Artist of the month February 2012 While studying Classics at Newcastle University Christabel started to draw from Greek and Roman sculptures. Following her degree, Christabel went to Florence to train in the atelier tradition of classical drawing, painting and sculpting. After two further years at The London Atelier of Representational Art, she moved to tranquil Dorset to hone her technique. One year later Christabel is now back in London, juggling her new successful career as a portrait artist with her own personal works. Christabel Blackburn Currently published artworks: 8 Growing up in London, Christabel was encouraged by her artist-turned-fashion designer mother to draw from life from a young age and has an ongoing fascination with the human form. A Classics degree fr ... Full details

Artist of the month January 2012 As a graduate in Fine Art from Birmingham City University, Emma Freeman has been chosen to represent the class of 2011 for her stand out collages of idealised cityscapes. She cleverly uses the medium of collages with its torn away layers and abrupt endings to reflect the transient nature of cities with their constantly changing and shifting landscape. The reflecting highlights of gold paint and leaf add additional layers of symbolism and difficult questions for an idealised city. The sound of cutting and pasting is continuous throughout Emmas work, much as it is in urban lifes symphony of sounds. Emma Freeman Currently published artworks: 4 The sound of cutting and pasting is continuous through Emma Freeman’s work. From the use of manipulation of collage, paint, acrylic emulsion, and gold paint, there is an automatic feel that her ... Full details

Artist of the month December 2011 As a wildlife artist Francescas ability to capture each animals true character in a fluid and spontaneous manner stands her work apart. Her work is the result of a dedicated process, involving camping out in the African bush for weeks at a time. Francesca uses a personally developed form of oil primed paper which allows her to work freely from life, and avoid the warping and drying effects of the African climate. Francescas 2011 Exhibition is being held at the Air Gallery, 32 Dover St, London, W1S 4NE, from Monday 5th- Saturday 10th December, 10am-6pm. If you are interested in attending the private view on Monday 5th or Tuesday 6th December, please contact Francesca. Francesca Sanders Currently published artworks: 16 Francesca was born in Cambridge, England, and grew up as a lover of the outdoor world, and its inhabitants. Professionally trained as a fine artist in the UK and Italy, she now works between the UK an ... Full details

Artist of the month November 2011 Boyarde is an international exhibiting artist and we are greatly honoured that she should join our democratic art community. Boyarde divides her work between BODY + SPACE. BODY explores our desire and admiration for the human form, SPACE combines aesthetic appreciation with the search for narrative. We hope you like them as much as we do! Boyarde Messenger Currently published artworks: 12 Boyarde’s pictures have received widespread reviews from The Evening Standard, to The Independent describing her work as showing ‘the hallmark of [a] gifted photographer’.( Boyarde, ... Full details

Artist of the month October 2011 Di works out in the open, exposed to the elements around her and we feel her dedication to capturing those changing atmospheric conditions really captures the essence of autumn. In our opinion her work places you right in the middle of the landscape, as if you were sitting next to the easel holding her palette. Di Grattan-Cooper Currently published artworks: 15 Full details

Artist of the month September 2011 The 2011 Rugby World Cup has just started and we though this month's theme should be in honour of the host country New Zealand. Simon has travelled extensively through New Zealand capturing its beauty and majesty for us to enjoy. Simon Bradfield Currently published artworks: 24 Over the years I’ve worked in many fields, some quite mundane, others a bit more interesting. I was a scriptwriter & storyboard artist for quite a while, working on projects as diverse as li ... Full details

Artist of the month August 2011 Bee has one of the largest portfolios of work and as a thank you we thought it fitting that Bee should be artist of the month for this summer period. Bee Grant Peterkin Currently published artworks: 54 I studied at The Byam Shaw School of Drawing and Painting where I was very fortunate in having Diana Armfield as my tutor. Since then I have travelled widely but I continually return to the West Coast ... Full details

Artist of the month June 2011 Di works out in the open, exposed to the elements around her and we feel her dedication to capturing those changing atmospheric conditions has paid off. In our opinion her work places you right in the middle of the landscape, as if you were sitting next to the easel holding her palette. Di Grattan-Cooper Currently published artworks: 15 Full details

Artist of the month February 2011 We thought you could all use some cheering up during these cold winter months. Lucinda's bright positive colours are just the tonic! Lucinda Thomson Currently published artworks: 2 Coming soon... Full details

Artist of the month January 2011 Simon's photographs are excellently executed and breathtakingly beautiful. For a travel photographer these are the most important attribute to get right but are also the hardest. Simon Bradfield Currently published artworks: 24 Over the years I’ve worked in many fields, some quite mundane, others a bit more interesting. I was a scriptwriter & storyboard artist for quite a while, working on projects as diverse as li ... Full details

Artist of the month December 2010 Bee has one of the largest portfolios of work and as a thank you we thought it fitting that Bee should be artist of the month for this festive period. Bee Grant Peterkin Currently published artworks: 54 I studied at The Byam Shaw School of Drawing and Painting where I was very fortunate in having Diana Armfield as my tutor. Since then I have travelled widely but I continually return to the West Coast ... Full details

Artist of the month November 2010 Frances has been an invaluable help since VAT's launch. This award is not only to showcase her excellent work, but as a big thank you for all the positive feedback and help she has given over this first month. Melita Frances Moule Currently published artworks: 25 Music and music-making were my first loves! Careers in cryptography and computers have taught me to analyse. I work quickly in the field, normally working in watercolour. I make several conventional ... Full details

Artist of the month October 2010 During the build up to the VAT website going public Simon has been an invaluable help with challenging and constructive feedback. As a sign of our gratitude VAT has decided that Simon should be the recipient of our first Artist of the Month award. Simon's photographs desrve this award on merit alone. They are excellently executed and breathtakingly beautiful. As a travel photographer the most important, but also the hardest attributes to get right. Simon Bradfield Currently published artworks: 24 Over the years I’ve worked in many fields, some quite mundane, others a bit more interesting. I was a scriptwriter & storyboard artist for quite a while, working on projects as diverse as li ... Full details