affordable art Archives

18 November 2019 In Art

Christmas Fayre at Burton Farm

Christmas Fayre poster

The final excursion of 2019, with my affordable art, will be at the Christmas Fayre at Burton Farm.

Anne Rossiter and her team have hired a marque. So, there will be lots of Stalls, a Grand Raffle …

Christmas Fayre raffle prizes

Santa’s Grotto, Mulled Wine and Mince Pies, Entertainment, Food and much to do for children … like pet the Christmas lambs …

Christmas lambs

When is the Christmas Fayre?

23 November, 11am until 3pm

Father Christmas arrives at 11.30am!

Where is Burton Farm?

Galmpton, nr Hope Cove, TQ7 3EY Kingsbridge. Click here for more information, and directions.

Map of Burton Farm location

Supporting The Triangle Centre

cushion | Christmas Fayre at Burton Farm

As with all my appearances at local events, this is to raise funds for a worthwhile charity: and on Saturday 23 November, it’s the turn of the Triangle Centre, Kingsbridge.

All proceeds from the hire of stalls, and the raffle go to the Triangle Centre.

Each stall holder donates a prize, as do many other local businesses and kind individuals. My contribution is a cushion, value £20.

What’s on sale at the Christmas Fayre?

As well as the many other stall holders, all with gift ideas for Christmas, I shall have a selection from my affordable range.

Placemats and coasters
Glass chopping boards and coasters
Purses
Pill boxes
Key rings
Fridge magnets
Cushions

spiral notebooks | Christmas Fayre at Burton Farm

Newest item available: spiral notebooks! Many designs to choose from. Click here for more details.

Last date for Christmas orders

That Saturday, 23 November, is also the last date I can take orders and collection of your order needs to be by Saturday 30 November

The Gallery then closes for the winter … and we reopen on 24 February, in time to set up an exhibition of my work at Kingsbridge Library for the month of March.

PS I’m attending an art class all that weekend, so my beautiful assistant, Anne, will be there to serve you.

21 October 2019 In Art

SHAF Arts Trail Update

Taking part in the SHAF Arts Trail is a huge undertaking, and hugely rewarding. We’ve met some interesting people – some artists, some visitors to the South Hams, and some locals. Wonderful!

SHAF Arts Trail Update: the preview evening

After several days of setting up the gallery with works by Michael Hill and Chris Pring alongside my own, we had our preview evening on Friday 11 October. A crowd of 30+ spent the evening in the company of Michael, Chris and myself. We had wine and nibbles and our guests had first choice on the material on display.

If you’d like to be invited to this event next year and, meanwhile, kept up to date with news of forthcoming events, contact me.

SHAF Arts Trail Update: Chris Pring

Several of Chris Pring’s pottery items were sold on the preview evening, including one of his three muses and a hare plate. There’s still much to see though. Most of his work is in the sunroom (AKA our dining room).

Chris Pring display in the sun room | SHAF Arts Trail Update

There’s another display of his work in the entrance hall providing an excellent welcome to our visitors. Chris Pring display in the entrance hall | SHAF Arts Trail Update

The grey vase on the top shelf (Grasses) was sold just after I took this photograph. Come soon, if you want to be sure of a piece of Chris’ pottery.

SHAF Arts Trail Update: Michael Hill

Michael Hill’s new style of painting – focusing on people rather than places – has drawn lots of interest. Michael Hill display | SHAF Arts Trail Update

Which do you prefer?

We also have several of Michael’s unframed original works in the browser, very reasonably priced. To date, we’ve sold five of these, but there are more. Come quick?

SHAF Arts Trail Update: Stephen Thomas

My affordable art is proving very popular. Costing from as little as £3.75 (for a keyring or fridge magnet) – many of these items are perfect for Christmas gifts.

Affordable art display

On the preview evening, I sold all my stock of glass chopping boards, including one showing Dappled Light, and more – in both A4 and A3 sizes – are on order, due in later this week.

During the past week, the Dappled Light design has been the most popular and lots of cards, wooden placemats and coasters, two wall plaques and two pills boxes have been sold. Again, more are on order!

SHAF Arts Trail Update: the weather?

The weather has been variable. Some sunshine. Some heavy rain. But visitors have arrived come rain or shine and have been made very welcome. Tea/coffee and biscuits, and a wonderful view are available for all comers.

There’s still time to visit. We are open 10am-5pm daily until Sunday 27 October.

Closed on Tuesday!

What’s SHAF?

Click here to learn more!

9 September 2019 In Art

SOLD! At Ditch End

At Ditch End was painted in 2013, prior to us moving into Beacon House and setting up the gallery within our home.

This stretch of beach – just below the Venus Cafe – is well used, and it’s a shame it doesn’t have a more attractive name. Ditch End indeed!

I was on rescue duty for Salcombe Yacht Club when I saw the boat, the one nearer to shore and was struck by its beauty. I took a photo!

I think it’s a Roxane, a retro lugger designed by Nigel Irens. I only say that as I recall Richard Stilgoe having a similar boat in the Salcombe Estuary, and that’s how he describes it on his website. (If I’m mistaken, do let me know!)

One-man exhibition in the Little Studio

The two-week exhibition in the Little Studio has been one of my most successful. Three sales. The prices were rock-bottom because I need the wall space and clearly that appealed to purchasers.

I was stewarding on several days (Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday) and met so many people. A joy to share time with them.

Coming up soon: charity event at Burton Farm in aid of the Triangle Centre

TOMORROW, Tuesday 10 September, I will be supporting a charity event at Burton Farm, Galmpton in aid of the Triangle Centre. On sale will be my full range of affordable art.

Coming up soon: SHAF Arts Trail

Friday 11 October marks the start of the SHAF (South Hams Arts Forum) Arts Trail and I will be hosting a preview evening (6-9pm) at Beacon House Gallery. Pop in for wine and nibbles and a chance to mingle with others who enjoy my art.

Personal invitations to attend will be sent by email a couple of weeks beforehand, but put this date in your diary now.

(If you don’t receive an invitation, contact me!)

The Arts Trail lasts for two weeks, including the half-term week and we are open every day apart from Tuesdays, from 10am until 5pm.

Wonderful views, wheelchair access and plenty of parking … and tea and cake. What more could you want? Oh, art!

Coming up soon: Christmas gift sale at the Hen House

On Thursday 31 October (7.30-9.30pm) and Friday 1 November (10am-1pm), my affordable art will be on sale at the Hen House. Just in time to buy your Christmas gifts!

12 August 2019 In Art

Worthy causes: Salcombe Town Regatta & Hope Cove Lifeboat

Last week was twice as busy as usual with Anne and I supporting two local worthy causes. At both events, one of my latest images, Walking Back to Hope Cove, the featured image above, proved very popular.

Bank Holiday Monday, 5 August

On Monday, we were in Whitestrand, taking part in the Art Day of Salcombe Town Regatta, and had a very early start.

At 8am, the Regatta organisers were on top form, marshalling us to our respective spots and making sure everyone was safe, what with cars and vans delivering materials for sale.

We were selling my affordable art in support of Salcombe Regatta: cards and cushions, coasters and place mats, purses and pill boxes, and fine bone china mugs …

Anne and our stand at the Salcombe Regatta Art Day

We lost count of the number of people who visited the stall, and bought something or took my business card.

Staying cool in the shade on a hot sunny Salcombe day

The wind was a bit of a trial! We were glad of our stock of water botttles and that we were on the shaded side of the car park.

The gazebo, held fast with water bottles

All in all, a fun day. We will be back next year …

Thursday 8 August

On Thursday, it was the turn of the Hope Cove Lifeboat.

This is another regular event for us and it’s always a joy to take part. The organising team, together with the staff of the Cottage Hotel couldn’t be more helpful.

We had our usual stall in the dining room of the Cottage Hotel, donated a prize for the raffle and sold our wares during their fundraising day, donating a percentage of our profits to the Lifeboat charity. In total, they raised a wonderful sum: £4,028.

Anne assures me I could have taken a better shot but, at least you can see, at closer range, the products now available (as well as our morning coffee pot), and she is smiling despite spending hours on her feet.

Our next outing: Tuesday 10 September

On Tuesday 10 September, we will be at Burton Farm for a coffee morning 10.30am-12.30pm in support of The Triangle Centre.

Can we support your charity?

Yes! We are keen to support local worthy causes.

Let us know when your event is, and I’ll check if that date is clear in our diary. Just contact me, and we will help as best we can.

8 July 2019 In Art

Pop-Up Sale at Salcombe Yacht Club

Along with lots of other stall holders, Anne and I will be selling my affordable art at a Pop-Up Sale in aid of Salcombe Yacht Club on Thursday 11 July.

It is Merlin Rocket week and the town has lots of visiting sailors and their friends and families, and the Salcombe Yacht Club is enjoying one of its busiest weeks in the sailing calendar.

Where is the Pop-Up Sale?

In the entrance to the dining room (on the ground floor) of Salcombe Yacht Club.

Summer in Salcombe | Pop-Up Sale — Summer in Salcombe

Cliff House
Cliff Rd
Salcombe
Devon
TQ8 8JQ

01548 842593

Cliff House is the red brick building in this painting.

When is the Pop-Up Sale?

11am until 2pm on Thursday 11 July 2019

What’s on sale at the Pop-Up Sale?

I’ll have as much of my affordable art on show as possible.

Cards
Cushions
Fridge magnets
Glass coasters
Glass chopping boards
Key rings
Pill boxes
Purses
Wooden coasters and place mats

New for this sale are my bone china mugs.

Bone china mugs | Pop-Up Sale — From left to right: Salcombe Dawn, Dawn at South Pool Creek, Dappled Light

If you can’t be there at the Pop-Up Sale on Thursday, and/or want to buy something we don’t have with us, you can place an order by phone on 01548 844020 or by email. Delivery is usually within two weeks.

What’s next?

Salcombe Dawn I | Pop-Up Sale — Salcombe Dawn I

I am supporting the Regatta with a stand in Whitestrand on Monday 5 August. The Regatta stall will also have a range of my affordable art – cards, mugs, fridge magnets, key rings, pill boxes – the ones with Salcombe Dawn I on them.

Then, I’ll be at the Cottage Hotel on Thursday 8 August raising funds for the Hope Cove Lifeboat.

And at Burton Farm for a coffee morning on support of the Triangle Centre on Tuesday 10 September.

So, you can support your local artist and worthy causes at the same time!

27 May 2019 In Art

Great gift ideas

The new range of affordable art items is proving popular, not just to have my art in the home, but also as gift ideas.

This photo, taken at Salcombe Yacht Club on Sunday 19 May, shows Martin Smout with his wife Pam. Martin has been Commodore of Salcombe Yacht Club for the past two years and these personalised place mats were presented to him (plus some other items, too) to show the club’s appreciation.

Martin’s wife, Pam, chose the four designs; and overprinted on them is the name of their boat: Enjoy Life. This was a complete – and delightful – surprise for Martin.

This additional service – the overprinting – can be arranged to suit any requirement: a birthday, a special anniversary, or as a thank you to someone special.

New to the affordable range: pill boxes

These handy-sized pill boxes offer a neat way of carrying medication, with the added bonus of one of my images on the lid.

I do hold a small stock of affordable items at Beacon House Gallery, partly to provide for stock for the outlets carrying these items but also in readiness for a number of charity events that Anne and I will be supporting during the coming months.

I hope to see you at some of these events.

Thursday 11 July: A pop-up sale at Salcombe Yacht Club
Monday 5 August: In Whitestrand, supporting Salcombe Regatta
Thursday 8 August: Supporting the Hope Cove Fundraising Day at the Cottage Hotel
Tuesday 10 September: a coffee morning at Burton Farm in aid of Triangle

For full details of the entire affordable art range, click here.

Where are the affordable art items being stocked?

You could come to Beacon House for a private viewing. Contact me to arrange a mutually convenient time. Alternatively, you’ll find affordable art in a number of shops and other outlets in the Salcombe area.

Malborough Post Office stocks the full range of fine art greetings cards, plus wooden coasters, purses, fridge magnets and key rings.

Bonnington‘s, the newsagent in Salcombe, have a range of cards plus fridge magnets and key rings.

At Avon Mill – in the Gallery – there is a range of cards plus fridge magnets and key rings.

The Project Galley in Noss Mayo have cards, wooden coasters, key rings, fridge magnets and glass chopping boards.

Salcombe Yacht Club and the Salcombe Information Centre both have cards – and a display of affordable art items.

Ashby’s also have some of my cards.

If you would like to stock my affordable art range, do contact me.

11 March 2019 In Art

Walking back to Hope Cove – in the preview sale on 5 April

In the preview sale on 5 April, Walking back to Hope Cove is one of the latest crops of paintings which will be offered at a discount price to those attending this celebration of the start of another season of art.

142 Walking back to Hope Cove
144 Merlin on the Run
145 Schooner Sunset
146 Merlins Racing past Fishermans
147 Summer in Salcombe
148 All Aboard the East Portlemouth Ferry

Walking Back to Hope Cove

The geography is so compact in the Hope Cove area that, to climb the hill to the West of the Cottage Hotel, and to look back gives a fascinating view.

It’s a walk that Anne and I have done many times. We tend to walk as far as the shack overlooking Thurlestone Rock, have a snack and walk back. Either way, we get the view I’ve tried to capture in this painting. And much-needed exercise …

Why the Cottage Hotel?

For us, the Cottage Hotel is home from home.

Whenever we want to ‘get away’ from Salcombe, rather than driving for hours, maybe spending time in an airport, and going through the drama of travelling, we head instead for the Cottage Hotel.

Fifteen minutes in the car and we are transported to another era. The Cottage Hotel is going through refurbishment and redevelopment, but the traditional qualities of service and putting the visitors’ first remain.

The Cottage offers two bonuses for us – things we don’t have in our home in Salcombe, and miss – the sunset and a bath.

If we wake early enough, we enjoy spectacular sunrises as Beacon House faces east and we are high up Bonfire Hill …

We sacrificed our bathroom to make way for a platform lift so that our home is wheelchair friendly. In years to come, we’ll be grateful not having to climb the many stairs. Meanwhile, when we want a soak in the bath, we book an overnight stay at the Cottage Hotel.

We enjoy the sunset and a delicious dinner. Of course, the sweet trolley has no impact on our decision making!

Is Hope Cove a special place for you too?

Over the past few years, I’ve painted quite a few Hope Cove scenes. This year, there’s the Schooner Sunset plus Walking Back to Hope Cove.

Previously, the most popular painting was Hope Cove, and that image (and many others) is now available in my affordable art range, as a key ring, for example.