Colours of Intent

A New Abstract Painting 'Entwined in the Forest 2'

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:41:00 +0000

Here I am with one of the artists New Abstract Paintings 'Entwined in the Forest 2' …. the latest abstract painting is an oil and mixed media on canvas 50 x 40 inches.

I thought that you might also like to see some close-up photos of this abstract artwork that will also illustrate the texture which adds to the visual appeal that these abstract paintings have to offer everyone.

the Artists Mark Johansen (MJo-art) along with his latest new abstract painting Entwined in the Forest 2

Close-up photo revealing some of the fabulous texture
these new paintings have to offer

New painting details the complex lines and vibrant
colour and textures

For me this Abstract Painting feels like all the Magic of the world squeezed into one place literally vibrating with energy and excitement while the bright colours, textures all contrast making the painting adding to the atmosphere and quality as though stepping through a door into warm buzzing electricity of a Nightclub heaving with movement, vitality and vigour and even the rich textured background

Like the other paintings in this series it is inspired by the feeling that both the people and the environment have become enmeshed as a singular form where all the elements and individual have become indistinguishable in their own right and yet are bound one to the other dancing within a forest are

Thank you for your comments I deeply appreciate your views as I realise that it take you valuable time to let me know what you think. If you would like to find out more about the artist visit my website or discover me on Facebook

Landslide Unique Abstract Painting

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 16:12:00 +0000

Landslide is just one of the Unique Abstract paintings that went on display for the first time a few days before christmas 2012... the show was a huge success with several paintings being sold and lots of really great people turning up for a fantastic evening of art and interaction...

All these special unique abstract paintings are all painted on specially prepared USB boards that create a fantastic textured surface that adds to the distinct nature of these paintings.

Landslide A Unique Abstract Painting
60 x 80 cm oil on a unusual surface

This Painting truly captures the the atmosphere of a clif-face eroded by the passing storm of reds and purples that filter down to the lower large area of this unique painting and attracts a huge amount of visual attention.

to find out more about the artist please visit the artists website or discover Mjo-art on Facebook

Thank you for contributing to this community I deeply appreciate your valuable time as I realise that all comments allow us to learn from our mistakes and build on our successes

MJo-art, A Contemporary Abstract Artists Paintings

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 23:36:00 +0000

Contemporary Abstract Artists Paintings create a stunning addition to any room or space. As a Modern artist I paint distinctive abstract art, but getting it seen and making the impact these Contemporary abstract Paintings can have is the challenge of all artists today the world over.

As Artist promoting my work is a fundamental part of generating interest in both myself and the artwork I produce. Video and slide shows presentations are a perfect way for Contemporary Artists like me to present Abstract Paintings in an easy and simple way that anyone can access through PC, Mobile or modern Tablets.

Shot Presentations and video like the one below can do more than just show of my abstract art to the world, video is also able offer insights and a rich diverse range of information to an ever growing audience in bite-sized chunks that can inform and attract attention across the world wide web.

Making and hosting Artists video's of Contemporary artwork is to day simple and channels like YouTube make it easy present dedicated videos to almost any subject like My YouTube Channel and then direct visitors to Facebook Pages or Web-Sties with ease

This shot video of my Contemporary Abstract Artists Paintings is one of the fun ways you could precent your Paintings or Artwork to the world so why not take a quick look and let me know just what you think I would love to know what I did well or could have done better.

Emerging British Abstract Artists New Exhibition

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 17:24:00 +0000

Contemporary Abstract Artist Mjo-art an Emerging British Artist has developed a reputation for Creating Stunning Abstract Paintings.

yet the Artist new Exhibition to be held this Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th of October between 10 and 4pm at Hylands House is a retrospective exhibition exploring the Emerging British Artists move towards Contemporary Abstraction.

This is the First Regular Exhibition organised by the Essex Artists Studios who are a small group of talented Essex artists working to promote the arts in Essex by inviting Emerging Essex Artist to present original art directly to the public at this prestigious public venue in the City of Chelmsford.

About the Essex Artist Mark Johansen

Mark Johansen was bourn in 1960 in Enfield, North London the elder of Identical twins, Mark has always struggled with Dyslexia, but Painting and Art have always been his passion. It is he say's "difficult to express yourself when you can't see the words, but Painting, Frees me, It has given me a voice of colour and energy".

After becoming a full-time artist in the late 1990's he was able to draw on a wealth of experiences, skills and talents both professional and personal as butcher, chef and single male parent that created the original abstract artist he is today.

MJo-art's reputation for creating dramatic colourful Abstract Paintings in Contemporary painting style that are visually stunning has over the last few years seen Mark Johansen develop as an Emerging British Abstract Artist.

for more information about MJo-art as an emerging british artist this exhibition organised by the Essex Artists visit and like Essex Artists Studios Facebook page.

A Painting in progress

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:35:00 +0000

A Painting in progress... is one of the study paintings exploring figures for a commission that I'm currently working towards which requires knowledge of an energy and passion that is perhaps outside of my understanding.

The painting half finished

just one of the rough sketches for this painting

This exploration has been enlightening and at times disturbing. The commission is for a lady's bedroom ( I think ) and focuses on a group of sexy figures that has an implied violence of passion rather than detail. ( click to find out more about this sexy figurative commission )

This Painting in progress is just one of the studies and crates a dark and foreboding atmosphere that I'm finding both fascinating and intriguing to paint the contrast between the lights and darks is startling as is the contrasts of angular hard edge lines and soft flowing curves that both seam to work within this distorted if sexy painting that implies all the vigorous passion and energy conveyed in a single half seen nude.

Admittedly I still have a way to go with this painting but the need to retain the rough and ready feel that has developed throughout the drawings and process of applying the paint.

This painting like the other three painting exploring this subject from very differing styles and approaches are makings the whole process absorbing for me as an artist.

Girl with pearls uses Picasso style thick black lines amid bright impasto paint, Five figures explores lines and colours in a different way while Thrown Down is a volatile mixed media painting that brings together subtlety and raw energy to find out more about these figurative study paintings just follow the links below.

Interested in seeing more Modern or abstract paintings by the artist visit www.mjo-art.com for a unique collection of fantastic and diverse paintings as well as lots of articles and much more besides.

Thrown Down... ( http://mjo-art.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/thrown-down-sexy-painting-study.html )
Five figures ( http://www.mjo-art.com/five_figures.html )
Girl with pearls... ( http://mjo-art.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/girl-with-pearls-fugitive-sexy-painting.html )

Thank you for contributing to this community I deeply appreciate your valuable time as I realise that all comments allow us to learn from our mistakes and build on our successes

Thrown Down a Sexy Painting Study

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:41:00 +0000

Thrown down is just one of the sexy painting studies exploring a commission I reluctantly took on a few months ago and although i have written about this intended painting before ( click here to read ) I have struggled to grasp the subject matter as it is so alien to my personality.

Thrown Down

Mixed-media, acrylic, oil pastel, charcoal

and graphite 60 x 50 cm's, unframed

Normally I don't do commissions, yet this one offered the freedom to paint what I wanted without a time frame, all I was asked to do was paint a sexy group of male and female nudes.

The Other paintings done as studies for this commission like girl with pearls, Five figures (view this painting on website) and the 'A Painting in progress' that I'm currently working on have all helped develop a different atmosphere in each painting which is cool.

The problem was not so much the subject just the style of painting that could capture the energy and violence that such a subject required. Normally I might have headed towards softly blended colours that create a harmony of tone and contrasts.

However after chatting with her I realised that although detail is of no value the implied passion and violence of the moment was vital to the overall effect she was looking for.

Thrown down is an almost violent and powerful painting with sex at its core. The hard dark lines outline the physical process of the figure being cast down, within the painting several outlines can be made out of the twisting form as she is thrown to the floor....

The patches of bright colour add to the power of the image and even the face has sublime and resigned expression of acceptance that is frighteningly passive and real that makes the whole painting both sexy, horrifying and beautiful fascinating.

As an individual I'm both repulsed and delighted with this sexy painting study that has taken me to areas of my consciousness that I have never really explored before the result has been a liberating artistic voyage of discovery and freedom.

For more Modern or abstract paintings by the artist visit www.mjo-art.com for a unique collection of fantastic and diverse paintings as well as lots of articles and much more besides.

Thank you for contributing to this community I deeply appreciate your valuable time as I realise that all comments allow us to learn from our mistakes and build on our successes

What is Great Art?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:47:00 +0000

What is Great Art? we must define that first, before we can understand What makes great abstract art... lets be honest there’s a lot of paintings that are thinly disguised as art... patterns or paint effects that look good... But is that truly art?

Free Hand 2
For more info about this painting click

Painting and the act of Abstraction is an exploration of the human state. The ability of the Artists to be story tellers or poets to inspire the powerful stimulating visual impact that abstraction has. Artist create a vision through there eyes that anyone can relate to, in colour, line, shape and form.

Great Abstract Paintings creates and evoke strong reactions within us. They Remain Fresh, Vibrant and Relevant even over time and creates stimulating powerful visual impact and energy as a definition of what it is to be alive.

All Great art has timeless quality that retains relevance over the years that brings the story of the painting closer to us and our lives and makes us consider or even just react. Great art is all of these things and that little bit more...

This is just a snippet of the full article hosted on my website helping you to chose and buy Abstract paintings for your home or Office (click hear to read the full article) by understanding what is grate art you can better understand what makes abstract art great.

Click here for more great art articles....

Thank you for contributing to this community I deeply appreciate your valuable time as I realise that all comments allow us to learn from our mistakes and build on our successes

For artist, video is the fastest growing way to get found on the internet.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 11:23:00 +0000

For artist, video is the fastest growing way to get found on the internet. With millions of videos available to view Day or Night Online, Videos cannot be ignored by any business, or for that matter artist. Youtube is the most popular video sharing site on the net, The One Big thing I have noticed is artist and art gets relatively few views.... its not the quality of the videos and slideshows but rather that artist don't have time to promote what they do... We just get to caught up in making art and just don't find the value of other aspects of being an artist in the modern world.. I have to admit that I'm just as guilty of this as any artist.

Making videos and slide shows is not difficult. Today online video sharing sites and tool make it easy to produce simple films in just a few minutes as well as lots of promotional tools to go with it... It is after all in the interest of sharing sites like Youtube who make revenue from the advertising space available on such sites. Video is useful for far more than just showing off what you do... Today Social Sites like Facebook and such a like are desperate for a piece of the action and are actively seeking video content, in fact almost every where video content has become prime real-estate online.

For artist, video is the fastest growing way to get found on the internet. it dose not need to be difficult just take a look at the videos i have recently done with the basic tools on my Mac and be surprised just how easy it is to put together a video that helps you to be found online and your work to been seen hopefully by millions....

Still Not Sure Video is for You, or for those wanting a little more information or just a good place to start why not pop over and have a quick look at Youtube for Artist, part one an article from Artpromotivate ( a really good place for articles and information on promoting for artist ) that landed into my inbox today.

Thank you for contributing to this community I deeply appreciate your valuable time as I realise that all comments allow us to learn from our mistakes and build on our successes

A Simple Abstract Painting of Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:40:00 +0000

Painted in blues this subtle painting has a visual depth that seeks to explore how we see the world. Abstract painting allows anyone to find the Simplicity of beauty in colour field paintings.

I have added this abstract painting to my website (see this web page here) partly because as a painting it attracts a vast amount of interest, even from those individuals who have little interest in abstract art or painting.

Although colour field paintings are by the values of artists like mark Rothko or Numan, a pure and reductive abstract process this particular abstraction crates the feeling of an expansive landscape that holds a natural appeal that anyone one can appreciate and enjoy.

Colour field painting presents challenges to the abstract artist especially creating a large exspance of a shade or colour that still retains visual interest and excitement as this painting dose. The flat and very smooth application of the paint adds directly to the atmosphere that this colourfield painting offers the viewer.

As a landscape the subtle tones displayed in the large flat areas of blues that both hint towards the green and creates a comfortable visually stunning abstract painting that truly catches the interest of those who come into contact whit this stunning simple abstract painting.

Pleas feel free to contribute your comments. I deeply appreciate your valuable time as I realise that all comments allow us to learn and build on our successes

abstract painting

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 18:35:00 +0000

abstract painting, a photo by Mjo-art on Flickr.

this piece was inspired when I took down a shelf in the garage to clean it... The shelf was rotten but the surface was covered in grime and the rust marks from some old paint tins crating an interesting pattern and effects... I just had to get out my brushes and have a go... What do you think of this pleasing acrylic painting.

Acrylic paints on paper

Via Flickr:
Acrylic paint on paper painted as an exploration that I thoroughly enjoyed as an exercise in control and design

Visiting The Courtauld Gallery, London

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:35:00 +0000

The Courtauld Gallery

Being Out and about in London I sometimes find I have a spear hour or two to spend visiting a show or gallery, although this dose not seam to happen anywhere often enough, that said a few weeks ago I found just an opportunity to do just this.

We were meeting some friends in town but got to spend a while in The Courtauld Gallery which I have to say is always worth the time. Situated in Somerset House just off the Strand which in-itself is well worth the time and trouble of visiting for the art and cafes that are housed there.

However I degrees, we popped into The Courtauld to see the temporary exhibition that was on at the time... PETER LELY: A LYRICAL VISION and THE DRAUGHTSMAN AND HIS COLLECTION Sir Peter Lely the often forgotten 17th century artist at the court of Charles II was brilliant and well worth the time.

Then a whistle stop tour of the collection of world famous art that spans from the early Renaissance to the 20th century with a particularly fantastic impressionist collection that includes some very famous paintings by Cezanne, Van Gogh but for me seeing some of Kadinsy early works was brilliant too.

So if you get the time and happen to be around the Strand area of London I can highly recommend taking the time to check out Courtauld Gallery find them on your iPhone with this address

The Courtauld Gallery

Somerset House,

Strand, London

WC2R 0RN

www.courtauld.ac.uk/gallery

Girl with Pearls a Fugitive Sexy Painting

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:56:00 +0000

I don't normally do Commissions…. In-fact i try and avoid them like the plague. Lets be serious when someone asks for something in-particular, that means that already have an idea of what they won't and don't want and their always seams to be a time issue….

Its the one reason I avoid doing Commissions and yet when I was approached by a woman to paint something "Sexy for My bedroom" I knew exactly what she was looking for…

Girl with Pearls

80 x 80 cm oil on canvas painting

She had seen several paintings of figures i have done over the years and was very interested… We sat and chatted over coffee, very frankly about what she was looking for and how she wanted to feel and look…

I must admit I was initially resistant to the idea of doing a sexy painting for her bedroom and knowing her I doubted that it would be a private image…. She would show the painting to everyone…. and why not.

"I'm an Abstract Artist if you want portraits and such alike Im probably not the artist to ask" I challenged… She was having none of it and said or something along the lines of, "Ive seen what you paint and I like it. Your Paintings convey a feeling a sense of action it's not just figures i want to see its all the questions and possibilities that they will pose that interest me".

OK all I have to do is paint a group of figures having sex???? that are sexy, figurative, abstract and pose questions about what is happening? why? where? and even more no time limit …. What an interesting Challenge… what's is an artist to do..

This oil Painting is one of the trail pieces. a test so to speak, where I can explore different styles and approaches. I especially like the use of the wide black lines that surround the figure and the thick creamy green paint that created blocks and squares

Ok its not to everyones taste, but that makes the world an interesting place…The Other paintings completed as studies for this commission so far are Five figures (hosted on website) explores liens and colours in a different way while Thrown Down is a volatile mixed media painting that brings together subtlety and raw energy and A Painting in progress which i'm currently still working on at the moment.

See more Modern or abstract paintings by the artist visit www.mjo-art.com for a unique collection of fantastic and diverse paintings as well as lots of articles and much more besides.

Thank you for contributing to this community I deeply appreciate your valuable time as I realise that all comments allow us to learn from our mistakes and build on our successes

Painting Three Acrylic Studies

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 18:24:00 +0000

These Three Acrylic Studies painted as working study for a larger painting to be completed in oils on a large canvas that was lying around is one way to focus the mind and sort out those little problems of composition and colour.

It not that I normally intend to frame and sell such studies but the effect of the three acrylic studies paintings looked fantastic as a set, Each original acrylic painting are about 30 x 40 cm and priced at £65 each, although I would happily sell all three for £150 which would make a vibrant and warm set of paintings that would compliment any home.

Working Study 1

Working Study 2

Working Study 3

One of the main reasons for using acrylics Paints is the fast drying times allowing any artist to turn out a number of test pieces in paint that consider tone and proportions, although often transferring such an image onto a larger canvas can alter the overall painting considerably.

In this case the Canvas measures 100 x 120 cm which is about as large as I cam manage in my studio at Hylands House. I have prepared the Painting with a thick and textured layer of Acrylic colour and allowed this to dry throughly, creating a fantastic surface that should shine through the finished painting.

Acrylic Studies have a valid and important part to play in the process of painting and perhaps all three of these dramatic and visually pleasing acrylic paintings have been very useful in making the larger piece more successful as an original painting.

Thank you for contributing to this community I deeply appreciate your valuable time as I realise that all comments allow us to learn from our mistakes and build on our successes.

Art Show Grand Opening

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:31:00 +0000

Add this date to your Diary Now….

12 totally Unique and Individual Abstract Paintings using the exclusive method developed by the Artist on specially prepared USB boards, creating fabulous texture.

Grand Opening

21st December 7pm and 9pm…

Art Show Open to The Public

Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd

from 10am onwards...

Hylands House Visitors Centre

Chelmsford.

Essex, UK, CM2 8QW

A unique painting method

Painted in vibrant Oil's on a specially prepared USB board. This unique painting method uses specially prepared USB board creates a textured and cracked surface which produces a fascinating surface to work on.

This New painting Process Developed over years of trial and error by the artist Mark Johansen has perfected a unique method of preparing an unusual surface on which to paint these fantastic abstract paintings.

By carefully Controlling the process of preparation Mark has created a painting surface that is highly absorbent and potently fragile, this however is Half the Charm of these unique Paintings, It take a good deal of Practice and Skill to get the detail and texture just right which is paramount for these Unique Abstract Paintings.

With different applications methods and approaches creates the fine cracks makes a crackle type finish or even smooth finish, if desired. In places he has even removed pieces of the boards itself and placed them in other arrears in the paintings adding to the Unique Character these Abstract Paintings have to offer any art lover.

The process of Painting in oil paints and varnish is equally important as it helps stabilise the surface and yet if applied with great care still leaves the surface cracks visible if desired, that make these Characteristic Abstract paintings feel delicate and yet beautifully absorbing.

Thank you for contributing to this community I deeply appreciate your valuable time as I realise that all comments allow us to learn from our mistakes and build on our successes

Artists Website Starting From Scratch.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 13:43:00 +0000

Artists Website Starting From Scratch.

I set out to create an Artists Website that offers more than just the average and Starting again from Scratch seamed like the only way to make the website different from the normal artist offerings online.

As an Artist Just having a website is not enough. Most of the time spent is trying to promote what yourself as an artist and surprisingly little time is actually spent painting…. This ultimately this has led to a number of Changes of Directions needed to achieve this aspect of Marketing myself as an artist.

The Studio at Hylands House is just a starting point, being in front of the general public has dramatically altered some of my perceptions and I am constantly surprised and delighted by the reactions that the Paintings have on the average individual in the street, even if they would not normally understand or appreciate Abstract Paintings.

As an artist its Fantastic, I am Creating New Paintings that are Brilliant, Meeting New people and possibilities, Communicating with other artists, Growing in confidence, Selling Work and a whole lot more besides, but the hours Im committing to the studio comes at a cost. I have neglected Facebook, Blogs and even the Artists Website I have struggled with for so long.

Creating the new artist website has seamed to take for ever, especially when you're doing it in your spear time and along with all the trials and tribulations, problems of computers, Lost and corrupted files and suchlike it dose really feel like that. as much as anything the more i have learnt has led to changes in direction and starting from scratch for the new artist website

What is it that you want your website to do?

The first question any web designer must ask is what is it you want to achieve. Just like any website, The Website has to be interesting, simple and easy to navigate. Do you want Your Artist Website to :

Sell Paintings?
Promote and Show your Work?
Create a Buss and Interest in Art?
Capture Email and contact information?
Sign up to social networks?
Inform and educate?
Or something else?

It might be all or some of the above, but no mater what it is you want It is vital that a high volume of hits are required to achieve your goals. A website without visitors is pointless. Getting your website in front of enough people requires getting a balance of content, keywords and quality webpages that rank highly enough on Google is harder than it sounds, just throwing a few pages together online and hopping for the best just won't cut it.

Thankfully there is a lot of help and information available online, but it still requires a huge amount of investment in time and effort to create all the original content in a way that is simple and strait forward for even the average man in the street, to understand and Appreciate the Modern art I create. This process is finally getting to a point where I can truly say that I have crated a really useful and valuable artists website from scratch.

Every painting in the website has useful descriptions and explanations, there are helpful Art Articles and a Sketchbook page offering unique insights into art and painting, along with information about my role as a Resident artist, the studio at Hylands House, contact information and how to buy paintings and much more besides. I still have much to do but hopefully in the new year or by spring at the latest the website will be ready for launch fingers crossed.

Great Art in the Heart of Essex

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 08:55:00 +0000

A New and Exciting Art Event is taking place in the heart of Essex.... Artists, Exhibits, Live Displays and Activities offer fun day out for the whole family.

As an Artist and Painter of lively and colourful abstract paintings, being asked to take part in this fantastic new art event In Chelmsford was a brilliant and terrifying opportunity that I just could not miss.

Mona Marnell who is one of the Resident Artist at Hylands House in Essex has organised and planed this great new art event in the hart of Essex with Free entry and exhibitors from all over the county, showing artwork, paintings and much much more, along with live action painting displays and activities for all.

Art in the Park is being held on the 30th June at Hylands House Chelmsford CM2 8WQ, So why not come along for a day out and enjoy the great art in the heart if essex.

for more information you can contact Mona or call Hylands House directly

01245 605 500

email Mona mona@monamarnellglass.co.uk

Easy abstract paintings in acrylics

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 20:55:00 +0000

I spent a few moments today having a quick browse around google and came across a really interesting site about how to paint abstract paintings with acrylic paints in a variety of styles and methods...

Well worth a look if you are interested in abstract painting and exploring new and interesting ways to paint beautiful paintings that capture the imagination. There are lots of simple to follow video tutorials and much more besides that got into detail about tools and techniques that make it easy for any one to paint fantastic acrylic paintings.

abstractartoriginal.blogspot.co.uk

one small thing and the world is changed

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 23:37:00 +0000

Its seam a funny thing, you change one small thing and the next thing you know a whole world has in some small way altered. Perhaps it just a perception but sooner or later that feels like a reality even if it dose not become one over night.

My profile image on Google+

Ok so why all the fuss, well, I changed my profile picture on Google +, in part as a protest over a couple of bills that where going before congress concerning as I saw it the freedom of information and what I believed was some kind of censorship that was being allowed through the back door.

But you don't even live in the USA some said. True, but the internet don't know that, even if it gave a toss... The simple fact is as an artist my work is seen and interpreted by others based on their values and not mine, my reasons and ideals often mean nothing to someone else.

I knew at the time and had no doubt that my little protest would make any impact on the events of the time. I mean its just a small photo of me that I fiddled with, to almost black out my image. However as time has gone on I have looked again and again at the half seen image straining to see more... Which set me to wondering is that not how we normally see the world around us...

Do we as individuals and artists alike really take the time to look and see, or is just a collection of half seen images and fleeting glimpses that we take for granted and where we allow our brains to fill in the blanks, assuming that is that we even care about what we see based on the thousands of images that are thrust upon us every day through the media, advertising and the internet.

The simple fact is that few of us have the time to really look at the world as it rushes by. For me Facebook and Google+ are just a collection of images that might catch my eye from time to time drawing me to the headline that might, if its really lucky get me to look a little deeper and even read a few words on a good day, assuming I have the time... and the inclination.

The more that I have thought about the more that I have been playing with the images I see and have actually stated looking at the idea of painting those half seen images as though that are a reality...

Her argument devoid of reason

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 18:21:00 +0000

Her argument devoid of reason, a photo by Mjo-art on Flickr.

a new and expressive painting exploring my response to an interesting discussion with a girlfriend... as you can see it was a colourful conversation that left me confused and bewildered.

Although I don't normally react to events quite so dramatically in this particular instance I found refreshing and liberating to explore my feelings so vividly

It takes more than patterns to Paint abstractions

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:17:00 +0000

With rumours that Myspace might be sold off or close, OK. I have never been heavily in to myspace, however, I was surprised to find the last time I logged in, they have added a worthwhile blog via Wordpress and as a direct result I took full advantage of this by setting up, very much a personal blog for myself. Obviously a lot of what I write will be about art and painting, but also about the other aspects of my life. Like music, books, dance, bikes and places of interest. All of which make me who I am and glides my hand and thoughts.

Its just called Mark’s Space. That I will probably fill with odd notes, things I do, places I go, as well as thoughts as they spring to mind. The latest post I wrote, just to kick thing off is about my personal feeling to abstract art and well worth the read.
http://mjopainter.wordpress.com/2010/11/06/abstract-artwork-is-more-than-just-patterns/

Different by far, a painting that breaks the mould.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 14:38:00 +0000

The shape of things that are
80 X 65 cm, oil painted canvas,

Far removed from the normal style of simple abstract paintings and the minimalist lines or shapes that normally predominate in my work. This abstract painting is an expression confusion and frustration, using textures and colours that are very different, but also exciting and distinct. I truly feel that this painting breaks a mould and pushes the boundaries of my abstract artwork.

Despite being about disorder and frustrations. It has a calmness and ease that belie its subject. The green is vibrant and energetic bursting with life and in complete contradiction to the warm greys and reds. It is both fugitive and pastoral while holding firmly to the abstract.

For my self I cant quite decide if I like it as a painting. But the real value for me, was what I gained as and artist and painter from pushing beyond the fears and doubts that would have had me maintain, the status quo. How dose this abstract painting make you feel ?

Creative writing, one of the joys of being Dyslexic.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 13:52:00 +0000

I spend a lot of my time struggling with words, I write a lot of stuff that never gets seen. I write mostly offline, flitting between programs like “word” or “Office” because of the Thesaurus and Spellchecker. I back this up, by online reference on Google and I might at any one time, jumping from as many as 5 or 6 pages, just to produce a short column of readable text… Reading and rereading over and over again, until I think it makes some sort of coherent mass. But to others, it often seams to be just compete nonsense.

OK. The more that I write the better I become at it. But the more I write, the more new things I learn and have to incorporate in the gibberish, that my two finger typing skills allow. That’s what others tell me when they Proof read it. OK I rambled on a bit there and I spelt that word wrong. “But It made perfect sense to me” at the time, though I have to admit. I often don’t quite see the world the way others do… Oh the joys of being Dyslexic.

It feels to me, that over that last few week I have been writing and writing and getting nowhere fast. Just amassing vast amounts of unfinished work, or publishing stuff that no one is going to read.

It feels to me, that over that last few week I have been writing and writing and getting nowhere fast. Just amassing vast amounts of unfinished work, or publishing stuff that no one is going to read.

A 5 page article on simple web design as yet unpublished
50 to 60 content rich web pages for my new website as yet unpublished
A 9 page website for a clearance company published
2 articles about paintings as yet unpublished
2 press releases as yet unpublished
Content for a new blog from Myspace some published
Content for this blog and others as yet unpublished
Comments and critiques in places like “Flicker”, “Buzz”, “Facebook” and such alike published

On top of this I have cleaned and tidied up the studio (I do work in a mess at times). Re-photographed and catalogued all my paintings. Painted some fantastic new paintings that are braking new ground in art and insights. As well as the normal hectic family life, I attended a fantastic marketing seminar in London and have made trips to the British Museum and art galleries, all of which has given me a lot more to write about and consider.

Making online writing Simple
However good online writing is in essence. Draw them in with a Headline. Capture there imagination with a Summery and keep the content shot, to the point and snappy. It all sounds so simple, For Google content might be King. but for me, the reality is. That I really struggle with the Headline.

Today we all live in a sound bite world. Headlines dominate and content is dead. Every where we look, everything we hear, is a headline. Online and Offline. The newspapers, TV, even Twitter and Facebook are all about the sound bite…. What can you say in 120 characters? How much value can you condense into a few lines of text? Where has the big picture gone?

The Life of an artist

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:20:00 +0000

My life is like most artists (I think) is filled with huge emotional ups and downs. Being torn by success and the failures, frustrated by a seaming lack of control and self-belief. Today I feel modern artists and painters are blessed in many ways by the internet and the instant access this offers to the whole world of art. You can paint and within hours the image can be viewed on the other side of the world by an individual that you might never have meet and who might never have know about you. Wow the sheer power of that is in its self staggering and despite feeling that I am only a small part of this instantaneous world of communications I have a part to play which is of real value to me and I hope to others too.

Image then how I felt when the very tool I use to access the incredible frontier began to fail.. Slowing down, crashing, reducing my ability to get online. I did every thing I could to solve the problem but the virus had got deep into the system and refused to budge. When I finally got my PC back from the computer doctor, I was distressed to find that every program or application had to be removed to solve the problem. This computer is my life line, every word, image and file is stored on the hard drive and my deepest fear was that I would not be able to recover the valuable information on the hard drive.

Thankfully most of my work, images and file’s are saved but sadly not all, in some cases I must start again from scratch and the loss of months of hard work, planning and study is for me a personal disaster leaving me teetering at a emotional brink that I am only just starting to pull back from. I must apologise to all of you who follow me for the delay in making any post for the past few weeks and hope that your understanding and support will encourage and uplift me. Thank you for contributing to this community I deeply appreciate your valuable time as I realise that all comments allow us to learn from our mistakes and build on our successes

I have been busy but that's not an excuse

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:34:00 +0000

The last few weeks have just flown past and without even seaming to notice I just found that another week had gone by without even taking the time to check my e-mails or anything. I have so much work and material building up, but that is no excuse, not to have posted something on any of my blogs or social sites. Oh what a waste IU chide myself.... The simple fact is that if I don't do it, it just wont get done but that is one of the benefits or drawbacks of working for yourself. Its not the lack of motivation but rater the lack of TIME... I can make all sorts of things be that paintings drawings or money but I cant make a single second and that's the killer...

Just one week away from my desk and I can see the number of visitors drop on my sites. Oh shore, I might paint a lot, "but if no one is seeing what you paint, then whats the point" says a friend... Well In my mind its not about selling its about painting, but who am I kidding it's just a flip of the coin. On the one hand you cant sell without a product and on the other you cant sell without a customer. Which brings us back to Marketing or Selling ! more accurately which came first the chicken or the egg...

Anish Kapoor at the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (mima)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:47:00 +0000

I got the chance to spend some time at the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (mima) at the weekend just for an hour or so. Its always worth the visit even if its only to tee this fabulous modern building within the hart of the town.

Despite being told by a friend that the exhibition at the moment is not very good I was delighted to find several pieces by what I can only describe as my favorite sculptor Anish Kapoor that is coinciding with the launch of his new work Temenos. Which is is soon to be unveiled in Middlehaven, Middlesbrough.

I have over the years made a number of trips to this gallery and have to say that I have always enjoyed the time spent their and would highly recommend to anyone to make the effort to visit the institute of modern art in Middlesbrough as I know you will not be disappointed.

A big thank you to Temenos for leaving a valuable coment that we can all benifit from and a link to some pictures of the official launch of Temenos, pictures of Anish's art installation at Middlehaven.