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April 29th, 2021 + PS Friday

29/4/2021

Let’s start with Rachel. She says she looked at the blog last week having not had much of an idea about what a blog was. She was inspired by the enthusiasm of the contibutors and the committee who put so much thought and work into it.

So she went out into the garden to try to capture the extensive house being built nextdoor. She found all the angles really difficult. This was the result. (Click images to enlarge them.)

Carolyn was asked by the gardener, who comes to work with her dog, if she would do a drawing of said dog - which she did. And very well it went down. It’s a cross between labrador and poodle, aged 10, named Beau.

Additionally, wanting to get back into watercolour after concentrating so much on drawing lately, Carolyn did a quick sketch of her Easter (a little late) Cactus. She says, it promises to be a brilliant show if all these buds don't fall off, as they are prone to do.

Avril says this is just a quick mixed media as she has been using her new iPad today. It is from Diana's photo of the Shropshire Hills.

Jane took her very beautiful drawing from flowers on a funeral spray on her sister’s coffin. She found the drawing cathartic - one of the good things about drawing and painting is that it can be healing.

Diana says these paintings were all done on the spot in previous years in Shropshire, where they ended up going for most holidays. (Great sketches, Diana)

She adds that this was, "because when I was about 10 yrs old I started reading the Malcolm Saville Books about the area around Stiperstones - Mystery at Witchend etc which made a lasting impression; then 20 years ago we rediscovered it."

Sally P says she managed to get focused this afternoon to finish two paintings and start two ink/watercolour.

From Harriet, "I've tried to capture the beauty of the flowers, but don't feel I've done them justice. The daffodil has lasted the best, the iris and tulip haven't lasted very well."

Avril has contributed the photos for inspiration next week. The first is Richard's tools for electrics, with some tricky reflections. The others speak for themselves I think.

I nearly forgot my own, although it is not quite finished yet. The Shropshire Hills from Diana's photo.
I hope your artwork 'Sparks Joy', to borrow a phrase from Marie Kondo, and we see lots of good work from you next week. Noreen

PS 1 Some notes from Hannah which I forgot to put on yesterday - Sorry!: First a reminder that today (30th April) is the deadline for expressing an interest in the exhibition at the Bank in June, so do let Sally P know asap.
Also note there is a message about Creative Stitch Course open days, from Avril. Look under MORE, then Messages from Members.
After the conversation at yesterday's Zoom meeting, Hannah has converted the Word files to PDF.

PS 2 Another contribution, yesterday evening, from Frances: First an oil in the making based on a sketch from last week at Minsmere, and a lino print now mounted and framed. (One that didn’t get thrown in the bin!) Very best wishes, Frances

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Thursday 22nd april + PS Friday 23 April

22/4/2021

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Spring has sprung - it is magic the way spring flowers suddenly appear as if from nowhere to grace our gardens. Now we are starting to talk about summer, with the new Summer Programme already on the website (go to EVENTS and bring down the menu), thanks to the hard working committee members who pulled this together.

Diana has produced (and sent in early - thank you, always helpful) a great choice of holiday snaps from previous years to inspire you for next week, if you are at a loss what to do. 1. Favourite Shropshire Hills. 2. River Severn. 3. Anemones and tubes of paint. 4. Ludlow Market.

Diana says she found a really good spot this week near Horham, where she could 'Park and Draw' from the car, adding that if there are other spots around that members know of, she'd be very interested. The other places she goes to are Mellis Common and Thrandeston by the pond.

Above is her excellent pen and ink drawing. The second piece is an interesting interpretation of Sally's ploughed field.

Carolyn struggled with her photo - the still life from Jackie, which she liked very much. Starting with watercolour, she added crayon later, which improved it ‘a bit’ she says. (Presumably quite a bit, as it’s a good outcome, but she feels she has lost her watercolour technique doing so many drawings recently. I know what she means.) Her next challenge is to draw a dog that accompanies the gardener, who has requested a picture.

I struggled with my picture too - from Jackie's photo with the boat. For help with the water I revisited a DVD of Joseph Zbukvic “Watercolour Impressions” - he makes it look so simple. It isn’t, not in my hands anyway. Complete washout and fresh start, now looking at R. Jesty’s technique. 2nd washout! By now the paper surface has been seriously degraded, but I carried on anyway, trying to navigate the problem of the boat plonked in the middle. This is all I could manage for now. Noreen

From Frances: Here are some sketches I have done this week. The first down Cow Pasture Lane in Mellis which I am planning to turn into an oil panting. The second is an extremely quick sketch I did at Minsmere yesterday.

On returning home, in the third one, I experimented with Art Graph, oil pastels, ink and acrylic.

Sally P. has sent us just a few quick sketches today. They are: pitcher plant, pineapple and epiphyllum. (Back pain has prevented her from doing painting.)

Jackie's beautifully sensitive watercolour version of the Turkish woman making Borek in an outside oven. She says, 'We were breakfasting in the families' cafe - wonderful memory.'

Avril thought she would do something different today; this is mixed media in acrylic, gold paint and oil. She had prepared the canvas a few days ago and the fish and gold were added today. Avril says, 'Rather a simple subject but I enjoyed doing it.'

We haven't heard from Rachel for a while, but Carolyn was in touch with her and suggested she contribute something to the blog. They are a little faint, but I hope you can see them clearly enough when you click on the images. You can see another self-portrait if you look under MORE above.

Sally P reports that on Zoom today, Josie talked about and showed examples of making portraits from paper curling.
Hannah showed us the colour pencils she uses for her amazing drawings. They are Derwent Procolour, richly pigmented, sharp point, smooth lay down with minimal dusting.
There was also talk about using the blog when the summer programme starts. Sally L had the great idea of putting a couple of pictures on from each week's location so that those who can’t make it can have a go for the following week. There was positive feedback about this idea.
Elaine tried unsuccessfully to join us on Zoom and Sally P will contact her to see if we can resolve the problem.
There were few members on screen today but our new found freedoms, the sunny weather and gardens are a strong pull. And sadly Harriet just can't get a strong enough signal.

Please keep in touch and join us again next week. Noreen

PS Friday 23 April
Harriet has sent in the picture she has been working on this week, which is nearly finished now. It's called Cherry in the Pond. She tells us she has also been busy in the garden - now the weather is so much better.
She has asked if I will be doing the blog next week. Yes, I will and, in fact, we have agreed that I will continue now to the end of May, while Hannah is still so busy settling into her new home.

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Thursday 15 April + PS

14/4/2021

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It was Sally T's turn to supply photos to inspire next week's work. As she sent them in really early (thank you, Sally, very helpful), I will start with these.

The subjects she has chosen are: Spring Primroses, Local Landscape, Pile of Bricks, Tulips with Stained Glass. Plenty of scope for interpretation I imagine. (Click to enlarge images)

Next to come in was Carolyn's artwork. She loved this photo, submitted by Jackie for inspiration. She thought it was lovely, tranquil and 'comforting'. She has in fact done a very good interpretation of it, wisely leaving some of the more complex to identify areas to fade out.

Emily has continued to work creatively. The lino cut on buff paper is called “Morning Glory” and was inspired by her early morning walks, shedding a few lockdown pounds while admiring the world waking up.

The tree piece in black is a stencil cut, ready for making tote bags on unbleached cotton. And the photograph was taken at Winterton, N. Norfolk. It's an intriguing reflection.

What a beautiful portrait of June's Mothering Sunday tulip! June has painted it with pastel pencils.

I (Noreen) also had a go at the peasant woman, in acrylics, but feel I tried to go into too much detail. Probably I should have stopped the first time I said to myself, "I'll just do this one more thing"!

This is Avril's view of peasant life, evidently a popular subject. She has used pencil and enjoyed not having to think of colour but being able to concentrate on shapes.

From Diana, the first photo showing her preparing old canvases for re-use after watching the James Morrison documentary. (See link to this on last week's blog.)

Next is the result of working from the car on Mellis Common on Wednesday afternoon.
The last one from Diana is her take on Jackie's still life ('sort of', she says.)

Diana also tell us that the art shop at Bungay is selling large size spiral bound Canson mixed media pads (the ones with a blue cover ) for £14.85 which is £6 cheaper than last year. OK for very wet watercolour, ink, drawing, acrylic etc; they have a rough side and a smooth side on each sheet, so good for everything. She says she has used them for the past three years.

Sally P is attempting a painting of her wisteria in the garden, which she has wanted to do for years, ever since seeing a large painting on 4 canvases at The Bank. She says, it is early stages yet and she has to wait for the flower heads to open to get another photo, but that shouldn't be too long as they are already about two inches long. She just hopes the frost and birds don't knock off too many of them.

These nice drawings are from Sally T. One is a wood on the way into Mellis from Gislingham. The other is water flooding on Mellis Common.

Here are Harriet's sketches for the week.
1. Bluebell wood (last week's inspiration)
2. The boat (also last week's inspiration)
3. From webcam image (Barmouth in morning light, near where they go on holiday)

This is the drawing Hannah was working on, now finished.

Hannah has also kindly listed some points which came up in discussion on Zoom today, as follow:

Sally P reminded everyone that the membership fee has been waived for this year, and asked that anyone interested in participating in the exhibition at the Bank should email her by 30th April to let her know.
Someone suggested trying a Zoom multi portrait and we had just started to talk about how to take a screenshot on an iPad when we ran out of time! (Press the power button and the home button at the same time. You will hear a shutter click). Hannah

That's all so far. If I receive any more today, I will add them.
Cheers, Noreen

PS It seems I was a little premature in shutting up shop. Frances has sent some photos explaining the lino cut she has been working on, as well as a beautiful watercolour of a fritillary from the garden.

The first two pictures are the background pieces for her experimental jigsaw lino cut, and then the hare that will be printed on top .... but the background can be used for different prints.
It is so interesting to see how Frances comes up with new ideas and techniques to share with us all.

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Thursday 8 April + PS Friday

8/4/2021

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A little rise in temperature has been very welcome today after that freezing spell - hailstones and all.
Let's start with Jackie's photos to inspire us for our artwork next week. She has sent us four photos, an excellent selection. Of the waterscape with boat, she says, "For fans of Ronald Jesty's painting technique, this is an ideal subject." (Thanks for the hint, Jackie. I must look him up. N.)
Or as usual you can do your own thing.
Click on images to enlarge them.

Diana has referred to a holiday photo taken in 2013 for this water-soluble oil painting: Blossom on Bodmin Moor looking towards Sharp Tor. She says she enjoyed this one, and I think that shows.

I (Noreen) took up the challenge of Hannah’s bluebell wood, with this acrylic painting. Pleased to have achieved something this week!

Carolyn has been slightly out of action this week, due to an altercation with a food processor, cutting two fingers of her right hand. Plasters to the rescue! Being such a staunch supporter of our weekly blogs however, she has still sent us her picture of the week: Roy was clearing out a bit of overgrown garden to reveal this nest and deserted clutch of eggs, possibly of a pair of mallards seen earlier on their pond.

Sally P has done an oil painting of a flower arrangement that she created for her village flower and produce show (winning 1st prize!) She was reminded of it by Hannah’s pictures. It was labelled 3 - 2 - 1 ….. three flowers, two leaves and one piece of wood. Brilliant - both the arrangement and the painting.

This is Avril’s take on the blossom photo, in watercolour, gouache and pastel. She thinks it is a little bit sparse - not enough volume. But I’d say it was nicely balanced.

Angela has been working on her version of a bluebell wood, as well as some abstract ideas inspired by water and rocks and a life drawing. She enjoyed seeing people on Zoom today, but says she can’t wait to work alongside everyone again.

A completely different take again in Jackie’s delicate watercolour painting of a Bluebell wood. Beautiful. And how do you like her needle felt hare? Such a cute smile! It can’t have been easy getting the shape exactly right.

Harriet's internet connection failed during Zoom again so we didn't see much of her today. It might be worth getting the provider to check your broadband speed?

She has sent in two semi-abstract pictures, taken from previous blog inspiration images, including hellebores and other flowers. The third picture is blossom, inspired by Hannah's photo last week. She has also been working on her oil painting (shown on an earlier blog of Dave and dogs in the conservatory), trying to get the detail right. This has kept her quite busy.

Way back Sally L made a list of unfinished paintings to return to and finish (in lockdown?) This is her Daredevil Sheep, or Lumpy Lambs, ticked off her list. I wonder how many more she has to go. For me it’s called Daredevil Sheep, since they're standing so close to the edge where the broken fence is.

Hannah said her drawing wasn’t anywhere near finished enough to send in, but for those who didn’t attend this morning’s Zoom meeting, she has sent her notes on it:
A lot more people than last week, at least 12, though Harriet had trouble with her internet again, and left early. Nice to see Jo again after so many months, and she had obviously been busy, despite her protestations! She told us about Japanese water marbling, Suminagashi, which it was agreed might make an activity one winter morning, when we are meeting again. Conversation about how daunting Jo was finding the idea of using her new kiln led to more general discussion of the feeling everyone seems to have about using new materials or paper, and not wanting to 'spoil' them.
Angela is continuing to use the course she has been doing when looking at landscape. Frances has been working on small canvases with seasonal subjects, and using Yupo paper for loose work with watercolour and pastel. Jackie showed her needle felt hare, which was at quite a large scale (see below), as well as a watercolour bluebell wood. Avril has been busy with textile and ceramics.
There was also the suggestion of a BBC2 programme about artist Jim Morrison (link - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000tsfv/eye-of-the-storm), which is available until the end of the month on the iPlayer. This was much praised by those who had seen it.

I hope you will have a good week’s painting. And look out for emails/letters shortly about the forthcoming Summer Programme and plans for the Summer Exhibition at the Bank. Noreen

PS I was pleased to receive some contributions from Frances this morning, with her apologies for being a little late. They are very welcome nevertheless, always inspiring to see her work.

She says: "The first one was inspired by a sketch I made on Thelnetham Fen last week, the second by blue tits in our garden and for the third one I once more had fun swooping about with ink and oil pastels on yupo paper. The first two are on small canvas blocks. I like to paint an image of the seasons as the months pass! " Frances

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Thursday 1st April

1/4/2021

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Jackie missed last week’s blog so has asked for her contributions to be included this week. She thought the shape of the shell (offered by Jane as inspiration) was ideal for a woodcut - which took some time but the result pleased her. The boat painting is from a photo taken at Pin Mill some years ago. As she says, mud is a difficult surface to represent in paint! But the picture is very successful, including the mud. (Click to view)

Boat at Pin Mill

Noting recent appearances of the sun, Jackie feels hope stirring that we can soon meet up as a group and work outdoors. Hear, hear!

Hannah has reported from Zoom this morning as follows:
"June hadn't done any work this week (although she sent me a very fine pastel self portrait), but she has been reading about Tamara Lempicka and watching the Canadian version of Landscape Artist of the Year - none of them a patch on the British ones, she said!
"Sally P. and Avril both used the horse pictures from last week as their inspiration to great effect.
"There was quite a lot of discussion of the self portrait project. Lesley in particular was not happy with any of the attempts she had made.
"Thanks go to June, Jackie, Jane and John and Noreen for sending self portraits in.
'Sally is going to write another Newsletter, and the Summer Programme is ready.
"I am attaching some photos for inspiration. A skip lorry driver knocked down a branch from our cherry tree, so I did a bit of arranging... "

Cherry tree

We’ve heard from Emily Procner this week, who’s been doing a lot of creative work, some on commission, and has sent us these fascinating and accomplished pictures for the blog. I do like the aristocratic looking cat! Sadly I wasn't able to download all her photos as my computer - or the website? - has been playing up. As a result, I haven't been able to use the gallery technique (with arrows) so you will have to click on each picture individually.

Connie and Lydia, oil on canvas 6x6"

Doggie Mollie

Carolyn has been enjoying sitting in her garden to do these two charming drawings, although she says, “As ever I am not heppy with my efforts.” She gave up on a second attempt using watercolour. but thought she may try again if the weather holds”. Very good work anyway Carolyn.

Daffodil buds

Bergenia flowers

R. Dart views

From Diana we received delightful paintings of some views around the R. Dart, where she and her husband have had many good holidays. She finds it a lovely subject.

The first is up on the Moor, while Michael walked to the Tor. She sketched the whole panorama from each direction. The second is a view from where they stay, across the river. The third is of the course of the river between Totnes and Dartmouth, in mixed media.

Sally P has done an impressive 20 minute sketch in pencil of the lovely horse, as well as a very convincing portrait in pastel. (Nothing political here - his name is in fact Boris.)

Boris

This is Avril's version of the horse's head: a lino print. And very good it is too, I'd say.

Boris, lino print

Sally L has been finishing off this picture of a frosty morning that she started some weeks ago. She says, "I’ve got a few others that I must also finish off too, before the season changes; funny, but I’m not so attracted to snow and floods once a few fresh green buds appear .... Sorry I missed you all this morning - Happy Easter."

Great to see Les Bragg on Zoom this morning, albeit briefly as I had to rush away, and then - the icing on the cake - two super pictures herewith. I hear the sketch was done on the way to Thetford. Thanks Les.

What a fine picture from Lesley Buckwell !
She says: "I kept to the watery theme, but this is our boat on our home river, the Deben. It's not often I get a chance to photograph her underway, but that day I was sketching at Bawdsey with friends and by chance saw my husband motoring back to our mooring. It's in acrylic over gesso, which gave it the texture."

Lesley's boat on the R. Deben

Harriet has been very busy today. We have Alliums 1, collage. Alliums 2 mixed (coloured pencils, watercolour and acrylic). Horse eating hay , then Ponies at the fen (coloured pencils, watercolour and acrylic). Splendid work, Harriet!

Alliums, collage

Alliums, mixed media

Boris

Ponies at the Fen

Finally from me (Noreen), I’ve wasted hours and hours lately trying to do a half-way decent self-portrait, in pencil, in pastel, in acrylics, in mixed media. I’m not sure I don’t like this one best - which must have taken me all of 10 minutes. Hope you recognise it!
All for now. Have a good Easter, and I look forward to receiving your pictures and news next week.

PS A late request came from Emily to add her "Doggie Mollie", now added. See above. I've taken the opportunity of adding a few captions elsewhere, which I did not have time for yesterday after battling with some very frustrating technical problems.

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April 29th, 2021 + PS Friday

Thursday 22nd april + PS Friday 23 April

Thursday 15 April + PS

Thursday 8 April + PS Friday

Thursday 1st April

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