Blog Archives

29th JUNE 2023 - SOUTHWOLD

30/6/2023

Only three hardy souls made it this week, Sally T, Avril and Harriet.
Sally said, 'It was a very enjoyable day despite a wet and windy start. There were only three of us myself Harriet and Avril all in one car We started in the very nice cafe fortified by cheese scones and and coffee.As we began to explore the weather began to improve and it turned into a lovely day. The views over the Blythe valley are inspiring. Even the sky had some interesting clouds at the end of the day..'
However, the weather hasn't prevented other members from contributing, so hopefully the blog this week will still be stuffed full with work you will find interesting.
First of all, it is Hannah writing this week, as Noreen, who was going to take over, is unwell, and it will be me again next week, but I will remind you of that later. The blog is late because I was at a private view yesterday, when I would otherwise have been doing this, so apologies...

So, courtesy of all three, here are scene-setting photos, and pictures of the three musketeers!

I will start though, with Carolyn, who has sent in some delicate drawings this week. The first is of a surprise gift of an orchid, and the second of small cherries, fallen from the tree.

Harriet said, 'We had a very good day, and we didn't get wet, OK a few drops. The weather improved as the day went by. There were only 3 of us, we all came together and it was quite a long trip, but it was lovely. I think it would have been harder if it had been really sunny as there is not much shade. [Very atmospheric sketches - Hannah]

Frances worked at home and has sent two A5 planning sketches and their subsequent paintings in acrylics. Both called. Sunset on the Fen. !!!

Lesley has been very busy on all our behalfs (behalves?), with the exhibition and with planning for workshops in the autumn. However, she did manage to continued working on a piece for one of her textile groups, with the theme Iceni. 'Each part of the design comes from coins and artefacts associated with the Iceni, excavated in the Thetford area (Iceni HQ). Having simplified, enlarged the original designs I made stamps using funky foam and used gold acrylic paint. Still a long way to go and the exhibitions in September……...' She says.

All three members who braved the weather seem to have made up for the absence of the rest by the quantity they produced. Here are Sally T's sketches, three in pen and ink and the fourth, in pencil, yet to be finished.

Sally P stayed at home too. She said, 'Well bad weather stopped play. But not to be put off, I found a photo that I took recently at Thorpness and decided to go with the beach theme. I think there is more work needed as I realised as I took the photo that the horizon line slopes down by 1cm! And I wasn't even drinking. That'll teach me not to do some measurements!
And the sea really was blue!'

Now for the third of the brave venturers! Here is Avril's work from yesterday. As usual, a bumper crop.

And Jackie used the day to finish two of the watercolour paintings we saw started earlier in the season, one of Framlingham Castle, and one of Columbine Hall. Here they are.

Here are some (quite small) paintings I've been working on. The last is only just started, and is taken from a small section of another painting.

Finally, Lesley would like to know if anyone knows of tutors for possible workshops for the next winter season. If you have been impressed by a workshop you've been to recently, or remember one you enjoyed, please let her or Sally P have details for contact. And below you will find a download for the poster for our exhibition in July at Diss United Reformed Church. Please print it and display wherever you can. Thanks. Entries for next week's blog to me again, please, by 6pm on Thursday. Have a good week.

EAG EXHIBITION POSTER
File Size:	181 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Thursday 22 June at Earsham Hall

22/6/2023

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Many thanks to Hannah for lots of location photos from Earsham, including one of our artists at work - apart from Jackie who was tied up meeting today's host, Annabelle, and giving arrivals directions. Glorious weather and beautiful house and gardens. They were constantly serenaded by birdsong - and regularly screamed at by the resident peacocks.
The final photo of members enjoying tea and cake is courtesy of Sally P.
Click to enlarge pictures.

Now here is Hannah's own work, representing, she says, about 2.5 hours - amazing how long it takes to get the relationship of each part, and the relative scale. She is apparently not too happy with it, especially the detail, but I would be delighted if it were mine. She hopes to work on it some more.

Lesley has also sent us fine drawing. She says, another hot day and a good turnout, all looking for a space in the limited shade, hence many of today’s paintings at Earsham Hall show similar views! This one is pen with some indian ink wash.

Liz has gone to town with colour on her painting, but first the drawing in pencil.

Here are some different takes on the views, two of Josie's sketches and one of Ian J's.

Sally P's is the first picture here, about which she says: A rather crude picture of part of the house from me. I used watercolour pencils which didn't help....well that's my excuse anyway!
The second is from Sally L, who has done well tackling the very complicated roof-scape.

Our third Sally, Sally T : Here are my pictures for today. Quick sketches of an avenue of trees and a part of the building. Needed more time.

Harriet has sent in two pictures, the second of which is unfinished.

Avril says: I only did one today as I needed it for my textile group as we are doing architecture.

I also have to thank Avril for lots more location photos, which will be added at the end.

Our final contributors were not at Earsham today.

This is from Carolyn: The clock face was done as the grandfather clock was moved and dismantled. She says: I had to concentrate to get all the numbers the right way up and in the correct order! It is InkTense - blended. The garden view is a watercolour painting done quite quickly: I was experimenting a bit.

Our traveller, Frances, has been to Spain and now is in Brittany for a couple of weeks. Her first sketch was done in Spain, looking towards Los Picos de Europa, with a village in the foreground. For the second sketch Frances was seated on a bench on the Isle de Moines in the Golfe du Morbihan.

I have also received, via Hannah, a drawing from Jill, herewith.

I think that is all for this week except to say that I (Noreen) will be doing the blog AGAIN NEXT WEEK as Hannah has something else on. We have swapped weeks so after that, Hannah will be doing the following two weeks running.

Now here are some of those additional photos from Avril.

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15th JUNE 2023 - COLUMBINE HALL

15/6/2023

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It looks like this is a beutiful moated house, and the weather was certainly bound to enhance its appearance today. Not so many EAG visitors today, because of absence and other commitments. Sally P said,' Luckily, there was plenty of shade under the trees and also a cool breeze!'.
Thanks to Sally P for the first two photos and to Avril for the rest.

Avril was very busy sketching as well as taking photos. Lots of interesting detail.

Jackie has sketches from last week at Flixton that fell into a black hole instead of reaching Noreen, as well as her work from today.

From Sally P, two sketches of different views from today.

Frances says 'Hola!' (I think there should also be an upsidedown ! at the beginning, but no idea how to do it - Ed.) She has sent some photos from Spain, as well as a sketch.
1. Gaudi at Las Comillas
2. & 3. Wonderful Romanesque cloisters at Santillana del Mar. (My favourite architecture)
4. San Vicente de lla Barquera
5. Sketch of cloisters in Santander cathedral.

Another absentee today was Diana, who says, 'I haven’t done anything for weeks so here are a few photos from about 10 years ago.'
1. Brockdish
2. Oil pastel try outs
3 & 4.Pastels

Here are Harriet's two from today at Columbine Hall.

Lesley said, “I was sorry to miss Columbine Hall today, but I’ve not been idle!

The last two days I have been attending a talk and workshop by textile artist Kate Findlay and this is the (unfinished) result. Fabric mostly dyed by myself. Only stitching so far is on the apple tree.Lots to do ! Blossom on tree is made of lots of tiny fabric scraps- confetti, the rest is fabric collage like we did in Avril and my session last year.”

Carolyn produced this lovely sketch of a feather in crayon, and a sketch of a wall that she started outside, but found too bright, so continued from a photo, also crayon.

These watercolour sketches are from Sally T, one of those who did get to Columbine Hall.

I haven't done much myself this week, but here are two small collage and mixed media pictures that I made recently.

A quick reminder from Lesley that TODAY is the last day for submitting your entries for the exhibition in Diss in July. She is still waiting for four entries - you know who you are!
Next week EAG is off to Earsham Hall - hope to see you there. Don't forget to send Noreen your blog entries next week.

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Thursday 8th June at Flixton

8/6/2023

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It was the Air Museum today, with old aeroplanes on show outdoors, and various engine parts, propellers and so on. Indoors, the museum areas give lots of historical information.

Hannah writes, 'There were about 8 of us today. Although it was cold and cloudy first thing, the sun soon came through, and hats and sunglasses became the order of the day. I have sent you some scene-setters, and my pen and ink drawing,' So here are her scene setters.

First some work from people not at Flixton today.

Frances cannot be at Flixton today as she is off again, on her way to Bilbao. Her first offering, in acrylic with some oil pastel, is from a sketch she did last week at Framlingham, but she is far from happy with it. She says the “horrible greens need to be muted”. But she is not going to give up on it and will revise it at a later date. The second picture, also acrylic wih a touch of oil pastel, is playing with the image of an oxeye daisy with related colours.

This green glass is a favourite of Carolyn’s and she has made a great job of it with her Inktense pencils. Also, she has been admiring the gorgeous clematis in her garden, smothered in flowers, and sent this drawing of a small selection.

This is Hannah's drawing at the Air Museum today, obviously part of an old plane.

Harriet is once again in sunny Wales and has managed to do some sketching.

Sally L says, 'We had to reschedule our afternoon tea, which is enough to throw me.'
This four part sketch was of a radar hut , top L , view over the meadow top R,
And two bits from the underwater engine graveyard.
The second picture is the same view over the meadows in oil pastel and ink

From Lesley: Flixton proved quite a challenging day for ten of us.
A slow start with lots of chat over coffee in the hangar - and too much to choose from to paint! Brilliant sunshine proved useful for accenting the curves of the planes. However the wind was still chill.
I decided to do a montage of bits of different planes- tail fins, stabilisers and turboprops were my thing today, executed in White, purple and payne’s grey. Acrylic wasn’t a good choice as it was dry as soon as it touched canvas.

Nine of us went to the cafe only to find the gates firmly closed. Les promptly invited us back to his for tea where we had a very sociable time. Thanks Les and Barbara!

Avril sent us 7 sketches and says she only did quick sketches as Bob (the dog) came with her today. (Quick or not, 7 sketches is an awful lot! N.) She adds that she had a very enjoyable time.

That is all I have received although I understand there were 9 or ten present today. What happened to the sketches from all the others?

A couple of reminders: first and foremost from Lesley that Exhibition entry forms need to with her by next Thursday, 15th June. Secondly from me that next week is at the medieval moated house and gardens at Columbine Hall, and that Hannah will be doing the blog. Have a good week! N.

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1st JUNE 2023 - WICKHAM SKEITH AND HARRIET'S GARDEN

1/6/2023

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ADDENDUM - 2ND jUNE

First an apology to Angela, who sent me three pictures for this week's blog, earlier in the week as she is currently away. She has been away on an oil and cold wax course in Yorkshire. Really good experience and a great way to layer paint to create depth.
The first painting is of early morning dandelions which were like pom-poms, laden with dew. The second is late afternoon pond and the last is a spring meadow with a new pond.

Second, Liz's contribution from yesterday - flowers in Harriet's garden, sent late.
Please try and send your work by 6 pm each week, but PLEASE do contribute. The Blog can only look good when everyone makes it look good!

HARRIET'S GARDEN

So we got a glimpse of summer, and then had it snatched away again! I believe other parts of the country are basking in sunshine, but here it has been cold and grey. Diana said she spent the morning at home with the heating on, and I am sure she was not alone. So my hat is off to the 11 EAG members who braved the cold (and here in Brundall it was spitting on and off) to go to Wickham Skeith this morning. At least there would have been a warm welcome from Harriet, and the work sent in is a mixture of sketches in her garden, and the views of the Grimmer and the cottages beyond.

First though, someone who, like me, didn't make it this morning, Carolyn. She has taken Jackie's photo of a view of Framlingham Castle from last week, and used it to paint a watercolour. She has also sketched an osteospermum from her garden - must have been during the five minutes of sun, as the ones in my garden are all very closed at the moment.

Diana, as mentioned above, stayed at home in the warm. but it looks as though in her mind's eye, she was out there, looking across the pond in Wickham Skeith. She also produced a collage, based on the idea of a Suffolk pond...

So now to those who did go - and the first of these is Frances, who says, 'Well the sun is just attempting to show its face at lunch time! Anyway I have had to cut short my time at Harriet’s but here are my attempts.
1. Many years ago I did three paintings in this style. Oil or maybe acrylic plus oil pastel . I have been thinking I would like to return to the format.
2.Here is a quick plan based on Harriet’s lovely roses, using watercolour, ink and oil pastel.
3. Another attempt with same media.
4. A loose interpretation with a base of watercolour and then pen and ink. I will now challenge myself to return to a version of my arrangement from those years gone by!!!

Next Sally P, who sent three sketches, one with colour, and a photo of magnificent horse chestnut blossom.

Ian C returned to oils today for this picture, which includes Harriet's dog, who didn't want to stay...

From Sally T a pen and ink drawing of the pond, which she intends to do more work on.

Lesley used alkyd oils for this view of the cottages and village pond.

Finally, Harriet has sent an unfinished work from this morning, and a photo of 'artists at work', that has a great composition and a lovely colour contrast to it.

Please look at the 'Stop Press' for reminders about the upcoming exhibition in Diss (cl;osing date for applications rapidly approaching - 15th June) and a change in the Summer Programme. Details for the latter also on the Events page. It's Flixton next week - thoroughly recommended if you haven't been before. Hope to see you all there, and Noreen will be doing the Blog, so you know where to send next week's work...

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29th JUNE 2023 - SOUTHWOLD

Thursday 22 June at Earsham Hall

15th JUNE 2023 - COLUMBINE HALL

Thursday 8th June at Flixton

1st JUNE 2023 - WICKHAM SKEITH AND HARRIET'S GARDEN

ADDENDUM - 2ND jUNE

HARRIET'S GARDEN

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