Creative wonder

I am just sat next to my 2 month old son. I have tied a helium balloon to his cot and watching as if I had just provided the most fabulous entertainment there is. His face is of total wonder at the movement and shiny patterns reflecting off the balloon. I think he will probably be the sort of kid who will play with the cardboard box and not the fancy go-cart in Christmasses to come.

I've had his kind of face the past week or so. We are having our biggest inflow of new artwork from different artists for a very long time. My eyes wide, mouth slightly open, a bit of drool coming out. Well not the drool but it is strange how artists and galleries go through cycles. Seasonal changes have meant that many artist have picked up their brushes and gotten painting again. Maybe its the look of the new gallery above.

We have been putting the new work from Alan Knight, Steven Cooper, Caroline McManus, Julie Dumbarton and Emmesse up on the site but there is still more to come from Charles Willmott, Jenny Hirst as well as a further 4 undisclosed new artists. This is a mixed exhibition and we wanted plenty of choice for people coming in over the christmas period.

This amount of work coming in has meant we are having to change things around more frequently. If we had a gallery 8000 sq ft we would easily fill it just like if you take a massive suitcase on holiday you won't let it go half empty. The changes are a good thing though and customers have been giving some very positive comments. Its a better reason to stop by more often when you know the artwork will change week on week.

Our framing service has also been a big hit. Because of this we have increased the number of moulding we have on offer and the pieces coming back look very professional and hugely enhances the work. We've found that many of the block canvasses have much greater impact when framed. Its a personal preference but a decent frame can make or break a piece of art. Its the easiest and quickest way to add visual impact and value to your work. When you see the difference it makes, you will know it's worth it.

We had our teething problems with the move. British Telecom caused no end of problems when we had no phone or broadband for the 1st 3 weeks of October. I know other people have had bad experiences with them before but this was a very serious and difficult problem to deal with. However we are back on the art trail and back in full flow with some great artwork coming in. We still have great artists who are the ones to watch so come along and prepare to adopt your "Just seen a bobbing balloon" expression.

Summer flurry

The end of the rain is nigh. Schwelching round Manchester for the past month has made me feel we will have a great September. Surely It can't be any worse. However, the world has conspired to create great conditions for painting. Where many galleries have taken breaks and closed down, we have taken in and sold more work than ever. It has also brought it a fair share of artists who just aren't quite right. More than a few had some success in the past and were indignant at our decline to show their work. Normally most artists accept rejection gracefully but some make it very difficult no matter how nice and tactful we are. These are artists who are stuck in a style rut, rehashing 1990s work in the hope that people will suddenly become nostalgic for dated looking artwork.

On the whole though, the extra time off, the long days and the rain I think has helped artists create some great work. Last weekend we took a trip to Bristol to pick up work from Gemma Compton and Dan Parry-Jones. The only option to me was a sunday trip with the heavily pregnant wife, Katie, just in case she dropped that day (she didn't).

I bribed her with the potential of a McDonalds. This went down well although I must stress that this is a very rare occurrence for we not of the kind who partake in this kid of behaviour regularly. I sometimes think that eating dirty fast food is something that can create slight disapproval and is one down from smoking on the finger waggometer. We settled for a Burger King in a service station mostly out of sight of the obese family who would have put us off our food.

Sundays are my only day off so this was kind of sacred but the other option was expensive couriers and battered, delayed and uncertain deliveries. Do you get the impression I don't like couriers? Our local courier is a super jovial cheeky chappie who you can't help but like. But even he managed to dent an expensive piece of artwork transporting it within greater manchester. He was lucky to escape my wrath which manifests itself as a tut and roll of the eyes.

We made good time and pulled outside Gemmas house. We went in straight to the kitchen where she had wrapped up the work. Her boyfriend is a well know artist called Chris (AKA Copyright) so I went to have a look at his studio at the bottom of the garden. I left Katie to chat to Gemma. Apparently she asked Katie whether she was into art like me. Katie thought about this and thought that any other answer other than no would invite lots of complicated questions she wouldn't know the answer to. So she said no.

Gemma is into fashion and designs for ASOS and Top Shop so the art is an extension of her creativity. The couple are the type that ooze effortless cool. I have seen the kids who hang around near the urbis who have hair that takes at least 15 minutes to create, and it still looks rubbish. These are people that care so much what people think of them they go to huge lengths to make sure people think they don't. Gemma is effortless though, as is her artwork. Highly detailed she is meticulous and has fantastic brushwork and technique. I was more impressed in reality and think she is a hugely talented artist.

Having picked up the work we went down the road to Dan Parry Jones's house. Dan was away camping so his wife let us in and kindly let us pick up the work. She; hungover from a night out because of the kids being away, us; feeling mildly intrusive at picking up work on a sunday. All was good though and Katie was already picturing his work in our house. We left with a car full of great art I knew wouldn't be damaged in any way.

A successful day in all. There are periods in the gallery when you don't see any decent artwork. These are frustrating times, like when you miss out on your cup of tea or coffee of the day. I now need to see artwork that inspires me otherwise it feels like we aren't getting anywhere. Now though I can have my cup of tea and a nice piece of cake on the side.

The New Blyths

It's all a bit hectic at the moment, hence the sparcity of blog posts. I bought a little art shop in Manchester a couple of months ago called Blyths and my feet haven't touched the floor since. I have put my finger in another pie and it feels a little hot for now at least. According to Phillipa I have reached Ian Beale like status which I took as a slight. How could anyone aspire to be a small time, middle aged cafe owner in a tawdry soap opera I ask.

From art gallery to art shop, from art buyer to artist buyer it has been like crossing over the divide within an industry that seemed so familiar beforehand. I thought I knew about the creation of art but boy was I wrong. Mooch is all about the end result and the emotional appeal of a piece of artwork. Blyths has meant I have to get all technical with the products. Customers pour over the colour and gram of paper and the concentration of pigment in the paint.

A couple of weeks ago we had someone who bought a large amount of art materials in one go. A couple of hours later a psychiatric hospital rang the shop apologising and asking to return the goods. I heard what had happened when they rang again, Tim came and delicately told me the "The woman is on the phone about the mental guy". Tim and Lyndsey recognised in hindsight that buying art stuff for his friend Van Gogh is not the norm.

Phillipa has the same issue with a particular guy who walks into the gallery every day, yes every day, and asks her if she is okay? A brief and daily one sentence conversation that left her feeling she was being stalked until realising he did this to lots of other shops too. A ginger man with 50s style quiff, leather jacket and tight jeans, he reminds me of a northern version of Disneys Chipmunks. He is equally as irritating although harmless enough.

All in all Blyths is a brilliant company to run with amazing potential. For mooch it means we can cast a wider net and find more talented artists. Mooch has the summer show on and the gallery is looking better than it even has. We are still changing and updating the website and looking at new artists so you will be able to see new work every 2 weeks even if there isn't a show on.

Oh and if you fancy taking up art or need some art materials, check out H.Blyth&Co in Stevenson Square. Its really rather good.

Inside out episode - March 8th BBC 1 @ 7:30

A program on the creativity in mills featuring mooch artists, Caroline McManus,Victoria Ashworth, Sean Caherty and Alan Knight. See earlier blog for some more pics of them filming, it was ever so exciting.

Stefan's Showtime

It rang, he picked up and I heard a few bars of guitar music followed by a jovial greeting in his soft canadian accent. It was the second time we had spoken over the net and his enthusiasm came bursting over from the speakers in my computer. I had a sore head from last nights bottle of red wine and was hoping I hadn't accidentally clicked on video chat where he would catch an eyeful of my bulldog chewing a wasp face and Mr Majeika hair. Its hard for a greeting like that not to lift your spirits.

We had already agreed that an exhibition in manchester would be a great idea, we just needed to suss out the how, when, who, where and what. I was, and still am convinced his abstract work is some of the best around. Its the most difficult to describe but looking at his work its clearly sophisticated. The classic, almost regal, colour palette ties in beautifully with his measured sweeps of contrasting colour. Looking at his work reminds me of when I first saw a Mark Rothko at the Tate. The more you look the more complex you realise it is and the more intelligent the work appears. Of course this sort of stuff doesn't translate onto the web so you need to get down to see the work in person.

Since that 1st conversation at the end of last year he has worked incredibly hard to create 40 new works for the solo show. They were delivered in dozens of cardboard boxes a couple of weeks ago and we had been itching to open them to see them in the canvas. We previewed his work on wednesday night and the exhibition runs until the 5th May.

The night had a great turnout. We have a loyal group who come to all our previews. Groups of friends come along to the previews have a good look, often buy and then go for a meal and a few drinks in the restaurants nearby. Stefan lives in Vienna so had made a big effort for the show. I had to say a few words to thank him for everything and he went on to describe a bit about the meaning of the exhibition "Irrefutable consequences".

Stefan is hanging around visiting relatives until moday I think when he will head back to the peace and calm of Vienna. We took a few photos that night so i have put them all below for you to have a look at. When a picture tells a thousand words it means i don't have to write them.

Media Guru - Mooch Mosley

We are going to be on't telly! The past few years I have visited artists studios where ever they may be. Sometimes spare bedrooms or sheds, basically just a space where mess isn't an issue. In the northwest quite a few artists have set up in ageing old textile mills which are falling to bits. Poor artists are the only people willing to bypass health and safety, creature comforts and all other sensibility to occupy these places. Outrageous renovation costs on these listed buildings along with lazy and/or cash strapped owners means nothing is done with these fantastic buildings. Speaking to the BBC the assistant producer was fascinated by these relics of our industrial past being used for the creation of art. Cue a fabulous story darling about tortured artists struggling in gloomy conditions for the cause.

ABOVE: Sean Caherty talking through his exciting range of plastic pots.

In summary I spent a day taking her round a few mills in December and we identified Woodend and Vernon mill to go to film for a short documentary on Inside out. Filming was done on one long day January 26th. They came to the Triangle gallery to film the work of the artists we were going to film later. I met up with Jacey, the presenter and the Producer and Cameraman as well as the assistant producer. We had a chat stood around while they got lots of close ups and then it came to my interview.

I was a little nervous to be honest and when that happens I tend to talk garbage. A lot of people will see this so the night before, like a right girl, I had to put on a few different outfits to check with my wife whether they were suitable for a gallery owner. They wanted to walk through the gallery to eventually come up to where Jacey and me were standing when she would start the interview.

Jacey seemed nonchalant but when her 1st question came and the camera was in my face her tone changed so much it temporarily threw me. I wanted to laugh out loud but held back because the cameraman would only have to trek back to to the run up again.

Her TV presenter mode was loud, emphatic and I felt the need to mimic this otherwise I would sound monotone in comparison. After a bit the camera came in to within inches it seemed from my face. Do they not have zoom on these things? This freaked me out a bit and it took all my will power not to look at the camera and ask the guy whether he was taking the mick.

Finished at Mooch Triangle, we went to Woodend mill in Mosley and the filming continued in Sean Caherty's studio, then Victoria Ashworths and Caroline McManus.

Depending on your life outlook you can view these mills on the understanding that to some people they are rustic and bracing, and to others, crap and cold. The film crew loved up the flaking paint, the worn, grime coated floorboards and steamy breaths from the artists.

The cold penetrated your bones. I had a chunky fleece in the car I lent to Jacey who was suffering. I was quick to explain the serious perfume smell to my wife later.

In Vernon Mill we spent some time in Malcolm Crofts studio then moved down to Alan Knights where they got some close ups of him painting. A lot of artists were milling about in the hope they would be filmed. A chance for a mention, recognition and even a artistic career break. I got a couple of curt responses from those who wouldn't be included in the film.

Sadly the day was short and the focus was mainly on mooch artists. The notion that the mills are creative havens where all artists are equal is an impossible and absurd idea. Taking license from George Orwell, all artists are equal, but some artists are more equal than others.

ABOVE: Caroline McManus discussing the fashion merits of this seasons white pinafore.

Filming finished fairly late at night and Vernon mill had gotten even colder. Since then I was also on Channel M for a piece about the latest exhibition with Michael Gutteridge and Dai David. See link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02NCtOQCLCA

It was fascinating to mee these people and it was great spending the day with them watching how filming is done. It amazed me how much footage they took and this will be chopped down to just 10 minutes. Less really because they filmed at Styal mill and some stuff will go in from that day trip.

Inside out screens March 8th at 7:30 on BBC1. Get your popcorn ready, tune in and get ready for some thought provoking and entertaining TV.

Artist Focus - Michael Gutteridge

I'd taken a wrong turn in the maze of terraces even though I had sat nav. It was a dark, rank night and I was heading towards Michael Gutteridge's house in Gorton. It was the end of a full day of carting artwork around and I was knackered but knew I had to fit this in.

We had met a couple of times before and I needed to see how his new work was coming along. The large open plan lounge was dark and he had brought his paintings down from his studio upstairs. He had a couple of pieces on the wall and had brought a few more down. All the same size, painted on board they really stood out.

Michael's colourful and surreal paintings are at odds with his reserved character. I keep thinking of a media trained premiership footie player whose post match interview doesn't event slightly reflect the amazing skills he has. It's the paintings that matter though, and they are absolutely fascinating.

The few he completed since I last saw him showed the same twisted, distorted and vibrant view of Manchester. He has his own style and doesn't pander to the latest trends in art. I have a lot of respect for this and can see that perhaps he has chanced upon something that people really love.

He has had some great publicity being interviewed by the BBC and plenty of other local magazines and newspapers but this doesn't seem to have affected his work or his attitude. His influences are clear. The simplified casual figures set within Mancunian cityscapes have hints of Lowry. More than that Michael has "let his paintbrush off its leash" taking influences from Chaim Soutine in the warping of reality. His influence from Matisse have injected bold and vibrant colours and generally give his work a positive feel regardless of its content.

He showed me one of Shambles square, laid it on his sofa in the dark lounge.

When presented with a painting I always try to get a good impression of it from a distance. You always get a gut reaction when you first view artwork but always need to get up close to see the brushwork and the finer detail of the piece. I became engrossed in the stories within each piece. It's set after work with the guys wearing ties, its sunny and people are sat chatting with friends. People on mobile phones, raising their glasses and enjoying the warmth. The surreal distortion looks like it has given the man on the left in the red tie a drunken swagger. The man in the blue shirt slumped on the table also seems to have had his fill. The sandwich boards dotted around the square all make references to the ales available and it is full of people sampling it.

It became clear why collectors hold Michael's work in such high regard. It is extremely well thought out and it has a totally unique style that is modern and yet timeless.

Meeting Michael is an experience that makes me realise what incredible things must be going on in peoples minds. We all have our own perspectives and artwork can give us a glimmer of what is going on inside an artists head. If we could all paint, what kind of world would we show?

"All that Jazz" Exhibition featuring work from Michael Gutteridge and Dai David

Preview: Wednesday 3rd February: 6-8pm

Exhibition continues until March 1st.

Free entry come along to have a chat to the artists over a glass of wine.