newspaper article: ''2013 Artist's Success - From Cromer to Cornwall!''

‘2013 Artist’s Success – from Cromer to Cornwall!’

Samuel is back in his hometown of Cromer for an exhibition in October after a year of promoting his art work all over the UK.

2013 has been a very successful & colourful year for Cromer based artist Samuel Thomas who has been all over the UK promoting his artwork but is back in Cromer for his exhibition which opens on the 25^thof October. The exhibition runs for 7 days and is a joint venture with David Morris the Cromer based photographer and the event coincides with the 10 day Cromer & Sheringham Arts Festival.

Success has really grown over this last year for Samuel Thomas and so have the locations and platforms that his art work is now reaching all over the UK. It was back in January when Samuel started art work on the four of the 3D gorillas for the Norwich campaign Go Go Gorillas that later lead to him being commissioned to paint three giraffes down in Colchester Essex for their campaign ‘Stand Tall’. In total Samuel was commissioned to paint 7 sculptures for ‘Wild in Art’ resulting in a grand total of £29300 being raised for charity in 2 weeks when the sculptures came to auction.  Also back in February Samuel exhibited at the Birmingham International Spring fair that has now seen his greeting card range being stocked in independent retailers and galleries all over the UK.

‘’It’s nice to be back in my home-town of Cromer for this exhibition which will have originals and prints produced over the last 5 years’’ says Samuel. ‘’Cromer remains the inspiration for my art work as I often have moments of clarity if I am out on a run along the prom or if I need some fresh air after days locked away in my studio painting, sometimes the best ideas come to me when I glance out of the studio window where I have views out to sea and over the church’’. In the last 26 years Samuel has seen Cromer transform and re-generate itself and he has definitely captured a new and exciting era of Cromer. Although his paintings are modern and contemporary there is also an element of the popular ‘come to the seaside rail posters of the 1920’s when Cromer became popular as a seaside location for tourists. Samuel started painting back in 2008 and wanted to show Cromer and Norfolk in a new style rather than the more traditional and matter-of-fact style it is often painted in. ‘’I grew up here and still live here so I have a strong connection with the place which you can see through many of my colourful pop-art style paintings ‘’. The fact Samuel is a relatively young artist of 26 comes across in his unique depictions of the world and success has grown for him of which you can read about on his online blog:  www.samuelthomasart.co.uk.  In 2013 his artwork has been on exhibited all over the UK from art galleries in Padstow in Cornwall, Southwold in Suffolk to Norfolk from Norwich, Sheringham and Cromer – The Garden House Gallery.  The executive suite of Norwich Airport also has work on show and a new range of originals will be arriving there soon.

2013 has seen Samuel painting gorillas, giraffes, panoramic beach scenes on surfboards to even transforming his van with the help of his trusty paint brushes! Looking ahead now that the busy summer is coming to an end Samuel is excited to get back to his Cromer studio to produce new paintings to keep up with demand. From Birmingham, to Cornwall, to Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, 2013 has seen his art work spread all over the UK and Samuel’s next aim is to tackle Brighton.

ESCAPOLOGY Exhibition : Samuel Thomas & David Morris have teamed up for a collaborative show where stunning photography will be shown alongside originals and limited edition prints of Samuel’s. All of the work is available to purchase or leisure browse. The two artists will also be showing slideshows exploring the theme of Escapism that runs throughout their work. There is also a ballot box where visitors can share their opinions and the best line formulated on escapism will win a £100 Art Gift Voucher. Samuel and David have both captured Cromer and Norfolk in their very unique ways yet they have both captured the unique spirit and atmosphere of the place.  Find out more about the exhibition by going online here: www.samuelthomasart.co.uk/BLOG

25^th Oct – 1^st Nov                 11am – 6pm            

 Function Room, Red Lion, Cromer

Artist Websites:     www.samuelthomasart.co.uk          www.davidmorrisphotographer.com

Escapology - Photography & Painting Exhibition - 25th Oct 2013

‘ESCAPOLOGY’ 

The ESCAPOLOGISTS..... Samuel Thomas & David Morris explore the art of escapism through painting & photography

Red Lion Hotel, Cromer    |   25^th October – 1^st November     11 am - 6 pm

Life can be dull, dark, and damn right depressing sometimes. We all long to escape from time to time, to another time and to another place in the pursuit of something more exciting. Look no further as two Norfolk artists have collaborated to bring you an exhibition that will transport you there.

Escapism is a unifying theme that runs throughout Samuel Thomas’ paintings in the pursuit of finding happiness, true love or in the exploration of surreal scenes we may envisage in our dreams. Samuel has captured Norfolk landscapes and scenes to the wider world from his travels as a young artist in an explosion of Pop-art infused colour & pattern that will captivate your imagination.

On a more grounded level Photographer David Morris poses the question:

 ‘How do we often find ourselves escaping our everyday lives?’

 ‘By visiting the local bar or pub to let off steam to our friends or to the bar maid, failing that we may end up just getting totally obliterated!!! We’ve all been there!’

David Morris offers escapism as he has travelled far and wide capturing the deepest and darkest undiscovered corners of Europe and his ‘BAR LIFE’ series has captured the atmosphere and the expressions of the locals from all walks of life. As part of David’s extensive photography collection, he has some stunning scenes of Norfolk landscapes and captured that idyllic beauty that many locals & tourists both gravitate towards in the persuit of finding salvation.  

The exhibition will give you the opportunity to leisurely browse, buy or meet and talk with the two Norfolk Based artists to discover what makes them tick as they will both be showing slideshows exploring escapism through their art. A ballot box will allow visitors to voice their opinions on the artwork shown and respond to the theme of ‘Escapism’ with a £100 art gift voucher awarded to the best quote submitted. This exhibition coincides with the anual Cromer & Sheringham arts festival inspired by film this year, find out more; www.casaf.co.uk 

DATE & TIMES: Fri 25th Oct – Fri 1^st Nov        11am-6pm         FREE ENTRY

VENUE: The Function Room, The Red Lion, Brook Street, Cromer NR27 9HD 

Information on Artists: www.samuelthomasart.co.uk & www.davidmorrisphotographer.com

£29,300 Raised in 2 weeks from my Artwork at Auction

In total 7 of my 3D sculptures were auctioned off for charity as part of 'Go Go Gorillas - Norwich' and 'Stand Tall - Colchester' as part of the Wild in Art public art trails of 2013.

My sculptures alone raised a GRAND TOTAL of £29,300, all of which went to charity causes from 'Born Free', 'Break' and 'Wild Animal Conservations'. Its great to know that art work has an abilty to make a difference to people all over the world in many different ways.

Stand Tall Auction of Giraffes: Colchester, 19th September

'Polka Dotty'              £4200

'Love Hearts'             £3400

'Unnamed Giraffe'      £2000

TOTALS:                    £9600

Go Go Gorillas Auction: Norwich, 3rd October 

'Ray'       £7700

'Mack'     £5600

'Ivan'      £3300

'Lumley'  £3100

TOTALS: £19,700

GRAND TOTAL = £29,300

2013 - A Successful Year - All over the UK

2013 has been a very colouful & successfull year and my art work has spread all over the UK. Autumn has only just arrived so there's more time for even more to be achieved. Here's a recap of where I have been and what I have been upto so far:

Norfolk - Norwich - I began work in January on four of the 3-D Gorilla sculpture commissions for 'GoGo Gorillas' sponsored by corporates including Marks & Spencer, Castle Mall, Starfish Installations & DIM Graphics.

Birmingham - 'International Trade Fair' - February saw the release of my Greeting Card Range & China Range now sold in galleries & indepenedant retailers all over the UK.

Norfolk - Sheringham - 'Creativity at Home' opens in Sheringham with my art work exhibited in the gallery over the summer.

Cornwall - Padstow - 5 originals were delivered in March to The Picture House Gallery in Padstow ready for the summer exhibition

Essex - Colchester - I began work in April on 3 commissions of the 3D scultpures of 8 foot-tall girraffes ready for the 'Stand Tall' campaign. Corpoarte sponsors included Freeport Shopping Village and Big Yellow Self Storage.

Norwich - Exhibition at the Crome Gallery, Elm Hill, Norwich in May.

Suffolk - Southwold - Originals are exhibited at the Buckenham Gallery for the Summer from June onward.

Norfolk - Cromer - I spent time back in Cromer in July where Jarrolds now stock my greeting cards as well as the North Norfolk Tourist information Centre. August arrived and saw a very successfull exhibition at The Garden House Gallery where originals exhibited sold out quickly.

Essex - Colchester - Three of the giraffes sculptures were auctioned off at a public auction raising £9,600 for Charity in September. 

Norwich - Norfolk - Four of my Gorillas were auctioned off in October raising a combined total of £19,700 for good causes. That totals £29,300 raised for charity from my artwork sculptures generated at auction.

I still managed to fit in holidays to Tunisia, Gran Canaria (twice in fact), Ibiza and Yorkshire all of which I failed to tan! Hence plenty of ''Fake tan & Fanta'' was consumed! (The title of my upcoming autobiography - coming to all good book shops near you!)

GO GO Gorillas : Auction Bidding Form

4 of my Gorillas will be auctioned off in October 2013 for WILD IN ART.

DATE & VENUE: Thurs 3rd October 2013 - The Forum, Norwich City Centre

LUMLEY - Psychedelic Love Hearts

RAY     -    Organic Rolling Countryside

MACK   -   Hawiaan Fowers

IVAN   -    The Iconic Norwich Gorilla

To bid for the gorillas, please follow this Link:

http://gogogorillas.co.uk/auction/

Exhibition 16th - 25th AUG 2013 : Cromer, Norfolk

Venue: The Garden House Gallery, Garden St, Cromer, Norfolk.

Everyday 10am - 5pm (Sundays 11am - 4pm)

See Pop-art inspired landscapes of Cromer, Norfolk and the wider world that I have seen on my travels. A refreshing and colourful display of unusual scenes for contemporary and more traditional interiors. 

4 X New Originals on Display from £1200

Framed LIMITED EDITION Prints from £120

Unframed from £95

Greeting Cards @ £2.50 each.

www.thegardenhousegallery.co.uk

STAND TALL : Giraffes - Valuations prior to Auction

'Polka Dotty' Giraffe LOT NUMBER 25 : valuated at £2000 - £4000

'Love Hearts' Giraffe LOT NUMBER 03: valuated at £4000 - £6000

Auction Date: SEPTEMBER 19th 2013,  Venue: Colchester First Site

Buy Tickets: via email at alex@colchesterzoo.org

See all valuations here: http://www.reemandansie.com/index.php?_a=viewCat2&catId=2504

All of the proceeds from the sale of the Giraffes will go towards the zoo’s charity Action for the Wild which supports many conservation projects around the world.........So Attend the event or get bidding NOW!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BR0QdSdCYAAvdDy.png:thumb

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BR0RAQtCMAA68nX.png:thumb

Update on 2013-09-28 19:12 by [Your Name Here]

GIRAFFES SOLD at Auction and helped raise in the region of £115,000 for charity.

'Polka Dotty' SOLD - £4200

'Love Hearts' SOLD - £3400

It's great to know that art has an abiltity to reach a wide audience and ultimately raise money for very valuable causes. 

'LOVE NORWICH - LOVE SHWOPPING' Gorilla Sponsored by M & S

As part of the 'Norwich Go Go Gorillas' Campaign:

 

Marks & Spencer have teamed up with OXFAM and have recently launched their campaign of 'Shwopping'.........fronted by Joanna Lumley.................  find out more here: http://www.marksandspencer.com/Shwop/b/1672188031

The design of the gorilla features the orange and pink branding of 'Shwopping' and the morphing love hearts of the design create an eye catching piece that will get people talking and involved in this great initiative of 'recycling your wardrobe' to reduce waste and to share the love of fashion across the globe!!! I hope this gorilla helps to improve public participation in this campaign. More photo's coming soon...........................

'Give Clothes a Future - Shwop'

'Don't Ditch it - Shwop It'

'Change The World - Shwop'

'Hawaiian Hibiscus' Gorilla - Commissioned By CIM Graphic Design

This gorilla was commissioned as part of the 'WILD IN ART' : 'GO GO GORILLAS NORWICH 2013'

CIM Graphic Design company based in Norwich have sponsored this gorilla. I have featured vivid euphoric hibiscus flowers and jungle foliage on the 3-dimensional animal. The colouration of the design being black an orange links closely to the CIM brand. The gorilla has a hula garland around his neck with jungle foliage climbing uo the legs to give the illusion that the gorilla is trundling along through a jungle exploding with hibiscus flowers. More Photo's coming soon.......... 

'Insider Suffolk' Article

Great news to see an article on myself in 'Insider Sufflok'. You know you've made it when you start referring to yourself in the third person on a daily basis!!!! Hopefully more people will be directed to my website to see what I do and appreciate the euphoric artwork based on scenes of Norfolk and Suffolk in a new light.............

GIRAFFE COMMISSIONED BY COLCHESTER ZOO

''Love Hearts'' Giraffe has recently been completed by myself to celebrate 50 yrs of Colchester zoo. The Giraffes will be shown in Colchester town centre, at the zoo, and at the Thames LONDON!! The giraffes will eventually be auctioned off to prospective buyers and the proceeds will go to charity. It will be interesting to see how much they are valued at at the auction.

''Love Hearts'' is psychedelic and vibrant in style with a play on the expected skin pattern of the giraffe with a 1960's esque hippy vibe. The design is symmetrical on both sides which adds movement and vitality as the hearts seem to blossom and weave over the skin.

Giraffe Commissioned By Braintree Freeport Shopping Centre

 I have recently completed work on the Giraffe commissioned by Braintree Freeport Shopping Centre. I have featured the purple polka dot branding used from their recent advertising scheme but have given it the unique 'Samuel Thomas Art' treatment by presenting a morphing pattern of purple to white polka dots in an 'opp art' style illusion to turn heads. I name her Dotty.

http://www.freeport-braintree.com/

http://www.colchester-zoo.com/index.cfm?fa=content.list&page=505&section=22

Demonstrating original interior design

Here I have transformed an existing boarded up fire place with my signature linear geometric shapes and patterns. This has given a surreal twist to the fire place as the radiating stripes emmulate the heat and light that radiate from the traditional openfire yet also there is the representation of a rising sun or sunset.  

Published in World-wide selling book

I am featured in the world wide selling book; 'International Contemporary Artists IV' released in May 2012 by New York publishers 'incoartists.com'. Published alongside established & emerging contemporary artists working all over the world. A breadth of work and inspirations makes for an interesting read and shows huge diversity in whats going on in the art world today. I have been selected from only 4 UK artists which is a huge privilege and I look forward to the exposure and the reception I get from readers.

'International Contemporary Artists' is a directory published in New York,identifying all the best artists from around the world in the 2012 edition. Last year there were only 3 British artists who qualified for this prestigious international publication used by worldwide art collectors and investors to research and admire emerging artists' creative work. It is a 'Who's who' of the fast emerging talents of international artists and recognised by fund managers,bankers,art dealers and investors as an essential contemporary reference book.

June 2012 - Inspiring Cromer High School Students

In June 2012 I spent a week at my old high school working with the art students from year 7 - year 11. With one group we focused on painting local landcapes inspiring the students to look at colour and pattern in everyday scenes. Their work and efforts were realised when they later exhibited their final pieces at Cromer High School and consequently some of the students work was sold! Great work.

Published in UK selling Art Book by Green Pebble

I have been published in the book ; 'How East Anglian Artists See......Places'. Approximatey 45 established east anglian artists were selected to feature in this interesting art book available in all good UK bookshops. I have been published at the front of the book just after the foreword and the blurb gives readers an insight into the artist's minds.

EXHIBITION in Sheringham ''Creativity The Gallery'' 16/feb 2013

I am exhibiting framed limited edition prints, unframed ltd edition prints and some original paintings to coincide with the opening of this new home & giftware shop in Sheringham, Norfolk. A great edition to the town as there is art, home giftware, unique furniture all under one roof in this character building. The premesis is located close to the seafront and so I am looking forward to the reaction my art work gets from the locals and with the tourists as we approach the Summer. 

Update on 2013-03-19 17:01 by [Your Name Here]

My art work has been selling well at this new addition to Sheringham welcomed by locals and by tourists. Bring on the Summer!

Creativity @ Home, 21 High Street, Sheringham - Tel: 01263 825472

www.creativity-sheringham.co.uk

Birmingham International Trade Show - Great Success

I showcased my range of 60 art-based greeting cards. Perfect for independant boutiques, galleries, craft shops and high end giftware shops where the customer craves something unusual & unique. I have since made orders to these types of retailers, and the cards will be available in the UK from Devon, Sussex, Halifax and many other places. 'Share the sunshine with that someone special in your life'.

Go-Go Gorillas - Sponsored by The Castle Mall, Norwich

I have completed my commissioned gorilla by the Castle Mall Shopping Centre. I have captured iconic Norwich landmarks from the historic Cathedral, the Castle, The Forum Building, Norwich FC and The Castle Mall shopping Centre itself. I have used very vivid colours to capture people's imaginations and show the landmarks in a new refreshing light as a celebration of everything great about Norwich. The sun bursts out from behind the clouds illuminating the city in almost psychedelic colour combinations.

On display in Summer 2013 as a public art trail to draw people to Norwich as part of the 'Wild In Art' Association. Auctioned off later in 2013 to raise money for charities such as 'BORN FREE' and 'BREAK'.

Beginning the project...........soon began to take shape..........

WILD IN ART - Commissioned By Go-Go Gorillas

Gorilla - Sponsored By Starfish Installations - Painted by Samuel Thomas
The Artist Statement:
The design focuses on a clean and organic environment unspoilt by man-made pollutants, this links strongly with the ethos of Starfish solar power installation company - ''Invest today and save tomorrow.'' The landscape sits below a sunburst which radiates with power and energy to the life forms below: The daffodils blossom whilst the rolling fields of crops endlessly roll into the distance. There is also a reference to other renewable sources of energy such as wind power and tidal power of the sea. The design of the gorilla itself flows well and there is a link to the cycle of the changing seasons: On the back of the gorilla is a dandelion which grows beneath the sun, the wind blows the pollen up into the sky where the star-shaped pollen resembles stars at night or icey snowflakes toward the head of the gorilla which gives the reference of the cycle of day to night, and summer to winter. On the front of the gorilla, the face is depicted in an almost soft cloud texture or an icey frozen effect as a "breath of fresh air" to involve all of our senses that we experience from being out in the elements. The colours are clean, vibrant and refreshing.

 ''I didn't want to overwork the design with too many patterns as I wanted to keep it "fresh" "clean" and "organic'' to reflect the company message of Starfish Installations.''