This week we went to Flixton Air Museum.  The weather was somewhat threatening, but stayed dry all morning.  I didn't stay during the afternoon, and we did have rather a heavy downpour in Norfolk, so I hope they stayed dry.  About ten of us came and went at various times.  Much thanks must go to Jackie for her delicious cake, and for serving teas and coffees in the morning.  Avril brought her new puppy, and therefore left early.  Diana came and went, and had a disaster with her iPad, which I hope she is able to sort out soon.
Flixton has a wonderful mixture of subjects for sketching and painting, from aircraft and museum displays to rescued parts of dead machinery, fished from the sea and gathered up from runways.  These last resemble an elephants graveyard or a group of beached whales, with their fins in the air.
Below are some scene-setters, and photos of those who came during the day.  The last photo is of three of the four who stayed to the end and went for tea at Pura Vida garden centre (photographed by Sally P).

First a bumper crop from Carolyn, who used some of the photos from Walberswick as her inspiration for the first two, and then  a photo of a sand dune.  finally a hydrangea from her garden.

Avril was quite prolific in her output, given that she had to cut her visit short. Some of these sketches show models on the inside of the museum, as well as full size subjects.

Lesley was one of those who found some of her inspiration in the machinery graveyard, and has included photos to show her subjects.

Here are Harriet's drawings from the machinery heaps.

These drawings are from Les Bragg.

As I said, Diana didn't stay, but she sent some of sketches from previous times: 
Thrandeston Green, Tour de France starts this week, and Bodmin moor

And here are Sally P's sketches, two rather longer, and two quick ones.

Last minute addition from Frances, who visited Flixton yesterday, but has also sent a sketch from Castle Acre done on Sunday, and a linocut she is working on from Angela's last week.

Angela, with being the host this week both to us as well as to two young/very young relatives, didn't have much chance to paint today, but some work she produced last week at Walberswick didn't reach Hannah in time to be included in that blog.  She says she sketched in the morning and then put some thought into how to develop some ideas she has.  So here is her last week's work and location photos.

​That's all I have received so far. Oops, no.  A few late ones from Harriet just as I was about to close up for the day.  Here they are:

Next week's session will be at Flixton Air Museum.   The café will not be open for service but we will be allowed to use the facilities to make our own teas/coffees.

It is Hannah's turn to do the blog next week, so please remember to send your contributions to her in good time.  Meanwhile, happy painting!

Before anything else, a salute to Noreen's 90th birthday yesterday.  The blog would not be the same without her wit and wisdom.  I gather she had a lovely, busy day, and I am sure we all wish her many more.

It seems a good number went to Walberswick today and here is some of the evidence -

Carolyn did some drawing from life in her garden, the foxglove with Inktense and the Salvia with coloured crayons, and has also asked whether there would be photos from today's visit for her to use from home.  I know I failed to pass this request on early enough, and we do have two, but perhaps someone has some large photos from today or from a previous visit that they could either send direct to Carolyn, or to Noreen to be added to next week's blog. 

Frances wasn't able to go today, but sent a sketch and then painting done of Dunwich, with added birdlife!

Several sketches here from Sally L, and thanks to her for the landscape photo above with the buildings.

Next Avril, who sent an iPad drawing/painting and an ink sketch.

Lesley is away sailing this week and has sent a quick watercolour sketch of the remaining town gate in Sandwich, Kent. It was built in 1346 and restored in the 16th century! It’s on the Town Quay, where their boat was moored (see second picture).

From Diana, who also didn't make it today, but worked at home from Cornish photos, 1.Watercolour pencil. “ St. Mizzle- on -the -Moor “, 2.Water soluble oil,  3.Haven’t a clue what I’m doing,  4.What a difference a few telegraph poles make...

I have spent quite a lot of this week in the studio, scraping old paint of palettes and covering over unsatisfactory paintings to re-use their canvases, not so much on painting and drawing, maybe next week will be more fruitful. The deadline for submission for the Diss exhibition has passed, but it has been extended to the weekend, so get your entries in!  I am happy to receive photos of your form, provided they are readable.
Don't forget Noreen will be blogging next week, so send your pictures to her, whether you make it to Angela's or not.  I understand there are thunderstorms forecast for the weekend, but hopefully they will be long gone by next Thursday.

Diana tells us her boys decided to put up with her for a week in Cornwall.  She has sent us photos of Bodmin Moor, an old engine house, Treyarnon Bay and last but not least her sketch sitting on Bodmin Moor looking towards rain clouds over Dartmoor.  I know Diana loves this part of the world so I hope she had a very good time.​

Well we were lucky with the weather, lots of sunshine but not too hot.
​Sorry I haven't any artwork to offer today.  It was just about all that June and I could do to get to Dorothy's, but we did enjoy seeing you all and your interesting contributions. Many thanks to Dorothy for her kind hospitality.
The outing next week is to Walberswick and all your submissions go to Hannah. Remember, we want to see what you are doing by way of artwork, at home or anywhere else.  So do keep in touch.
Noreen.

Thank you to everyone who came to Brundall today. We were 10 altogether.  Luckily the rain that threatened for most of the day, held off.  Although the light may have been a little dull, we all had a good day, I think.  There has to be an apology though, for the lack of a photo of us all at teatime, which I had planned, and then forgot.  My mother always used to say that it was a sign of  a good gathering or party if you forgot something, but I think that was just an excuse for disorganisation.  Noreen wouldn't have forgotten!
Most people went down to river Yare to draw and paint, so you will see different interpretations of the water, trees and light.

These are Harriet's sketches and oil painting on the river.

And these from Frances...

Carolyn sent an experimental sketch of her garden pond and a more conventional drawing of a slipper

I am not going to inflict my paltry effort on you, a very poor pastel drawing or two.  Don't forget to send me your submission forms for the exhibition in Diss in July.
Sally P wants you to know of an exhibition at Diss Corn Hall, which looks very interesting.
Abstraction Now brings together some of Britain's leading abstract painters. 
While abstract painting undoubtedly reached its height in the first half of the 20thcentury, this group exhibition celebrates its relevance and vitality today. The exhibition will showcase the various formal and conceptual experimentations employed by artists such as Victoria Morton, Tim Braden, Phoebe Unwin and Jim Threapleton. 
The exhibition will run in the Upper and Lower Galleries from 21 May to 25 June and will be open between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday.  See the Corn Hall website.
There is no meeting next week because of the Jubilee events.  Have a good celebration!  Contributions for the Blog should be kept for the following week, to be sent to Noreen for the 9th June.

​Sally added that 12 members turned up in Mellis and went at various times throughout the day, with ten staying for delicious afternoon tea, homemade lemon cake and biscuits.

Hannah has had to bow out from the blog today as her quite new computer has crashed. She will forward to me (Noreen) anything she can.

We can start with contributions from Frances, who is in Brittany and hopes we all have a lovely day. She says she will be back in time for open house at Easter Barn next Thursday. The items are (1) Pencil sketch of the arum lilies in our garden here   (2) Pencil again, a plan for a circular painting.  (3) Smallish circular acrylic.  (4) Photo of the lilies this morning.  See message at end of blog from Frances re next week.

Avril reports that the weather was good today and quite a lot of people came to the first plein air outing of the summer season. She says it has taken her a while to get into the swing this week but it was nice to do some work outside.

Just in from Diana via Hannah: "Minimising my summer kit, lovely little sketch book fits in small bag. Didn’t get to venue but instead went to Southwold, confess I didn’t do any drawing so here are some from this sketch book from previous years."
​

Bringing up the rear is Harriet, who was evidently also at New Buckenham.

We have a message from Frances regarding next week's session in Mellis. Parking at the Village Hall in Mellis is best and loos and refreshments available at mine… Easter Barn. I will put out a sign! 
The Village Hall is  opposite The Mill at Mellis and my house is nearby as I think you know but some may not!  In case of inclement weather, I am happy for people to sketch inside or from inside looking out.

Next week please send your work to me (Noreen) again. We'll see what happens with Hannah's computer before the session after that.

Today was the EAG coach visit to Cambridge, where ten participating members could visit the Fitzwilliam Museum, the Botanical Gardens or anywhere else that took their fancy. As Sally P points out, the True to Nature exhibition is very appropriate for us at the start of our Summer Programme. It shows the work of 18th and 19th century artists going outdoors to explore first hand the fleeting moments in nature - the effects of light, drama and atmosphere. It follows nicely on our own recent project on Movement. Sitting in the Botanical Gardens in the sunshine, having lunch, Sally was able to send us these images, which include a masterful oil painting she completed earlier this week.

"​1.  Using double-ended felt tips, this shows how little scribble you need. The top half was brushed with a little water, some allowed to pool.
"2.  5 minute scribbles from photos, some with waterproof black drawing.
"3.  My helper!"
​Thanks Diana. 

Next week our meeting is at New Buckenham Village Green for plein air drawing and painting. Parking is on the street and coffee and tea available at the Angel cafe tea room, King Street.  I hope many of you will be able to make it there. Contributions to the blog to be sent to Hannah please. Meanwhile, keep painting!

So, finally we have got to the last session of the winter season - and the Chairman's Project, which this year you may remember, was 'Movement'.  And here is Sally 'The founder of the feast', beginning her presentation.  All of those present had something to show and the variety inspired by the one word was impressive.

Here are a few views of members showing their work and explaining their process.

As usual, there were some clever and amusing ideas - Jackie had created a watercolour that, as you can see in the photo, had a kite and string which could actually fly.  Richard used 'Under Milkwood' and audience participation to illustrate his presentation.  Freda brought in a video of the fish mobile she had created, and Sally somewhat dumbfounded us by first sitting, standing and walking - all movement! Diana is demonstrating her 'Movable Feast' of still life painted each Thursday, that can be endlessly arranged.

First selection, Left to right, both Maggie-Anne and Harriet's work capture the joyous movement of animals, Noreen (who had brought a selection of old images along with this painting of Southwold, complete with rolling seas), John (Box and Boxers - guess where the inspiration for this image comes from) and Frances, who was not able to attend, but had sent an explanation of the use of the triple hare image in ancient China, and its promulgation along the Silk Road.

Sally L had examined the movement of the gaze created by composition, and illustrated by this tree. Hilary and Ian studied movement in the landscape, Hilary's that of the sea, and Ian's clouds in the sky.  Avril's striking image was created from a video of her daughter's Pilates exercise, and Richard's abstract related to the movement of time, and day and night.

Here are Eileen's seascape, with crashing waves, Jackie's kite watercolour, Carolyn's waves in constant movement against the stillness of rocks, Diana's movable still life and

Sally P wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone for all their hard work and ideas The work was all excellent and varied with so much thought gone into them, and a special thank you to Linda for the delicious home made cakes (which I heartily endorse !- Hannah).
Four members are participating in an exhibition at All Saints Church, Stradbroke this weekend, Sally P, Jackie, Ian and Harriet.  The exhibition is open from 10 am to 5 pm from today until Monday.

Next week it is the coach trip but work can still be sent in.  Noreen will be in charge of the blog, so you can send anything you want to include to her.

These are Avril's many portraits. (On SkyArts they complain at only having four hours to complete one portrait!)

Diana has shown us her beautiful watercolour in stages, together with her view of the still life set up and people beavering away.

A lovely sunny, and for a change, quite warm day to take us into Easter weekend.  Jane provided two interesting and contrasting still life set ups today and sat as a model this morning.  The first half of the session was noticeably more quiet and concentrated than the second - and I have to confess to being a culprit!  If you would like to use the still life as a larger image to work from, I have included a download below.

Avril was, as usual, very industrious in her portrait sketching, and has also been bury with her textiles.  You will find details of an exhibition she is participating in on the 'Messages from Members' page.

Diana had brought her own subject matter in the form of photos. She used double ended felt tips. Rough scribble then splashes of water, good practice at a portable technique for the summer.

Sally L has sent her work from this morning.  She says, 'This is as far as I got this week, lovely colour contrasts in this week’s set-up, it’s so nice to have blue flowers, but the Hydrangea’s flower heads are a bit of a challenge.  The second picture is the finished version of my last week’s still life, I think I will call it Dancing Rhubarb, sleeping Leek!'
The third picture is by Agnes Miller Parker, The Uncivilised Cat, 1930.  There is a new exhibition at the Sainsbury Centre that is on until 3rd July, of Scottish Women Artists.  Sally will organise a group booking if enough people want to go (let her know if you are interested).  More information at www.sainsburycentre.ac.uk/whats-on/scottish-women-artiststransforming-tradition/

Please see Stop Press regarding the scattering of Therese's ashes. 

Diana says she enjoyed this morning, even her modelling stint, and thanks everyone who helped out. She has sent us photos of her still life, members at work in the room and two stages of her painting today.

Industrious as ever, Avril has done six portraits, first three of Diana and then three of Elizabeth.

Here is Harriet's picture for
​the week.

Sorry I haven't any more work of my own to show. Having a rest after my painting last week, but thinking about another one, probably from the same area as last week's.
Have a good, C-free week. Remember to send your work to Hannah next time, the theme for which is printing, by Jane, and be thinking about the Chairman's project for 28th April. Subject: Movement (see message from Sally P of 11th January - click here).

​Cheers, Noreen

The mini-workshop that Josie put together involved construction in cardboard, worked up from drawings of objects, that are then, in turn made into drawings themselves.  Here are some examples of artists working in this way that she provided... and some that she prepared herself.

It looks as though they had a very interesting morning.  Here are the pieces created by Avril (top 4) and Sally P. (bottom 3)

Diana wasn't able to make it today for a number of reasons, so has sent some photos.  She will be providing the still life next week, and will be asking for volunteer models, as she cannot sit still for too long.

Ian has not been able to get to the Bowls Club for a second week running.  He has been busy setting up his exhibition at the Malcolm Charnley rooms in Haughley. This is to run for the whole of April.

I have spent most of the week assembling flatpack bathroom furniture - not very creative!  But I have got on somewhat with the Chairman's project - which you will remember is due to be presented at the last meeting at the Bowls Club on 28th April.  The summer programme is also published on the Events page, thanks to Lesley for sending it to me, and to her, Sally T, Jackie and Sally P. for the work that has gone into it.
Send your contributions to Noreen next week, and have a good week until then.

These are some updates on the TEXTILE COLLAGES from Lesley and Avril's workshop.

​Angela has been really busy lately as she tells me that during lockdown she was drawing a model in Bristol via Zoom, with different poses on different days. This February an exhibition was held at a gallery in Bath for the artists’  completed works.  Angela showed three (herewith) and found it fascinating to meet the model face to face at the exhibition.

What a glorious Spring day - with hopefully more to come as we go into the weekend!  And after yesterday's shower of Saharan sand... How lucky we are to be here in such a beautiful landscape, safe from strife.  How wonderful to hear that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is finally home with her family - a bright spot in the endlessly gloomy news. 
I am sure that most of you are enjoying the colour returning to gardens and the blossom in the trees, with all the opportunities for sketching and painting that brings.  some of us made it to the Bowls Club this morning (unfortunately, not me) for Les Bragg's stint as a model and for a varied still life, as you can see below.

Diana says of her contribution this week: 'Carried on with fabric during week loved doing it and have next idea in head.When sewing it’s not a good idea to do it on ironing board (cover)! At group this morning tried to finish a few old watercolours.'

These portraits are from Avril...

And these from Sally P...

Below you can see details of how to enter work for an upcoming exhibition in Stradbroke.  You can also download these forms below.

Next week Noreen will be in charge of the blog, and I will be swapping with Josie to take my turn at the still life and modelling for the week - so see you then!