I am most impressed by the Wetland Centre.  It is beautiful, wild animals and birds wander about freely, and it must be a painter's or sketcher's dream.  The deer were truly Bambi-like, the turkeys displayed outrageously in the car park, the geese were vocal and not to be ignored, a hen chased her ten chicks around all day, the little goats and lambs were cute. and the river, trees and landscape glowed in the brilliant sunshine.

I look forward to seeing you all at Hannah's next week.​

Eighteen of us gathered there today, spoilt for choice and (me at least) wishing we had longer to get acclimatised and study the subjects before rushing to sketch or paint.  But we did our best and some interesting work was produced.  Ten of us remained for tea at the centre and shared our thoughts on today's work.  
​Hannah took a photo of us (left) 'Hard at Work' and as she said:  All of you so busy in beautiful surroundings.
Les also took some photos before he buzzed off and I will add them when I receive them

Click on images to enlarge them.

Prepare for anything on these sketching days out:  you could be burnt to a frazzle in a sheltered spot or frozen half to death in windy shade - as we found out today.
But first, some members gathered together in the 'canteen' for a committee meeting.  Yes, we have to have such things or there would be no programmes, no locations, no exhibitions .... need I go on.  Amongst other things we discussed some plans The Bank has and details of our forthcoming exhibitions.  There will be information about these on the website soon.  
An unusual location for artists today you might think, but inspiration was found in all kinds of subjects.  Spot Avril's abstract from an old pair of binoculars, or her page of sundry items found here and there.  Or Tom's drawing of an only slightly-worn(?) engine part.  Some climbed the control tower for a different view, while others were lazier and just sat cooking in the same spot.  One took an unusual approach with some collage, to good effect.
Tea was in the Museum, where the eight remainers viewed each other's work - out of the fifteen who were present at some point in the day.  Two of these kindly offered their work for a photo before departing, included below.

​Click on images to enlarge them.

We went exploring in the jungle today and found all sorts of exotica to study, sketch and paint.  We were in fact at the Urban Jungle Nursery, where we could enjoy the tropical atmosphere of the café, view the many plants outdoors or hide away with our pencils and brushes in one of the polytunnels.  These were most welcome as there was a chillly breeze after the recent hot days.  
We had a variety of work to look at, after a delicious tea at Sally L's, and it was interesting to hear what people had been aiming for - no doubt with the intention of coming back to these subjects and techniques later. 
​Diana showed us her neat outdoor painting pack for using oil pastels as well as her holiday sketchbook.
Fourteen members came to the venue today, ten of whom were able to stay on for tea.


​Click on images to enlarge them

​By the way, if you are car sharing you should take June.  She knows the whole area so well that wherever you go she has a story to tell about some place on the way.
Next week we go to Thorpe Abbotts and the 100th Bomber Group memorial museum with its remaining RAF buildings.  Something different and should be interesting.

After getting soaked yesterday, it was wonderful to enjoy a whole day of sunshine today in Cambridge.  Once deposited outside the Fitzwilliam Museum, we all went our various ways:  many to Kettle's Yard to see how it looked after its lengthy refurbishment, others to view the collections of pottery or samplers at the Fitzwilliam, yet others (well, one anyway) sketching objects in one of the many galleries.  Dare I say there were some who ignored the cultural delights and went shopping instead, after a visit to FitzBillies for traditional Chelsea buns and coffee and before a delectable lunch (so I'm told) at Comte. 

But there is so much to see in Cambridge, there is never enough time.  Whatever we did, we all seemed to enjoy it and had fun, thanks to Sally P for arranging it all (and to Les for keeping Sally on track?!)

Next week it's the start of our summer programme, so get your "plein air" gear out and take a trip to the Urban Jungle Nursery in Beccles.  See you there.