Forgot I had blogger :O

Ok wow! have I not updated this in AGES. To be honest i kind of forgot i had a blogger. I did warn people i was going over to tumblr but i use it SO much more than here.. Should i bother keeping this blog? Everything people need is on my tumblr, website AND facebook page. Scream if you want me to keep this blog...

Tumblr address..

I plan to still use blogger but maybe for more text reasons? Tumblr is more image based, we shall see how things go..

http://lehanrahan.tumblr.com/

So what's been going on...

well...

1. Yesterday i finished my job and am really looking forward to getting back into art.
2. I've been doing lots of small works, but have recently bought some new big pieces of paper and am planning to paint on them!
3. Hopefully going to start experimenting with Gouache
4. Is having a show in Richmix at the end of the month! (I think this is the thing I'm most excited about)
5. Started a tumblr account an am not sure whether to include or swap it for my website..
and lastly 6. I plan to start producing much more commercial work in order to keep my own personal fine art alive financially and mentally.

Quite a deep entry but hey it's what's going on...

Back from Scotland and starting volunteering...

Scotland was lush, T in the park is definetley fun but perhaps not with work colleagues. Saw bits of the city as we were driven to Perth and wow edinburgh is just SO nice architecturally. If you havn't been to this city then GO!

Otherwise yes more arts based news, i am starting Stewarding tomorrow with Rowan Arts which is a charity which helps artists in Islington. Very much looking forward to working with artists and helping with this festival!
Hoping to create myself a job with them in sep and finish off the office job.

Will start drawing/posting more soon.

Cheers

No painting this week but some serious life choices decided...

Decided to do an arts job during the week so going to be dedicating this weds n thursday applying from things. Otherwise looking forward to September when I'm hopefully going to Japan. Wish i could afford a studio space but perhaps by working i will come across an arts commune and do work there?

Definitely attempting to move out next year after Japan, otherwise for now i'm just an artist at home. Will talk more in a few days, but as i just mentioned on my very old Livejournal account, i do work on computers 7 hours a day 3 days a week so my head/hands do get a bit like eurgh when i have to use one AGAIN!...

Cheers for now...
L

Updating website and Not believing its already june!

So yes june and didn't get into the RA Summer Exhibition this year. Ah well it doesn't really upset me only makes me want to do another show. Just talked to a lady i exhibited with in Jan at the Rag Factory and she has asked if i want to do a show together early next year. I just need a few people to have a can do attitude. Otherwise yes whilst updating my site i realised i have no pictures on my newly rebooted laptop. I go on photobucket and Facebook only to try get some photos put on my website and i can seem to copy any :'( sad face indeed.
Ah well i WILL find a way. Otherwise i just joined Tumblr and am going to make a rule to update my fb page everyday.

Cheers for now all

oh wow last entry march!

Sorry to all, but hey i don't think people read this much!!
been obviously very busy and havn't had time/headspace for computers because of day work but will definetley update soon. Otherwise you can always see news on my website (where you hopefully got the link to this from!) and also my facebook page Lauren E Hanrahan Painting!

Cheers and hope you imaginary readers are well
Lauren

Been a bit busy.....

Besides still only just finished my 3rd week in the new job, today i have updated my blog (as you can see, i hope!) AND updated my website, next up is getting together a statement and cv in order to actually submit myself to exhibitions not so big as the RA Summer Show. Other than that YAY the sun is here, which i find highly beneficial if you're an artist and ESPECIALLY if you're a painter. That being said, i have only made some initial ink drawings recently and should add watercolour to them today!

Anyway hope anyone reading this out there is well and happy and i shall rant/post/upload soon :-)

LH

New job so no art has been made :(

Booo but kinda yay because by working part time i can afford to actually make nice pieces! Otherwise havn't really been to much art shows either, as yes im using it as an excuse again, i've been SO tired after coming home i barely have energy to update this blog ( shock shock horror horror!). Apart from going to the Wimbledon MA Show in Bow, which was quite good but quite dissapointing for UAL! Standards are dropping but alas the students can always count on the universities reputation, right?

otherwise i have started to use indian ink and watercolour and made some quick drawings last night which i hope to develop over the weekend and will obviously post on here soon enough and if i havn't shouted it down your ear (virtually that is) already I'M SOOO EXCITED ABOUT MIRO COMING IN APRIL!!!! i look in the book i got last year from a friend and just want to piss myself at the thought that i shall see some of these works for real VERY soon! If you don't go then you're just pure silly, as even though you might not be a big art fan, this show may infact convert you to the religion that is art.

His use of colours and sheer size of some of his pieces are totally worth going to even to see something SO intense you may want to paint or draw or photograph something in the near future.
Finally my last part of rant is wish me luck for this years RA Summer show, i am putting in "Crimson Lips" and hoping for the best. Shall update you on whether i get in or not in May.

SO yeah that's it until i get some energy together and make some decent work and i hope you're all doing well. Please contact if you have any Q's relating to art or painting or history as i'm pretty qualified and do see myself as a practising artist, although i have yet to sell a piece for over 1000 and had a show abroad (these are my 2011 Artist Resolutions :P).

Cheerios!

1 show seen....

Welcome Trusts High Society....
only piece i really liked was Brian Gysin's Dream Machine, which was basically a trick on the eyes kinda piece constisting of a turntable, a lampshade and inside it a gorgeous orange.. the show is now closed as when i went to see it last fri it only had 2 days left..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOZh7oSUY30
otherwise no painting going on as i've been ill and busy babysitting.
will update again soon...

LH

If you like what you see then go check out my Flikr!

My username is Lauren likes photos so yeah just look me up!
ciao Bellas x

Pages of my sketchbook!

Have had to make them TIFFS as Jpegs seem to be going out of fashion! Just wanted to show you all how i work and the terrible that one may have if dyslexic/dyspraxic and an artist!
In other news, I have bought my entry form for this years RA Summer show, only submitting 1 piece this year as am a tad broke and maybe i'll be just as lucky with 1 as i was last year with 2 eh?!

Enjoy the pictures and watch this space for more Painting and Show News YAY.
Lauren

FB pimp and soon to come...

Btw the way if you would like to see recent work and "Like" my page its called Lauren E Hanrahan Painting on Facebook, here you can see latest pictures and updates as to what I have been up to! Email me otherwise if you would like to know any info!

Otherwise I went to see the Ai Weiwei commission at the Tate Modern along with Orozco's latest and wow, everyone should definetly go and see even though 9 pounds/5 concs is a bit steep it really is worth seeing. I have written reviews on both these artists/shows and shall be loading them up in the next couple of days!

Hope you all have lovely valentines and if you're not in a couple then its just as good to celebrate that your not tomorrow, think of all the money you save!!
Anyways ta ra for now peeps

Things Recently Done and Seen...

Well let's see, I have been drawing alot and still learning watercolour. Also did one big paper painting on my wall the other day which is quite good but needs developing. Otherwise yes if i don't do some canvas painting today I'm going to slap myself!! Anyone who reads this is also allowed slap me (NOT i repeat NOT on the face or bum though!)

In terms of what i've gone to see, havn't had time nor much money to see shows but i did go to see whats been happening in the Tate Modern recently and wow ROTHKO is gone from his room and instead been replaced by http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/CollectionDisplays?venueid=2&roomid=6416 yes Agnes Martin, whose colours and subtleness is nice but not as affecting and such a contrast to what was there previously. Besides that I reawakened my interest in artists Asger Jorn and Jean Dubuffet, whose colours are just SO great whenever i see their work i do almost need to paint in order to function. Seriously, if you don't know these artists you should!!!

Other artists in the collection who I hadn't come across were Vanessa Bell and Dieter Roth, again both very pleasing on the eye but not so much so that you'd like to dash to your studio or Photography Lab.

In other news i did go to Vyner street for First Thursdays http://www.firstthursdays.co.uk/ and have a fun time and also see some very interesting work in the Empire Gallery http://www.theempirelondon.com/gallery-hire/.
Work by Cristina Lobo and Sam Mead were really interesting and amazing space, which hopefully i could show in this year!

Nettie Horn, again great space but work not SO good however funny and unusual in material use. Other Than all that i havn't been seeing much though my list is still to see Orozco, Miro (in april), Welcome trusts latest show and finally RA's latest, though i missed the Glasgow boys which was apparently very good :(

Right well thats my post for this time.
I have to upload some new work on my site soon for you to see!
Cheers

Pictures from my Rag Factory Group Show....

Yeah it was a good show but i did kind of feel it was slightly unorganised and even tho 13 of my friends!! (Including bf of course) came i felt it could have been more of a success! But hey only 2 days and got 3 reviews so mustv'e done something right!

Otherwise i look forward to my next show in May which is 7 small pieces being displayed for charity for people to buy cheaply!
I should make some small watercolours and frame them soon just for some cafes or bars.
we shall see but yeah thats mostly whats been happening in the art side life of Lauren Hanrahan. Soon to be pimping myself out more via submissions and gallery visiting!
Here are some photos of the show including me and my work :)

woah havn't posted since 8.1.11!!

Sorry about that all but what with now being on jobseekers allowance, having a social life and generally settling into 2011 i havn't been able to get on here and rant about the latest shows i've been to! However I have been to see the Tate Modern recently and will give an indepth update of whats been changing there and SOON
i am to see orozco, the welcome trust AND the british sculpture show at the RA.
Also i shall soon be submitting some work to this years Summer show and i hope
you will all go see it/them when theyre accepted :P

hehe anyways rant soon!
x

Sorry havn't posted in a while...

beeen mucho busy since being home and am now officialy exhibiting at The Rag Factory near Bricklane, if you would like to see my work just find me on facebook or else my page is Lauren E Hanrahan Painting :)

Hope everyone had a good time over xmas and new years and i shall be updating now on a regular basis in regards to shows i've seen, work i've produced and hopefully shows of my own!
Take care for now
Lauren EH

Other News!

I have submitted my ideas for the show in Brick Lane come January and i hope
to be informing you that i will exhibiting some old BTEC pieces of mine and also
details and invites of people to come!

Otherwise next friday (3.12.2010) i will be off to Finland for 3 and a half weeks
to concentrate on some new work for galleries to see and perhaps sell in 2011!
During this time i will be focusing on my Woman as Object project and also avoiding
London Xmas madness, I will do a bit of updating whilst away otherwise don't hesitate
to contact me on l.e.hanrahan@gmail.com if you want any information on shows of things
i have written!

Cheers All and Hope you have a Merry Christ-o-mas (not too consumerist i hope!)
and a great New 2011! Here's to the next bunch of amazing and sometimes terrible
shows!

Turner Prize 2010 and Treasures of Budapest Review

Ok so im going to start on the Turner first as i have some clear ideas of what I saw within
the show and also my opinions of it. Then I will go onto the RA show as that was a much more
detailed exhibition full of various artists and depictions of Budapest in the 1800's-1900's.


This years Turner Prize seemed almost tranquil compared to previous years. With Susan Philipsz, Dexter Dalwood, Angela de la Cruz, and The Otolith Group, the artists were quite subtle in their ideas and exocution of them.


To be fair the prize has been extremely slated this year along with getting some praise by London newspapers. I myself found it at times boring but at the same time definetley different from what i had seen in the past. Yes its true you couldn't spend more than an hour in there but i did still find it worth seeing. I have my bets on Angela and The Otolith as their work was the more interactive and tactile. Whereas Dalwood and Philipsz was distant from the viewer/art goer/cultie?. 


Overall de la Cruz's was not her best work, as i saw one of her catalogues outside the show and wanted to see what was in their rather than the show. Using plastic, paint, Broken stretchers she makes "The Painting" a more dynamic in form rather than material/subject art and i really liked that she'd thought out of the box in terms of flatness and how a painting could hang off the wall. I definetley suggest people to follow her as she has a strong idea going on in that mind.


Also the Otolith group showed various videos and one massive projection for the viewer to be taken in by i suppose, the two artists collaborated well and i loved the darkness of the space after leaving Dalwood's highly colourful, bright paintings in the first room.


To finalise on Dalwood and Philipsz, they just didn't seem interested enough in winning this year. Their pieces were kind of slack and i didn't feel so involved with their work, which is a shame because i believe dalwood could be a very unusual painter and philipsz could be more weird with her sound installations.


SO Thats my view on that show and to follow the plan of now reviewing the Treasures of Budapest Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Art.....


Well where do i start! I really enjoyed the show with its history and collection mostly borrowed from the Hungry National Museum. 


Full of drawings, Paintings, Sculpture (old and new) it was certainly a marvel to see and i 
HIGHLY recommend that if you haven't seen this exhibit before christmas then you'd be missing out BIG TIME!


Yes it is slightly expensive but the pieces you get to see make the price all the worth it.
Normally i go into these shows expecting the flow to be a bit gammy and the timeline to be a bit confused but no these guys have it down to a T!


From the colours of the walls to the general layout of the work, the whole thing is really gorgeous to see. My only qualm would be is that i expected more modern work to be in the show rather than only 2-3 end rooms, but on the other hand some of the archived stuff feels modern and one might get a sense that the "old stuff" does feed into the modern with it's line, colour, subject and size. I mostly enjoyed the portraites but i would be lying if i didnt say some of the still lifes, sculpture and drawings weren't seriously beautiful along with some of the frames that depicted times of poverty and political turmoil.


Also seeing the history around the paintings was wonderful, there were some amazing Velasquez and Da Vinci's that you wouldn't have seen besides the Hungry National Museum lending their prized possessed collection to the RA. Anyway i can't really describe more to you as its more of an experience to see compared to just reading about it on blogs or newspaper articles.


Whether your kind of interested in art, totally interested in art or moresoe into history or travelling, this exhibit will feed your imagination in some way or other. GO BE INTOXICATED WITH COLOUR AND SUBJECT at this show and you won't regret it.


That's all Folks!
Lauren the Painter

Review of Gaugin Show at Tate Modern

Ok so here goes! This is the latest show i went to along with quite a few others this month but i will write about this one first as it is the freshest in my mind. I saw it yesterday and may i just type now, WOW alot of people want to this guy!

On first entrance there are self portraits which are quite interesting but slightly mundane you could say. The use of colour quite dark and the depictions of himself at various stages are a nice introduction to the show, but not neccessarily the best. I would have rathered seeing a mixture of portraits of himself and others.

Then you go into a mass collection of sculptures Gaugin used within his paintings along with some of the loveliest colours he ever used. Definetley the 2nd room was lurring you into what then became about 5-6 more rooms with various drawings, sculpture and paintings. Amongst my favourite were his woodcuts and general doodles supporting the final work.

Up close and personal the tahitian girls were very beautiful but i expected more sordidness almost and then of course there were some really fantastic landscapes that i urge people to see. So yeah for £13.50 you sure do get a show, however i did feel at times the exhibition to be a bit too packed with not enough space surrounding the works and also alot of text around the place.


As usual Tate definetley makes it work for them and the general exhibition goer but from a painters point of view, i could easily see it a couple times as it was just SO overwhelming in terms of what he'd produced and pictorally reacted to almost.

Lucky for me my boyriend is a volunteer there and so we got in for free! Which is a great plus in this expensive day and age and when cameron is taking away from from the arts every which way! Last but not least the little booklet for the show contains NO PICTURES! which i find very cheap and thus forces us to either buy postcards (75p each!) or else the catalogue at £19.99 (paperback) Special Exhibition Price or £34.99 (hardback).

For more details on the show go to the Tate Website!
Happy Viewing!
Lauren