Latest News and Progress

16 May 2017

Contemporary Passions Exhibition Preview: Elaine Sibley

Elaine Sibley and I are both showing our work 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 of hand forged silver jewellery that Elaine will have on show.

Elaine Sibley, jewellery designer

Elaine lives and works on the edge of Dartmoor and has been selling jewellery in the West Country since 2006. Her designs are textured and sometimes include recycled gold and the occasional semi-precious bead.

Inspired by geometric shapes and objects and forms seen in everyday life – as illustrated in the featured image above – the ranges include necklaces, bangles, earrings and cuff links.

Elaine is particularly interested in extending the life of her pieces and has recently created a range of necklaces that can be adapted; increasing versatility and introducing a multi-purpose element.

The wearer can bring creativity and personality to the piece by using an extra sprung link to shorten, lengthen, bunch and totally change the look of the piece. The additional link comes in a number of finishes so it can blend in or stand out.

You can see more of Elaine’s work on her Facebook page.

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 all the artists on Tuesday 6 June, 6-8 pm.

Elaine will be stewarding on the morning of Sunday 11 June and the afternoon of Wednesday 14 June, and I will be stewarding all day on Saturday 10 June and on the morning of Saturday 17 June.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Admission is free!

15 May 2017

Postcard from Cobourg, Canada: Betrothed!

This week, Anne and I were privileged to be invited to a private viewing of an exhibition at the Art Gallery of Northumberland here in Cobourg, Canada. Betrothed: A Marriage of Photography and Weddings is on until Sunday 18 June, so there’s plenty of time to schedule a visit.

Betrothed: A Marriage of Photography and Weddings

Stephen Bulger and Catherine Lash have been collecting authentic wedding photographs for more than 15 years and this exhibition celebrates the invention of photography, as witnessed through photographs of wedding ceremonies..

Cutting the cake!

This fascinating and unique collection, as well as showing how fashions have changed, contains examples of the various print types that form photography’s history.

Each wall of the gallery focuses on a particular theme: the dress; celebrities (such as Ringo Starr and Elizabeth Taylor); portraits; group portraits; strange and unusual weddings.

It was sad to see that so many of the smiling couples are not longer betrothed, and many of them, of course, have passed away. However, that one happy moment captured by the camera demonstrated many times over that the majority of marriages start out with the best of intentions!

In addition, there are examples of the decorations used on wedding cakes and, in true wedding breakfast tradition, a beautiful cake was ceremoniously cut and shared among those present.

So, with over 500 original photographs, this collection is a social history containing records of customs and ceremonies from around the world.

Where is the Art Gallery of Northumberland?

The Art Gallery of Northumberland is at 55 King Street West, Cobourg, Ontario K9A 2M2

When is the gallery open?

Wednesday – Friday: 10am – 4pm
Saturday: 12noon – 4pm
Sunday: 12noon – 4pm

This post is one of my POSTCARD series, sharing all things ART with you when I go travelling. It’s the first one for this particular trip. Watch this space!

12 May 2017

Contemporary Passions Exhibition Preview: Burgh Island

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.

The Burgh Island Hotel

Burgh Island is too far away to walk but has always been a favourite topic.

Which Burgh Island paintings will be in the Contemporary Passions exhibition?

I’ve chosen just two for this exhibition: The Burgh Island Hotel (oil) and Burgh Island from Hope Cove (acrylic).

The iconic Art Deco Hotel dominates Burgh Island. It 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.

Most artists prefer the view as seen from Bigbury but 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.

Burgh Island from Hope Cove

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.