Gillian Lever
New commission
I have recently completed a commission for a client who got in touch, during lockdown, to ask me to create a piece for their new home. It was wonderful, after months of working on the canvas, to host her for a ‘real life’ studio visit here in Birmingham last weekend. The client already owns a number of my paintings and completely trusted me to develop the work over a period of months, freedom that I relished. Meeting up was a really joyful experience and I was delighted that, together with the commissioned painting, she chose to purchase six of the smaller studies as well.
If you are interested in commissioning a painting please contact me.
Van Gogh Creative Quiet Mornings
Together with Becky Morse-Brown (art therapist and spiritual companion), I have offered a series of online Creative Quiet Mornings over the last few weeks. We held three separate mornings called ‘Lighting up eternity in the midst of life’, inspired by the life and paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. The title ‘Lighting up eternity in the midst of life’ came from the Catholic theologian Henri Nouwen’s description of the impact of Van Gogh’s life and work. Prior to becoming a painter, Van Gogh worked as an art dealer and missionary, spending some significant years living and ministering amongst an impoverished mining community before moving to the South of France where he painted more of his famous works. Drawing on many of Nouwen’s insights, we reflected together on Van Gogh’s spirituality, especially the qualities of authenticity and compassion which so deeply characterised his life as he searched for his true vocation. The mornings included input around the theme, opportunities to work creatively in silence and, for those who wished to do so, time during the session to share reflections with one another.
If you would like to be added to the list to receive information about future Creative Quiet Mornings please contact me.
Jake Lever
‘Dance’ - Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
‘Dance’, a large-scale painting on paper, was made as part of my work as Artist-in-residence at the Birmingham Conversations. The Conversations in 2016 brought people of all faiths and none together to discuss issues affecting the city. Having been on display in the Faith Gallery at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, it is this month being returned to its owners the FNC Charity (fncbham.org.uk).
The title ‘Dance’ captured the energy and vibrancy of living in a diverse city, and now I also see it as expressing something of the cosmic dance that mystic Thomas Merton has written about;
”No despair of ours can alter the reality of things; or stain the joy of the cosmic dance which is always there. Yet the fact remains that we are invited to forget ourselves on purpose, cast our awful solemnity to the winds and join the general dance.”
For more information about
the Birmingham Conversations see this short video - https://vimeo.com/175722012
Jake Lever
‘Do the Little Things’ installation at Coventry Cathedral 22nd May - 28th June 2021
On Saturday May 22nd I spent the day in the Chapel of Christ in Gethsemane, Coventry Cathedral making ‘Do the Little Things’ boats, meeting visitors and talking
with them. I was delighted that the first weekend of my installation there
coincided with the British Museum touring exhibition of the Lampesuda Cross - a
beautiful cross made from a refugee boat that was tragically wrecked. The ‘Do
the Little Things’ installation at Coventry continues until Monday 28th
June.
Gillian Lever
Van Gogh Creative Quiet Day and Pembrokeshire colour studies
With Becky Morse-Brown, Art Therapist and Spiritual Companion, I am offering three Creative Quiet mornings this month inspired by the life and paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. The title of the mornings Lighting up eternity in the midst of life comes from the Catholic theologian Henri Nouwen as he described the impact of Van Gogh’s life and work. Prior to become a painter, Van Gogh worked as an art dealer and a missionary, spending some significant years living and ministering amongst an impoverished mining community before moving to the south of France where he painted some of his more famous works. Drawing on many of Nouwen’s insights, we will be reflecting together on Van Gogh’s spirituality, especially the qualities of authenticity and compassion which so deeply characterised his life as he searched for his true vocation. The morning will include a visual presentation, opportunities to work creatively in silence and, for those who wish to, time to share reflections with one another.
All the mornings are fully booked. For information about future Creative Quiet Mornings contact Gillian.
Alongside this work I am developing work in the studio based on colour studies I recently completed in Pembrokeshire.
Gillian Lever
Ikon for Artists: Art Sale
Birmingham’s Ikon gallery reopens this month after lockdown, devoting its galleries to an exhibition of artworks for sale by over 250 Birmingham artists. Submitted though an open call, work in a range of media is presented both in the gallery and online. 100% of the proceeds from artworks go directly to the artists. Formed in response to Covid-19, Ikon for Artists aims to support local artists whose income has been impacted by the pandemic.
Gillian Lever will be exhibiting ‘Dream’, Oil on linen on board, framed by https://galeandcompany.com/ £850.00
More info: https://www.ikon-gallery.org/event/ikon-for-artists-art-sale/
Jake Lever
Ikon for Artists: Art Sale
In December 2020 Birmingham’s Ikon gallery launched an open call, inviting
Birmingham artists to submit an artwork with a value up to £1,000. There was no
curatorial selection process and no submission fee. Paricipants were required
to demonstrate that they have been practising as an artist in Birmingham
(full-time or part-time) and submissions were welcomed in a range of media.
Jake Lever will be exhibiting ‘Sarum’, Gouache and silver leaf on paper, framed
by https://galeandcompany.com/ £950.00
More info: https://www.ikon-gallery.org/event/ikon-for-artists-art-sale/
Ikon for Artists - 17 May - 31 May 2021
Opening times:
Mon - Fri, 11am - 4pm
Sat - Sun, 11am - 6pm
FREE entry
(A list of works available for purchase will be posted online from Tuesday 4 May)
