Exhibition time: Class of Michael Hill

michael hill Michael Hill is an experienced and highly accomplished painter in both acrylic and watercolour.

In his Tuesday classes at Salcombe Art Club, he demonstrates both mediums in all his classes, taking in a drawing, painting techniques, and composition. It’s a friendly and informal class which welcomes beginners and more experienced painters.

Michael’s classes are very popular, so much so that there is a waiting list for places for each term. Each year, there’s also an exhibition for two weeks in the Little Studio, showing the work of Michael’s students, myself included.

When is the Class of Michael Hill exhibition?

On now until Saturday 25 August

Where is the Class of Michael Hill exhibition?

Little Studio in the Loft Gallery, Salcombe Art Club, Victoria Quay, Salcombe, Devon TQ8 8DA

Open daily, 11am-5pm

What’s on display at the Class of Michael Hill exhibition?

Jim Smart and Stephen Thomas in the Little Studio

There are works by several of Michal Hill’s class of 2018.

  • Debbie Horton
  • Valerie Lambert
  • Ann Merritt
  • Yvonne Paul
  • Deborah Rickard
  • James Smart
  • Robert Smith
  • Stephen Thomas

My three paintings are at the top (left to right)

Michael also has several of his paintings in the main exhibition, on show until the end of September.

To attend Michael’s classes, you need to be a member of Salcombe Art Club. Click here for details of how to join.

SOLD! Harvest Reaper II – the South Sands Ferry

It’s a delight to support local good causes and charities.

Each year, as a member of the Salcombe Art Club, I’m on a rota to exhibit in the Redfern Health Centre, Salcombe.

I’m told by many who have cause to visit the health centre that, while they wait their turn to see the doctor or nurse, they enjoy admiring the work of local artists.

I’ve exhibited eight times to date and this year, once more, I had a sale.

 

SOLD! Harvest Reader II
Harvest Reaper Beyond Fort Charles

Harvest Reaper Beyond Fort Charles

Harvest Reaper (featured image above) is the name of the South Sands Ferry.

To travel in a boat is a must for every visitor to Salcombe, especially the very young. What better way to travel but on the Harvest Reaper?

The Fisher Price colours of yellow and blue make the South Sands Ferry look as if it’s popped out of a child’s toy box.

The journey from Salcombe to South Sands on the Harvest Reaper takes only 15 minutes, and then it’s the turn of the tractor to ferry the passengers ashore.

On the return journey, the prospect of driving back into the sea to await the incoming ferry can worry some youngsters. However, any apprehension is easily forgotten with the promise of an ice cream at the end of the journey. Salcombe Dairy ice cream is the finest. (They also make chocolate too now.)

The views each way are spectacular, along the beaches of the ria and out to sea. On a Saturday afternoon, the passengers can also take a close look at the dinghy sailors racing past.

 

More paintings of Harvest Reaper
Ferry to South Sands

Ferry to South Sands

I have painted the Harvest Reaper many times. The original of Harvest Reaper Beyond Fort Charles was also sold when on exhibition at the Redfern Centre.

Then I created

 

All of these are now sold, and I really ought to paint this wonderful craft again. But, these images are still available, as fine art greetings cards and/or as prints.

 

Affordable art!
Harvest Reaper III

Harvest Reaper III

Over 60 of my images are available as fine art greetings cards.

Blank inside, you write your own message.

Only a short distance from the Loft Gallery, you have the choice of buying these ‘man cards’ at Bonningtons, the newsagents, or at Salcombe Information Centre.

 

Prints also available

If you would like a high quality giclée print of any of my originals (sold or not), contact me. Prices depend on size and quantity but are a fraction of the cost of an original. Supplied as a canvas, you can choose your own mounting and frame too.

SOLD! Ebb Tide at Batson Creek

It’s a delight to support local good causes and charities.

As a member of Salcombe Yacht Club, this year, during Merlin Rocket week, Anne and I spent nine days in The Chart Room at the yacht club, welcoming the Merlin sailors and their families, and exhibiting my original works, limited edition prints, and fine art greetings cards.

The weather was too hot for me to paint, but I enjoyed watching the sailing, photographing the Merlins and talking with lots of art lovers, while Anne ‘manned the shop’.

 

SOLD! Ebb Tide at Batson Creek

Ebb Tide at Batson CreekAs well as over 100 cards, I sold a painting, which swelled the donation to the Salcombe Yacht Club.

While I am happy when any painting sells, I’m especially so when I meet the purchaser and know it’s going to a good home.

A purchaser is a local person, someone I will see often, and I’m sure he’ll enjoy his purchase.

My paintings grace many a wall in Salcombe, and elsewhere.

See if you can spot one of my originals next time you go visiting?

 

Which cards were the most popoular?

I had painted two more Merlin compositions especially for Merlin Rocket week, and used them for new card designs, bringing the number of cards featuring Merlins to three: Merlins, Merlins Crossing the Bar, and Watching the Merlins Race.

Merlin cards for sale of Ebb Tide at Batson Creek

All three sold well, but they were pipped by two other designs: Salcombe Estuary Trots and Dappled Light I, a watercolour which is now sold but very much like the still-available oil painting Dappled Light III.

Salcombe Estuary Trots for sale of Ebb Tide at Batson Creek

Salcombe Estuary Trots

Local artist, supporting local causes

This year so far, I’ve made donations to The Friends of the Redfern and Salcombe Yacht Club. If you would like me to support your good cause, contact me.

Anne and I are happy to attend events and we have specific cards being sold through charities, such as Salcombe Regatta and Hope Cove Lifeboat.

One-man exhibition: Little Studio at the Loft Gallery

As a full member of Salcombe Art Club, I have the option to exhibit in the corner of the Loft Gallery that some of us still call the Little Studio.

This year, I have two consecutive weeks: 28 July until 11 August.

Fifteen original paintings … on three ‘walls’.

 

On the ‘left’ wall

Seagulls in the Spray

Acrylic

16 x 20

£325

 

Burgh Island from Hope Cove

Acrylic

15 x 15

£400

Also available as a fine art greetings card

 

Low Tide at Fishermans Cove

Acrylic

15 x 15

£400

Also available as a fine art greetings card

 

Affordable Art

I am not permitted to sell my cards at the Loft Studio, but they are available within walking distance.

  • Bonningtons, the newsagents
  • Salcombe Information centre

 

On the ‘middle’ wall (top to bottom and then left to right)

Salcombe Yacht Club Christmas Camellias

Acrylic 15 x 15 £500

Scoble Point Moorings

Oil 19 x 19 £450

Gullet Plantation

Oil 15 x 15 £450

Deliah

Acrylic 16 x 12 £250

Dappled Light III

Oil 12 x 16 £350

Tranquility

Acrylic 12 x 16 £275

Hope Cove

Oil 15 x 15.5 £450

South Pool Sunrise

Oil 50cm x 49cm £450

Newton Ferrers from Noss Mayo

Acrylic 15 x 15 £400

 

Then, on the ‘right’ wall

Salcombe Dawn II

Oil

16 x 20

£475

 

Merlins Crossing the Bar

Oil

20 x 16

£750

 

Torcross Wave

Acrylic

14 x 18

£300

 

STEWARDING

I will be stewarding on three occasions:

  • Saturday 4 August 2-5pm
  • Sunday 5 August 11am-5pm
  • Saturday 11 August 2-5pm

 

Pop in and say hello!

 

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Tidal Gallery logo

Anna Ventura at the Tidal Gallery, one month on

The Tidal Gallery preview evening on Friday 22 June 2018 was so well attended it was hard to take in all the wonderful material gallery owner, Anna Ventura, had assembled.

Anna Ventura Tidal GalleryIn the days that followed, though, it was great to pop back and study the impressive range of artists’ work on display.

It is a beautiful space, full of beautiful art!

And a long list of featured artists:

  • Leanne Ball
  • Susan Brown
  • Ani Buckland
  • Simon Dobbs
  • Graham Fish
  • Penny Hardy
  • Steve Kenna
  • Shirley Kirkcaldy
  • Louella Moore
  • Steve Robinson
  • Susan Steele
  • Vera Stride
  • Mark Weston Lewis

 

More about gallery owner, Anna Ventura

Anna VenturaAnna Ventura originates from Barcelona but her love for Devon brought her to Kingsbridge over a decade ago. She studied Fine Arts at the University of Barcelona where she also specialised in graphic design.

Anna then carried out her final project in Illustration at The University of Plymouth.

She has exhibited in the Devon scene since 2013, with works in several galleries and now works from her studio at the Tidal Gallery where she produces exclusive work in a variety of media.

 

More about Anna’s artwork

Inspired by the Devon landscape, fauna and flora, Anna has applied her artistic flare to ink work, charcoal, acrylic and oil.

Her subjects are often of the flying variety – the birds and the bees – demonstrating her fine pen work and attention to detail.

Anna Ventura

 

Anna also produces landscapes of local scenes: Dartmouth,  Kingsbridge, Totnes, Torcross, …

Here is Inner Hope and Outer Hope, Hope Cove. Anna puts an interesting slant on these well-known vistas!

Anna Ventura

 

WHERE IS THE TIDAL GALLERY?

The new Tidal Gallery is situated at 1 Victoria Place, The Promenade, Kingsbridge, Devon.
Its central location, the bottom floor of a Victorian building, near the Kingsbridge town square and in the Estuary Promenade, makes the visit most inviting, with great views over the water.

 

WHEN IS THE TIDAL GALLERY OPEN?

Closed Mondays

Tuesday to Saturday: 10am to 5pm

During August, as part of the Kingsbridge Traders’ Open Sunday initiative, open on Sunday: 11am – 3pm

More information – and an online catalogue – can be found online at the Tidal Gallery website: www.tidalgallery.co.uk.

Postcard from Grange-over-Sands: The Fishing Hut

Photo: Roger Emmott

Anne and I had occasion recently to drive north to Grange-over-Sands to attend the annual dinner of my Old Boys’ Association.

The event should have happened in March – when we were snowed in and couldn’t have attended – but, luckily, it was postponed and the weather, and therefore driving conditions, couldn’t have been better.

 

Positively palatial …

We stayed at the Netherwood Hotel, a magnificent building set in beautiful grounds, only minutes walk from the Promenade.

Our room was the one just above the main entrance, to the right. It was positively palatial …

This annual event is held in various parts of the UK, according to the wishes of the incoming President. When it was my turn, we chose Leamington Spa, hoping its position would attract OMs from all parts of the UK.

Photo: Roger Emmott

It’s quite a trek from Devon to Grange-over-Sands; over 7 hours driving, but worth it to meet up with old friends and to welcome the new President of the Association.

This is us, surrounded by friends at the dinner on Saturday evening.

And as the photo shows, the hotel was the perfect setting for a dinner for so many of us. The men would normally have been wearing their suit jackets but, in the heat, the President suggested we removed them. The ladies just glowed …

 

In search of art

Because we arrived mid-afternoon on Friday and ventured out with little time to spare, we only managed to discover an amazing tea shop – Hazelmere – where we indulged ourselves with a posh afternoon tea.

If you are ever passing, make a point of dropping in. They serve wonderful sausage rolls and their millionaire’s shortbread is delicious.

But what about the art?

 

Art on the Promenade

On Saturday morning, we set off, determined to see the sights and find out what happens art-wise in Grange-over-Sands.

We walked the length of the Promenade, enjoyed the views and took lots of photos. And, we found the Fishing Hut …

 

What is the Fishing Hut?

The Fishing Hut is a handcrafted travelling gallery shed, created by artists Hannah Fox and John Fox, and inspired by Morecambe Bay Partnership’s oral history project collecting memories of the Bay’s fishing industry for future generations.

By luck, it was at the Grange Promenade on that day and when we walked past, Hannah was in attendance.

Hannah invited us to step inside to enjoy a kaleidoscope of short animated films, small illustrated stories, and artifacts that explore and celebrate the culture and heritage of the Fishing communities around the Bay. On that very hot summer’s day, it was also a delight to retreat into the cool shaded interior!

Hannah explained the history of the Fishing Hut, and its purpose and we came away – cooler and wiser – with some treasures:

  • Three beautifully designed newspapers created by Morecambe artist Kate Drummond. They bring together stories and quotes from the archive with illustrations and fishing imagery.
  • Sets One and Two of John Fox’s illustrated stories.

The inspiration and source of material for these emanate from interviews conducted as part of Morecambe Bay Partnership’s oral history project 2015-18 collecting memories of the Bay’s fishing communities for future generations.

My favourite John Fox story is Salmon in the Pram.

Having just recently scattered the ashes of Anne’s Dad out to sea, the tale of Mrs Butterworth and the salmon as big as a submarine made us smile.

The Fishing Hut will appear at various coastal locations around Morecambe Bay.

  • Sunday 5 August at Make My Day Festival, Morecambe
  • Monday 6 August at Heysham Head

 

For more information about the Morecambe Bay Partnership, and the Fishing Hut, visit Hannah’s website www.hannahonthehill.co.uk.

This post is one of my POSTCARD series, sharing all things ART with you when I go travelling.

Merlin Rocket Week: Artist in residence at SYC

Merlin Rocket Week: 8-13 July

Of all the craft I paint, my favourite, second to the lifeboat, is the Merlin. To date, I have three finished paintings:

Merlins

Merlins - card on sale in Merlin Rocket Week

Merlins (original sold but available as a fine art greetings card)

Merlins Crossing the Bar

Merlins Crossing the Bar on sale in Merlin Rocket Week

Merlins Crossing the Bar

Watching the Merlins Race

Watching the Merlins Race on sale in Merlin Rocket Week

Watching the Merlins Race

The Merlins race in Salcombe every year. It’s a spectacular event. I’m usually there, with my camera, hoping to catch the action. Then, back home, I choose a few photos from which I’ll compose my next Merlin painting.

This year it’s different!

 

Artist in residence!

I have set up camp in the Chart Room, with my easels, my paints and brushes, and some half-finished paintings.

It has the most amazing view.View from the Chart Room

Do pop in and say hello.

I’ll have a range of (finished!) paintings on sale, limited edition prints at reduced prices, plus my fine art greetings cards: £2 each or 3 for a fiver.

 

Where is Salcombe Yacht Club?

Map

Cliff House
Cliff Rd
Salcombe
Devon
TQ8 8JQ
UK

01548 842593

 

Exhibition time: RNLI Salcombe fundraiser at Holy Trinity Church

Once again, the RNLI Salcombe Fundraisers have brought together a display of work by local artists, with a variety of styles to both view and purchase. It’s an honour for me to be invited to take part in this year’s exhibition at Holy Trinity Church, Salcombe.

 

RNLI Sale posterWhy are the RNLI Salcombe Fundraisers having an exhibition?

The Salcombe RNLI depends on fundraising!

A donation from the artists will be made to RNLI Salcombe from the proceeds of works sold throughout the exhibition.

 

How can you support this worthwhile charity?

I’ll have five original paintings on sale – all at a discounted price, to encourage you to support this worthwhile charity.

There are also limited editions prints (at discounted prices) and one special (unlimited) print of Salcombe Yacht Club.

Plus a range of my fine art greetings cards: £2 each, 3 for a fiver.

 

Where is the RNLI exhibition?

Holy Trinity Church, Salcombe.

 

When is the exhibition open?

10am until 4pm daily, 2-6 July 2018

 

Anne and I will be stewarding on the Tuesday morning from 11am. Pop in and say hello?

 

 

Redfern Exhibition: Ends on Thursday 28 June

That month flew past!

And one painting has sold … and, in its place, I’ve offered Deliah – for £150 instead of the usual £250.

REMEMBER: To encourage you to purchase a painting, this year, I have reduced the price of each painting by £100 for the duration of this exhibition. And the Friends of Redfern Centre retain a percentage of each sale for their funds.

This offer ends on Thursday.

Redfern poster

Tidal Gallery logo

The Tidal Gallery: Grand Opening Friday 22 June

I’m delighted to publicise the opening of a new gallery in Kingsbridge – The Tidal Gallery – and I wish Anna Ventura, and her fellow artists, every success in this new and exciting development.

Come to the Grand Opening!

Visit the Tidal Gallery on 22 June between 6pm and 8pm to meet the gallery owner, Anna Ventura, and to see works by over a dozen artists.

What’s on display?

Graham fish: Study II for water

Selected to combine and create an impressive display, this uniquely curated collection of Art works has been carefully tailored in conjunction with the artists involved to become a modern outlet with special focus in original and unique Art pieces for the contemporary home.

Beneath the Victorian coving in the gallery, 2D works in a variety of styles that have become each artist’s trademark are on display.

  • Graham Fish, with his contemporary sea depictions
  • Steve Kenna’s marine scenes with an architectural view
  • Sue Steele with her intimate portraits

    Sue Steel

  • Shirley Kirkcaldy with her expressive views of the local landscapes

    Shirley Kirkcaldy: Warm Winter Tide (Oil)

  • Plus the works of intricate ink work artist Anna Ventura.
    Anna Ventura: Bumblebee

    Anna Ventura: Bumblebee

The collection continues with 3D works of art.

    • Works by renown glassworker Steve RobinsonSteve Robinson
    • Bronze pieces of  local sculptor Penny Hardy
    • Smooth

    • Ceramics by both Vera Stride and Leanne Ball
  • Leanne Ball: Tea light holders

  • Wood vases by Mark Weston Lewis
  • A sea and moor inspired jewellery collection by Louella Moore.

Louella Moore: Cast shell and cubic zirconia

Where is the Tidal Gallery?

The new Tidal Gallery is situated at 1 Victoria Place, The Promenade, Kingsbridge, Devon.

Its central location, the bottom floor of a Victorian building, near the Kingsbridge town square and in the Estuary Promenade, makes the visit most inviting, with great views over the water.

When is the Tidal Gallery open?

Starting 26 June 2018
Tuesday to Saturday: 10am to 5pm

(Closed Sundays and Mondays)

More information – and an online catalogue – can be found online at the Tidal Gallery website: www.tidalgallery.co.uk.