RBSA Demonstration

A couple of Saturdays ago it was my turn to do a painting demonstration at the RBSA.  I decided to take my acrylics - Brian Fletcher had asked me to paint the subject of boats so I chose an image which was quite a grainy photo of 3 boats against a lovely blue sky, discovered recently and a distant memory of a wonderful holiday in Northumberland.  Demonstrations are always a bit unpredictable - I'm never sure whether anyone will come or how they will react if they do come, and then there is always the uncertainty of how the picture will develop!

Well, one of my models, Mel and her friends from Nuneaton arrived which was lovely and, along with several other people, the day turned out to be really enjoyable.  It's a nice opportunity to share some ideas and in a way it's strangely helpful to discuss what I am doing, or think I should be doing! as a painting develops.

Thanks to Mel we have some photos of the progress.  I should also say thank you to Dveirel, a steward on duty at the RBSA that day, who was very enthusiastic and supportive.

I worked on a canvas board which I had prepared with a roughly painted wash of acrylic and I used a large brush to draw in the shapes.  The majority of the picture was developed with brush and then someone asked about palette knives - a perfect prompt to sort out some of the angles that were getting a bit woolly.  I suppose I spent an hour and a half working on the painting and then I began another subject during the afternoon - an absence of photographers around then, so no record of that one. 
Curiously I have begun to work on the boats again today, very tempted to use some oil but I find the dribbly washes I can achieve with acrylic less easy with oil. 
Maybe there will be a follow up on its progress in time.

Back to Snowdon

We had a lovely trip to Snowdon last weekend to deliver the Snowdon Horseshoe prints.  It's hard to believe how a cottage at the foot of Snowdon, 'Pen-Ceunant Isaf', can be such a hive of activity on a damp and misty March day.  The tea rooms and gallery are open every day of the year. Steffan the owner couldn't be more welcoming and his tea and barabrith help too! along with the black lab and the roaring log fire. 

Shortly after he had taken the prints from us, a lady arrived with a beautiful picture made from stained glass - she used to live in the village so knew them well. A lot of Welsh was spoken. It turned out that her picture was to be the prize for the winner of the Snowdon race in July. Anyone who is able to run up Snowdon deserves to win her picture, it really was lovely.  She sat with us and we chatted over a drink - about all sorts of things including village life and how she missed being in Llanberis.  She was married in the church and laughed when she remembered how everyone came to the wedding, the whole village, and how it was important to save seats for the guests!  That's how it always was she told us.  Her name was Nora.  We hugged each other as we said goodbye.

I'm not sure that my prints are going to rush out the door but somehow I feel it's quite a privilege to share a little bit of the gallery.  Steffan doesn't want any commission so instead we will make a donation to the Llanberis Mountain Rescue.
www.snowdoncafe.com

The Corner Shop, Hampton-in-Arden

A little while ago I visited The Corner Shop in Hampton-in Arden with a collection of my Limited Edition Prints.  It's a bit of a long story but someone in the village suggested that I might be able to have a display in The Corner Shop window.  The new owner, Julie was very enthusiastic about the idea so her amazingly attractive pasta which had been adorning the pretty bow window was replace by some of my prints. 

The shop is an absolute delight, its traditional charm and personal service offered by Julie is everything a village corner shop should be - and then there is the extensive of range of quality products which you certainly would not find in your local supermarket.  In addition, pieces of beautifully restored furniture are on sale, we couldn't resist a little chair . . . . . it's well worth a visit.