Heards Design Partnership

January shows little sign of letting up, and we have February yet.

Reprints under way for several artists.  Stuart Thorn reordered his big bay print. 120cm across and impressive on canvas.  Andrew Ellis has reordered some of his best sellers as well as asking us to proof up some earlier images. One is a favorite from his folio of a leaping fox in the snow.  Wait till you see it.  John Ashton has another edition print on the go, and Mic Chambers’ gallery has brought in 3 new paintings to scan and proof.  This on top of 2 we’ve just done.  He has an exhibition coming up in March, of which more later.  I have a new artist to see later today so no let up on the prints front.

Starting to look at new web site stuff but I need time to digest the whole idea.  Our slightly restyled logo is smart though and due to be launched.  More later.

Just had “Cow lady” Nicky Harwood in to pick up a reprint of “Amber”, one of her glorious cow paintings.  Nicky is well known and sells well across the UK and (I think) Ireland.

Another edition just started is for portrait painter, Mic Chambers.  We’re doing 2 portraits of his muse, both lovely pieces, very brushy and thoughtful.  He has done a stunning portrait of author, Mary Wesley, completed just before she died.  I keep saying it deserves to be seen as it woould win Mic many important commissions. I look forward to doing more.

John Ashton has re-ordered his Modbury Heads, a popular hounds study and something he’s well known for.  I’ve also just scanned and printed some lovely new images of his.  This time egrets, and another swan piece.  Very atmospheric water paintings and I guarantee they will prove popular with his collectors.  There’ll be exciting news about a collaboration with John if it comes off.  Stay tuned.

We’re attending the opening of the new Barrow Centre gallery tonight.  I have 3 pieces on show and have apparently featured in the local newspapers with some of my new blue boats.  This one is also available as a print on canvas.  It featured as one of a set of 4 which was shown on a stand at the International Spring Fair.  The originals are acrylic on board and about 12″ square.  The prints though are twice as big and look great block mounted.

“Someone’s got it in for me, they’re planting stories in the press”

This is a piece from today’s paper – Western Morning News – 24.10.02

“Here they will experience the sheer pleasure that Ian Heard recently discovered in the ‘intense blueness of the light while sailing, giving the impression of yachts floating in space.’  There are not many instances of such a tranquil surface appearing outside the breakwater, but in his acrylic on board entitled Sailing through, such a dreamlike world is nevertheless magical, containing as it does a sense of light and shape rather than illustrating a view before the eyes.  That is what art is about, surely – a subject seen through the eyes of an artist whose work appeals to the collector.  Just 12.5 inches square it costs £450.00 and would be perfect in a still, quiet space at home.”

Wow, thanks Bill Simpson at WMN.  If this painting doesn’t go now… Let’s hope someone likes it.  Any offers?

We’ve just printed another set of photographs for Rebecca Reece.  The Dartmoor based photographer and long standing friend has published some lovely images from her portfolio.  These atmospheric images are proving very popular and feature swallows skimming across meadows in low morning light. Another is of a buzzard gliding high above the open moor.  We’ve printed them on paper and canvas and they’re available at Powder Mills gallery, Dartmoor, or direct from us. Prices are £180.00 Box mounted on canvas, hand varnished by us.

One of our long standing artists, Laure Bury, is having another colourful print produced by us.  It’s a 4′square oil and we’ve scanned it full size on our new scanner.  Her first pront has had several reprints and her recent exhibitions have gone well.

Paul Cain Smith has reordered prints for his forthcoming one man retrospective at the Lime Kiln Gallery, Calstock.  Gallery owner, Ley Roberts, has also reprinted one of her own with us.

On the subject of galleries, I’ve been asked to put work into the new Barrow Centre at Mount Edgcumbe, in Cornwall.  A contemporary space, the galley is looking to maintain a high quality appeal and I’m looking forward to seeing other new works there.