22nd July 2021

Another hot and sunny day, and last week's problems with the cold seem so far away...  John Blake's partner Judith was the perfect host at her garden in Mendlesham Green, with plenty of refreshments to keep the painters busy and happy.

First Sally P. with poppy seedheads three ways, wrong hand, half blind and right hand (in this case left hand!)  The second shows a quirky filing cabinet planter, which Sally feels has come out too narrow (but we'd never know, so it must be OK).

And here is something from someone who didn't make it to Mendlesham - Carolyn.  The first set she sent are from the photographs offered last week for inspiration, and the last one is from her own garden.  Her favourite of the first three (using different watercolour techniques)  is the second, mine too.  The last is coloured pencil.

Avril was as productive as usual (I don't know how she does it!)  I certainly get a feeling of this garden from these sketches.  I particularly like the trail of plant to hen in the third one.

Something quite different now from Diana.  As usual her photos give you other food for thought.
1  Photo of quarry on Bodmin moor from a few years ago.
2. Started with water soluble graphite
3 Found my oil pastels
4 Son Charlie is doing collage abstracts
5 Hollyhocks in garden all self seeded

Lesley said, 'Judith made us very welcome and has promised we can come again next year.
It was too hot for me to concentrate even in the shade and lots of chat in her lovely garden, so I’m not very happy with my efforts today………
Left
A line and aquarelle pencil wash of Judith’s quirky summerhouse, stripped of some of its ivy covering.
Right
Another corner, with two members on a bench. An experiment combining twin graphics and watercolour.'

Jackie sent me her pastel from Angela's garden last week, and also the resulting painting from a workshop attended several weeks ago focusing on the style of Klimt. It has taken her a lot of thought and time to finish. She has also supplied the photos from the venue today.

Frances was very productive today too, with all these A5 sketches completed.  The next from her will hopefully be from Brittany...

Jane says, 'I have been working on a design for a linoprint of our wildflower garden.

I think it might be a bit complicated so I’ll have to think about how to simplify it. (Corn flowers/poppies/ oxeye daisies/chamomile and corn daisies).'

I didn't get out to the venue this week, but I have made an oil painting of the cherry tree that I drew some time ago.  Quite pleased that it has retained the energy it started with.  I am also giving you two photos from the Norfolk Broads (which was where I was today).  The first is a race conducted by rather large sailing boats on Wroxham Broad - lots of jostling on the water.  The second is of the geese who came to visit just as we finished our sandwiches, and hung around regardless of the fact there was no food.

Here are the pictures from Judith's garden, and a big thank you to her for hosting.  Thanks to Jackie and Avril for these.

I have spotted one or two more faces around the tea today, who haven't sent anything in yet.  Two things to say about that.  First of all, on a normal winter Thursday Noreen would never let you get away from the Bowls Club without a photo, however you feel about your offering, and, second, with this new system it is quite difficult to incorporate work that comes in later than 6 pm.  You are welcome to send it in later or tomorrow, but it will go into next week's Blog.

I was asked by Sandra to let you know that the artists who work in acrylic and pastel (who were discussed last week at Angela's) are Norma Stephenson (normastephenson.co.uk) and Sarah Bee (sarahbee-painter.com)

​And... Those who live in or use Eye town centre may have seen that there is  a current planning issue that may affect parking in the town in a way that impacts you.  The application number is DC/21/03629 if you want to comment.

Finally, ​if you read Sally P's most recent newsletter (see Messages from Members), you will see that next week  was left off the summer programme by mistake, and is now Homersfield.  If you are able to come, I hope to see you there...