Contemporary Passions Exhibition Preview: Noss Mayo and Newton Ferrers

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.

More recently, I decided to strike out and paint some other beautiful places, all within a short drive of Salcombe. High on the list for possible locations were Noss Mayo and Newton Ferrers.

 

Why Noss Mayo and Newton Ferrers?

It was probably in the late 1960s that I was first introduced to the two villages of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo. My children were young, and we would rent Rose Cottage, next to The Dolphin.

contemporary passions 2017

Newton Ferrers from Noss Mayo

At low tide, there are causeways to help pedestrians cross the water between the two villages of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo. So, if the tide was out, we’d cross the causeway on foot. We often ate at The Ship and enjoyed the views across to the Swan Inn. If the tide was in, we’d visit the Swan Inn by boat! I have very many happy memories of those times and still have friends living there.

The Ship Inn (and other venues) offer excellent food and are ideally sited from an artist’s point of view. Decades later, it’s a treat to venture away from Salcombe now and then and to enjoy such picturesque scenes. Last summer, Anne and I, on two separate occasions, took house guests in that direction.

Once I start taking photos, it’s not long before I’m compelled to start painting … and those two visits explain the recent crop of paintings of Noss Mayo and Newton Ferrers.

 

Which paintings will be on display in the exhibition?

I expect to hang maybe 7-10 paintings in all, including this selection depicting Noss Mayo and Newton Ferrers.

The featured image above is The Quay at Newton Ferrers, viewed from a footpath close to the Yealm Hotel, which might soon be redeveloped.

For Newton Ferrers from Noss Mayo, I was positioned by Point Cottage only a few paces from the Ship Inn and the sun shone for as long as I needed it.

Tides permitting, I prefer to walk from Newton Ferrers to Noss Mayo. These days, I don’t have the option to take to the water so, when the tide is in, we have to use the car, driving upstream to Bridge End – the most westerly part of this stretch of water – and trust we can find a parking spot when we arrive in Noss Mayo.

contemporary passions 2017 Bridge End Newton Creek

Bridge End, Newton Creek

Bridge End, Newton Creek shows the signboard, full of useful information, and the outstanding view of this part of the estuary. There are several character cottages at this delightful spot. The road crosses the stream but it’s worth stopping for a minute or two as this sheltered location shimmers with colour and fragrances from all the seasonal flowers. You might also see ducks, and hear them making their ‘busy’ noises. Add to this, the stream providing its gurgling babbling sound – and you have music to the ear!

contemporary passions 2017 Low Tide Newton Ferrers

Low Tide at Newton Ferrers

Low Tide at Newton Ferrers depicts a prominent luxury boathouse as viewed from Noss Mayo. Its setting is idyllic! Beyond the boathouse, we can see the tops of masts and sails of crafts finding their moorings in the river Yealm.

All of these images are also available as a fine art greetings card – what I call ‘affordable art’.

 

What is the Contemporary Passions exhibition?

The Contemporary Passions exhibition is 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, 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.

 

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!

Contemporary passions

Contemporary Passions Exhibition Preview: High Tide at Kingsbridge

The annual Contemporary Passions exhibition is 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, 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.

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

 

High Tide at Kingsbridge

It seems appropriate to start this series of posts with this image of Kingsbridge. It’s the first one I’ve done of this end of the Kingsbridge Estuary. A steep road – Fore Street – climbs upwards to the church of St Edmunds whose 13th century tower dominates the sky line.

I’ve tried to capture the summer evening light as it softens the jumble of buildings. I scheduled this study for a high tide in the late afternoon, because the water surface dances with the strengthening shadows and fading reflections, and the warm glow of sunset will soon give way to electric lights.

At other states of the tides and at other times of the day, the view is completely different and provides a challenge – and the inspiration – to conjure more compositions of this scene.

High Tide at Kingsbridge is also available as a fine art greetings card.

 

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!

2017 Exhibition schedule update

The Salcombe Art Club Exhibition opened last Thursday so it’s time for an update of my exhibition schedule for 2017.

The Salcombe Art Club Exhibition remains open until 30 September, 7 days a week from 11am until 5pm. Admission is free.

I now also have my stewarding dates for Salcombe Art Club and the Contemporary Arts Exhibition at Harbour House. So, if you’d like to ‘meet the artist’, pop in at these times:

  • Salcombe Art Club: 11am-5pm on Wednesdays – 28 June, 12 July, 9 August
  • Harbour House, Kingsbridge: 10am-5pm on Saturday June 10, 10am-1.30pm on Saturday 17 June
Contemporary Passions Exhibition
Tuesday 6 June – Sunday 18 June 2017

This exhibition is organised by SHAF (South Hams Arts Forum) of which I am a member, and is at Harbour House, Kingsbridge – a wonderful gallery space.

Doors will be open from 10am – 5pm and admission is free.

There is a ‘Meet the Artists’ event on Tuesday 6 June, 6-8pm. Do come along!

 

One-man exhibition in the Redfern Health Centre
Thursday 29 June – Thursday 27 July 2017

Full members of Salcombe Art Club display their work for one month – so that those visiting the Redfern have something to admire while waiting to see the doctor.

The Redfern benefits from all sales; a percentage of the purchase price is donated to their funds.

 

Oils and Acrylics in the Little Studio in the Loft Gallery
9 – 23 July

Students of Ian Carr’s class, including myself, will be exhibiting examples of work done in class.

 

Watercolours in the Loft Studio Little Studio in the Loft Gallery
23 July – 5 August

Students of Michael Hill’s class, including myself, will be exhibiting examples of work done in class.

 

One-man exhibition in the Little Studio in the Loft Gallery
Sunday 13 August – Saturday 26 August 2017

Salcombe Art Club invite members, including associate members, to take one or two weeks in the Little Studio, to display as many of their paintings as they can hang in the space.

More recent paintings that didn’t sell last year can be hung so they usually get another airing.

I’ll be stewarding all day both Sundays, so that’s a good time to pop in and chat, if you want to ‘meet the artist’.

 

SHAF Arts Trail
Saturday 14 October – Sunday 29 October

The South Hams Art Forum (SHAF) offers a two-week Arts Trail, including the school half-term holiday.

Viewings at Beacon House Gallery are usually by appointment but, for the period of the SHAF Arts Trail, we will welcome visitors 11am-3pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 10am-5pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (Closed on a Tuesday)

 

Beacon House Gallery
Private viewings 2017

I usually hold a private preview evening ahead of the start of the season, but the gallery is being refurbished and works are still ongoing.

Instead, there will be an event to celebrate the re-opening of Beacon House Gallery – whenever that happens!

If you would like to be advised about the date of this event and to receive an invitation, please contact me.