Our exhibition for Sustaining the Person Within draws near . . .

A meeting last week at Solihull Arts Complex made the thought of our exhibition seem very real.  Images and words have been requested for advertising, exhibits decided upon, workshops which we plan to hold for future leaders are being discussed and ideas are buzzing!

Kathryn has a number of exciting projects on the way, involving a few residents at Jobs Close.
Sculpture figures are still developing in my studio - they are up to 8 now.  We ventured to look in our kiln today, not having used it for quite a while.  I think my figures' legs will have to dangle over the edge of a half shelf - and I do wonder if they will hang on. Needless to say it's always a bit worrying when you fire a kiln!

Paintings can't be forgotten . . .

Even though sales were good at the Art Barn last October, I still can't overlook the pictures that we had to bring home and which make life a bit congested in my studio!

Artifex Gallery in Sutton Coldfield asked if I would be interested in offering them some work following an exhibition there with the Art Circle in 2012.  So I went along in January and took a few for them to look at, which led on to them having five paintings.  Hopefully the next stage is for people to buy them! 

Approaching galleries is a tricky business.  I visited the Affordable Art Fair in London last year and really enjoyed myself!  It's a wonderful opportunity to see lots of different galleries under one roof. I contacted a few afterwards having chatted with the owners, but sadly only one responded.  That leaves me wondering whether to try again?  It probably won't get me anywhere but I think I will . . .

 

And this week I have entered the David Shepherd Wildlife Exhibition!  When artist friend Nat Singleton told me about it, I have to admit I didn't think I had any paintings remotely connected with wildlife - and then I thought of my seagulls!  Birds are allowed!  Well, we will wait to see. 

A New Year . . . .
Sorry to be so slow in wishing you lots of joy in 2013.  I think my New Year resolution must be to write more blogs!

2013 has begun in a different mode. Some of the ideas that I plan to develop this year are sculptural!  I recently purchased some paper clay from Scarva Pottery Supplies in Ireland following a chat with sculptor Mark Tilley. My reason for this is to create figures that represent the elderly in care, who so often have little to do. They are not of anyone in particular but hopefully their attitudes indicate an emptiness in life.  'Sustaining the Person Within', our Arts Council funded project, is holding its Exhibition this year. Kathryn Pettitt and I, along with the people who have assisted us during the project, like our photographer Richard Pearce, will be reflecting on the work we have been doing with elderly people in residential care homes and day centres. The exhibition will start at Solihull Arts Complex on 20th May.

Well, my first experience of paper clay was not as creative as I had hoped - I quickly realised that I have little patience for the armature stage and just want to get on with the figure.  So I adopted a few short cuts, stuffing parts with newspaper and propping other bits with the occasional metal rod as I went along.  Sorry Mark, after your brilliant demo, I'm sure I will regret it in time!

So far I have three figures on the go, and this is one of them . . . . .

I will keep you posted on their progress!




 

'Canvas & Clay' at the Art Barn, Preston Bagot

Our exhibition is now up and on show until Sunday 28th October.  We had a great Preview last Friday. The barn offers a delightfully creative space to display work in, it is not difficult to make an exhibition look inviting.  Ceramics and paintings compliment each other extraordinarily well. There were lots of visitors who enjoyed lingering over the exhibits whilst guitarist Cameron Dunbar played and sang, contributing even more of an atmosphere. 

If you haven't managed to get along, we are open from 10 until 6 every day.  Look forward to seeing you.

Preparing for the Art Barn, Preston Bagot . . . . .

My ambition this summer has been to paint.  So once my classes finished at the beginning of July I started to focus on the Art Barn exhibition in October.  These things always seem a long way off!  I must say it's exciting to have the opportunity to build up a new collection of work and let ideas 'grow'. 

Needless to say there have been moments of creativity and many moments of family life and events, but I actually think that times when I can't paint fire me up for when I can!  Interruptions can be good because, metaphorically or otherwise, they force you to stand back and see what is really going on. 

At the same time, Martin is feeling the pressure in the framing department!  He now has a paint sprayer which is much less time consuming than painting by hand.  And the framing comes from Rose and Hollis in London - they have supplied us for the last couple of years and are very efficient. 

Ceramicist Hilary LaForce who exhibited with me in a group show last year and Rupert B Parkinson will also be exhibiting their work.  The exhibition runs from October 20th to October 28th.

Artifex Gallery, Sutton Coldfield

The Birmingham Art Circle has an exhibition of their work at the Artifex Gallery in Sutton Coldfield throughout June.  If you haven't been over that way before their address is Mitchell Centre, Weeford Road, Sutton Coldfield, B75 6NA.  It's open seven days a week from 10am - 5pm and their website address is www.artifex.co.uk

'Sustaining the person within', our Arts Council funded project is reaching a bit of a milestone!

Kathryn Pettitt has almost completed her sessions in 3 residential care homes working with some of the residents on exciting creative projects.  The final home has been Jobs Close in Knowle where she is currently organising a morning to exhibit their artwork and enjoy a get together with a cup of coffee on the 25th June.

My 3 residential homes have concluded with Lady Katherine Leveson in Temple Balsall.  Our 6 sessions have flown by, concluding with an exhibition of all their artwork on Wednesday 30th May. With much assitance from Damien, the maintenance man and Mary, one of the residents, it came together really well! Lots of people came along to see the exhibition which created a lovely atmosphere and the work was much admired. 
We have since been asked to display the exhibition during the Temple Balsall Heritage Weekend in September - how exciting! 

Kathryn and I have really valued the amazing support that we have had from Bridget, Nat and Ruth during the last 6 weeks . . . and Richard, our official photographer!