Nick Cotter Archives - Salcombe Art

3 May 2021 In Art

South Hams Art Forum: news!

Like many others, Anne and I have found the past year somewhat challenging.

No art classes to attend. No exhibitions. No galleries to visit.

Not to mention the effect of ‘staying at home’ and worries as to how many more lockdowns might be needed.

But, it seems we are now returning to normal, and I’m returning to blogging at long last.

We must look on the bright side?

I’m delighted delighted that Anne and I have both had our two jabs. (We are still wearing our masks though.)
I’m delighted too that members of the South Hams Art Forum (SHAF) have spent the fallow months working on their amazing website.

Let’s celebrate!

SHAF website news

For a number of years, I’ve been a proud member of SHAF. Their website has recently been transformed and you can see works of mine and the many other talented artists there.

SHAF events at Harbour House

I’ve enjoyed taking part in the SHAF exhibitions at Harbour House in Kingsbridge in the past, and there are two events scheduled for Harbour House.

Both will provide opportunities for you to see the fantastic creations of a cross-section of SHAF artists.

SHAF Arts Trail: 16-31 October 2021

I’ve also enjoyed hosting the Arts Trail from my home, Beacon House, in Salcombe.

This year, things will be a bit different. Anne and I have decided we cannot host the Arts Trail (put that down to advanced years and recent health issues!) but we will be supporting SHAF artists all the same.

Watch this space!

However, we will continue to welcome visitors all year round. Contact me if you would like to arrange a time to view, by private appointment, at Beacon House Gallery, within my home in Salcombe. .

SHAF on social media

A new SHAF artist is featured each week on Instagram and Facebook.

Last week, it was Nick Cotter’s turn.

You can also follow SHAF on their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SouthHamsArtsForum and on Instagram @southhamsartsforum.

Join SHAF!

I can thoroughly recommend that all local artists join South Hams Art Forum (SHAF). Full details here.

13 May 2019 In Art

Contemporary Passions at Harbour House

This year’s Contemporary Passions exhibition, at Harbour House, Kingsbridge, will be open to the public 16-28 July.

New works by members of SHAF

As a member of SHAF (South Hams Art Forum), I’m exhibiting along with eight other artists.

Teresa Barlow
Nick Cotter
Jane Davarian
Crystel Dauth
Brett Hornby
Cherry Lyons
Jane Mahood
Elaine Sibley

The theme for 2019

The theme for the contemporary Passions exhibition, this year, is ELEMENTS. This can be interpreted in many ways.

A small but significant amount of feeling or quality
An essential or characteristic part of something abstract
Each of more than 100 substances that cannot be chemically converted or broken down
The fundamental constituents of the world in ancient philosophy: earth, air, water and fire
Strong winds, heavy rain or other kinds of bad weather
A person’s or animal’s natural or preferred environment – in their element

Water is colourless and yet …

Glass of water — ID 64787443
© Tauha2001 | Dreamstime.com

My take on this theme is, unsurprisingly, water. In particular, I’m focusing on the fact that water is colourless, and yet …

Of the 140+ paintings I have produced in the past decade or so, the water has never been colourless.

You might think it would be blue, but I’ve witnessed every colour (almost!) under the sun, and then tried to capture that in my images.

So, the paintings I have selected for this exhibition will aim to show the variety of colours that colourless water takes on.

Meet the Artists: 6-8pm Tuesday 16 July

There will be an opportunity to meet all the artists – and to see the Contemporary Passions exhibition, and to discuss with them their individual interpretations of the theme ELEMENT – on Tuesday 16 July: 6-8pm.

I hope to see you there.

Salcombe-Art blog: Featuring the artists

I will be featuring some of my fellow artists in the coming weeks. Each exhibitor will explain the process they use in creating their art, and you’ll get to see examples of the work that will be on show in the Contemporary Passions exhibition ahead of time.

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!

19 May 2017 In Art, Exhibition

CONTEMPORARY PASSIONS EXHIBITION PREVIEW: Splosh of Frogmore

Splosh of Frogmore is one of several paintings I’ll be showing at the the annual Contemporary Passions exhibition.

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.

Frogmore is some miles away from Salcombe, beyond Kingsbridge by road. By boat, with the right tide, it is a magical short voyage from Salcombe through beautiful countryside. So, it fits the theme!

Splosh of Frogmore

splosh Splosh is real, tied up near a little bridge. The faded coloured roundels show Splosh has had many years of service in Salcombe Harbour.

The day I was passing by, the egret was fishing in the stream, competing with dancing reflections of Splosh.

You’ll notice that I used my artistic licence to move the egret.

For more information about this painting, read my Sketchbook notes.

What is the Contemporary Passions exhibition?

This is an annual 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: Teresa Barlow, Nick Cotter, Gilly Cotter, Sue Farrow-Jones, Jane Mahood, Michele Meyer, Elaine Sibley, Sally Tapsell-Hunt, Val Uglow, and myself.

During the next few weeks, I’ll showcase the many paintings I intend to display, and introduce the other artists too.

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!