Newsletter Issue #49: Exhibition Extended! 🤩

Our Newsletter: Issue #49

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

Last week saw the incredibly successful opening of the exhibition "Awakening: The Journey to the 5th Dimension", in which I had the privilege of showing 6 of my works.

I'd like to extend some big thank yous to everyone that took the time to visit.
I'm feeling incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to chat with so many of you.

If you haven't yet had the chance to see the exhibition, there's still time to go!

In fact, the exhibition has been extended to the 20th of December due to popular demand, which in itself is just amazing. 

A small selection of pics from the opening night below, along with a photo revealing my newest painting which I finished exactly two days before the exhibition opened! 

Awakening: The Journey to the 5th Dimension
A group exhibition curated by Erica Bergsmeds

Featuring works by:
 Nettie Wakefield, Arietta Chandris, Lydia Smith, Jenny Walker, Roza Horowitz, Evie Mae Jacobs & Erica Bergsmeds

23 November - 20 December
at
Ice Health Cryotherapy,  237 Kensington High Street, London,  W8 6SA

Opening hours:
Monday-Friday 9:30am - 7pm
Saturday 9:30am - 4pm

The Choice, 2023
Oil on canvas
100x90cm
(To enquire please reply to this email)

I'll be sharing more about The Choice in our next newsletter issue.

Until then,
if you get to the show please let me know as I'd love to hear your feedback!

And, as always, if any of my pieces strike your fancy please don't hesitate to ask about them by replying to this email.

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #48: Sneak peek 👀 + exhibition reminder

Our Newsletter: Issue #48

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

This is, of course, a quick newsletter to remind you about my exhibition opening next Thursday!
Full details below.

However, I’d also like to take the opportunity to share with you the sketch of a painting I'm working on at the moment, and pose the question…
Will I be able to finish this in time for the exhibition?

Take your bets and let me know if you think I can do it when you reply to RSVP for the exhibition opening!

Please RSVP by replying to this email

“Awakening: The Journey to the 5th Dimension” is a group exhibition curated by renowned photographer Erica Bergsmeds. Bringing together a selection of works by 7 artists, the exhibition explores a compelling narrative of evolution: from darkness to light, a symbolic door opening to a new reality. 

In a spiritual context, the 5th Dimension is a place of unconditional love, enlightenment, compassion and the transformational ability of being able to let go of the things that hold us back. As such, in the context of the exhibition, awakening from darkness represents a metaphorical and spiritual transition both on a personal and collective scale. Each artwork contributes toward this narrative by exploring a collective shedding of the shadows that weigh down our spirits, whether in the form of negative habits, limiting beliefs, or societal burdens.  

Promising a diverse range of artistic expressions, the exhibition showcases works in oil, pencil and sculpture and invites the audience to embark on a profound journey of transformation.

A rare little glimpse into my sketchbook. This is the sketch of the painting I'm currently working on. I'm very excited to share this one soon (hopefully in person for the first time at the exhibition opening!).

Hope to see you there!

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

p.s. A quick note that in the run up to the exhibition you'll receive more newsletters from me than usual as I send out reminders and any further info.

Newsletter Issue #47: Exhibition Opening Invite 💌

Our Newsletter: Issue #47

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

Please accept this as your invitation to the opening night of an upcoming group show which will feature a few of my pieces. 

Exhibition Info

"Awakening: The Journey to the 5th Dimension"
Group Exhibition curated by Erica Bergsmeds
23 November 2023 - 14 December 2023

Featured Artists:
 Nettie Wakefield, Arietta Chandris, Lydia Smith, Jennie Walker, Roza Horowitz, Evie Jacobs and Erica Bergsmeds

Opening:
Thursday 23 November 2023 6-9pm
Address:
Ice Health Cryo, 237 High Street Kensington, London, W8 6SA

Please RSVP by replying to this email

Pursuit of Perfection: A Fool's Errand, 2023
Oil on canvas
122x152cm

“Awakening: The Journey to the 5th Dimension” is a group exhibition curated by renowned photographer Erica Bergsmeds. Bringing together a selection of works by 7 artists, the exhibition explores a compelling narrative of evolution: from darkness to light, a symbolic door opening to a new reality. 

In a spiritual context, the 5th Dimension is a place of unconditional love, enlightenment, compassion and the transformational ability of being able to let go of the things that hold us back. As such, in the context of the exhibition, awakening from darkness represents a metaphorical and spiritual transition both on a personal and collective scale. Each artwork contributes toward this narrative by exploring a collective shedding of the shadows that weigh down our spirits, whether in the form of negative habits, limiting beliefs, or societal burdens.  

Promising a diverse range of artistic expressions, the exhibition showcases works in oil, pencil and sculpture and invites the audience to embark on a profound journey of transformation.

Hope to see you there!

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

p.s. A quick note that in the run up to the exhibition you'll receive more newsletters from me than usual as I send out reminders and any further info.

Newsletter Issue #46: Save the date + new painting

Our Newsletter: Issue #46

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

Apologies for missing our biweekly catch up last Friday
(whether you noticed or not is a separate story)!

I was deeply focused on completing a painting commission and, as per usual, my ability to do anything else other than work in a panic before a deadline went out the window. 

I did it though, and below you'll find a picture and some thoughts on this particular project.

But! Before that...
An Announcement!

This month I'll have some pieces in a group exhibition in Kensington, London. 

More info to follow next Friday, but until then please
SAVE THE DATE
Thursday 23rd November 6-9pm
for the exhibition opening.

Unconditional, 2023
Oil on canvas
90x130cm
(Sold - private commission)

Photographed on my phone, while the paint was still wet and on my easel.

I'm trying to think about what to say about this piece but I'm not sure where to begin. I usually spend some time letting a painting sink in after I finish it, but having only completed this one on Monday I haven't really had the chance to fully do that yet.

What strikes me most with this piece is just how special of a project it was from start to finish. And also how technically challenging due to the many different elements in it that all needed my full focus. 12 separate portraits, plates, cutlery, floral work, glasses, pomegranates... each section with its own little nugget of meaning and symbolism special to the client. Each section with the ability to be a little painting of its own. 

To its core, this is a piece about family and community, brought together by the action of looking through photos before/after sharing a meal together. Less obviously, it's also about ties to place and culture, symbolised primarily by the flowers and the pomegranates, but also by the plates and the glasses. 

There's more to say, certainly, but for now I just want to express how very grateful I am for having worked on this, and for my client's trust throughout the process. 

Below a couple of detail images of the piece, and perhaps over the coming weeks some more words and insights into the commission process. 

"Unconditional", 2023 - detail shots - photographed on my phone.

Until next week!

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #45: Slice of Summer 🌊

Our Newsletter: Issue #45

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

I hope you're doing well and are able to keep finding small joys in the every day despite the news and current events.

As promised in our last newsletter, which revealed my painting Slice of Summer, today I'll be sharing with you some more on this piece.

Earlier this year, I started writing about each painting I finish in a stream of consciousness. This is a practice I should've probably started years ago, I'm sure, but having now just read over what I wrote, I can see how valuable of a practice this was and will be for future paintings. 

Here's the first paragraph I wrote upon finishing the painting:

This painting is an exercise in wanderlust, a space in which to get lost in the same way I would when gazing at the sea, inhaling the saline air and feeling the warm gentle breeze caress my skin and breathe through my hair. It’s about enjoying nature and about remembering places that are special through snippets of memories. It’s calm. It’s open. It’s optimistic. It’s… summer. 

Slice of Summer, 2023
Oil on canvas
100x70cm

Photographed by Stephen Chatterton with Nikon camera

Based off two photos I took in Ibiza last summer (2022), this painting started as a thank you to the person hosting me in their home. I wanted to make something that does justice to the beauty  and serenity of the place.

Compositionally, and you my have noticed this from recent paintings, I've been interested in breaking the canvas up into sections. This started out of an enquiry into both colour and composition back in 2020.

Colour because it's subjective - everyone perceives colour differently both physically and culturally, its symbolism varying across cultures. Also because colour is able to shift/guide/affect moods.

Composition because working in 'panels' as I was calling them at the time, offered an opportunity to play with concepts of collage, abstraction and storytelling, while from a painting perspective this process allowed for experimenting with details & texture vs. flatness.

Over time I've changed how I refer to these 'panels' and have started calling them 'windows' and 'portals' instead (more on the latter another time). 

As such, Slice of Summer is made up of two 'windows' depicting detailed sea/landscape. They're separate, their placement equidistant to the sides creating visual harmony, yet the slightly out of focus backdrop of the sea meeting the sky contextualises them, bringing them together. These 'windows' therefore offer the opportunity to peer into just a snippet of a place in more detail.

Slice of Summer, 'window' details.
Photographed on my phone, while the paint was still wet. Still can't quite grasp the difference in colour saturation between these photos taken on a phone and the photo above taken with a proper camera. None of the photos have been edited.

Throughout the process of painting I kept coming back to thinking about landscape and how we connect with it. How people leave their mark on landscape and how landscape leaves a mark on the person. How we travel to the sea, mountains, lakes, forests, deserts... in an effort to be closer to the healing entity of nature.

This thought process has sparked in me a curiosity to explore this idea further and as such I want to turn this into a series of paintings exploring different places that hold special significance. I want to do this slowly, mindfully, and I've already got a list of at least another 7 places I want to spend more time experiencing in this way. 

Compositionally I think these next paintings will most likely mirror Slice of Summer, but who knows, perhaps each place must be depicted in its own way.

Either way, I look forward to exploring this further and wonder how each place I'm thinking of depicting in this way will transform through the process of painting. 

Some work in progress photos - first pic shows this piece at the beginning when I decided to paint the whole canvas this bright orange as I knew that the final result would be predominantly blue and I wanted to experiment with working on a complementary colour. I really enjoyed doing this actually, though I learnt (the hard way) that I need to remember to check how long certain pigments take to dry. To make this orange I used a yellow lake (and in high quantities too), without thinning it out with much solvent because I wanted the colour to be bright bright, which resulted in just this one layer of paint taking a month, if not more, to fully dry! 

So there you have it, the how, why and what of Slice of Summer. As ever feel free to share your thoughts by replying directly to this email.

Catch you again in a couple of weeks.

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #44: A right time for everything? 🤔

Our Newsletter: Issue #44

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

Hope you've been well!

Today's newsletter will cover 2 things.
First a little update on how my very first ever workshop went and second a new painting!
(I should probably do this over two emails but I'm excited, so here goes).

Workshop: From Pencil to Petal
My last newsletter was sent literal minutes before I was to host my first workshop!
(Have I mentioned it was my first ever workshop yet?).

Anyway, it went so well!
Beyond what I could have imagined to be honest and I'm so glad I pushed myself to do this despite feeling "too young" or "inexperienced".

It was in collaboration with True Ambassadors charity who work in East London, helping people tackle adversity and loneliness in a variety of ways, and the workshop was designed to introduce art making as an accessible, no-to-very-little-fuss, self-care practice.

The feedback was great, I learnt a lot, and I'll be doing this again, so more on this as and when. 
I'm feeling very grateful to True Ambassadors for reaching out to me to set this up, and of course to the lovely people that attended the workshop itself.
I've added some pics of the event below. 

(You'll find new painting info after the workshop pics).

Photography credit: Anastasiia Rudkovska 

Painting

Honestly, today I just want to show this to you because I intended to share this at the beginning of summer and then proceeded to drop off the face of the planet and go on 3-month writing hiatus instead.

Maybe it's for the best though, it feels oddly appropriate to share this now that summer's carefree brightness has made way for autumn's moody coziness.

For me this is a painting about summer, about place, about our relationship with landscape, and about memory. That's all I'll say for now as I'd like to let you make your own mind about it and I'll share more about the how, the why and the what next time.

Slice of Summer, 2023
Oil on canvas
100x70cm

As ever, please feel free to reply to this newsletter with your thoughts.
I'm always so happy/curious to learn more about how you may perceive one of my paintings and I actually end up learning so much from these chats. So yeah, don't be shy.

Catch you in a couple of weeks.

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #43: From Pencil to Petal 🌸

Our Newsletter: Issue #43

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

I hope the last two weeks have treated you well?

In these two weeks I've been busy (no surprise there!) primarily with painting but also with some other things...

Today, I'm hosting my first ever art workshop in collaboration with True Ambassadorscharity, and I wanted to share with you the process of how it came about and my approach in planning it, with a view of updating you on how it went (amongst other things) in the next issue in a couple of weeks time. 

(Strap in, this is going to be a bit longer than usual but there's a lot to say and I've underlined the important bits if you want to just skim through this - also I'll break the writing up with pics so keep going for the story).

Alright, let's go.

What nature gives, grab. 2021 (Available)

Ode to our innocence. 2021. (Available)

The day before my last newsletter I was approached by a friend about collaborating on an art workshop for True Ambassadors charity, which took me by surprise but also felt like a bit of a sign because in the back of my mind this is something I've always wanted to do.

Well, a version of it anyway. 
I've always had a dream of setting something up that helps enable others to make art.
Why?
Because I think making art has a real ability to help a person understand themselves and their surroundings better and I think that everyone should have the opportunity to explore that and decide if that's something they like or not.

In my mind this was going to happen at some vague time later in the future when I was 'older' and 'more experienced', but every second/minute/hour/day passing contributes to the getting older part and experience literally comes from just doing.

So, I set the little voice of doubt aside, and jumped on the opportunity following the logic that: while I don't know anything about teaching per se, I have definitely been on the receiving end of being taught and have a good idea of what I liked and how I'd approach it if given the opportunity. 

Study of my golden pothos in blue, 2020 (Available)

BPOFY, 2019 (Available)

The charity, True Ambassadors, is an initiative aimed at helping people tackle adversity.They've been doing this for some time now in East London, and in response to the 2023 UK Government Loneliness Strategy report they've been setting up a series of events looking to reduce loneliness, promote mental health and well-being and to empower the elderly population of the community.

Cue my workshop! 
A 2 hour adventure, titled From Pencil to Petal: Community Building Through Sustainable Practices

In these 2 hours I'm hoping to create a space in which the people attending can feel as though they have been given the confidence to just start making art.

How do I plan on doing this?

By focusing on 3 things:

1. Using easily accessible materials.
Art doesn't have to be an expensive hobby, especially if you don't know if you like the process. A pencil or pen and some paper will do just fine. Don't have paper, that's fine too. Draw on a napkin. You get what I'm trying to say.

2. Learning to find inspiration in our surroundings.
You don't have to have some sort of 'inspired' idea to start creating. Look around, what are you finding interesting? Try and draw that. In my workshop I'm using plants as an example of this because nature is healing (which neatly fits into the charity's initiative of promoting mental well-being) and in my experience drawing plants is more approachable than drawing portraits or buildings/objects. 

3. Highlighting that making art is something you do for yourself first and foremost and whether it fits in with your notion of whether it's 'good' or not is irrelevant. If you like the process, stick with it and you'll improve.
Talent is relative. Making art is a skill like any other and creativity is a muscle - I had written a piece on this a million years ago but that's a topic for another time.

Another thing that's important for me to incorporate during this workshop is allowing time throughout the two hours to check in which the attendees, understanding how they're feeling about the whole process, and adjusting the workshop in real-time based on feedback to make it as an enjoyable and approachable process as possible. 

3 Roses, 2021 (Available)

As you can maybe tell from my very extended newsletter, I am excited about doing this. I'm feeling nervous too as it's all very new, but that's probably a good thing.
Also the fact that this charity is helping people in East London, especially in boroughs like Newham and Tower Hamlets feels very special as my second studio was in Tower Hamlets several years ago now and the borough gave me a grant to continue my practice during the pandemic, so it feels good to finally be able to give back in even a small way. 

If you've made it down here and read the whole thing, I truly salute you. 

What do you think?
Would you take a workshop like this? 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and sharing how it went in the next issue of Our Newsletter. Until then...

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #42: Progress over perfection 💪🏼

Our Newsletter: Issue #42

Hello, and welcome (back) to another issue of Our Newsletter.

It's been ages, I know.
When I started writing today's issue to you I realised that the last time I sent out a newsletter was at the beginning of June. Big oops.

I've written about 3 different versions of this newsletter all exploring different things and sharing all sorts of personal insights into my summer, but honestly I'm not happy with anything I've written so I've decided to save it all for later and just be super honest about where my head's at right now.

Truth this, my summer was insanely busy with traveling (more than I expected it to be). So, unsurprisingly I am now behind on a bunch of painting deadlines and I've completely neglected the social and admin side of my art practice. This is causing a stress storm in my brain because I'm a total perfectionist, which is in turn feeding the procrastination gremlin (mostly on the social/admin side).

But! Literally 2 days ago I was reminded of two very important little mantras:
"Progress over perfection"
"Imperfect action is better than no action"
So! Here I am, returning (maybe a little sloppily) to a newsletter routine. 

I guess this is my long-winded way of saying: 

Hi, how are you? Happy 1st day of September.
I hope you had a great summer!
Feel free to share with me what you did. I'd love to hear about your last few months. 
Here's some of my art, old and new, to refresh both your memory and mine. Any questions about it (availability, pricing, meaning, etc.), just reply to this email.

Top left: What nature gives, grab. 2021; Top right: Ode to our innocence. 2021.
Bottom: Pursuit of Perfection: A Fool's Errand. 2023

Top left: Love on a night train pt.1. 2020; Top right: Love on a night train pt.3. 2020
Bottom: Current History. 2020

Okay, that is all for this week!
See you in a couple of weeks with something (hopefully) a little more structured.

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #41: Summer update ☀️

Our Newsletter: Issue #41

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

Do you ever get overwhelmed with giddy excitement when you realise it's actually summer now?
I certainly do! It's finally June and I am filled with sunny anticipation for a summer full of adventure and painting.

In the last couple of weeks I've had my recent paintings properly photographed, so I'm happy to share below the 'official' photograph of "Pursuit of Perfection: A Fool's Errand", which is now also up on my website.

Pursuit of Perfection: A Fool's Errand, 2023
Oil on canvas
122 x 152 cm
(Available, ask me about it)

In the next few newsletters I'll share with you another recent painting titled "Slice of Summer", as well as some insights, inspirations and other exciting news.

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #40: Within nature 🌳

Our Newsletter: Issue #40

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

A few days ago I had a thought:
If I photographed my artworks outside, amongst the grass and the trees,
what would that look like?

Obviously I had to find out. And honestly, 
I think I may have found a new favourite way to situate and photograph my work. 

The natural light gave a whole other dimension to the colours depending on where I was photographing from, (unsurprisingly).
But, as someone that is absolutely fascinated by how lighting can alter colour and consequently mood, seeing my pieces change depending on the setting is always a small source of magic and wonder for me. 

From a theoretical viewpoint, photographing like this also links deliciously with my scope of interest in exploring human/nature narratives.

Pursuit of Perfection: A Fool's Errand, 2023
Oil on canvas
122 x 152 cm
(Available, ask me about it)

As always, feel free to let me know what you think by replying to this email.

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #39: Pursuit of Perfection 💎

Our Newsletter: Issue #39

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

If you've been following my Instagram you may have seen that I've been sharing detail shots of a new painting in recent posts.

Today, I'm excited to share the full piece with you.
Yours are the first eyes to see the completed painting in its entirety, so please feel free to share your thoughts.

Before I delve into the new painting,
don't forget that you can still view three of my pieces in the Shapes and Things virtual exhibition.
Just click here to explore. 
 

Pursuit of Perfection: A Fool's Errand, 2023
Oil on canvas
122 x 152 cm

 

Inspired from a statement I heard that the skill of an artist can be measured by how they paint hands and horses, this painting began as a quest toward painterly perfection and concluded with the realisation that perfection does not exist. 
 

Working on this painted unfolded a storyline exploring the need to connect with nature and the self. The composition focuses on an arm, a clear symbol of humanity, reaching toward a glowing bluish horse. The horse, a symbol of nature, freedom, strength and spirit, its aura luminescent, is receiving of the hand.

 

This scene is rooted in a rich rosewood-like colour invoking a feeling of longing and quietly rumbling energy. A streak of vibrant green cuts through this darkness bringing with it the vitality of spring. The straight lines contrast with the organic shapes creating a sense of movement; the horizontal line links the horse and the hand, while the vertical line creates a divide hinting toward the oscillating energy of wanting to connect but not always being able to.

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #38: (Virtual) Exhibition alert 🌟

Our Newsletter: Issue #38

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

Three of my paintings have been included in the Shapes and Things virtual exhibition.

In this exhibition all of the works have been edited into different shapes and things inviting the viewer to click on each piece in order to view the full artwork. 

Can you find my pieces?

Click here to explore.

***

I know it's been a little while since I've written to you.
It's because I've been in a headspace of creating.
So while I have so much to share, I'm also not quite ready to share it yet!

This being said, you can stay a little more updated with what I'm up to by following my Instagram if you don't already.

Screenshot from Shapes and Things virtual exhibition

Until soon!

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #37: Website Update ☀️

Our Newsletter: Issue #37

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

I’ve finally (after much procrastination), updated my website with images of the paintings I’ve been sharing with you through these newsletters.

You can check them out here.

This series of paintings is well underway now and I really couldn’t be more excited with the direction I’m taking. 

I’ve got three paintings in progress at the moment and another 6-10 ideas in their sketching phase so looking ahead this will be a very busy year working on producing each piece.

If you have any questions, or would like more information on any of my available works just reply to this email!

Wishing you a great week ahead!

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #36: The process behind commissions 💭

Our Newsletter: Issue #36

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

Have you ever thought of commissioning an artwork?

I always welcome commission ideas; it's a great opportunity to explore a new storyline that is more bespoke. 

The process to get started is simple.
It all starts with an initial consultation where the client shares what they have in mind.

From there I ask about things they love, like and dislike; what's important for them to be represented, and do they have any reference images they'd like to share.

Following this initial chat I get to work with producing a quote and basic sketch.
As symbolism and nature play an important role in my work, each element I include is researched and usually will include a natural motif.

If they're happy to proceed, I get started on the painting which takes a minimum of a six weeks to complete (though often it does take longer).

Below is the most recent commission I completed.
I've included a description of the storyline and some detail images for those interested in learning more about it.

When life gives you...limes, 2022
Oil and collage on canvas
70 x 110 cm

This commission came about as the client wanted to gift a painting to someone special. 

The main focus here is of course the portrait of the client with their special someone. It is the beginning of the storyline, which unfolds through every other element included in this piece.

For this client it was incredibly important to include a mixed media element as that is something they loved in my Finding Closeness series. This is incorporated through the collage of crosswords and writing, representing two of the client's favourite activities.

The additional painted elements: the sunset and limes to the left, the scenic arch to the right and the wisteria at the top all represent memories and loved activities by the client and the person that they wanted to gift this painting to. Each element carries its own set of symbolism, adding to the meaning and storyline.

The placement of each element frames the portrait; these are some of the things that make their relationship theirs. 

The vibrant blue background with the swirls of orange hold significance too: blue is a calming, open colour, while orange brings about a feeling of energy and joy creating a feeling of optimism.

I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #35: Happy New Year 🎆

Happy New Year!

Let me start by wishing you all a most marvellous 2023. 

In these early days of the year I am filled with optimism and excitement for what's to come.

2022 was a busy year creatively, highlighted most notably by my participation in a group show in Long Island, New York, and a very exciting interview with Vanity Fair.

I can't wait to share more work with you this year, but before we delve into that I offer a recap of the work I shared with you in 2022 below.

Which was your favourite?

Paintings

Winter (Simple Pleasures), 2022 (enquire)

Peeking, 2022 (enquire)

What nature gives, grab. 2021 (enquire)

Velvet + Rose, 2021 (enquire)

Little Victories, 2021 (sold)

Ode to our innocence, 2021 (enquire)

Study of my golden pothos in blue, 2020 (enquire)

Digital Drawings

A Moment Suspended in Time, 2022

Study of a flower pot, 2021

The Kiss, Reimagined, 2021

The Kiss, Reimagined (dark), 2022

In the horizon are dreams, 2021

Through the smoke, 2021

Sometimes you have to take a close look at yourself, 2021

Thank you so much for your love and support!

I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #34: Changes In Perspective And How That Sometimes Really Helps 🙃

Our Newsletter: Issue #34

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

Thank you to those of you that attended last Friday’s Open Studio & Drinks event, I had so much fun chatting to each and every one of you!

In the last week, I have fully moved the contents of my studio from London to the countryside, and I am so excited about what this chapter will bring in terms of creativity and inspirations.

Looking back at my older paintings, I am becoming aware of how my surrounding environment seeps into my work (without me always realising it does) so I’m looking forward to seeing how this move may change my approach a little bit.

In our last newsletter, I shared with you my newest painting “Winter (Simple Pleasures)”, today I’d like to share with you the digital drawing that I did alongside it.
It was after this drawing that I felt it was time to stop trying to push through a painting that wasn’t working and to change it completely.
Maybe because drawing the original idea in a way that felt conclusive got the idea out of my system and I was able to see the painting more objectively.
I titled this piece differently: “A Moment Suspended in Time”.

I’ve included both the digital drawing and painting below so you can compare.
Let me know your thoughts, if you wish.

A Moment Suspended in Time, 2022
Digital drawing

Winter (Simple Pleasures), 2022
Oil and phototransfer on canvas
51 x 61.5cm
(Available)

Also, I’m still pinching myself about that Vanity Fair interview. If you didn’t have a chance to check it out last time, you can do so here.

I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #33: New painting alert + A Special Feature 💎

Our Newsletter: Issue #33

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

Writing today's newsletter is an exciting affair for two reasons.

The first is that I come to you with a new painting (and a rather detailed description on how this painting came to be below).

The second is to rather proudly say that I was interviewed by Vanity Fair recently, which feels like quite the milestone indeed!
You can read the full interview here.

Winter (Simple Pleasures), 2022
Oil and phototransfer on canvas
51 x 61.5cm
(Available)

What a challenge this painting was!

Remember my Finding Closeness series? This painting is a piece in the series that I wasn't sure I'd ever finish.

The original idea for this was a much larger painting (approx. 150x120cm), which I had started working on in 2019. You may remember I had shared a little Work in Progress shot of it many newsletters ago. If I’m being honest, over the years of working on it, it never really felt quite right. So early this year I had finally decided to forget about it altogether, and just accept that perhaps it wasn't meant to be.

One day, I went into the studio ready to paint over this piece completely and as I was about to begin, my friend and studio partner Graceland asked me what on earth was I doing? I explained my reasoning and while she understood she reminded me how many hours I had spent on it and urged me to at least keep some of it. I thought, well... I’m going to paint over it anyway, what's the harm in trying this?

And am I glad I did.
As it turns out, all I needed was a change in perspective.
Changing the composition made the piece make sense, and finishing it became the most natural thing.

In the end, it still certainly is a piece that is part of my Finding Closeness series, though in choosing to paint over the phototransferred background with as single colour it feels like an organic nod toward the conclusion of Finding Closeness and the full transition to my new series of paintings I have been sharing with you over the last few issues.

As always, I’m curious to hear your thoughts so feel free to share them with me by replying to this email.

Event Reminder

Open studio and drinks next Friday!
RSVP here.

I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #32: Peeking

Our Newsletter: Issue #32

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter.

I hope you have been well these last few weeks.

I've been busy in the studio working on 4 larger paintings, which I can't wait to finish so that I can share them with you. I've also been working on some ideas for a fresh release of handmade prints.

In today's issue I share with you my recent painting "Peeking"
and another of my digital drawings "Study of a flower pot"
(both pictured below in the "Painting" and "Digital Drawing" sections respectively).

Painting

Peeking, 2022
Oil on canvas-board
20 x 20 cm
(Available)

This is a small 2022 painting, which I suppose is somewhat of an unintentional self portrait as I used myself as a reference.

In this painting I gave myself the challenge of limiting my palette by working with just a small number of colours. I also didn't really plan this painting, which was a nice change of pace to the way I usually work.

Last time in the same series we saw...

Study of my golden pothos in blue, 2020
Oil on canvas
50x50cm
(Available)

Ode to our innocence, 2021
Oil on canvas-board
25x25cm
(Available)

Little Victories, 2021
70 x 100 cm
Oil on canvas
(Sold)

Velvet + Rose, 2021
Oil and oil relief print on canvas
50 x 50 cm
(Available)

What nature gives, grab. 2021
Oil on canvas board
30 x 30cm
(Available)

Digital Drawing

Study of a flower pot, 2021
Digital drawing

Last time in the same series we saw...

Through the smoke, 2021
Digital drawing
(Coming soon)

Through the smoke, 2021
Digital drawing
(Coming soon)

In the horizon are dreams, 2021
Digital drawing
(Coming soon)

The Kiss, Reimagined. 2021
Digital drawing

The Kiss, Reimagined (dark). 2022
Digital drawing

As always, feel free to share your thoughts with me.

I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

Newsletter Issue #31: Introducing one of my faves

Our Newsletter: Issue #31

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter
where I share with you more new work.

In this issue I am happy to show one of my favourite recent paintings:
'What nature gives, grab.'

You can read a little bit more in depth about it directly under the image.

In digital drawing news,
I share with you two versions of my own take on Gustav Klimt's 'The Kiss'.
(See below, after the Painting section).

I had actually made these for an online exhibition where artists were invited to recreate the famous painting.

Unfortunately though, while I was told the exhibition took place, I never received any info on it or any record of it's existence so that's that. 🤷🏻‍♀️

In any case, making these was a nice way to interact with a painting I've been taught about many times as a child.

In even more exciting news,
I am working on two print releases!
But more on this next time...

Painting

What nature gives, grab. 2021
Oil on canvas-board
30 x 30 cm
(Available)

What nature gives, grab. is another painting that combines different methods of approach.

The roses were painted en plein air (from life, outside), while the hand from my own reference images in the studio.

Where the roses are delicate, romantic and small, the hand is overbearing and dark.

The background is painted using permanent sap green, a non toxic pigment with its origins rooted in medieval art.

Its dark pigmentation, reminiscent of a forest green, is symbolic of the earth and its freshness; it is also a symbol of balance and stability.

Yet, the components of this piece suggest something different…

Last time in the same series we saw...

Study of my golden pothos in blue, 2020
Oil on canvas
50x50cm
(Available)

Ode to our innocence, 2021
Oil on canvas-board
25x25cm
(Available)

Little Victories, 2021
70 x 100 cm
Oil on canvas
(Sold)

Velvet + Rose, 2021
Oil and oil relief print on canvas
50 x 50 cm
(Available)

Digital Drawing

The Kiss, Reimagined. 2021
Digital drawing

The Kiss, Reimagined (dark). 2022
Digital drawing

Last time in the same series we saw...

Through the smoke, 2021
Digital drawing
(Coming soon)

Sometimes you have to take a close look at yourself, 2021
Digital drawing
(Coming soon)

In the horizon are dreams, 2021
Digital drawing
(Coming soon)

As always, feel free to share your thoughts with me.

I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx

p.s. Don't forget my studio is open for appointments so be sure to reply to this email to book yourself in.

Newsletter Issue #30: Getting into a new groove 💃

Our Newsletter: Issue #30

Hello, and welcome to another issue of Our Newsletter!

One of the positives of deciding to spend less time in London is that whenever I am in the city I end up doing so much more!

In these last couple of weeks I've had the pleasure of visiting three exhibition openings, starting work on four pieces and hosting a couple of studio visits.

Dedicating time to seeing what other artists are up to is always an eye opening experience because it is an opportunity to get out of my own head.
As is only natural, I have my own opinions about what I like and don't like, but even seeing things that aren't really 'my thing' is educational because it offers a great sense of perspective.

In the studio I've started work on 4 pieces:
two completely new,
one that is an older work in progress which I've tipped on its head and taken a different direction with, and
one which is a little up-cycling project working with materials I haven't really used before. It's all very exciting and I can't wait to show you more of these when the time is right to share.

In the meantime, I'm happy to introduce to you two new pieces!
One painting & one digital, both below.

Painting

Velvet + Rose, 2021
Oil and oil relief print on canvas
50 x 50 cm
(Available)

This was a particularly interesting painting to create as it came together in a rather unexpected way and combines a few different approaches.

I started this one by blocking off the sections while I had my friend sit for me in the studio. It is one of the few times that I've worked in painting from life (usually preferring to work from my own reference images).

Working from life is very different because there's a limit to how much time the person in front of you can sit there for, so the process of painting has to be faster.
It is also much more intimate in a way.

As this painting was a bit of an experiment from its very beginning I continued to approach it in the same way.

The rose is an oil relief print and it adds a completely different texture and feel to the overall piece. You may remember some other rose relief prints I did, which you can find here and here.

Last time in the same series we saw...

Study of my golden pothos in blue, 2020
Oil on canvas
50x50cm
(Available)

Ode to our innocence, 2021
Oil on canvasboard
25x25cm
(Available)

Little Victories, 2021
70 x 100 cm
Oil on canvas
(Sold)

Digital Drawing

Through the smoke, 2021
Digital drawing
(Coming soon)

Last time in the same series we saw...

Sometimes you have to take a close look at yourself, 2021
Digital drawing
(Coming soon)

In the horizon are dreams, 2021
Digital drawing
(Coming soon)

As always, feel free to let me know what you think.

Don't forget my studio is open for appointments so be sure to reply to this email to book yourself in.

I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead.

Lots of love,
Arietta xx