Art in the Open

Artist Tony Robinson

Artist Tony Robinson painting at Paint Out Wells 2015. Photo © Katy Jon Went
Artist Tony Robinson painting at Paint Out Wells 2015. Photo © Katy Jon Went
Artist Tony Robinson painting at Paint Out Wells 2015. Photo © Katy Jon Went

Tony Robinson is the founder of plein air festival, Art in the Open (2008), based around Wexford, Ireland. Whilst hailing from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where he completed a Fine Art Foundation course and a fine art degree at Stoke-on-Trent, he has since made his home in Ireland.

Awards | Art Gallery | Purchase

“Painting outdoors is difficult and sometimes frustrating but it is something I’m passionate about. I try to let the subject dictate the painting, whether it be loose and spontaneous or more precise. Working in an ad hoc way helps me take an intuitive and exploratory approach. It can bring surprises but is essential to convey the authentic response to the subject. The surface may be distressed or scraped back before finding the image again. I try never to waste a positive accident and to be looking to declare the painting finished at the earliest opportunity, without overworking it.”

Artist Tony Robinson painting at Paint Out Wells 2015. Photo © Katy Jon Went
Artist Tony Robinson painting at Paint Out Wells 2015. Photo © Katy Jon Went

Tony is passionate about painting from life outdoors and participated in the inaugural Paint Out Wells-next-the-Sea in 2015 producing some stunning artworks. In 2018, he was a guest artist at various points during Paint Out Norwich, offering demonstration during the event, as well as being one of the three judges.

“While judging exhibition entries for Paint Out Norwich 2018 I was greatly impressed by the dedication, quality and inventiveness shown by the thirty artists who took part. The organisers had set an artistic assault-course for them to try to portray and interpret the city of Norwich from her bustling market scenes to the academic quarter, and from the medieval streets around Tombland to 1960s slide-rule architecture in concrete, glass and steel. I commend the artists and organisers of Paint Out Norwich on a marvellous festival and the foremost plein air painting event in the UK. I urge any artist to put Paint Out Norwich in their timetable in their anorak and not miss it.”

Paint Out History

Paint Out Norwich – Guest Artist & Judge (2018)
Paint Out Wells – selected and participated (2015)

Other Awards

Tuscany Plein Air, Florence, Italy, Honorary Guest Artist (2016)
Royal Talens Rembrandt Award at Noordwijk Schildersfestival, First Place (2014)
Noordwijk Schilders Festival, Netherlands, Commended Artist (2012)
Hertogenbosch Schilders Festival, Netherlands, First Place (2011)
Greenacres Gallery, Wexford, Emerging Artist Award (2011)

 

Art Sale Enquiry

Artist Hannah Bruce

Hannah Bruce studied Fine Art at Aberystwyth University before Art Teacher training at Cambridge University and going on to teach Art for 15 years, 9 of those as head of department in Woking and Guildford. She has now left teaching and has been back painting full time since 2015 and since then also been chair of Woking Art Society.

Awards | Art Gallery | Purchase

Artist Hannah Bruce on King's Parade with her painting of Smokeworks, Paint Out Cambridge 2019. Photo © Katy Jon Went
Artist Hannah Bruce on King’s Parade with her painting of Smokeworks, Paint Out Cambridge 2019. Photo © Katy Jon Went

Hannah paints primarily in oils, sometimes ink and occasionally acrylic. She has been actively pushing her own plein air work as well as helping to set up Surrey Hills Plein Air painters.

“I am passionate about painting and creating artworks that are vibrantly colourful, conveying joyous and calming moods that make you smile every time you look at them.”

In 2018, she won the Spirit of Norwich Prize sponsored by Norwich Art Supplies for her collection of artworks portraying Norwich day and night during Paint Out Norwich 2018. Prior to that, she has won prizes at A Brush With The Broads, Art in the Open and Windsor Plein Air Painting.

Paint Out History

Paint Out Norwich – Spirit of Norwich Prize (2018)

Other Awards

Guildford Art Society – President’s Prize (2017)
Surrey Artist of the Year – Nominated (2016)
Artist and Illustrators – Artists of the Year, Top 50 Nominee (2016)
Art in the Open, Ireland – Public Paint Out Third Prize (2016)
A Brush with the Broads – Public Paint Out public vote winner (2015)
Windsor Plein Air Painting – Third Prize (2016)

Art Sale Enquiry