Robot On The Pill

Louise was sitting in my studio, punching out some small circles from a copper strip. Soon it began to look like a wrapping for the pill. 'Robot On The Pill' I shouted - and an idea was born. Weeks later, I bent the copper strip in half, placed it on a metal tray, and took some random shots with my Canon Rebel. I noticed the number '6' on my footstool was reflected in the shiny surface of the tray, and that it spelt out the letter 'e'. Yet another connection - this time a lucky one. But I'll take it. Keep busy - get lucky - that seems to be the way of things.

DEMO-POP ART PRINTS - NO LIMITS

Since deciding to hire a stand at this year’s Spring Fair at the NEC, Birmingham (Feb 5-9), I have given a lot of thought to the way I want my Stored Images art business to go forward.

As followers of my 5 year art blog will know, I have gone from ‘artist seeking gallery’ to ‘artist building own art business’ during this time. It has been a gradual process, and one that, among other things, has eventually allowed me to give a name to the work I produce – DEMO-POP ART.

‘Demo’ stands for ‘demonstrates’, as in the demonstrating of a traceable idea. But I also want it to stand for the ‘democratisation’ of art itself, as the digital process allows for this to happen like never before.

But what would be the best way to go about achieving such democratisation? I eventually settled on Limited Issue Prints as the way forward, believing that by producing them at a steady rate of one print of an electronic image per month, I was somehow giving a nod towards democratisation, while at the same time not letting go of the ‘exclusive’ tag altogether. In other words, I was trying to have my cake and eat it!

But I was never totally comfortable with the concept. Then came a knock at the door (ok, an email from an interested party). They loved the work I produced, but wanted it in greater quantity. In other words, they wanted me to make my work available as open editions – so that they could sell to interested buyers without restriction on numbers.

What to do? I then though of a scenario whereby a buyer from a chain of hotels loved ‘Young Blades’ so much she wanted to put an original digital work in each of their 20 premises, and could I oblige them? Using the old ‘Limited Issue’ system it would have taken me 20 months to complete the order, but under a new ‘No Limits’ system I could answer ‘yes’ straight away and complete the order in under a week.

I toyed with the idea of keeping ‘Limited Issue Prints’ as they were, and producing a cheaper print on photo paper for larger orders, but I quickly abandoned this idea. Not least because I wanted to stay faithful to the philosophy of Andy Warhol, when he said: “A Coke is a Coke and no amount of money can get you a better Coke than the one the bum on the corner is drinking. All the Cokes are the same and all the Cokes are good. Liz Taylor knows it, the President knows it, the bum knows it, and you know it.” I want the same principal to apply to my Demo-Pop Art prints. I want to be able to say: “You see that Man Ray Stops Bullets you just bought? You can’t get a better Man Ray Stops Bullets anywhere in the world.”

Of course, I am fully aware of the promotion I have given to the ‘Limited Issue’ concept in the past, both via my online blog and also in written form via a couple of show catalogues. But, you know, it didn’t take me long to realise that I had to abandon it. Not just because it made commercial sense to do so, but also because the ‘No Limits’ concept embraces the true nature and spirit of the democratisation of art.

‘No Limits’ works on other levels too - chief among these being the lowering of the price of each original digital print.

But nothing else changes, each print will continue to be produced on quality fine art paper, using archival pigment inks, and be signed, dated and stamped in the studio for authenticity.

It’s just that STORED IMAGES has now gone NO LIMITS.

Follow me on Twitter if you would like to see how Stored Images continues to evolve during 2012. And receive news tomorrow about the availability of some of my DEMO-POP ART prints at popular prices.

(Note to collectors of Demo-Pop Art: All original digital prints dated 2011 or earlier ARE Limited Issue, and have just become even more collectable!)

Spring Fair Exhibitors Page - Screen Shot

Here's a new screen-shot of the Stored Images exhibitors page on the Spring Fair website.

The next task is to upload images of the works that will be on show at the fair.

Spring Fair - NEC - Birmingham

Have booked a stand at the Spring Fair, NEC, Birmingham, Feb 5-9, 2012.

Will be taking along a selection of my Demo-Pop Art, hoping it will be of interest to art dealers and buyers.

It's a very professional setup at the NEC, which is helping me to move my art/business to the next level.

I'll be situated in Hall 4, at stand 4C81 - hope to see you there.

East London Design Show - 2011

Here are a couple of photos of our stand at this year's East London Design Show.

The top five favourite original digital prints were: 1.Man Ray Stops Bullets. 2,Young Blades Are Just So Glam. 3.Power Of Radio. 4.Dogs Of War. 5.It's Poetry, Really.

We also had three offers for the 'Edie' dress! 'Pester Me' was also a big attraction.

On the final day we had serious interest in our Greyhound Clock from a creative director.

New Greyhound Footstool

This is our new Greyhound Footstool.

Is will be on show at the East London Design Show next week (Dec 2-4).

Come along to Stand 51 and try it out for yourself!

Nathan's A Believer!

Got some great feedback yesterday from Nathan Hughes, who was very pleased with the piece of Word Art I created for him recently.

It is called 'Believe' and can be seen (below) hanging next to a portrait of the great jump jockey A.P McCoy.

Here's what Nathan kindly said about the work:

"Hi Loz

I've waited all day for that knock at the door; finally that knock came...

'Believe'

A powerful piece; it works on so many levels and now has a hidden depth in the number 108. To me it's relentless and unyielding, but focused.

It's everything i wanted it to be, partly because i'm certain it's everything you wanted it to be.

Thank You.

Edie Dress + Pester Me (In Case)

Plenty of work was completed in the Stored Images studio today.

First we published three 'Girl Dreaming' images on cotton rag fine art paper.

Then we published - for the first time on fine art paper - 'The Ambitious One'.

I went to Framers in Wolverhampton city centre and collected 'Pester Me', which has been housed in a solid black display case.

And finally Ruth turned up with the Edie Dress she has put together for us. It looks great - but does need an iron!

All of which can be seen in the photo (below) - and at the East London Design Show in early December.

Fabric for the 'Edie Dress'

Went over to Wolverhampton Uni today and picked up the 'Edie Dress' fabric from the textile printing department (many thanks to Jim).

As you can see, the process has reproduced the colours of my digital work 'Young Blades Are Just So Glam' pretty well, so I'm pleased with the outcome.

The fabric will now be made into an 'Edie Dress' in time for the East London Design Show in early December.

Greyhound Clock

I got hold of some coloured fingers for the Greyhound Clock yesterday. I'm hoping to have a smart prototype of the clock ready for the East London Design Show in early December, but will bring this basic model along with me if it isn't ready.

Edie Dress - Printing On Fabric

We started the first phase of making the 'Edie Dress' today.
We went over to Wolverhampton Uni to use their textile printing machine.
Unfortunately, a technical problem meant that the yellow didn't print properly, so it will be back to the Uni on Monday.
Having said that, I rather liked to colours that were printed!

Word Art & Mannequin

Here is a photo of the Word Art commission I did recently, positioned next to a t-shirt wearing mannequin.

Ed Ruscha Gets In Touch!

When Ed Ruscha visited Wolverhampton Art Gallery (UK) recently, my friend and business partner, Doreen Gibbons, suggested I gave him a piece of my pop art as a gesture of thanks for his visit. 
I thought it was a pretty good idea, and sure enough, at the end of his talk, Doreen presented Ed with a framed limited issue print of 'Man Ray Stops Bullets' (below).
It was all wrapped up, so Ed didn't know what the gift was, and I was left wondering if it would make it all the way back to California.
Anyway, this morning I got a thank you email from Ed Ruscha's assistant, Mary, saying that he appreciated the gesture very much, and that he had had a great time when meeting everyone in Wolverhampton!
This has absolutely made my year! 
A big thank you to Ed, who has once again proved what a genuine guy he is. 

Silver Torso Mannequin

I recently bought a vintage silver torso mannequin. 
The first shot is of the torso after a bit of a clean.
The second shot is of the torso wearing a Stored Images t-shirt. 

Believe (Word Art)

Have been working on a commissioned piece of Word Art titled 'Believe'. 

Ed Ruscha Visits Wolverhampton Art Gallery

Ed Rushca gave a talk at Wolverhampton Art Gallery today - it went really well - very informative. 
I managed to take a slightly blurry photo with my phone - of Ed talking to my friend and business partner, Doreen Gibbons. 

Parallax Art Fair - October, 2011

I met some interesting people when showing my work at Parallax Art Fair. 
It was especially gratifying when they 'got' the ideas behind the work.
Hope to show at Parallax Art Fair again one day.

Preparing for Parallax Art Fair

We published some October issue digital prints in the studio today.
Including 'Dogs Of War' and 'Positive Race Riot'.
We also printed out a batch of small catalogues.

Videos of Solo Exhibition

Videos of my solo exhibition at Artists Gallery, Wolverhampton, 2009.

Click to view...

..

Young Blades - In Gold Frame

My business partner, Doreen Gibbons, has sourced a gold-coloured wooden frame for 'Young Blades Are Just So Glam'. Look out for it at the Parallax Art Fair in October.

Parallax Art Fair - Catalogue

I've produced a small 12-page catalogue of my work for the Parallax Art Fair in October.

If you would like to receive a free copy before the event, then please email me a contact address and I'll mail one out to you this coming week.

Cartoons from the 80's

Don't forget to check out the Demo Pop Art Diaries. Written by my good friend Richard Gibbons. Diary entry number 12 will be given over to the cartoons I created in the 1980's. An example of which you can see below. http://www.demopopartdiaries.blogspot.com/

LOZ TAYLOR A WARHOL WANNABE??

Here's an invitation for you to come and see my work at the Parallax Art Fair (Pall Mall, London) in October (14-16th). Click on cartoon to make it larger.

Demo-Pop Design Label + Fabrics

With the sample Greyhound Footstool now in production, I thought you might like to see the Demo-Pop Design label we have had made, plus the fabrics that will be used for the footstool.

Parallax AF Wall - How It Will Look

This is how I hope my wall at the Parallax Art Fair in October will look. Everything is to 1:10 scale.

There will be six images on display.

Top Row: Ribbons & Razor Wire. Positive Race Riot. Second Row: Dogs Of War. Perfect Score. Third Row: The Audition. Young Blades Are Just So Glam. Each digital print will be published in October - on fine art paper - and signed, stamped and dated.

I'm also hoping to take along my greyhound footstool, and an art browser for displaying a selection of unframed A3 digital prints.

There will also be some literature - plus free Demo-Pop Art badges!

Hope to see you there.

Demo-Pop Art at G.I's

Today we installed some Demo-Pop Art at G.I's, in Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton.

The Junction Contemporary Arts Festival runs over two days in Chapel Ash.
- Friday and Saturday, 2nd and 3rd of September.

As well as checking out the art - you can also pick up a free Demo-Pop Art badge!

Junction Festival of Contemporary Arts

We spent the day in the studio, printing out and framing five digital prints for the Junction Festival of Contemporary Arts.

They are to be displayed at G.I's, Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, on the 2nd and 3rd of September.

My business partner, Doreen Gibbons, is pictured sitting among the work.

Greyhound Poker Cards - Box Design

Here is the box design for the Greyhound Poker Cards.

Many thanks to Chrissie Harper for her help with the graphics.

There will be a 'First Issue' of 100 packs of cards.

Due to go into production in October.

You can email me to register your interest without any obligation.

Each pack of cards will cost £25.

Best Next Move

I spend a lot of my time thinking. And also cursing that I haven't got enough time to think - about the important stuff, anyway.

Demo Pop - Design Logo

Plenty of work has been going on in the background regarding the development of the Greyhound Footstool and Greyhound Cushions.

So much so that in a few weeks time we should be in a position to give the green light for production.

Consequently, I've had to design a Demo Pop label for them. I've stuck with greyhound colours, as they represent the origins of Demo Pop.

Greyhound Poker Card - King of Spades

This is still a work in progress, but I thought you might like to see how things are progressing with the Greyhound Poker Cards.

Chance Impacting on the Face of Certainty

I finished the 3D work 'Chance Impacting on the Face of Certainty' today, and photographed it on the patio area behind Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

The base of the 3D work represents time before intelligent man walked the earth. The three pyramids represent the start of time following this period. The plinth represents the beginning of our modern age. While the three rods connecting the pyramids to our 'human clock' represents the transfer of knowledge through the ages.

This 3D work is about man trying to establish and defend certainty in an unpredictable world.

Early Works

Demo Pop Art Diaries author Richard Gibbons came to my studio today, and I showed him some of my very early works.

Chance Impacting on the Face of Certainty

This is the latest photo of 'Chance Impacting on the Face of Certainty'. Here we can see a long base has been added to the piece, while the main plinth has been halved in size. The base stands for time before intelligent civilizations appeared on earth. The plinth stands for time from that moment onwards. We will be adding final details to this piece of Thursday.

Greyhound Poker Cards - Ten of Spades

Having made progress with the aces, now I'm turning my attention to the number cards two through to ten.

Greyhound Poker Cards - The Aces

Okay, so the greyhound racing jacket colours theme continues through the design of this pack of cards, with each suit being represented by one of the major racing jacket colours.

As you can see, spades are black, clubs are blue, hearts are red and diamonds are orange. These colours will obviously continue throughout each suit.

Chance Impacting on the Face of Certainty

We made some really good progress in the studio today with 'Chance Impacting on the Face of Certainty', even though the project is still only half finished. There are a few more interesting features to add, but the main thrust of the idea is in full view in this photo.

New Design: Greyhound Poker Cards

I'm still drilling down into the 'greyhound racing jacket colours' concept, and am currently designing a set of GREYHOUND POKER CARDS based on them.

Here you can see the design for the back of each playing card.

More posts will follow soon, as I design the ACES, the PICTURE CARDS, and NUMBERS TWO through to TEN.

Taylors Sky Wins Greyhound Derby

image source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/

Taylors Sky won the 2011 Greyhound Derby last night.

Like the dice I found in my plan chest draw, I'm going to count this as a lucky omen.

Strange really, as I'm the kind of guy who tries to find the logic in most things!

Pop Art Image Promoting Demo-Pop Art

I've just commissioned a great Pop Art image from illustrator Chrissie Harper.

She has really nailed my idea for a piece that promotes Demo-Pop Art.

You can find more of Chrissie's work here: http://www.chezchrissie.co.uk/

Demo Pop Art Diaries - by Richard Gibbons

My good friend Richard Gibbons has just started a Demo-Pop Art Diaries Blog, which will cover all aspects of Demo-Pop Art and Design.

As I'm currently the only artist flying the Demo-Pop Art and Design flag, the focus of the early blog entries will be on the art business that goes on in my Stored Images Studio.

The first entry is up and running, with another two entries already in the pipeline. I hope you find them interesting reading.

http://www.demopopartdiaries.blogspot.com/

Busy In The Studio

We were busy in the studio today, cutting out card and foamboard in order to make a 3D prototype of 'Chance Impacting on the Face of Certainty'.

'Greyhound Design' Cushions

Today I took charge of my 'greyhound design' cushions. Many thanks to Belinda Longsden for producing them to such a high standard. This is a fine addition to the Demo-Pop family, as I have already designed a footstool, rug and clock. More Demo-Pop design items will appear on this blog in the near future.

Believe

"I'm going to keep on hurting you - with one strong idea after another - until you believe in me - as an ARTIST" This piece of word art will appear in Wolverhampton Gallery's Art & Heritage Magazine in a few weeks time.

'Greyhound Footstool'

Here is a photo montage of my prototype 'Greyhound Footstool'.

Update-09/09/2011: A sample footstool is now in production!