SHAF Archives - Salcombe Art

3 May 2021 In Art

South Hams Art Forum: news!

Like many others, Anne and I have found the past year somewhat challenging.

No art classes to attend. No exhibitions. No galleries to visit.

Not to mention the effect of ‘staying at home’ and worries as to how many more lockdowns might be needed.

But, it seems we are now returning to normal, and I’m returning to blogging at long last.

We must look on the bright side?

I’m delighted delighted that Anne and I have both had our two jabs. (We are still wearing our masks though.)
I’m delighted too that members of the South Hams Art Forum (SHAF) have spent the fallow months working on their amazing website.

Let’s celebrate!

SHAF website news

For a number of years, I’ve been a proud member of SHAF. Their website has recently been transformed and you can see works of mine and the many other talented artists there.

SHAF events at Harbour House

I’ve enjoyed taking part in the SHAF exhibitions at Harbour House in Kingsbridge in the past, and there are two events scheduled for Harbour House.

Both will provide opportunities for you to see the fantastic creations of a cross-section of SHAF artists.

SHAF Arts Trail: 16-31 October 2021

I’ve also enjoyed hosting the Arts Trail from my home, Beacon House, in Salcombe.

This year, things will be a bit different. Anne and I have decided we cannot host the Arts Trail (put that down to advanced years and recent health issues!) but we will be supporting SHAF artists all the same.

Watch this space!

However, we will continue to welcome visitors all year round. Contact me if you would like to arrange a time to view, by private appointment, at Beacon House Gallery, within my home in Salcombe. .

SHAF on social media

A new SHAF artist is featured each week on Instagram and Facebook.

Last week, it was Nick Cotter’s turn.

You can also follow SHAF on their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SouthHamsArtsForum and on Instagram @southhamsartsforum.

Join SHAF!

I can thoroughly recommend that all local artists join South Hams Art Forum (SHAF). Full details here.

7 October 2019 In Art

SHAF Arts Trail 11-27 October 2019

The SHAF (South Hams Arts Forum) Arts Trail starts on Saturday 12 October – two weeks of public access to artists’ studios and gallery spaces to see their work, talk with the artists and enjoy their hospitality. This includes half-term week so we may have lots of visitors in town.

Before the SHAF Trail starts, we have our preview party on the Friday evening. 11 October, 6-9pm.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT BEACON HOUSE?

At Beacon House, the preparation for the SHAF Trail has started.

Invitations to the preview party have been sent. If you’ve not received one, contact me.
Food has been ordered – canapés for Friday evening
… and cakes from Samphire Foods for the daytime visitors during the rest of the fortnight.
We have restocked the the beer fridge and the wine racks …
My paintings are being hung …
Later today, Chris Pring will be bringing his collection of ceramics. These will be on display in the hallway, and in the sunroom.
Tomorrow, we will have received all of Michael Hill’s paintings to hang. These will be on the mezzanine floor.
Wednesday, work starts on creating the brochure … and I have the SHAF signs to put up at the top of Bonfire Hill.
Thursday, we will be setting out my affordable art: cushions, mugs, table mats and coasters, glass coasters and chopping boards, pill boxes, key rings and fridge magnets.
Friday, it’s time to set up the house for the preview party: plates, serviettes, glasses …

So much to do!

WHEN ARE WE OPEN?

We are open 10am until 5pm, daily from Saturday 12 October until Sunday 27 – apart from Tuesdays.

WHERE SHOULD YOU PARK?

There is parking on our private drive for about five cars.

You might also park in Bonfire Hill, alongside the allotments, or in the Park’n’Ride. Please don’t park on the shared driveway!

Any questions?

Ring us on 01548 844020.

1 July 2019 In Art

Contemporary Passions: Cherry Lyons

Cherry Lyons is one of the nine SHAF artists whose work will be on show at Harbour House for the Contemporary Passions exhibition.

Teresa Barlow
Nick Cotter
Jane Davarian
Crystel Dauth
Brett Hornby
Cherry Lyons
Jane Mahood
Elaine Sibley
myself, Stephen Thomas

In this series of blogs, some of them share their process. You can read about Elaine Sibley here and Jane Mahood here and me here.

WHAT’S YOUR PROCESS, CHERRY?

With a passion for making and sharing art, nature – in all its glory – provides me with endless painting opportunities, particularly sketching and painting en plein air come rain or shine.

As an experimental mixed media artist, seeing magnificent colour-drenched textures through ever-changing light and climatic conditions is particularly motivating. I am constantly challenged to capture such fleeting atmospheric moments-in-time in my sketchbooks.

Back home, in the studio, the fun begins when subjects are uniquely painted with originality, whatever media is chosen.

Found objects, watercolour, acrylics, oils, pastels, printmaking and the ancient art of encaustic wax are significant media choices for my artwork.

For Contemporary Passions, my focus is mainly on the ancient art of encaustic wax, used decoratively for over 2000 years. This captivating art-form involves melting beeswax with damar resin and fusing molten wax in pigmented layers with intense heat.

Responding to the elements of air, water, fire and earth, my new encaustic paintings have a raw elemental feel. Imagining how our earth was formed and how it may evolve in the future were in my thoughts as I built up the many layers of coloured and pure wax, carefully fusing each with a blow-torch, adding found objects and minerals, watching closely as metamorphosis transpired.

“I feel a bit like an alchemist and my studio sometimes resembles a science lab where I am often found with blow torch in hand, looking like an extra from a Star Wars movie!”

Here are three of the pieces that can be seen in the exhibition.

Silvered Shoreline by Cherry Lyons — Silvered Shoreline

Fissure and Fire by Cherry Lyons — Fissure and Fire

MORE ABOUT CHERRY LYONS

Cherry Lyons exhibits widely, and enjoys membership of South Hams Art Forum, Devon Artist Network, several art societies and is Vice-President of the Devon Art Society.

Cherry says: It was incredibly refreshing to take part in Devon Open Studios and the SHAF Arts Trail. I appeared in the televised Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2015, 2016 and 2018 and was a finalist in the Devon Life Landscape Painter of the Year and these have been exciting achievements.

You can contact Cherry Lyons by email artscaper@live.co.uk and see more of her work on her website www.cherrylyons-artist.co.uk.

Commissions are welcomed and, as a qualified educator and demonstrator, Cherry shares her knowledge and techniques through inspiring workshops and demonstrations.

WHEN IS THE CONTEMPORARY PASSIONS EXHIBITION?

As ever, we are at Harbour House, Kingsbridge TQ7 1JD.

And the exhibition runs from Tuesday 16 July until Sunday 28 July.

MEET THE ARTISTS!

6-8PM TUESDAY 16 JULY

Come along to meet the artists and see their interpretation of our theme: Elements.

All are welcome and refreshments will be provided.

8 October 2018 In Art

SHAF Trail 2018: 13-28 October – preview on Friday 12th, 6-8pm

The SHAF Trail is an annual event organised by the South Hams Art Forum – and it starts on Saturday.

Local artists open their homes, allowing visitors to see for themselves how we work, and to talk one-on-one with the artists.

Brochures giving a complete list of all the artists taking part in the SHAF Trail are available at a number of places: Salcombe Information Centre, Bonningtons the newsagents, Spar (Loring Road), Salcombe Yacht Club, …

Guest exhibitor: Michael Hill

I am delighted that Michael Hill will be sharing my gallery space for this year’s SHAF trail. I’ve attended Michael’s classes for a decade or more and much admire his work.

Michael and I are hosting a preview evening on Friday 12 October, 6-8pm. Invitations have been sent by email but if you haven’t received yours and would like to attend, please contact me.

WHEN CAN YOU VISIT BEACON HOUSE GALLERY?

As well as the preview evening, Beacon House Gallery will be open 13-28 October for visitors as follows.

Saturdays and Sundays: 10am-5pm
Mondays, Wednesday, Thursdays, and Fridays: 11am-4pm
Tuesdays: CLOSED

You don’t need to book ahead. Just turn up and you will be made very welcome.

WHERE IS BEACON HOUSE GALLERY?

Beacon House Gallery is within my home – the hall, stairs and landing, no less. It’s not normally open to the public, except by prior arrangement.

DIRECTIONS TO BEACON HOUSE

As you approach Salcombe, there will be yellow posters with arrows pointing the way to Beacon House.

We have wheelchair access and plenty of parking space available on our private drive.

Alternatively, you could park in the park’n’walk at the top of Bonfire Hill and walk down. There might also be parking spaces in Bonfire Hill alongside the allotments.

Please do not park on the shared drive.

We look forward to your visit!

27 August 2018 In Art

Tidal Gallery: Ani Buckland

Ani Buckland

Ani Buckland is one of many artists featured at the Tidal Gallery, Kingsbridge.

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.

More about Ani Buckland

A member of the South West Sculptors Association and the Devon Artists Network, Ani, like myself and the owner of the Tidal Gallery, Anna Ventura, is a member of the South Hams Arts Forum (SHAF).

Ani’s professional life as an artist started as a full-time art psychotherapist, 1984-2005, in NHS children’s mental health services and then continued as a part-time freelancer. She began intensive study of clay figure sculpture with Lucianne Lassalle (2005-2010), followed by Rebecca Doe from Art Academy, London 2010-present.

Also, she has studied portrait master classes with International portrait artist Luke Shepherd and workshops with Clare Trenchard. She continues to develop through engaging in several streams of practice and study in solitude and with others: keeping a drawing journal, life classes, intensive master classes, visiting exhibitions and public art, exploring art history and cultures through reading, film, and travel.

Ani now lives and works in The South Hams in South Devon and specialises in figurative clay sculpture.

A guest for summer 2018, Ani’s work on show in the gallery are sculptures of hens, cockerels and guinea fowl (tall and short and in pairs).

Ani says: ‘It has been an enormous pleasure to pursue my passion for figure sculpture in the last decade. Working in the round, with clay or wax or plaster & scrim, I find that sculpture is infinitely complex & challenging. The beauty of human and natural forms are deeply inspiring, offering a limitless and gratifying means for self-expression, communication, and celebration.’

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.

23 April 2018 In Art

JANETTE JAGGER – ARTIST DOWN UNDER

In the Bush

Janette Jagger and I are members of SHAF (South Hams Art Forum). We both take part in the annual SHAF Arts Trail. This year, that’s 13-28 October. Put those dates in your diary!

She uses oils, acrylic, pen and wash, and water colour to suit the particular place. Her paintings range from the empty landscapes of the Red Centre of Australia to the crowded beach at Bantham full of holidaymakers enjoying themselves.

What is special about Janette Jagger’s work?

Janette’s style is larger-than-life super-colourful and fun.

Janette has travelled widely in France, Spain, the United Kingdom and Brazil, where the brilliant tropical colours changed her paintings.

She now lives and paints in Devon, a complete contrast to the desert and the tropics, and loves the coastal landscapes of the South Hams.

Near Cober Pedy

Janette also loves Cornwall and Scotland.

Janette says: My aim is to capture the feeling of different places and to convey their joy and beauty in whatever medium suits them.

Why ‘artist down under’?

Janette was born in the mining town of Broken Hill in the Australian desert. The hot earth colours and brilliant blue, cloudless skies of her birthplace in Australia still influence her colour palette.

Janette says: I was born in the Australian desert and I just love the hot colours in Australia and the vast spaces with no sign of humans. It was a real adventure traveling for five months in a small camper van. We did break down 70 kms from mobile reception and few cars on the road. But the sense of vast, empty space is wonderful.

The JANETTE JAGGER – ARTIST DOWN UNDER exhibition

Ulutu

This colourful exhibition is at Harbour House, Kingsbridge: 15-20 Ma

The gallery space is open daily: 10am to 5pm.

Janette says: It’s not all about Australia. I will have local paintings as well as other places.

Free talk at 2.30pm on on Saturday 19 May

There is a free talk on ‘Traveling with the grey nomads’.

In the southern states of Australia, when winter sets in, the retired folks jump in their camper vans or caravans and head north to the warmth of the tropics. Hence the name ‘grey nomads’.

More about Janette

Janette Jagger has painted all her life. She has been accepted by the Association of British Naïve Artists and will exhibit in St. Ives in October 2014.

If you have an exhibition which you’d like me to publicise, please let me know.

I’m very happy to promote fellow artists!

16 April 2018 In Art

Elaine Sibley at The Gallery Project, Noss Mayo

Elaine Sibley has an exhibition at The Gallery Project in Noss Mayo, on now until 10 May.

The gallery is open Saturdays 10am – 4pm but a local artist works at the forge Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am-4pm and you are welcome to pop in.

Where is The Gallery Project, Noss Mayo?

The Forge
Bridgend
Noss Mayo
Plymouth
PL8 1DX

Tel: 01752 873150

map to The Forge

Mothercombe beach 60 x 60

How do I know Elaine Sibley?

Elaine and I are members of SHAF (South Hams Art Forum). We both take part in the annual SHAF Arts Trail. This year, that’s 13-28 October. Put those dates in your diary!

Elaine and I also exhibited together at the Contemporary Passions Exhibition in June of last year and that’s where I first saw some of her work: her beautiful hand forged silver jewellery.

In this exhibition, we meet Elaine, the painter.

Like me, Elaine is passionate about landscape. Unlike me, her style is incredibly adventurous!

What’s special about Elaine Sibley’s work?

Western Beacon from South 60 x 60

Elaine’s contemporary landscapes emerge from natural surroundings; namely Dartmoor and the local coastline.

She is aware of the ever changing weather and conditions on Dartmoor and attempts to capture the effect this has on light and colour in her paintings.

She walks, sketches and takes photographs.

Back in the studio, she is currently enjoying the immediacy of acrylics and uses texture and a variety of tools to try to convey the mood and atmosphere of the place rather than a true representation.

More about Elaine Sibley

Elaine lives and works on the edge of Dartmoor.

Elaine studied at Plymouth College of Art and then the College of St Mark & St John where she gained a PGCE.

Beyond Western Beacon 60 x 60

She taught Design and Technology for 20 years while designing and making silver jewellery which she continues to sell through local galleries and open studios.

Ugborough Beacon 60 x 60

Since retiring from teaching in 2016, Elaine has found time to experiment and expand her work and has developed a passion for painting.

To see more of Elaine’s images, visit her Facebook page.

If you have an exhibition which you’d like me to publicise, please let me know.

I’m very happy to promote fellow artists!

30 May 2017 In Art, Exhibition

CONTEMPORARY PASSIONS PREVIEW: GILLY COTTER

Gilly Cotter and I are both showing at the annual Contemporary Passions exhibition, an opportunity for members of SHAF (South Hams Art Forum) to stage a major summer show of new works in a wide range of mediums and styles.

The exhibition provides a snapshot of the artists’ current work, interests and creative passions.

The featured image above is one of several pieces that Gilly will have on show. It’s called ‘Tidal Road Egret’ and is a Limited Edition Etching 20 x 25 cm.

Here are two more pieces, this time: raku.

Raku Egret

Raku Vase

Gilly Cotter

Gilly is a member of the South Hams Arts Forum, the Pressgang Printers, Salcombe Art Club, and the West Country Potters Association.

Gilly says: I like to represent the world around me by interpreting the shapes, the spaces in between, and the textures. My inspiration comes from the natural world, including wildlife and its relationship with the natural environment. I work in various media including; print-making, oils, and ceramics.

Slapton Ley – Limited Edition Woodcut 38 x 28 cm

Gilly’s work is on sale at Fowey River Gallery, Fowey; The Gallery Project, Avon Mill, Loddiswell; and at Hope Cove Gallery, Hope Cove.

WHERE/WHEN IS THE CONTEMPORARY PASSIONS EXHIBITION?

The Contemporary Passions exhibition will be at Harbour House, The Promenade, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 1JD.

It’s open daily 10 am – 5 pm (closing at 4 pm on the last day): Tuesday 6 June until Sunday 18 June 2017

WANT TO MEET THE ARTISTS?

There will be an opportunity to meet all the artists on Tuesday 6 June, 6-8 pm.

You might also call in when Gilly or I are stewarding.

Gilly will be stewarding all day on Wednesday 7 June and in the afternoon on Saturday 17 June. I will be stewarding all day on Saturday 10 June and on the morning of Saturday 17 June.

Silver Birches – Limited Edition Woodcut 29 x 20 cm

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Admission is free!

23 May 2017 In Art, Exhibition

Contemporary Passions Preview: Nick Cotter’s digisurrealism

Nick Cotter has coined the term digisurrealism to describe the dreamlike qualities and the inclusion of the unexpected in his work.

Nick and I are both showing at the annual Contemporary Passions exhibition, an opportunity for members of SHAF (South Hams Art Forum) to stage a major summer show of new works in a wide range of mediums and styles.

The exhibition provides a snapshot of the artists’ current work, interests and creative passions.

The featured image above is one of several images that Nick will have on show. It’s called ‘Salcombe Boatyard Dreams – If a building could dream’.

Nick Cotter’s digisurrealism

Dreaming of Seasons

Nick says: I am interested in how our mental filters, both conscious and unconscious, influence our perceptions of ‘reality’. What any of us see and feel from a view in the landscape, a journey, or past events, is processed by these filters, of which we are often unaware.

I am inspired by the dream-like scenes that are typical of the surrealist movement.

‘Dreaming of Seasons’ was inspired by four weeks in isolation in hospital, which made the memories of the seasons past and the desires of the seasons Nick was hoping to experience, all too vivid.

How does Nick create his digital images?

Nick’s digital images are built up and layered in a process that is similar to painting on a canvas, using elements from his photographic images as his palette.

Weathered Wood

His limited edition digital prints are archival quality, professionally printed on canvas.

Regarding ‘Weathered Wood’, Nick says: The grain of a weathered piece of wood helps to define a landscape into which it will return to nurture the new woodlands.

In ‘Warm Sky Cold Ground’ (below), the simplification and unnatural colours serve to highlight the complex reality of what is a tree

In ‘Burgh Island SUPing’ (far below), Nick asks: What if one of the most sublime local scenes was corrupted by man’s environmental destruction?

You can see more of his work on Nick’s website.

WHERE/WHEN IS THE CONTEMPORARY PASSIONS EXHIBITION?

Warm Sky Cold Ground

The Contemporary Passions exhibition will be at Harbour House, The Promenade, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 1JD.

It’s open daily 10 am – 5 pm (closing at 4 pm on the last day): Tuesday 6 June until Sunday 18 June 2017

WANT TO MEET THE ARTISTS?

There will be an opportunity to meet all the artists on Tuesday 6 June, 6-8 pm.

You might also call in when Nick or I are stewarding.

Nick will be stewarding all day on Thursday 8 June. I will be stewarding all day on Saturday 10 June and on the morning of Saturday 17 June.

Burgh Island SUPing

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Admission is free!

19 May 2017 In Art, Exhibition

CONTEMPORARY PASSIONS EXHIBITION PREVIEW: Splosh of Frogmore

Splosh of Frogmore is one of several paintings I’ll be showing at the the annual Contemporary Passions exhibition.

My ‘contemporary passion’ for the 2017 Contemporary Passions exhibition is ‘places other than Salcombe’. For the past decade or so, I’ve focused on scenes within easy walking distance of my home in Salcombe, and I’ve painted over 100 of them.

Frogmore is some miles away from Salcombe, beyond Kingsbridge by road. By boat, with the right tide, it is a magical short voyage from Salcombe through beautiful countryside. So, it fits the theme!

Splosh of Frogmore

splosh Splosh is real, tied up near a little bridge. The faded coloured roundels show Splosh has had many years of service in Salcombe Harbour.

The day I was passing by, the egret was fishing in the stream, competing with dancing reflections of Splosh.

You’ll notice that I used my artistic licence to move the egret.

For more information about this painting, read my Sketchbook notes.

What is the Contemporary Passions exhibition?

This is an annual opportunity for members of SHAF (South Hams Art Forum) to stage a major summer show of new works in a wide range of mediums and styles, a snapshot of the artists’ current work, interests and creative passions.

This is the first year I have taken part in this exhibition and am one of ten SHAF members exhibiting their work: Teresa Barlow, Nick Cotter, Gilly Cotter, Sue Farrow-Jones, Jane Mahood, Michele Meyer, Elaine Sibley, Sally Tapsell-Hunt, Val Uglow, and myself.

During the next few weeks, I’ll showcase the many paintings I intend to display, and introduce the other artists too.

WHEN IS THE CONTEMPORARY PASSIONS EXHIBITION?

Tuesday 6 June until Sunday 18 June 2017
Open daily 10 am – 5 pm (closing at 4 pm on the last day)

WHERE IS THE CONTEMPORARY PASSIONS EXHIBITION?

The Contemporary Passions exhibition will be at Harbour House, The Promenade, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 1JD

WANT TO MEET THE ARTISTS?

There will be an opportunity to meet the artists on Tuesday 6 June, 6-8 pm.

I will also be stewarding all day on Saturday 10 June and on the morning of Saturday 17 June.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Admission is free!