Artists of the Month: December 2023
Michelle Gibbs
ARTISTS QUOTE: ‘I’ve always loved painting from as far back as I can remember, I love creating something from nothing using bold colours and brush marks. I really enjoy sharing my passion for painting with those who want to learn how to create vibrant paintings.
Meet our one of our artists of the month Michelle Gibbs. She is an artist overflowing with a contagious passion for teaching the enchanting world of painting. With a wealth of experience spanning over two decades, Michelle is not just an artist; she’s also a dedicated art tutor who has made it her mission to spread the joy of painting to a global audience.
Michelle’s love for teaching extends beyond traditional classes, as she has successfully ventured into the online realm. Here, she has built a vibrant community for individuals eager to delve into the pleasures of painting. Her online presence is not just about lessons; it’s a shared journey where creativity and learning intersect.
In addition to her role as a tutor, Michelle has previously curated an online art gallery, providing a platform for fellow artists to showcase and sell their masterpieces. This speaks volumes about her commitment to fostering a supportive artistic community.
Her Art
Delving into Michelle’s own artistry unveils a world of vibrant exploration into human connections. Her creations, bursting with vivid colours, expressive marks, and captivating forms, invite viewers on a journey of visual delight. Beyond aesthetics, Michelle’s mixed-media works aim to instil a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of our world.
Inspired by the breath taking beauty surrounding us, Michelle finds artistic fuel in the smallest details—the play of light on surfaces, the intricate patterns of nature, and the emotions reflected in people’s faces. Her mission is not just to capture this beauty but to share it with the world, using a vibrant palette to evoke powerful emotions and create immersive experiences that encourage contemplation.
Michelle’s creative journey began in her early 20s after her art education, and since then, her passion for self-expression on canvas has only deepened. She sees her direct connection with collectors as crucial, valuing the personal relationships forged over her career. For Michelle Gibbs, creating art is not just a skill; it’s a deeply personal and rewarding experience. She expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share her vision and looks forward to continuing her artistic journey for years to come.
VIEW ALL ARTWORKS BY MICHELLE GIBBS
Diana Davydova
ARTISTS QUOTE: ‘The main reason for me painting is because it makes me happy. When I paint, I replay and recreate the happy moments of my childhood. An apple orchard in my grandma’s country house, birch trees in the woodland nearby and the snowy days I miss. I hope these subjects resonate with other people’s cherished moments and bring a bit of happiness to their homes too.’
Our next choice for Artist of the month is Diana Davydova. Diana was born in Moscow, Russia. She is an accomplished artist with a diverse background. Graduating in 2006 as a Teacher of Visual Arts from Moscow Regional University, she initially pursued a teaching career. However, with a desire to explore artistry further, Diana worked in the family florist business. At the same time she also earned a floral design qualification from the Swiss Floral Design School.
Passionate about flowers, Diana saw her floral arrangements as fleeting yet exquisite pieces of art. This then sparked a change, leading her to not only craft floral arrangements but also to venture into painting floral artworks. In 2009, fulfilling a dream, Diana studied Contemporary Fine Art at Plymouth College of Art in the UK. She is now based in Oxford, where she develops her creative works to the highest standard.
Diana is continually working on her portfolio with the intention to offer creative work of the highest standard. Her subject matter is generally found in the natural world, where she finds great inspiration in the diversity of colour, texture and form of flowers and plants.
VIEW ALL ARTWORKS BY DIANA DAVYDOVA
Zizi Lagadec
ARTISTS QUOTE: The moment someone looks at a piece of art, through the act of seeing, the image becomes part of them. With that in mind, I try to paint beauty and humour, freedom and unity……’
Our next Artist of the month is Zizi Lagadec. Zizi is an artist whose world revolves around the magic of art. Focusing on painting, she finds inspiration in the fleeting moments when a captivating image reveals itself. Zizi has a has a history of designing and caring for exquisite gardens in the UK and France. Currently on a journey to let the next garden “find” her, she is experimenting with hiking and ‘leave no trace’ wild camping.
Zizi is passionate about sustainable and off-grid living. She has embraced a lifestyle free from a car and mobile phone, and the challenges that come with this. Qi Gong holds helps her with this, especially since being diagnosed with osteoporosis in her late 20s. She dedicates herself to keeping her body as strong and flexible as possible, through practices like ‘The 8 Brocades’ and walking forms like ‘The Eagle.’
If you happen upon a paint-splashed woman standing on a hill, balanced like an eagle, it might just be Zizi. Yet, for Zizi, art is not just about her; it’s as much for the viewer. Zizi believes that each person is a unique expression of life, adding depth and meaning to her work. In her view, she wonders if art is intended for a specific destination/person all along, even before the creative process has begun!
VIEW ALL ARTWORK BY ZIZI LAGADEC
Irene Raspollini
ARTISTS QUOTE: ‘Being an artist means to transform a thought into a real, tangible piece of the world we live in, with all the consequences this may imply.’
Irene Raspollini was born in Siena, Italy on August 14, 1982. She is a self-taught professional artist known for her unique style of narrative portraiture. She developed her skills as a painter during years of experimentation. This lead to her recognizable rosy-cheeked characters heavily influenced by pop culture and kitsch.
In 2018, Irene gained recognition when her artworks we shown in collections and galleries worldwide. Her first solo exhibition outside Italy took place in Ciudad Nezahualcòyotl, Mexico. The same year, she achieved excellence as one of the winners of the Gallery Awards at the ART Revolution Taipei International Artists Grand Prize Competition. This earned her an invitation to showcase her paintings at the International Artists Salon at ART Revolution Taipei 2019.
Irene has also held exhibitions in Italy, the UK, Mexico, China, Taiwan, Russia, the USA, and Austria. Her pieces, characterised by their immediately recognizable style, feature in public and private collections worldwide.
VIEW ALL ARTWORKS BY IRENE RASPOLLINI
Bazevian Delacapuciniere
ARTISTS QUOTE: “Art should be something that liberates the soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further”
Bazévian Delacapucinière lives in France and is known for her vibrant figurative paintings with vivid colours. Part Norwegian, Brazilian, and Korean, Bazévian spent a 10 years on the road, meeting lots of artist and people.
Focusing mainly on portraits, Bazévian believes that the face serves as a language and a vital means of expressing emotions. She says that the face is the only part of the body that is normally exposed and naked, which we can’t hide. She views the face not only to express and show emotions, but gives information on our character, which we are unable to be concealed. For Delacapucinière, these faces are vessels of social standards, and their interpretation therefore becomes an invitation to challenge such norms.
Bazévian used several techniques with oil, oil pastel, and acrylic, employing various techniques across sizes of paintings. Also developing new technique of expression by dilatation and extracting the painting. She has held solo exhibitions in France, Norway, Brazil, and South Korea. Her paintings have found homes in collections across the US, Europe, and Asia
VIEW ALL ARTWORK BY BAZEVIAN DELACAPUCINIERE
Robert Pinchin
ARTISTS QUOTE: ‘Conjuring a beautiful piece of art from a blank canvas takes me far away from the trials of the real world, it enables me to find beauty in unlikely places and tranquillity amidst the chaos.’
Our final choice for Artists of the month is Robert Pinchin. Robert is a North Yorkshire based artist. Born with the natural ability to draw, he went on and studied Art and Design at York college and a BA Hons in Graphic Design and Illustration at York University. The foundation course and the degree gave him the confidence to put his art out there for public consumption. It became clear that he had the ability to deliver what people want to put on their walls and enjoy.
During his degree study, he started to create art works for public display. He also engaged in a number of exhibitions, including the York art fair and an annual exhibition that takes place in Spitalfields market in London. Both were successful, and in particular the variety of styles that he was able to deliver was noticed.
Since then, he has have formed successful liaisons with galleries, exhibiting and selling his work. Many of his paintings generate further commissions, which include portraits of animals and people. He says he likes to bring something just a little bit different to each painting. A unique touch that brings the subject to life. Robert works from his studio at home.
VIEW ALL ARTWORKS BY ROBERT PINCHIN
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