Jimmy Law Gallery

Acrylic Paintings, Gallery, Oil Paintings, Paintings, South African Artist

Jimmy Law Painting 001

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Jimmy Law Painting

Jimmy Law painting style and technique is self-taught.

As an artist with a graphic design background, I had a tendency to work in a very controlled and precise style. I was very accomplished as a realistic painter, technically my work was great, but my work was stagnant it lacked energy.

In December 2010 I decided to approach my painting style differently.
I changed the way I approached my painting and started by eliminating the use of small brushes. Some of my brushes now range between 6cm and 15cm in width. I forced myself to refrain from performing perfectly controlled detailing strokes and instead focused on performing bold, strong strokes using only larger brushes.

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I often load my brushes with paint so that it would run when I apply enough pressure onto the canvas. I also force myself to simplify and lessen the number of strokes as to not get caught up in trying to create every little detail. My aim is to give the viewer just enough information and let the viewer fill in the detail. I aim to create energy and life in my work. Many of my first pieces done in the new, expressive style were done in a fairly neutral palette with subtle use of colour. Recently I have started using a lot more colour in my work.

I have a tendency to work on a rather large format. My canvasses often range between 1.5 meter to 2 meters and larger. In all my work I try to incorporate the use of contrast and good composition. When done in such an expressive style, it often creates rather bold, energetic and dramatic images. I started out painting portraits of Hollywood actors, celebrities and icons, focusing on the ones I love most, but also ones with a classic look and feel to them, actors like Jack Nicholson, Marlon Brando, Christopher Walken, James Dean, Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe to name but a few.

I have since moved onto doing more personal work, focussing on creating portraits of totally unknown people. I also use my own models to create more personal work with a deeper message. I feel that it is a lot easier for me to create the look and feel that I want when using my own models. I have also started doing nudes and aim to explore the beauty and sensuality that is found in nudity.

I constantly challenge myself in my painting and while I feel confident in the style that I now work in, I will keep introducing new ways and techniques of pushing this style forward and developing it even further. I am available for commissioned work.

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Source: http://www.jimmylaw.co.za/

I was born in Bloemfontein in the Orange Free State on 26 September 1970. I matriculated in 1989. In 1990 I enrolled to study a three year Graphic Design Diploma course at the Technicon of the Orange Free State.

After my studies I was conscripted for National Service in the South African National Defense Force for one year. After being discharged from National Service I moved to Cape Town and found work at a printing company in Woodstock. This was my first job. I tried my hand at several endeavors, ranging from clothing design and manufacture to surfboards, but non of them were really successful.

Staying in Cape Town, I found work as a freelance illustrator and did a lot of work in the comic book industry. All along I was painting in my spare time. In 2008 I decided to focus entirely on my painting.
The first year was extremely tough, I made no money. I also took up airbrushing and started spraying motorcycles of which mostly Harley-Davidson’s. At least some money was coming in and I was surviving.

At this time, I was painting in a photo realistic style and paintings took forever to complete.
In December 2010 I radically changed the approach to my painting style by using only large brushes which initiated some remarkable changes and effectively started my career as a serious, full time artist.

I focus on creating energetic and expressive portraits and nudes on a fairly large format in oils and acrylics.
Many of my works now adorn the homes and offices of clients around the world.

Jimmy Law Profile

Exhibitions:

- 2015 Art Angels Auction, “A Heart’s Journey” SOLD for record price of R120 000.00
- 2015 Chefs who Share Auction, “Emily’s Wish” SOLD for record price of R110 000.00
- 2015 Feature Artist in ” The South African Artist” magazine issue #20
- 2015 Turbine Art Fair, Johannesburg, represented by Diedericks Faber, Sold out
- 2015 “Consume” solo exhibition, Lizamore and Associates, Johannesburg South Africa
- 2014 Cover of “Good Taste Magazine” December/ January .
- 2014 Group Exhibit, Equus Gallery Cavalli Estate.
- 2014 Group Exhibit, Diedericks/Faber, Johannesburg.
- 2014 Reckord Price recieved for the piece “Maria’s heart” at Art Angels Auction.
- 2014 “GAZE” solo exhibit, RED Gallery, Cape Town. (SOLD OUT)
- 2014 “GAZE” Solo Exhibition, RED gallery Cape Town.
- 2014 Participating Artist, Art Angels Auction, Ellerman House, Camps Bay, Cape Town.
- 2014 Group Exhibition, Diedericks-Faber, Cape Town.
- 2014 Kaleidoscope Group Exhibition, Kalk Bay, Cape Town.
- 2013 Group Exhibition “Summer Gala”, Stellenbosch Art Gallery, Stellenbosch.
- 2013 “Inconvenient Truths” Solo Exhibition, Art on Leviseur, Bloemfontein.
- 2013 Participating artist Art Angels Charity Auction, Ellerman House, Cape Town.
- 2012 Participating artist, Art Angels Auction, Ellerman House, Camps Bay, Cape Town.
- 2012 Two man Exhibition, Lovell Gallery, Woodstock.
- 2012 “Inside” Solo Exhibition, Rust en Vrede Gallery, Durbanville.
- 2011 “Riders” Two man collaboration, Everard Read Cape Town.
- 2011 “Fresh” Group Exhibit, Everard Read Cape Town.
- 2004 Group Exhibit, Bang Gallery Johannesburg.
- 2004 Group Exhibit with Igubu Collective, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch.
- 2004 Group Exhibit with Strika Entertainment Chelsea House, Somerset West.
- 2003 “Venge” Solo Exhibit, Bell-Roberts, Cape Town.

Publications:

Articles on my work has been published in local newspapers such as “The District Mail”
“Venge”, self published graphic novel.
Several publications regarding my comic art have been made online.
I was featured on e-tv and in several radio interviews on “Artscape Radio” and “Bush Radio”, Cape Town.
Marie Claire Magazine.
“Garage” Magazine, December 2011.

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Gallery

Jimmy Law Painting

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