Work life balance is what it’s all about. I don’t want to start any new year revolutions/resolutions this year. I just want to prepare for opportunities that may arise. Last year was a lot of development and I feel very comfortable with my painting style at the moment. It’s good to be ambitious and I aim to have a new painting completed each week. From stretching the canvas to putting the finishing touches on it and posting online. I aim to collaborate with different artists and pester venues for exhibitions. Happy 2022
The year of the covid
Well it has almost been a year since the global Pandemic and we still don’t know if we can get it under control. As humans we are smart to adapt. I have learned that even very smart people can make poor decisions. Modern day superstitions have resulted in bargaining with the truth about vaccinations and masks. I was surprised at how people can find ways to turn against each other when we are comfronted by a common enemy. All that aside I have noticed that a lot of creatives can cope quite well with time on their hands. The one thing that is missing is the inspiration that comes from travel. For me, inspiration is whimsical. Persistancy is more important for being productive but inspiration is an important ingredient. Normally when I travel i’m really motivated to paint when I get back. My head is full of fresh ideas which might not last long but it is a good feeling. When you can not go anywhere your world shrinks. I have been walking down streets I have never been down before. Focusing on architecture I have never noticed before. Studying colours and how they change with light. I’m hoping that when we get to travel abroad again that it will blow my mind again.
Valentines
Well it’s the day after valentines day and I have made my first sale in 3 months. Off to Spain for a few days to get some better weather. My painting has taken on a new style or rather more imbedded on the style I have been working towards. I have managed to do one painting per week and have been keeping an eye out for competitions to apply for. Especially free competitions. People wonder why artists are poor. Not only do you have to pay to enter most competitions you sometimes have to pay for delivery and then give a commission if it sells. There has to be another way. One good thing about entering competitions is that you are getting yourself out there and noticed. If you consistently apply the coordinators and panel of judges “might” notice your work after a while.
Keep positive, persistent and faithful and keeps working on it. You gotta love it and I trully do.
2020
It’s hard to believe back to the future and blade runner are set in the past. Christmas is a long holiday and January and February can be financially difficult for some. I hadn’t done a lot of painting in December 19 but I actually really enjoy painting in January. It’s a month with not a lot going on so a good time to get stuck into some new work.
I have decided to do a series of paintings a little bit bigger and on fine canvas rather than board. I will be doing open studios this year in my house. Working towards open studios I will have lots of new paintings. As a new years resolution I plan to paint one painting per week so let’s see how that goes. If you follow me on social media you will notice one painting being posted each week. I love to get feedback on my work too.
Five Degrees of Abstraction
Exhibition at The Ploy in Falmouth August 2019.
I have collaborated with Artists Suzanna Haynes and Edmond Griffith Jones for this group exhibition. The idea for the title is the location of Falmouth and we decided that we all have some abstract paintings that would look good together. I have exhibited in the Poly two years prior with Edmond and Tommie Newlands, Tommie has unfortunately passed away since and we showed some of his pottery this year in loving memory of him. We had a great turn out for the opening night and the exhibition ran for one week. Suzanna displayed some lovely abstract figurative and portraiture paintings created especially for the exhibition. Edmond had some great abstract landscape paintings and figurative drawings. I had a mix of fish paintings, surf art and abstract townscapes. Together our individual pieces where quite diverse in terms of subject matter but they tied together very well because of our shared love of multi colour. I would like to thank everyone who bought prints and paintings which contributes to making these exhibitions possible and supports us to continue creating art.
Surfshop Exhibiting Freeriders
Massive thanks to Kieth at freeriders for putting on the exhibition last Thursday. It will be running for at least a month. Had a great opening night with friends and guests. Wine and music. Makes all those hours spent in the studio more worthwhile. Great to get some feedback. I choose mostly surf/sea related paintings. I was surprised that each person I spoke to liked different types of paintings. You can never really tell what people like. I was happy to make a sale too. If you are passing through Falmouth or living there its worth a look. Its upstairs in freeriders surf shop on the moor next to the Tattoo studio.
The next Exhibition will be in The Polly in August. Until then I will be painting and am available for commissions.
Upcoming exhibition
Exactly 1 month from today I will be exhibiting in Freeriders surfshop in falmouth.
17-18 Kelligrew St, Falmouth TR11 3PN
The shop has reopened recently and the upstairs is kitted out for art, exhibitions, yoga, juice bar, tattoos, talks and movie nights.
It will start at 7pm with drinks and music. I will have my paintings and prints on display and it will be open to everyone, probably finish up around 9.
Winter/New Year
Brighter for slightly longer but I feel this time of year drags out longer than it should. The only thing to do is plough through it if you cant get a trip away.
Having completed a few commissions I plan to focus my attention on creating new paintings and approaching galleries. I would like to have another exhibition in March or April too so please subscribe on my website for invites.
One good thing about winter in the northern hemisphere is Low Pressure! Lots of swell and more surf. When the evening's get longer its my favourite time of the year for surfing. The cold makes it more difficult but its always worth getting into the water. Not only for surf but to get some light into your eyes is very healthy.
Thanks for the commissions. I have been painting small scenes of swanpool to large waves. I like the challenge of doing commissions and have had some very positive feedback from people. Without this I could not afford to have a studio. Sooo greatfull.
Stay positive and be nice to each other.
Oman October 18
Wao, what a trip. I went out to stay with a friend and do a Comissioned artwork on the outside wall at his house. Their Beautiful house in Muscat has a pool in the back yard and the plan was to do a large wave painting on either a wooden panel or a sheet of aluminium which could be attached to the wall.
some complications included paint that could withstand extreme heat and transporting the piece of they decided to move to another country.
after arriving and going for a surf in the middle East we discussed the options. It worked out easier doing a few small paintings indoors. Even though it was winter it was 38°C during the day.
I spent two weeks there and you can find the three little paintings I done in my Comissioned Artwork page.
From North to South
From North to South
Artists Statement for exhibition in Espressini cafe. Falmouth
Ben King is an Irish artist who has moved from Donegal in the North west of Ireland to Cornwall in 2016.
Taking inspiration from my surroundings I work mostly from photos. I have photos from surf photographer Ed West whom I met in the water at Porthleven. Ed gave me permission to paint from his photos. I collect images constantly from everywhere. When drawing before painting I change things about to play with the perspective, I add some imagination into it too. I have worked in different styles of painting over the past few years my main inspiration comes from seascapes and townscapes. I spend most of my time in these environments. I have been surfing for 14 years and water has always been a motivation in my art. I am interested in the therapeutic values of water. Getting into the sea provides the means to get outside of our daily routines and allows our brain to reset. The ocean promotes physiological and psychological changes spanning health and wellness, awe and wonder, creativity and play, and happiness and relaxation.
My material of choice is acrylics on board. If I’m painting big scale I use canvas but I don’t like the bounce of canvas to be honest. I like the fact that acrylics dry quickly so I can work quickly. I also like that they are water based and solvent free. High pigmented paint mixed with gloss medium gives a great effect.
I have graduated in 2010 in Belfast. Since then I have travelled a lot. I have worked as a technician, done admin work and theatrical street spectacles internationally. I have dabbled with many different art forms including music but always return to painting. Please get in contact if you would like a commission.
Past Exhibitions
A SLICE OF LIFE
Thu, Aug 30, 2018
A group Exhibition in The Saracens Plate, Penryn Cornwall. This is a collaboration of Local Artists and the launch of the first Exhibition for The Saracens Plate.
OPEN HOUSE
13TH July 2018, resident artists open studio exhibition at the Old Bakery Studios, Truro.
Mon, Feb 12. This was Part of a group exhibition in The Poly Falmouth, Cornwall.
www.benkingart.com kingbenking@outlook.com Studio – Old Bakery Truro
Tel. no 07526919311
Old Bakery Studios
I have started renting a studio space in Truro called The Old Bakery Studios just beside BBC radio Cornwall. Great set-up. Lots of activity going on in this multi-storey building with Artists, Designers, live music and events. Excited to be a part of this. Really friendly people working in the building and super helpful, Im very grateful that I have discovered this place.
I have a studio on the bottom floor with plenty of space to get creative and start working on paintings and framing.
Shop
I tried to open a shop in Falmouth. All sounded good with the letting agents but when I contacted the landlord there were more fees than I thought.
I was planning to have a studio/gallery. My goal is to have a studio/gallery/house were I can live, paint and sell from a base. Will have to keep looking and save money towards it. Let hope the summer brings me luck:)
I love when the clocks go forward, more light and time to surf
Surf Art, water and waves. Thats what I love to paint. Im really happy with the paintings I'm working on at the moment. I seem to work on four paintings at a time. I will be posting paintings of waves very soon. Still waiting on photos to finish commissions
Plans for Spring 2018
Its been a long winter and time to crack on with the New Year. Its March now and I have had a few commissions which were fun to do and a learning curve for me. My painting has so many different styles and I am quite confidant that I can paint to most requests. It normally starts out with an idea/conversation then an exchange of photos and examples from my paintings or other artists. I then take a deposit, paint and keep the customer updated and work out how long it will take me. I charge based on time and materials making art affordable.
I have decided to auction off some old paintings for very cheap once a month. I will be posing that on Facebook. Going to set up an etsy page too.
Since the exhibition at the Poly I have selected some paintings to exhibit in the Full Bloom Tea Room in Falmouth and Im bringing the others to The Curious Art Market in Falmouth today. Im currently working on three portraits of children and helping a friend design a logo. Will be popping back to Ireland for St. Patricks day and hope to get a surf and some inspiration. I want to paint more surf-art in the coming months.