Another 12 pages of arty stuff. My recent paintings, Jeni & Sophie's prize winning garden, plus Peterborough Artists Open studios. Photos and updates.

1. NEWSTony Nero’s Art
The really random newsletter all about my art
www.tonynerobrushworks.com December 2014 issue 12
l Jeni & Sophie’s super
prize winning garden
l Peterborough Artists
Open Studios
l Most recent paintings
l What’s on!

2. Welcome Underpass make-over
looking super fab!
Welcome to issue 12 of my
newsletter. I have to say, this
should really be issue 13 but it’s
been such a busy summer that I
haven’t been able to keep up. It’s
a good thing it does say on the
front cover, ‘The really random
newsletter’.
The last few months have been
jam packed with art and music
around town and as for myself, I
don’t know if I’ve ever been this
busy before. Assisting on three
different committees, hosting my
own exhibitions, two radio inter-
views, producing new works and
taking the odd photo.
This issue’s front cover shows
the painting ‘Red Elegance’,
originally intended for my June
exhibition at North Street Bar
but was
snapped
up before
I got to
hang it on
the wall.
There’s
some-
thing
about this
piece.
In the last issue I mentioned that
the Cowgate Underpass was
getting a make over. Well I’m
pleased to say that the guys have
worked hard and the underpass
is looking fab. When in town, I
always popped along to see how
the work was getting on. Speaking
to Stuart Payn of Blok Collective
recently, he said ‘It took longer
than I thought to complete but as
much as I want to get it done, I
wanted to produce the work to a
high standard that I was happy
with. If you are ever in town do
pop along and have a look.

3. In June I was invited to the yearly
celebrations for Refugee Week,
which was held this year at the
Beehive Centre. Being the kind of
guy I am, I offered to display my
painting ‘Tears for the Children’, I
thought it would be appropriate as
a visual piece for this event.
It was a lovely afternoon filled with
poetry, music and a lovely buffet
of cakes and snacks. Their were
interesting and touching stories
of struggles and endeavours of
some of the people in the room.
The joyful poetry from the likes of
poet laureate Pete Irving, Keely
Mills and young poet Alice Irving
amongst others, brought a smile
to people’s faces. Plus the most
welcoming, pulsating beat of the
African drums creating such a
wonderful atmosphere and
bringing people to their feet.
I was called upon to say a few
words about my work, but seeing
that I always get nervous speak-
ing in public, it was a very short
speech and executed quickly.
City celebrates Refugee Week

4. P’town’s Heritage Festival
What a fab and exciting festival
this is, with two solid days to
enjoy history & culture. A display
of historic costumes and a past
way of life. Trying to write about
this event in such a short space
won’t do it any justice, you really
need to be there to experience it.
On the Saturday I was there in the
Square, showing one of my large
paintings with the Red Cross,
who were still promoting Refugee
Week. On Sunday, I helped to
raise awareness about
Peterborough Artists Open
Studios group and generally
talked about art and exhibitions.
At Cathedral Square with my painting ‘Tears for the Children’ - pic by Lee Hellwing
With top street photographer Chris Porsz

5. Tony’s Shout Out!The art of Andy Gatrell
In this issue my shout goes out
to Amy Wright who recently lost
her husband of only three days.
After spending a number of
years together they decided to
get married, but due to ill health
Graeme lost his battle for life. To
make things worse and add salt
to the wounds, during her time of
grief she also lost another friend.
I may be a
fine artist
in practice
but by now
you prob-
ably know
I admire all
art forms.
So earlier
in the year,
while out and about in King’s
Lynn I stumbled on the work of
this guy. It sure was a nice
surprise wandering into King’s
Lynn Art Centre and seeing the
works of Andy Gatrell. Not only
did the pieces take me back to
my love of super heroes and
comic books, but I just fell in love
with the vibrancy and freshness
of his work. Although most of the
work were around A4 size there’s
no lacking in details. I would love
to see some of these pieces in a
really large format.
If you
ever come
across Andy
Gatrell’s fine
artworks
showing
anywhere,
don’t walk
by without
having a
look.
After not even wanting to leave
her home, Amy turned to her art
for some peace of mind and as a
way to try to relax. I am pleased
to say that within a few weeks
she had created work and even
sold a couple of pieces, as well
as gained a few commissions.
Although her work didn’t get
selected for the City Gallery
Open, it’s great to see she had
gained the confidence to enter.
Even more exciting, there are
talks of a father and daughter
exhibition in the near future.

6. I spent a day at the prize winning
garden of Jeni Cairns and Sophie
Antonelli at Hampton Court and
what a super day that was. I even
did some painting while I weas
there. Also had great fun mixing it
up with Tom Fox as he did his stuff
throughout the day.
To find out more about this super
prize winning garden ‘A place to
develop and grow’ follow the link
http://bit.ly/1ztczX4
Jeni & Sophie’s super garden
Tom Fox and myself enjoying a moment with
the award winning team at Hampton Court,
Sarah Haythornthwaite, Jeni Cairns and
Sophie Antonelli.

7. Had a great time twice in the hot
seat, chit chatting to (Mr B) Brian
‘The Lion’ Watson, on City Buzz,
over at Peterborough FM.
In the first interview we were
talking about the Open Studios
exhibitions and the art scene in
Peterborough. Then followed a
second interview in October,
when we talked about Black
History Month, Celebrating
Diversity in Peterborough and
my Black Heroes collection of
portraits.
Thanks Mr B, always a pleasure
to be on your show and even got
to select my own tunes.
In June I had a little exhibition at
North Street Bar, which only
consisted of 13 pieces of work.
Along with a couple of old pieces,
most of the pieces were new
work - done in my urban style.
This exhibition led to a cool
article by Chantelle-Marie
O’Keefe for Only Magazine. We
spoke about my art in general,
my involvement with Peterbor-
ough Artists Open Studios and
the Celebrating Diversity in
Peterborough event. Following
this, I was commissioned to paint
a stag on the wall behind the
stage.
My radio chit chat
North Street Exhibition

8. So this year I didn’t actually show
my work for Open Studios, but
being on the committee I was in
the background assisting as best
as possible. I have to say a
personal thank you to members
of the old committee who have
done a sterling job for the past few
years. I’m happy to say that the
new committee members are just
Peterborough Artists
Open Studios 2014
as passionate about local art
and raring to go, so 2015 is
already looking exciting.
Following a preview event held in
Cathedral square, I had a great
time wondering around some of
the various studios visiting as
many artists as possible. Here are
a few pictures from some of my
visits.

10. Most Recent Paintings
Looks like I have been rather busy and have managed to produce over
40 pieces of work this year - from portraits to landscapes to mini art.
I will feature a few more in the next issue and talk a little bit about some
of the process in achieving these pieces.

11. In the picture!
Rob from up north visiting P’town sent me this
pic of him voting for his fav pic at City Gallery!
Hanging with top photographer Lee Hellwing
in front of ‘Tears for the Children’.
My dayz...this lass nicked my
hat at Willow Festival, had to
chase her down.
Cheeky pic of Kevin Tighe
(CEO Vivacity) at the Heritage
Fest in front of my springbok.
Mixing it up with super singer
Owen Wonder at the JA Ind.
dance and fundraiser.
A happy Frankie Bijster Arundell, all smiles
with her surprise birthday pressie. Pleased to
say that Frankie now owns two of my works.
It had to be done...I went to the House of
Lords and couldn’t resist this cheeky snap
with a mini canvas :)

12. Photo of the day
My picture of the day is of our
Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr David
Over and his wife Jackie Over.
I took this picture of them at the
Heritage Festival next my paint-
ing ‘Tears for the Children’. Yes,
I know you can’t see it, but it’s
featured in another photo in this
newsletter.
Since taking this photo, I have on
a few occasions bumped into both
the Mayor and Mayoress at other
functions. I have also just recently
finished an oil on canvas portrait
of the Mayor.
What’s on
l Hoarding:
Metal’s Billboard exhibition
‘Hoarding’ at the City Gallery,
Peterborough Museum
Priestgate, Peterborough, PE1
1LF on until 22nd February 2015
l Flux Exhibition:
Gray’s Art Gallery Presents FLUX
Looks like I’ll have a few pieces
in this interesting exhibition.
The Rag Factory 16-18 Heneage
Street, London E1 5LJ
18 - 22 February 2015
www.graysartgallery.com
l Stay in touch with Art of Tony Nero
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& Google+
You can also visit my Etsy shop
www.etsy.com/au/shop/ArtofTonyNero