It's completely abstract (28th September) — here is work that goes beyond a literal and representational depiction of a subject or idea. Maybe it’s what artists produce when they detach themselves from concrete realities, specific objects, or actual instances, and embrace different interpretations and perspectives. Why not see what you think?
Browse the galleries below, or perhaps view today's flipbook.
Or, follow these links to explore all 30 Art Trails or start from Open Studios central
After studying architecture at university, I began to focus on painting.
I enjoy creating loose, expressive landscapes with a palette knife, which give my work a lot of texture. The inspiration for my work is taken from the beautiful scenery around my home and from my walks in the forest.
Nature, colour, texture, light and story-telling all lend themselves as themes for my photography and woven tapestries; imagery to draw the viewer in.
I am a textile artist specializing in woven tapestry. I trained at Central St Martins in London and initially worked in Theatre Design and costume, but for the last thirty years I've been weaving and spinning, and occasional yarn dyeing. My focus for the last twenty years has been on Tapestry as I found it to be such as expressive medium.
I also use a lot of photography to help form my ideas for weaving including macro images that help to suggest textures and abstracts that lend themselves to symbolism. From there I will often do further sketching and painting, or manipulation of the imagery in Photoshop.
Recently I have also found myself weaving imagery relating to social or environmental concerns as I also see tapestry as a means of story-telling and communication.
I am currently a member of the British Tapestry Association, including being on their committee. I am also a member of the Herts Textile Arts group and the National Association of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers.
I give talks and demonstrations to various groups and schools. If you are interesting in a site-specific commission please contact me for further details.
Inspired by colour & light, Alexander’s influence comes from watching the sky and imagining the possibility of colour to use within his oil paintings.
Alexander James Gordon is an artist living and working in Barnet and is a member of the Barnet Artist.
His paintings are abstract landscapes using oils and a palette knife on canvas.
Alexander is inspired by the colour and light found in everyday travels. His main influence comes from watching the sky and imagining the possibility of colour to be used within his artwork. Alexander finds colours from small marks on objects, especially if they are worn or are slightly damaged and will play with these images and thoughts as he creates his work.
As an artist who is inspired by the ever changing sky and its influence on the colour in the world, he is very excited by the change of light which takes place in a very short period of time and the early rises of colour within the day.
Working with a palette knife enables Alexander to leave a visible mark on the canvas, this creates a subtle textural layer to the painting. He is particularly fond of the marks made towards the end of the piece as the layers of paint beneath are revealed.
Alexander is the viewer at the gallery with his nose pressed up against the painting to be drawn in by each and every mark the artist has created.
All of the paintings have the edges painted and so do not need to be framed, they all arrive ready to be hung.
Thank you for taking an interest in Alexander's artwork and we hope you enjoy them as much as he has enjoyed creating them.
