Behind the Art – Second in the Series of Joanna Gilbert’s Art Stories

Part 2 -What Came Next

May 2010

This is the second in Joanna's series of blog posts talking about the inspiration behind the art.


This is called “NObama”! When Obama was voted in as president of the USA, I decided to paint him as part of the celebration of a new era. Like many, I was inspired by his charisma, his speeches and his personality. Like many I hoped that he could help us through the troubles of 2009.

NObama - by Joanna Gilbert

I had originally called the piece “Obama Rocks” but when I released my show reel there was such an outcry against him that I gave it a new title.

Now, several months into his presidency, his speeches, his charisma and our hopes have all changed.

“Magic & Sparkle” was a commission developed to celebrate the proposed (now approved) flagship M&S development in Cheshire Oaks.

Magic & Sparkle - by Joanna Gilbert

This will be the company’s biggest store outside London and is being described as the ‘Marble Arch of the North’. Work on the 150,000 sq ft store, which includes a 950-space car park, begins early next year and is due to open in spring, 2012. This was an exciting project for me for one of the UK’s leading names in retail.


“B&Q – New Malden” was a commission for the giant DIY brand in celebration of its most energy efficient store, featuring the largest wind turbine yet installed on a building in the UK.

B & Q New Malden - by Joanna Gilbert

The DIY chain said the 159,000 square foot store in New Malden, South London, would emit 50 per cent less carbon emissions compared with a traditional store of similar size. It will also stock the largest range of green products under B&Q’s One Planet Home brand.


“Painting Peace” is very close to my heart. I get so frustrated about the one sided anti Israel propaganda, saying Israel fired missiles here, and killed Palestinians there, without explaining the whole story. Because we only hear what the news want us to hear, I hoped that my painting would send a message that every day the Israeli soldiers, who fight to protect Israel, pray for peace.

Painting Peace - by Joanna Gilbert

This painting was sold on eBay. I decided to use the concept to create a charity auction, with all proceeds being donated to UK Friends of AWIS (The Association of the Welfare of Israeli Soldiers). The piece has received a lot of positive attention and many have been very moved by the idea of young boy soldiers praying in full uniform at this holy site.

For your own original art work by Joanna Gilbert contact her here: info@joannagilbert.com

Art Star Joanna Gilbert and Halo Records are in tune for new Album release this Summer

Art and music are inextricably linked. Both are expressions of more than the surface and both are about evoking feeling from the viewer or the listener. London contemporary artist Joanna Gilbert, is using this link to her advantage with a new project from Halo Records. She has been invited to provide the art design for a CD single and the video for, ‘Hellmand’, the debut single from new album ‘Paradox’.

Paradox is co-written by producer and writer Mike Karl and Tally Spencer, former lead singer of JYNXT, who are the offspring of Fleetwood Mac’s Jeremy Spencer. Mike has returned to song writing after many years and is looking forward to working with emerging talents. Previously Mike has worked with the likes of Dr Hook, Spooky Tooth, Camel and Don Everly. Halo Management with its production arm (Aries) was created to represent and progress bands to higher levels through effective producing, promoting, gigging, obtaining recording contracts and marketing and giving small independents a place to distribute and promote their work.

Mike was very impressed with Joanna’s recent work, ‘Painting Peace’ and felt that her art style would be well suited the messages conveyed by the tracks on ‘Paradox’. Mike has watched Joanna’s talent grow from strength to strength as she becomes a noticeable voice in the art world and is very excited by the possibilities of working with an up and coming art star, to promote the messages of a new album. He believes in the ‘true spirit of music’ and Joanna’s art expresses that spirit.

‘Paradox’ will be released in Summer 2010, and will coincide with Joanna Gilbert’s NOW! Exhibition; a perfect mixture of art and music collaboration and creativity. Joanna is looking forward to exhibiting a varied and emotive collection where there will be subject matter to suit everyone. She has recently reworked her abstract ideas, and fallen in love again with the use of colour and texture, as well as developing her pop art masterpiece range. Her style lends itself to creating art which has widespread commercial and personal appeal and she is not afraid to experiment with controversial subject matter.

The album concept is very much in line with Joanna’s visual messaging and how what happens in the present shapes our futures.“My images are linked to what I feel strongly about. I have young children. I’m conscious of what affects us now, so this is where the inspiration is coming from for my paintings”.

Watching her at work, you can feel the creative energy she puts into every piece. Joanna’s recent success with ‘Painting Peace’ has led to her becoming a talent to look out for. Her style is unique and strong. Her ideas lead to striking but evocative images, yet the subject matter cannot help but make you think. This work has led her to connect very strongly with Israel and her roots as a Jewish artist.

Having the time to find the right images to get the NOW! Collection started has proven to be a challenge for Joanna. Ideally she would go to Israel and observe through artists eyes, photographing images of people and places for use as the basis of her collection. She has had to find other ways, since the demands of family life do not allow such freedom.

“I am a working mother, like many others. I have so many ideas to paint and also love asking my followers for inspiration, but I juggle children and family life with getting the ideas onto canvas”, she says.

A recent meeting with photographer, Maurice Selwyn, of Mydas Photography has meant she now has someone who can become her eyes while she creates the art. Maurice is one of London’s most experienced wedding, event and barmitzvah image creators. His talent is in producing images which are there forever; capturing a moment. As well as his renowned event photography, Maurice has many images he has captured of faces and places which translate perfectly into the kind of material Joanna is looking for.

The synergy between Joanna and Maurice has lead to collaboration in image production between expert photographer and emerging artistic talent. Joanna was captivated by Maurice’s images of father and sons, celebrations and people caught unaware of the camera and off guard. Maurice’s evocative images are to become the food for thought for Joanna’s developing collection and there will be bright future for the two, to include joint projects.

Ideas and creative energy, as well as commercial appeal are abundant for Joanna and she is looking to grow her collection for the future, but very much focus on now.

For your own work of art by Joanna Gilbert, email your enquiries to info@joannagilbert.com

Rising Contemporary Art Star Joanna Gilbert makes her Mark

22, February 2010

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/