Announcement

Regretfully, I have to confirm that we won't be carrying forward the wowlookwhatigot.com publishing project. We will, of course, honour all our commitments to our crowd-funders - the second month's mailouts will be going out soon - best hang on to them - they might be worth a lot one day!  As before, they will all be signed and numbered limited editions.

This was a tough decision. It was always my intention that I would continue to run the publishing venture, regardless of how few or how many subscribers we got, but other considerations have since intervened. Put simply, it is not seen as desirable by gallerists and dealers that I should be selling prints online, and I need to focus my energy on creating new work, so not only this project, but all the online print-on-demand shops etc. where I've been selling have now been closed down. You can read the full story at:

http://artedstates.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/closing-down-sale-big-momentous-decision.html

So ... many thanks to everyone who supported us. Life goes on, just a little differently! As part of the new era, there is a new website at martinherbert.com - please visit and take a look around. On the contact page you can sign up for the newsletter, which will mean invitations to gallery openings, news of new work available and other events.

This blog will close at the end of October.

All the best,
Martin

First prints in the mail!

"Ode to Creativity" : Handmade collage
Copyright © 2008 by Vivi-Mari Carpelan

As you'll hopefully have heard, we managed to raise just enough from our crowd-funding campaign at indiegogo.com to purchase a 2nd-hand pigment-ink fine-art quality printer, and after a little cleaning and overhauling, those who signed up for one of our indiegogo funding perks can see the results. The first prints are in the mail today! We hope you'll agree that the quality is everything we could have asked for!

As Vivi-Mari's handmade collage “Ode to Creativity”, featuring the Indian goddess of learning and creativity, Saraswati, was the 'poster girl' for our campaign, we thought it was only fitting that this should be the first print of our series. We hope you like this piece as much as we do!

News this month:

Congratualtions in order! Vivi-Mari sold one of the two pieces she had in the 'Outside In West' exhibition at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton, and has just heard that another work has been selected for the 'Shape' exhibition coming up in the Autumn at Bow Arts (“At the heart of London's artist quarter”!). More details of that coming up in the newsletter.

Meanwhile, I'm in the middle of 'changing course'... you might have seen via my blog or newsletter that I'm ceasing all online sales from the end of August in order to concentrate on more 'serious' work for the collector market. This means shops at saatchi-online.com, fineartamerica,com, redbubble.com, and etsy.com will cease to exist at the end of the month. All items in the stores have already been discounted, but in particular, at etsy.com, I'm offering 50% off everything for the final week (25th - 31st August).

To order from etsy.com and get 50% off, please go to www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Spiritvisions, make your selections, and enter the discount code CLOSING50 during checkout. (This code is active from Sunday 25th August).

Funders, we hope you enjoy our August mailout, and look forward to the next print in September. Until then,

Love from Martin & Vivi-Mari

Status ... we have our printer!! First mailings going out soon!

Hi,

Firstly, I apologise for the fact that it's been approximately forever since the last update - I've had to put a lot of time into other projects for a while, and also have a couple of hospital treatments (one done and two coming up...) to contend with.  Nothing serious, happily :-)

Two significant pieces of news ...

Firstly - thanks to everyone who contributed to the crowd-funding campaign on indiegogo.com, we have been able to purchase a second-hand Epson R2400 printer on ebay, and went up to Colwyn Bay a little while ago to pick it up from a lovely couple who were completely honest and conscientious about making sure we knew exactly what we were getting and what state it was in!  We had a nice day out as well into the bargain - lunch on the beach and a trip to Portmeirion, which has now become a favourite hangout.

So  here we are - installed in the studio...

The nerve-centre of wowlookwhatigot.com operations ...

Not the brand new A1 printer we were aiming for, but as we said in the beginning, the business concept was meant to be scalable.  The 2400 makes fine-art prints using fade-resistant pigment-based Ultrachrome inks (that's the important bit!) on heavyweight fine-art paper in sizes up to A3+ which is enough for us to get up and running. There was a bit of maintenance necessary to get it working properly - now done, so it's full-steam ahead!

The next task is to make some test prints to make sure everything is calibrated right so our subscribers get the best possible quality, then the first mailouts (to indiegogo contributors who claimed some of our perks) will go ahead ASAP!

At the same time, I'll be updating the wowlookwhatigot.com website to remove the crowd-funding links and 'go live', then we can start trying to get more subscribers .... hooray!

Second bit of news ...

"Tempest/Eymesti" : Ink, pencil and gouache on watercolour paper by Martin Herbert -The prize in our prize draw give-away !

Apologies for the delay due again ... but we did finally do the prize draw from the names of our first contributors for Martin's original dragon drawing "Tempest" (a.k.a The Eleventh Dragon - see the full story here).  The drawing, framed and ready to hang, was won by our neighbour Andrew Capel, one of our first and most encouraging contributors - congratulations Andrew!!

So - the next new should hopefully be that our first mailings have gone out and we're open for business!

Best wishes to everyone for now!

Martin & Vivi-Mari

End of the crowd-funding campaign = start of a new business!

Hi all, and welcome to what, in theory, is the last posting of the wowlookwhatigot.com fundraising campaign...

"The Tree of Love" : Handmade collage : Copyright © 2007 by Vivi-Mari Carpelan

So what happened in the end ?

By the end of the crowd-funding campaign at indiegogo.com, 13 lovely people helped us raise a total of $286. Our thanks to everyone who helped - we'll be in touch to thank everyone individually shortly! A tad short of our original target, of course, but as we've been saying all along, every little really does help. My worst fear was that we wouldn't raise enough to do anything useful, and we'd have to give everyone their money back but, strange as it may seem, even that total is enough...

The whole concept was meant to be scalable from the beginning, whether we raised enough to go into full scale production with a new major publishing business, or only enough to start a little 'kitchen table' enterprise. As it happens, we do have just enough to do the latter.

The other thing that happened in the end was that we immediately had to go and hang Vivi-Mari's new exhibition at the Art Cafe in Llandrindod Wells (continues until 24th May, hint, hint), and then complete and deliver the work for my new show at MOMA Wales in Machynlleth, which actually stated this week, ahead of schedule. (There'll be a private view on Sat May 18th at midday, just in case you're not doing anything). We then collapsed in a heap for a whole weekend and are now in the middle of preparing Vivi-Mari's submission for the ArtAngel Open using her pictures and my music. Hence the reason it's taken a little time to prepare this final update!

So what happens next?

Coming soon to a studio near us ...

We're going to put your contributions towards buying a second-hand A3+ size giclee printer (i.e. an inkjet printer which uses pigment inks rather than dyes, for permanent images, and can take heavyweight fine-art paper). We'll most likely go for an Epson 2100 - it's an old model but reliable and inexpensive, producing professional-quality prints. As soon as the money is transferred from indiegogo, we'll be looking out for a suitable one on eBay... We're hoping to get everything up and running so we can start redeeming those perks on schedule in a couple of months time, and then we can start accumulating some subscribers!

So - we'll keep everyone posted as to further developments as they happen, and once more, thanks to all our supporters! (If you missed the final campaign date and you'd like to contribute, you are most welcome, just drop us a mail at info@wowlookwhatigot.com)

Love

Martin & Vivi-Mari

Free gifts for everyone! - The wowlookwhatigot.com funding campaign closes soon, so here's a thank-you from us...

"Distant Shores" : Desktop wallpaper by Vivi-Mari - download from the "Free Wallpapers!" page above

Good news!!  Although nowhere near our original target, we have raised enough to buy a second-hand printer to start our new project.  That said, we also need fine-art paper, ink cartridges and other bits and pieces to get things up and running so YES, even though it may look like a small contribution wont help very much now, I can assure you it will.  If you've been thinking about contributing, NOW is the time! We really just need to raise another £200 or so - success is in sight, so please help!

The end of the crowd-funding campaign at indiegogo.com/wowlookwhatigot is fast approaching - please make your contributions by midnight (British time) on Monday 15th April.  This is my final posting before the end of the campaign, and actually I'm making it on Sunday evening because, wouldn't you know it, I have a hospital appointment way down South in Swansea tomorrow, for which I have to leave at around 6AM, so I'll be out of touch for most of the last day! Well planned, huh? Well, you could help put a smile on the face of the artist by helping to make sure we get the last bit of funding we need by the time I get home tomorrow evening!

The fact that I'm out tomorrow also means we're giving everyone a little gift our this evening - to everyone who has been so patient while being bombarded with pleas for support for the last few weeks, we got together and made some of our art into a few desktop wallpapers in a variety of shapes and sizes, which you can download here free! Yes, even if you haven't opted to have our artwork landing on the mat every month, you can still get some free pictures - just click on "Free Wallpapers!" at the top of this page, or just click here.

Thanks again to everyone!!  We'll be back soon, with even better news, I hope!

Love from

Martin & Vivi-Mari

"The Heart is the Fountain of Wisdom" : Desktop wallpaper by Martin. Download from the "Free Wallpapers!" page above.

"The Rafael" - Perk No. 7. Seeking an art angel...

Rafaello Sanzio : Head of an Angel : c. 1500

So I guess with only 46 hours to go and $195 raised of our original $8000 target (oops), there's no chance of getting anywhere near that total? Of course there is! We just need someone to be an angel and select our final perk...

"The Rafael"

$8,000 ( £5,000 / €6.200 ). Your opportunity to be a real art angel. Life membership (see 'da Vinci' above), PLUS an original painting in oils and egg-tempera on canvas by Martin on a subject of your choice. Allow a year for planning, completion, drying, varnishing and delivery. Includes delivery anywhere in the world. Note: of course this really goes against our democratic 'Art for Everyone' ethos. Do feel free to buy gift subscriptions for several friends instead! :-)

The ultimate art status symbol. No collector's life could possibly be complete without one. In return for your being a complete angel and funding our entire project at one stroke- you will receive our undying gratitude and a new piece of art every month for as long as we have the physical and mental agility to keep producing it. More to the point, though, you will also be able to commission one of Martin's stunning Mische-technique paintings. Built up from many layers of luminous translucent oil glazes with details picked out in each layer using white egg-tempera, the paintings achieve a depth and complexity of colour not possible with simpler traditional oil painting techniques. Because of the necessity of allowing intermediate layers to dry before proceeding, each piece can take months of time and many hours of work - hence the reason they command such premium prices. You will be able to specify your own subject for your unique painting (including a portrait of yourself or a loved one if you wish), and liaise with the artist at each stage of its completion. The result will be a treasured heirloom to be passed down through your future family, or an investment piece to tall about with your friends.

Of course, as noted, you could also pick 10 close friends and buy them all a life subscription! (See the "da Vinci" in yesterday's post). Whatever you choose, from just $1 to thousands, we're grateful for your support in kickstarting our new venture. Even if we don't meet our target, we will be able to get something new off the ground - a few contributions more would make it a lot easier, though!

Please go along to indiegogo.com/wowlookwhatigot and make your investment now! Remember, the campaign closes at midnight (British time) on Monday 15th April!

"Me da la Cabeza de Juan Bautista" (Bring me the Head of John the Baptist) : 96 x 53 cm
Oils & egg-tempera on canvas : Copyright © 2009 by Martin Herbert

Martin

The "da Vinci" - Perk no. 6

"Naiad" : Digital painting : Copyright © Martin Herbert

Into the final furlong (British horse racing expression, for those following us in far-off lands) - only 69 hours left to contribute to indiegogo.com/wowlookwhatigot! So - I thought we should tempt you with some details of one of the more expensive perks we're offering in return for your support...

The "da Vinci"

$800 ( £500 / €620 ) - Life membership at a reduced price – normally $1000/£600. A new print every month for as long as we both shall live, PLUS an original ink and pencil drawing by Martin or handmade collage by Vivi-Mari. Should raise an enigmatic smile! International shipping included.

This is one for the discerning art collector who wants no messing about. You want art for life with no fussing over monthly payments. Just one contribution of $800 gets you life membership of wowlookwhatigot.com, with a new piece of artwork every month - a veritable embarrassment of arty riches! We'll also give you one of our larger and more exclusive works, one of my large-scale renaissance-style drawings, or one of Vivi-Mari's exquisite handmade collages. In fact, you can come over and pick your art yourself (as long as you can get to mid-Wales, of course). You can get a flavour of what's on offer on our gallery page here, on my blog here, or on Vivi-Mari's website here... Then pop along to indiegogo.com/wowlookwhatigot and get yourself a da Vinci (our perhaps alternatively something a little easier on the pocket!).

The Mystery of the Feminine : Handmade collage : Copyright © 2008 by Vivi-Mari Carpelan

Martin

"The Picasso" - Perk No. 5

"Introspect" : Digital painting : Copyright © 2005 by Martin Herbert

In the final stretch of the fund-raising campaign now, and there's just time to have a look in detail at one more of the perks available in return for pledging support to the wowlookwhatigot.com crowd-funding project...

"The Picasso"

$150 ( £100 / €120 ) – a year's membership, PLUS an original 'Welsh Dragon' drawing by Martin). i.e. you get 12 fine-art prints AND a piece of original artwork! Something to hang in your cubicle ... NB: For INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING (outside the UK), PLEASE ADD $20 at checkout.

For all you people who plan to go along to indiegogo.com and add your support at the last minute (yep, you know who you are, all you lovely people who clicked on 'I'm going' on our Facebook event page :-), I reckon this is definitely the best value for money. You see, not only can you have a trial subscription to wowlookwhatigot.com for a whole year (that's 12 fabulously arty issues!), but also an original drawing from my 'Welsh Dragon' series. You can read about them here. Your chance to own a little piece of Mid-Wales art history! These original drawings are currently up for sale on etsy.com at $95 each, so hopefully you'll consider it a good deal! As always, of course, you get your choice of whichever piece you want in order of when you contribute, so the earlier you get along there, the more choice you get. Don't wait until the last minute - go claim your "Picasso" now!

(Oh yes, and I'd say this was the ideal gift for the Dragon lover in your life, wouldn't you?)

Whew! Nearly there - Vivi-Mari's exhibition opening tomorrow!

"Contemplating the Nature of Triumph" : Handmade collage : Copyright © 2011 by Vivi-Mari Carpelan

Well, we actually find ourselves in the position (almost) of having a free day, since yesterday we more our less finished all the preparations for putting up Vivi-Mari's exhibition at the Art Cafe in Llandrindod Wells. One would think, having done all this many times before, that it would just be a matter of chucking a few pictures in the car and hanging them on a wall, but there are always things that need framing, frames that need swapping, labels to make, cards to pack up, wrapping materials to get out of the loft, artist's statements to write, plus all the frantic attempts to actually make sure people know about the opening, which reminds me ...

In case it has slipped your mind,  you're invited to the private view of:

"Mindful"

An exhibition of handmade collages by

Vivi-Mari Carpelan

Join us for a glass of wine (tea, coffee & cakes on sale at the cafe), lounge on the comfy sofas, view the art and browse exciting crafts by local makers.

Friday 12th April 2013, 5PM

at the Art Cafe - Mid Powys Mind
Crescent Chambers, South Crescent, Llandrindod Wells, Powys LD1 5DH

Tel. 01597 82 44 11

The exhibition continues from Tuesday 16th April to Fri 24th of May 2013.

The Art Cafe is set in a delightful restored Victorian terraced house close to the centre of town and across the crescent from the Metropole Hotel. All the cafe's cakes are home-made and highly recommended, and the shop stocks a variety of crafts from local professional artisans. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please note: 25% of all sales go to Mid-Powys Mind (Reg. Charity No. 702833) - Mid Powys Mind is a local charity affiliated to Mind, running services in Radnorshire and North Brecknock that offers advice and support to those who may have mental distress. Mind also works to raise the public awareness and understanding of issues relating to mental health.

So, we look forward to seeing you there :-) Meanwhile, to avoid confusion, I haven't even started bombarding people with plugs for my own exhibition starting later in the month, but just in case you want to make a date in your diary, it opens on the 29th April in Machynlleth, and there will be a private view on 18th May - more details later.

Now, the last thing - just thought I'd better mention there are only 5 days left to contribute to the crowd funding campaign at indiegogo.com/wowlookwhatigot, so best get yourself along there now and check out all the lovely perks on offer... I do believe I'll be writing a little about that shortly.

Martin

P.S...

Spring is nearly here - honest! My exhibition is really
an attempt at pleasing the weather Gods so please come along and celebrate!
See you there, Vivi-Mari

Art in focus - some artwork explained

The following are some brief examples as to how one can read my artwork, these are mainly social, political and psychological commentaries. They are all handmade collages.

XPULSION (Part of 'Project X')

Foliage - the garden - suggests the cycles of life, and "the eternal return" of certain deeply imbedded patterns in life. This image is mainly about not having energy, and what may be there isn't compatible with external demands, or isn't where one might hope to find it... energy is all about growth and renewal but not really feeling able to be part of it. Of course, the death of certain elements in life is essential for renewal in many areas of life.

ENTANGLED FOR LIFE

This image is about the feeling of being connected to life in this world and the passage of time in both a negative and positive sense. It's about feeling that one has no great control over certain aspects of one's destiny such as a chronic conditions and other debilitating challenges that life throws at us - thus the sensation of drifting. The main figure is vulnerable, unassuming and fairly unaware of her destiny, but driven by a higher consciousness that knows where she is supposed to be going. In the end, it's all the way it's supposed to be.

WHY? The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Girl

Starting with a photo of myself as a child, this is a young mind questioning the absurdity of life as she experiences a loss of physical strength and parental support. 

The image of the girl is myself at age 4. The comb represents the sorting out of mess. Hair on the other hand symbolizes empowerement, so the loss of hair (e.g. due to stress) is an image of disempowerement. The page about Shakespeare represents the idea of life as a stage on which drama is enacted. The bottle indicates change in an esoteric alchemical sense, as in the growth of the soul.

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

This depicts a host of impressions of America and society today. It's about vulnerability and conformity in a society that rewards those who are fit enough to survive the social competitions.

THE MYSTERY OF THE FEMININE

Although in some ways women have been "dismembered" and heavily stereotyped by society, there is great strength and mystery in the feminine. With its many aspects including birth and death, shallowness and depth, emotional intelligence and excellency teamed with the ability to gossip and manipulate, femininity is indeed very complex. 

In the background, employment for women in Sweden 1942 in a women's magazine - mostly maids of all sorts... E.g "ensam jungfru" means "lonely virgin", an old way of indicating an unmarried woman who needs employment. "Troende flicka" means "Christian Girl". "Obemärkt flicka" means 'Unnoticable girl" and"Frisk flicka" means 'Healthy Girl". Femininity symbolizes fertility but also death and rebirth... What will the true emancipation of women be like...? I feel women are well equipped to help dig out the skeletons from the closets ;-). When will women be considered whole people and not cut to form to fit a social agenda?

SOME THINGS SHOULD NEVER BE FORGOTTEN 

This symbolic collage is about emotional development, and specifically about the ambivalence of sexuality. While somewhat threatened, the female figure also expresses excitement and expectancy. It's paradox and part of the dualism of life as well as cycles of existence. Water is a frequent symbol in my work which depicts various emotional states. Here, the volcano in the background expresses suppressed feeling, maybe on the verge of eruption. The camera stands for the ambivalent experience of being observed and objectified.

THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR

Those who are willing to grow as individuals often find that various fears that hold us back are illusory - often laughed at later as foolish ideas. What appears dark, is often a blessing in disguise.