ablot.com.

From there you can also visit Shirley How's site glazam.com for some excellent glass work...

Take a peek!!!

Poetic Visions at Chameleon Gallery - 11th August

2006-08-05T22:59:00.000+01:00

Greetings people,another evening of decidedly enthralling entertainment awaits you,

Friday 11th August 7-10p.m.ish, Chameleon Gallery presents "Poetic Visions", an evening of short films and poetry readings,featuring international award winning artists Scanner(see below) www.nightjam.org.uk, currently working in upstate New York and Babis Alexaidis, currently holidaying in Greece where he has just won a prestigious award for his animation, plus many other short films with an open mic. poetry style evening featuring the known and talented artists of the west midlands intertwined with chatter /laughter /general merrymaking.

Also on show are two exciting and talented photographers from the recently launched Ignite group, Peter Razzell and Sarah Darkin www.ignitephotographers.co.uk

Rob Randel showing his metal sculptures and some anti-capitalist images from Carp,who the gallery is representing with a show in Birmingham Central Library in September.(see www.chameleonarts.co.uk and search for previous shows to view Carps work.The work on show here will be his latest endeavours).limited edition prints and fantastic screen printed t-shirts also available.

Hope to see you there Alan Cheeseman
Chameleon Gallery
23-25 Sandwell Street
Walsall
WS1 3DR
01922 646724
www.chameleonarts.co.uk - directions available here!

In early Summer 2006, Scanner invited young people at New Horizon Youth Centre in King's Cross to collaborate on a creative project that expresses how the city at night looks and sounds to their eyes and ears. Through music and voice the group explored the sense of freedom and fear, exhilaration and solitude of the concealing darkness. Between sessions, they captured their nights on camera. NightJam presents two elusive visual and musical journeys through the city’s ‘quiet’ hours.
NightJam is a new commission for Artangel Interaction's Nights of London series of artist-led collaborations exploring the nocturnal metropolis with the people who wake, work or watch over it. www.artangel.org.uk
Scanner (left) and MC Quick Latino discussing their track Sleepless City

New artist in the collective...

2006-08-04T10:06:00.000+01:00

Welcome aboard Tamar Whyte!

Tamar is a mixed-media visual artist who currently has some work on show at the Chameleon Gallery in Walsall (see previous posts...) - and you can see more of her work at www.tamarwhyte.co.uk.

Tamar will hopefully be selling work at the Brindleyplace Art Fair during ArtsFest - and also look out for her work in the Artist of the Year competition on our main site!

Strange things going on at Blogger...

2006-08-02T12:35:00.000+01:00

I have just deleted a post about the Chameleon gallery review - posted yesterday - that was a repeat posting...

I knew something like this would happen - I originally posted the review via email, and when it didn't appear on the blog, I did it again, via the control panel rather than via email, to post it - it has taken over a week for the email to get to Blogger and get posted! Hence the repeat - I don't think I'll be using the email facility to post stuff again...

Thanks to 'Insider Marylin' for pointing it out (whoever you are!)...

Welcome aboard Matthew Blackstock!

2006-07-31T23:28:00.000+01:00

A big welcome to a new member of the Collective - Matt Blackstock.
Matt is a Birmingham based artist who uses all sorts of media to create paintings and ceramics - here is a small sample of some of his work - you will be seeing plenty more of it at future BrainCell events!

Artist of the Year 2006...

2006-07-31T23:21:00.000+01:00

Get ready to start voting... September 4th!!!

Check out the work of Han Hoogerbrugge...

2006-07-27T23:23:00.000+01:00

If you haven't seen it before, then visit his site - www.hoogerbrugge.com - and have a browse...

Watch out for time, as it quickly goes while on his site - there is so much great stuff!!! Have your sound on if you can...

My favourite is the 'Modern Living' series in the animation section - WOW!!!

Anyway, don't waste any more time - visit NOW!

New member to the collective...

2006-07-25T22:54:00.000+01:00

Welcome aboard Laura Kirk!

Laura actually joined a while ago, but I've been crap with my pooter & lost all my old emails, including loads of stuff artists have sent me... So sorry Laura, but here is a plug for your online shops...

Laura makes all kinds of stuff, from handmade jewellery with a kitsch vibe, to lush junk and designer toys! Please check out her work on ilovekitsch.etsy.com and in her Ebay shop ilovekitsch2004.

Review of Friday's Happening at the Chameleon Gallery...

2006-07-24T23:55:00.000+01:00

(By Alan Cheeseman)

What can i say!!
Thankyou to all who came and feasted upon delicious treats from maxs' film through to fantastic sets from:
1. Routinebusiness whose brilliant take on man's existence and procreative abilities and habits were mind bogling- special thanks to those who joined in the "drunken" recording session and I'll keep in touch when the resulting track is online for you to claim! Also await the invite for a picnic to record the video for it too, keep in touch directly with adrian via www.routinebusiness.co.uk.
2. Motorcyclestunts, Neil and Brendan would also like to thankyou saying the place had the most chilled vibe going and would hopefully be back to do more, the duo played some beautifully crafted and well vocally delivered material, again busy boys so check out their site for more info on where they play locally.
www.stuntsmusic.co.uk
As for Vj Chromatouch, the skill and craftsmenship was admired by the artists performing as well as stunning the audience with graphic visuals, good tunes both well themed.
Special thanks to a lady who overcame many anxieties to attend and have read out for her, her poetry, her privacy respected here, but I'm sure she will exhibit in the future.
Carps t-shirts and limited edition prints sold well, his preview of his anti-capitalist images well-received too.
Overall a top night and be prepared for a repeat on the 11th August TBC with a possible larger slice of film and poetry from local and further afield artists possibly involving DJ/VJ Chromatouch and some readings from the routinebusiness guys concerning "repro-juice" ing!
Above all it worked, so much talk of collaborations and people meeting people, with a potential of a show involving Rob Randell and friends in the future at the gallery
Comments included "excellent idea, nice chilled atmosphere" and "there was more than i imagined, a good mix of themes and styles."
Alan x

Spectacle Gallery invites you to the following Ayling & Conroy exhibition

2006-07-23T14:37:00.000+01:00

Eyesore Sundae

Saturday + Sunday from 5th August – 3rd September [weekdays by appointment]
Opening times: 12 pm – 5 pm
Opening event: Saturday 5th August, 6pm onwards - Clown fancy dress + Karaoke

Dated happy hardcore music plays aloud in a room filled with 20,000 ball-pool balls, a room of doors, playing the Doors, a sweet shop, an a cowboy toilet, what can Ayling & Conroy’s artwork at Spectacle Gallery mean, if anything?

Ayling & Conroy present, ‘Eyesore Sundae’, at the Spectacle Gallery. Playfully advertised as the greatest art show ever, the exhibition makes a spectacle of itself to maintain the audiences attention, it strives to overwhelm the senses with a maze of themed rooms, sounds, smells, colourful lighting and visual delights, all of which are just a little too lurid to endure. Eyesore Sundae demonstrates Ayling & Conroy's preoccupation with entertaining, and showing the audience a good time. The success of the exhibition is primarily in the audiences ability to recognise and enjoy re-occurring themes, objects, and the adaptation of the language of entertainment.

Immersed within a fanciful landscape of borrowed imagery, the pair present a cut ‘n’ paste style re-modelling previous artworks and present new sculptural artworks that draw upon the aesthetics of the theme park. The 'theme park' gives the pair legitimacy to make almost what ever they want, similar perhaps, to the surrealists' dream.

Ayling & Conroy’s Previous exhibitions include: ‘Fight for Sore Eyes’, Sideshow, Nottingham, 2006, ‘Here Come the Serious Quirks’, Stand Assembly Studios, Nottingham, 2006, ‘History’, New Walk Museum, Leicester, 2006

Editors note :

Spectacle Gallery is an artist-led gallery space in Ladywood, Birmingham. The gallery opened in early 2005, and promotes the work of emerging artists. www.spectacle-gallery.co.uk

Ayling & Conroy live and work in Nottingham and have collaborated since 2005. Both are members of Stand Assembly Studios. They curate the My House Gallery program, and are currently co-coordinating ‘Critical Meet’, a festival of critique and discourse in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham.

www.aylingandconroy.net
www.myhousegallery.co.uk
www.criticalmeet.co.uk

38 Freeth Street
Ladywood
Birmingham
B16 0QP
spectacle_gallery@hotmail.co.uk
07773905445

BrainCell Artist of the Year 2006...

2006-07-23T10:43:00.000+01:00

The entries for this year's competition to find the Artist of the Year have started coming in and it looks like it's going to be a good one!

The exhibition will be online from September 4th, so get ready to start voting for your favourite...!

New BrainCell members...

2006-07-20T09:24:00.000+01:00

Welcome aboard Nikki Hewish and Emma Duggan!

Nikki works with all kinds of media, creating sculptures, perspex pieces, paintings, installations, theatre sets etc etc... She has also led visual art workshops for disabled artists and exhibited her work in many locations - we will be seeing more of Nikki's work at the Art Fairs and other BrainCell events...

Emma is a textile-based artist, producing fashion accessories, greetings cards, illustrative pieces and jewellery.
"My work spans the disciplines of illustration and textile design. I include recycled fabrics in most of my pieces, from second hand garments, leftover fabrics and “hand me downs”..."
You can see more of Emma's work on her website.

Chameleon Gallery Happening

2006-07-20T09:21:00.000+01:00

WHAT
"Happening" on Friday the 21st July, doors open at 7p.m.

WHO
Max Burrows Film-"3" showing at 7.30pm
Motorcyclestunts on at 8p.m.(www.stuntsmusic.co.uk)
Routine business on at 9p.m. (www.routinebusiness.co.uk)
VJ Chromatouch to round off the night,all are welcome.
Featured artists include Ben Mcphee(phtography),Carp(Graffitti artist/Painter/Graphic designer),Rob Randel(Sculptor),Jo cound (photography),Funso Mayawa(Nigerian painter)

WHERE
Chamelon Gallery ,23-25 Sandwell Street,Walsall,WS1 3DR

WHY
The night is basically a review and preview of shows happening at the gallery,it is intended to raise funds!(RAFFLED BEVERAGES AVAILABLE) and awareness of the diverse talent available locally.Also for people to meet and talk about projects they are working on or want to get off the ground and for all to have a relaxing chilled atmosphere,in which to talk and engage with each other in fruitfull conversations.Please come expecting all and nothing,it is what you make of it!

Highlights include local young filmaker Max Burrows showing an animated short film called 3,featuring animated scenes.Two accoustic type bands ,Routine Busines and Motorcyclestunts (visit their respective websites-see above)and VJ Chromatouch from Birmingham(He plays at the boiler room in Birmingham,is part of projectX,and collaborates with various artists exhibiting at the haddon tower project and at the mailbox in many shows)
Rob Randel showing his metal sculptures and some anti-capitalist images from Carp,who the gallery is representing with a show in Birmingham Central Library in September.(see www.chameleonarts.co.uk and search for previous shows to view Carps previous work.The work on show here will be his latest endeavours).lImited edition prints and fantastic screen printed t-shirts also available.

Hope to see you there!
Alan Cheeseman
Chameleon Gallery
23-25 Sandwell Street
Walsall
WS1 3DR
01922 646724
www.chameleonarts.co.uk- directions available here!

New member...

2006-07-18T10:06:00.000+01:00

I'd like to welcome a new member to the Collective, Mike Hill.

You can see his work at www.mike-hill.com.

Welcome aboard Mike!

New work... by Tim Thomson

2006-07-17T23:41:00.000+01:00

Here's my most recent piece, painted onto glass and mounted on wood, titled "The Protector". The reasoning behind it is rather personal to broadcast worldwide on the web, and I like viewers to make their own minds up about my work - let you get what you want to get from the painting, rather than me telling you what it is and what to believe...

Just thought I would share it with you! My new piece I am working on deals with shadows and harlequins, and I shall post it here when it is finished - although as it will be part of a series, it will never truly finish...

Easels for sale...

2006-07-17T12:49:00.000+01:00

As we are no longer able to transport easels to and from the Art Fairs I have decided to sell them at a cut-price.

I have four large folding Daler-Rowney easels, with carrying strap - they are able to take fairly big paintings.

Also several small display/desk easels, which take about maximum of a foot or so height, but are great for displaying work. (The picture is not exactly how they look - I couldn't be bothered getting em out of the shed to photograph! Near enough - if you have done the art fair you know what they are like).

I am selling them at half the price that you can buy them in the shops, so if you would like one/some then leave a comment here or email me at info@braincellcollective.com and I shall give you the cost. I can post them (at cost to you) or you can collect from Birmingham if you like. Any that don't go will be sold on Ebay, so get em while u can!

Art Memes

2006-07-16T23:01:00.000+01:00

If you come across any art memes like the one below, please let me know, or post one and I shall follow... There don't seem to be many art related ones out there...?!?

Artist of the Year 2006...

2006-07-15T22:50:00.000+01:00

The competition to find the BrainCell Artist of the Year is finally underway!

BrainCell Artists have been asked to submit up to ten pieces each, which will be exhibited on braincellcollective.com.

The exhibition will open on September 4th, and you will be able to vote for your favourite piece of work until November 30th. By voting, you will be entered into a FREE prize draw with the possibility of winning gift-vouchers for Everyman Art Supplies.

The winner will be contacted, and will be announced here, on December 1st.

Look out for more information nearer the time...!

"Ambiguous" by last year's winner Judith de Freitas).

BrainCell BlogCell: Another little meme to be going along with...

2006-07-15T10:31:00.000+01:00

I just stumbled across almost the same meme being started here:If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? and my answer is:

I have 3 possible choices:
1) A house cat, able to do what I please, sleep & eat a lot & get pampered loads, while being able to go stupidly insane and simply get "aww how cute" instead of being taken away by nice men in nice white coats... (short lifespan and liable to end in canal in sack tho).

2) A monkey, just for the hell of it, although my brains would be a delicacy for some & that would be worrying.

3) A bird, being free to fly anywhere, although there are even more inherent dangers - from guns and/or bigger nastier birds... And the above cat!

So, in the right situation, a monkey (as long as it wasn't one with a big colourful ass)!

So here is my question back - evn tho there is already one on this blog...

If you could order anything in the world right away and have it in your possession right now, what would it be?

Another little meme to be going along with...

2006-07-14T22:55:00.000+01:00

The idea is this - You answer the last question, and below it ask a fresh question - about anything - for the next person to answer, and so on... so here goes the first question:

What is your favourite descriptive word?

Artist post: Victoria Tkalenko

2006-07-12T11:38:00.000+01:00

If you are interested in some special design for your business - leaflets, posters, brochures, catalogues, greetings cards, etc, for a very reasonable price, please contact me.

I am a digital artist and photographer and I work with many computer programs...

My e-mail address: victoria.tkalenko@virgin.net
my website: http://victoriatk47.co.uk/index.html

Dragonboat Art fair

2006-07-10T19:34:00.000+01:00

Thanks to everyone who took part in the Dragonboat Day Art Fair in Brindleyplace, and to everyone who bought work from our hard-working artists!!!

Thanks to Brindleyplace as well for letting us be there - we couldn't do it without you!

From the feedback I have had so far, a good day was had by all with plenty of sales - one of the best fairs so far for many of the artists.

Looking forward to ArtsFest this year - should be a goodun!

Art meme - alteration...

2006-07-10T19:22:00.000+01:00

I have realised, after Roi's post, that it ain't so easy to post back images, unless you add the url (like Roi did), so unless you can do this and post it on your own Blog while linking it to and from here, you can email your finished piece to info@braincellcollective.com and I shall post it here!

Jason has done this - his message was:
"okay heres my effort, havent overworked it too much or lost the essence of the photo.

look at the weariness and disgust in the binman's face! as he casually lobs another blackbagged human head into the back of the truck. it gets him down. if it was a green bag he woulda left it.
I call this....Human Filth"

Cheers Jason - very amusing!
So now you have three to choose from to change/add to - have fun!

Art meme - try this one...

2006-07-08T07:04:00.000+01:00

Having trawled other blogs, not really finding what I was looking for meme-wise, I thought I would start one here... I did find one that offered a sketch by the author for each post written, thereby spreading art (the 'poster' would then offer the same on their blog etc etc etc).
I have randomly selected a photo and taken a small portion of it, and have called it 'Refusal' (I know - sorry!).

What I would like you to do is the following:
1) Save this photo - or the latest post of it - to your 'pooter.
2) Open it up in any image program such as Photoshop.
3) CHANGE IT! - do whatever you like to it - add stuff, mess with colours, textures etc - and be as subtle or as extreme as you like!
4) Post it on your own blog, with the same instructions, and PLEASE post it back here for people to view and/or change again.

Simple as that! have fun - can't wait to see the results...

Blog Meridian: Art meme

2006-07-07T23:48:00.000+01:00

Blog Meridian: Art meme

Here's another resonance experiment...

2006-07-07T19:18:00.000+01:00

This is interesting - if you have speakers turn them down as it's hard on the ears and you'll probably break something!
Wonder if you could somehow do this on a vertical plain, like a moving painting...?

2006-07-07T19:12:00.000+01:00

Check this out...

Absolutely beautiful - great film too!

Matt Robinson show at The MAC...

2006-07-04T18:30:00.000+01:00

There is a great show on at the Midlands Arts Centre at the moment in the public space by one of the BrainCell Artists, Matt Robinson - worth a look if you can get down there (by Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham). If you can't make it, you can see his work on his site - www.jinpow.co.uk - he's one of my favourite contemporary artists around...

Artist's Website of the Month...

2006-07-03T13:56:00.000+01:00

Each month I shall choose one of the BrainCell members websites and post the link here for you to have a look...

This month I have chosen Ken Hurd's site - www.kenhurd.com - please take a look!

If you would like your site featured here, please email the link to me at info@braincellcollective.com & I shall take a peek...!

Cheers,

Tim

Other events this year

2006-07-03T07:23:00.000+01:00

Don't forget, that we will also be at ArtsFest, and there will also be the BrainCell Artist of the Year competition as well... So keep ya peelers peeled!

Next BrainCell Event...

2006-07-03T07:14:00.000+01:00

For those of you who don't know, members of the collective will be holding an Art Fair in Brindleyplace on July 8th, as part of the Dragonboat Day. There will be everything for sale, from jewellery and textiles to paintings and ceramics - hopefully see you there!

Here is some more info about the day...

BRINDLEYPLACE SHOWS IT'S ALL HEART THIS SUMMER
Enjoy a fun day out in Birmingham and help save lives on Sat 8 July.

A Dragonboat race, live jazz, fire eaters, stilt walkers, a Chinese Lion dancer, face painting and bouncy castles, are just a few of the exciting things on offer to visitors to Brindleyplace on Saturday 8 July.

One of the most popular attractions of the day is the charity Dragonboat Challenge which takes place on the canal between 10am and 5pm. This year, the race sponsorship, but from a fantastic raffle with some amazing prizes

So far, 15 teams have registered for the challenge in the hope of winning the coveted Dragonboat trophy. Teams include challengers from the NEC, Bucknall Austin, Faithful & Gould and winners for the last two years, Exclusive Support. This year's event hopes to raise over £10,000 for the BHF.

Whilst cheering on the Dragonboat teams, why not buy yourself a £1 raffle ticket to win lots of fabulous prizes, including family tickets to Cadburys World, £50+ meal vouchers for Bank, Pitcher & Piano and All Bar One, a one night stay at the City Inn, theatre tickets, an Umberto Giannini cut and blow dry and much, much more.

Brindleyplace's extravaganza coincides with the annual Starbucks International Jazz Festival, which attracts thousands of jazz lovers to over 200 performances in 70 venues around the city. Olivia Harris, Head of Marketing and Communications, commented: "Come on down to Brindleyplace on Saturday 8 July - not only will some of the world's finest jazz musicians be featuring across the different squares but on the canal, businesses will be competing in the water in one of the most exciting social events of the year, the Dragonboat Race, raising money for the nation's heart charity the British Heart Foundation."

Claire Simmons, BHF Regional Director, said: "Coronary heart disease kills almost nine times more people than breast cancer and three times more than lung cancer it's the UK's biggest killer. Nationwide, someone has a heart attack every two minutes and only half survive. That's why your contribution is so important.

"Have fun and help us save the lives of people living with heart disease in Birmingham by heading down to Brindleyplace on Saturday 8 July to cheer on the Dragonboat teams and take part in the raffle."

Tim Doyle, Chairman of Exclusive Support in Meriden, said: "With heart disease being the UK's biggest killer, we take part in the Dragonboat Challenge to keep our own hearts healthy, raise money for charity and enjoy a good day out. We put our success down to working well together as a team fingers crossing for first place again this year!"

For further information on the International Jazz Festival or the Dragonboat Race, or to enter a team, please contact Olivia Harris on 0121 643 6866 or e-mail Olivia@brindleyplace.com

Statistics show that you more likely to die from heart and circulatory disease than any other serious illness, including cancer. That is why the charity needs to spend £95 on lifesaving heart research every minute of the day because every two minutes someone has a heart attack and only half survive.

Hi!!!

2006-07-02T16:07:00.000+01:00

Hello from me!!!

News...

2006-07-02T11:29:00.000+01:00

Here is the first bit of news from one of the BrainCell artists...!

Drop-in Life Sessions at the Friends Institute

220 Moseley Road, Highgate, Birmingham B12 0DG

Untutored Life Drawing/Painting Sessions ideal for the Artist or Student wishing to keep in practice.

6.30 to 9.30 pm every Tuesday

(except for Bank Holidays and some Tuesdays following a Bank Holiday Monday)

We are a friendly informal drawing group. Although the group is untutored there is the opportunity to interact with other members, who include practising Artists and Art Lecturers.

SPECIAL RATE FOR STUDENTS

£ 4.OO

The Friends Life Group stays open during holiday periods when schools and colleges are closed.

£6.00 per session full rate

£5.00 other concessions

We are a non-profit organisation who charge on a sessional basis, hoping to average the £58 per week required to cover our costs. If you can't afford the full fee and qualify for a concession be sure to claim it.

On-site parking is available.

No. 50 bus stops outside, and the No 8 stops just round the corner.

We have a supply of drawing boards and easels but you will have to bring your own drawing materials, paper etc.

For further information contact Franklyn: 07930 106 013 or Richard: 0121 455 9454 or 07905 559 167

New Blog!!!

2006-07-01T22:29:00.000+01:00

Hi,
I'm new to blogs - this is the first time I've done one, so bare with me while I slowly get it looking good...

It will be a good way for members of braincellcollective.com - old and new - to talk about stuff, as well as all sorts of other art related things from non-members - we shall see!

Anyway, welcome to the new BrainCell BlogCell!!!