Fantasy and Imagination - December 17-24 at The Shop Gallery

As you can see, I will be part of this show, Fantasy and Imagination. If you're in Sydney in the week leading up to Christmas, you should come along. I'm really excited about the exhibition: I'm really happy with the pieces I've made for it, and the other artists in the show will all also have something interesting to show.

Have a look at the information and flyer below, and hopefully I'll see you there in December.

Indulge in a spectacle of fantastic vision and explore the limits of imagination in this upcoming group exhibition, The Art of Fantasy and Imagination. The artists display a wide range of media and style, so come peer into their minds and see these creatures and concepts spring to life.

December 17-24
Gallery Opening: December 17 at 6:00 PM
The Shop Gallery
112 Glebe Point Road, Glebe theshopgalleryglebe.com

©2015 James Mathurin

Artwork of Fantasy and Imagination - The Croydon Wanderers Linework

This is my last entry for Artwork of Fantasy and Imagination, the next exhibition that I'll be doing with the group I did the Sydney Comic Art & Drawing Exhibition with. The show will run from 17th - 24th December, at The Shop Gallery, Glebe, here in Sydney. 

Keeping with my idea of otherworldly refugees settling into everyday life, this is the pencil and ink work for an amateur team from Croydon (either Croydon near London, or Croydon in Sydney - my Anglo-Australian neutrality remains intact). The original art and the finished digital art will be exhibited with The Builders, and The Office.

Like I wrote before, I even came up with a story that links these pictures:

It's been just 18 months since the first of the refugees arrived through the portals. In cities all over the world, people have started to grow accustomed to having neighbours and, increasingly, workmates who would have been the stuff of myths 2 years ago.

While most refugees are reluctant to talk about their experiences, there are rumours circling of harsh and brutal feudal societies, with appalling living conditions. No wonder, many say, that they have been so quick to train and enter the modern workforce, and, where possible, assimilate into 21st century culture.

Of course, even extra-dimensional refugees need time off, and a Sunday league football team is  the perfect way to socialise with their neighbours.

 ©2015 James Mathurin

Artwork of Fantasy and Imagination - The Office

This is my next entry for Artwork of Fantasy and Imagination, the next exhibition that I'll be doing with the group I did the Sydney Comic Art & Drawing Exhibition with. The show will run from 17th - 24th December, at The Shop Gallery, Glebe, here in Sydney. 

Keeping with my idea of otherworldly refugees settling into everyday life, here are a couple of office colleagues having a chat. This will be exhibited with The Builders, and at least one other piece in the series.

Like I wrote 2 weeks ago, I even came up with a story that links these pictures:

It's been just 18 months since the first of the refugees arrived through the portals. In cities all over the world, people have started to grow accustomed to having neighbours and, increasingly, workmates who would have been the stuff of myths 2 years ago.

While most refugees are reluctant to talk about their experiences, there are rumours circling of harsh and brutal feudal societies, with appalling living conditions. No wonder, many say, that they have been so quick to train and enter the modern workforce, and, where possible, assimilate into 21st century culture.

 I did a couple of versions of the colours, but in the end, I decided to match it up with a third version of The Builders.

 ©2015 James Mathurin

Artwork of Fantasy and Imagination - Builders and sketches

I went back to The Builders from last week, and did some work on the colouring, based on some feedback I got.

 Also, here are some research sketches I've been making for the next couple of pictures. I've been using African masks and statues for ideas, and some of these are from the Bena Luluwa in Zaire, a Kasangu mask, from the Sola Mpasis of Zaire, a Ndimo mask, from the Makonde of South Tanzania, and a grimacing mask from Tunisia.

 ©2015 James Mathurin

Artwork of Fantasy and Imagination - Builders

This is my first entry for Artwork of Fantasy and Imagination, the next exhibition that I'll be doing with the group I did the Sydney Comic Art & Drawing Exhibition with. The show will run from 17th - 24th December, at The Shop Gallery, Glebe, here in Sydney. A lot of my stuff has been comic and sci-fi based, so fantasy is a chance to try something different.

Most of the fantasy stuff I've enjoyed has been in a contemporary setting (China Mieville, Geoffrey Thorne, Neil Gaimen, and Garth Ennis' Preacher are the ones that come to mind), so I wanted to do some pieces that put fantasy figures into everyday settings.

This is why my research sketches from the last few weeks have bounced from builders on a tea break to flaming skulls and people with fish heads. So what's the backstory?

It's been just 18 months since the first of the refugees arrived through the portals. In cities all over the world, people have started to grow accustomed to having neighbours and, increasingly, workmates who would have been the stuff of myths 2 years ago.

While most refugees are reluctant to talk about their experiences, there are rumours circling of harsh and brutal feudal societies, with appalling living conditions. No wonder, many say, that they have been so quick to train and enter the modern workforce, and, where possible, assimilate into 21st century culture.

©2015 James Mathurin

More sketches for my next project

These are more preparatory sketches to go with the builders and faces I was drawing a while back. I'm quite fond of my fishhead guys, but I'm looking forward to using all of these, including the office scene.

©2015 James Mathurin

Democracy in action! - Vote for 'Nina' and 'The Couple' for ArtSHINE's Draw Me A Calendar event

This Saturday The Winners of ArtSHINE's Draw ME A Calendar competition will be announced. With your help, Nina and / or The Couple will be among them! This is democracy in action, people!

Here are ArtSHINE's presentations of my pieces:

Draw me a Calendar - Entry 03 Artist: James Mathurin Title: The Couple Medium: Pen on paper Art for Sale: $100.00 Please share the love! #drawmeacalendar #artprize

A photo posted by ArtSHINE Gallery (@artshinegallery) on Oct 8, 2015 at 10:40pm PDT

 

Draw me a Calendar - Entry 04 Artist: James Mathurin Title: Nina Medium: Pen on paper Art for Sale: $100.00 Please share the love! #drawmeacalendar #artprize

A photo posted by ArtSHINE Gallery (@artshinegallery) on Oct 8, 2015 at 10:50pm PDT

Remember, as well as winners chosen to go into ArtSHINE’s 2016 calendar, there are 2 People’s Choice awards. 

You can vote for me online by going to ArtSHINE’s facebook page and sending them a message saying your People’s Choice is either: 

James Mathurin - Entry 03 -  The Couple

or

James Mathurin - Entry 04 - Nina

 

If you’re in Sydney, you can actually visit the gallery (always a good idea, plus you can get coffee and lunch) and vote for me in person.

The gallery is at:
3 Blackfriars Street
Chippendale
Sydney
2008

The Draw Me A Calendar opening night is next Saturday, the 17th October, between 6 and 8pm.

©2015 James Mathurin