A month of art in Norwich

"Eloise, to sell work these days means your a successful artist". Says art critic Leon from London art blog. Well some say talent has something to do with it, but I recon its complete and utter dedication, which means giving up just about most of the cake and working day and night for 28 years, while seeing everything, talking to everyone and along the way taking any awful job that pays some cash towards to paints and frames. For the past year I have given the art the all and not taken on any jobs to pay for the paints. Which has thrown me in deeper to the art world and taken me to so many places I would have never thought of going to. From furniture design, murals, book illustration, animation, environmental festivals, sculpture, different country's. Last month I got launched into my own city with the New Dandies group show. Which led to sales and 4 more exhibitions in Norwich.

The first one went up the same day I took the Dandies down and his lining the corridor of the NNUH hospital on the 3rd floor, east wing in glass cases and will be on show for several months.

Then on friday the 2nd July, 6pm is the opening of the Proud exhibition at St. Gregory's arts centre in Pottergate, a group show of proud artists from all over Norfolk this show is on for a whole month and the Proud show will also be holding lots of arts events in that month.

On the 8th is my Solo show opening at the Tea lounge at 6pm on Ber St, up from John Lewis. Which will be up from the 2nd to the 31st of July.

Then at the Studio Gallery on upper St. Giles, the 2nd Dandies show opening night on the 13th of July and this show will be up for 3 weeks.

The Tea Lounge Super Solo Show

The Tea Lounge on Ber street, just up the road from John Lewis. I will be having a super solo show, new paintings. From the 2nd of July to the 31st of July. There will be around 40 pictures to see and to buy or to be inspired. The Tea lounge also has yummy homemade cakes and a big patio garden out the back to sit out in the summer sun. 141-143 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY.

The Norwich Dandies exhibition St.Margarets church

The Dandies Exhibition went off in Norwich!! It was a great success all round. It really caught peoples attention from all over the city and some people came from the other side of England and others from abroad came in that were on holiday. People that lived in the same area as the church had not even noticed there was church there till they saw the art work hanging outside. Even the landlord turned up with vicars to see what was going on and two Popes were ordained. Instead of a christening we had a wishing well, which was the first time there was some water in the building. Its a real church with no running water.

As seen in the photo instead of a boring catalog of work, we had an event guide and held many new types of events like human library, poetry readings, travellers picnic, art school student face paintings, out 140, film making, meetings for new events.

We pulled back the wall partitions and made the space really big so people could stand back and see the paintings and to fit the 1042 people who came in to see the work.

This the view of the entrance from where I was sitting so I could see people coming in and look at the bunting flowing in the wind.

Outside Vince Laws paintings with poetry.

The way in through the porch which we covered in cushions and Vince put his poetry books so people could sit and read poems.

My anti war sheets dirty linen found a great home hanging in the garden. Very hard to clean up after a war, the sheets never get clean and peoples memories are ruined with horrible nightmares. Lets hope the new government stops sending young men to be slaughtered soon. So women dont have to have fatherless children and be labeled a widow. It would also save on the prison which has a lot of disturbed x-soldiers.

The board outside with list of events.

St. Margarets Church on St. Benidicts street in Norwich one of 52 churches in Norwich.

The only gallery for contemporary Norwich artistic residence.

My new friend Robert, who does a great job working for the homeless in Norwich. He liked my pictures because they were unique and had something to say.

The Dandies photos and statements, Badger the dog was very popular to with his unmade bed.

The church was a great place for him to meet new doggy friends who admired his work.

Vince curated the show and mixed all the work together which seemed to go very well.

I would have liked to help with the curation but I was seeing off my artist friend Claire who emigrated back to Australia. Claire is going to the centre of Australia which has miraculously turned green from a river breaking free. Claire is an amazing artist and also weaves from natural materials like grass.

My art in a can stack with amazing ceramic pieces by Grant de Jonge on the tomb.

My cartoons mixed in with Vince's poetry and silver body skins that were made in an event workshop.

The rose window made from paper, in the belfry.

A view from above on one of the pillars Christina Violet Sabberton's jelly body prints, on the right Vince's mirror poetry.

A long view from the belfry.

Holly Goldberg and Angela Szczypka final year art students face painting outside in the sunshine garden.

Curious people reading the board and wondering whats going on.

Any age for the face painting. The garden attracted a lot of sun bathing picnic people.

The Norwich Dandies

Visitors’ Comments May 24- June 5, 2010

Best show I’ve seen in St Margaret’s – well done the Dandies!

Love the Norwich paintings by Eloise.

Just what Norwich needs! Marie

Congratulations on a unique show. Stephen Bumfrey, BBC Radio Norfolk

Totally anarchic queer fun! (love the animation of St Benedict’s too) Keiran x [About the posters, bunting, artwork outside]

Paintings are amazing thanks! Love Keren and Alison

Better than the 20 group! (But don’t tell them I said so).

Excellent. The puppets are really scary but cool.

Hi! Laura L. (Thanks for the wrap : ) Here’s to further collaborations. [Musician who played at the launch]

Nice to see something different in Norwich – all good.

Some really powerful work. SA

Excellent to see some conceptual/contemporary work in Norwich. (quiknik101@hotmail.com >mailing list!!)

Wow! Saint Patrick paintings [Eloise] are amazing + perfect. I will buy them all. Naomi [liar! She didn’t buy any!]

The Art in a Can [Eloise] makes a perfect birthday present for my friend. Thanks, Shelly

Loved the work, the humour, keeping it real. Fran

Well good need more of this Thanks.

Great vigour and colour. I like all the different things used. The fastest thing in Norwich this year – good luck! Mike Chapman

Last time I came I described your exhibition as good. WHAT A CRAP ADJECTIVE. When I left I felt really bad because this exhibition is kick ass ace. I loved all the work. If I was rich I would buy It’s a Boy [Grant] and Sports Flowers 8 [Dugald]. Thank you for inspiring me to be creative productive.

I like that Eloise O’Hare

I love the juxtaposition of ceramics [Grant] next to the cherubs [church].

I would use the ‘interesting’ word but think I better steer clear of that one!

A good range of work, right across the spectrum. Very energetic – well curated! Fun too. LC

Excellent use of the space – always too bitty in here – look at the stained glass window – I’ve never noticed it before.

V good. Particularly like small Grant Dejonge paintings on the back wall [8 x twisted scenes]

It’s interesting to see a collection of work based purely on Pride – normally we focus on pride being a bad thing so it’s good to see something different. [there’s one Norwich Pride banner on the railings!]

Fabulous. If I had money I would have spent it. Ruth x

Such a brilliant show – great to see such a range of pieces. Really adds something to our fine city. Nick O’B

Interesting. Brilliant display of humane beings coming together in warmth + love. Very innovating. Paul. Smile [he came first to the Human Library, borrowed 2 books, came back for poetry readings, and again to vote in new Popes]

Something changed today… change is good – thank you xxxxxx

Great display, love the crop circle. [Mark’s piece]

Thanks very much for the HIV poem. [Vince performed Human for this visitor]

Most original + thought provoking. JG

We had a good visit. Thanks Dandies. [Artists Gaia Shaw & Sam Epps, changing spaces, they drew on a huge sheet of paper unrolled in the church for 2 days]

I think what you’ve done is really brilliant. Lucy [She came in to Human Library. Came back in week to ask about holding HL in Yarmouth, and to ask Vince to perform there]

A great display, much thought provoking interesting different a quiet location with time to think Steve

Very many thanks Michael Wingate

Thought provoking art and very child friendly [Shelly Telly film day]

Love the sun Pippa Croft

Very interesting, esp medication box messages [Vince’s poem Human]

The most colourful + filled exhibition I have every seen in this building.

Grant. Excellent unique art + sculptures. You’re really talented. Wonderful + creative. V e Smit

Very nice stuff, very inventive - Chelsea Morgan and Mary Messenger [The 12 yr old child on the mobile in heels]

Very good - Loved the Wedding album! Cat Mara X

I did not know what to expect but was surprised by it all [In a good way] - SEC

Hi Vince, Pope Philippa came into wish you good luck with your performance tonight.

Came across the exhibition by accident. Found Vince's work very thought provoking. I wish you luck - and to everyone involved - Jen

I enjoy the show and busyness however I don't think this busyness works with all the work. The works that use text I find brave and I love the ceramic works at the back. Good luck. - 'The Nine'

Liked the scissor sculpture in the corner. The fuck it. [Grant’s]

Loving the vibrant colours, the spiderman, superman/ woman, The castle and flowers bluebells - very well put together. Fabulous!

The colours are splendid everything is brought alive especially the spiderman, the bishop and I love Lynda Carter the wonderwoman. A most impressive display.

Amazing thank you for putting on such a great show! Hope you can do it again soon!

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital exhibition

A new exhibition at the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital is up and along the corridor of the third floor, East block. My art work stretches along the walls and has many styles and themes and three of my giant detailed drawings can keep people amused for hours. The show will be up for three months, but I may swap work around at the end of June. So I can put some of the work in other exhibitions in Norwich. But hope to have lots of new paintings finished by then. I am now in the middle of painting a mural that will go up in ENT waiting room, which is the department that gave me a new ear so I can hear.

If you would like to buy any work at the hospital please contact me directly as the hospital staff are very busy. All funds go towards me being able to do more volunteer time there.

Cromer Crab and Lobster festival auction on the Pier

Rain, hale, sunshine and a storm still people came from all over the countryside to bid for the Crabs and Lobsters that were being actioned off for charity.

Marian O'Hare in all weather gear ready to bid for many lobsters, even bidding for her Australian grand daughters.

My Lobster Sweet 16, looking up at everyone arriving and the Hotel de Paris, wondering who is going to be her new owner

John holding up Vince Laws the poem, lobster that was living at the Wellington pub.

Aunty Alex Walker my fan from Bristol that came to the auction with her grand daughter Bobelle landlady of the Pheasant pub in Keyston in Huntingdon. Bobelle was camera shy.

Uncle Gray Walker from Bristol, with Sweet 16 lobster.

Cousin Catherine Metcalf with me and Sweet 16 lobster. Catherine helped organise the festival and discovered me, to paint the lobster.

Two town criers one from Cromer and one from Sheringham, a historic moment as the two seaside towns join forces to raise money for the lifeboats and the heroes.

Harry Potters magic stick raises the prices on the bidding at the auction.

This little girl picked out my lobster, she liked it. As the lobster had my childhood memory's of being on the beach at Cromer she could relate to the Lobster.

The lobsters have taken over the pier. Here they are all lined up and ready to be auctioned off.

My Lobster sitting waving at people with the view of the waves and theatre behind. The Lobster is placed next to the cafe that I got my first job at in Norfolk, 50p an hour more then I get paid now as an artist. Both jobs working at the cafe and painting the lobster could not be done in the rain.

The Auctioneer in the middle on a ladder came all the way from Alysham auction house to help sell of the lobsters for charity. Raising thousands of pounds. Thanks to Cromer carpets for sponsoring my Lobster at the beginning of the festival. Thanks to all the publicity in the Cromer Times, Cromer crabline, the map, the festival programme. I will be in Cromer doing a giant mural this summer so get your brushes out if you would like to join in.

The Norwich Dandies Tuesday events drawing and poets

On the floor Gaia Shaw and Sam Epps doing the mile long drawing that started at the Sainsbury's centre and has continued here and will go on to 4 other events. They chat and draw together for hours, collecting inspiration from the show.
A young poet.
Another young poet.
Caroline Gilfilin with her musical spoken word from her new collection YES.

Jean Clark reads her poetry out for the second time in her life. Her books sold well after her performance.
Jean Clark a poetry from the credit crunch to volcanic ash.

Tomorrow the 2nd June there will be a fun face painting with fine art students doing the face painting and film making with Shelly Telly making 12 second film.

The Norwich Dandies first art opening

The opening night on the 24th May 2010 of the Norwich Dandies art group. Here the group is being tied up by Pequilia Bigtopp, the start of the group is me, Vince Laws, Grant Dejonge, Christina, Sabberton, Mark Scott Wood, Dugald Ferguson, Ole Skauge and badger the dog.

Opening speech by Marcus Dickey Horley the Tate Gallery curator.

Marcus Dickey Horley cuts the red ribbon and opens the show. He also kindly help me hang the last few pictures on the walls and said he loved my work.

Mirror above my Poo peril jewellery, so people can try the prize jewels on.

Poo perils in display cabernet.

Stained glass window in St. Margaret's church where the exhibition is held.

Punch and Judy puppets hanging out in the window.

St.Patrick's painting's up in a crucifix fashion.

Outside the church my anti war dirty linen and Vince Laws paintings. The For Sale sign stirred up the landlord of the church. Who came marching in to see the show after seeing the sign.

A wishing well to collect donations to the show, that make wishes come true. Peoples comments have been very postitive so far, one person said the show changed there life and lots of people bellow out laughter as they walk around the show. So if your need cheering up plenty of work here to keep you happy. Show is up till the 5th of June. Open 10 till 5pm daily.