cut the mustard, Slang, to reach or surpass the desired standard of performance.





At last year's (2007) Reading Festival, two fabulous paintings, displayed at a stall provided by art gallery 'Cut The Mustard' from Bristol, UK, caught my eye. Upon closer inspection, as much as I realised these artworks weren't 'live' pieces (they are based on well known photographs), I still loved these pieces of art, and imagined how great they would look on my living room wall. Imagine the pang I felt when I spotted the little cards marking the paintings as 'sold'.

But, all was not entirely lost, as the gallery also offered a limited number (50 and 80 respectively) of reproduction prints of these artworks, both at affordable prices. So I took one of the gallery's business cards with me, and upon returning home surfed my way to the gallery's website, which indeed indicated the paintings were sold but the limited edition prints were still available. I placed my order, and within weeks received my prints. I still love them dearly.

This week, Tim Stephens added new works of art to his website http://www.cutthemustard.net, with more to follow. Those who want to witness the real thing can do so at the Bristol gallery, or at some of this summer's UK festivals (Glastonbury, Isle of Wight, V). Personally, I'll be saving up not for the festivals, but the artwork this year.