mike jackson, artist

Open studio - Dorset Art Weeks 2024, 25 May - 9 June

2024-05-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

Dorset Art Weeks 2024

I am looking forward to exhibiting in my seventh Dorset Art Weeks open studio.

I am venue 28. Open every day from 25 may to 9 June, 10.30am to 5.30pm.

I am showing lots of new paintings, plus a range of others. Greetings cards and prints also on sale.

Further details: dorsetartweeks.co.uk

Recent work

2023-10-21T09:26:00.001-07:00

Having recently exhibited at Sherborne, Leigh and Symondsbury, I thought it was time to share some of my 2023 work here!

Return to Art@Eype, 15-17 July

2022-07-10T11:40:00.003-07:00

I am delighted to be taking part in Art@Eype this coming weekend.

It is sure to be a rich and lively exhibition with a galaxy of talented local artists across a wide range of media including Sally Davies, Caroline Ireland, David Brooke, Russ Snedker and Andrea Jenkins.

Come and see us from Friday 15 July, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 July , 10am to 4pm at the Eype Centre for the Arts, St Peters Church, Mount Lane, Eype, Bridport, Dorset.

There are usually delicious cakes and snacks too. And beautiful views across the Dorset countryside and out to sea.

Dorset Art Weeks 2022

2022-05-12T16:00:00.002-07:00

I am taking part in this popular week of open studios across Dorset: 14 to 29 May 2022

I will be open every day here at Strangways House, Holywell, Dorset from 10.30am to 5.30pm.

I am Dorset Art Weeks Venue 4. Full details here: Mike Jackson, venue 4, Dorset Art Weeks

You can also download the Dorset Art Weeks App from Google Play and the App Store and view the full guide to Dorset Art Weeks 2022 here: Guides - Dorset Art Weeks, 14-29 May 2022

2022-04-24T14:01:00.001-07:00

Dorset Art Weeks 2022

I'd best get my skates on - less than 3 weeks before opening the studio for Dorset Art Weeks.

I am venue 4. Full details here: Mike Jackson, venue 4, Dorset Art Weeks

I am exhibiting 14 to 29 May, open 10.30am to 5.30pm every day.

You can also download the Dorset Art Weeks App from Google Play and the App Store and view the full guide to Dorset Art Weeks 2022 here: Guides - Dorset Art Weeks, 14-29 May 2022

Dorset Art Weeks 2021: Journeys across sea, land and time, with a jazz beat

2021-05-19T15:18:00.008-07:00

Swingtime

Dorset Art Weeks – the two week open-studio festival of Dorset artists – is back this week. And I am delighted to be taking part.

It’s been three years since the last Dorset Art Weeks, after last year’s was cancelled due to Covid.

I’ll be exhibiting a series of new paintings I created during the lockdown year. These include some of my brightest, most vibrant works celebrating big band jazz and a series of timescapes reflecting the patterns worn by time and the elements on stone.

I have also been evolving my abstract landscapes, with works inspired by the Dorset coast and field lines.

TimeScape #1

As well as original framed works, I also have a selection of prints and a wide range of greetings cards.

I look forward to welcoming visitors everyday 10.30am to 5pm, from Saturday 22 May to Sunday 6 June. Full details here, together with links to all the other amazing local artists:
Directory - Dorset Art Weeks, 22 May - 6 June 2021

You can also download the Dorset Art Weeks app, giving you interactive details of all the open studio events and exhibitions:

Evening Fields

Bridport and West Dorset Open Studios 2019

2019-08-25T09:40:00.001-07:00

The excellent Bridport and West Dorset Open Studios is on again this year, 7-15 September.

Once again I shall be taking part, contributing to the West Dorset contingent. Here at venue 18 we are north east of Bridport: a beautiful half hour drive from Bridport through the vales and downs around Melplash, Beaminster and Evershot.

Here is one of the new paintings I will be exhibiting: High Chalk Cliff.

I shall be showing abstract, landscape inspired paintings from Saturday 7 September to Sunday 15 September, 10.30am to 5pm every day. More details here: Bridport & West Dorset Open Studios

Bridport and West Dorset Open Studios

2018-08-19T05:38:00.001-07:00

I am very excited to be taking part in Bridport and West Dorset Open Studios. Bridport has a vibrant art scene and I am delighted to take part from here in deepest (north) West Dorset.

I shall be showing abstract, landscape inspired paintings here at Venue 9 from Saturday 8 September to Sunday 16 September, 10.30 to 5pm every day. More details here: Bridport & West Dorset Open Studios

There is also a taster exhibition at Bridport Arts Centre, on now until 1 September, where I and other artists are showing one work each created for the event: Bridport Arts Open Studios Taster Exhibition

Dorset Art Weeks 2018

2018-05-07T14:10:00.000-07:00

It's less than 3 weeks to go...

Dorset Art Weeks runs from Saturday 26 May through to Sunday 10 June.

I will be exhibiting a large number of new abstract and figurative paintings exploring the effect of the elements and light on the Dorset countryside and coastline.

As well as my paintings I will also be selling greetings cards.

You can come and view my works everyday over the fortnight, 10.30am-5pm, except Thursday 31 May and Friday 1^st June (when I will be having a rest!).

Click here for full details: Dorset Art Weeks Venue 14

South West Academy Open Exhibition

2016-09-11T07:10:00.002-07:00

The other week I was delighted and honored to learn that my painting 'Close Contact' (below) is one of the one hundred and fifty or so works selected by the scrutiny panel for this year's South West Academy Open Exhibition.

From Tuesday 13 September until Saturday 17 September, a selection of fabulous works by talented artist across the South West will be on show at Exeter Castle (Castle Street, Exeter, Devon).

Further details here: www.southwestacademy.org.uk

Dorset Art Weeks: from Saturday

2016-05-23T02:40:00.001-07:00

Final preparations are underway for this year's Dorset Art Weeks open studio. It all kicks off on Saturday 28 May and runs for two weeks through to Sunday 12 June.

I will be open every day here at Strangways House, Holywell, from 10.30am to 5.30pm, but closed for one day on Friday 3^rd June.

Full details here: Dorset Art Weeks 2016 venue 208

I will be showing lots of new paintings. Here a few previews of some of them as works in progress.

Dorset Art Weeks 2016 sneak preview

2016-04-24T12:21:00.001-07:00

I am looking forward to Dorset Art Weeks again this year: 28 May to 12 June 2016.

I'll be showing a series of new paintings. I am still working on them but I will be adding some sneak previews of work in progress. Here's the first one; no title yet!

I will be open every day here at Strangways House, Holywell, from 10.30am to 5.30pm, but closed for one day on Friday 3^rd June.

Full details here: Dorset Art Weeks 2016 venue 208

Bridport Open Studios

2015-08-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

From Saturday I will be exhibiting as part of Bridport Open Studios, with my great friends Billie Willcocks and Brian Cocks.

We are just outside Bridport at Chideock (on the way to or from Lyme Regis).

Pop in and see us! We are open every day 10am - 6pm from 22nd to 31st August.

Full details here:

http://www.bridportopenstudios.co.uk

Art@Eype 17 - 19 July: great artists, great food, great views

2015-07-11T05:11:00.000-07:00

Art@Eype

2015-06-13T15:59:00.003-07:00

I am very excited about next month's Art@Eype exhibition (17-19 July). This is always a special occasion. The venue is stunning, a church overlooking the sea and cliffs at Eype just outside Bridport in Dorset. Sally Davies always organises a great exhibition, bringing together a great bunch of Dorset artists. And the food at the pop-up cafe is always amazing. There is nothing better than a summer's day in Dorset, eating a delicious lunch or afternoon tea and chatting to a wonderful group of artists.

Full details here: Art@Eype Facebook

Abstract paintings for Somerset exhibition, 9 - 21 March

2015-02-22T07:12:00.001-08:00

Close one

As the days get longer and the spring bulbs start to appear, for the next couple for weeks I shall be working hard with Billie Willcocks and Brian Cocks to get everything ready for our three artist show at Ilminster Arts Centre, Somerset: www.themeetinghouse.org.uk

Cliffside quarry

I will be exhibiting new abstract paintings at this exhibition. I am finishing a number of them at the moment - am surrounded by nearly finished paintings in the studio! But here are 5 new paintings that are ready for Ilminster.

Autumn landscape

Landscape #1

Landscape #2

New Exhibitions for 2015

2015-01-02T11:00:00.000-08:00

I am looking forward to two exhibitions coming up this year. Both with good friends (and great artists) and in super arts centres.

In March I am exhibiting with Brian Cocks and Billie Willcocks in Ilminster. The three of us had great fun putting on our trio show at Symondsbury last year and are venturing across the Dorset border into Somerset.

In July I am joining a group of fantastic Bridport artists at the latest Art@Eype in the beautiful setting of Eype Church, just outside Bridport.

Full details below and on my exhibitions page. Now I need to get back to the studio to get working on new paintings for these shows.

Happy New Year!

"Three of a Kind": Brian Cocks, Mike Jackson and Billie Willcocks exhibition at

9 - 21 March 2015

ILMINSTER ARTS CENTRE

The Meeting House

East Street

Ilminster,

Somerset TA19 0AN

www.themeetinghouse.org.uk

Art@Eype

17-19 July 2015

Joint exhibition by Sally Davies, Elizabeth Paine, David Brooke, Caroline Ireland, Leonard Hollands & Mike Jackson

Eype Centre for the Arts,

St Peters Church

Eype

Dorset

DT6 6AL

www.eypechurcharts.co.uk/

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2014-12-23T04:01:00.003-08:00

January landscape

Many thanks to so many people for your support and appreciation this year. I look forward to seeing you in 2015 when I have a number of exhibitions in and around Dorset.

Have a great holiday,

Mike

South West Academy Open Exhibition 2014

2014-09-14T05:02:00.000-07:00

I am delighted to be exhibiting at the South West Academy Open Exhibition from Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 September. This is a prestigious exhibition and there was a record number of entries this year from artists across the South West, so I am extremely pleased that my painting Tidal Rush has been accepted for exhibit.

This is the 15th annual exhibition by the South West Academy and will feature over 200 exhibits and includes a Young Artist Award.

The exhibition takes place at St Stephen's Church, High Street, Exeter EX4 3LN and is open from 10am to 6pm daily from 23 to 27 September.

www.southwestacademy.org.uk

Tidal Rush, acrylic on canvass, 40cm x 80cm

Dorset Art Weeks 24 May - 8 June: sneak preview

2014-05-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

I am looking forward to the start of Dorset Art Weeks on Saturday, when I will be opening my studio to visitors for two weeks. I will be exhibiting a wide range of paintings including a number of new paintings I have just finished. Here is a sneak preview of two of them:

Reflections #1

Reflections #2

I have enjoyed working on larger canvasses for these - they are 80cm x 60cm.

If you'd like to visit me during Dorset Art Weeks you can find all the details here:

http://www.dorsetartweeks.co.uk/index.php/daw/venue/daw1827.html

I look forward to seeing you!

50 days to go before Dorset Art Weeks

2014-04-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

Dorset Art Weeks, one of the largest open studio events in the country starts in 50 days - on 24 May. I will be taking part, showing a wide range of paintings at my studio. Click here for details.

Dorset Art Weeks is a great opportunity to take a tour of artists across Dorset, with a fantastic range of local painting, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, jewellery, textiles and photography. It runs from 24 May to 8 June.

Working hard at the workhouse gallery

2013-09-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

It's been a hectic week of hard work as Billie, Colin and I (plus our tireless spouses) organised the Dimensions exhibition at the Workhouse Chapel gallery in Sturminster Newton. Between us we were doing carpentry, decorating, catering, leafleting and picture hanging.

It has all come together really well - we are all delighted with the results and our works really complement each other.

Workhouse Chapel Gallery, Sturminster Newton

We opened with a preview night last night for the many people who have supported us (and bought our work) over the years. It was a great evening and we made quite a few sales. I understand some people may be disappointed to hear that my Heatwave painting sold within the first hour; but we have plenty more paintings.

Today the exhibition opened at 10.30 with a steady stream of visitors despite the Dorset fog. Just finished the first full day - back again at 10.30 tomorrow morning and for the next 2 weeks.

@artmikejackson

Dimensions: Dorset artists show at Workhouse Gallery, Sturminster Newton, 21 September - 6 October 2013

2013-09-14T04:50:00.000-07:00

Here's our press notice for the opening of the Dimensions exhibition this week.

Sturminster Newton Workhouse Chapel celebrates its first art show with exhibition by three talented Dorset artists

The weekend of 21 September sees the inaugural art exhibition at a converted chapel in Sturminster Newton, with a show by three talented Dorset artists.

The Workhouse Chapel was opened last year as a studio and art space, following renovation. The three artists - Billie Willcocks, Colin Gosden and Mike Jackson - chose this as the ideal space to showcase new works. The two painters and one wood turner are influenced by the local landscape. In their show - "Dimensions, an exploration of form, space and colour" - they are unveiling a series of contemporary art works in paint and wood that represent new directions for them. The artists will be selling affordable art, greetings cards and limited edition prints.

Billie Willcocks, from Chideock, first lived in Dorset when her parents re-located from London. She studied at Yeovil Art School and Bath Teacher Training College, and has lived in a number of parts of Dorset including Wimborne. Billie is a mixed media painter using imaginative interpretation of her subject matter to convey strong emotional responses. Well known for her vibrant paintings of the Dorset coast, including West Bay, she is showing a series of colourful new works.

Mike Jackson grew up in Bournemouth and studied at Bournemouth College of Art. He worked for many years as a graphic designer and art director within the advertising industry before moving to Evershot in West Dorset to focus more on his painting. Last year Mike won the Stella and Trevor Jones Award for Contemporary Art at the Dorchester Art Club Open Exhibition. His work explores the effects of the elements and light on the Dorset countryside and coastline. He will be exhibiting a new series of bold abstract paintings, many of which are inspired by the Jurassic coast, particularly Kimmeridge.

L-R: Colin, Billie, Mike

Colin Gosden, from Yetminster, is a highly respected contemporary wood-turner, who has worked with wood for most of his life. Colin uses colour, texture and asymmetric form to create wooden pieces with visual and tactile interest which often explore feelings of movement and motion. He works mainly in home-grown hardwoods, creating form and texture by utilising naturally occurring ‘faults’ and degradation in the material.

The three creative talents met through Dorset Art Weeks, the bi-annual open house by local artists. Colin Gosden explained: 'the three of us became friends through Dorset Art Weeks. This inspired us to organise our own exhibition. Our work is all rooted in the Dorset landscape but with two different painters and my wood sculpture we have something to offer everyone."

Billie Willcocks said "we are all showing entirely new pieces which take our work in new directions. Organising our own exhibition has inspired us all to really stretch our creativity and develop new approaches."

Mike Jackson said the artists were delighted to be showing at the Workhouse Chapel in Sturminster Newton: “This is a great space, lovingly restored and the perfect setting for displaying art. Sturminster Newton is a pretty and bustling little town with some super cafes and pubs - so well worth a visit."

Workhouse Chapel, Sturminster Newton

The Workhouse Chapel is a beautiful Grade 2 listed building which has been lovingly renovated and extended as the studio of local felt-maker, Rose Hatcher. Rose is delighted to host the show: “I am thrilled that three such talented artists have chosen the Workhouse Chapel Gallery as the venue for their exhibition”. The chapel - also known as All Saints Chapel - was built in 1891 as part of Sturminster Newton's Union Workhouse. In more recent years Sturminster Newton Museum was based at the chapel until the council moved the museum to town centre premises in 2007. This is the first art exhibition at the Chapel Workhouse, and is sponsored by Robert Frith Optometrists.

"Dimensions, an exploration of form, space and colour", exhibiting art by Billie Willcocks, Colin Gosden and Mike Jackson, is at the Workhouse Chapel, Bath Road, Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 1DR.

Open daily 10.30am to 5pm, 21 September to 6 October.

Further information also available at: www.mikejacksonartist.com

Twitter: @ArtMikeJackson

The inspiration for my new paintings

2013-09-08T08:13:00.000-07:00

For my forthcoming exhibition with Billie Willcocks and Colin Gosden I am showing entirely new paintings. This is a very personal set of paintings for me. It brings me back to abstract forms. It marks an return to some of the themes of my earlier paintings. And it draws on the landscape and rock forms from which I have drawn strength and inspiration throughout my life.

The majority of these new paintings are a response to much earlier works based on the Jurassic coast and the Kimmeridge ledges in particular.

High Ground, acrylic on canvas, 50x50cm

This all started over 40 years ago when exploring the diverse landscape of Dorset with its’ weathered and worn chalk hills, limestone ranges, ragged coastline and windswept heathland.

I have attempted to combine the elements of textures, forms and colours within the varied surfaces. Although the development of the work is deliberate to a degree, alterations, stress-marks and re-working result in a composition that cannot be entirely predetermined.

Kimmeridge Ledge, acrylic on canvas 50x50cm

As well as daily reveals of the new paintings on twitter (@ArtMikeJackson) you can also see the new paintings on the new website page (Dimensions Gallery) and on pinterest (mikejacksonart).

Surface Variations, acrylic on canvas, 50x50cm

New Paintings, New Exhibition

2013-09-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

It is less than three weeks to go before the opening of 'Dimensions', a 2 week exhibition with fellow Dorset artists Billie Willcocks and Colin Gosden.

Billie, Colin and I are having great fun working together. We are all showing new work. I have finished most of my new paintings - but still working on a few of them!

Over the next week I'll be unveiling a new painting from the exhibition each day on twitter:

@ArtMikeJackson