Gina Cross | Artbuyer, Artist representative, Curator

Happy New Year to one and all. Last year was intensely busy, and this year looks set to be the same, but with a different flavour. I’ve got quite a lot up my sleeve for this year, but still playing cards close to my chest for now….BUT, GAS Gallery will be at the Affordable Art Fair this March and it’s hugely exciting. This will be the first show that I have had the chance to  show a more diverse range of work in a variety of mediums with some original pieces as well as limited editions.

Watch this space for further information.

I’m also on the lookout for a web developer/designer who understands e-commerce inside out along with admin systems for stock control/payments/sales analysis etc… So if anyone out there knows there stuff, then please contact me

It wasn’t until last week that I realised how much of Manchester’s identity is tied up with rain, red bricks and music alongside a very solid burgeoning creative industry. Robert Shadbolt invited me in to give a talk and do some tutorials with the Illustration students at Salford University. It was interesting to see the range of styles and interests that the students portrayed and very encouraging to see a real active involvement with the City’s businesses on projects. What I hadn’t banked on was how much I was taken by the place. Salford is on the agenda a lot at the moment due to the new Media City and although the larger area of Salford is under development, the proximity to the centre of Manchester is so close I had no idea. We went along to the opening of Manchester & Salford Illustrated which was an open submission show with the brief of ‘What does Manchester mean to you’.  It seems it means rather a lot to quite a few people! I really enjoyed the show and then a stomp through the rainy streets of Manchester to a lovely bar called 57 Thomas Street selling Marble beer that is brewed in Manchester.

I’ll definitely be going back to explore further – and see what else is up Manchester’s sleeve!

The AOI has asked me to give a masterclass on commissioning illustration, which takes place tonight. I’m currently polishing off my presentation, but I always enjoy doing these events.

It’s quite hard to keep up with all that’s been going on with the London Design Fesitval in the past couple of weeks, and the conflict when you are participating is that there’s very little likelihood of being able to see everything that is on. We spent four days at TENT London, which was partly great but also frustrating since the show had grown and we had a hard to find stand. However, feedback was fantastic for the crazy wallpaper and beautiful metal designs and printed pieces that were on display. It’s very much the beginning for GAS Art since there are a number of directions for it to go in. As for A Little bit of Art, I’m about to start opening the studio for viewings on Saturday mornings from 10-3pm to give people the chance to look at the work in reality and come and see the lovely Iliffe Yard which I absolutely love. Also coming soon will be published exclusive works that I am commissioning from a selection of the artists. So, more to come…..

Jonas Ranson Wallpaper Design © Jonas Ranson

I’m really pleased that Delphine Lebourgeois has agreed to be represented by GAS – she is such a talent and a consummate professional in her approach to work. I’m also delighted to be showing her new work at TENT London, these prints are incredible in their detail.

Delphine’s print work is becoming more and more sophisticated, and I hope to be able to gain her some commissions and place her work in public spaces so that more people can appreciate it.

It’s that time again – the run up to TENT LONDON which will open in 2 weeks time. This year I will be showing as GAS ART AGENCY and will not be showing any work from A Little bit of Art. Plans for the agency have been going well and I am now representing Jonas Ranson, Cornelia O’Donovan, Delphine Lebourgeois, Gary S Holt, Maureen Valfort & Gordon Robertson.

At TENT there will be a really inspiring selection of work which I am hugely excited about. More coming soon, but do check the blog at GAS ART AGENCY and follow the Twitter feed and/or Facebook Page.

I am really pleased to be representing and showing for the first time Gordon Robertson’s new pewter & copper plates at the forthcoming POP UP PRINT SHOP at Frameless next week, from 31 May – 12 June.

These pieces are all hand etched, cut, formed & polished by Gordon, whose attention to detail borders on extreme but these are truly beautiful ‘objects’ that you should come and see. There will also be a small selection of his jewellery that compliments the designs on show.

The plates & bowls are mostly limited edition or one-off pieces, dependent upon the size & imagery and will be available to buy online soon through Culture Label.  Gordon’s designs are also applicable to other surfaces including paper, textiles and ceramics and he is available to commission.  As his agent, all enquiries please contact me.

Gary S Holt has been experimenting with screenprinting for the past 18 months and has recently moved into making lampshades. I’m glad to say that I am the first to show these and they will soon be added to the GAS GALLERY site that is under construction.

These prototypes will be on show at the forthcoming show at Frameless which are available to order & commission,  alongside some stunning work by Gordon Robertson which I will be blogging about tomorrow.

I am hugely excited about my first proper stint in a gallery – for 2 weeks only I will be showing work from both A Little bit of Art and GAS Art Agency at Frameless Gallery, 20 Clerkenwell Green, LONDON EC1R 0DP

Launching at the show will be 3 new exclusive limited edition prints from Delphine Lebourgeois, David Humphries and Lucie Sheridan. These prints will be available from 31 May 2011 and on show at the POP UP PRINT SHOP until 12 June 2011

Following on from the original success of the large and beautiful ‘Forest’ by Delphine Lebourgeois, I have been working closely with Delphine to develop a newer, smaller and less expensive version – which is a variation on the original but features different flowers and characters. These will be selling at £145 each which is half the price of the larger print which is £290. Here is the lovely print in question:

David Humphries has done a 3 colour screenprint – a limited edition of only 50. This will also be shortly available on A Little bit of Art from 31 May and on show at the gallery. The print creates an optical illusion, making it seem as if the wheels are going around….

Also launching is Lucie Sheridan’s fruity new screenprint ‘Summer Fruits’ – a limited edition 2 colour screenprint of an edition of 20.

This blog has been rather neglected while I’ve been grappling with a lot of ‘strategic thinking’ involving not only the further development of ALBOA but also the developments of GAS Art Agency and getting that going properly in 2011.

The to-do list is pretty long and now I’ve got to accept that an intern is essential to help out.

I can’t afford to pay, but can pay travel expenses and feed them lunch. It will be for 2-3 days a week and I am looking for someone who is interested in PR & Marketing (and/or copywriting) for design and interiors. They may still be a student or a recent graduate. Most importantly they need to be keen, have an excellent command of English, love art & design and be into developing a career in PR & Marketing and really want to make contacts!

The main duties would be:

- Researching contacts to make within the design & interiors market

- Drafting press releases and other marketing writing

- Making contacts with press, sending out press releases and images etc.

- Market research

- Social media work including updating Twitter and Facebook and Blog .

- Helping put together presentations

- Uploading work to the website and dealing with images.

This is potentially a really good start for someone just getting going – any contacts they make they can keep for their own future development and this could be an ideal opportunity for the right person to get a toe in and at the same time help get a new business off the ground! I don’t expect anyone to work for 5 days a week for free, so am keeping it to 2-3 days so that paid work elsewhere is still an option. It will be for an initial period of 6 weeks.

They would need to be able to get to Elephant & Castle/Kennington easily and not be allergic to dogs.

All enquiries please by email

This is Izzy, the other employee who helps sweep up crumbs from the studio floors.