The Northampton Town & County Art Society’s latest annual exhibition at the refurbished Northampton Museum and Art Gallery is ending on 23rd January https://www.northamptonmuseums.com/whatson. Set up in 1913 this long standing art society continues to exhibit regularly. Our members and associates continue to produce high quality artwork, making the Society the county’s premier art group.
The exhibition has been well attended and has generated many positive comments on the quality of work. There is a range of different styles and media ranging from interesting sculptures to large scale oil paintings. There is something for everybody here.
Self portrait with guitar
The exhibition shows in these difficult times that the Society’s members are still active. Northampton’s art scene is still thriving, and this is reflected in the quality of the annual show. The show is well worth a visit.
I’ve exhibited some of my work at the show https://www.facebook.com/cordellgarfieldfineart and I would recommend a visit to a Society show. More of my work can be seen on my website https://www.cordellgarfield.com Opening hours to the museum are 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday and 12pm to 5pm Sunday. Admission is free.
Painting portraits in oils workshop NorthamptonSense of doubt
I will be running another Introduction to Portrait Painting Workshop in Oils at Northampton’s Museum and Art Gallery on 19th February 2022. My workshop is an ideal introduction to portrait painting for newcomers and more experienced painters alike. A portrait in oils will be produced, with attention to facial proportions and tone to create a realistic image. Working from a reference photograph and a step by step process, I will guide you through painting a portrait. The workshop is perfect for both beginners and painters with some experience. Price £65 per person.
The museum is a great venue to hold the workshop and have a central focus for Northampton art again. After opening on 10th July 2021 following a major redevelopment which began in 2017. It’s now up and running with a selling gallery and permanent collections on show. To find out more about the museum click on this link. https://www.northamptonmuseums.com/site/index.php
Cordell Garfield Paintings for sale at Northampton Central Museum
Really pleased that my paintings are now showing at Northampton’s Museum and Art Gallery from October to the 31st December 2021. The museum opened on 10th July 2021 after a major redevelopment which began in 2017. It’s now up and running with a selling gallery and permanent collections on show. To find out more about the museum click on this link. https://www.northamptonmuseums.com/site/index.php
For me it’s so important that I’m exhibiting not only my portraits, but also landscapes of Northamptonshire as well. The county has some beautiful views and waterways which I always try and capture when out and about. https://www.cordellgarfield.com/gallery/landscapes/
It’s really great to have a central focus for Northampton art again. The town has been desperate for a such a development, particularly following the difficulties surrounding the pandemic. The museum has recently won the Heritage Organisation of the Year 2021, which is a testament to its redevelopment and the staff involved in running it. For instance, it has a full programme of online and in person events including workshops, talks and lectures. Above all for a local artist like me there is no doubt the museum offers the perfect setting for displaying my work. To sum up, I seriously recommend paying a visit and having a look around at all the exhibitions on display. Maybe have a coffee and a bite to eat at the new cafe as well!
Where do you start with your memories of George Best a football icon? The first time I saw him play he scored 6 goals against Northampton! The greatest player I ever saw play in the flesh and worthy of an oil painting portrait. I’ve painted a few well known icons https://www.cordellgarfield.com/gallery/portraits/ and Bestie remains one of the most enjoyable.
On the 7th of February 1970 I stood on the duckboards of the cricket pitch side on Northampton Town’s old County Ground. It was the 5th Round of the FA Cup and Manchester United were playing my home town side Northampton. Because it was Manchester United, and because it was football icon George Best playing, it was televised, and the game was a sell-0ut. I even saw myself in my duffle coat on the football highlights programme ‘Star Soccer’ the next day! The pitch was a mud-bath, a heavy gluepot, which was typical for that time of the year. Bestie glided over the pitch, scored with two headers, with his sixth goal rounded off by walking the ball round the hapless Northampton’s goalkeeper Kim Book. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=northampton+town+v+manchester+united+1970&docid=608047901096478366&mid=726C3B13A2AE706270ED726C3B13A2AE706270ED&view=detail&FORM=VIRE
That day his skill, balance and speed was the thing that stayed with me. When I watched him on telly it was obvious to me he was the world’s best footballer of the time. Unlike many of today’s modern footballers he didn’t play on bowling greens. He played at a time when defenders took the man first in challenges with the ball being an afterthought. There was no protection for the more skilful players that there is in today’s game.
Fast forward to September 1971 and my first visit to Old Trafford Manchester United’s ground, to watch them play West Ham United, graced by English football royalty at the time. Best, Law, Charlton (the Holy Trinity at Man Utd) and Moore, Hurst, Brooking and even Harry Redknapp for West Ham! Bestie scored a hat-trick, full of guile, skill and athleticism.
Nine goals in two games! Immediately I joined the George Best fan club (run by somebody from a terraced house in Huddersfield I think!). To quote the Fast Show’s Ron Manager “Small boys in the park? Jumpers for goalposts”, I was one of them, clumsily recreating the Best magic on muddy parks. It was phenomenal, pure celebrity, ‘E for B and Georgie Best’ (for those that remember the advertising), the restaurants, the boutiques and model girlfriends. We all got caught up in his career, there had been nothing like it in English football.
From his debut for Manchester United in 1963 to his last game in 1974 his star burned bright for that short window. Admittedly, towards the end, in a declining side, his performances tailed off, he wasn’t the talisman of earlier years. With hindsight we know some of the reasons behind it now. Alcoholism which for many was seen as the ‘Celtic Flaw’ played a big part in his downfall. But for those glory years at his peak, before the decline, he transformed football for you and me.
I recently hosted another portrait painting in oils workshop at the Yardley Arts Centre. This was another enjoyable experience in difficult times with the Covid pandemic. Social distancing was maintained throughout, and with some hard working and enthusiastic students some great portraits were produced.
The Cordell Garfield Portrait Painting Workshop
As with my other portrait workshops https://www.cordellgarfield.com/workshops/ the portrait painting in oils workshop set out to really help beginners and the more experienced. Above all portrait painting and its anatomy are difficult to master and I tried to simplify the process. We approached the portrait painting through understanding the landmarks of the face. This could be the position of the eyes, distances between the eyes, nose and mouth and so on. We also worked on the use of tone and value in a monochrome palette to produce portraits from a photograph. I gave a series of demonstrations to guide students through the process. Here are some examples of the work produced:
Yardley Arts portrait painting workshop
Salvador Dali portrait
Portrait at Yardley Arts
Yardley Arts
I also want to give a big shout out to Yardley Arts. Yardley Arts is a not-for-profit arts organisation that is really placing a focus on the arts in Northamptonshire. The spacious and light-filled centre is based at Yardley Hastings. Its range of courses covers drawing, painting, sculpture, jewellery and photography. There is even an animation workshop! Moreover, there is something for everybody with previous experience not necessary on many workshops. It’s not been easy in the current climate, but the centre has continued to keep running within the new pandemic guidelines.
I will be running another workshop at the centre again in 2021, but I would recommend checking out other courses. The courses are all run by experienced artists who will help improve your skills whatever your ability. Have a look at their web site https://www.yardleyarts.org/about
New studio space for artist Cordell Garfield! As an artist it’s great to be in my new studio space with the move of the NN Contemporary Art site http://www.nncontemporaryart.org/spaces/. The new central museum next door, opens on 20th June 2020, and my new artistic space is ideally located for me.
Above all the larger new space displays my artwork in a way I haven’t been able to before. This link shows a selection of my portraits, some of which I can now show in the flesh! https://www.cordellgarfield.com/gallery/portraits/
I intend to use this new studio space not only creatively, but also for the Open Studios in September. Keep your eye on developments as I will be selling some of my work in the Open Studios. As always there will be a range of portraits, but also some of my landscapes as well.
I recently hosted another portrait painting in oils workshop at the Yardley Arts Centre. This was another enjoyable experience with some enthusiastic and willing students and some great results.
In the same vein as my other portrait workshops https://www.cordellgarfield.com/workshops/ the portrait painting in oils workshop set out to really help beginners. Above all portrait painting and its anatomy are difficult to master and I tried to simplify the process. We approached the portrait painting through understanding the landmarks of the face. This could be the position of the eyes, distances between the eyes, nose and mouth and so on. We also worked on some colour theory and using a limited colour palette to produce a variety of flesh tones. Here are some examples of the work produced:
I also want to give a big shout out to Yardley Arts. Yardley Arts is a not-for-profit arts organisation that is really placing a focus on the arts in Northamptonshire. The spacious and light-filled centre is based at Yardley Hastings. Its range of courses covers drawing, painting, sculpture, jewellery and photography. There is even an animation workshop! Moreover, there is something for everybody with previous experience not necessary on many workshops.
I will be running another workshop at the centre in the future, but I would recommend checking out other courses. The courses are all run by experienced artists who will help improve your skills whatever your ability. Have a look at their web site https://www.yardleyarts.org/about
It’s no secret that I’ve always been a strong supporter of local art events in Northamptonshire. As a result I will be showing my work in the 43rd Alderton Art Festival. The festival held over Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September as always will host an exhibition and sale of paintings. Furthermore, there are also craft stalls, beer tent and musical entertainment.
Alderton Art Festival logo
Set in the picturesque village of Alderton, South Northamptonshire, the festival will feature many high quality local artists. Above all this is a festival that is well supported with something for all art lovers. I will have some original paintings and prints on show for sale. Therefore, for Northamptonshire art lovers the festival is well worth a visit. So come along and have a look.
I recently hosted and run an introduction to portrait painting in oils workshop at the Yardley Arts Centre. This was an enjoyable experience with some enthusiastic and willing students and some great results.
Portrait painting workshop Yardley Arts
My own portrait painting in oils workshop was successful but I wanted to give a big shout out to Yardley Arts. Yardley Arts is a not-for-profit arts organisation that is really placing a focus on the arts in Northamptonshire. The spacious and light-filled centre is based at Yardley Hastings. Its range of courses covers drawing, painting, sculpture, jewellery and photography. There is even an animation workshop! Moreover, there is something for everybody with previous experience not necessary on many workshops.
I will be lucky to be running another workshop at the centre in the future, but I would recommend checking out other courses. The courses are all run by experienced artists who will help improve your skills whatever your ability. Have a look at their web site https://www.yardleyarts.org/about
I have just finished the Talented Art Fair 2019 https://www.talentedartfair.com/ so I thought it would be good to give you my take on it. My first impression? It was the sheer volume of visitors to the fair that continued throughout the weekend that impressed me. The flow of visitor traffic did not let up, whether buying or simply browsing. This created a great environment for the artist, and I personally found it stimulating. In my case I did sell some paintings which added to the experience. However, regardless of sales the ability for artists to discuss their work face to face with the general public is important.
For the viewer and buyer the art on display and for sale was diverse and engaging. This was the key to the Talented Art Fair’s success – there was something for everyone. In my case it was also a good opportunity to demonstrate a portrait painting. My demo provided a good insight into how I work and how I produce my art. Judging by the interest, comments and questions I received, viewers were interested and engaged.
What was really noticeable was that the the fair was a friendly event. Both the public and other exhibitors were approachable and supportive. Furthermore, this made the experience of exhibiting a good one. So would I exhibit at the Talented Art Fair again? The answer would be yes. This was a well organised and positive fair. Selling paintings does add to a good experience, but artists can definitely use the fair to improve their exposure. Overall a thumbs up for the Talented Art Fair.
