Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Rising Contemporary Art Star Joanna Gilbert makes her Mark
Art must be in Joanna Gilbert’s blood. The Indian born British artist is making her mark in the contemporary art world. Joanna uses digital technology to create hand painted works of art which once seen, are never forgotten. Her inspiration comes from Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein as well as younger modern artists such as Kris Hardy. Her style, despite these influences, is very much her own.
Of Warhol she says” I love his work. I also take inspiration from Allison Leftcort – her work is very simple, yet edgy and she has lots of celebrity clients. I’m planning to follow in her footsteps.” Seeing and hearing her enthusiasm and determination, somehow you wouldn’t doubt it.
Joanna moved with her parents from India to leafy, suburban Kingston Upon Thames when she was two. Her schooling built character, since she was one of three Jewish children in her school and so she learned early to be individual and not part of the mainstream. Joanna then describes he move to North West London and this lead to her meeting the ‘man of her dreams’. Very much the modern working mother, Joanna balances her painting with looking after her two young children. As she puts it on her Twitter profile, she likes to juggle life around her painting. But it is art and painting that is in her soul.
Having gained a BA Hons degree in Retail Marketing at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2000, Joanna began her career in the commercial marketing of major brands such as Orange, Discovery Channel & Puma, working on everything from Point of Sale, Direct Marketing to Advertising.
After furthering her qualifications to include Graphic Design and Photography she began painting again in 2005, combining the simplicity of graphics with the personality of brushstrokes.
During her abstract phase, Joanna began experimenting with different collections of mixed media on canvas including the use of rich metallic’s, gold leaf and various mediums to create 3-Dimensional exciting, thought provoking pieces of art, which have been commissioned for both residential and commercial properties.
Gilbert then moved onto portraits in 2007 as the demand for requests grew. She states, “There are always going to be fine artists who can create paintings like they are photographs, I like to turn photographs into paintings and add a little pop!”
Her friend, Mike Maslen, encouraged Joanna to develop her talent. She says he has been her” friend, adviser and kick – starter” and inspired her to take the plunge into a full time contemporary art career.
It began with a painting for Mike’s daughter’s bedroom and turned into a commission for a major construction company and she has since gone from strength to strength.
Her work has included *Commercial commissions for:
Westfield Centre, London - House of Fraser flagship store which was opened by Sophie Ellis-Bextor in November 2009.
Marriotts Close, Witney - A £50m retail, leisure and residential project designed in association with West Oxfordshire District Council.
Kettering NHS Hospital Trust - Cardiac Catheterisation Procedures Unit.
Mike Ashley – Sports Retailer Tycoon who owns Sports World and Sports Direct.
B&Q New Malden – B&Q store incorporating renewable technologies including ground source heat pumps, rainwater harvesting, solar roof panels and a planted sedum roof.
Marks & Spencer, Cheshire Oaks - Flagship store developed by Simons in partnership with Marks & Spencer.
She has also undertaken private commissions, including work for Alan Rubenstein (MD for Jewish Chronicle) and Richard Ferrer (MD of Jewish News).
Most of Joanna’s work has come from word of mouth referral. Her most recent painting, entitled ‘Painting Peace’ depicts an Israeli Soldier praying by the Western Wall. It was a topical piece and very much about now. It is a very modern image with a strong message.
Each painting takes between ten to fifteen hours to paint and is worked from digitally enhanced photography. Joanna likes to work big and feels that the bigger the canvas the better for her. The images are strong and colourful and one cannot help but notice them.
The concept of this painting has led her to the idea for her new collection. Joanna is working on a collection about now. “I’m trying to reflect to the diversity of our lives now, in this generation in building a collection which will reflect what we think about what is happening now”.
The collection will go on show in September and will contain contemporary portraits of celebrities from now, as well as topical paintings reflecting to the diversity of our lives right now in this generation and where we are at.
Joanna’ s work makes a fantastic gift and each piece is unique. They make an ideal gift or addition to any room. If you email her a photo or an idea, she will work on concepts for you, no obligation
Email ideas to info@joannagilbert.com
For Joanna’s work online visit http://www.joannagilbert.com/
Contact:
Monique Lester
London Digital PR
http://www.londondigitalpr.com/
info@londondigitalpr.com
+44 7958 411653
Original Art for Original Interiors!
9 March 2010
After a really busy January, February seemed quite chilled in a ‘hands on brushes’ kinda way.
I created a concept for Duncan Bannantyne and James Caan which will be shown to them in mid March – so expect some pics of my paintings shortly.
I also attended a great Art Workshop held by an amazing artist called Pip Seymour who taught me about various techniques I can use on my paintings to add more texture and life.
Exhibition wise - I am showcasing some of my work at the SEED ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ supper quiz for around 300 people to see. http://www.seed.uk.net/event.php?id_evt=182 Seed are a charity that aims to enthuse and educate Jewish families. They really loved my artwork and have offered me the chance to show off some of my other pieces.
My flyers and promotional material needed a rework and after overcoming artist writers block (finally!) I created a concept that is so simple it really kicked me in the face and made me realise how I over complicate things.
It is VERY limiting not having a smart phone and I have driven myself and hubby and friends mad choosing which phone to go for. After much deliberation I decided yesterday on the Sony Ericsson Xperia x10,then I did a complete ‘Jo-turn’ today and am now eyeing up the Nexus One (thanks to Monique for the recommendation).
My life is Google, my mail is Google and I am all ‘G’d up for it. Bring on April!
The ‘NOW!’ concept is taking shape and there are lots of ideas pouring in from war scenes to dice symbolising the gamble we take with everyday life.
If you have any ideas on what NOW! means to you, let me know so I can paint it!
Send your ideas by email to info@joannagilbert.com
http://www.londondigitalpr.com/
http://www.joannagilbert.com/
I created a concept for Duncan Bannantyne and James Caan which will be shown to them in mid March – so expect some pics of my paintings shortly.
I also attended a great Art Workshop held by an amazing artist called Pip Seymour who taught me about various techniques I can use on my paintings to add more texture and life.
Exhibition wise - I am showcasing some of my work at the SEED ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ supper quiz for around 300 people to see. http://www.seed.uk.net/event.php?id_evt=182 Seed are a charity that aims to enthuse and educate Jewish families. They really loved my artwork and have offered me the chance to show off some of my other pieces.
My flyers and promotional material needed a rework and after overcoming artist writers block (finally!) I created a concept that is so simple it really kicked me in the face and made me realise how I over complicate things.
It is VERY limiting not having a smart phone and I have driven myself and hubby and friends mad choosing which phone to go for. After much deliberation I decided yesterday on the Sony Ericsson Xperia x10,then I did a complete ‘Jo-turn’ today and am now eyeing up the Nexus One (thanks to Monique for the recommendation).
My life is Google, my mail is Google and I am all ‘G’d up for it. Bring on April!
The ‘NOW!’ concept is taking shape and there are lots of ideas pouring in from war scenes to dice symbolising the gamble we take with everyday life.
If you have any ideas on what NOW! means to you, let me know so I can paint it!
Send your ideas by email to info@joannagilbert.com
http://www.londondigitalpr.com/
http://www.joannagilbert.com/
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