Save Van Dyck's Self-Portrait for the nation

The National Portrait Gallery and the Art Fund are currently running a campaign to purchase this extraordinary self-portrait by Sir Anthony Van Dyck. 

The government has placed a temporary export bar on the work, as it has been sold to a private collector overseas and they have eight months to raise 12.5 million in order to keep this treasure for the nation. 

You can contribute to the fund here and find out more about the campaign in the video below.

The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition

If you haven't seen Frankenweenie by Tim Burton yet, I urge you to go! I love stop motion animation so I was thrilled to be able to attend the premiere and opening of the London Film Festival on the 10th October.

Sketching in Silver Sir Walter Raleigh finished pendant

A few photos of the finished pendant:

I quite like the hammered oval frame. I soldered it on using pallion soldering so that everything is secure.

Recommended: Glamour of the Gods Exhibition

Hello all!

If you fancy indulging in a little bit of glamour this month, then the Glamour of the Gods exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery is for you!

It is an interesting mix of images detailing how the classic iconic image of a Hollywood star was created and who took the photographs themselves.

Get thee to the Nunnery!

If you are in the vicinity of London for the month of February and would like to spend an hour looking at the work of up and coming and extremely talented young artists, I can thoroughly recommend Apocalypstick at The Nunnery Gallery in Bow.

A light and airy space filled with neon wonders, Apocalypstick features work by twelve artists and is a mix of paintings, sculpture, installations and video art. Fun, accessible and generally an excellent way to spend an afternoon!

The exhibition is open Fridays to Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. from 4th - 27th February.