Latest News and Progress

24 April 2017

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!

17 April 2017

2017 Exhibition schedule update

The Salcombe Art Club Exhibition opened last Thursday so it’s time for an update of my exhibition schedule for 2017.

The Salcombe Art Club Exhibition remains open until 30 September, 7 days a week from 11am until 5pm. Admission is free.

I now also have my stewarding dates for Salcombe Art Club and the Contemporary Arts Exhibition at Harbour House. So, if you’d like to ‘meet the artist’, pop in at these times:

Salcombe Art Club: 11am-5pm on Wednesdays – 28 June, 12 July, 9 August
Harbour House, Kingsbridge: 10am-5pm on Saturday June 10, 10am-1.30pm on Saturday 17 June

Contemporary Passions Exhibition
Tuesday 6 June – Sunday 18 June 2017

This exhibition is organised by SHAF (South Hams Arts Forum) of which I am a member, and is at Harbour House, Kingsbridge – a wonderful gallery space.

Doors will be open from 10am – 5pm and admission is free.

There is a ‘Meet the Artists’ event on Tuesday 6 June, 6-8pm. Do come along!

One-man exhibition in the Redfern Health Centre
Thursday 29 June – Thursday 27 July 2017

Full members of Salcombe Art Club display their work for one month – so that those visiting the Redfern have something to admire while waiting to see the doctor.

The Redfern benefits from all sales; a percentage of the purchase price is donated to their funds.

Oils and Acrylics in the Little Studio in the Loft Gallery
9 – 23 July

Students of Ian Carr’s class, including myself, will be exhibiting examples of work done in class.

Watercolours in the Loft Studio Little Studio in the Loft Gallery
23 July – 5 August

Students of Michael Hill’s class, including myself, will be exhibiting examples of work done in class.

One-man exhibition in the Little Studio in the Loft Gallery
Sunday 13 August – Saturday 26 August 2017

Salcombe Art Club invite members, including associate members, to take one or two weeks in the Little Studio, to display as many of their paintings as they can hang in the space.

More recent paintings that didn’t sell last year can be hung so they usually get another airing.

I’ll be stewarding all day both Sundays, so that’s a good time to pop in and chat, if you want to ‘meet the artist’.

SHAF Arts Trail
Saturday 14 October – Sunday 29 October

The South Hams Art Forum (SHAF) offers a two-week Arts Trail, including the school half-term holiday.

Viewings at Beacon House Gallery are usually by appointment but, for the period of the SHAF Arts Trail, we will welcome visitors 11am-3pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 10am-5pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (Closed on a Tuesday)

Beacon House Gallery
Private viewings 2017

I usually hold a private preview evening ahead of the start of the season, but the gallery is being refurbished and works are still ongoing.

Instead, there will be an event to celebrate the re-opening of Beacon House Gallery – whenever that happens!

If you would like to be advised about the date of this event and to receive an invitation, please contact me.

10 April 2017

Salcombe Art Club Exhibition preview: Shifting Sands at Burgh Island I and II

Two of my paintings of Burgh Island depicts the shifting sands between the mainland and the island.

I’ve included both 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, over the past few weeks, I’ve also posted a preview of the other three paintings that I have submitted: Provident, Hope Cove Fishing Gear, and Blackstone.

What’s special about these two paintings of Burgh Island?

Shifting Sands at Burgh Island I, the featured image above, is an acrylic painting. In the sky, I included a vapour trail to remind me of a flight from Gatwick to Malta a while back. For some reason, the pilot chose to go west before turning south. Seeing this spectacular coastline from the air was a magical experience.

Shifting Sands at Burgh Island II draws particular attention to the dramatic cliffs. Also clear in this image is that the Island is set apart from the mainland by a strip of sand, only visible at low tide. When the sea is in full tide, the sea tractor ferries the visitors to and fro and there is a continuous clamour of sound from waves and gulls.

What’s special about Burgh Island?

Burgh Island, with its Art Deco hotel perched like a crown on its island site, has always captured the visitors’ imagination – not just Agatha Christie’s but many many artists too.

The setting is like a jewel, but with constantly changing tides and weather and light.

Acrylic paint was my choice because the summer light is strong and the tones of blues and greens etc compete. The fast drying time of this medium means there can be no delay in capturing the moment.

AFFORDABLE ART

Both images are available as a fine art greetings card.

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