The Hollywood Charity Auction, in aid of LARF (Lauren and Rosie’s Fund), was a huge success at The Office in Truro on Friday night.  Thousands of pounds were raised during the evening which was packed with events and music for the charity which is raising money to help young adults and teenagers struggling with cancer and other long-term illness.

During what was a fabulous evening I presented “Fireworks for Lauren” to Mandy Hoare which was especially commissioned for her family…..

A quick update of what is going on the studio.

It has been a very busy few months with trips to Germany and Paris etc. however there is much activity in my studio with plenty going on.

I am quite excited that Gyllyngvase (xi) is well underway and it is a continuation of the slight change in style to the series that was evident in Gyllyngvase (x).  I have also started  work on 2 further paintings for Germany.

Also  my Christmas card painting is in it’s early stages,  and as a special gift I am giving away a free limited edition signed and numbered print to 10 lucky subscribers of my facebook page.  These can be won in a draw that will be made from all members of the page at a date between now and January 1st 2011.  This print will be in a strict limited edition of 10 and hopefully will become highly colllectable

And….  this just may be the last day I paint in only my shorts until next spring, apparently the weather is due to get colder …

Whilst I was away in Germany last weekend I am most pleased that the Marie Curie Cancer Care “Diamonds Are Forever” Charity Ball,  held at The Atlantic Hotel in Newquay on Saturday Oct 2nd, was a huge success.

“Wonderland ” (2010)

I am particularly delighted that my painting “Wonderland”,  which was donated for the Grand Auction,  apparently was the Star Prize and it raised a considerable sum of money which I am sure will be put to good use by Marie Curie……

Chris Billington & Angela Coote from Marie Curie with “Wonderland”

A special thank you to all who bid on my painting for your incredible generosity to help raise these much needed funds.

I have just returned from a trip to the Eifel region of  Germany, where I went to see my work exhibited alongside works by Johann Wilhelm Schirmer.  I am proud to say that four of my paintings, which have recently been acquired by the Julich Museum for their permanent collection,  were on display in Heimbach.

During my visit I spent a day at  Julich where I was privileged to be given a private guided tour of the museum and the citadel by Bernhard Dautzenberg.  Here I had the chance to spend some time with the museum’s  Schirmer collection  and reflect on the history of the magnificent building itself.

Chris Billington – Bernhard Dautzenberg – JW Schirmer Collection – Julich Museum

At Heimbach I had a very rewarding and valuable meeting with the Director of the most exceptional Kunstakademie Heimbach, Professor Dr. Frank Gunter Zehnder and Marcell Perse, the Curator of the Julich Museum.  I was also reunited with my good friend, and co-collaborator, German artist, Maf Räderscheidt.

Chris Billington – Prof. Dr. Zehnder – Heimbach –  Dialogue  JW Schirmer Exhibition

In addition to an already amazing few days I was also introduced to the master German Printer Martin Katelhon.   We had a few hours together at his studio in Cologne where we discussed the possibility of working on a project for 2011.  I am especially excited about this, Martin is highly regarded internationally and has worked with many great artists, including Yoko Ono and Sigmar Polke.