Latest News and Progress

11 December 2017

Christmas Camellias

Two weeks until Christmas and the camellias are in bloom already!

This photo was taken a few days ago, a few yards from the spot where you can see the magnificent view of the bell tower and out to sea, from the pathway above Salcombe Yacht Club.

Salcombe Yacht Club Christmas Camellias

Salcombe Yacht Club Christmas Camellias is my only ‘Christmas card’ – and it’s the carefully positioned robin which gives it the festive touch.

It’s another of what I call ‘man cards’. Blank inside. Choose your own words!

Where can you purchase the original Salcombe Yacht Club Christmas Camellias?

The original acrylic painting is for sale at £500 and on display at Beacon House Gallery.

Where can you purchase the affordable-art card version of Salcombe Yacht Club Christmas Camellias?

All of my 59 designs of cards are available at Malborough Post Office.

Selections are also available at other stockists: Bonningtons (newsagents in Salcombe), Salcombe Tourist Information Centre, Salcombe Yacht Club, Bloomers (the florist in Kingsbridge), The Gallery @ Avon Mill, and the Project Gallery (Noss Mayo).

You can also buy direct from Beacon House Gallery, and in quantity – at a reduced rate – if you’d like to use my Christmas card as your Christmas card.

Call me on 01548 844020 to discuss your requirements.

4 December 2017

Spring term art classes at Salcombe Art Club

2017 exhibition schedule Yes, it’s time to start thinking about signing up for spring term art classes at Salcombe Art Club.

Although I paint a lot and some would say I’m quite good at it, there’s always something new to learn … and these classes are brilliantly tutored and great fun to attend.

Which classes have I signed up for?

I have signed up for five workshops/classes- which will keep me busy on Tuesdays and Fridays – and a couple of weekends – ahead of the start of the Main Exhibition on Friday 30 March 2018.

Painting in Acrylics or Watercolour with Michael Hill: Tues 9 Jan – 6 Mar (except 13 Feb = half term) 10am – 3.30pm
Oil Painting with Ian Carr: Fri 12 Jan – 16 Mar 10am – 3.30pm
Travelling Light Oil Painting with Ian Carr: Sat & Sun 3/4 Feb 10.30am – 4pm
Untutored Life Drawing: Tues 13 Feb, 13 March, 20 March 10am – 1pm
Portrait Workshop with Jenny Johnson: Sat 24 Feb 10am– 4pm

Are there other classes?

Yes! Classes are arranged each term – Autumn and Spring. Apart from the ones I’ve chosen there are several others …

The Enjoyment of Drawing with Jennifer Johnson
Watercolour and Mixed Media with Jennifer Johnson.
Woodcuts, 3 day workshop with Rod Nelson
Caroline Barker’s Linocut Workshop with Colour

Plus, there are ‘Studio Painting Days’ which provide an opportunity to spend a day painting in the company of like-minded artists and ‘Untutored printmaking’ for experienced printmakers.

To attend, you need to be a member of Salcombe Art Club.

How do you become a member?

There are three categories of membership.

Lay members may take part in workshops, courses and social activities and generally assist in supporting the club but may not exhibit.
Associate members may take part in most club activities including exhibiting in the Little Studio section (but not the main gallery) of the Annual Summer Exhibition. Associate members also have voting rights at the annual AGM.
Full members may take part in all club activities and exhibit their works in the Annual Summer Exhibition when they are required to carry out their share of stewarding duties. Full members also have voting rights at the annual AGM.

The first step is to enrol as a lay member; it only costs £12 per annum. After that, there is an annual selection process to become an associate member or a full member. For full details, check the How to Join page on the SAC website.

27 November 2017

Postcard from London: Tate Britain at Millbank

No visit to London would be complete without a visit to Tate Britain. Anne and I traveled up by train on Thursday and had a whirlwind of meetings and reunions before we returned late on Saturday. But, we made sure we had time to fit in one gallery and, this is me, on a bitterly cold but sunny morning, on the steps of Tate Britain.

Tate Britain

What’s on at Tate Britain?

Tate Britain at Millbank is, as ever, currently running several exhibitions and offering talks and other events:

Art in Focus: Horse Frightened by a Lion – until 30 November 2017
Rachel Whiteread – until 21 January 2018
Art Now: Marguerite Humeau: Echoes – until 15 April 2018

As luck would have it, and it was our preference, the one to catch our eye was the EY Exhibition ‘Impressionists in London Curator’s Tour’.

On at Tate Britain: EY Exhibition ‘Impressionists in London Curator’s Tour’

Having visited the Musée D’Orsay when we were in Paris, and sent a postcard from there, we have an ongoing love for the Impressionist movement.

My knowledge about the influx to the UK, as a result of the French-German conflict in 1870 or thereabouts, and the subsequent domestic political turmoil was only very sketchy. However, it clearly had an impact on the artist fraternity who had fled to the UK and, to our delight, there were paintings of Molesey, Hampton Court and Kew Gardens.

Many of the work on display, it would appear, were on loan from the Musée D’Orsay. We didn’t mind seeing them again!

Time was limited but I treated myself to an early Christmas gift: a hard back version of the exhibition catalogue. It’s a beautiful book, with hundreds of images and fact-filled accounts for each one. Edited by Caroline Corbeau-Parsons, it’s a delight to read.

Highlights of our visit to Tate Britain

Of the paintings we saw, one of my favourites is Sisley: The Regatta at Molesey 1874

And another Sisley: The Bridge at Hampton Court, Mitre Inn 1874. Both remind me of childhood haunts!

Tate Britain

The exhibition also includes many views of the Thames and its bridges. Lots by Turner …

When does the Impressionist exhibition end?

This exhibition continues until 7 May 2108 and is well worth a visit.

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