I have recently returned from my successful trip to New York, and the show in Chelsea to launch the new International Art Magazine of Paul Cabezas.

Many thanks to Paul for staging such a wonderful exhibition, which it is a great honour to be a part of, and for putting on an incredible opening reception.

Also a big thank you to all of the special people that I met for making me feel very welcome in New York, and for their kindness and most positive response to my work. In particular Michael for his in-depth and entertaining critique, and the warmth and friendliness of Raul Brunet Jr, Jamie Gail Korb, Suzanne Blaustein and Sandy Hecker. Finally a very special mention for the fabulous Zweig family for everything.

There will be some video footage uploaded in a few days….

New York Attorney, Richard Zweig, pictured with his new acquisitions –

“New York Neon” and “Strawberry Fields, Central Park”

I am absolutely delighted to be exhibiting four new works in New York from the 8th July. The four paintings were completed especially for the exhibition which is to be held at the Spanish Benevolent Society Gallery, Manhattan, New York.

Curated by the wonderful Paul Cabezas the exhibition, bringing together a collection of International artists, is being staged to launch his new International Art Magazine and I was thrilled when early in the year I was asked by Paul if I would like to participate in the show.

Housed in a building on 14th street – at the crossroads of Greenwich Village and Chelsea – the Spanish Benevolent Society has a rich heritage. During its 150 year existence many noted painters have lived at the society as resident artists including Picasso and Dali, and it will be an incredible honour for me to show my work in the same building that was the home to such immense figures in the history of modern art.

The exhibition runs from 8th July to 13th July.

My paintings, “Manhattan”, “New York Neon”, “Flight 1549” and “Strawberry Fields, Central Park” are all 90cm x 90cm and framed in white tulip.

Dr Elisabeth Geschwind very kindly sent this recent press cutting, taken from Schleidener WochenSpiegel, in which she is pictured with my painting “Dark Side of the Eifel”, another very proud moment for me indeed.

It has been added to my Press Page.

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You will notice from the recent updates on my Press Page that I  have been picking up quite a lot of German Press again lately, in relation to my various exhibitions in Germany and my ongoing relationship with the magnificent Julich Museum.

I would just like to mention that I am absolutely thrilled by the response that my work is receiving in Germany and it is a great honour to be associated with such a wonderful country.   I would especially  like to thank those who have purchased my work and also everyone concerned for their unwavering  support and enthusiasm for my paintings.

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My latest soundscape,”Warhol – Are Chairs Electric” has recently been completed.

This sound/video composition is a tribute to Andy Warhol….

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I am delighted that   “2091 Radiating Original Thinking”, is on show at Gallery 2091 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

This is my first piece of digital art and it has featured in a video presentation and the original, strictly produced as a signed edition of one,  is being shown in the  Digital Art Show to celebrate the 1st anniversary of the gallery.

I was particularly honoured to be asked to judge the Blind Art Competition for the Cornwall Blind Association at The Royal Cornwall Show on Saturday.

The CBA  invited guests to their stand over the three day period at this year’s Royal Cornwall Show to try their hand at painting, but with a twist, they were blind folded or wore spectacles that simulate serious visual impairment.   Over 150 adults and children entered into the spirit and experienced the challenges faced by those who live with sight loss. There was also a chance for the best paintings to win prizes, including a family day out at Crealy Adventure Park and a night a The Metropole Hotel in Padstow.

It was an amazing experience watching how people deal with a sight loss and work out strategies for creating their pictures through ingenuity and inspired thinking.    I have to say that it was  an incredibly difficult competition to judge and I would liked to have  had 150 prizes  to award.

Pictured with Jackie Southon, Head of Service Delivery CBA

Pictured with the CBA team

Listen to the podcast below to hear what I was doing with the Cornwall Blind Association at the Royal Cornwall Show.

I would just like to thank everyone who supported me on Friday evening and helped to make the evening very special, in particular Linda and Georgia Stoneman and Sheila and the staff of The Stoneman Gallery.  Also a special thank you to my friends, family and admirers of my work, including those who could not make the event due to prior commitments or distance.

Chris Billingon and Georgia Stoneman with “Lido”

My exhibition page has been updated with some photo’s of the Private View, and pictured below is the first of the paintings that sold on the night,”Crossing The Pool, Larkswood”,  to a lady who was keen to add it to her collection of sixteen other “Billington’s”.

Crossing the Pool, Larkswood

Some shots of the gallery which were taken before the Private View…

Here is  a photo taken on International Museum Day at the Musuem Zitadelle, Julich showing the presentation of the museum’s newly acquired Schirmer along with my “Lempertz”.

Pictured at the official ceremony  is Dr Egon Vietzke, along with the Mayor of Julich – Burgermeister Stommel, Udo Zimmermann and Museumchef Marcell Perse.  A very proud moment for all concerned, especially me.

There is a newspaper article on my “press” page taken from the Aachener Zeitung.

Lido – an Italian term from the name of a bathing place in Venice – a space usually designed for activities around water with areas for sunbathing and eating.

Lido the exhibition was born out of my love of Jubilee Pool and the many happy childhood memories of endless summer days at the poolside. It is a subject that I keep coming back to as a painter and it was the catalyst for this show, included alongside new works on Jubilee Pool are paintings of Plymouth’s Tinside, Weston–super-Mare and Saltdean.

Saltdean (2011) 28in x 24in – acrylic on canvas

Tinside (2011) – 40in x 36in – acrylic on canvas

I could not have completed this work without the help of  the excellent Lido website compiled by Oliver Merrington, see link below, and the  invaluable aid of  the remarkable book Liquid Assets:

Full details and images will be uploaded to the exhibition page in a few days…

Lido 11th June – 2nd July

Stoneman Gallery
56 Chapel Street
Penzance TR18 4AE

The Stoneman Gallery
01736 361756/351555
07971873268

www.lidos.org.uk