Paintings by Henry Cook and Simon Greaves

About

The vibrancy in Henry's work, with its dynamic blend of movement, energy, colour and light gives a very contemporary edge to traditional subjects.
Whether it is the 'apres dejeuner' debris of a recently vacated dinner table or capturing of the essence of an interior through the decorative and practical objects within it, Henry applies his instantly recognisable style and vivid use of paint and colour to literally reveal the 'Energy' in the things around us.

The Framers Gallery curator Irena Molendys-Daanwi, says: 'The energy, colour and vigour in Henry's work gives us a real appreciation of the mystery and energy of the everyday things that surround us'

Henry attended the Heatherly School of Fine Art in Chelsea and Putney School of Art and Design and draws inspiration from the juxtaposition between his prior career as a successful pioneer of the UK's bourgeoning digital industry and his use of traditional painting techniques and subject matter.

Following this exhibition, Henry will be opening his Tooting Bec studio to the public for the first time as part of Wandsworth Open Studios in October 13. Previous Exhibitions include The Sprout Gallery in South London, group shows at the Putney School of Art and Design, public exhibition spaces such as Putney Theatre and in open studio events including Pullen's Yard in London.

Prior to finally committing to painting full time, Henry has worked since the mid-1990s in bourgeoning digital industry. This has included starting up a number of 'dotcom' businesses in the travel and marketing sectors and in more recent years helping to shape a range of high profile digital services for clients as diverse as the BBC, the Education Department and the NHS.

Simon's painting style creates a striking yet calming atmosphere from the honesty of natural things around us that we take for granted without always appreciating. He attempts to portray his observations and impressions of particular scenes in nature's continuing beauty, moving from season to season.

His series: 'Spring in The French Countryside' was inspired by a visit in early May, 2011 to an artist friend a few miles outside Paris. The land surrounding his watermill home had burst into an intoxicating show of the fresh and vibrant colours we crave after the raw beauty of Winter earth and sky.
This is apparent in his woodland works, inspired not only by their natural range of colours but by the alternating peace and wildness of woodlands as a creative medium.

In a recent series Simon has adopted a more naive style in order to capture the emotion and effect of transient light on objects in their own natural surroundings
A feature of his recent work studies clouds alive with movement, constantly shifting and reshaping, naturally altering the quality and texture of light and atmosphere.
Simon commenced artistic work as a part-time cartoonist, specializing in private commissions of personalized commemorative works. His style was described as: 'Beano meets Giles'.

He started painting after being strongly influenced by the French Impressionists and their evocative use of light in their landscapes and country scenes.
While attending life classes, he was also studying the work of both the French and English Impressionists, in Paris and London. The more recent Contemporary impressionist painters also had a profound influence on his landscape work, especially during his studies at Slade School of Fine Art.

His ongoing work includes abstract paintings experimenting with light and shade. Further abstract work includes a precise geometric use of disguised lettering. Also he enjoys commissions to create various versions of his specialized continuous writings.
Simon works from his private studio in the South East of England.