Malborough Post Office Archives

5 February 2018 In Art

Affordable art: In aid of Salcombe Town Regatta

I always support local charities and community activities and also like my art to be available at affordable prices.
Now, I can now kill two birds with one stone: providing affordable art in the form of my fine art greetings cards and financial support to Salcombe Town Regatta at the same time.

Salcombe Town Regatta

The hard working Salcombe Town Regatta team provide great fun and excitement each year for the local population, and encourage visitors to Salcombe to book their holiday in Regatta week.In 2018, that’s 11-18 August.

The Salcombe Town Regatta also makes donations to local charities from the profits made in what may seen like one frantic week of activity but, as we all know, is the result of many months of planning and preparation.

So, I am delighted to be a supporter of this excellent event. These individual cards, of my usual 350gsm quality, with a 100gsm envelope, are presented in a cellophane wrap and will soon be available at the usual stockists and also – NEW! – at the Cater Cove Hairdressers.

How does your purchase support Salcombe Town Regatta?

Wherever you see this card – your purchase will result in a donation to this very worthwhile cause. Please buy one. Or two!

The original oil painting (the featured image above) has sold, but another, larger, oil painting, Salcombe Dawn II with slightly different pink/purple tones is available for £475.

Where can you buy these charity cards?

My main fine art greetings card stockist is Malborough Post Office where all 59 designs can be found.

But my cards are also on sale at the Salcombe Information Centre, Bonningtons the newsagents in Salcombe, The Gallery @ Avon Mill, The Gallery Project at Noss Mayo, Bloomers the florists in Kingsbridge – and direct from me.

Will there be more designs sold as charity cards?

Yes!

Salcombe Town Regatta The Hope Cove Charity card is already on sale at the Cottage Hotel, Hope Cove and other outlets.

I am currently in discussion with other local charities and will post news as soon as designs are decided and texts agreed and I have an image of the new card to show you.

If you are working for a local charity and you think you might like to adopt one of my designs to raise funds for your charity, please contact me to discuss this further.

11 December 2017 In Art

Christmas Camellias

Two weeks until Christmas and the camellias are in bloom already!

This photo was taken a few days ago, a few yards from the spot where you can see the magnificent view of the bell tower and out to sea, from the pathway above Salcombe Yacht Club.

Salcombe Yacht Club Christmas Camellias

Salcombe Yacht Club Christmas Camellias is my only ‘Christmas card’ – and it’s the carefully positioned robin which gives it the festive touch.

It’s another of what I call ‘man cards’. Blank inside. Choose your own words!

Where can you purchase the original Salcombe Yacht Club Christmas Camellias?

The original acrylic painting is for sale at £500 and on display at Beacon House Gallery.

Where can you purchase the affordable-art card version of Salcombe Yacht Club Christmas Camellias?

All of my 59 designs of cards are available at Malborough Post Office.

Selections are also available at other stockists: Bonningtons (newsagents in Salcombe), Salcombe Tourist Information Centre, Salcombe Yacht Club, Bloomers (the florist in Kingsbridge), The Gallery @ Avon Mill, and the Project Gallery (Noss Mayo).

You can also buy direct from Beacon House Gallery, and in quantity – at a reduced rate – if you’d like to use my Christmas card as your Christmas card.

Call me on 01548 844020 to discuss your requirements.

13 November 2017 In Art

Affordable art: In aid of Hope Cove Lifeboat

I always support local charities and also like my art to be available at affordable prices.

Now, I can now kill two birds with one stone: providing affordable art in the form of my fine art greetings cards and financial support to the Hope Cove Lifeboat at the same time.

You’ve already seen this image on charity cards?

Yes. You are correct!

A limited number of cards bearing my image of Hope Cove (as featured above) were printed and sold – in sets of 5 – to raise monies for the Hope Cove Lifeboat, particularly at the Hope Cove Lifeboat Fund-Raising Day, back in August of this year.

These cards are new?

Yes. We have now had this design printed …

These individual cards, of my usual 350gsm quality, with a 100gsm envelope, are presented in a cellophane wrap and will soon be available at the usual stockists and also – NEW! – at the Cottage Hotel.

How does your purchase support Hope Cove Lifeboat?

Wherever you see this card – your purchase will result in a donation to this very worthwhile charity. Please buy one. Or two!

And, if anyone would like to buy the original oil painting, costing £450, the Hope Cove Lifeboat will receive an extra donation from me of £50!

Where can you buy these charity cards?

My main fine art greetings card stockist is Malborough Post Office where all 59 designs can be found.

Will there be more designs sold as charity cards?

Yes!

I am currently in discussion with three other local charities and will post news as soon as designs are decided and texts agreed and I have an image of the new card to show you.

If you are working for a local charity and you think you might like to adopt one of my designs to raise funds for your charity, please contact me to discuss this further.

30 October 2017 In Art

SOLD! Salcombe Dawn III

Salcombe Dawn III

Salcombe Dawn III was purchased as a gift for a special birthday.

It’s a delight that this painting was chosen during the SHAF Arts Trail – a two-week exhibition at Beacon House from 13 October until yesterday, 29 October.

What is the SHAF Arts Trail?

The SHAF Arts Trail is an annual event in which SHAF members open their studios, or inhabit galleries and other exhibition spaces, and welcome visitors to see their art. At each venue, you will find artists happy to discuss their art-form, explain the processes involved and provide the opportunity to view, appreciate and buy unique pieces of work.

Following the Arts Trail also gives visitors an unusual opportunity to explore the glorious South Hams as they map their route and discover more and more artists’ venues (as well as cream tea venues).

This is the third year I’ve taken part in the SHAF Arts Trail. Having two weeks instead of one – and coinciding with half term week when we have more visitors to Salcombe – has provided us with more than double the number of visitors in previous years.

I’ve also enjoyed greater success in that four paintings have been sold – and many, many of my fine art greetings cards too.

The Salcombe Dawn studies

Salcombe Dawn III is a watercolour, and one of three studies of the view across to Salcombe from Snapes.

Salcombe Dawn II

The other two were both oil paintings and one of those has also sold already. The remaining painting is Salcombe Dawn II – which is available as both an original and a fine art greetings card.

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.

Affordable Art

Out of 135 completed paintings to date, 80+ have been sold, but 59 are available as fine art greetings cards.

In Salcombe, my card designs 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 – they offer the entire range – The Gallery at Avon Mill, The Gallery Project 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.

13 March 2017 In Art

Salcombe Art Club Exhibition preview: Blackstone

Blackstone – the featured painting above – is another of five I plan to submit for consideration of the Hanging Committee of Salcombe Art Club, hoping they will be accepted for the 2017 Salcombe Art Club Exhibition which opens on Thursday 13 April.

On this blog, I’ll post a preview of each of the five paintings, over the next few weeks. If you decide you want to purchase one of them, be quick. The prices go up in April!

What inspired me to paint Blackstone?

Imagine: Dad has rigged the Mirror (or whatever small craft he has towed down to Salcombe). You can see it, set against the backdrop of cliffs, in wind and tide, navigating safely past a beastly reef we call Blackstone.

What were the challenges?

The challenge here, for me as an artist, rather than me as a sailor, was to capture the sheer scale of the sea on the horizon, and the cliffs, with the brave dinghy in the foreground. I wanted to create the atmosphere of adventure since the daunting rocks spell danger for any small craft exploring the estuary. But also, I wanted to spell out the delight as the sails fill.

Capturing all this in one painting is a challenge in itself.

Add to this the fact that acrylic tones tend to darken as they dry. However, this proved fortuitous for me – it served to emphasize the solid damp cliffs.

I enjoyed the challenge of the composition so much, I produced a second Blackstone painting: Racing Past Blackstone. This one is a watercolour.

Affordable Art

Both Blackstone images are available as a fine art greetings card. The range is now 59 strong, and on sale at Malborough Post Office.

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. Whistlefish sell frames that fit … about £10 each.

Hope Cove Fishing Gear Contemporary Passions

6 March 2017 In Art

Salcombe Art Club Exhibition preview: Hope Cove Fishing Gear

Hope Cove Fishing Gear – the featured painting above – is one of five I plan to submit for consideration of the Hanging Committee of Salcombe Art Club, hoping they will be accepted for the 2017 Salcombe Art Club Exhibition which opens on Thursday 13 April.

On this blog, I’ll post a preview of each of the five paintings, over the next few weeks. If you decide you want to purchase one of them, be quick. The prices go up in April!

What inspired me to paint Hope Cove Fishing Gear?

I support the Hope Cove Lifeboat. Year after year, Anne and I have a stall, selling my fine art greetings cards, at the Fund Raising Day in August at the Cottage Hotel. It’s a great event, attracting locals and visitors and much money is raised for this worthy cause.

We have a regular position at the far end of the Cottage Hotel’s dining room and, beside us, Sue Morgan (photo) demonstrates how to weave the traditional crab pots.

Year after year, the question would come up: Do you have any cards of Hope Cove?

I painted Hope Cove Fishing Gear, inspired by Sue’s skills, and to try to meet the demand of the folk who buy my cards.

To be honest, it wasn’t a huge hit with the locals!

And then?

And then, a year later, I tackled the second study of Hope Cove, of the beach – with both modern and traditional crab pots being featured in the foreground – again inspried by Sue Morgan.

This one was more successful! The image was so popoular, it was used for the poster for the 2016 Fund Raising Day, and also for the Treasure Hunt.

Affordabale art

Both images are available as a fine art greetings card. The range is now 59 strong, and on sale at Malborough Post Office.

25 December 2016 In Art

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

What’s my news?

WIP

Anne and I are on vacation in Australia, visiting family and enjoying some c.

Meanwhile, work continues on our home – and my gallery – in Salcombe.

What’s happening at Beacon House?

A platform lift is being installed to make the house wheelchair friendly, and this involves the complete reconstruction of the front half of the property.

This photograph shows the work-in-progress of the uppermost floor. As you can see, there is currently nowhere to hang my paintings!

I’ll keep you posted on developments, and we will have a celebration when the new gallery is ready for visitors.

Watch this space!

Where can you see my original paintings?

All the galleries, including my own, are enjoying a well-earned break so I have no paintings available for sale for a while yet.

The first exhibition on my list for 2017 is the Salcombe Art Club Main Exhibition which opens on Thursday 13 April.

You can still buy my affordable art though: my fine art greetings cards.

Where can you buy my fine art greetings cards?

For the full range of 59 cards, visit Malborough Post Office.

Other stockists carry a selection:

Bonningtons, the newsagent in Salcombe
Salcombe Information Centre
Bloomers, the florist in Kingsbridge
Project Gallery at Avon Mill, and at Noss Mayo

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.

24 October 2016 In Art

Fine Art Greetings Cards – New Designs!

Malborough Post Office – featured above – stocks the complete range of my fine art greetings cards and, from today, also has on display the seven new designs, just launched.

Gullet Plantation

Low Tide at Fishermans Cove

Burgh Island from Hope Cove

Newton Ferrers from Noss Mayo

The Quay at Newton Ferrers

High Tide at Kingsbridge

Salcombe Yacht Club’s Christmas Camellias

Are the originals for sale?

Yes! For more information on each original painting, all of which are available for sale, click on these links:

Affordable art

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

Fine ART Greeting cards: Stockists

Malborough Post Office stocks all 59 designs, and selections of my cards are 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.

22 August 2016 In Art

Reflections at Batson: on display in the Michael Hill Class Exhibition at the Loft Gallery

Reflections at Batson is one of four of my paintings currently on display in the Michael Hill Class Exhibition in the Little Studio at the Loft Gallery, Salcombe.

This exhibition is a collection of artwork by the students of Michael Hill’s watercolour/acrylic classes, demonstrating not only our talents but also his expertise as a teacher.

Painting in Acrylics or Watercolour with Michael Hill

I have today signed up for Michael’s next term of classes: 8 all-day sessions Tuesdays from Sept 27 – Nov 22 except October 25 (half term), costing in total £105. That’s only £13.125 a day, and less than £3 an hour for the most wonderful tuition. What a bargain!

According to Salcombe Art Club’s publicity for this course: Michael is an experienced and highly accomplished painter in both acrylic and watercolour. He will demonstrate both mediums in all his classes, taking in drawing, painting techniques and composition. A friendly and informal class welcoming beginners and more experienced painters.

I couldn’t agree more!

Reflections at Batson

Back to my paintings on show in Michael’s Class Exhibition … This is an extract from a longer posting all about Batson.

At the top of Batson Creek, a collection of thatched cottages delight the eye. They sit around a triangle of grass complete with its old-fashioned telephone box. (At least, the phone box was there, the last time I visited!) The reflections of these cottages in the water only serve to enhance the tranquility of the scene, and this inspired me to paint Reflections at Batson.

Enjoy!

AFFORDABLE ART

Reflections at Batson is also available as a fine art greetings card.

A selection of my cards is on sale within walking distance of the Loft Gallery: at Bonningtons the newsagents, and at the Salcombe Information Centre. The full range is available at Malborough Post Office.