Another Auction Calling
March 2025
Highlights - Lot 0305
Flamboyant - Lot 0306
Trusting to Instinct - Lot 0307
Delighted have three more of my paintings accepted for the catalogue of the March/April 'Living Artists' auction courtesy of CR Auctions. The catalogue has already been launched ahead of live bidding on April 6th. The link to the catalogue and bidding platform is:
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/366032_contemporary-living-artists-art-auction/
Just search in the top left for Thornton-Smith or use the lot number.
Random Acrylic's 'Acrylic Collage' accepted for Fronteer Gallery April Exhibition
March 2025
This is curated by the Fronteer Gallery in the centre of Sheffield at Unit 4, Orchard Square, Sheffield, S1 2FB. The them is 'Painting' so I have presented a somewhat novel way of interpretating that. See the full story on the 'Owner reveals' page.
It runs midweek from Tuesday April 8th to Thursday April 17th between 11:00 and 16:00 hours and Saturday from 14:00 - 17:00. Contact number is 07792 971646.
Rare Visit to Craft Fair
Will be taking load of new stock to this event. Hope you might have time to call in.
Random Acrylic's 'Primordial' part of 'Meet the Locals' Exhibition in Sheffield
January 2025
This is curated by the Fronteer Gallery in the centre of Sheffield at Unit 4, Orchard Square, Sheffield, S1 2FB. It's a chance for artists from South Yorksire and surrounding counties to exhibit and meet one another.
It runs midweek from Tuesday January 28th to Thursday February 6th between 11:00 and 16:00 hours and Saturday from 14:00 - 17:00. Contact number is 07792 971646.
Random Acrylics go under the hammer in the States
January 2025
Intersections - Lot 0295
Cornish Beach - Lot 0296
Delighted that these three have made the catalogue for the 'Living Artists' auction courtesy of CR Auctions. The catalogue has already been launched ahead of live bidding aimed at the States on January 18th. The link to the catalogue and bidding platform is:
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/357008_living-artists-contemporary-art-auction/
Just search in the top left for Thornton-Smith or use the lot number.
Open Gallery, Halifax welcomes Random Acrylics
January 2025
Before Christmas I travelled up to the Open Gallery on Rawson Street in Halifax to deliver 'Serene Saturation' and 'Reminiscences'. The exhibition is themed for Shapes, Patterns and Symbols. It runs from January 15th to February 1st on Wednesday to Saturday.
Random Acrylics selected for 'Abstracted' International Showcase
November 2024
Delighted to see three of my 'Random Acrylics' included in the 'Abstracted' Showcase brochure courtesy of Curator Joshua Norwood of Meta Space gallery who worked really hard to pull all this together.
I have two pages featuring my pictures and they are available from this site. The 70+ page brochure has submissions from all around the world.
Click here https://metaspacegallery.com/abstracted/simplified-version/#thornton-smith to go straight to my pages.
Crossing over from Watercolours to Acrylics
June 2024
Having spent numerous years with watercolours, what was it about acrylics that made me decide to cross over?
I had spent numerous years doing landscapes in watercolours and I loved the detail that you could include and their delicate nature. However, I then began searching for a means to paint in a freer style, but whatever I tried with watercolours didn’t really make the grade for me.
Fortunately, at the end of the year, I became aware of what people were doing with acrylics when you didn’t really set out with a fixed picture in mind – so random became the order of the day. I was excited by the fact that I could paint over sections or even the whole canvas when it simply didn’t turn out as I intended. The colours would have such a glorious depth to them. I could use so many absurd implements to make such stunning pictures. Literally anything you can get your hands on can be used to create a wonderful world of random acrylics. The excitement had returned!
So now, in addition to brushing, I am into pouring, splattering, scraping, gluing and whatever else takes my fancy and making use of all sorts of materials as part of the composition. Friends are already making favourable comments as regards the change of direction. Over the coming months I intend to add to the shop items listed already on this site and happy to hear from others here who are immersed in the wonderful world of acrylics.
Always make sure you can rekindle your passion for what you do. Be on the lookout for alternative process and products. I will be with AG Events and Fairs on July 14th 2024 at Coal Aston outside Sheffield so come say hello if you can make it. Always pleased to hear from organisers from South Yorkshire.
Random Acrylics June 2024 Exhibition in Wickersley
May 2024
Great opportunity to secure some original, abstract art that is ready to hang for just £30 from Wickersley based Pete Thornton-Smith who is collaborating with the local library services of Rotherham.
"Offering members of the community the chance to view these exciting and vibrant paintings"Wickersley Library are pleased to present a free exhibition of ‘Random Acrylics’ in June courtesy of local artist Pete Thornton-Smith. The exhibition takes place in the library from June 3rd until the 28th with a wide range of styles and techniques on display. Libraries and Neighbourhood Hubs Officer Kirsty French said, “We are very excited to be able to offer the chance to view these exciting and vibrant paintings to members of the community”.
Pete will also be running two free ‘Saturday Starter Workshops’ on June 8th and the 22nd in the Media Room. He will reveal the benefits of working with acrylics compared with other mediums how you can start a painting yet have no idea of what the result will be and how to use weird household objects to create a layered and even textured picture. There will also be a couple of anecdotes explaining how potential disasters were turned around and the joy that that can create. Fair to say that mental health benefits when that happens. You will leave with enough knowledge as regards techniques and kit plus inspiration to carry on back at home.
Numbers are strictly limited mind, so you need to ring the library on 01709 544134 to reserve your free place. Materials will be supplied, and hot and cold drinks are available as well. Pete added “I really appreciate the support being given by Kirsty and the Library Services for this event and hope you will support them. I will be on site each Tuesday at 10am as well if you fancy a chat”. Pete is a member of the SAA (Supporting All Artists) and has been inspired by Mathew Palmer, Bill Lupton and John Connelly over the years.
A free exhibition with workshops of ‘Random Acrylics’ in June courtesy of local artist Pete Thornton-Smith. The exhibition takes place in the library from June 3rd until the 28th with a wide range of styles and techniques on display. Just select a convenient date and come join us.