Latest News and Progress

16 June 2016

On display today: Salcombe Dawn II

Having sold a painting yesterday, the challenge is to choose which should take its place in my one-man exhibition in the Little Studio of the Loft Gallery in Salcombe.

Decision made! Salcombe Dawn II.

This view 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.

Soon after, I painted Salcombe Dawn I, an oil, 12 inches by 16 inches, with purple hues. This sold almost immediately but there is a fine art greetings card of this image, and it’s very popular.

I then painted two more versions, a watercolour and another oil, both much larger: 16 inches by 20 inches.

Each one has the same topography – that iconic view of Salcombe town with Bolt Head behind – but I experimented with different tones and colours.

In the oil (featured far above), the sun has still to appear and the pink hues dominate.

The watercolour, Salcombe Dawn III, (below) is cool and calm – daylight has arrived.

Where can you see my paintings?

Salcombe Dawn II will be on display in the Little Studio as part of my one-man exhibition which finishes this Saturday, 18 June.

I’ll be stewarding on Saturday afternoon (2-5pm). Why not pop in and say hello?

CAN’T AFFORD TO BUY MY PAINTINGS?

Nearly all of the images on sale in my one-man exhibition are also available as fine art greetings cards. Only a short distance from the Loft Gallery, you have the choice of buying these ‘man cards’ at Bonningtons, the newsagents, or at Salcombe Information Centre.

15 June 2016

SOLD! Harvest Reaper III

The phone rings and it’s a delighted steward reporting that she has sold one of my paintings.

What lovely news!

Now, I have to think about which painting should replace it. Watch this space!

14 June 2016

Stewarding this afternoon …

Today, Tuesday 14 June, I’ll be stewarding at the Loft Gallery from 2pm until 5pm.

If you expect to be in Salcombe then, please drop by and say hello!

My one-man show is still on show and I’d be delighted to talk you through the 14 paintings on display, plus the five I have in the main exhibition.

Where is the Loft Gallery?

The Loft Gallery is situated behind the Fortescue Inn, and above a popular shoe shop, on a delightful footpath called Victoria Quay, which overlooks one of the best views in the UK including the mooring berth of the RNLI lifeboat Baltic Exchange III.

What is the Loft Gallery?

The Loft Gallery is the home of Salcombe Art Club and, every year since 1960, the Summer Exhibition opens at Easter and continues until the end of September.

An incredible number of visitors climb the 15 steps to view the exhibition, and more than 200 paintings are expected to be sold during the summer months. A percentage of the proceeds of each sale goes to the Art Club funds and, after expenses have been met, the club donates amounts to local charities. So, buying a painting benefits the artist, the club and the town – and provides a beautiful reminder of a visit to Salcombe. Prices range from £1 for a postcard up to £1000 – and the club now has the facility to accept payments by card, rather than ‘cash only’ as had been the practice for many years.

In the winter months, the Loft Gallery reverts to being a working studio with a full programme of workshops and classes for its members.

Who can join Salcombe Art Club?

Salcombe Art Club comprises a mix of artists: some professional artists such as those who teach our classes but also many amateurs and some very new to drawing/painting. Everyone is welcome!

Membership of Salcombe Art Cub is not limited to those living in Salcombe. Anyone within striking distance is welcome to apply for membership, but it makes most sense for those who live near enough so as to benefit from the classes in the winter, and – if they intend to become exhibiting members – to fulfil their stewarding obligations during the summer.

Step 1 is to enrol as a Lay Member – that’s the first rung of the ladder! Then Salcombe Art club has three categories of membership.

Lay members (for a subscription of £12 per annum) may take part in workshops, courses and social activities and generally assist in supporting the club but may not exhibit, nor vote at the AGM.
Associate members (for a subscription of £17 per annum) may take part in most club activities including exhibiting in the Little Studio section (but not the main gallery) of the Annual Summer Exhibition.
Full members (for a subscription of £27 per annum) 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.

Who exhibits at the Loft Gallery?

Essentially, exhibiting is limited to the associate and full members of Salcombe Art Club. Full members are invited to display up to five of their works in the Summer Exhibition. This is me with some of mine:

Full – and associate – members may also book a week or more in the Little Studio. My one-man show commences on 28 May. In the Little Studio also, our teachers exhibit material of works produced by the various class groups; this inspires other club members to enroll for classes during the winter months.

How do you progress from Lay member so that you can exhibit your art at the Loft Gallery?

The selection panel meets annually (usually in February) to select from Lay members who wish to become Associate of Full members. The usual progression is to become an Associate member for a year and then on to Full membership the following year. Sometimes, the panel may decide to admit a member straight to Full membership.

For more information about Salcombe Art Club, visit their website.

Featured image: Dawn at South Pool Creek

The original of , is for sale at the Loft Gallery and this image is also available as a fine art greetings card, at Bonningtons (the newsagents) and Salcombe Information Centre (both a short walk from the Loft Studio).