CRUMBLING BUILDINGS HIT THE SPOT. SEPT 09 

I have always been a firm believer that a frame really 'makes' a picture, and likewise a venue can have the same effect on exhibited work. It is partly because of these two reasons that I was so pleased with my past two shows. Back in August I exhibited in the 1000 year old St Eadburgha's church in Broadway. I chose this venue for my 'Broadway Revisited' exhibition because it was trashed by the 2007 floods and now needs funds to help it recover. The church, now completely empty, provided the most wonderful age-old space to frame and show my paintings. It proved to me that regardless of age or style, if artworks are good they will sit comfortably together. So my contemporary paintings looked fantastic in this ancient setting, giving them a classic setting, and giving my favourite old church a new lease of life.

More recently my CACTUS show made use of an old barn for its venue. The group of Cotswold artists and designers transformed the building into a beautiful homely space, proving that new smart galleries aren't always the way forward, and that what's on your doorstep can often hit the spot.

I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MUSIC BUT... 10 OCT 09

Boy was this guy cool! At a beautiful traditional English wedding this weekend, the service was made even more special by Paul Gladstone Reid, doing what he does best. Whilst the bride and groom were signing the papers, he started singing a bit of unaccompanied Bach, and then progressed onto the piano and played and sang a Bob Marley number which made the hairs on the back of my stand right up on end! His rendition of 'One Love' was so uplifting and inspiring; I wished he could have played more. We chatted to him afterwards and he told us about his next project - the new Bob Marley musical. I now cant wait to see it!
PS. And the musical treat didn't end there. Sitting behing us in the service was 'Steff', whose singing throughout the hymns would have even made Simon Cowell perk up! X-factor next year..!?? 

500TH YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE. 6 OCT 09

My year of following The Gentlemen at Arms finished this week with me handing over my painting of The Queen presenting the new standard to mark the Gentlemen's 500th anniversary. The painting was very well received and is now hanging in their Orderly Room mess, in St James' Palace. It has been an honour, privilege and eye-opener to have been given access into St George's Chapel, Windsor, to paint the Garter Ceremony; The House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, to capture the State Opening of Parliament, and various other palatial venues to record the age-old roles of the nearest guard. It is with a sense of irony that I now embark on my next job, which sees me move from strict Royal protocol to equally as strict, but a little bit different.... banking protocol!

BANKERS REPLACE BONUSES WITH PAINT BRUSHES. 8 OCT 09.

I dont often get nervous but the task of getting 250 high-powered, suited and booted, LLoyds bankers to roll up their sleeves and paint a large canvas during their first 'Wealth & International' Conference was an interesting one!  Roger Black was also there so i got him painting too!

                                                                                        OFFICIAL ARTIST FOR THE SAUMUR CHALLENGE. SEPT 09


This was a blast! The Saumur Chalenge is an equestrian event between the armies of Britain, France, Holland and Belgium. Each country takes it in turns to annually host the event. This year it was France's turn, who invited all the teams to the magnificent chateau at Fontainbleu where the fun and games took place. The British army asked me to come along to record the event, so that when they host it next time, and exhibition of the uniform and games could precede the gala ball. Photos

                                                                                              THE LLOYDS BANK ART PROGRAMME

i am very involved with this project, and as its momentum is gathering rapidly, it deserves a mention. lloyds bank have chosen a handful of young artists, myself included, to produce sporting themed art. this is because lloyds, being one of the main sponsors of london 2012, want to sell our work, to raise money for young british athletes so that they have the funds to train adequately. so lloyds puts on exhibitions of our art throughout the country, and by doing so we get some good sales, and the young athletes get some good money. it also enables us to meet some past and present olympians and work with them. so far i have worked with paul goodison, tim brabants and violet miller. incredibly inspiring people! for more info go to this site which i have set up.... www.theartofsport.co.uk

CLARKSON DOESN'T JUST LIKE CARS. NOV 09

Jeremy Clarkson is now the proud owner of one of my big flamingo paintings, proving that as well as big powerful engines, he enjoys the finer things in life too!

Clarkson, he is a big flamingo! So the Queen has one of yours. Clarkson has one of yours. I have one of yours. I'm in good company! JW

Look! JC doing his flamingo impression party trick!!! HJ

JEREMY LAUNCHES HIS NEW GALLERY. DEC 09

after three months of being without my roof and wallspace, it was with huge relief, joy and celebration that i was able to open the doors of my new studio/gallery to 120 guests. the theme was an 'italian extravaganza', so people were greeted by ferraris at the door, followed by Prosecco, and as they wandered into the gallery, my italian art provided focus, accompanied by fleur sladen's italian food; filiberto's delicious wines, and some italian opera 'snippets' sung by melissa freissner-day. for more photos go to...
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=109071&id=163861362394#/pages/Artist-Jeremy-Houghton/163861362394

TURKS & CAICOS. DEC 09

just back from a lovely little holiday in the caribbean. beautiful place; stunning white beaches and delicious waters. didn't feel that christmassy but had a wondereful time nevertheless. the highlight of the trip would have to be the flamingos. these birds are fascinating at the best of times, and the caribbean ones are by far the 'pinkest' in the world, so combine these elegant flamboyantly feathered birds with the turquoise lagoons and you've got inspiration galore. so expect more flamingo paintings asap.

THE BROADWAY ARTS FESTIVAL. JAN 2010

this is going to be an incredibly exciting and productive year. all sorts of reasons why, personal and professional, but one that's really getting the folk around here on their tip-toes is the inaugural broadway arts festival which will be in june. i am on the steering committee, and running the arts committee. we are putting on all kinds of events to make the fest as inclusive as possible; exhibitions, competitions, my tours, plays, parties, cricket match, and even giffords circus! this first festival is being themed around john singer sargent who lived and worked in the village. the next one will be inspired by henry james, and then we'll look to our thesbians - mary anderson der navarro etc! for more info please have a look at www.broadwayartsfestival.co.uk

TERMINAL 5 EXHIBITION. JAN 10

As the Olympic journey builds a pace, with London 2012 being increasingly talked about, our 'art of sport' journey with Lloyds contines to put us in excitng places working with inspiring people. Our latest 'trip' has been the Terminal 5 exhibition. BAA have given us the most fantastic space in this new building, where our work is being given excellent exposure to all kinds of new faces. I knew it would help with our story, but i wasn't convinced whether people off on their holidays would want to buy paintings as they head off to their departure lounge, however, i was proved beautifully wrong yesterday with a keen sailor bought two of my paintings of Paul Goodison, so, happy days!

CANADA HOUSE SHOW. MAR 10

With grateful thanks to the Canadian High Commissioner, my winter Olympic paintings were used as part of an exhibition to mark the start of the 2010 Canadian Winter Olympics. It was a glittering event at this smart Trafalgar Square Residence - so much so that cameras weren't allowed, but the paintings looked fabulous and the response was electric. Ann Aldridge deserves a huge pat on the back for getting the show on the road.