Hi there,
I hope September has started well for you? I celebrated my birthday on the 2nd, and I marked the day in my favourite way - starting a new personal project and painting in the studio before heading out for dinner with my family at our local Italian restaurant. I’ve always loved Italian food, but funnily enough, had never been to Italy… until last week My friend and fellow artist StefDies gathered a group of us for a trip to Lake Como, staying at the lovely Casa Rosa, just a short train ride from the lake. In just a couple of days we managed to explore Como town, visit the Silk Museum - Como has a huge history of silk production, take a ferry to Bellagio, and even squeeze in a day trip to Milan for sightseeing, people-watching and authentic Milanese food. It’s been a while since I’ve had a girls’ holiday, and the experience was both enriching and uplifting. I’ve had a sample of silk sitting in my studio for almost a year now, and the visit to the museum has inspired me to finally start experimenting with it.
You can watch my reel of Lake Como here: https://www.instagram.com/
Global Strike For Gaza
In my previous newsletter, I wrote how helpless I felt about the genocide in Gaza, as i’m sure for many, guilt creeps in when doing basic things like cooking for my family. So instead of letting my thoughts affect my mental health, I decided to do something about it. I discovered an instagram account called Global Strike Gaza. It's a very simple concept, each Thursday, we strike - financially. That is, we do not spend any money. We don't shop, get on public transport and as an extra (which is not required) I have decided not to work. Instead, I spend the day spreading the word about the initiative, get some odd jobs done around the house and I also spend the day in gratitude. I am willing to go without for one day for the greater good. If you would like to do something aside from donating and protesting, please consider joining me and the 20,000 or so people who are already part of this movement - it’s a financial strike, not a work strike. You can learn more about it and how it can make an impact here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/
Kell Art Gallery
I’m grateful to share that I am newly represented by KELL ART Gallery UK. It’s an honour to have my work presented alongside such strong voices in contemporary art and to connect with a wider audience through the gallery. Some of you may know that I was previously named one of Saatchi Art’s Undiscovered Artists To Know, and this feels like a wonderful continuation of that momentum. You can now find a curated selection of my pieces exclusively on their website:
In The Studio:
Inspired after my trip, I’ve started and have almost completed a new work. It’s a large scale and optimistic abstract oil painting at 120cm h x 90cm w. It’s a privilege to loose myself in this.
The audiobook I'm listening to whilst painting is 12 Rules Of Life by Jordan B Peterson.
Up Next:
I’m very grateful that my work will be exhibited at The Affordable Art Fair in Boston next month. A huge thank you to Azart Gallery for including my pieces in the curation for what has been a bumper year of promoting their artists internationally.
Thank you for taking the time to read my news, until next time,
Courtenay x