Sold! Torcross Sunrise

Torcross Sunrise

Torcross Sunrise

Torcross Sunrise was purchased during the SHAF Arts Trail – a two-week exhibition at Beacon House from 13 October until 29 October.

 

WHAT IS THE SHAF ARTS  TRAIL?

The SHAF Arts Trail is an annual event in which SHAF members open their studios, or inhabit galleries and other exhibition spaces, and welcome visitors to see their art. At each venue, artists were happy to discuss their art-form, explain the processes involved and provide the opportunity for their visitors to view, appreciate and buy unique pieces of work.

Following the Arts Trail also gave visitors an unusual opportunity to explore the glorious South Hams as they mapped their route and discover more and more artists’ venues (as well as cream tea venues).

This was my third year with the SHAF Arts Trail. Having two weeks instead of one – and coinciding with half term week when we have more visitors to Salcombe – has provided us with more than double the number of visitors in previous years.

I’ve also enjoyed greater success in that four paintings have been sold – and many, many of my fine art greetings cards too.

 

Why did I paint Torcross Sunrise?

Prior to purchasing Beacon House four years ago, Anne and I had three years of upheaval. We had a flat which we couldn’t occupy due to renovations imposed by the management, and then our attempts to sell the flat took forever. We had to rent somewhere to live instead. And we had four different rentals in the space of three years.

Seven weeks were spent in Torcross and this view was what greeted me at dawn. How could I not paint it?

 

Are there other paintings done at that time?
Slapton Ley Torcross Sunrise

Slapton Ley

Torcross

Yes, I painted two other paintings during that 7-week rental: Slapton Ley and Torcross.

Between them, they show the view from the upstairs lounge window of that rental.

To the left, Slapton Ley shows the Ley, and the causeway which separates it from the sea beyond.

To the right,Torcross shows the tank memorial and then the houses at Torcross.

You’ll notice that I didn’t include the public toilets!

Both paintings are watercolours and capture the variety of weathers seen from our rental.

Torcross was sold some time ago but Slapton Ley is still for sale.

 

Affordable art

Both designs are available as fine art greetings card, although the images have been cropped to fit the square design of my cards.

Torcoss

Torcross card

Slapton Ley

Slapton Ley card

 

Are there other paintings of that coastline?
074 Torcross Wave Torcross Sunrise

Torcross Wave

Yes: an acrylic called Torcross Wave.

This acrylic painting is still available for sale but is one of the designs that I did not use for a greetings cards.

 

 

 

 

Watercolour

SOLD! Salcombe Dawn III

108 Salcombe Dawn III one-man exhibition

Salcombe Dawn III

Salcombe Dawn III was purchased as a gift for a special birthday.

It’s a delight that this painting was chosen during the SHAF Arts Trail – a two-week exhibition at Beacon House from 13 October until yesterday, 29 October.

 

What is the SHAF Arts  Trail?

The SHAF Arts Trail is an annual event in which SHAF members open their studios, or inhabit galleries and other exhibition spaces, and welcome visitors to see their art. At each venue, you will find artists happy to discuss their art-form, explain the processes involved and provide the opportunity to view, appreciate and buy unique pieces of work.

Following the Arts Trail also gives visitors an unusual opportunity to explore the glorious South Hams as they map their route and discover more and more artists’ venues (as well as cream tea venues).

This is the third year I’ve taken part in the SHAF Arts Trail. Having two weeks instead of one – and coinciding with half term week when we have more visitors to Salcombe – has provided us with more than double the number of visitors in previous years.

I’ve also enjoyed greater success in that four paintings have been sold – and many, many of my fine art greetings cards too.

 

The Salcombe Dawn studies

Salcombe Dawn III  is a watercolour, and one of three studies of the view across to Salcombe from Snapes.

Salcombe Dawn II

Salcombe Dawn II

The other two were both oil paintings and one of those has also sold already. The remaining painting is Salcombe Dawn II – which is available as both an original and a fine art greetings card.

This image of Salcombe was captured very early one morning.  I’d invested in a photography course with Bang Wallop, and a small group of us drove up to Snapes in the early hours so we’d be in position as the dawn broke. I’d never before sat in the dark, with a group of strangers, cameras ready, waiting for the sun to appear on the horizon. It was a magical experience and provided a series of wonderful photographs.

 

Affordable Art

Out of 135 completed paintings to date, 80+ have been sold, but 59 are available as fine art greetings cards.

In Salcombe, my card designs are stocked at Bonningtons (the newsagents) and Salcombe Information Centre (both a short walk from the Loft Studio).

Further afield, my cards are stocked by Malborough Post Office – they offer the entire range – The Gallery at Avon Mill, The Gallery Project at Noss Mayo, and in Bloomers, the florist in Kingsbridge.

Just think: for less than 1% of the sales price of an original painting, you can invest in a fine art greetings card. Send it to a friend or frame it for yourself.

Contemporary passions 2017 Burgh Island

SOLD! The Burgh Island Hotel

Burgh Island is a popular destination and The Burgh Island Hotel – the featured image above – is one of many paintings in my collection which incorporate this iconic view.

In this painting, I have attempted to capture the subject as seen from Hope Cove – using binoculars!

The massive cliffs of the mainland give a dramatic backdrop, while the rocks in the foreground underline its isolation. And, the late afternoon sun turns the Great White Palace into a glorious white beacon.

Burgh Island HotelI painted two of this composition: The Burgh Island Hotel and Burgh Island from Hope Cove.

The Burgh Island Hotel is in oil, on a box canvas –  12 inches by 16 inches – and it was sold, on Day 3 of the SHAF Arts Trail.

The purchaser has kindly agreed to leave the painting with me so it can be enjoyed by those visiting us during the Arts Trail, and number 119 now has a red dot on it to make sure I don’t sell it again …

Burgh Island from Hope Cove is an acrylic. It’s larger at approximately 15 inches square and mounted and framed too.

It is priced at £400.

 

Are there more views of Burgh Island for sale? Yes!

Shifting Sands at Burgh Island II is an acrylic, 12 inches by 16 inches.Burgh Island Hotel

This view of Burgh Island was painted from ground level, at low tide.

The patterns in the sand are the main focus of this composition, with Burgh Island in the far distance.

Both paintings are on display at Beacon House Gallery.

Visitors on the SHAF Arts Trail are welcome to drop by.

 

What’s the SHAF Arts Trail?

This year, the SHAF Arts Trail runs for two whole weeks, including half-term week, until 29 October.

Beacon House Gallery is ‘open’ on Wed/Thurs/Fri from 11am until 4pm, and on Sat/Sun from 10am until 5pm.

 

Affordable art!

I also have various views of Burgh Island available as fine art greetings cards.

If you purchase direct from Beacon House during the Arts Trail, they cost £2 each, or three for a fiver.

And, we have delicious biscuits … no charge!

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOLD! Shifting Sands at Burgh Island I

Burgh Island is a popular destination and Shifting Sands at Burgh Island I is one of many paintings in my collection which incorporate this iconic view.

This particular painting is an acrylic. And it’s now sold, on Day 1 of the SHAF Arts Trail.

The purchaser has kindly agreed to leave the painting with me so it can be enjoyed by those visiting us during the Arts Trail, and number 120 now has a red dot on it to make sure I don’t sell it again …

 

What’s the SHAF Arts Trail?

Shifting Sands at Burgh Island I at SHAF 2017This year, the SHAF Arts Trail runs for two whole weeks, including half-term week, until October 29th

The South Hams Arts Forum (SHAF) is a lively, actively engaged association of artists and craftspeople from across the region.

SHAF membership is extremely diverse, so while some artists create in purpose-built studios, others produce their work at the kitchen table. Consequently, the Arts Trail will lead visitors to some artists working in their home studios – as is the case for me – and to others exhibiting in galleries and exhibition halls.

At each venue, visitors will find artists happy to discuss their art-form, explain the processes involved and provide the opportunity to view, appreciate and buy unique pieces of work.

 

Why did I paint this one of Burgh Island?

The iconic Art Deco Hotel which dominates Burgh Island was owned and managed for many years by Tony Porter and his wife Beatrice. Tony called it the Great White Palace and it has featured in many films and television dramas based on Agatha Christie novels.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve painted it, but this one, in the sky, I included a vapour trail to remind me of a flight from Gatwick to Malta a while back. For some reason, the pilot chose to go west before turning south. Seeing this spectacular coastline from the air was a magical experience.

 

Are there more views of Burgh Island for sale? Yes!

Most artists prefer the view as seen from Bigbury but here I have attempted to capture the subject as seen from Hope Cove.

The massive cliffs of the mainland give a dramatic backdrop, while the rocks in the foreground underline its isolation. And, the late afternoon sun turns the Great White Palace into a glorious white beacon.

It is an acrylic, mounted and framed, and costing £400.

That’s a lot of money …

 

Affordable art!

I also have various views of Burgh Island available as fine art greetings cards. If you purchase directly from Beacon House during the Arts Trail, they cost £2 each, or three for a fiver.

And, we have delicious cake … no charge!

SHAF Arts Trail: Elaine Sibley

Contemporary Passions Elaine SibleyElaine Sibley is one of 60 artists opening their studios for the SHAF Arts Trail. As you’ll see below, Elaine wears two hats: as a jeweller and as a painter.

 

What is the SHAF Arts Trail?

This year, the SHAF Arts Trail runs from October 14th to October 29th. Two whole weeks, including half-term week.

SHAF membership is extremely diverse, so while some artists create in purpose-built studios, others produce their work at the kitchen table. Consequently, the Arts Trail will lead visitors to some artists working in their home studios – as is the case for Elaine – and to others exhibiting in galleries and exhibition halls.

At each venue, visitors will find artists happy to discuss their art-form, explain the processes involved and provide the opportunity to view, appreciate and buy unique pieces of work.

Following the Arts Trail also gives visitors an unusual opportunity to explore the glorious South Hams as they map their route and discover more and more artists’ venues (as well as cream tea venues).

 

Meet Elaine the Jeweller

Elaine is a designer maker of contemporary silver jewellery who lives and works on the edge of Dartmoor. Inspired by geometric shapes as well as every-day objects, her designs are usually textured and sometimes include recycled silver, gold and the occasional semi-precious bead.
Elaine SibleyShe originally studied art but then went on to study Resistant Materials where she developed an interest in working with precious metals. She worked as a teacher of Design and Technology while designing and making jewelry and selling through local galleries and open studios. Since retiring from teaching last year, she has found time to experiment and expand her work and now runs workshops from her studio.

Elaine Sibley

 

Meet Elaine the Painter

With more time on her hands, Elaine has also revived her interest in painting. The work has emerged from her natural surroundings; namely Dartmoor and the local coastline.

She is aware of the ever-changing weather on Dartmoor and attempts to capture the effects this has on light and colour in her paintings.Elaine Sibley

Currently enjoying the immediacy of acrylics she uses texture and a variety of tools to try to convey the mood and atmosphere of a place rather than a true representation. Elaine Sibley

 

Her paintings will be available alongside her jewelry during the Arts Trail.

From the brochure, page 27

Elaine SibleySHAF Arts Trail brochures are available in libraries, information centres and many other places in the South Hams. There are 18 SHAF Arts Trail venues, each with one or more artists displaying their work and available for you to see them at work, and to answer your questions.

In case you can’t get your hands on a copy, here are the details for Elaine Sibley’s venue in Ivybridge – and her opening times.

 

How to contact Elaine Sibley

You can contact Elaine by email at elainejsibley@gmail.com or call her on 01752 895134 or visit her Facebook page

Interesting in joining SHAF?

Visit the SHAF website for more details.

 

SHAF Arts Trail: 14-29 October

The SHAF Arts Trail starts next Saturday. Two weeks of open-house …

On the opening day – Saturday 14 October – the 10 artists in the Salcombe/Soar area, invite you – the public – to come along and enjoy our art, and a warm welcome … including light refreshments.

Anytime – 10am until 5pm.

SHAF Arts Trail, open-house, Private party, Beacon House, evening,

Private party on 14 October

At Beacon House, we are also having a private by-invitation party that evening.

Partly, we are continuing the Opening Day celebration but also we feel the need to mark the completion of works to our home which includes a platform lift, making our location wheelchair freindly.

If you haven’t received an invitation, and would like to come along in the evening, please contact me!

 

Where are the Salcombe/Soar artists?

 

INTERESTED IN JOINING SHAF?

Visit the SHAF website for more details.

SHAF Arts Trail: Jean Fenton

Jean Fenton is one of 60 artists opening their studios for the SHAF Arts Trail. Jean – together with Cally Gooding, Peter Truscott and Jackie Richardson – will be exhibiting at Avon Mill, in the Upper Cafe.

 

WHAT IS THE SHAF ARTS TRAIL?

Jean Fenton SHAFThe South Hams Arts Forum (SHAF) is a lively, actively engaged association of artists and craftspeople from across the region. Over the past decade, SHAF has regularly staged a number of exhibitions in the South Hams, and is glad to announce that the annual Arts Trail has this year been extended to include the Half-Term week and will run from October 14th – October 29th in most venues.

SHAF membership is extremely diverse, so while some artists create in purpose-built studios, others produce their work at the kitchen table. Consequently, the Arts Trail will lead visitors to some artists working in their home studios and to others exhibiting in galleries and exhibition halls.

At each venue, visitors will find artists happy to discuss their art-form, explain the processes involved and provide the opportunity to view, appreciate and buy unique pieces of work.

Following the Arts Trail also gives visitors an unusual opportunity to explore the glorious South Hams as they map their route and discover more and more artists’ venues (as well as cream tea venues).

 

Jean Fenton SHAF

Meet Jean Fenton, Artist

Jean is a textile artist, living on the edge of Dartmoor in the beautiful rolling hills of the South Hams in Devon, UK.

Jean has a fascination for natural landforms and studied Geological Science at Plymouth University. Her work reflects her deep love of nature and her local landscape and she is inspired by her physical surroundings.

Jean hand dyes all her fibres, giving her the specific palette she wants and allowing her to be creative with fibres from local sheep grazing in Devon and Cornwall. Afterwards, she stitches her pieces to reflect the distant hills and tors of Dartmoor.

 

Meet Jean Fenton, Tutor

Jean Fenton SHAFJean offers workshops, via the www.kaeravelkrafts.co.uk website, on how to use a spinning wheel, drop spinning, silk fusion, circle weaving, needle felting and wet felting.

These workshops cost from £15 upwards.

Courses can be tailored to suit – up to 30 people, all ages.

Materials are also available: pure wool skeins, spindles, and kits, fibres for adding texture and a whole lot else besides.

 

FROM THE BROCHURE, PAGE 13

SHAF Arts Trail brochures are available in libraries, information centres and many other places in the South Hams. There are 18 SHAF Arts Trail venues, each with one or more artists displaying their work and available for you to see them at work, and to answer your questions.

In case you can’t get your hands on a copy, here are the details for Jean Fenton’s venue in Loddiswell– and the opening times.

This venue is being shared by four artists: Jean Fenton, Cally Gooding, Peter Truscott and Jackie Richardson.

 

HOW TO CONTACT Jean Fenton

You can contact Jean by email at jeanfenton@live.co.uk or call her on 01364 649444 or visit her website: www.kaeravelkrafts.co.uk  

 

INTERESTED IN JOINING SHAF?

Visit the SHAF website for more details.

SHAF Arts Trail: Fiona Cocks

Fiona Cocks is one of 60 artists opening their studios for the SHAF Arts Trail.

Fiona Cocks

She will be exhibiting a selection of her work, including her sea glass and flower collections.

WHAT IS THE SHAF ARTS TRAIL?

The South Hams Arts Forum (SHAF) is a lively, actively engaged association of artists and craftspeople from across the region. Over the past decade, SHAF has regularly staged a number of exhibitions in the South Hams, and is glad to announce that the annual Arts Trail has this year been extended to include the Half-Term week and will run from October 14th – October 29th in most venues.

SHAF membership is extremely diverse, so while some artists create in purpose-built studios, others produce their work at the kitchen table. Consequently, the Arts Trail will lead visitors to some artists working in their home studios – as is the case for Fiona – and to others exhibiting in galleries and exhibition halls.

Found objects, such as sea glass, can be set and made into lovely pieces of jewellery

At each venue, visitors will find artists happy to discuss their art-form, explain the processes involved and provide the opportunity to view, appreciate and buy unique pieces of work.

Following the Arts Trail also gives visitors an unusual opportunity to explore the glorious South Hams as they map their route and discover more and more artists’ venues (as well as cream tea venues).

 

Meet Fiona Cocks

Fiona has been working as a Metalsmith since graduating from Sheffield Polytechnic in 1987.

After her daughter completed a Foundation in Art and Design, Fiona has set up a business from our Devon home with their combined jewellery interests.

Fiona has lived in Devon by the coast all her life and, since a little girl, she has been collecting beach finds. This has influenced her work today, often using these finds either for mould making and casting, or for incorporating shells and, in particular, sea glass into her jewellery.

Fiona is fascinated by the weathering process sea glass has undergone after decades of being pounded by the sea, the smoothness and the frosted look gained, and the recycling of our pollution!

A few years ago, Fiona took up surfing which has further influenced her work. Having seen first-hand what our pollution is doing to our seas, this has encouraged Fiona to use as much recycled materials and packaging as she can in her work.

Fiona cocks Sea glass jewellery

Jewellery Making Workshops

Fiona also runs workshops!

You can learn to make jewellery using traditional techniques: texturing, soldering, piercing, drilling, stamping, stone setting, casting, colouring, forming, hot and cold enamelling, anodising aluminium, etching, and hand engraving.

Fiona holds her courses in a well equipped metal working workshop at Bigbury Mint in Ermington. There are five-week workshops for beginners leading on to more advanced techniques, or taster one-off workshops.

Taster workshops might result in your making a silver bangle or silver ring.

 

FROM THE BROCHURE, PAGE 25

SHAF Arts Trail brochures are available in libraries, information centres and many other places in the South Hams. There are 18 SHAF Arts Trail venues, each with one or more artists displaying their work and available for you to see them at work, and to answer your questions.

Fiona Cocks SHAFIn case you can’t get you hands on a copy, here are the details for Fiona Cocks’s venue in Ermington – and the opening times.

This venue is being hared by three artists: Fiona Cocks, Jackie Gale and Sue Stewart.

 

HOW TO CONTACT FIONA COCKS

You can contact Fiona by email at f.cocks@blueyonder.co.uk or call her on 07986 253666 or visit the A & F Jewellery Facebook page

INTERESTING IN JOINING SHAF?

Visit the SHAF website for more details.

Low Tide at Fisherman's Cove

Back to classes!

Yes, the Salcombe Art Club Summer exhibition is over, we’ve had the SHAF Arts trail and, for many of us artists, it’s back to classes for the winter months.

To attend, you need to be a member of Salcombe Art Club. Lay membership costs only £12 per annum.

 

Vacancies on Salcombe Art club classes

Classes are arranged each term and you’ve missed the official signing up for the Autumn term. However, there are spaces on these two courses:

  • The Enjoyment of Drawing with Jennifer Johnson (Code: JJD)
    Mondays: October 31, November 7, 14, 21, 28, December 5. Cost £105
    Each week a different subject will be explored through the subtleties of pen, ink, charcoal, pencil, crayon, pastel and watercolour.
    Jennifer is a well-known local tutor and with her skill, enthusiasm and guidance there’s always more to learn. All abilities are welcome.
    Contact: Jennifer Johnson jjohnson.modbury@gmail.com or Tel. 01548 830747
  • Oil painting with Ian Carr  (Code: ICT) Cost £70
    Tuesday evenings: October 4 – December 6, 7 – 9 pm (10 weeks)
    Ian’s fun-packed courses are popular with people at all levels. Oil paint is a forgiving medium and ideal for anyone who has limited experience of paint; it builds confidence and invites experimentation. Ian is a very experienced Salcombe based artist who loves teaching and sharing his enthusiasm. This course is suitable for the experienced, not so experienced and the absolute beginner. You will need your own materials.
    Contact: Ian Carr to book or to ask questions. ianfcarr@btinternet.com or Tel. 01548 854211 www.ian-carr.com

 

What classes do I attend?

I attend Michael Hill’s watercolour/acrylic class on a Tuesday and the full-day oil class with Ian Carr on a Friday. It’s a great opportunity to meet with fellow artists and enjoy their company while learning more and more techniques.

 

Where are the classes held?

All classes are in the Loft Gallery, the home of Salcombe Art Club.  The Loft Gallery is situated behind the Fortescue Inn, and above a popular shoe shop, on a delightful footpath called Victoria Quay. And, Low Tide at Fishermans Cove – the featured image above – is the view from Victoria Quay.

 

See you there?

I can thoroughly recommend attending classes at Salcombe Art Club between now and when next year’s Exhibition open at Easter time. See you there!

 

Low Tide at Fisherman's Cove

SHAF preview: Low Tide at Fishermans Cove

Low Tide at Fishermans Cove is another of the new crop of five paintings that will be on display for the first time during the 2016 SHAF Arts Trail.

This image shows the view from Salcombe across the water towards East Portlemouth. This particular stretch of beach is called Fishermans Cove, although most of the craft belong to the holidaymakers who visit this beautiful part of Devon every summer.

 

WHEN IS THE SHAF TRAIL?

The SHAF Trail is an annual event and this year it runs from Saturday 15 October until Sunday 23 October.

 

WHEN CAN YOU See My paintings?

My paintings will be on display in Beacon House Gallery and we will be open for visitors as follows:

  • Saturday 15 October: 10am-5pm
  • Sunday 16 October: 10am-5pm
  • Monday 17 October: 11am-3pm
  • Tuesday 18 October: CLOSED
  • Wednesday 19 October: 11am-3pm
  • Thursday 20 October: 11am-3pm
  • Friday 21 October: 11am-3pm
  • Saturday 22 October: 10am-5pm
  • Sunday 23 October: 10am-5pm

 

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. However, for the SHAF Trail, we welcome visitors during ‘opening hours’ as listed above. You don’t need to book ahead. Just turn up and you will be made very welcome.

 

DIRECTIONS TO BEACON HOUSE

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

You could park in the park’n’walk at the top of Bonfire Hill and walk down. There might be parking spaces in Bonfire Hill alongside the allotments, or you could park on our private drive at the end of the shared drive. (Please do not park on the shared drive.)

We do not currently have access for disabled visitors – but we are having alterations made to the house over this winter so for next year’s SHAF Trail we will be able to welcome wheelchair users.

We look forward to your visit!