The Art of Friendship
On this page I would like to share the work of talented friends. Please use the Contact Page to send any comments or questions.
Martyn Smith
Martyn is 21 and has been a friend of my youngest son for around the last 12 years. I have never yet heard him say he can draw. He sketches for fun, for himself, and has done so for as long as I can remember.
I first saw his sketches when his mother showed me a dragon he had drawn. Even way back then, I was impressed.
These days Martyn draws his inspiration from the world as seen by his own generation. He produces Manga style drawings as well as his own style of realism.
My son took this photograph of one of Martyn's sketches, and assures me that his friend has a real talent for portraits. ( I am told this one is a popular rapper, drawn from memory.. but am not in a position to comment on the likeness!)
I have suggested that Martyn let me have pictures of more of his work. When he does so, I will feature them here.
Nicola Gibbs
"Born in Singapore in the late 60's, Nicola first moved to the Island when she was 4. She was bought up in Godshill, and was inspired to paint from an early age.
After nursing training at U.C.H London, she studied millinery at The London College of Fashion.
In 1994, Nicola began as an artist in Godshill largely selling Island views.
In 2001, she attended The College of Psychic Studies in South Kensington to understand more about meditation and psychic art. At this time, Nicola began painting to music and found it to have a Zen-like meditative effect.
Nicola, a self taught artist, is inspired by life, her love of nature, music, colour and spiritual understanding.
Her work encompasses a wide range of subject matter/styles, reflecting a determination to evolve through a continuous process of change.
"
I came across Nicola and her work quite by chance... or not, perhaps! She is valiantly engaged in trying to raise the money to set up a spiritual retreat and art therapy centre on the Isle of Wight.
She envisages a place where alternative therapies, peace and quiet and the opportunity to learn to express the inner self can come together.
Nicola bought an old, disused church and set up a Tipi in the grounds. She and a small, dedicated group of friends have worked tirelessly to get this project up and running. Having taught many young people to paint and seen the confidence blossom as their imaginations take flight on canvas, this project has quickly become close to my heart also.
Funding has proved the major stumbling block. Nicola has poured everything into the project and the Forgotten Church will be going back on the markey, sadly, unless she can raise the neccessary £10,000 to complete the project.
She is applying for all the grants she can find, is approaching local television and putting together a proposition to attract investment.
It would be a crying shame to see this project fail after all the work that has gone into it. If you feel you can help in any way, please contact me, using the contact page.
Please take a look!
Tim Judd
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I’ve always been interested in images and storytelling. I love to create characters in my artwork and its important to me to give them a reason for being where they are. I try to bring out a particular theme or atmosphere in my drawings and paintings. Sometimes I illustrate my own stories and poems.
I usually work in a relatively free way, with water soluble pencils and ink, but using a computer has given a fresh dimension to my cartoon-style artwork.
For me, making artwork is an opportunity to show people the worlds and characters in my imagination. Sometimes that doorway opens onto personal and private places, but I’m increasingly hoping to share my words and images with others.
T. M. Judd.
'Cheater' ( above)
'Battle Stain' (Above left)
Tim's work has great clarity and I love the free, economical use of line.
Aannsha Jones
Pasta (Acrylic)
I love Aansh's use of colour and texture . The pasta painting above was a commissioned piece for an Italian restaurant, and creates a warmly welcoming feel.
"... art is a strong gene that runs through my father's side of the family. When I was younger I could only copy things, and very stiffly at that. As I grew older and began to let go of my inner limitations, my artwork began to free up and these days, its a lot livelier to look at. Originally from North West England, I now live at the foot of one of the Glasshouse Mountains on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland, Australia with my husband and son, dog and three chickens. 
Over the years I've painted when inspired - everything from tiny watercolours of teddy bears to murals - often commissioned. I'm self taught and probably don't always get perspective perfect, but if I've found that if I'm happy with my work, others usually love it too.
I'm passionate about personal (and planetary evolution) and have found that the more I free myself from my
inner restrictions, and connect with Rainforest
my true inner Self, my life - as well as my paintings - becomes more alive and colourful!"
"Here's a small carving I did for the pond in our little rainforest. Its carved in hebel (aerated concrete). Its got a representation of each element on each direction.
As I did it I came to realise how much harder it is for me to make a 3D object out of a 3D block. I'm better making 3D pictures on 2D canvases and walls."
www.healingtruth.com.au Aansha Jones