The Age of Chaos and Art.

Recently a few of my art friends have commented on how "Art Academia" and selling art, are so very seperate as subjects and should be seen and perceived as oil and water to a degree. Art being judged on some academic formula , as derived through formal academic considerations...but in reality, is ultimately  subjective , as one mans art is anothers junk or worthless....or even invalid as a statement of intent! 
Selling art is art inself, (Warhol , I believe) and to try and understand ultimately how to judge or value art is very subjective, from any angle that is pursued. Conceptual verse the Literal, slavish detail verse the abstract , how does one value and appraise the true worth of a piece? Hours at the easel or chisel? Years working as an artist? Or , simply is it what the market will pay? (afford?) .
I believe the art market has changed , with the "virtual galleries online", dictating the price and selling of art. Large galleries no longer have a "Salon" type influence, or hold over artists. Artists now have the largest audience available , online , 24 hours a day , the "Modern Salon des Refuses!"

Art , yes is in chaos(Hickey) , but that can only be good for art. From chaos will rise order , and new forms and styles of expression will be born. I think it is too difficult to see patterns of development in art in the present time and climate, but in years to come , reflection back , will allow the patterns to show that order, which to so many critics, is non - sensical in 2012. The shift of control has allowed artists to flourish and be published and shown , to audiences all over the world, and those that sell online, are as valid as those paying 50 percent commission in a high street gallery. Economics do come into play though, as selling art online does resrict price to a degree, 500 pounds, in Britian, I believe is the mark at the top end, but sales of 100-300 pounds are easier to process , in a recession. And there are many artists , turning over thousands in revenue monthly. Food for thought ?!

Correct Link For My Poetry Site. Newest.

This is the correct link to access my poetry collection from 2003-2012. Will add more to the collection as time and tracing allow...some of my older work is being harder to locate than I thought?!
https://sites.google.com/site/pierrelamontdingleyspoetry/home

Thanks for reading , Im currently receiving in the region of 230 reads a day...so up and away...thanks for the support and encouragement.
regards,
Pierre

New Poetry Site Of My Work 2003-12.

Started compiling some of my poetry to a new site today....

https://sites.google.com/site/pierrelamontdingleypoetry/

....so if you want to know what makes me tick..I guess its time now...let the words speak.
https://sites.google.com/site/pierrelamontdingleyspoetry/home

Stone and freedom of expression...

Its been an interesting week with the events in Russia and the anti Putin artists making a stand....and a week of carving stone...strong and almost timeless as a material....artists have always used their mediums to express sentiment, when unhappy with their personal circumstances or social pressures exerted by ultra conservative viewpoints, which by the very nature, are in immediate conflict with art and the freedom to express oneself from the outset.

Like the everlasting qualities of stone and its longevity as a material, freedom of expression ultimately prevails and has longevity to survive way beyond those who wish to suppress it. The roots of free thought cannot be quashed, as once the seeds of objective thought are planted, they grow, unimpeded. I believe in freedom of expression, so much more that I'm now older and wiser to the winds of change in favor of democracy, it should be a  fundamental human right and although some more conservative mindsets may disagree , people seem happier when they have free thought and the right to choices and self determination.

I have returned to stone forms this week and one new wooden work, which awaits a base. The stone is very similar to that used in church construction in England. I believe that the stone I have sourced is Triassic sandstone and one smaller work is very close to granite. The stone took a good finish and a big plus is the work can stay outdoors. I do enjoy outdoor sculpture in a garden.

This next work is more granite in hardness....

And the largest work is this one........

Art Paths - Concept vs Aesthetic , Sales vs Independance.

                                         New Work Sold on Sunday. Oil on Canvas.40 by 36.

After working for some weeks now on various 3 dimensional works , and believing strongly in the finished artworks, I had reason to stop and contemplate my path forward as yet again my paintings are outselling my sculptures , causing me to reflect on the art market whims and fashions and how success within my 2d output is pulling me sideways again. Its a difficult dillema to fathom , as I enjoy both creating in both forms, and wish the outcome financially was spread between the two disciplines....perhaps its the fact that sculpture is less understood to some degree or perhaps its easier to fill a wall space than occupy a corner in the smaller homes of today, certainly here in the UK , I believe 3d work is less sought than paintings...where space is of a premium...

Its extemely fufulling selling artwork , as its the belief by the client , paying for the artwork, and wanting to own it , that drives me on , making me believe in what I'm trying to achieve is artistically creditable. Aesthetic vs Concept and the idea of painting to fashion at times is unavoidable , when trying to be self reliant as an artist, but it does play havoc with ones inner art self which in my case is always wanting to explore new ideas and themes...much often to to the frustration of the galleries which show my work , as its diverse , and thematically  appears to jump in and out of genre, medium and form...but then through time many artists have explored multiple disciplines and styles....so the argument of repetitive creation as the key to artistic success and value , does not hold sway with me...I am simply me and enjoy art in all its guises.

As I start a new work this week, a sculpture , I will be tested as to whether to explore some new ideas that I have around "exploding form"....or to pursue something more aesthetic and less concept driven , by design.Only when at the crucial startup of my Arbor Tech carving tool will I know which way I'll go this week...Anyway , the new dawn will see me at my carving block and ready to start...
I include the new painting , sold on Sunday. Its a marinescape in oil, and has been bought by a client in Derbyshire.

                                         40 by 36. Oil on Canvas. Sold Sunday.August 2012.

Steps and Searching.

Off to the beach to search for more wood today as my stocks have almost reached the end...recent rains and big seas have pushed up some large trees for selection as pieces...will need to select carefully as its a two mile walk back to the car , and when they weigh more than 50 kg's, its a long walk. But its fresh air and a perk of being a sculptor, sourcing new material and forms to transform. The above work was carved from Teak, thinking of having it cast into bronze at some point.

New Work July 2012

Finished a new piece yesterday, which I started a few days ago. My friend from Canada , saw the wood pre - carving and was wondering what it would look like complete. So Andrew , here it is...I've called it , "Monument to a Martyr" , inspired by recent unrest in Syria. Going out wood collecting later today as my stocks are running low, have a few pieces hidden up in the dunes for retrieval near the beach where I collect from. The wood I believe is Walnut.

Of Apple trees , design and a way forward...

The last few days have been devoted to intense networking via a number of on line platforms, constantly trying to connect into new markets and audiences that will allow exhibition time, showings etc. Its hard work, but I do feel the time is a foundation for the future. In the past it would simply be a question of who you know to get into a large showing...now its networking on line, a solid site to promote ones product , or art ..and the doors open ....a little easier than in the past, coupled with the fact that as an artist we can sell and control our own pieces , without Gallery commission , while we wait for real time exhibition time. Its a waiting game at times, but sales happen now on a more regular basis than 12 years ago , when I was often banging on doors with little hope of a positive outcome for my efforts. With the advent of social networking, multiple markets open instantly providing opportunities to be global and not local.

I only have to look at the visitor statistics on this blog to realise now that it touches all continents and reaches a very broad spectrum of the design market as well as the fine art markets, on an enormous scale.

I have two exhibitions in the pipeline for this year, a showing in the USA and a showing in Israel. Networking delivered these opportunities, so the hours of site maintenance and updating is slowly reaping the reward.

                                   These are two totem figures designed for outside decoration and
                                   have stood up to some big winters here in the North East. Hope to
                                   complete some new ones over the Summer.

Selection to Exhibit in USA...

Been a slow few days, sourcing material and planning my new works for the next 6 weeks. Have an exhibition offer in October in the USA, which is good news to increase exposure in what is a very tight market globally for art sales...but small openings lead to new opportunities.
The next 6 weeks will be busy with the start of planning and placement of my new studio, which will effectively allow more work and larger scale work in all weather conditions...also a small gallery area to display pieces , which are drowning my study, currently.

                                                    Wood- Beech.

New Ideas and Concepts....

Finished a new piece for an order today. A combination piece of stone and wood. Thanks Eldorado Design.
Will photograph it in more detail , was just applying first seal when I took the picture. I think Ill call it , "The Three Graces..." It's for a bathroom in "earthy browns...."

Im also including some pictures of one of my Bronze Marine pieces in CapeTown , South Africa. This was a limited edition of 10. Retails for 6000.00 BPS. There are 5 left in the edition.

Sculpture in a Forest...

Not sure about the history of this work...found it by chance in a forest...loved the texture created by the coins....

Castings, the Future and the Power of Online Networking..

Woke quite excited with the reality of casting some new designs into nickel. Social networking has now provided me with a platform to explore some new avenues of converting some of my 3d designs into very high end market pieces which will slot very effectively into the Interior Design markets and hospitality trade. Ive been looking for a company locally to tackle the concept of nickel sculpture and suddenly there it was...found...or rather they found me. Its truly remarkable how what would take months to source and put into production can now take just a few minutes with an end time turnaround not previously possible.

Linking through multiple platforms has now certainly opened up the market possibilities for many of my 3d designs , and this can only be a very real step into areas of exhibition that were previously not possible.
Sourcing the right company and foundry has alway been an issue of geography , but with multi-level platform linking, web2 and social media application the business opportunities are opening up at pace that is quiete remarkable. Having recently explored the concepts around web2 and the long term implications of linked applications within educational environments , the direct spin off to those learning processes can now be applied to business networking and resultant revenue increase as the end product. (thanks Kevin !)

I guess it only takes a new door to be opened as others close to present those opportunities in a far changing technological world that we now live in. Its almost, "get with it or vanish"...as opposed to "publish or perish" in academic circles. Times are changing in how we conduct business and advertising and promotion is driven so much in how we utalise platforms on the web.

Ones business suddenly becomes a world wide player in a much larger market , accessible , with effective tagging and links , not possible 12 years ago....certainly for me , the advent of FB and LinkedIn have extended those opportunities and markets , not previously possible and being artistically relevent now is so much easier than in the past , where one had to lick the boots of Gallery Directors to get a showing. Now we as artists and designers have full control of own artistic integrity and can reach the the largest audiences without compromising our artistic style and originality, akin to our own individual definitions of art and genre without the criticisms of Gallery Directors. Essentially we take back ownership through our own virtual galleries and stand free of rejection and out pricing the market through high commision sales. A good site will get more visitors daily through effective tagging and linking than any real time gallery in todays world , governed now by mobile technology and browsing. We have, as users of the www, have 5 minutes to browse a gallery online, but to travel to a physical gallery , takes more  time, effort and planning. Its the pace and ease of the web that I believe has altered the way we sell our art today , and the days of physical galleries controlling the art market and who makes it, or is pushed aside , due to a Galleries paticular taste, are now over. (long may there be artistic diversity)
When Manet and other artists Exhibited their rejected works of art at the SALON DES REFUSES, after being turned away ,by the then controllong Academy system , they essentially could be compared to the majority of artists artists today in the 21st century , who now exhibit their own work to larger audiences , free of any physical contrlloing body that endeavours to dictate art taste and direction. The www is now the Salon des Refuses and in it that comparison , true artistic expression now flourishes ,(mostly) free of censorship and control.

Today, looking at all the current commercial online Galleries, one is certainly made very aware of all the artists selling work online and how the sheer volume of that exposure , makes competion fierce, but the upside is that we, as artists , are now essentially free to be exposed to worldwide audiences and platforms, not possible in a restricted  physical location , with an by invitation only policy or protected client /collector list governing essentially what the Gallery sells , to pander to a selective taste or style.

However , at the end of the day its what works for you as a commercial artist , selling work to make a living, is not easy, and takes most of us years to get into that position. With online networking and applications that process has now changed in the favour of the artist, and certainly the chances of being professional faster, are now possible to so many more. We as artists now have to be tech savy and learn all the new advances at speed and apply them to promoting our work, to utalise , what for me , has been just as creative and fufulling as creating a new work of art at times...such is art promotion now and as we move so fast technologically into the future , so we will have to adapt our strategies accordingly. Long live change and long live Art.

Painting Examples by Pierre Dingley

Sculpture by Pierre Dingley 2012

Elements of Bird.

Have had a fruitful week with two new works complete and posted below. I am currently working on a combination piece which is 3 works-forms on one base, something of which I haven't tried for years.
I am currently experimenting with stone as an added element to the composition , so will try a few themes , incorporating the two elements. Below are the finished works/designs this week. They will go on the market at 160.00 pounds each respectively. My sculpture site is at this link.

Figures and Emergence...New Work.

Started working on a new piece today in Beech , and without too much filling or dry areas , the carving was quick and spontaneous. Used the Arbor Tech for the shaping out and moved onto a disk and palm sander for the finishing off. Will post the work on its base , which is stone , tomorrow , when the seal is dry and set.
Work in progress posted below. Thanks for visiting my blog.

The Olympic Torch Arrives in Hartlepool and all thoughts Art...

As a child always thought any association with the Olympics would be via the TV and never would an opportunity exist to be part of or even near where the Games are being hosted....well, I was lucky enough to get tickets for the athletics, one night only, and today witnessed the torch being carried through Hartlepool on its way to London. So two of my life ambitions complete to some degree... now to pull all the other pieces together as seamlessly...hmmm , not so easy in the art world, its a tough industry to be successful in and rejection is cast before one more than acceptance. Its the nature of the beast. But when little jewels of success burn bright within our art and creative efforts, the rewards are immeasurable.
I love making things , and for me most of the enjoyment and mental challenges come within solving the artistic problems which arise with each creation. Control of the process leading to a result that is visually appealing in its objectives. Not every project comes off immediately, and sometimes I have to leave work for a day or two and return to complete them with a fresh eye and new perspective.

Sometimes I wish I had that same working success in human relationships, unfortunately one cant leave them and return later to fx them , or can you? Its the age old philosophy dilemma of moving forward and not prodding the sleeping dog while it rests....as it might just bite you on the backside.Food for thought, I guess not all of life is art , and sometimes I get drawn too deeply into thoughts about the past...then it permeates my art....I know the signs...the skies go dark and black predominates the heavier shades....its then that I take a break and force myself into a choice of at least two primaries, to break the cycle....

With sculpture I haven't had the same issue , as its carving , grinding and shaping, although subject choice is perhaps affected by overall mood and sentiment...I guess each piece has my thoughts at the time embedded within the process, as creating certainly allows me to think about the past , future and present....

Anyway , enough rambling , some pictures from the Olympics today as it travelled through Hartlepool.

Artists Reaching Out to New Markets.

I have spent a number of days pontificating on how the advance of technology is changing the way artists market their work and how we now have to be multiple skilled within IT systems as well as our chosen mediums of creativity. In days gone by, for Academics , it was publish or perish, I can't but help think that today within art markets, it's the self same outcome if one doesn't remain visible on the information highways, either via we sites ranked within top searches or very active within business networks online or within popular social networks. The world of marketing has changed and without a strong web presence, the artist is soon lost to these virtual galleries and tech savvy audiences. The times have been a changing for the sale of art, today in 2012, the competition is fierce and I am constantly reminded by how many of us are competing for projects, commissions and sales, when browsing the many online galleries selling art online. I also see how many designers and project managers are now featured online, also bidding for work and new assignments. In the light of these two enormous sectors , which work symbiotically , to succeed in either discipline , is some mean feat, if one is fortunate to have a steady sales line or multiple projects to manage. I adapt my creative processes to all bespoke work and never turn down projects on the basis it leads to other larger projects. As previously stated most work is from online contact and most often I never see or meet the client or collector or designer. technology has moved the way we do "selling" into a whole new dimension, where Skype is the often only pseudo real time interaction between artist designer or client. The advantages of online marketing, for my art is invaluable, it happens 24hrs a day without too much effort to keep it active.For me, my work shows all day everyday and reaches all corners of the globe, not ever possible, using one or two real time galleries. I am sure that more art is sold online today than from real time galleries, as was the case just ten years ago. I do enjoy a real time exhibition though as nothing beats the feeling of standing in front of a Bacon or large Picasso in the National Gallery...that simply can't be recreated online. But as I said before, more people are exposed to the arts today via the www, and for me, as an artist, that is uplifting. The information highway means that at least a greater audience by sheer volume can enjoy art, instantly, and buy art relatively effortlessly,without leaving the sofa. One of the positive developments in this regard is that art is now essentially marketed by the artist and thus the often subjective viewpoints of gallery directors, can be bypassed to allow art to essentially flourish in a free environment, with the public-viewer being allowed to access a much broader spectrum of visual delights. IT has essentially leveled the playing field , allowing for a fairer process of selection and exposure to markets, to exist. I do wonder how the world of art will be portrayed and marketed on the www in 20 years time? How will we interact with our virtual audiences and designers? I read somewhere that holographic imagery will emerge in time....wow, a sculpture in my living room, as a 3d image that I can walk around....and admire...that's technology I could very easily embrace....bring it on...

Social Media : Art Marketing via FB or LinkedIn ?

Having recently moved my strategy for marketing my art on-line via social media , away from FB and placing a heavier emphasis on LinkedIn , I can certainly see an improvement in genuine art interest and connections more applicable to developing professional contacts and projects to follow. FB was a start and a learning curve...its a friends and family network for me now, but has drawbacks in that many work associates use it too and want to see and comment on ones every move....thus freedom of expression is not possible , with work considerations and politeness controlling the process , which for me,  is a negative.
LinkedIn provides a platform directly applicable to subjects and groups that interest me, and cuts out all the personalities that are inconsequential to topic and direction. For me its all about the primary focus here, which , for me is art. FB, brings all that social banter and comment on someone,s breakfast start, LinkedIn is simply focussed around the users needs as directly related to their professional direction and aspirations.

I suppose that Linked In takes the best of what FB offers and delivers a more refined result and outcome tailored to the users needs without all the periphery of social baggage that FB carries.

Having recently worked with Hull University on Web2 projects, I have learnt to refine my needs more accurately as to what  need to take away from social media , and how it can be a tool to help me promote my work. Through the guidance and excellent lectures and classes I attended headed by Kevin Burden of Hull University , I can now fully integrate my on-line processes to link all my interest areas, multi-post via one entry and consolidate my sites effectively to work towards marketing very effectively. Technology is a wonderful tool to stretch the audience and exposure of artists to the world, and effectively eliminates the Gallery Director as a controlling factor towards ones success, as virtual galleries are definitely the way forward to promote and sell work on-line. Its catch 22 though, as with more exposure , so the competition increases and one has to stay one step ahead of the pack to get high rankings in searches. After my studies I fully realised the power of tags and links and how they can catapult a site from 48 to 2 overnight , with the correct process and methods used. I design and build sites successfully now and enjoy a steady stream of visitors from all over the world who browse and sometime purchase work. Thus I have clients and patrons now from all corners of the globe, not possible before when dependant on the whims , ways and wants of gallery directors , who either like or reject you....often based on on their perception of what good art is....as if that could ever be defined truly? Thus its a subjective opinion controlling your art and ultimately affects you as creative person...rejection can be very disheartening to artists seeking to get a foot in the door...but no more , we, as artists with a little savvy and certainly having a good teacher and lecturer helps, now can create our own galleries and we now own that process that for so long dictated that only a few were noticed and supported by the public at large. As I said earlier its a system with technology that makes competition more fierce, but it allows us as artists to control our showings, albeit virtual , in environments we now own and control. The web has allowed artists to be seen and sell work I believe more readily.
I base that premise on my own experience, and personally believe that in times ahead to be a successful artist , one will need the skills to integrate social media with ones work as a tool of success and necessity, to being ultimately seen and exposed to audiences, in a world that is now mobile and very much web driven.
Foe artists we need t embrace the changes of technology and I believe today a web footprint , is certainly the way forward to promote one s art and self in what is now a very competitive market. LinkedIn is now my choice , at least until something newer and more exciting is developed....

Anyway, I've uploaded some new work below , that is ready to go public now....

As the last few days of sanity diminish before the trudge back to a dark place beckon , its time to reflect on what has been a few months of enormous changes in my art and life. Great new opportunities have opened for commission work and sales are picking up , even though the UK in a recession. My new studio design is becoming a reality over the next few weeks and plans for the next while , cemented , to keep me focussed on my dreams and ambitions. And new avenues of expression have been explored in terms of simplification of form as opposed to over detailing , one of my traps that I often fall into when carving or sculpting....I have forced myself to leave the form to create its own essence through its shape and not the detail. My new teak bird and Pensive Man , uploaded previously , exemplify that characteristic. The word compromise is never far from creative individuals and often grates across a myriad of entrenched values that we uphold in the creative process , and for me, the next 12 months will be a real compromise as my life changes format and direction and my patience is pushed to the maximum level within a system that is testing in every sense of the word.

As creative people we abhor losing control in our own lives and being pushed and pulled in directions contrary to the flux we love to float in ...that's art I guess, and when lack of freedom and choice and simple democratic process is ignored, the creative in us starts to drown and doesn't function.
Within creating, I enjoy working at my pace, planning and designing work and running with the process from start to finish. I in reality own the outcome....its when outcomes in my life are suddenly being decided by others who begin to cross the line into destiny and forced outcome ...that gets my "spider senses prickling!"

Over the last few months I,ve been witness to some awful manipulation of human character and politics that have changed so many lives in a ripple effect...at times I have been a passive observer to this feature in human behaviour and while at other moments felt the "Turnerisque Storm" within... the next few weeks will be interesting....will upload the new bird form later today....

Just adding this before I go out, its a Stone Head carved this year from copper ore...used many blades to work it into a cubism styled head...pictures below.

And another pic...

with another back view...

and finally...

New Work..Sculpture 2012.

As promised my new piece 99% complete today...Last seal and polish and managed to get piece into the garden for a few pictures before the rain came down....then back into the studio again until I can get it into the house. The work was a large piece of Oak , washed up at Seaton Carew, and it took some hours to carry it back to the car some 6 miles away....from then on its been some months to complete as I had to take away all the old wood to reveal the form and break through the feet area to create the negative space and arch. that alone was over a feet in depth to get through. Used an Arbor Tech to help , but it was hard as stone and very unforgiving wood.I"ve added a few pictures below of the new work.

The work will go on sale at 600 pounds. I'm thinking of changing the base from stone to wood in the next few weeks, as I think this would suit the composition more.

And finally a head and scale shot.

Skywards...