I am thrilled to announce that I have just released my brand new collection - the first of its kind - entitled "Colliding Spaces".  "Colliding Spaces" came about after indulging in some experimentation. As ever, I never know where my creativity will take me and as there is no end point in mind, I will drift along in meditative mode deeply intwined and absorbed in my artwork with no expectations other than the fact that I might just create something amazing! Or I might not. It's a process that can be so rewarding. This collection started off as maybe five completed pieces to start with but I found that as I went along, the process just kept on giving. As a result, this collection grew to what is now ten pieces! There is no doubt that I view this collection of images as something of a revelation; for it became evident that I was following a different path altogether, migrating away from my usual style. In this collection, gone are the magical tree, forest, woodlands or spiritual images that have been my mainstay for many years. These images are deeper, darker in some respects, grittier and more abstract than ever before. Am I thankful for this (temporary or not?) change in direction? Yes, I am. Many artists will follow a certain style over the course of their careers, hardly deviating from what they are known for, while some will change direction once in a while. And that is good, for stagnation isn't a desirable thing. We artists need to shock occasionally. We risk all by doing so. A few years ago, I wouldn't have considered tearing down my boundaries. I would have stayed safe in my comfort zone. But now......I have challenged the authority of my regular work in daring to imagine something more edgier, more avant-garde perhaps while maintaining my artistic freedom. And it feels great!

So what is the idea with "Colliding Spaces"? Well, just imagine a chaotic and calamitous event where two or more opposing dimensions - ours and an alternative - temporarily collide and rip through each other, causing a disruption to space-time. Our Universe is so finely balanced, that this "what if" scenario would suddenly disrupt and challenge everything ever knew about the Universe and our connection with it. But instead of exploring and illustrating this idea in a cosmic and outer space way, I have brought my imagination closer to home using real places. So just imagine that if you are out somewhere and suddenly you experience some kind of portal or ripple in front of you, where your surroundings suddenly distort and tear apart, where you can see through to another Universe...? Sounds like something from the  drama "His Dark Materials" doesn't it? I have of course gone pretty awol in my imaginings, but these images are intended to be eye-popping and very surreal. Of course this all sounds like science fiction, but I am unashamedly influenced by the genre. As I am by the paranormal. But the difference is that there have been reports of strange paranormal events that touch upon this idea. For example, where people have turned a corner somewhere and suddenly seen themselves up ahead. Or reports of time "freezing" and the opening of portals in paranormal hotspots.....I think there is much we don't know about our Universe.......

This new collection is available as direct prints on aluminium panels and metallic paper prints. As ever all of these images have been created using the medias of photography, digital painting and special effects software. No AI has been used in the making of these images and all the locations featured in these images have been shot in my home county of Cornwall. Navigate to the shop page and select the drop down "Colliding Spaces Collection" or from the "Featured Collections" link on the home page, to see the full collection. 

  I am very aware that over the years my art has undergone many changes, transitions and even name changes. Talk about confusing people! But my thoughts, my attitudes, my beliefs and my spiritual connectivity, shall we say, to my art have shifted over time. But one thing that remains essentially a constant is the general philosophy and ethos behind my art. The idea that alternative dimensions, spaces, even Universes might exist beyond our current level of understanding. And that is pretty much the driving force behind my creations. However, there is one aspect that has pretty much eluded me over the years. And that is my deeper understanding of what makes my art tick. What is it really all about?  What does it all mean? I would say that my art is pretty much hard to define as I don't fit into any box. But why should I? I don't conform to any "rules" in how I go about creating my art and I am not a traditional artist by any means. I don't, for example, do social commentary etc and I am not motivated by current trends in the art world. This could of course have an effect on any attempt to bring my art to a wider audience. And I am aware that many people won't "understand" my art. But that's fine. I am not worried by that. So, I am just an artist. I create what comes naturally to me. 
So with all of that in mind, here's why I have settled on the word "visionary" - meaning a bold idea, dream, vision, above, beyond, transcend. So my visionary (or metaphysical) worlds could be described as a space, dimension or dimensions, a Universe that exists or may exist beyond our reality or physical plane of current existence.  Perhaps even beyond space time as we know it. This is all speculation of course but an idea that I have long held a fascination for. Therefore in all of this speculation and mystery, it is most probable that, given their existence, the laws of physics and nature operate on a completely different level.  One can only imagine what these worlds could look like. This is where I come in. In my work, I don't lay claim that what I create really exists, but my imagination and visionary attitudes are guided by these ideas and beliefs, guided by the metaphysical universe. 

And so the journey continues. There is much to left to explore. I will keep looking beyond. And once I have "discovered a new world",  you'll see it here.  I am just an artist......

 I am thrilled to be featured in this directory of small Cornish businesses.  Promoting my art - and for any artist - is an essential part of the marketing process. The listing will help to showcase my art to a wider audience - at least that is the plan!  Head over to the listing by clicking the image or here:   https://www.cornwallshopsmall.co.uk/directory/ian-david-spencer

The listing will also increase the opportunity for me to take part in our local trade markets in Truro and Newquay. As ever, an announcement will be made in my "events and exhibitions" page on my site.

Every year around autumn / winter time, I re-release my best selling seasonal work "Winter Moorland Moon". Created in 2015, this image was originally shot at the Merry Maidens stone circle in West Cornwall. You might be forgiven for thinking that this image was shot in the winter - but it wasn't! As with all my work, I create with an open mind and allow things to flow naturally - organically if you like - and so with this, a wintery theme started emerging. A composite image was created with the moon and layers of wintery colours and frosty / snowy effects that give it a truly wintery feel. Just how I like my favourite season! It has remained a popular image in my portfolio and is once again available as prints and greetings cards. ​https://www.iandavidspencer-artist.co.uk/store/p45/Winter-Moorland-Moon-By-Ian-David-Spencer.html