TG Elias: Toe tapping, headin swinging, gravel chewers.

Country, Blues, Gospel, Rock n Roll, and Soul band; TG Elias are due to release  'God's Own Land' and 'The Man In The Iron Cage' online (iTunes, Amazon etc) next week. They are an excellent new band and definitely one to keep an eye on. You can catch them on BBC Introducing Manchester, featured as the "Artist of the Week" this Sunday from 10.00pm-01.00am! A perfect way to end your weekend?

Follow them on Facebook here. x

Wonderful World of Collage

http://www.quda.co.uk/portfolios/jo

Last week I popped along to the Collage Night at Kro Bar Manchester. Even though I had never done it before, I loved getting my teeth into creating an image out of a mountain of beautiful vintage books. I like the fact that you can create really nice piece's of work, without having to draw/paint, it's like other people have done the hard work for you, and you can just focus on creating meanings out of images or just simply something aesthetically pleasing. It's a really nice way to spend and  evening, and I met loads of lovely artists at the same time. I'm  so proud, I've stuck my work on my wall at home, its also up for sale in my QUDA shop.

If you fancy finding out about the next night, they have a facebook event page under the name of Collage Night. There is also a full review and write up in the online arts magazine; The Artroom. X

THE WAR YOU DON'T SEE.

A powerful piece of investigative journalism, by John Pilger, in his new film; 'The War You Don't See', which is currently showing in UK Cinemas now. It's quite heavy going to go and watch in a cinema, but is available to watch online, and one you have to see wherever it may be. It breaks your heart, opens up your eyes to the harsh truths that we don't see through continuous media manipulation, and shows "the harsh truths of an epic injustice that is at the root of Bush's and Blair's threats of war". The film also includes and interview with the legendary Julian Assange founder of the controversial Wikileaks website. I have been forcing friends and family members to sit down and watch it, I suggest you do the same.

Brainwash your face!

"That's why I call myself Mr. Brainwash. It's because everything that I do... somewhere... it brainwash your face!" - Thierry Guetta, Exit Through The Giftshop - 2010

Anyone who hasn't already seen it, simply MUST see the Banksy film - 'Exit Through The Gift Shop'. I know I'm a bit late to be jumping on the train, but I enjoyed it so much, especially the beguiling Thierry Guetta, AKA Mr Brainwash, and his journey from obscure suspected nut, to artist extraordinaire. The film is an excellent comment on what art is, and on the big-bucks-business that can go along with it. Inspiring and hilarious. WATCH IT! .X.

Hello. I am new to Blogspot.

Yes, alight the cannons, raise your virtual flags and waggle a sparkler about, I have officially created my very own blog. I am aware that this can be perceived to be a little "wanky", and that most of you will probably be taking the piss rather than celebrating, but I hear it can be good for some shameless self promotion. So, hello, pleased to not meet you, whoever you may be.

With this said, please pop onto the the wonderful new artists website QUDA.CO.UK to have a browse at some of my piktures at www.quda.co.uk/portfolios/jo. There up for sale and looking for a nice new home on somebodies wall.

Quda.co.uk is a quite a site, pop on and have a peep. It offers free portfolio space and you can try and make a lil' bit of money for the New Year by selling your very own art work. I know what I'm going to be doing this evening (so, so skint).

Please do keep checking back, one day I might actually write something of actual worth on here, and I wouldn't want you to miss it.

Love and hotdogs
Jo.
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