Sabina Lucia

Today I finished this painting, ‘Pandora’,  for a friend. It’s the first time I’ve done a commission and I’m quite pleased with the result. Working on a painting that is someone else’s vision has its challanges along the way and there was a point where I found it hard to get motivated, but managed to break through that and enjoyed the process mostly.

Some of you may be able to recognise that the piece (and title) was inspired by the film Avatar, a favourite of the owner-to-be and your blogger too and hopefully the overall effect is peaceful. Acrylics on canvas, it measures 30″‘ x 24″ which is the size I feel most comfortable working on, for now. I had fun this evening, finishing it off, by masking the planets and then spraying white paint on the background with a toothbrush like a naughty school kid. Little things…

It’s taken quite a while to finish as I’ve been busy working and away travelling a lot so all in all I think it’s taken about two months to complete. I would like to speed up a bit for my next painting which should be lots of fun. Hopefully more of which later…

Obviously this work is not for sale but if you, or anyone you know, would like something similar, then I’m more than happy to help.

The Olivier Award nominated ‘Enigma’ is an aptly named show as it will have you trying to crack its codes and work out how Derren Brown’s tricks were so deftly pulled-off for years to come. Fusing a mixture of magic, suggestion, misdirection, psychology and showmanship, Derren stuns and amazes even the most hardened cynics. Not only are there oodles of awe and wonder along the way, he ties his conjuring together with interesting explanations of where the inspiration comes from and thought provoking philosophies. Directed by the wonderful, extremely talented Andy Nyman, Derren strikes the perfect balance throughout his performance, never staying serious for very long. A review a few years ago, described his live show at the time as a comedy, and I imagine Mr Brown was secretly quite pleased. His witty, cheeky  humour sparkles throughout, in this, his funniest show yet, with a smidgeon of smut thrown in for good measure. I’m always amazed at how willingly people volunteer to go on stage but they needn’t fear as he handles them sensitively and gives those lucky enough to be picked, as well as the whole audience, an experience they will never forget and surely creating happy memories must be the best form of art of all. I urge you, if you get the chance, go and see one of the greatest performers ever to live;  you’ll have an amazing evening!

Talking of art, as if entertaining thousands in live shows around the country and keeping us at the edge of our seats with TV shows like Russian Roulette and The Heist isn’t impressive enough, Britain’s favourite, goateed trickster is also an incredibly talented painter in his spare time and last year held an exhibition at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery in London.

Having started out drawing warped images of his teachers on the back of school books, much to the amusement of his class mates, he has perfected his caricature style including portraits of Johnny Depp, Cate Blanchett, even our majesty Queen Elizabeth II and he recently finished a stunning work of the amazing Rufus Wainwright (whose music I adore and discovered thanks to Derren), which saw a departure from his caricature work to a more reperesentational style.

There is a fabulous, full colour book of portraits with thoughts on the subjects and why he chose to paint them from the man himself. There are still some tickets left to see him live on this tour which ends on the 28th June and you can find out dates and venues here but hurry, they’re selling out fast!

Text © Sabina Lucia 2010

All art work and tour picture © Derren Brown 2010

Saturday night saw the hugely successful launch of the Arts Mentoring charity at Notting Hill’s 20th Century Theatre. The brain child of the amazing Amanda Collins, along with Sue Hillman and Irina Matthews, the charity has the vision to bring the arts  to underprivilaged children in the UK and abroad and already has links with Open Arts Africa, who are working with an orphanage in Kenya, and ‘Creative Activists’ who use the power of the media and arts to create positive change in the world.

The 20th Century theatre – a Grade II listed, English Heritage building is a beautiful space with the original Adams mouldings surrounding the stage still in place, and lots of  light with an atrium running the length of the hall. It has a very interesting history including putting on the debut production of Oscar Wilde’s Salome in 1905 and launching the career of Sir Laurence Olivier.  As we entered the hall we were greeted by the melifluous sound of Ave Maria played by The Parlour Room string trio looking splended in their matching berets. The wine was free-flowing and canopes of mozarella balls wrapped in pepper satisfied our palates as everyone surveyed the prizes up for grabs in the raffle, which raised over £500 on the night.

The night was compared by the fabulously attired China Leung, who stepped in at the last minute and did a fantastic job. First to perform was the ever gorgeous, Rebecca Poole in a Bugsy ‘ inspired outfit of black waistcoat, shorts and tie, who treated us to her sexy, jazzy voice and beautiful renditions of  Is You Is Or Is You Aint My Baby, Bang Bang and two of her own songs: Fallen From A Star from her old album and a new, soon to be released number, Sugar Street.

Next up was the brilliantly talented and ever popular Nina Conti and Monk (above), a ventriliquist act with a talking monkey who likes to take control and puts Nina in a trance, head-butting her back to consciouness. A new puppet made an appearance too; an irreverant Scottish granny who had us in stitches. Monkey better watch out!

Following a heart felt speach by Amanda Collins about the charity, its conception and vision for the future, Tiger Lilly a singer songwriter performing her own songs whilst playing the guitar. With lyrics about loves lost and found she broke our hearts and made us laugh in raunchy, rock/pop style. Lilly will also being donating her time by going to Kenya to mentor children at the orphanage in Kenya.

Later on we were entertained by the very acomplished, traditional magician, Ian Gray who almost lost me when he said he doesn’t like Derren Brown but managed to redeem himself and really impressed me with a fantastic close-up card trick. Great fun!

I will be donating a piece of work and my time to this great cause and if you feel inclined to do the same or want to keep up to date on their progress, here’s the link to their Facebook page and you can also follow them on Twitter here.