EXHIBITION Archives - Salcombe Art

26 August 2019 In Art

SOLD! Sunlight Across the Bar

Soon after 11am on Sunday 18 August, the official opening time for the exhibition, I made a sale. Sunlight across the Bar, an oil painting was sold to a couple who have been visiting Salcombe ‘forever’.

I arrange to have all of my original paintings professionally photographed before they are varnished or framed, so I stil have the digital image and own the copyright. From this image, I can create a giclée print, and any of the affordable art range. It’s very popular as a fine art greetings card too.

A boxed canvas – unusual for Stephen Thomas

It’s rare for me to offer a painting unframed. Sunlight across the Bar was on a box canvas and had spent much of its life on our lounge wall, above the TV.

In its place, I have hung a much larger painting. It’s a print by Terrence Cuneo, who is best known for his studies of trains and railway stations. However, this one depicts Lloyds of London, my place of work for decades. It was a gift to me from work colleagues on my retirement in 2000.

The feather?

The feather symbolises the quill pen, and was intended as a joke by my colleagues to remind me that I started work, aged 17, before the invention of computers. It was after the invention of pens, however.

The waiters (those in red jackets) would, each morning, visit every box and refill the inkwells. This tradition has obviously fallen by the wayside and Lloyds is full of modern technology.

Nowadays, many use a mouse. In my day, the mice were real and one is visible in this painting.

Can you see this painting?

My Terence Cuneo painting will be on display, but not for sale, during the SHAF (South Hams Arts Forum) Arts Trail. Make a note of the dates: 12-27 October.

Setting up day: Sunday 18 August

Anne and I had a very early start on setting up day. I’d already loaded the car the night before, with fifteen paintings, individually wrapped and ready to hang.

The parking fairy had reserved a place for us alongside the bakery and I moved the paintings bag by bag to the Art Club, while Anne guarded the car and the remaining paintings.

Then, I left Anne at the Gallery while I moved the car to my boat parking space in Shadycombe car park. By the time I’d returned, Anne had unpacked and hung nearly all the paintings, not in their final positions, but close.

There then followed an hour or so of moving each painting left a bit, right a bit, up a bit, down a bit, and attaching labels. Imagine, me on a ladder, and Anne directing operations!

We were just about done when the purchaser arrived. He was earlier than our usual opening time, but we welcomed him in. We then settled ourselves down to a well-earned cup of coffee.

After studying all the paintings, he departed but returned with his wife some time later, to make the purchase. I am always happy when I meet the purchaser, and know my painting is going to a good home!

When does the exhibition end?

There’s another week … 11am-5pm every day until Saturday 31 August. Do pop in. I’m stewarding on Wednesday 28 August 11am-5pm and Saturday 31 August 2-5pm.

2 July 2018 In Art

Exhibition time: RNLI Salcombe fundraiser at Holy Trinity Church

Once again, the RNLI Salcombe Fundraisers have brought together a display of work by local artists, with a variety of styles to both view and purchase. It’s an honour for me to be invited to take part in this year’s exhibition at Holy Trinity Church, Salcombe.

RNLI Sale poster Why are the RNLI Salcombe Fundraisers having an exhibition?

The Salcombe RNLI depends on fundraising!

A donation from the artists will be made to RNLI Salcombe from the proceeds of works sold throughout the exhibition.

How can you support this worthwhile charity?

I’ll have five original paintings on sale – all at a discounted price, to encourage you to support this worthwhile charity.

There are also limited editions prints (at discounted prices) and one special (unlimited) print of Salcombe Yacht Club.

Plus a range of my fine art greetings cards: £2 each, 3 for a fiver.

Where is the RNLI exhibition?

Holy Trinity Church, Salcombe.

When is the exhibition open?

10am until 4pm daily, 2-6 July 2018

Anne and I will be stewarding on the Tuesday morning from 11am. Pop in and say hello?

28 May 2018 In Art

Exhibition time at the Redfern Centre: 31 May – 28 June

Members of Salcombe Art Club support the Friends of the Redfern by providing a display of artwork for sale in the waiting area.

If you purchase one, a proportion of the sale is donated to this worthwhile local charity.

Exhibition time at the Redfern Centre: 31 May – 28 June

This is my eighth exhibition at the Redfern Centre and I have chosen these five paintings to exhibit.

Provident

Provident is a retired Brixham trawler and has been a much-loved training ship for many generations of novice sailor.

Provident £175

Church of St Peter, Buckland-tout-saint

This pretty church stands high on the hill and commands excellent views across surrounding countryside. Church of St Peter is a rare painting in that there are no sailing craft and no sea to be seen. And, there’s a bit of multimedia going on too.

The Church of St Peter Buckland-tout-saints £225

North Hallsands

North Hallsands has some contemporary houses with spectacular views facing east towards Dartmouth. Its beach changes dramatically every winter.

North Hallsands £225

Dawn at New Bridge

The bridge at Bowcombe offers an enchanting mooring for boats of all kinds. In Dawn at New Bridge, an early morning pink mist signals a fine day.

Dawn at New Bridge £250

Harvest Reaper II

I have painted the Harvest Reaper AKA the South Sands ferry so many times. Here, it’s backdrop is Fishermans beach.

Harvest Reaper II £350

For more details of each painting, click on the image.

Other opportunities to see my work

I have five more paintings on display in the Salcombe Art Club Exhibition. Click here for more details.

And, by arrangement you are welcome to a private viewing of paintings in my home, at the Beacon House Gallery. To arrange a convenient time, contact me.

2 April 2018 In Art

OPEN! Salcombe Art Club Summer Exhibition 2018

Last Thursday, I attended the Salcombe Art Club Summer Exhibition Preview evening, at which cheques were distributed to two local worthy causes.

Our chairlady, Naomi Ainsley, and our esteemed Mayor, Michael Fice, made the presentations.

There are lots more photos on the Salcombe Art club’s page on Facebook and I’m sure there will be a report in the local Gazette in due course.

Meanwhile …

My paintings on display in the Summer exhibition

O Summer exhibition n display in the Loft Studio, there are now five of my paintings:

On the left, from top to bottom:

On the right, from top to bottom:

139 Watching the Merlins Race
143 Yawls at Salcombe Harbour Hotel (partly hidden by me but featured above)

The tourists are now here for the Easter and we hope many of them will visit the Loft Gallery to see the wonderful display of work by local artists.

As members of the Salcombe Art Club, we are invited to display our creations. If sold, 15% of the price goes the to Salcombe Art club.

This ‘income’ pays for the running costs, but also funds our charitable gifts to local causes.

Which brings me back to the beginning of this post. This year’s beneficiaries were Erme Valley Riding for the Disabled and Kingsbridge Food Bank.

Dates for your diary during the Summer exhibition

I will be stewarding on the following dates.

Wednesday 16 May: 11am – 2pm
Wednesday 1 August: 11am – 5pm
Wednesday 8 August: 11am – 5pm
Sunday 12 August: 11am – 5pm
Saturday 18 August: 2pm – 5pm
Sunday 19 August: 11am – 5pm
Wednesday 26 September: 11am – 5pm

Pop in to meet me in the flesh!

19 March 2018 In Art

Salcombe Art Club Exhibition Preview: Noss Mayo Sunset

Noss Mayo Sunset is one of a crop of six new paintings destined for the Salcombe Art Club Summer Exhibition.

Today, I am collecting them from the framer, just in time for the handing-in day on 24 March. If you’d like to purchase one of them ahead of the Exhibition and save 10% on the price (they range from £500 to £750), contact me to arrange a private viewing urgently!

What was I doing admiring the Noss Mayo Sunset?

Although I now live in Salcombe, and most of my paintings feature scenes near my home, the two villages of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo are also close to my heart. This idyllic estuary has had me under its spell since 1968 when my two children were young, and we would rent Rose Cottage, next to The Dolphin.

At low tide, there are causeways to help pedestrians cross the water between the two villages. 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.

All the hostelries 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. Anne and I often take house guests in that direction.

So, imagine me, with friends, on the way to a pub at sunset. Of course, I have with me my camera – two actually! – and I had to shoot the ‘light moment’ of a beautiful day to capture this image of all those craft moored up. Then, once I start taking photos, I can’t stop. And once I’m back home in my studio, it’s not long before I’m compelled to start painting …

Many of this most recent crop were painted in oil. This one is an acrylic. Why not an oil? No reason really, except acrylics dry very quickly and are easily carried to and from my art classes in the Loft Studio.

It’s not quite square so it’s been cropped to create a fine art greetings card. Can you spot which bit Anne cropped?

24 July 2017 In Art, Exhibition

EXHIBITION TIME: Michael Hill’s Watercolour Class Exhibition: Now until Saturday 5 August

Michael Hill’S Watercolour Class Exhibition is on now, until Saturday 5 August, in the Little Studio at the Loft Gallery, Salcombe.

I have three watercolour paintings on display, as well as those already hanging in the main exhibition.

Watercolour: Slapton Ley

Slapton Ley was one of two watercolour paintings completed when I was living temporarily in Torcross. As you can see, from the upstairs lounge window, we had the most beautiful view across the Ley to the sea, towards Blackpool Sands and beyond that, Dartmouth.

Watercolour: Ebb Tide at Batson Creek

Ebb Tide at Batson Creek shows a dilapidated boat house in a secluded part of Batson Creek. I admire this picturesque scene every time we take a stroll from Salcombe down to Batson. It is quite beautiful, whatever the state of the tide.

Watercolour: Salcombe Dawn III

Salcombe Dawn III, as the name suggests, is the third painting of the view across to Salcombe from Snapes. The other two were both oil paintings and one has sold already.

This image 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.

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.

AFFORDABLE ART

All three images are available as a fine art greetings card, although the Salcombe Dawn card uses one of the oil versions of this composition.

My cards are stocked at Bonningtons (the newsagents) and Salcombe Information Centre (both a short walk from the Loft Studio). Further afield, my cards are stocked by Malborough Post Office, The Gallery Project at Avon Mill and at Noss Mayo, and in Bloomers, the florist in Kingsbridge.

Just think: for less than 1% of the sales price of an original painting, you can invest in a fine art greetings card. Send it to a friend or frame it for yourself.

17 July 2017 In Art, Exhibition

Exhibition time: Week 2 of Ian Carr’s Oil Class exhibition: now until Saturday 22 July

Ian Carr’s Oil Class Exhibition continues until Saturday 22 July, in the Little Studio at the Loft Gallery, Salcombe.

Which paintings do I have in the Ian Carr Class Exhibition?

I have three paintings on display, as well as those already hanging in the main exhibition.

The featured image above is Hope Cove.

Then there’s Scoble Point Moorings.

And, last but not least, one of my favourites, Splosh of Frogmore.

Where is the Loft Gallery?

AFFORDABLE ART

All three images are available as a fine art greetings card.

Just think: for less than 1% of the sales price of an original painting, you can invest in a fine art greetings card. Send it to a friend or frame it for yourself.

10 July 2017 In Art, Exhibition

Exhibition time: Ian Carr’s Oil Class exhibition: now until Saturday 22 July

Ian Carr’s Oil Class Exhibition is on now, until Saturday 22 July, in the Little Studio at the Loft Gallery, Salcombe.

Ian Carr Oil Class Exhibition

I have three paintings on display, as well as those already hanging in the main exhibition.

On the right hand panel, at the top, are Hope Cove and Scoble Point Moorings. Bottom right is Splosh of Frogmore – and this is the featured image above too.

Where is the Loft Gallery?

When will I be there to greet you?

I will be stewarding at the Loft Gallery from 11am until 5pm on Wedneday 12 July. I hope you see you there!

15 May 2017 In Art, Exhibition

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!

3 April 2017 In Art

Jane Mahood: Fish out of water

Jane Mahood is one of 87 artists exhibiting their work in the ‘From Natural to Abstraction’ exhibition. It’s Jane’s fifth time at the Harbour House Open Art Exhibition and her mosaic pieces sell well.

At the current exhibition, Jane’s occasional table ‘Fish out of water’ caught our eye and, although it’s still on show in the exhibition, it’s sold – to us.

As a result of the refurbishment of Beacon House Gallery, we now have a large porch area and this table may well prove useful by the new front door.

Jane tells us: I like to produce pieces that are hopefully pleasing to the eye but are also functional in some way. Whilst I do make some mosaic ‘pictures’, I tend to focus on occasional tables, mirrors, fruit bowls, clocks and lazy susans. My strapline is “Love it, and use it!”

That’s the plan, Jane!

Where is the ‘From Natural to Abstraction’ exhibition?

The ‘From Natural to Abstraction’ exhibition is being held at Harbour House in Kingsbridge, Devon. It runs until 17 April. It’s open to the public, free of charge, from 10am until 5pm every day, Monday to Saturday. Closed on Sundays.

More about Jane Mahood

Jane is a member of SHAF (South Hams Art Forum) and she is featured on the SHAF website.

Largely self-taught, Jane has been producing pieces of mosaic work for three years now.

She sources much of her material from old recycled tiles and broken ceramics, some of which come from the mud of the Kingsbridge Estuary. This stock is supplemented with glass tesserae, mass-produced for mosaic work.

Because her designs are driven by the material that she has to hand, and she finds it impossible to guess what people are going to like, Jane has not undertaken any commissions.

However, Jane has ‘revitalised’ some much-loved pieces of China that have been accidentally broken, reconstructing them into a new and usable form.

Jane also produces a lot of birthday and Christmas presents for friends and family, and – she says – her house looks like a mosaics shop!

If you are involved in an exhibition, let me know.

I’ll try to come along.

I might buy a piece of your art.

You might find yourself featured in a future blog post.