Roy Connelly

Light and Dark: The Autobiography of Ken Howard RA, is the latest book from Ken Howard.

It is due for publication by The Royal Academy of Arts on 21 February 2011, and you can pre-order a copy here: Light and Dark: The Autobiography of Ken Howard RA I can’t wait to get my copy.

This is what amazon.co.uk says:

KenHoward (b. 1932) is one of Britains best-loved painters.His cityscapes and coastal scenes reveal a deep connection with Venice, London and Cornwall; his studio interiors aremasterly evocations of space and light. In this candid autobiography he reflects on work, travel, love and loss. Recalling his early days at art school and the achievements and acclaimthat followed, national service in the RoyalMarines and the artistic commissions for the British Army that took himall over the world, Howard evokes the professional and the personal with verve and humour.

Strand on The Green, London. Oil on board, 16x20in.

I have two exhibitions opening this week – London Seen at Llewellyn Alexander Gallery and Venice in Peril at W H Patterson.

London Seen, is the work of 9 artists with a passion for our capital city.  This introduction is taken from the exhibition brochure:

“Artist have always loved to paint London – from Whistler to Hogarth, from Monet to Sickert – each one capturing the mood and atmosphere of our great and diverse capital city.”

“Familiar and unusual scenes of London by this group of 9 well-established artists. Dianne Branscombe, Roy Connelly, Lisa Graa Jensen, Mark Harrison, Terry McKivragan, Liam O’Farrell, Nancy Petley-Jones, Nadia Tsakova and Robert E Wells each reveal their own personal interpretation of the city they know and love to paint.  London by day and London by night, as the city wakes up and as it goes to bed, in the sunshine and in the rain, empty London streets, busy London squares are all seen through a painter’s eye.”

“Important city landmarks are documented in richly painted oils or highly detailed watercolours – the London Eye, the Gherkin, Trafalgar Square, the Great Thames bridges, Regents Park in the summer and the Embankment in the spring. London is revealed with the vitality and virtuosity that it deserves.”

London Seen. 10 January – 10 February 2011
Llewellyn Alexander Fine Paintings Ltd
124-126 The Cut
London, SE1 8LN
(opposite The Old Vic Theatre).
020 7620 1322

The 20th Annual Venice in Peril Exhibition opens this week at W.H Patterson in Albermarle Street.

San Giorgio Sparkle.  8 x 10 inches, oil on board

Over the years, this exhibition has contributed over £100,000 to the Venice in Peril Fund.  The show features “a wonderful selection of beautiful paintings from many new artists as well as exceptional pictures from the palettes of our talented regulars”.

During the exhibition there is an opportunity to win a fabulous 5 star holiday to Venice sponsored by Kirker Holidays.  The prize includes a stay at the Danieli Hotel and return journey to London on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.  How cool is that?

It’s been a long time since my last trip on the Orient Express so, if you win the holiday and want to take an artist with you, well – you know who to ask…

Find out more about Venice in Peril.

Wednesday 12 January – Friday 4 February 2011

W H Patterson
19, Albemarle Street, London. W1S 4BB.
Tel +44 (0)20 7248 3824  email: info@whpatterson.com