Go Figurative

source

How great that one of my things to do while working is blogging?! My colleagues decided to put my in charge of trying to recruit new artists under our representation. I've been fortunate enough to intern with this great company for the past semester and it's been such a great learning experience for me. I've been meaning to do a Go Figurative post so this seems like a great opportunity to get the word out and hopefully start relationships with new artists who might be reading this blog.

This is an oil painting (that's right, painting) by American David Eichenberg

source

But first the facts. Go Figurative is an art company based in London that specializes in selling art to corporate clients and private collectors. It was started in 2008 by my colleagues Janine C. and Sally P. and has grown exponentially since. Go Figurative (get it? like go figure? Ha!) promotes a range of figurative art from painting, to photography, to graphite, to sculpture. We really do it all. We see it as our mission to get contemporary artists out into the public sphere. Right now is a very exciting time at the office since we are in the process of moving from our building on Liverpool Street to a more open gallery environment on Old Street near Shoreditch. Although we will still run as an art company working at computers and running to meetings with prospective clients, we are definitely toying with the idea of displaying some of our artwork on the walls so that everyone can  enjoy and appreciate all of our artists' hard work. We are also going to participate in the First Thursday event in east London where art galleries are open later so people can explore the contemporary art scene at night. It's going to be a great experience and I cannot wait.

David Downes does thee wonderful cityscapes that I can't get enough of. They're so full of life!

source

We are also getting ready for the Affordable Art Fair Battersea which is from 15-18 March. I know I sound a bit like a giddy school girl, but I can really not wait to help out there. There will be various artists and galleries selling work that can be no more than £4000. We've been to the one at Hampstead and sold quite a lot of work so it was a really great opportunity, and we'll hopefully have a similar experience.

I see a lot of Anita Klein's work around London and I just love her use of line.

source

I think what I'm most excited about though is our recent success with the Savoy Hotel. One of the artists that we represent, McAlpine Miller, has been commissioned to do a series of portraits for their famous Thames Foyer. The Savoy is finishing up a refurbishment of their a large part of their hotel and this includes the Foyer. He's already completed one of the portraits and I think it is absolutely wonderful and will really bring the tea room into the 21st century. Right now there are a few older paintings which are fine and inoffensive, but I think these are really going to be beneficial for all. I really love the way his paintings don't seem to need a light source since they exude their own glow. Here's an example of the type of work he does (note: this is not for the Savoy).

source

See what I mean? I love the overlay (underlay?) of comic images. I don't know what technique he uses, but I personally find it very interesting and Lichtenstein-esque.

This beautiful work was recently sold. By Alan Coulson.

source

We represent a range of artists from different backgrounds, ages, genders, and nationalities. Since we are a business we are constantly striving to grow while still retaining our great relationships with the artists. I've actually been put in charge in recruiting fresh new artists to add to our arsenal. If you are reading this and think this is a great company, as I do, then please visit our website at www.gofigurative.com. If you have any friends that are artists this also might interest them so please spread the word. From where I'm sitting, only beneficial things can come from getting in contact with Sally and seeing what happens. Again we're looking for any age and from any nationality or medium. As long as your work is of a figurative subject, you're probably just what we're looking for. Whether you're an artist or not, you should still check out the website. We also run an online gallery where other artists upload their work to be sold and shown to the world. If you have any other questions please contact me if you would like any other information. Thanks and keep being creative!

Happy Leap Day!

*insert frog joke with accompanying "boing" sound effect* I just wanted to write a quick note today because how often is it Leap Day? Well I mean it's every four years, but you get my drift. It sort of just feels like a fake day all day. I don't know if I really remember the last time it was leap year although I should because I was 16, but I guess 16 year-old Carly had more important things to do than focus on whether our year had an extra day or not. Apparently in Great Britain there's a tradition that on the 29th of February it is custom for women to propose to men. Like it's against the "rules" every other day of the year? Oh well, I kind of like the tradition. I don't think we have that in the States, but I could be mistaken. Is it only a British thing? Are there other cultures you know of that have something similar? I'm really more excited for tomorrow since that means it's March. That's right. In 30 days I turn 21! I'm kind of freaking out because I'll really be in my twenties soon, but I'm ready to make my 21st year the best one yet (and now I sound like some uber-happy cheerleader, but you get my drift).

Portobello Road!

It's just so nice to get a moment to breathe! Phew. These past couple of days have been pretty busy from schoolwork to work work and everything in between. Amanda and I decided to actually do something this weekend since our time in London is slowly winding down. Yikes. I don't think I'll ever be ready to leave this place. We decided to go down to the ever famous Portobello Road Market on Saturday. Now it's really no secret that I love Disney films. Not just the cartoons either. I was brought up on such gems as Mary Poppins, Blackbeard's Ghost, That Darn Cat, and Bedknobs and Broomsticks just to name a few. Seriously the entire time I kept singing the Portobello Road song from Bedknobs and Broomsticks. It's been going through my head since this weekend so I even figured out how to put music up in my post so everyone can sing along.

That's Casey with the pink dress and green/grey coat on the right

So much fun. I went with Amanda and Casey and we just sort of walked around. I absolutely loved the market and I could have stayed there all day. A few weekends ago we went down to Camden Market which was fun, but I just felt like there were too many people and too many stalls selling the same generic stuff. It was just too overwhelming and I still haven't grown a backbone to haggle correctly. Portobello was much more my speed. Things might have been more expensive, but I'm willing to pay more for good quality things with history than less money on something that will break in a week. The shops smelled of history and I almost died. All of the sellers were really nice and I just kept thinking that it would so great if I had my own little London home that I could furnish with all the wonderful candlesticks and tchotchkes that were around there. I also saw a lot of Wedgewood (some of it was fake but whatever). And I love Wedgewood pottery, I think it's so pretty and delicate while still being interesting and regal. I might have been in Carly heaven. I had to reign in my spending so I only got a few things (some for me some for others).

I picked up this Cadbury chocolate tin from Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation that I'm using as an earring holder while I'm here since I've been living out of plastic bags for the past multiple weeks. I just loved how kitschy it was. I also like thinking of The Queen as a younger person at beginning of her reign. It's so nice to leave with a bit of English history to take with me. I also found this fish necklace which is completely up my alley. It moves like a real fish and I just can't get enough of his fishy lips. I've yet to wear it out because it doesn't lay quite as I would like, but maybe I'll go more for the three dimensional accessory look. We'll see how that goes and hopefully soon.

I really hope I'll be able to go back and just take my sweet time looking at all the antiques. On Sunday we went to the Victoria and Albert Museum which was a lot of fun. Fun fact: Did you know that they have a central hallway dedicated to sculpture and a large majority of these sculptures were Rodin's? 'Cause I didn't and I was so excited to see them all and appreciate just what an amazing man he really was. Hope everyone's weekend was great!

I'm Obsessed!: Top Gear

source

This post is a long time coming. I feel like it's been awhile since I've done a "I'm Obsessed!" post and I thought I would get back into the swing of things by mixing my love with living in London. I am completely and totally obsessed with Top Gear. My American friends might not even know what this is so I will enlighten you. Top Gear is a television show that originated in great Britain that specializes in cars. I know what you're thinking. A car show? Seriously. Give it a chance. I probably wouldn't have found this if I hadn't been talking to my friend Kelly back home about cars. He was trying to explain the mechanics of them, but he suggested I should probably just watch this. Imagine a stew of Monty Python and Car Talk and you've got Top Gear. It's on Netflix, which is great for me since I've been watching it nonstop. Some of the first few series might be a little slow for some people who are not completely car-obsessed, but the later series has a lot of races and challenges that are just really fun to watch. The commentators (Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May) have this great chemistry that just makes you feel good all over. Even when they bicker it's such a good laugh. Then there's the illustrious Stig who drives fast and might be half-machine. It's also made me much more aware of cars and what I want/lust over for my future. As of right now I'm thinking of a yellow Fiat 500 since they just recently came to the states and I love the little power and size. In London, there are so many fantastic super cars zooming around that I think I might be in heaven. So whether your're a boy, girl, mineral, or vegetable, you'll enjoy this. It's just something relaxing, yet informative, to watch before you go to bed! Love my Top Gear Boys!

The Day After: Valentine's Day

source

Hello everyone and welcome to another rendition of the day after. I hope your Valentine's day went smoothly and lovely. Personally I don't really understand the holiday because why in the world do we have to designate a day to tell each other we love them. Shouldn't that be every day? I feel the same for days like Mother's and Father's day. I love my parents. They know that since I tell them a lot so why do I need to stress about giving them presents on one specific days when I'll send them little gifts (usually metaphysically) all the time? This year came and gone and lo and behold... I did not have a "valentine." I decided that instead of being cynical Carly, I would take my life into my own hands and do something. So after class, I got on my nice black and grey dress (I'll do a picture post later), did my makeup well, played with my hair until I decided that down was the best choice at the time, and I was ready to go out on the town!

I took the tube from Holborn to Green Park switching at Oxford Circus onto the Victoria line and it was only a short walking distance to my destination. Once I saw it, literally this wave of warmth and wealth moved over me. I opened the doors to Christie's Auction House on King Street and climbed the stairs to the auction room. It was my first art auction ever and I had a really nice time. I was completely by myself and didn't know anybody there, but at the same time I felt very at home. Everyone was there to either buy or watch the money fly. I could not believe the sums that some of these pieces went for. The star of the night was this Francis Bacon portrait.

source

Want to take a guess on how much this went for? 3 million? 8 million? Nope this Portrait of Henrietta Moraes from 1963 went for £19,000,000!!!!!! And I was there! I looked today on the website at the results and after taxes and auction fairs (I'm guessing) it was a little more than 21 million. That's an absurd amount of money. They were just going back and forth and it was so exhilarating, and when it was all done, I just felt like applauding (I know a bit childish). They were going back and forth arguing over £500,000 like it was child change because when we're talking prices that high it is. It was just such a lovely time, and I can't wait to go back again. I didn't get a real seat in the auction room, but I stood outside in the anteroom with a whole gaggle of other arty people. Drinks were free and I got a beautifully printed catalog as well. Now this is going to sound soooooo cheesy, but it almost seemed like I was spending a night with my valentine: art. Yep I said it, I was in love, and I don't care who hears it!

source

I ended up leaving early after a bunch of the big ticket items since I hadn't really eaten that day and was starving. I came home, made myself some baked ziti, ate it, and finished off a good half of a bottle of wine as an end to the celebration. It was one of the best Valentine's Days I've had in quite some time. I just went to bed happy and content and happy to be in such a great city like London. How did you spend your day of love?