Alex Maw

[apm]

Hello everybody, I'm a self representing artist whom has been suggested to post on this site a number of times now. I'm assuming this category on the forum would be the right place to post a few pieces, aswell as progress photos of pieces in the works, and update with new works as they happen.


Self portrait
Pen and ink
40x50cm


Feeding
Pen and ink
Each piece 32x32cm


Enigma
Pen and ink
54x29cm


I'm highly critical of my own work (as I assume most artists are) so have only posted a select few pieces... The last year I've spent somewhat finding myself so to speak, and at long last I think I'm finally on a path where subject matter links to technique, and is not so longer a random process of hoping a piece will work... Either way I'm more than open to criticism and opinions, as I thrive to fullfill my potential and better myself with each piece I do. If curious feel free to check out my website at apmmm.com

I'll update this thread as things happen, thanks for looking!

[apm]

Most recent to date (finished today):


Tea with Medusa
54x69cm

[grit]

Excellent work man, im loving 'the feeding', but 'enigma' is especially awesome.

[apm]

Thank you.


Profile of Medusa
Pen and ink
31x31cm...

[planetzog]

Really liking 'profile of Medusa'

[svenman]

nice work. those feeding pieces are great.

[apm]

Thanks for the kind words!


"The Nose Knows"
Pen and ink
47x37cm

Can anyone guess the 2 faces used? Hint: They've got alot to do with politics!

[svenman]

nice work alex. i can't figure it out who the faces are.
wondering hpw long a piece like this takes to work on?
and when you say pen and ink, is the entire piece inked? sounds like a very unforgiving medium you've chosen!

[apm]

The faces are Thatcher and Cameron.
That piece I did within 2 weeks. If I didn't take breaks I could do it within a week and a half, working between 6-9 hours a day.
The piece is entierely ink yeah, so it's quite a strict medium but it's a challenge that I enjoy!

[apm]

I now have a window display:



Located in Swan Yard, Cirencester. This photo is from a couple of weeks ago, last week I sold the middle piece to Sharron Davies (the olympian swimmer) and have just replaced it's spot with the Tea with Medusa piece. I'll get a photo of it soon as I haven't a shot of it framed up, it's big and looks rather impressive!

On another note, I've spent the past 2 days working on this:


It's a rough pencil underlay, that I started with the intention of it going to be a pen and ink piece. However, I've been telling myself for months now that I'll start painting pieces in oils soon...So why not now? Throw myself in the deep end with this and see how it goes...
I'm going to put a wheel barrow on the grass to the right, just being pushed in which will have a bit of Adam's arm showing... Also have a purple flower in her hair, she's gonna be a redhead. A bit of an apolcaliptic sky brewing in from the left, have a thunderbolt n' all... Gonna have a cat walking across the wall too, and I think that's the lot.... Looking forward to painting this, determined to get it up to the calibar of my dad's stuff, with him guiding me through, y' never know... I have to do a commission before I start painting this, that'll be my last serious pen and ink piece I think... In the mean time I'm going to sort out my studio, cause at the moment it still resembles my sister's bedroom some-what, with a heap of frames and other random shit all over the place... Got a big 7foot easel and the likes ready for it, stokey dokey!

I'm pretty scared but quietly confident, luckily I have my dad to help guide me through, otherwise I really wouldn't stand a chance to do it at the standard I'm aiming for!

[apm]

Spent this weekend turning my sisters old room (she's moved out) into a studio.... Alas it is now finished!



Not sure how long it'll stay that clean!

Few other studio flicks:








Things are now gonna get serious!

[apm]

Graphite on board
28x33cm

First proper pencil drawing in a good couple of years... Getting a half decent photo was quite an effort! Looks alot better in person

[Bytor]

ok alex, after seeing those photos of your studio I have been inspired to clean mine up Nice work as well , I think Enigma is my favorite

[apm]

Cheers!
Admitedly, my studio turned into an utter mess within a week... Cleaned it out today though and made a start on a whole new painting, aswell as framing up the previous piece I posted:



...couldn't get a flick without reflection on the glass!
Found the frame in my dad's log cabin full of frames and antiques... Didn't quite fit, so after rumiging some more I found some gilt slips, mytered to fit, sorted...!

Here is the Tea with Medusa piece framed up and on display:


...again, couldn't get a decent flick without reflections on the window infront!

[apm]

Commission I've just finished:


Churchill, Cameron & Thatcher
Pen and ink
54x54cm

[apm]

A little somthing for an upcomming exhibition called 'London Below' in The Isle of White:


Oils on snapped skateboard

[apm]

What Eye See
Self portait
Oils on wood
51x41cm

[apm]

First serious oil painting is now complete....been a long time comming! Learned so much doing this:


The Turning of Eve
Oils on wood
74x48cm

[apm]

Here's a work in progress:


This is the underpainting finished and ready for oils to be worked on top... From this stage to the final piece will be a rather dramatic transformation, lots of things will be changed, added, taken away, etc.. For reference of the progression between this stage and the last, I've attatched progress photos of the last piece I did (The Turning of Eve):

[apm]

New decks for Karma Skateboards:



Should be pressed, printed and in your local skateshop within the next few months...

Here's a pair of boards I did for the same company about half a year ago:




I've got a few projects in progress at the moment, only a couple of paintings away until I'm happy with my folio and will then start approaching galleries...Hopefully get that done before this year is out

[svenman]

like those alex.

[Deleted]

Aug 24, 2010 10:58:26 GMT -8 apm said:

A little somthing for an upcomming exhibition called 'London Below' in The Isle of White:


Oils on snapped skateboard

This is one of the coolest pieces I have seen lately. Simply amazing.

[apm]

Thank you both, happahaoli and svenman..

Here's a progress photo of somthing I'm working on:



Spent the past few days working on the sea, with oils.. Almost happy with it... Will re-work the foam/splashes in a few places, apply a murky yellow glaze over everything which should link the foam to the sea better....Then work back into the foam again......and then ofcourse, start work on the figure, umbrella, shark, background, and all the other elements..

[apm]

Couple of detail/progress shots of the piece above:

[apm]

Progress:

...slowly getting there.
All the main elements are sort-of put in - you can see the type of mood/atmosphere the final piece should have. There is alot still to do, re-work everything so they link together and work in harmony, lots of small details - inside of the umbrella for instance, which'll also be full of water. Re-do all the splashes, foam, the big wave, a beam of light from the light house, etc.. Hopefully be done in the next few weeks, hold tight!