Jenny Muncaster

My latest Food Painting collection for Raymond Blancs Brasseries

2012-02-26T03:51:00.000-08:00

Here I am surrounded by my foody paintings after a few weeks of concentrated creativity working on the latest collection for Brasserie Blanc. What an amazing commission and Raymond Blancs recipes are the perfect inspiration for my work. Time for a cuppa and a slice of cake I think!

Jenny Paints for Raymond Blanc - Painting Taste!

2012-01-21T06:56:00.000-08:00

I am in foody painting heaven working on a brand new collection of canvases for Raymond Blancs Brasserie Blanc Restuarants . Having just bought 7 new restuarants in London each one is going to receive a collection of my new paintings inspired by Monsieur Blancs amazing recipes. I am creating a whole new look with the addition of texture and colour using plaster, impasto, glazes, gold and silver leaf, stencil work and collage. Each canvas has been indivudally worked with a surface texture to resemble old plaster with colour washed over the top and then glimpses of recipes and text coming through the broken stencil work. I am painting lemons, oysters, artichokes and a whole collection of delicious foods. I am wondering if I can somehow paint taste and describe the essence of Raymond Blancs delicious recipes in a painting; summing up the notion of zesty lemon with the addition of gold leaf and drizzling lemon yellow paint, the sensuousness of oysters with soft colour and texture, artichokes, beetroot and even the thrill of champagne corks popping ..... These paintings are designed to be delicious, with all their layers of texture and colour

not unlike Raymonds recipes!

Jenny shows you how to paint mackerel on film!- go on get your paints out!

2011-12-01T09:31:00.000-08:00

Where have all the Bollards gone?!

2011-12-01T01:31:00.000-08:00

You might be wondering where all the painted bollards have gone to from The Square? Dont worry they havent fallen victim to the amount of lorries working recently in the vicinity, in fact quite the opposite. They are currently being lovingly restored back to their former glory. My colleague Rachael and I are currently installed in a pop up 'Bollard Studio' in The Brooks Shopping Centre next to Argos. We are repainting the 10 original Bollards plus 7 more new ones - all in the styles of iconic artists that many of you will be familiar with; including Mondrian, Picasso, Henri Matisse, Gustav Klimt and many more.

Pop in for a chat and see for yourselves the amazing transformation of the 'Cannon 500' Bollard. (I'm getting quite geeky even obsessed about these bollards say my friends !!...)

The Minster Gallery - last few days

2011-12-01T01:15:00.000-08:00

If you are out and about Christmas shopping in Winchester, maybe visiting the lovely Christmas Market in the Cathedral grounds or having a whizz round the ice rink call in to the beautiful Minster Gallery directly opposite the Cathedral entrance on Great Minster Street to look at my exhibtion. The show finsihes on Saturday 3rd Decemeber and then the work goes on tour to other galleries. Its a really lively colourful exhibtion and well worth a look, all the good things in life including food,wine and holidays.

My exhibtion at The Minster Gallery in Winchester opens next week

2011-11-09T10:24:00.000-08:00

'A Glass or Two'

a painting just finished for my forthcoming show

Just over a week to go before my solo Exhibition at The Minster Gallery in Winchester which opens Friday 18th November
exhibition continues until 3rd December

Jenny Muncaster

New Collection of Work

The Minster Gallery (opposite Winchester Cathedral)

3A Great Minster Street, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 9HA
Friday 18th November - 3rd December 2011

Mini Masterpieces in an Evening!

2011-10-19T03:32:00.000-07:00

It was the final lesson for my workshopees in my evening class last week and the room was buzzing with creativity! Each student produced a piece of work taking inspiration from one or two of the techniques learnt in my 6 week course and came up with some truly magnificent pieces - all so individual and each full of character, colour and imagination. I am amazed at the results after only a 2 hour workshop, using acrylic paints, collage and mixed media with subjects from still life to landscapes and abstract. I must say the two bottles of fantastic wine given to us by the lovely Rachel at Wine Utopia helped the creative juices flow! (www.wineutopia.co.uk) Thank you Rachel and a massive well done to all my students for their creativity and good company throughout the course. Keep up the sketchbooks and see you all again for another session soon!

For more information about my next art evening classes at The Colour Factory please do email info@thecolourfactory.org.uk and I will keep you in touch.

I am now back in my studio just about to start a painting for my forthcoming exhibtion:

Jenny Muncaster New Collection of Paintings

The Minster Gallery, Winchester

openinig on

18th November - 3rd December -

will keep you posted with news!

Workshopees Playing with Mixed Media

2011-10-07T05:55:00.000-07:00

It was Lesson 5 last night with my evening class artists here at The Colour Factory and 'mixed media' was the name of the game! It can be tricky at first deciding how to put things together to make a composition but out of the darkness came visions of lovliness!!!!

Starting with colourfully distressed backgrounds I encouraged the creative assembly of images with the addition of decorative colour, lettering, pattern and gold leaf to add to the glamour. I really cant believe the wonderful masterpieces that came out of this class in only two hours! What a fantastic achievement, and some really inspiring pieces or art which are going to look fantastic when framed up and hung on the wall.

Theres no stopping you now, its all about playing and having fun, you cant go wrong and as Louise said last night, 'anything goes!'

GET THE PAINT AND COLLAGE OUT AND GO FOR IT!!!

Workshop Students Create Some Colour!

2011-09-30T06:08:00.000-07:00

Fourth Lesson in and my fab students have created some colourful canvases experimenting with modelling paste and acrylics, using sponges, brushes and palette knives with some great results.

Its brilliant fun to try out new techniques and mediums and this has lead to some interesting results all of which they will go on to develop into some mixed media pieces. Dont be afraid to get stuck in - literally!!! Roll your sleeves up, that modelling paste is gloopy stuff.....!

Something Fishy in the Art Evening Class!

2011-09-26T10:08:00.000-07:00

My students have been cooking up a storm in the art room and produced some great little canvases. These paintings of fresh mackerel are good enough to eat! A wonderful evening last week great fun experimenting with their new found techniques and putting all they have learnt into practice with these lovely artworks - Well done!

I'm off for tea - stargazey pie anyone?!

Foxglove Painting

2011-09-16T07:16:00.000-07:00

I have just had this wonderful photograph sent to me of one of my specially commissioned paintings in situ!

This painting which I completed at the beginning of the year was commissioned by a lovely and very clever photographer with an eye for design and detail. Great to see it where it was designed to hang with the very same jug and home grown foxgloves, the beautiful cadmium yellow wall and the fantastic printed curtains which all feature in this one off painting.

Acrylics - Painting pebbles!

2011-09-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

Well done workshopees!

Another great session this time exploring acrylics. With all their versatility painting with acrylics is a fun way to get to grips with some lovely techniques. And not unlike Brucie in The Generation Game - 'didn't you do well!..'.I only say that as I think your finished paintings of pebbles on board were amazing especially considering the little time you had to do it in - Brilliant! Cornish Pebbles or Welsh Pebbles either way I think they deserve pride of place at home, with all their subtle colours, pattern and texture.

Mackerel painting on canvas board next week - must go into town now and find that lovely fisherman from Weymouth and put my order in.

First Class!

2011-09-12T01:41:00.000-07:00

What a fantastic start to the Evening Class Sessions!

My Wonderful Workshopees produced some truly amazing drawings using a whole array of materials, including charcoal, graphite stick, ink and pastels - not forgetting the carbon paper and the Matisse inspired cutlery drawer mural!!!

What a fun evening and I hope everyone went away with a few more ideas on how to get creative when faced with a blank piece of paper. As artists having time to explore and try out different mediums is often the starting point to discovering new ways of working and what I call the 'happy accident' so keep up the good work and dont be afraid to experiment. I cant wait to see how all your work develops in the coming weeks - all very exciting!

My Art Skills Evening Class Starts Tonight!

2011-09-08T01:28:00.000-07:00

I am very excited as it is the first Art Skills Evening Class tonight in my session of six workshops that I am holding here at The Colour Factory Studios. It reminds me of the thrill and anticipation of starting art school myself! I am busy organising the workshop here in the Beach Garden with a whole heap of still life subjects and an exciting array of new drawing materials, sketchbooks, paints and papers! I cant wait as I have a lovely group of new workshopees so I think we will have some fun!

Will keep you posted with updates.

This class is completely full but if you are interested in signing up for my next class in Jan 2012 email me with you details : jenny@thecolourfactory.fsnet.co.uk

To give you a taster of this autumns sessions see the info below!

Art Skills Evening Class with Jenny Muncaster

at The Colour Factory Lightbox Workshop

September 2011 for 6 weeks

Thursdays 7.00 – 9.00pm Sept 8th – Oct 13th

£140 for 6 week course including all materials

Maximum 8 students in the group

Under the tuition of professional artist Jenny Muncaster discover how to use a variety of art materials while learning new techniques in drawing and painting. This 6 week course is aimed at beginners and those with some experience to further develop and explore your own individual creativity. Jenny will take you through a range of techniques using a whole variety of artist’s materials as well as some of the latest specialist fine art mediums, on papers, canvas and board to produce amazing results. These workshops are all about going back to the school art room and having fun while learning some great new skills. You will soon be painting with confidence!

All materials used during the workshops are included in the price

Thurs 8th Sept Getting Started: introduction to art materials; drawing and painting and how to start including fun with drawing!

Thurs 15th Sept Acrylics: how to paint with acrylics using both ‘oil’ and ‘watercolour’ methods on paper, board and canvas.

Thurs 22nd Sept Still Life: Fruit and Fish! Fab ingredients in the studio to create your own mini masterpiece with lots of ideas, techniques & handy hints!

Thurs 29th Sept Artists Mediums: Explore the use of artists mediums from modelling paste to image transfer gel for great results in your paintings

Thurs 6th Oct Mixed Media: Use paint on paper & canvas with artists mediums to produce finished artworks combining ephemera and collected papers.

Thurs 13th Oct Painting a Canvas: combine art materials and techniques to produce still life, landscape or abstract – the choice is yours!

Places are limited to 8

The Colour Factory, The Lodge, 1 Gordon Road, Winchester, Hants SO23 7DD

For more information please call 01962 870789 email: info@thecolourfactory.org.uk

Lights, Camera, Action!

2011-06-24T05:43:00.000-07:00

Making a film!

Hoorah! finally my Blue Peter moment has arrived as I demonstrated on flim how to paint some fantastic mackeral on a plate using a whole range of acrylic paints from Pebeo. From blank canvas to finished painting the process of creating my colourful and lively painting will soon be ready to watch. I am now waiting for the editing to be finished before the film goes live! Watch this space and I will link you to the site for a front seat view of the finished film.

Get your popcorn out, no better still get those paints out....!

What a Sweetie!

2011-06-07T05:12:00.000-07:00

Sweet Jars Painting

'Sweetie Jars' acrylic on box canvas 80cm x 60cm

I have just finished this large painting of jars of sweets!

What fun! - reminds me of my childhood - which are your favourites?

I am definitely a Jelly Baby fan with Flying Saucers a close second!!

This painting was commissioned for an equally sweet toothed art lover. I think this is going to hang on either a large white wall in the kitchen or in the study.

What a great idea to incorporate all your favourites in an ever lasting work of art.

New Paintings!

2011-05-20T06:50:00.000-07:00

' Foxgloves and Figs' 80 x 80cm acrylic on box canvas

In the studio working on a smaller painting

getting ready for my next exhibition later in the year

'Cornflowers and Tulips' 80 x 80cm acrylic on box canvas

'Rooftop Birds' 80 x 80cm acrylic on box canvas

Sorry its been a while since my last post! I have been busy in the studio painting like mad to produce a new collection of work- Here are three of the latest; all 80x80cm, acrylic on box canvas and depicting my love for still life and seascape all rolled into one big colourful canvas. Each tell a little story, a sort of snapshot in time.

Just starting a collection of smaller paintings and I will keep you posted with some images when I have completed them. Although I think it might be time for a quick cuppa and a slice of lemon drizzle cake before launching into the next one! see you soon

Around the World in a Painting!

2011-03-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

'Holiday Adventures' 80 x 80 cm acrylic on box canvas

For those of you who visited The Colour Factory Studios when I was in the midst of designing this wonderful painting I promised I would post a picture of the finished canvas - here it is! This painting was commissioned by a couple who wanted a record of their amazing travels in a painting that would last forever. Full of colourful images that bring to life memories of an eventful and happy holiday. I thoroughly enjoyed painting this and I know my clients were equally pleased with the finished result - a complete one off!

Painting Foxgloves - a special commission!

2011-03-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

Painting commission - work in progress in my studio

The Finished Painting

'Love Conquers All' acrylic on box canvas 80cm x 80cm

I am very excited to be allowed to show you this specially commissioned painting - hot off the easel!
A beautiful and colourful composition including foxgloves and strawberries home grown by the lady who commissioned this fantastic painting. All the objects making up this still life including the view through the window have been carefully chosen to represent a particular memory and are meaningful to the owner for various reasons.
What a pleasure for me to put down in colour and create such a joyful piece of art that has particular personal significance to its owners.

My Art Taster Day here at The Colour Factory

2011-03-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

Reporting in on a productive day in the Lightbox workshop at The Colour Factory Studios last week. I was teaching a whole range of skills to eight workshopees from mixing and applying colour, using inks, acrylics and colourful pastels to produce some amazing results. Subjects ranged from painted quails eggs, delicate feathers and a whole manner of colourful and decorative still lifes with fruit and flowers. All went away with a portfolio of fantastic drawings and paintings - a great day had by all with copious amounts of tea and cake!

To book an Art Taster Day with me go to http://www.thecolourfactory.org.uk/ 'workshops'

Next dates are: Thursday 19th May and Saturday 21st May, for complete beginners and those with some experience.

Picnic in Provence! (a personal commission)

2011-02-26T05:09:00.000-08:00

I wanted to show you this very special painting I have recently finished measuring over a metre long - acrylic on box canvas.

A lucious lunch time picnic on a red gingham tablecloth surrounded by wild flowers.

This painting was specially commissioned by a delightful couple who wanted to be reminded of their wonderful summer holidays in France. Great food and wine and relaxing summer days. I love this painting and it makes me realise spring is on its way - cant wait!

If you would like to commission a special painting I would love to do one for you!

get in touch by telephone (01962 870789) or email :jenny@thecolourfactory.fsnet.co.uk

I will keep you posted with images of other commissions I am working on.

See you soon

Colourful Fun at The Factory Today

2011-02-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Fun in The Colour Factory Lightbox!

In true Jenny Muncaster style, I took advantage of some fantastic new art materials from Pebeo, and showed a group of willing adult workshopees how to create amazing pictures of chillies, melons, and other tasty eatables. As you can see, we had a great day with our new supplies, and can't wait to do it again sometime! Look on the Colour Factory website for details about more workshops coming up.

Mini Muncasters WOW!

2010-11-26T14:34:00.000-08:00

take a look at these mini masterpieces!

I have just finished this brand new collection of hand made canvases. I have eight images to choose from and each measure 19cmx19cm standing proud on their own mini wooden easels.

Look on my website' for sale' page for the whole collection to buy £50 each coming soon!

2010-11-06T05:12:00.000-07:00

Yay! I can finally say that I have finished the three paintings for Raymond Blanc's new Brasserie Blanc Restaurant in Chichester, and they are waiting to be put on the walls as we type. Great excitement. I have really enjoyed working on this new collection of foody paintings, and I am very glad to say they are complete.

Specially for you, take a sneak peak at them!

'Ricard and Saucisson.'

I am rather partial to saucisson and some of the best saucisson I have eaten was at the opening party of Winchester's BB with Raymond Blanc. Sliced and wrapped in a cone of newspaper, with some french bread! (The saucisson that is, not Raymond Blanc!)

'Macarons'

I drew on inspiration from the amazing cakes and macarons at the infamous Laduree in Paris, and who doesn't enjoy a sweet treat?

'Confiture de Fraises'

It's homemade jam time! Luscious raspberries galore, redcurrant and strawberries packed into fruity jams and jellies. I loved painting these colourful and mouthwatering fruits.

Golly, all this is making me hungry, better go and have lunch!

Cheers! See you later

Mini Muncasters!

2010-10-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

New Mini Muncasters Coming soon!

19cm x19cm Giclee Prints on Canvas

Back in the Studio!

2010-10-21T02:30:00.000-07:00

Thought I would post a great shot of our lovely little gallery and shop here at The Colour Factory Studios. We are getting ready for an open studios event in Winchester called 'Making Merry'. Our gallery will be crammed full of paintings, prints and artwork all made here at the studios. We are always open to the public for visiting but from the 19th November until the 28th November the artists will be on site with a plate of mince pies and a glass of punch for all- what more could you ask for; art and food - fantastic!! http://www.thecolourfactory.org.uk/

Just returned from the lovely Seascape Gallery in Godalming where some of my latest paintings were being exhibited as part of a two woman show. http://www.seascapegallery.co.uk/ A great little gallery and Sue the director/curator is gorgeous- always a joy to visit!

Showing my Paintings at The Saatchi Exhibition - The Preview Night

2010-10-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

Last week The Saatchi Gallery was given over to the largest ever sale of art for charity, “The Art of Giving” exhibition and two of my paintings were chosen to preview alongside some of the worlds leading contemporary artists. The art world rallied to raise money for 13 recession hit charities that carry out life changing and life saving work. I represented Moorfield Eye Hospital and exhibited my work alongside many internationally renowned artists including the infamous graffiti artist Banksy. Also exhibiting were many celebrities including Derren Brown, Vic Reeves, Jane Seymour and Chelsea Football Club, with all the artwork being for sale, with prices ranging from £150 to £40,000.

The Art of Giving was the first of a new annual event and presented a two day exhibition with a silent auction over the duration of the show. Last weeks celebrity preview evening featured a live auction run by Bonhams Fine Art auctioneers with Lord Jeffrey Archer standing in as guest auctioneer on the night.

It was reported that both of my paintings exhibited had huge appeal and helped raise a substantial amount of money for Moorfields Eye Hospital. The preview evening was fantastic and I felt hugely priviledged to be part of this special event.

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Three Special Paintings

2010-09-21T00:50:00.000-07:00

I have just finished three very special paintings for a delightful couple who saw my work at Brasserie Blanc Restaurant. I often work to commission in this way and these particular paintings were a joy to do and I am so pleased with how they work in situ.

The finished paintings are now hanging in their house. Each canvas has been designed to include their favourite foody items,bottles of wine, personalised views through windows and some very special objects and themes that are meaningful to the owners. Working on these very special paintings has been a lovely rewarding process and the painitngs are obviously unique to their owner!

Seascape Gallery Godalming

2010-09-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

At The Vineyard. Acrylic on box canvas 80cm x 80cm

Don't forget to look at my paintings being exhibited at the Seascape Gallery in Godalming http://www.seascapegallery.co.uk/. The exhibition is open from the 18th September-8th October!

Saatchi Stuff

2010-09-08T06:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry folks, back from my research mission in Cornwall, ready to update the blog!

Lovely to have been approached by Saatchi Gallery in London today, who have asked me to exhibit two of my paintings in a unique exhibition, alongside leading world wide artists. The exhibition will run from the 7th to 9th October, and is organised by The Art of Giving (http://www.artofgiving.co.uk/events.html).

"The exhibition will feature works of renowned and up and coming artists. Stars from the Arts and Entertainment Industry are joining together to support this fantastic event to raise awareness and funds for charity featuring over 40 of the world's leading contempory artists." (From the Art of Giving website)

'Strawberry Jam'. Acrylic on box canvas 80cm x 80cm

'Memories of Tranquil Shores' box canvas 90cm x 90cm

These are the two canvasses being exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery. The second being a collaboration between myself and the artist Rachael Alexander.

Commission Mission

2010-08-06T04:09:00.000-07:00

I have spent this week working on commissions for clients. Commissioned Paintings are great to work on, as there is freedom to use the clients' own personal items, such as vases, home grown flowers, and favourite bottle of wine, thus giving each client a unique, vibrant piece, meaningful to the individual. It's always exciting to hand over the pieces, and see the reaction of the client as their personal items are brought to life in a painting.

I am looking forward to the next few weeks, as I prepare for my exhibition at the Seascape Gallery in Godalming (www.seascapegallery.co.uk/exhibition_15b_title.html).

First Blog Post

2010-07-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

Here's to all those to pestered me to get a blog and write about what I do at the Studio. I wonder how many days before I forget to update?

What a busy week! I've just finished eleven paintings for Brasserie White; they were a joy to do (and finish!). They totally represent my love of quint-essentially English food, mixed with a splash of humour for good measure. Several cookery books, from Ration Book Cookery through to modern-day chefs' work have been of great assistance as I worked through my quirky collection.

This has been my first ever blog post (great excitement!) You've been brilliant, Good Bye and Good Night!
Jenny Muncaster

Here is a Post-View of a couple of the paintings