The perfectionist in me never wants to share anything until it's finished, but when is an artwork ever finished? There's always the next brushstroke, the next idea.
So it's been a productive few weeks, solving problems and sorting through ideas. I'm presenting here the first few works from a new series.
The surrealist artist, Max Ernst described collage as ‘The systematic exploitation of […] two or more foreign realities on a seemingly incongruous level – and the spark of poetry that leaps across the gap as these two realities are brought together.’
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There are so many people talking about growth, progress, and self-development these days but what does progress feel like? If you’re like me it can be tough to remember how things felt yesterday, let alone last week or last month and most changes don’t happen overnight – it’s a process that takes weeks or months.
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As an artist, you are an explorer, one who ventures into the unexplored regions of the cultural, psychic, and spiritual landscapes, bringing back stories and artefacts which describe your experiences there. Whilst on your expedition you may see on the horizon and mountain of an idea that you want to conquer. You can see its shape, but not the route to the top.
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November and December were crazy busy with commissions and events. So, when I returned to my studio in Ukraine earlier this month, it felt like I was starting over. Painting felt unfamiliar and a little daunting.
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I discovered Aphantasia recently, and before I understood anything about it, I immediately diagnosed myself with it. Aphantasia is the inability to create mental imagery. This unfounded concern helped me realise how I can best work on new ideas.
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Important information for ordering online, Christmas 2022
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I had a fantastic time last weekend at my pop-up exhibition at King’s Cross Canopy Market. This market was the first place I sold my art and the community there really helped me learn about the business of Art, what customers will want and enjoy, and also helped shape what I wanted to create. So, it was incredible to be back in this space, where I was a regular trader before, amongst friendly faces in a familiar space.
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I wanted to share a quick update on our fundraising efforts in Ukraine. A big thank you to all of you who donated and shared my artwork. We've raised over £5000 for local aid in Ukraine.
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After a turbulent start to the year, I’m thrilled to announce a couple of shows this summer.
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The war has continued for over 100 days, and despite some military successes for Ukraine, the scale of destruction and suffering is immense.
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The last 10 weeks have been draining as Liuda and I moved from Ukraine to Poland and then back to the UK. I never thought a country I lived in would be invaded, however this changed 2 months ago. Now I have had some distance from this, I am seeing what it’s taught me and how it’s reaffirmed my role as an artist.
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Firstly I want to say a massive thank you to everyone for their support with our fundraising efforts so far and update on our situation.
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I’ve been living in Ukraine over the past year and the events of the last seven days have shaken me and my wife. Luckily the city we live in, Ivano-Frankivsk is in the West of Ukraine and is not an area that has suffered any fighting yet.
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This feature was written by Elliott Whiteman, originally on https://www.sycamoreclub.co.uk/sycamore-club/mike-thebridge-interview.
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I've been working on portraits more and more recently; and since lockdown began I've been painting a lot more too. I've written some of my thoughts on modern portraiture and what it means to me. When I first wrote this piece, it quickly spilled out on to the pages of my notebook as an uncontrolled stream of consciousness. I’ve left it as close to it’s original form as possible because that seemed right and true to the moment.
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Have you ever wondered what goes on inside an artist’s head when they create? Are you asking what do painter’s think when they paint? This short piece exposes the inner dialogue of an artist creating a portrait painting. A bit of fun, but I often go through a roller coast of thoughts and feelings when making art. It’s better when you can fall into the work and your inner voice is silent, though this is rare and seldom enduring. Often for me, it’s like a crowd of people, with the same voice, talking over each other with conflicting advice.
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I'm often asked this question, in one form or another. I've always felt being an artist was the right choice, but why this is isn't always clear. Why do I make art and what do I want the art I create to do? As I develop my practice the answers to these questions will change, here's my latest.
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Here’s where to find me and my work through December
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Here’s where to find me and my work this month.
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