Grey Cube Gallery proudly presents the fourth Floral online art show for the month of September 2024. The show encompassed a range of artistic styles and mediums (oil on canvas, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, ink, graphite, colored pencil, charcoal, photography, digital). Each submission has been judged based on the following elements of artistic expression: orginality and quality of art, overall design, creativity, interpretation of the theme, demonstration of artistic ability and usage of medium. Out of all entries, 81 artworks were shortlisted for inclusion in the show. The competition attracted entries from many countries across the world: USA, Ukraine, Sweden, Taiwan, China, Bulgaria, Canada, Belgium, Slovenia, UK, France and Hong Kong. Enjoy the show and thank you for expressing an interest in our competition.

As a self-taught painter, I must admit that drawing has always been a familiar form of expression for me: as far back as I can remember, I can see myself, with a pencil or a pen dipped in Indian ink in my hand, sketching portraits, animals, objects; everything seemed worthy of interest to me. It was in 1992 that I approached color, first with watercolor for its transparency and a form of fragility that emerges from it, then with oil for the strength of the brushstroke, to finish with pastel, which I discovered combined the thickness, softness and sensuality of the material. I can say that this technique was a revelation for me and I think I can define myself as a "pastellist" today.

Jason Shih was born in 1972 in Taiwan. In 1991, he began to specialize in metal sculpture when he was a sophomore in the Fine Arts Dept. of Taipei National University of the Arts. In 2001, he graduated from School for American Crafts, Rochester Institute of Technology, USA, and majored in Metal Sculpture. And then, he served as the metal sculptor Albert Paley's assistant, involved in crafts and public art work practices. Furthermore, he earned his Art Ph. D. from China Academy of Art, China (2015). Now, he lives in Taiwan, and consistently engages in the both areas of sculpture and public art. Jason Shih’s artistic vision is shaped by a diverse array of influences, from contemporary dance to avant-garde fashion. He cites German choreographer Pina Bausch and British designer Alexander McQueen as significant inspirations. Bausch’s explorations of time and space resonate with Shih’s interest in sculpture’s capacity to embody kinetic energy and spatial imagination. McQueen’s innovative approach to contemporary imagery and themes provides Shih with a broad canvas for creative expression. Shih’s work is also influenced by the aesthetic principles of Futurism and Constructivism, movements that emphasize dynamic energy and continuous motion. These influences are evident in his pursuit of capturing the beauty of movement and the elegant restraint of natural forces. Shih’s sculptures often depict moments of defying gravity, capturing the fleeting beauty of motion in a static form. As a professional sculptor, Jason likes to experience the taste of life with perceptual observation in the subtle moments, and also likes the ever-changing situation of game shapes in the poetic imaginary space. For Jason, art creation is to share various moods and stories in daily life.

Ivan is a pastel artist living and working in the heart of the Herefordshire countryside, having been brought up in Nottinghamshire. He was introduced to pastel as a teenager by a friend of his father's and in fact still has remnants of his first set of pastels. At 16, Ivan chose a career as a veterinary surgeon, rather than go to art college. However, in his retirement he pursued his interest in the creative arts, specialising in pastel as his chosen medium, and his understanding of animals allows him to add something extra to his artworks. Modern pastels and pastel pencils allow for more detailed artworks with increased depth and vibrancy. Ivan makes full use of this to create a style that is unique to him. Today commission work occupies much of his time, with subjects ranging from portraits and pet portraits, to landscapes, and vintage and racing cars. Ivan has completed a large number of artworks in the past 21 years, many of which can be seen on his website www.ivanjonesart.co.uk He admires the work of many artists including the Impressionists, Pre-Raphaelites, David Shepherd, Simon Coombes and many of his contemporaries. Ivan has exhibited widely in Herefordshire and will be displaying his artworks at home during Herefordshire Art Week, September 7th to 15th 2024.

With current society and lifestyle, people are constantly being busy and surrounded by artificial things. This leads me to discover simple thing such as plants, a gift from nature, and becoming sumptuous. Every time I see a plant, I feel delighted and relaxed. The colors and scent of its free my mind from the complex modern world, and I appreciated such beauty still exists in this world.