Tuesday 13 October 2015

East Finchley: A Jewel in London's Local Art Scene





As Summer turns into Autumn it’s time to reflect on our busy year, not just for EFO Artists, but the many other artistic and cultural treasures of East Finchley and its near neighbours. In an unusual poll in Time Out recently we were voted the happiest community in London and, although we are not quite sure of the methodology, it’s still not surprising given the richness of our local culture.


As well as EFO Artists we have the superb annual Arts Festival with music, opera and art,and then there is the independent Phoenix Cinema, not only for interesting films but drama and opera from other cultural centres such as London and New York.


And then there are two community Festivals, summer and winter, and The Finchley Youth Theatre.  Artists, poets, actors, and writers abound. There are also journalists and animators – even a comedian!  And in nearby Highgate (or East Finchley borders, as they prefer to be called) there is Jacksons Lane and the Gatehouse Theatre.

But there is still more. As well as being happy, we have the EFO Artists annual Art Fair is coming up and the Community Winter Festival too. Enjoy!!

Tuesday 14 July 2015

What you've missed and what's next!!

So last weekend was the last weekend of our annual East Finchley Open event and wow what an event it was!! We opened 13 houses to the public, showcasing more than 60 artists' work, ranging from ceramics, paintings to jewellery and photography. Thank you to all the lovely people who came to the  houses, chatted with the artists and bought some lovely pieces! For those who missed out, here are some pictures of the event:







We are now back to the drawing board to prepare the next range of events. The next big event is our annual exhibition at the Hornsey Library. Each year new work is exhibited based on a particular theme and this year is Rhythm 'n' Blues. The exhibition runs from September 8th until the 27th, and all info is available in our website, www.eastfinchleyopen.org.uk 

In the next coming weeks, I will be posting pictures of the work you will be able to see if this amazing exhibition, so keep an eye out!!


Tuesday 14 April 2015

Get to Know: Clara Hancock

We are back feeling all refreshed from the Easter break and eager to get our interviews under way!!! This week we have the lovely Clara Hancock who works on silk.




1.       What was the first piece of art you remember making?

The first piece of art I remember making was a soap stone sculpture of a lady kneeling, I still have it!

2.       If you were an animal, what would you be?

If I was an animal I would be a horse

3.       An indulgence

An indulgence would be to spend a day in the lovely country side

4.       When making art, what is your biggest mind block?

My biggest mental block is the size and display of the piece once I finish it



5.       Favourite place in East Finchley? 

My favorite place in East Finchley is Cherry Tree woods

6.       What inspires you to make more art?

 What inspires me to make more art is to express my feelings from experiences of life. A walk, a visit
to a museum, or an art gallery, listening to music or a poem, looking at a garden. They all give me ideas. 

7.       How did you get involved in the East Finchley Open?

I got involved with East Finchley through my friends and founders, Sheila Jones and Tony Wiggs



8.       What is your fondest memory of London?

My Wedding!!



Sunday 22 March 2015

Get To Know: David Gilbert

This week we interview David Gilbert, who is an sculptor for the EFO.




1.    What was the first piece of art you remember making?
Sketching wit my parents on holiday

2.     If you were an animal, what would you be?
       Goldfinch

3.     An indulgence
Fine wine

4.   When making art, what is your biggest mind block?
Creativity – what to do



5.    Favourite place in East Finchley? 
      Black gull books

6.    What inspires you to make more art?
Visiting exhibitions

7.    How did you get involved in the East Finchley Open?
      Through my teacher, David Waller

8.   What is your fondest memory of London?
Swimming open air on the Heath

9.   What are you doing at the moment?
      Emails

10.   Where in Social Media can people find you? (Facebook, twitter..)
  Nowhere




Wednesday 11 March 2015

Get To Know: Laura Fishman

After last week's guest post by EFO Member Ann Fromberg, this week we return to our beloved interviews. This week we interview painter Laura Fishman.






1. What was the first piece of art you remember making?
       I remember drawing an expressive face when I was about 4 years old thinking it was a very exciting picture. It was at that time that I decided I would be an artist.

       2.   If you were an animal, what would you be?
If I were an animal I would want to be a chameleon - I would love to be able to change colours and blend into my environment!

        3.  An indulgence
      My favourite indulgence: My paints! I use GOLDEN artist’s colours – they dense with pigment and the colours are sublime.




        4. When making art, what is your biggest mind block?
I wouldn’t exactly call it a mind block but more a distraction. One distraction is that I should make art to please other people, and on the other side of the spectrum, is that I need to push the boundaries when making art as it should be ground-breaking. I have learnt that the best way for me to make art is to stay true to myself and so, I find a way to ‘put my blinders on’ and block these distractions out.

       5. Favourite place in East Finchley? 
My favourite place in East Finchley is Cherry Tree Wood – I love to take my dog for a walk there and then head over to the Old White Lion for some Strawberry beer.

       6. What inspires you to make more art?
` My main inspiration is colour and nature. I am inspired to keep making more art because it is continually evolving. There is excitement each time I paint as I am making something new and surprising.

     7. How did you get involved in the East Finchley Open?
       I have always wanted to be a part of an artist’s community and as well, open my house as a gallery for local people. I applied to the EFO, and although I live and work in Finchley, the East Finchley Open was kind enough to let me join!

       8.  What is your fondest memory of London?
One memory that comes to mind is when we first moved here from NY, we took the children on ride on the upper deck of a double-decker bus. It was very exciting coming from New York...

       9. What are you doing at the moment?
At the moment, I am painting in a more watery style than my thicker pour paintings. I am currently working on a pair of large canvases 120 x 150 cm, which is the largest I like to go without a commission.




       10. Where in Social Media can people find you? (Facebook, twitter..)
Facebook: Laura Fishman Art
https://www.facebook.com/LauraFishmanArt
Twitter: @LauraFishman, Instagram: LAURAFISHMANART



Sunday 1 March 2015

Review: Two Temple Place



Today's blog post is a little bit different, as instead of having the usual interview with our talented artists, we are going to talk about an amazing place called Two Temple Place near the West End. EFO member Ann Fromberg talks to us about this special place:

I first discovered one of London’s little-known hidden gems in 2012, when, as a textile designer I became aware of a William Morris exhibition at “2 Temple Place”. I was delighted with the exhibition but even more thrilled to discover the very beautiful house which is 2 Temple Place, the home of the Bulldog Trust which was founded in 1983.

Image result for two temple place


Last weekend I visited this year’s exhibition “Cotton to Gold” which is an eclectic mix of artifacts collected by successful, wealthy business men from Northern England during the booming industrial revolution. Again I was enthralled by the lovely setting which seemed to me to be a perfect exhibition space for the varied exhibits. I have to admit I didn’t enjoy all of the exhibition equally but I loved the delicate and exquisitely executed Japanese wood block prints, and the few Turner watercolours are a joy. There are some lovely illuminated books and manuscripts which I found interesting and couldn’t imagine how they were painted with such precision on such a tiny scale. I have never been a lover of stuffed wildlife, but I suppose the stuffed birds on display form part of that era.

Image result for Turner watercolour “Heights of Jubbera” 1836
Turner watercolour “Heights of Jubbera” 1836
Image result for Katsushika Hokusai, 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' 1831
Katsushika Hokusai, 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' 1831


 
It is a small but perfectly formed exhibition in a gorgeous venue, and, as it is not a block-buster art exhibition is very peaceful and little attended.
 
It is running until April 19th and admission is free.

For more information, check their official website here!