Artist statement
Concepts
My artwork is about telling the viewer a visual narrative about the world around us. This can be about morals, spiritually, sexuality, nature, music, escapism, popular culture, current affairs or the course of events throughout the artists' life. This is expressed through various forms of abstraction and pop art. My work has evolved from photorealism to this stage of my career, where certain photorealist tricks are still used to an extent to fool the viewers eye.
Influences
I collect influences and ideas from everywhere, a bit like the proverbial magpie, no specific source. It's about whatever moves me at that particular moment in time, it could be triggered by any event. My current biggest influences are Sir Peter Blake, Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, David Hockney and Mirium Wosk.
Career path
Painting from a very young age, CSE and O Level art at school. Founder Member and Professional Associate of the Society for All Artists, a member of Design Artists Copyright Society, RHS member. Artist training with Hitchin College and Arts Council. Numerous commissions and exhibitions, television, work published through DACS, demonstrations, international selling artist and art tutor. Four solo exhibitions and currently on the Saatchi Gallery website. The World is my oyster, who knows what will happen next!
Current and forthcoming events
- January - June 2010: Gilli Austin at Pensieri, Pensieri, 34 Castle Lane, Castle Quay, Bedford (more info)
- February - March 2010: Acrylics for Beginners Workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts. SG5 2DY, Hitchin (more info)
- February 2010: Understanding Acrylic Painting Workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin (more info)
- April 2010: Acrylics For All, Tim's Art Supplies, 85Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts (more info)
Public realm
- 2009 Meet the artist, part of Hitchin Festival Day, Hitchin Museum, Hitchin Museum, Paynes Park, Hitchin, Herts SG5 1EH, Hitchin (more info)
Solo exhibitions
- 2005 Fourth Solo Show, Ashwell Gallery, Dixies Barn, Ashwell, Herts
- 2004 Escape, Margate Library, Margate, Kent
- 2003 Beyond the Blue Door, Hitchin Museum and Art Gallery, Hitchin
- 2001 Solo, Courtyard Arts Centre, Hertford
Group exhibitions
- 2009 Hitchin Art Trail, Hitchin Festival, Shop windows in Hitchin Town centre, various venues, Hitchin (more info)
- 2007 The Postcard Show, Surface Gallery, 7 Mansfield Rd, Nottingham, Nottingham (more info)
- 2007 Prelude Art Fair, Spitalfields, Market Street, London E1 (off Brushfield's Street), London (more info)
- 2006 The Great Art Fair, Alexandra Palace, London
- 2004 Hitchin Art Trail, various shop windows, Hitchin, Herts
- 2004 Art for All Tastes, The British Schools, Hitchin, Herts
- 2003 Five Counties, Obsidian Art, Stoke Mandeville, Bucks
- 2002 From Mollie with Love, Harlequin Shopping Centre and Gallery, Watford
- 2002 Cloisters (open air), Town Centre, Hitchin
- 2001 Society of Women Artists 140th, Methodist Central Hall, Storey's Gate, London
- 2000 Cloisters (open air), Town Centre, Hitchin
- 2000 Society for all artists, Princes Hall, Aldershot
- 1999 Cloisters (open air), town centre, Hitchin
- 1997 Society of Amateur Artists 3rd, Methodist Central Hall, Storey's Gate, London
- 1995 Society of Amateur Artists 2nd, Methodist Central Hall, Storey's Gate, London
- 1994 Society of Amateur Artists 1st, Methodist Central Hall, Storey's Gate, London
- 1992 Stevenage Artists Co-op - Spring, Dennington Gallery, Stevenage
- 1991 Stevenage Artists Co-op - Winter, Dennington Gallery, Stevenage
- 1990 Stevenage Artists Co-op - Summer, Dennington Gallery, Stevenage
- 1988 Stevenage Artists Co-op - Summer, Dennington Gallery, Stevenage
Artist talks
- 2008 Tim's Open Day, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin (more info)
Workshops
- 2009 Enjoy Acrylics Workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Lower Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin, Herts (more info)
- 2009 Winter Fruits in Acrylics workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Lower Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin, Herts (more info)
- 2009 Start Acrylics NOW! workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Lower Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin, Herts (more info)
- 2009 Autumn Landscapes in Acrylics workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Lower Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin, Hertfordshire (more info)
- 2009 Acrylic Painting Workshops, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Lower Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin (more info)
- 2009 Acrylics - Taster class, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin (more info)
- 2009 Acrylics workshop - all abilities, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Lower Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin (more info)
- 2009 Acrylics for Beginners, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 2DY, Hitchin (more info)
- 2009 Acrylics for the Terrified!, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin (more info)
- 2009 Spring Gardens in Acrylic, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin (more info)
- 2009 Seasonal Still life in Acrylics, Tim's, 85 Lower Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin (more info)
- 2009 Acrylic Painting For All Workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin (more info)
- 2008 Beginner's Acrylic painting workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin (more info)
- 2008 Flower & Glass Reflections in Acrylics Workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin (more info)
- 2008 Acrylic painting Workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts SG5 2DY, Hitchin (more info)
- 2008 Acrylic Painting Workshop, Tim's, 85 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts, Hitchin, Herts (more info)
- 2008 An Artist's Guide to: Acrylic Painting, Tim's, 85 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts, Hitchin, Herts (more info)
- 2008 Acrylics for all workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Lower Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts (more info)
- 2008 Acrylics for all workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Lower Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts (more info)
- 2008 Acrylics workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Lower Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts (more info)
- 2007 Acrylics for all workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Lower Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts (more info)
- 2007 Acrylics for all workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Lower Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Herts, Hitchin (more info)
- 2007 Acrylics for all workshop, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Lower Tilehouse Street, Hitchin (more info)
- 2006 Acrylic & pastel workshops, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Lower Tilehouse Street, Hitchin
- 2006 One day workshops at Stately homes across UK, Art Of Course Ltd, Stevenage, Herts
- 2005 Acrylic & Pastel Workshops, Tim's Art Supplies, 85 Lower Tilehouse Street, Hitchin
Competitions, prizes and awards
- 2005 Royal Birmingham Society of Artists "Prize", Brook Street Gallery, Birmingham
- 2005 Hitchin Festival Art Trail, Town Centre Shops, Hitchin, Herts
Other
- 2007 Hitchin Christmas Tree Festival, Holy Saviour's Church, Radcliffe Rd, Hitchin, Hitchin, Herts (more info)
Web links - gallery/work/projects
Web links - article/press
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