Devon Archives - Page 2 of 2

23 May 2017 In Art, Exhibition

Contemporary Passions Preview: Nick Cotter’s digisurrealism

Nick Cotter has coined the term digisurrealism to describe the dreamlike qualities and the inclusion of the unexpected in his work.

Nick and I are both showing 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 images that Nick will have on show. It’s called ‘Salcombe Boatyard Dreams – If a building could dream’.

Nick Cotter’s digisurrealism

Dreaming of Seasons

Nick says: I am interested in how our mental filters, both conscious and unconscious, influence our perceptions of ‘reality’. What any of us see and feel from a view in the landscape, a journey, or past events, is processed by these filters, of which we are often unaware.

I am inspired by the dream-like scenes that are typical of the surrealist movement.

‘Dreaming of Seasons’ was inspired by four weeks in isolation in hospital, which made the memories of the seasons past and the desires of the seasons Nick was hoping to experience, all too vivid.

How does Nick create his digital images?

Nick’s digital images are built up and layered in a process that is similar to painting on a canvas, using elements from his photographic images as his palette.

Weathered Wood

His limited edition digital prints are archival quality, professionally printed on canvas.

Regarding ‘Weathered Wood’, Nick says: The grain of a weathered piece of wood helps to define a landscape into which it will return to nurture the new woodlands.

In ‘Warm Sky Cold Ground’ (below), the simplification and unnatural colours serve to highlight the complex reality of what is a tree

In ‘Burgh Island SUPing’ (far below), Nick asks: What if one of the most sublime local scenes was corrupted by man’s environmental destruction?

You can see more of his work on Nick’s website.

WHERE/WHEN IS THE CONTEMPORARY PASSIONS EXHIBITION?

Warm Sky Cold Ground

The Contemporary Passions exhibition will be at Harbour House, The Promenade, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 1JD.

It’s open daily 10 am – 5 pm (closing at 4 pm on the last day): Tuesday 6 June until Sunday 18 June 2017

WANT TO MEET THE ARTISTS?

There will be an opportunity to meet all the artists on Tuesday 6 June, 6-8 pm.

You might also call in when Nick or I are stewarding.

Nick will be stewarding all day on Thursday 8 June. I will be stewarding all day on Saturday 10 June and on the morning of Saturday 17 June.

Burgh Island SUPing

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Admission is free!

16 May 2017 In Art, Exhibition

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!

12 May 2017 In Art, Exhibition

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.

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!

9 May 2017 In Art, Exhibition

CONTEMPORARY PASSIONS EXHIBITION PREVIEW: Sue Farrow-Jones

Sue Farrow-Jones 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 artworks – all involving images of involving hares – that Sue will have on show.

Why hares?

The South West doesn’t have many hares, mainly owing to it being an agricultural area. Hares don’t have burrows, leaving leverets at risk of farm machinery as remaining still is their main protection.

Sue joined The Hare Preservation Trust and found out that there is no closed season for hunting hares. She found it very sad, that these beautiful, magical creatures are not protected by law in any way.

Gold Hare, Rising Moon

Having seen some in the lanes recently, she has been producing prints of hares.

‘Gold Hare, Rising Moon’ is a lino print with gold leaf accentuating the hare and the moon.

The featured image above is a lino print called ‘Melangell’s Hares’. Melangell is The Patron Saint of Hares. Being Welsh, Sue decided to visit the church in Powys at Pennant Melangell in May, where they celebrate Saint Melangell at her shrine there. The Daughter of an Irish Chieftan living in the 7th Century, Melangell ran away to avoid the marriage of convenience her Father had planned for her.

One day, whilst out walking in a valley in Powys, Melangell saw a hunter with his hounds, chasing a hare. The hare ran to her and hid in the gathered fabric of her cloak. She prevented the hounds from catching the hare.

The hunter was Prince Brochwel Ysgithrog and he was so impressed by her courage that he gave her the valley. Thus, Melangell became the Patron Saint of Hares, protecting all the wildlife in the valley and providing establishing a religious community, a sanctuary for women and animals for 37 years, until the end of her life.

How does Sue then use these prints?

Lampshade: ‘Gold Hare and Rising Moon’

Some of the prints have been placed on screens and printed on linen.

She’s used this fabric to make into lampshades, such as the one shown here, using the ‘Gold Hare and Rising Moon’ fabric.

Still on the theme of hares, ‘I Dreamed I Held a Hare’ is a watercolour.

To see more of Sue’s work, visit her website.

WHEN IS THE CONTEMPORARY PASSIONS EXHIBITION?

Tuesday 6 June until Sunday 18 June 2017

Watercolour: ‘I Dreamed I Held a Hare’

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.

You might also call in when Sue or I are stewarding. Sue will be stewarding on the mornings of Thursday 15 June and Friday 16 June. 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!

6 May 2017 In Art, Exhibition

Contemporary Passions exhibition preview: Michele Meyer, sculptor

Michele Meyer

Michele Meyer 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 called ‘Man’ and is one of several sculptures that Michele will have on show.

Michele Meyer, Sculptor

Girl with Goose

Michele was born in Austria and brought up and educated in Holland, Germany and Switzerland.

She worked and studied interior decoration in Cologne. Michele married and lived in Holland for 15 years bringing up a family and she enjoyed helping her husband assemble ideas and colours for his fashion collections.

The low light and the immense Dutch skies led her to study oil painting under Guus Melai and Olav Bijker.

Michele now has a small farm near Salcombe, Devon with a herd of South Devon cows – and keeps sheep – and enjoys country living to the full.

Her bold and earthy ceramic sculptures are born from Michele’s love for all living creatures and deeply felt optimism in life.

Michele works in highly fired clay to withstand outdoor temperatures, and uses the occasional touch of glaze and stone dust. She exhibits at her home in Salcombe – and her studio is open to visitors on demand – but her work can also be seen on her website.

Michele Meyer

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?

Throwing the Ball

There will be an opportunity to meet all the artists on Tuesday 6 June, 6-8 pm.

Michele will be stewarding on the afternoons of Thursday 15 June and Friday 16 June.

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!

1 May 2017 In Art, Exhibition

Contemporary Passions Exhibition Preview: Noss Mayo and Newton Ferrers

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.

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.

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?

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!

24 April 2017 In Art, Exhibition

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!

13 February 2017 In Art

Postcard from Melbourne: National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)

Anne and I wanted to return to the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) as I’d seen so many great exhibits while she enjoyed lunch with a writer friend.

I knew she’d be interested to see works by Rodin, Manet and Van Gogh, but there was so much more to see … so back we came.

WHAT WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS ON OUR SECOND VISIT TO NGV?

I took hundreds of photographs at the NGV and it’s proved very hard to decide which ones not to share with you; I have so many wonderful memories of our visit to this gallery.

However, we picked two – the ones which were most special for us.

First, since Anne and I chose a particularly hot day to return to NGV – and to make the most of the air-conditioned environment – this painting by David Davies made us laugh.

His ‘A Hot Day’ perfectly captures the Australian climate at a glance.

Second, is a gem by JMW Turner.

As we were fast approaching the end of our long vacation in Australia, our thoughts were beginning to turn towards home. Although we now live in Salcombe in Devon and, at that moment, we were in Melbourne, it was a lovely surprise to see ‘Walton Bridges’. This painting brought back into sharp focus the many times in my life when, forty plus years ago, I drove from my home in Shepperton and crossed a more modern version of these bridges en route to Walton Station for my daily commute to London. How time flies?

YOU WANT TO SEE SOME MORE PHOTOS?

I have plenty!

It will come as no surprise that many of the paintings on display in the NGV show life in Australia as it was way back and, then, as it is now.

In ‘A lord of the bush’, Hans Heyson shows no sentiment. According to the description given by NGV, Heyson was profoundly inspired by the romantic landscape paintings of Constable (and others).

By the turn of the century, the bush had become an object for nostaglia in Australia culture. Rural life was disappearing with the advent of industrialisation and increasing population, but with this iconic painting of the cost to the early Australian settler, Heyson’s able draughmanship and genuine love of the natural world helped to show Australian bush life to those who might never experience it.

Shearing the Rams Then there was ‘The Shearing of the Lambs’ by Tom Roberts: the finest example of life in the outback in the nineteenth century.

Roberts did a number of preliminary sketches on the spot at Brocklesby Station, Corowa, NSW in 1888. He then returned twice more during the brief shearing period of the following two springs to work on his painting. Once completed, it was exhibitied in his studio in Collins St, Melbourne.

John Brack Collins St also features in this next image.

This more modern painting is John Brack’s depiction of commuters in an Australian city. The heading reads: Collins St where it’s 5pm forever.

The young men in suits are shown as packs, resembling sardines.

You’ve now missed NGV’s recent exhibition of one of Australia’s greatest living artists: John Olsen. It closed yesterday!

Works by Jon Olsen in the ‘You Beaut Country’ exhibition February 2017

Olsen is noted for his lyrical depictions of the australian landscape. His work includes ceiling paintings, tapestries and decorated ceramics. All his work radiates energy and is the finest example of the abstract expressionism movement in Australia.

It was difficult to choose just one work from the ‘You Beaut Country’ exhibition to share with you, so there are three here for you to admire.

WHAT IS THERE FOR YOU TO SEE AT THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA (NGV)?

As well as the various individual works of art at NGV, the wonderful (see my blog of 9 January) is on until 13 March.

And, at Tate Britain, back in the UK, to mark David’s 80th birthday, there’s a large scale retrospective of his work from 9 February until 20 May 2017. I’ll be making time to go up to London for this exhibition and will report in due course here on my blog.

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

7 November 2016 In Art

Sketchbook Notes: Salcombe Yacht Club’s Christmas Camellias

Salcombe Yacht Club’s Christmas Camellias are to be found alongside the steep path that runs from the gate at the side of the yacht club gardens up to Devon Road. This view of the bell tower and out to sea can best be seen by very tall people standing by the bench, just below the archway.

Anne’s been nagging me to paint an image for a Christmas card for ages. At last, we have one!

AFFORDABLE ART – an excellent Christmas gift!

59 of my 135 original paintings are available as fine art greetings cards.

Just think: for less than 1% of the sales price of an original, you can invest in a fine art greetings card. Send it to a friend or frame it for yourself. Whistlefish sell frames that fit … about £10 each.

FINE ART GREETING CARDS: STOCKISTS

Malborough Post Office stocks all 59 designs, and selections of my cards are also available at Bonningtons (the newsagents in Salcombe), Salcombe Information Centre, Salcombe Yacht Club, The Gallery Project at Avon Mill and at Noss Mayo, and in Bloomers (the florist in Kingsbridge).

If you would like to stock my cards, please click here to contact me.

3 October 2016 In Art

SHAF preview: Low Tide at Fishermans Cove

Low Tide at Fishermans Cove is another of the new crop of five paintings that will be on display for the first time during the 2016 SHAF Arts Trail.

This image shows the view from Salcombe across the water towards East Portlemouth. This particular stretch of beach is called Fishermans Cove, although most of the craft belong to the holidaymakers who visit this beautiful part of Devon every summer.

WHEN IS THE SHAF TRAIL?

The SHAF Trail is an annual event and this year it runs from Saturday 15 October until Sunday 23 October.

WHEN CAN YOU See My paintings?

My paintings will be on display in Beacon House Gallery and we will be open for visitors as follows:

Saturday 15 October: 10am-5pm
Sunday 16 October: 10am-5pm
Monday 17 October: 11am-3pm
Tuesday 18 October: CLOSED
Wednesday 19 October: 11am-3pm
Thursday 20 October: 11am-3pm
Friday 21 October: 11am-3pm
Saturday 22 October: 10am-5pm
Sunday 23 October: 10am-5pm

WHERE IS BEACON HOUSE GALLERY?

Beacon House Gallery is within my home – the hall, stairs and landing, no less. It’s not normally open to the public, except by prior arrangement. However, for the SHAF Trail, we welcome visitors during ‘opening hours’ as listed above. You don’t need to book ahead. Just turn up and you will be made very welcome.

DIRECTIONS TO BEACON HOUSE

As you approach Salcombe, there will be yellow posters with arrows pointing the way to Beacon House.

You could park in the park’n’walk at the top of Bonfire Hill and walk down. There might be parking spaces in Bonfire Hill alongside the allotments, or you could park on our private drive at the end of the shared drive. (Please do not park on the shared drive.)

We do not currently have access for disabled visitors – but we are having alterations made to the house over this winter so for next year’s SHAF Trail we will be able to welcome wheelchair users.

We look forward to your visit!