14TH SEPTEMBER 2023 - ALDEBURGH

I spent a lot of childhood holidays in Aldeburgh. It took 4 or 5 hours to get there from north west London. We stayed in the caravan site, in a borrowed caravan called ‘The Pumpkin’, which was exactly the size and shape the name implies, and collected milk from the farm every day. We fished for tadpoles in the dyke by the beach, and hated the lack of space when it rained and the chemical toilet.  We were there for the launch of a new lifeboat, and for the carnival, complete with floats, lantern procession and a firework display on the beach. We loved rowing on the lake at Thorpeness, and swimming in the sea, and that it was where Orlando the Marmalade Cat came for his holidays (well, Owlbarrow).  We used to walk past the houseboat where he stayed (no longer there).  I was delighted when I first came back to Suffolk to find how much of it was still the same.  I didn't know anything about Kathleen Hale as a child, except that I loved her drawings.  She moved in some elevated artistic circles, first, secretary to Augustus John, Friends with the Bloomsbury group and then with Cedric Morris and Arthur Lett-Haines.  She rather proved the point about the longevity of artists that we observe in EAG, as she lived to be 102! 
Enough of my waffling to hide the fact that I didn't go there today...  Thanks very much to Jackie for the photos.

Starting with Lesley's lively watercolour sketches.  She said, 'A lovely sunny day in Aldeburgh, warm with a slightly fresh south-easterly wind which encouraged quite a good turn out, considering the distance, of nine members. Maybe helped by the prospect of coffees then tea (and cake for some) at the Brudenell?
Based on the seawall at Slaughden,I took my landscape sketchbook, watercolours and a fine (0.1) pen to produce the three sketches below:
1. Looking north towards the Brudenell and Thorpeness in the distance
2. Looking inland across the River Alde
3. Looking south towards the Martello tower - minus the parked cars on the sea wall!'

Carolyn has sent two quite different drawings today.  The first looks at garden flowers, and the second is a lovely study of clothing and embroidery, very three-dimensional.

Ian also went to Aldeburgh and has been busy with pencil sketches today.  Three different views around Aldeburgh.

Jackie was obviously busy today as she has produced three pictures, a sketch of her fellows at work,  the beginnings of a watercolour and a study of a boat. She says, 'Super, super day.  The sea was calm and shimmering in the sunshine.  Not too pleased with the painting but it was quiet, few people and one could just lose oneself in the process of painting.'  And the shimmering sea can be seen in the photo above.

From Sally P, 'Nine of us turned up today. The early birds started with a drink at The Brudenell and then wandered off towards the Martello tower. 
The weather was gorgeous.... although it did dry the paints up rather quickly 
First drawing in pen. Second picture is watercolour. It needs some more work on it as I ran out of time. We then finished the afternoon at The Brudenell again before heading off home.

Well, I've got to 7.30 and this is all that has been sent.  I know I was late posting last week, but I would like to remind you all that if you want your work included, you need to get it to me by 6.00 pm.  Apologies to Sally T, who did try and send me hers, and whose work I will add as soon as I get it.
Next week is the Mid Suffolk Light Railway.  Have a good week until then.