JUNE/JULY
Posted - Jul 04, 2008
News and Update
Lucky lass that I am, I have recently returned from the stunning and sunny shores of the Amalfi coast, Italy.
Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t love the Great British ‘summertime’ at home, I like nothing better than sitting under a rug in the car, looking out through the rainy windscreen onto the choppy North Sea…. I gratefully seized the opportunity of escape to this very beautiful place.
As with many artists and writers, travel always provides lots of inspiration for new work and I especially adore Italy, after all it has produced, arguably, the finest artists, architects and sculptors in history, not to mention the fabulous food!
I spent time just watching the locals, couples, even whole families zooming around on their mopeds…a handsome young man, casually riding through Sorrento, chatting away on the phone, with his dog happily standing on the footrest (even Italian dogs are cool). Who wouldn’t fall in love with this relaxed approach to daily life? I am thinking of shedding any Hungarian-ness and becoming Italian instead.
So dutifully, I have absorbed as much of the culture, gelato and pizza that was possible and plan to get some of that Italian sunshine down on canvas.
The not so good bit: Due to the ongoing litigation between myself and Washington Green / Halcyon gallery, there are restrictions which mean I may be unable to add any new images to my website, so it may be sometime before I can show you the fruits of my labour….however, along with a new exhibition of originals, I am planning a complete website overhaul for next year and I hope you will forgive the unchanging nature of the current pages. Though I will be adding older paintings to the gallery shortly.
In the meantime, summer is here – in theory – so enjoy your ice creams folks (or your hot tea from a flask) ciao for now SJ
MAY news/updates
Posted - May 28, 2008
I am compelled to mention how sad I was to hear the news that Beryl Cook has died.
Many comparisons have been made about our artistic styles. Though (fat bottomed ladies aside) we are quite different in many ways, over the years I have come to accept these comments as complimentary.
There was a real lust for life in Beryls work which I will always admire. I was priveleged to share wall space alongside her original paintings in London back in 2000.
We will miss the entertainment Beryl, keep painting on your cloud.
Un-broken biscuit update.
A quick mention about the current commercial dispute between myself and Washington Green/Halcyon Gallery. Sadly, no further progress to report I’m afraid. We have been trying very hard to negotiate a fair settlement but still without success so far.
Due to the pace of the legal system, it is possible this case could drag on into spring/summer next year, perhaps a full blown court trial…. this means it’s now unlikely there will be any new publishing this year and the artworks from the infamous ‘Sugarlumps’ exhibition remain locked in dispute.
There has been further press coverage in ‘Art business today’ magazine and a follow up from ‘The art newspaper’ is also due to happen.
I’m grateful as ever to all who are supportively following this strange situation, please bear with me…I will keep you updated and remain positive that there is a distant horizon – with a big sticky bun on it. SJ
New Originals
Posted - Apr 19, 2008
You can see my latest artwork by clicking on the ‘originals’ button.
We will add any available artwork to these pages in the near future.
DISPUTE UPDATE
Posted - Apr 14, 2008
For those of you following the legal dispute between myself and the Halycon Group, I have to report that sadly, despite on-going attempts to negotiate, the litigation continues.
Should Halcyon/WG and I fail to resolve the problem out of court, we will enter a full blown trial, with a likely date for this being late 2008 or early 2009
This is causing disruption for new print releases, but not for original artwork – On Friday, 18th April I will be adding 2 new original pieces on the site.
While the wheels of the legal system turn slowly, I appreciate the continuing messages of support, they help to keep me cheery and I hope to have a more positive upate next time.
SJ
Art a la Carte
Posted - Apr 09, 2008
Spring is in the air! and I hope you have enjoyed a very pleasant Easter.
If you are already an art collector or thinking of buying your first painting, you may be interested to know that a brand new online company ‘Art a la Carte’ has recently been
established which will specialise in buying and selling mine (and other) artists original works in the secondary market.
Art a la carte, run by art collector Elaine Pursey, doesn’t take commissions on my behalf, and you cannot buy brand new originals, but it will act as a trading post for anyone wishing to buy, sell or swap existing artworks.
You can visit the website at www.art-alacarte.co.uk
I hope you will find this a useful service and if you need further information, I’m sure Elaine will do her very best to help you!
Join our Mailing list
Posted - Apr 03, 2008
Un-broken biscuit update - Press article
Posted - Mar 06, 2008
Unfortunately the legal dispute between myself and Halcyon/Washington Green continues. There is currently an article about my case in the march edition of The Art Newspaper.’
If you would like to see this please go to the ‘contact us’ page, write ‘article’ in the message box and we will forward an email containing the article.
The case continues.
I will post any new details here in the next few days.
SJ
David and Goliath
Posted - Feb 07, 2008
For anyone interested in my current situation…here is the latest.
I remain the subject of legal action by Washington Green and Halcyon Gallery. Sadly, after years of loyal service to the Halcyon group, there is a claim by them that I have breached my contracts.
They successfully brought me to court and prevented me from selling any art work at my recent ‘sugarlumps’ exhibition. It seems to be their intention to aquire this whole collection of very personal paintings via the courts, but they are now also seeking damages.
I have no means to take on such a wealthy company and If they are successful in their claim, It is possible I will be bankrupt.
Blimey…I only want to paint and to pay my bills! how did this happen??
Artists out there, please….DO NOT sign contracts without legal advice!!!
I remain optimistic. I will survive this course of action one way or another and though it is a very frightening and aggressive situation…..I’ve still got my brushes and I will paint on. I believe that in time, out of the misery, some of the best and happiest paintings I have ever produced will arrive because I will be free from this sad situation.
UN-BROKEN BISCUIT
Posted - Jan 29, 2008
To all the people who attended the preview of ‘sugarlumps’ on Monday 28th of Jan, I want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH! – YOU made the event wonderful, It made up for the day time events which some of you may be aware of.
It seemed impossible for me to speak with everyone who came along and apologies if I missed anyone who wanted to natter….you can contact me or Ian anytime via this site.
I will keep you all updated on any developments, and although I have been ordered to remove my new artwork from this website for legal reasons, from now on any new paintings which I create will be freely available to view.
Thank you again for all the support – I will be back! SJ
Urgent Attention!!
Posted - Jan 25, 2008
Due to a sudden developement, please be aware that the opening of my new ‘sugarlumps’ exhibition may be disrupted.
It is my sad duty to inform you that I have been ordered to appear at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Monday 28th January.
The Halcyon Gallery, who formerly represented me have taken the steps of seeking an injunction to prevent my exhibition from opening. This is due to a dispute over ownership of my paintings.
I will attend the hearing to defend myself and depending on the outcome immediately update this website for your information.
If you are due attend the preview evening, or visit during the following 2 weeks, I sincerely hope this event continues as planned – however we will attempt to contact as many of you as possible to advise if any changes must take place. Or you can call us from Monday 12pm onwards for information
Please contact either:
Margi Lawson on 0792 1197 422
Ian Wright on 07925 144 431
The Arndean Gallery on 0207 734 7010
Sugarlumps!
Posted - Jan 21, 2008
It’s here!...most of my new collection is now available to view online – a few extra pieces will be added after the 28th Jan.
though I hope you like the pictures, you can never do justice to art on a computer screen, so you are very welcome to view the paintings and models in the flesh between 28th Jan and 8th Feb at the Arndean Gallery, Cork Street, London.
Prints from this collection are not yet available but please join our mailing list and we will keep you updated.