New Project for 2012 - Inspire 52

I am getting revved up for the launch of my '52' project, a challenging art project which will take me on a creative journey through 2012, whereby I will document my art practice through 52 new inspirations, one each week, over the coming year - and I have just received my logo today, so what better time but to launch my blog!! Yay!

hazelevans-inspire52.blogspot.com

I will document each new piece of my journey and communicate my findings, art work, poems or other pieces I create on this blog so that you can follow my ups and down, revelations and frustrations of challenging my art practice over the next year - I'm really looking forward to it!! - So become my friend on Facebook, subscribe to my blog and follow my artistic journey over the next year - there is a lot to come to hold onto your hats and wigs! (I do love a good wig - see my Monochronium pics!!)

I am also delighted that my good friend, photo artist, event facilitator and perfectionist detail extraordinaire, Howard Shepherd will be joining me on the 52 journey for 2012 with 'Image 52'. Howard will be approaching the 52 project through the photographic image ... His blog is coming soon too - also check out his fab logo. Howard is the Director of 'FAB' Film Arts Bournemouth 2012 - so he will have lots of interesting insights into his artistic world coming up.

The first 52 project was launched by Caroline Parrott at the beginning of 2011 and she is almost at the end of her creative journey, on the first 52 project 'Make 52'. Each week Caroline has been making a new piece that furthers her artistic 'craft' practice, stretching and challenging her through a journey of artistic exploration. I am delighted that over the last year Caroline's and my artistic paths have crossed on several occasions and I and my work have been the subject of Caroline's Make 52's on three occasions when she has been involved with The Bookshelf, The Monochronium, and also following me to illustrate a live performance. Please see the links below and also explore her journey more on her blog.

http://walfordmillcrafts.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/make-52-week-13-the-bookshelf/

http://walfordmillcrafts.wordpress.com/2011/08/27/make-52-week-34-hazel-evans/

http://walfordmillcrafts.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/make-52-week-43-the-monochronium/

The Monochronium Snap Shot

The Monochronium was a great success and thank you to everyone who was involved. There was so much art generated from the developmental exhibition, it's difficult to know where to begin moving forward with it all ... it's a brilliant feeling! I am sure it will pave the way for more exciting work and collaborations to come in 2012, my mind is now full of possibilities. I am also so delighted at all the feedback and public interaction with the exhibition too.

Below is The Monochronium Artathon schedule.

Some of the press coverage ... The exhibition was also featured in The Bournemouth Echo and Dorset Echo, Listed Magazine, Evolver, BH Beat, Hope radio, Fire Radio as well as Dorset Life and Dorset Magazine.

 The Illustration Gallery

 The Monochronium Post Office and Signing Wall

Thank you to the public for your creative contributions

Further film footage and documentation of the event will be revealed in due course with highlights of the artistic collaborations with musicians, performers and artists.

www.hazelevans.co.uk

http://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/

The Bookshelf plinths have arrived ... preparations underway for The Monochronium

Today I popped into Lighthouse for a quick meeting. I took a look in the gallery and was excited to see that The Bookshelf plinths had arrived in preparation for The Monochronium exhibition. So I thought I would just film a short piece to show you the gallery, as it is now pretty empty, before it all starts to take place for my upcoming exhibition.

Other news, I met up with one of the photographers who will be documenting the event and also met with a film maker who will also be engaging with the exhibition and producing an art film documentary of the event.

It's all happening, but still plenty of work to do. But in the mean time, here's the little clip of video blog for you.

THE MONOCHRONIUM
A live art and work in progress exhibition
 An exploration of words, music and illustration
by Hazel Evans with supporting artists and musicians
22 - 29 October at Lighthouse Poole
Featured event 'Artathon' 26th and 27th October 
 click here for more information on The Monochronium and Artathon
'LIKE' my the facebook page and see your there!


The Bookshelf is sponsored by Oxfam
The Monochronium Exhibiton and Hazel Evans artist are working in support of The Princes Trust

Artathon - Schedule released!



 The Artathon is a 36 hour live art event taking place from 8am Wednesday 26th October to 8pm Thursday 27th October as part of The Monochrnonium exhibition by Lighthouse's inaugural visual artist Hazel Evans.

This innovative live art exhibition is a collaboration with over a dozen artists and musicians to bring you an interactive display of the visual arts though words, music and illustration.This exhibition embraces the monochrome and monochronic world Hazel will create in The gallery in Lighthouse Poole.

The public are invited to join us Hazel anf other artists in the gallery during this time to enjoy watching artists in action as well as having to opportunity to interact and participate in the exhibition. 

This is a free event

For full details and updates on the event visit the facebook event page - Click here

More information about Hazel Evans Visual Artist
http://www.hazelevans.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/HazelEvansArtist
Lighthouse website - The Monochronium

The Monochronium - Work in progress exhibition by Hazel Evans

Also supporting the Princes Trust and sponsored by Oxfam

http://www.hazelevans.co.uk/

THE MONOCHRONIUM at LIGHTHOUSE POOLE

Pride in Bournemouth final Lion varnishing

Today I went into the Lion's Den in Bournemouth to finish off the final touches to my lovely lions. I had a lovely day with many other artists who also came in to work on their lions. Thank you to everyone in this project, it has been wonderful being a part of it and I look forward to the auction evening next week. It has been great to make some new friends too working on this project.

LIKE my facebook

keep up to date with all my exciting arty stuff

http://www.facebook.com/HazelEvansArtist

www.hazelevans.co.uk

More about my upcoming exhibition The Monochronium

and artist residency at Lighthouse Poole, the largest arts centre outside of London

Click here - Lighthouse Poole

New Postcards! Hurrah!!

Well I just got rather excited about my new postcards, so I thought I would share them! They arrived in the post today, in perfect timing for next week, when I will be attending the VIP reception for the Pride in Bournemouth auction at The Pavillion in Bournemouth.

I like the way my illustrations look when they are reduced right down to a postcard or business card, you see the original size is A3... love them this size though ... it's easy to keep art on you at all times when it's this size ... pocket size art, love it! :)

Really starting to enjoy this flipcam ... a great way to document little moments of my art-full journey. 

Make over for Pride in Bournemouth Lions

Today I went into the Lions Den in Bournemouth to give a bit of TLC to my lovely lions before they go to auction on the 18th September at The Pavillion in Bournemouth to raise money for the Born Free foundation and Julia's House. 

Artist Hazel Evans' lions for Pride in Bournemouth

Oxfam Sponsoring The Bookshelf

Today I received confirmation that Oxfam will be continuing their sponsorship of The Bookshelf, live art performance first launched at Poole literary Festival 2010. I was also invited to take The Bookshelf to Walford Mill Crafts Gallery as part of their 'Lost for Words' artist's books exhibition where we held three showings of the live art piece.

I am delighted that Oxfam are continuing their support of my art project and that a whole new team of artist will be participating in The Bookshelf which this time will feature in the Artathon during my forthcoming exhibition, The Monochronium, at Lighthouse Poole on 26th and 27th October.

I will be popping along to the Oxfam depot in the next few weeks to collect some more discarded books for the artists to transform into wonderful literary inspired works of art. The books they donate to the art project are ones that are not in good enough condition to sell so Oxfam are happy for us to be creative with them and show another means of recycling and reusing these discarded items.

The Artathon will be non-stop art for 36 hours (I will be the only one not sleeping through the whole thing!) and there will be two showings of The Bookshelf, one on each day in the early evening.

Here is my latest video diary to give you a bit more information as to who will be taking part ...

“'The Bookshelf', shows new book works that have been recycled from unwanted books donated by Oxfam, a transformative process that has taken place in live artist's performances at different points in the show... a strong idea, adding a new layer of fresh narrative” - The Arts Council

You can keep updated by joining my facebook page ... the Monochronium event is also listed so don't forget to check that out for more details :-)

http://www.facebook.com/HazelEvansArtist



Preparations for The Monochronium

A few days ago, I invited Carol Childs along for a photo shoot for The Monochronium so I could get some lovely pictures for our collaboration which will take place during the Artathon for the exhibition.

We had a great time messing around infront of the camera whilst trying to grasp a shot that would tell the story of what will be taking place during Lighthouse's first ever live art extravaganza!

Preparations are all rolling along nicely, there are lots of collaborators and helpers come on board to make this all happen ... it's very exciting, but I do also find myself getting nervous (stage fright maybe) at times!

Anyway, enjoy our little film clip and we, along with many other artists, musicians and creative lovers, look forward to welcoming you to The Monochronium's Artathon beginning on 26th October for 36 hours of non-stop creativity.

www.facebook.com/HazelEvansArtist

Photography by Craig Coady



Sketching Fearne part 2

Well, I'm starting to get the hang of my new computer and all the gadgets that link to different places and I have just discovered a really easy way of linking many bits and bobs together, including my films ... well I say 'my films' like I am an experienced film maker, whereas in actual fact I am just enjoying snipity snipping bits of my art work in progress ...

... this snip is from 'Sketching Fearne', it really should have been attached to the other blog. http://hazelevans.blogspot.com/2011/08/sketching-fearne.html 

... but you see at the time of it's publication I was not so hot fingered on which buttons to press on thy lovely computer. Now that I am blessed with this new knowledge please enjoy this little clip and insight into my work with Fearne, more of which is to come as part of my upcoming exhibition The Monochronium. Keep updated on my facebook events page with more news of the line up to be released in a few weeks... put it in your digital diary!

http://www.facebook.com/HazelEvansArtist

My handy pen action ... good ol' pen and paper!

http://www.fearnemusic.co.uk/

The Monochronium – Contemporary visual arts this Autumn at Lighthouse

My magnificent ‘Monochronium’ will transform the gallery in Lighthouse into a world of the monochronic monochrome. A black and white infusion of words, musical scores and ink onto walls, paper and canvas. I have created a world that melds antiquity with the modern in a contemporaneous show of live art.

I feel very honored to be the inaugural visual artist at Lighthouse Poole, and am very excited about launching my new exhibition The Monochronium this October at Lighthouse, the largest arts centre outside of London, situated in Poole. The Monochronium will give the public the chance to engage with the development of my work since I began working with Lighthouse in 2010.
 The Monochronium Exhibition which lasts for one week at Lighthouse will showcase a 36hour long Art-a-thon featuring a fabulous line up of artist and music collaborations, feeding inspiration into the art tha I will be creating in the gallery.

Keep up to date with news on my facebook page
'Like' me!
www.facebook.com/HazelEvansArtist

Photography by Craig Coady

Pride in Bournemouth Lions - Hazel's Mini Tour

Last week I decided, as it was sunny and the floods had drained away, to go and visit my lions once more in Bournemouth before they get taken away for their final farewell at the charity auction on September 18th at The Pavillion in Bournemouth.

I must admit I have grown rather fond of my lions and have had so many wonderful comments form people about my painting designs, it has truely been wonderful being part of such a great event and I will be sad to see them go. Hopefully my sponsors will buy them back so I will they will remain in my town for me and all to enjoy... I'll let you know if I find out if any are staying in Bournemouth.

I was awarded three lion commissions by Pride in Bournemouth, in association with The Born Free Foundation for the public art event in Bournemouth June - September 2011. My illustrative style is carried through into the designs painted onto the lions.

'Britannia' - Britannia LeatherBarrows - Inspired by travel and the unity of countries, this design sees the blending of flags and abstracted forms of the shapes of different countries flowing around the contours of the lion.

 'Gem Deco' - The Cumberland Hotel Bournemouth - Inspired by the magnificent Art Deco building and luxurious interior decoration of The Cumberland, this lion features the icon designs of sunbeams and palm trees of the Art Deco and Retro eras. This lion was chosen to feature in the Bournemouth Pride awards ceremony in the BIC, Bournemoouth's Internationl Centre, in spring 2011.
'Born to be Free' - Landrover - This design incorporates the strong brand colours of Landrover into a beautiful illustrative butterfly design with the words 'Born to be Free' flowing through the design. This prize-winning design symbolises freedom to live and is in line with ethics of Landrover and the Born Free foundation. This Lion was also chosen to attend Virginia McKenna's celebrity 80th Birthday held at the Savoy London in spring 2011.

Sketching Fearne

On Sunday 14th August I went to go and see Fearne and test out sketching to their music. This fabulous band from Bournemouth, will headlining The Artathon as part of my exhibition The Monochronium in Lighthouse Poole on the 26th October 2011. They will be playing as a backdrop of inspriation to myself and a number of collaborating artists through the night as I work on the challenge of non-stop art for 36hours.
Winners of the 2011 Dorset Music Awards, Fearne have appeared at Larmer Tree Festival, Beach Break Live and have toured with Athlete, Feeder, Nizlopi and many more but what makes Fearne unique is the natural ability to make even the most extravagant pop song feel intimate. Principal songwriter Alex performs with his audience in his palm and his heart on his sleeve and is perfectly complimented by the multi instrumentalists Nick, Adam and Darren.


Heavily tipped for big things by BBC Introducing Sussex as a "Folk/Pop band with a moral compass". Just look out for the band with the lucky gold cat ...


So as you can imagine, I am really looking forward to these guys' music feeding inspiration into my artwork and forming a core interest to the diverse line up for The Monochronium Exhibition.


Lighthouse Poole 22-29 October 2011
Fearne are playing the evening of 26th October for The Artathon


For more details visit the events page
www.facebook.com/HazelEvansArtist
http://www.hazelevans.co.uk/

Shrine Art Installation for The Great Rinsing

In the tunnelling cellars of the Pump House, preparations for The Great Rinsing are taking place. This site specific event combines live performance with film, sound and installations, presented by Wimborne's Community Theatre.

Today, within the pitch black labyrinth of the Pump House, I composed my installation into the opening of a large pipe, about one foot diameter, curving down into the unknown and beyond.

This piece is called 'The Journey and The Home'. It combines illustration, poetry, wire work and three books; an old encyclopedia opened on the page of a world map, a old poetry book, and a miniature book the wire figurine is reading, titled 'The Journey and The Home by Hazel Evans'. The backdrop illustration of a quirky house is lit from behind, and the wire person is sitting reading in the silhouette of the poetry graffitied over the image of the house.



The Journey and The Home
From this place I call home I can see the sky,
A wide open space where clouds powder by,
An emptiness so full with thoughts left half thunk,
A glass of tasty travels not even half drunk.
So no matter where I go on this voyage of me,
There are still pages unwritten about this journey.
Still places to go and faces to know,
Places to plant seeds and watch them grow.
No matter where I go there will always be a home,
In the memories and words as I sit here alone.

Make of it what you will, any thoughts and interpretations welcome.

Lions Let Loose!

Well after the wondeful news the other day that all my lions were out and about doing their thing with their sponsors, I found out yesterday that two of my lions are now going to the Savoy for a big celebrity Birthday party next week. How chuffed am I? Pretty chuffed indeed I must say.


I hope they are having a fab time in the divine luxury of the Savoy and are getting the best five star treatment ... must admit ... wish I was going too, am sure they would like to be accompanied by their artist creator, don't you? Hopefully I will get some fabulous pictures I can post on the blog anyway.


Anyway, I shall wait eagerly for the return of my boys next week and look forward to our party before the launch of the exhibition, where all the lions, artists and sponsors will be there ... I am very excited at the prospect of meeting my sponsors; Britannia Leatherbarrows, The Cumberland Hotel and Landrover UK.

My lions are touring before the exhibiton

All the lions are finished ... wow what a sense of acomplishment. Even better I found out that all my lions are going out travelling before the exhibition, Britannia is in Southampton for a business event, Gemdeco is in the BIC tonight for Bouremouth Pride Awards ceremony, and next week Born to be Free 'Freedom Flighter' is going to the London Savoy Hotel for a special Birthday for Virginia McKenna, Ambassador for the Born Free charity... Feeling really pleased about all of this :-)

Hazel's Lionistic and Illustrative Art

I have been delighted to have the opportunity to paint my lions in Lighthouse over the last month. They are pretty much all finished and can be seen in the Pride in Bournemouth exhibition throughout the summer starting from 25th June.
Once the final few coats of varnish have been put onto my lovely lions, I will be back in Lighthouse, illustrating performances and continuing my R&D at lighthouse in preparation for my forthcoming art work. I look forward to developing my illustrative work and am delighted to have had the opportunity to be commissioned three lions as as you can see they communicate themes and styles of interest from my own art practice.
Throughout the process of painting live in Lighthouse foyer, I had a portfolio of my illustrations so far from my work at Lighthouse. Thank you for all the positive feedback I have had from people interacting with me and my art. I look forward to exhibiting the originals later on during my residency at Lighthouse.
Below are three pictures of my finished lions.
Best wishes
Hazel

Lioning for the Looming Lion Deadline!

Hello Bloggers!

Well it’s all getting rather exciting… The deadine is looming and I am frantically Lioning! Gemdeco has now been varnished and my third lion, Freedom Flighter for Land Rover UK, is really coming on well. After many many hours of work and after finally tracking down the right pantone coloured paint for the mane, I’m getting there.

This Freedom Flighter design incorporates the text ‘Born to be Free’ traversing from the base of the mane, across the butterfly design over the body and over to the back thigh of the left hand side of the lion. The concept stems from freedom, being free to fly and express yourself as well as being free in your life as all living being should be. It links closely with the Born Free Foundation, sponsors of Pride in Bournemouth, as well as aligning well with the concepts of the sponsor.

Below are the latest pictures, images of the finished Gemdeco and some pictures of the work in progress for Freedom Flighter.

Happy viewing

Hazel

Gemdeco Lion finished for Pride in Bournemouth

Well this week so far has been filled with lioning! Last Thursday I was commmissioned a third lion for Pride in Bournemouth for Landrover UK, based on a prise winning design I created in January of this year. I have had to take this lion, Freedom Flighter, to my home to complete due to the immenant deadline and the launch of the Pride in Bournemouth Exhibition, so unfortunately this one will only be able to be viewed in it’s finished state in the final exhibition.

I finished Gemdeco today, and am really delighted with the result as aswell as meeting the speck for the Cumberland Hotel Bournemouth, this design really ties in well with my current research and development work I have been doing at Lightouse with my illustrative work. The lines and the the flow of the design are really up my street with the art deco influence. I have really enjoyed working on this design. I have been working all the hours I can on Gemdeco, Tuesday night I was in Lighthouse until 10.30pm putting in the final touches … all in the name of art!

More pictures to come of the finished design … also don’t forget to get a map of the Pride in Bournemouth Exhibition and see my three lions. Britannia will be situated in the lower gardens in Bournemouth, Gemdeco will be in the Cumberland Hotel in Bournemouth overooking the sea, and Freedom Flighter will be in Christchuch.

See you soon for the next installment of art in Lighthouse …

Best wishes

Hazel

Painting Lions at Lighthouse

In April I was commissioned a lion for Pride in Bournemouth, an exhibition of artist decorated lion sculptures that will form part of a huge art event at the end of June this year in Bournemouth to raise money for Julia’s House and Born Free charities..

My design Britannia was selected for Leatherbarrows, travel and removals company. I began working on the lion in the ‘Den’ in Bournemouth but at the beginning of May Britannia travelled to Lighthouse for me to finish work on him in my own little den in Lighthouse foyer.

The theme is travel, and the main inspiration for the design is a flowing connection between Britain lots of different countries, mainly Europe, USA, Canada and South Africa. The mane sees the union Jack flowing down the body and blending into the different colour flags and shapes of the various countries. All of the flags and shapes are interconnected creating an abstracted design. My signature style comes through in the striking lion design with my use of lines and merging forms.

Over the past two weeks I have been painting my way through the design in public view, enjoying the interaction of many interested onlookers coming to chat to me about my work. Last week I finished Britannia, complete with three coats of shiny varnish. Now finished ready for the exhibition Britannia has left Lighthouse, but was replaced on Tuesday by another blank white lion as I had the great news last week that I also won the commission for a new lion Gemdeco for the Cumberland Hotel in Bournemouth.

I started work on the new lion, Gemdeco, design today and will be updating my progress here on the lighthouse blog, so keep visiting the website and blog for more information and pictures of my exciting new design. You can also drop in to Lighthouse to see the work in progress over the next two weeks. I aim to have completed Gemdeco by the end of the first week of June, so pop along and have a look.

Posted by Hazel Evans, Visual Artist in Residence at Lighthouse.