Phew!... it has been a busy few weeks, but our grant application forms are finally in and we managed to get our brochures printed and hold a stall at Hanwell carnival yesterday. It was wet, but a lot of fun and we had a fair amount of interest from potential artists and volunteers. We also recently appointed trustees and now have 2 co-chairs (Lynda and Sukhi), 2 co-treasurers (Matt and Berge) and 2 co-secretaries (Sarah and Hope).

Here are some recent pieces by BLP artists:

Wallaby by Keith

Design for a plant pot by Sukhi

Mara by Keith

Guinea Pig by Lynda

Woman in blue by trees by Hope

Butterflies

Last week the new butterfly house was opened in Brent Lodge Park by Steve Pound MP. As well as being a fantastic space where visitors can walk among exotic butterflies in a tropical environment, they can also see some our artwork!
Hope's picture of butterflies by the sea has been made into a badge

Sarah put together a collage of butterflies created by lots of different artists.

This picture is being used as a backdrop in the butterfly house. The background image was painted by me (Matt) and the butterflies were painted by various artists.

There are plans for a stall to be set up in the butterfly house where we can sell merchandise designed by artists.

Photographs courtesy of Cheryl Burke

The Official Opening

Well the art collective have now moved into the beautifully renovated building.
The deputy mayor officially opened the studio on Sunday the 27th, the event was well attended by supporters of the project and friends and family with members of the public also dropping in, which is a good sign for the future.

This has been a hugely exciting project to be part of, with support from so many people. The future, I am sure, will continue to be exciting for the artists involved, sales of artwork and merchandise continuing with new designs planned for the future. Commissions for banners and signs being taken and new artists signing up to what we hope will become a successful social firm.

Some recent signs for enclosures at the animal centre. All of the artists have contributed to these. Their individual work was put together using Photoshop to create the overall image.

Studio update

The studio is looking great! It should be ready for us to move in next week and we have our Grand Opening/private view on the 27th February. Over the next few sessions we will be deciding which pieces to show, mounting and preparing them and moving into our new home.Standing in the work area looking through the adjoining doorway into the gallery space with the newly renovated bread oven.

A step further back looking through the doorway. A corner cupboard is on the left and the two entrances to the building are on the right.

A view of the work area from the other direction.

A close up of the bread oven - this will be a fantastic area to exhibit ceramics and pottery.

The studio has been repainted, the gravel has been removed to aid wheelchair access and heaters, power sockets and security grills have been fitted.

There are still a couple of things that need to be done - the sink needs fitting and we need to fit a picture rail or find another way how we can hang paintings without damaging the walls.

If you would like to come and visit on the 27th February, the building will be open from 11:30am till 4:00pm