Artist Support Pledge
At the beginning of May I was alerted to the Artist Support Pledge through artist and friend Adebanji Alade. After seeing his posts on Facebook and Instagram about the scheme I decided to do the same. I began to upload some of my smaller watercolours onto social media platforms and make them available for just £200 unframed. The scheme was initiated by Matthew Burrows as a response to COVID 19 and it has been successful in helping artists worldwide.
The concept is a simple one. Artists post images of their work, on Instagram which they are willing to sell for no more than £200 each (not including shipping). Anyone can buy the work. Every time an artist reaches £1000 of sales, they pledge to spend £200 on another artists work.
Bath Prize
After selling my 5th painting through the scheme, I decided that it would be only fair to make my first purchase a piece by Adebanji Alade. I first came across his paintings back in 201o in Bath. My painting of the Royal Crescent came runner up in the Bath Prize that year. When we went down for the Preview Evening in Bath I bumped into Adebanji painting “en plein air” and introduced myself. Since then I’ve followed his progress as an artist.via social media. It’s been thrilling to see him as one of the presenters of The One Show on BBC 1. You can see for yourself how enthusiastic and inspirational he is on this short piece he did on Turner.
Addictive Sketcher
Adebanji Alade describes himself as an addictive sketcher. Indeed, that is the name he gives himself on Instagram.
He carries his sketchbooks everywhere he goes. Adebanji captures in pencil and pen and ink the characters he sees on public transport and regularly paints outdoors. I have to say, he is one of a handful of artists I know who really “walk the talk” and “practise what they preach”.