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Spotted at Fetcham Park House – The World of Interiors magazine and Louis Laguerre murals

‘On painted ceilings you devoutly stare,
Where sprawl the saints of Verrio or Laguerre.’
Alexander Pope

I have the privilege of living within walking distance of a beautiful 17th century mansion Fetcham Park House in Surrey, England. A Grade II listed building in the Queen Anne baroque style with Flemish bond and red brick, the ornate gardens and elegant interiors have remained largely unchanged since the 1700s. The mansion was commissioned in 1697 by Henry Vincent, who appointed architect William Talman, a pupil of Sir Christopher Wren and in the service of King William III at Hampton Court, to design the building in 1705.

       Murals by renowned French artist, Louis Laguerre, adorn the ceiling in the Shell Room and the Main Staircase, depicting Greek mythological scenes.

Born in Versaille’s courts to his Catalan father, Laguerre was trained under Charles Le Brun, later becoming a pupil of Antonio Verrio. He assisted Verrio with paintings at Windsor Castle and Blenheim Palace, before embarking on his own illustrious career in 1687. Aside from Fetcham Park House, Laguerre’s murals can also be seen adorning the walls of Marlborough House, Chatsworth, Petworth and Blenheim, mainly depicting English victories against King Louis XIV.

There are five wall and ceiling murals painted in oil and plaster, and seven decorative panels painted in oil on wood by Laguerre.

The gardens are another delight at Fetcham Park House, having been designed by George London. They are incredibly romantic at night, with lights illuminating the fountains like the Trevi Fountain in the film, La Dolce Vita.

For the past two years, I have attended the Carol Service adjacent to the Mansion at St Mary’s Church, another historic gem built in the medieval era and the oldest building in Fetcham parish. The Carol Service also functions as a fundraising event for charity Transform, which helps vulnerable people out of homelessness and provides them with shelter and support. There is an opportunity to give a donation and afterwards congregate in the Mansion for mince pies, canapes and mulled wine, as well as the rare experience of enjoying the opulent interiors, luxurious gold panelling and paintings on display.


Throughout it’s history, Fetcham Park House has been a multi functional building, first as a home, then a school and now offices, but hardly opens to the public. However Parallel Venues launched it as a stunning wedding venue in 2011, available for ceremonies on most weekends and public holidays.

I’ve been wanting to find a reason to write about the mansion and it’s beautiful interiors, and as destiny would have it, my sister spotted the October issue of the World of Interiors magazine by the staircase, the very edition in which my Autumn Colour painting features!

 

The combination of carols by candlelight, the Christmas message, charity fundraising and a 17th century setting makes the Transform Carol Service a lovely start to the festive season.

It’s definitely looking a lot like Christmas!

Spectrum Miami – 6-10 December

I’m thrilled to be exhibiting my oil paintings and drawings at Spectrum Miami, Florida, from 6-10 December 2017.

Coinciding with one of the world’s most influential art fairs, Art Basel, Spectrum Miami is a juried, contemporary art experience emerging from the heart of the Arts and Entertainment District in Miami. It is an annual convergence of creative energy, where emerging and established artists and galleries have been specially selected to showcase their artistic vision and talent.

For five days, Miami’s burgeoning cultural centre will feature an exciting array of unique art events, including Art Labs, Meet the Artist sessions, Artist Talks, music and entertainment. Thousands of visitors from around the world will descend upon the Arts district this week, including art collectors, museum directors, curators and art dealers.

Unfortunately I cannot be there in person, but my artwork will be represented by Art UPClose, an art agency based in New York.

View the event location here.

This oil painting may not be one of Miami’s beaches, but I wanted to enjoy some tropical sunshine nonetheless. If you manage to visit Spectrum Miami and Art Basel, I wish you a fantastic time of art discovery!

Journeying into Narnia and The Surrey Artists online shop

“Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny.”
CS Lewis, ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.’

Representing my art online often feels like walking through the wardrobe into Narnia, a digital world where I am suddenly (or gradually) presented with exciting new experiences and opportunities both nationally and internationally, that might not have been as readily available offline. The ability to travel cyberly and meet new connections (and keep in touch with current connections), has made the internet a pleasant asset to my art business.

The quote from CS Lewis is particularly apt, as I recently had a meeting with the Surrey Artists Network at the historic pub, The Old House in Dorking, Surrey, with parts of the building dating back to the 14th Century. The meeting was held in a secret room, hidden away at the back of the pub and only accessible through a walk in wardrobe. My first impression on opening the door on the other side of the wardrobe was like entering an 18th Century time capsule. I was immediately transported into another era, with leather seats, exposed beams, brickwork chandeliers, a roaring log fire, old paintings, bookshelves lining the walls, and an old piano. My inner interior designer/architect/historian/musician/bibliophile/antique collector couldn’t quite control itself and I just fell in love with the secret room instantly. I don’t think it’s hard to see why.

The purpose of the meeting was not to discuss the online shop which I am about to mention, but the network organisers always seem to find hidden gems tucked away in Surrey for our meetings, so I wanted to include it here, particularly with the Narnia/internet theme.

On 20th November I began an online Open Studios art shop with Surrey Artists, of which I am a member, and incredibly, received my first orders within two days. I have decided to feature greeting cards, with eight card designs in a mix and match format, suitable for any occasion throughout the year. Alongside the cards, I have included a small framed original oil painting and several open and limited edition prints that are currently only being displayed in galleries. Sharing about my commissions online in the past few weeks has also resulted in several enquiries from new clients, requesting bespoke commissions in the New Year. An etsy shop is also in it’s inception, and will be featuring (at the moment), greeting cards and prints. A lot can happen in a few weeks!

There is a seasonal Christmas discount of 30% on all my limited edition small prints, and free UK postage for all medium size prints. Both offers are available until mid January.

Most originals, aside from the one on the Surrey Artists shop, will be able to buy from me directly or through galleries or agencies representing me. You can view more of my work and upcoming exhibitions at www.charlotteigguldenart.co.uk

I am now taking commissions for 2018, please send any enquiries to info@charlotteigguldenart.co.uk.

I would always encourage other artists to focus on their artwork creation offline first and building contacts, then simply continuing it online and not giving up, especially if they are not very technically/social media inclined. Perseverence, faithfulness in doing what you love, and hope, has it’s rewards.

There is always Hope – art and conservation in Polperro

‘The sea, the great unifier, is man’s only hope. Now, as never before, the old phrase has a literal meaning: we are all in the same boat.’ Jacques Yves Cousteau, Oceanographer

I have been interested in conservation from an early age, whether it be human or environmental, and have often been inspired to create artworks based on my research. Most artists are intrinsically fascinated with their environment and the sea is no exception: painters, poets, sculptors, filmmakers and musicians have each aspired to capture that elusive vitality of the ocean and our relation to it. In exploring our human connection to the sea, I wanted to capture some of the unique lifestyles of those around the English coastline whose livelihoods depend on the ocean.

It is now just over one year since I last visited the Cornish village of Polperro on holiday and explored its narrow cobbled streets once again. During that summer of 2016, I was invited by local artist Regina Farrell, a member of the British Association of Naive Artists, to exhibit my work in her pretty art gallery on the harbour. I have since been fortunate to have sold some of my favourite original oil paintings and limited edition prints to visiting holidaymakers.

Whilst visiting the area, the stories of local fishermen’s wives captured my interest, some of whom told me their husbands have turned to the tourist industry for a more stable income. Set in a beautiful 12th century harbour, the village’s source of revenue originally came from smuggling and fishing. For centuries, pilchard fishing was the predominant occupation, however shoals of pilchards diminished in the 1900s and it ceased to be the mainstay in the 1960s. Tourism became the main industry during the 20th century, forcing some families to abandon fishing and transform their boats into tourist vessels. At the time we visited, there were currently around a dozen fishing boats in operation, employing over 30 local fishermen. Although I enjoyed our boat trip, it seemed a shame that the fishermen couldn’t be out on the waves, working in a job which they loved and was a part of their heritage.

There is currently a real urgency for marine conservation and the work of artists are vital in helping to secure the protection of our heritage and environment, whilst ensuring the delicate balance between our human need and what resources are available. Artists are uniquely placed to capture people’s imaginations and raise awareness of endangered places and traditions. Fishing in vast quantities may not be sustainable for the planet, but it is important that this way of life continues sustainably for those whose livelihoods depend on an incredibly tough fishing industry and who live in accordance with the ocean. I love the name of this particular Polperro fishing boat, as I feel it is emblematic for the future livelihoods of those who depend on the fishing industry.

This painting is still a work in progress due to some exciting commissions which I will soon be revealing. However I’m looking forward to finishing the painting and adding to my series of Polperro artworks. You can see some of my (finished!) original oil paintings and limited edition prints in person at Gina’s Art Studio, Lansallos Street, Polperro, Cornwall, UK …

Home is where the Art is – The World of Interiors Magazine

‘A house is more than mere shelter. It should lift us emotionally and spiritually.’ John Saladino (American Interior Designer)

I have always had an affinity with interior design. As a painter with interior designers and architects in my family, design is in my blood. I have been raised to believe that art and design are closely entwined. Without art, design is merely function. Both art and design are means of communication, and both can elicit an emotional response. It has been said that every child is an artist, it’s just difficult to stay one when they grow up.

The homes I have been accustomed to with my family are as culturally diverse as their owners, from palaces around the world to luxury residential properties and royal residences in the UK. The wealth at some of these client’s disposal is staggering. But what I have come to appreciate most about home design is its faithfulness to the personality of the owner and to their environment and culture. The more personal the approach, rather than mere ostentatious display for its own sake, the more meaningful it is and the more I like it.

The houses featured in the summer edition of The World of Interiors Magazine are ones that would inspire anyone who treats their home as an extension of their personality. Coco Chanel is quoted to have said that an interior is a natural projection of the soul. I believe that art, like interior design, should be a refuge for self expression, a world away from the homogeneous capitalist industry that often seems to surround us. It should be a space for our soul and spirit to be restored, to remember what makes us individuals. I like the fact that the owner of the kitchen featured in the front cover, ‘Lady X’, has remained anonymous so her creative flow is not impeded by what the media or history might have portrayed. Adopting a pseudonym has given her the freedom to be herself and give others a glimpse into what really makes her alive. It also gives me a strange desire to purchase a balcony facade from an 18th century house in India and situate it within my living room. The welcoming and vibrant nature of her home is in stark contrast with the art of Marcus Jefferies, not less inspiring, whose work addresses the uncanny, lonely nature of a postindustrial society, with buildings that survey us rather than include us.

I was elated when Conde Nast’s World of Interiors contacted me saying my work would be a perfect fit for their summer design festival. Art should create conversation, and for me, be a hopeful response to a mundane society by encouraging the connection between people and the environment, rather than distancing us from one another. I chose to include my hydrangea oil painting in the Artistic Impressions pages, as to me the painting represents what art should do within a home.

Like a flower blossoming in nature, art should add life and hope, set in stark contrast to what is often a dark world. The pink petals denote warmth and passion,  adding colour and vibrancy. Art should inspire you, and when situated within your home, it becomes an integral part of the tapestry of your life. Surround yourself with those meaningful pieces of art that uplift you and see what a difference it can make to your home.