Archive for the ‘artwork’ Category

Icarus: In progress.

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

1st colour oil sketch.

Detail of face.

Small greyscale oil sketch.

Before glazing.

© Adam R. Grose, 2010.

The Sleepless Phoenix rises from a sleeping Insomniac.

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

As a fellow contributor to the Layer Zero series of books published by Insomnia Publications and artist to draw Conway by Sean Michael Wilson, now on hold, I was shocked to learn that Insomnia Publications had ‘ceased trading’. It seems the ‘team spirit’ was forgotton by the publisher.  We were not told prior to Insomnia ceasing trading.

Writers, artists, letterers, editors, friends and family members involved in these tales of wonder didn’t forget. We all knew we were part of a team; part of something bigger.

As a team we decided to rise up and continue to strive for the publication of our anthology.  And who knows?  We might witness the rise of a new way of publishing thanks to Kickstarter.  Here is your chance to become part of something big, something you can say you had a part in, pledging and helping to get these various stories from the imagination out there for others to enjoy.

HMP Temeraire: Childhood Survival (1/8)

The Sleepless Phoenix is an anthology consisting of 192 pages.  These short stories are written and drawn by a variety of writers and artists, showcasing talent around today in the independent comic publishing scene.  Some are written by teams, some individual.  All bring about their vision of what ’survival’ means to them.

HMP Temeraire: Childhood Survival (2/8)

This project reveals the diverse nature of the written imagination, of sequential art and illustrative art.  With the success of the last books under Layer Zero, these gained an excellent reputation.  The book will be published once pledges have been made to secure the necessary funding to print the book digitally and real-world.

Hansel & Grethel – © Adam R. Grose, 2010.

Over at the Kickstarter site you will be able to chose from a wide variety of pledges, ranging from a donation of $1 right up to $75 and the chance to get original prints from the book, actual artwork and signed copies of the book. I expect you will get to choose which artist you want etc… so very open indeed.
If you would like to get involved and/ or spread the word to those you know who likes reading fresh work and looking at sequential/ comic art and illustration, then the link below will forward you on. Please read through the various options available and if you can pledge, thank you. If you can’t spread the word through your friends, blogs, networks and websites. Whichever way you can help to see this book published, a big warm thank you from me and from my fellow sleepless fellows.

Click the widget above to pledge.

All profits from Survival Stories will go to the Comic Book Alliance to help them in their efforts to safeguard the rights of comics creators.

New Paintings: War Series

Saturday, June 12th, 2010
Andromeda Lost (Study)

Andromeda Lost (Study)

I’m currently working on a range of images based on war, myth and legends from around the Middle East.  The last ten years has seen great shake ups in the area we call the Middle East. Through my research I have come to the conclusion that what is happening has its resonances from the Sumerian Age, 6000 years ago.

Through the Babylonians, Sumerians, Persians (Iran), Greece, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Afganistan, Iraq; all of these countries have born various myths and legends involving gods, wars, control, domination, which continues today.  The Clash of Civilisations, or another way of calling it, ‘The Clash of the Titans’.

I am trying to convey feeling through these images, through line, tone, colour, brushmarks, and though I find these images upsetting, my horror at what one human being can do to another, in the name of religion, politics for the control of resources, leaving communities split, devastated, ruined and in some cases in modern times, nearly extingished from the face of the Earth.

How long can we continue to deny the reality that we are all one consciousness and therefore by hurting another, we ultimately hurt ourselves.  I think it is time to wake up, get off our knees and realise life is precious to all.  Just because we have the power to do harm, it doesn’t mean we have the right to do so.

Freedom and Confinement

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

An exhibition of paintings and sculpture by Bryanston School and HM YOI Portland.

This exhibition explores the ideas of ‘freedom and confinement’ from the perspectives of the young men at Portland YOI and sixth form students at Bryanston School in Dorset.

The exhibition contains a number of personal representations of what freedom and confinement mean to the individual artists as well as a number of collaborative pieces produced in recent workshops held at Portland YOI.

This exhibition is curated by Adam R. Grose & Dr. Hannah Fearnley.

Reflections Issue Four – Out Now.

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

The new issue of ‘Reflections’ is now available!

The Winter 2010 edition features a fab colour cover by graphic novelist Adam Grose, who also gives us a graphic short story inside the magazine.

There’s fiction by Ben Tallamy, Laura Quigley and Matthew Banks, and poetry by Juliet Warry, Steve Smith, Matt Ashford, Matthew Turner, Ruth Butler and Carly Lightfoot, plus artwork by Emma-Jane Lewis.

‘Reflections’ is on sale in Exeter at Martian Records and Electric Gypsy for the price of £4.00, and by mail order from me at £4.50- email me for details. Or I’m sure I can be found in town at some point with a couple of copies in my pocket!

If you get a copy from Martian or Gypsy could you let me know so I know when to restock them- also all feedback is welcomed.

Contact me (Steve Smith) at http://www.exeterrelfections.co.uk

Portland Arts Centre

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

Welcome to 2010.

After the successful exhibition of the Portland Arts Centre in December 2009, the centre has laid plans for another exhibition titled ‘Fire and Ice’. More details can be viewed over at the website www.portlandartscentre.co.uk

December Exhibition – 5th/ 19th Dec 2009

The night began well and was a very successful opening night for the new centre for the arts in Portland and Weymouth and as my last write up said, one of the best exhibition spaces in the South showing contemporary art. The night was very busy with lots of people appearing for an evening of music, viewing and conversation from across the spectrum.

Here are a few photos of the evening.

The exhibition ran for four weeks with many people coming from all over the South West, up to 50 visitors a day. The exhibition was well received with a great response with many excellent comments left in the visitors book.

Talking with the Sam and Kat they were very happy everything went well and the amazing amount of praise for their hard work. All looks well for the new year. I am certainly looking forward to the coming new year; looking forward to the upcoming exhibitions and an opportunity to see the work of the amazing variety of artists who have booked space in the centre.

2010 looks to be the year of great things for the centre and I am glad to have been given the opportunity to have taken part in this exhibition and its beginning.

Well done Kat and Sam! I raise a glass to your hard work and wish you all the best for 2010 and beyond!

Portland Arts Centre: Exhibition

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Portland Arts Centre

Portland Arts Centre is having a fundraising exhibition on the 5th December 2009.

Tickets are available via the website and on the opening night (5th) which runs from 7pm – 11pm. A free glass of champagne, live music and bar will entertain you throughout the evening while you view the variety of art in the show and all for sale…

The exhibition and P. A. C. is run by Samantha and Katherine.  This contemporary art show of the year (my opinion) has a lot of art exhibiting over 70+ artists, from a variety of disciplines and will be available to view from the 6th Dec (unless you are coming on the opening night – highly recommended, as it is a chance to talk with the artists attending the night).

If you would like to print off this larger poster and put it up in your area to help advertise, this would be very much appreciated. Spread the word as this is a great opportunity to bring more art to the area and boost the creative arts for all.

If you are looking for that extra special gift for someone this Christmas Portland Arts Centre is the place to come before any where else. Painters, Sculptors, Alternative Media Artists, Photographers, Print makers, Illustrators, Book Publishers and more.

The variety of art on show is astounding and breathtaking in its scope, depth and skill with many perspectives from each artist. Walking around the huge space reveals many seascapes, sea-life, abstract art (painting and sculpture), portraiture, art experiments, figurative, landscape, sky-scape and much more…

I will write a more detailed review with pics after the opening night.

Check out the link here for more details on getting there, opening night, news and tickets. Also check the Dorset Echo this Friday/ Saturday.

2012 Anthology

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009


I recently wrote a five page story for Cold Blooded Chillers called VEILS, for Robert Heske’s 2012 anthology book. I wrote the story and forwarded onto Tony Suleri, who would be drawing the strip, hoping we would be accepted for publication. Yesterday I received news that our tale was accepted and will now appear in the anthology later in the year. This news was received with big smiles and I can’t wait to see the results. Contracts have been signed and forwarded onto Bob and I look forward to seeing the finished book. More details can be seen here.

2012 Anthology

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009


I recently wrote a five page story for Cold Blooded Chillers called VEILS, for Robert Heske’s 2012 anthology book. I wrote the story and forwarded onto Tony Suleri, who would be drawing the strip, hoping we would be accepted for publication. Yesterday I received news that our tale was accepted and will now appear in the anthology later in the year. This news was received with big smiles and I can’t wait to see the results. Contracts have been signed and forwarded onto Bob and I look forward to seeing the finished book. More details can be seen here.

New Temple APA Issue coming soon.

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

Here is a preview image for Issue Four of the Temple APA. This summer issue will be packed to the brim with the latest strips, creations and articles, including an exclusive article on Independent Publishers Accent UK. Details on where to download coming soon…