Jen Allen News

With the globe’s leading brands each recently announcing their ‘color of the year’ for 2023, its looking as though we are going to be seeing a shift away from 2022’s calming green and lilac themes and a move towards a selection of warmer and more invigorating hues. The popularity of the ‘maximalism’ decor trend could have something to do with this. It is set to continue into 2023, and its focus on bold patterns and highly saturated colours seems to have influenced the colour choices for this year ahead: taking a walk on the more wild and vivid side.

If you know that your loved one is a book aficionado, especially one who dotes over the cover artwork of their favourite book (or even one who pick books based solely on its design), then why not get creative and buy them a piece of art that matches their literary sensibilities? This blog will give you a few pieces to help inspire and excite you for the holiday to come!

Self-expression is an important part of our lives, helping us to understand and access our unique desires and creativity, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling existence. And, as our homes have become even larger facets in our lives over the last few years, it stands to reason that the way we decorate them has moved away from the neutral and impersonal, towards something that is more representative of our passions and aspirations.

Each year October is observed as World Animal Month. The holiday originated in Italy in 1931 and was started by a group of ecologists at a congress of the world’s animal protection organisations who wanted to raise awareness of animals, their importance, and their needs.

Last month we put one of the UK’s most exciting artists, Jen Allen, in the spotlight, and this month it is the turn of her collaborative efforts with fellow artist and partner Jay Fortune, to receive some well-deserved recognition.Collectively known as J&J the pair have been working on a series of paintings which seek to utilise, combine, and elevate the considerable talents of the creative duo to the fullest. Their creative process involves working on each painting separately, then passing it to the other once they are completely content with their individual contribution.

Jen has pursued her career as a professional artist for over 20 years, after graduating from the Bournemouth Institute of Art in 2000. From humble beginnings in a 7x4 ft shed for a studio, she now widely exhibits at prestigious galleries, luxury cruise-liners (including the prestigious Queen Mary II), and star-studded events like the National Film and Television gala in 2015, where she painted a portrait of American-British filmmaker and comedian of Monty Python fame, Terry Gilliam.

Our obsession with, and adoration for our feline friends has endured for many centuries. And a great illustration of this is seen through their representation in art throughout history, from Ancient Egyptian tomb art, Japanese woodcarvings, and Impressionist paintings, all the way to current day contemporary paintings and an endless stream of quirky internet memes.