Featured Artist - Moody Artist

This month The Laboratory is delighted to be hosting a range of ink illustrations and photography from the fabulous Rob Masters, a.k.a Moody Artist.

Installation view of Moody Artists exhibition

Moody Artists studied art, business and graphic design in the mid 80's at Southend College Of Technology gaining an O and A level B/TEC and London University diploma for art and graphic design BCTE certificate. During college he worked for 'Samson Souvenirs'. After graduating The MoodyArtist worked for a couple of local graphic studios who's clients list included 'Southend United' and 'British Airways'. After working for 'British Airways The MoodyArtist took a flight of his own and moved to Spain in the early/mid 90's,where he worked as a TEFL teacher and freelance illustrator. Working on a regular basis for Editorial Spes (Barcelona).Clients worked for were: Larousse, Vox and Harraps dictionaries. In time this opened other doors and he illustrated for : Cosmopolitan Magazine, Bayer Hermanos Calendars, El Razon ( Spanish Newspaper), Barcelona Connect and a dream job to illustrate for Playboy Magazine (BCN). He also exhibited his work at galleries and comic shops such as: Kactus (Manresa Spain), Juegos Sin Fronteras (Barcelona), Cosmic Alien (Barcelona)The Mask (Barcelona),Norma Comics (Barcelona). Being a member of La Asociacio Catalan D'llustradors (Catalan Association Of Illustrators) he contributed 5 of his illustrations for their book 'llustrado Mas Grande Del Mundo'(The Biggest Illustrated Book Of The World). On returning to the UK, finding work as a freelance illustrator proofed a very hard mission indeed. Resulting in The MoodyArtist working for a local printing company until last year when he left to start up his own t-shirt business designing and printing on tees and mugs. Sadly this venture proofed to be a disaster.

The MoodyArtist is now the proud owner of Work Of Art Gallery WOA!

A sneaky peek of some of MoodyArtists stunning pen and ink Illustrations

 A selection of MoodyArtists monochromatic photography

To find out more about The Laboratory Art Studio or to discover how you can exhibit your artwork at out studio please email the_laboratory@hotmail.co.uk

Featured Artist - Lisa Horner

This month The Laboratory is delighted to be showing work by the very talented Lisa Horner.

Lisa is married with 2 children and 1 Grandson.  In 2008 she did an Access to Art course at South Essex College which led on to her doing two years at South Essex College doing Graphic Design then finishing her degree at Writtle School of Design in 2011 where she graduated with a 2.1 Honours.

The Laboratory presents Lisa Horner, `Blue to Green'

Lisa recently exhibited her Youth and Age posters at WOA Gallery, Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff.

Installation view

She is showing images from her Final Major Project at Writtle School of Design, an illustrated book called ‘Blue to Green.  The theme is about ‘Nature-Deficit Disorder’ a phrase that was coined by Richard Louv in his book ‘Last Child in the Woods.’  She used various watercolour methods and photo collage in her illustrations for the book.  She also used colour symbology again, ranging from blue to represent sadness, through to middling turquoise to a happier cool green.

Sneaky peek of Lisa's illustrated book "Blue to Green'

Illustrations in watercolour from `Blue to Green'

The four other prints are from her second year FMP ‘Youth & Age Hama Bead Typography’

‘Young People Haven’t Know Any Different is a truism poster inspired by a conversation with her daughter and her boyfriend about the outlook of youth.

`Young People Haven't Known Any Different` Digital print of Hama Beads letters on  layout paper

‘When Your Green’ emphasises when you’re a bit green round the edges, a bit naive.  This quote by Ray Kroc, the entrepreneur behind McDonalds.

`When Your Green', Digital print of Hama Bead letters on layout paper

On ‘At 50’ the colours are softer; reflecting the more laid back, philosophical view a person often takes on as they age.  It also looks like embroidery, a craft affiliated with age.

`At 50', Digital print of Hama Bead letters on layout paper

On ‘Old & Moulded’ the colour is inspired by wine aging.  People may take on a more pronounced flavour as they become more defined.  Thoughtfulness may often precede action.  The receding quote “Age is a ...” is by Playwright Tom Stoppard, the most prominent quote is from an anonymous source.

`Old and Moulded', Digitial print of Hama Bead Letters on layout paper

If you like Lisa’s work and are interested in her designing anything ranging from  business cards, a logo, a poster or illustrating a children’s book, or perhaps collaborating with her on a project please contact her at suziecat23@o2.co.uk

Feel free to peruse her website at www.ljhcreative.co.uk

The Laboratory will be hosting Lisa's private view on Sunday 19th May between 2:00pm-4:00pm, find us Opposite the Green Centre, Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea Hall Lane, Basildon, Essex, SS16 4UH