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AT HOME - AGAIN!! 25TH JUNE 2026

25/6/2026

1 Comment

 
I don't know - too much rain - too much heat - I am sure there will be members with longer memory than me who know of years when there were this many cancellations in the summer, but not during my time (about ten years now), except of course during COVID. 
It was decided this week not to take chances with the forecast for extreme heat, and risk sitting out in intense sun.  At the very least I suspect that most of those who would have come, would have nodded off... but maybe no one would have wanted to sit and fry.
Anyhow, sitting here in my darkened room, with Oscar the cat sprawled on the floor in the cool, I find I have been sent some offerings from the ever-reliable members of EAG to liven your week.  So here they are:
First up is Carolyn, with a sketch of hydrangeas that were at wonderful at the time of being photographed, but have suffered since from the heat - as have we all.  She has captured their lush best though.
Picture
Next is Penny, who says, 'Shame about the weather. It is very hot!!
I've recently been experimenting with bees and irises - here are 2 attempts for the blog. '
Diana said, 'Learnt a lot from doing the fireplace screen, mainly not to fiddle.Lovely to get going again with painting after months of no inspiration.' She also pointed out that it’s amazing that 400 years ago they new how to build houses that stayed cool with wattle and daub... She then warmed up the yellow of the pansies in her painting and sent me the end product, so here are both.
Frances has sent a miscellany, clockwise from top right, first a sketch done last Friday sitting on the seafront at Southwold



Revisiting and reflecting on all my Hockney books.😟


A drawing I came across amongst stuff done in my schooldays.
Picture
Picture
Picture
From Sally P: 'Have been enjoying sitting in the shade under my apple trees with a pleasant breeze. 
Had a good week. I felt inspired to draw/sketch earlier in the week. Rather like the effect of my knee and t.v. remote control mix. Photo 1. As you can see, I just grabbed bits of paper that I had to hand rather than go over to the studio.  Decided on my foot for today's work after a few smaller sketches.'
[This reminded me of one of my COVID projects, drawings of shoes, and eventually also my feet]
Harriet sent some more drawings from her trip away last week:
'Middleham, North Yorkshire,  'water feature', from Queen Victoria's jubilee, now planted with lavenders. Here is a drawing and photo, I drew it 'plein air' hence the wonky drawing. Also from the same bench, the view down the street at Middleham.'
Lesley sent two photos: 'Leaving the pub', and 'Under sail', perfectly illustrating the intense blue above - not a cloud in sight!

ADDENDUM

Avril's work was sent in, with plenty of time, but unfortunately to an email address that I occasionally forget to look at (apologies, Avril!) so I am now including her work, which is very interesting. 
She said, 'My pottery class was cancelled today so I did some early drawings.  I did them with the same pilot progress pen come pencil. They are both from a book called ancient and medieval history I have chosen it because there are some great illustrations.
The first one is a wooden statue of a memphite official and his wife and the second one is a parasite, a common stock figure in early comedy.'
Picture
Picture
And I have been working on a painting for the Holton Barns exhibition in August - provisionally titled 'The Storm Before the Calm', not finished yet.
Picture
Those of you who participated in the exhibition at the Bank, don't forget to collect any unsold paintings on Monday between 10.30 and 11.00 am.  Next week hopefully we will be in Angela's garden for the day (although I have a visitor, so won't be able to come). At the moment the forecast is telling me the weather will be a sensible temperature and it will not be raining.  Finger's crossed! 
Don't forget to check Stop Press before setting out.
Sally will be blogging next week, so send contributions to her.
1 Comment

PLEASE NOTE THE VISIT TO THE OLD CHERRY TREE, LUDGATE CAUSEWAY, EYE HAS BEEN CANCELLED - SEE STOP PRESS

24/6/2026

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18th June 2026 Albion House Hoxne

18/6/2026

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Today was a wonderful day and not just because of the weather, our happy band fully enjoyed our time in a most spectacular garden with many different views and full of inspiration.

Sally P made delicate pencil drawings of the flowers and a pastel on textured paper with a dark background which made it pop.
Sally L had a very successful day creating moody trees with strong shadows. The middle one is a tetrapanex plant under the arch with the light radiating through the leaves and the last one using ink and a brillo pad cocktail stick known as the intermittent spotter.  
Jane used her watercolour paints to show great light and for her first time 'en plein air' with the group it was an excellent start.
Jackie also beautifully painted the moon gate, sally was painting in front of her her but Jackie edited her out, (so I thought I would include her). Jackie also sketched a woodland scene and said the trees had a silver edge to them and her focus would be the child's blue ball and if she added the wheelbarrow and hammock that would be the famous triangle.
Avril was inspired by the garden and did her usual hurried sketches, here is a selection.
We went back to Jackie's for some lemon cake and tea, served in china cups, Lesley joined us and showed her painting from last week which are shown further down in the blog.
Picture
Diana sent these two paintings via email  
View from the lane leading down to the river at Hoxne, from  a few years back and the boiler screen

Ian C sent this by email:  Quick sketch of swans and cygnets while I was waiting mistakenly at Hoxne Mill.
Picture
Another email sent from Frances
Hannah has been very busy making ​ three collages, and the beginning of an oil painting
Another excellent sketch from Carolyn
I have looked at the chair daily for weeks, as it is in the Conservatory where we have our pre-lunch drinks. I liked the idea of the binoculars hanging ready for bird watching perhaps. I have taken on too much this time. It was quite difficult for me, it is only partly finished! I was busier watching tennis on TV. I hope it is OK.
Picture
 Sent last week  from Jackie : The roses are so lovely to paint.

What a miserable day. Expect others members also disappointed that our visit to Mendham Mill had to be cancelled.
Picture
Lesley sent this last week, I think the copy is as good as the real picture.
Here is a view taken from in front of of the Mill, with my attempt to capture it. Not finished as I was using Golden Open Acrylics which are still  wet from this morning-shows how cold it is in my studio!


Mendham Mill is the birthplace of Sir Alfred Munnings, known for his equine paintings.
We hope we will get another opportunity to paint there.

Two of the sketches sent from Harriett that she had done this week

Easby Abbey near Richmond and the castle at Barnard Castle
The Old Cherry Tree, Ludgate causeway next week.

Instructions for members:

Leaving Eye on the Hoxne Road, Ludgate Causeway is the turning on the right immediately after Abbey Bridge. Going past the Pennings, The Old Cherry Tree (ex pub) is the first house on the right. Park in the yard, inside the double gates just before the house, ensuring you don’t block the owners’ cars in the cart lodge. If that space is full, park in front of house or in the Pennings Car park. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided. Entry  to the garden is up the steps at end of the  cart lodge. Paint in the garden or at the Pennings.
​
Next weeks blogger is : Hannah
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Mendham mill postponed

11/6/2026

2 Comments

 
It was decided to cancel today, just as well, as it has been so wet. Hope we go there another time.
Here is the Weather map from today; and  a view of what we are missing (from the road), plus an Intro to Alfred Munnings who was born in Mendham.
Some more images of Mendham Mill showing what we are missing - taken by Leslie last week
Thanks for everyone who has sent in some work, not necessarily from today. See below along with their comments.

Frances

First sketch at Angela’s on Sunday

Also at Angela’s on Sunday…Comfrey

Third, a sketch done in 2022 at Mendham on the bridge while waiting to pick up children from school

Avril
The first one is a photo using a light coming from the left so I could show the shadows

I am afraid the job was too hard for me the second photo shows mainly watercolour and the third one I made a mistake and used intense pencil that was wet and it made a mess so that one is a bit abstract

It is really hard to show shadows on a white rose

 Diana

Ever since I visited Charleston Farmhouse I have wanted to paint every surface in the house. A new boiler  in this fireplace  has given me the chance. I’m basing it on the embroidery  above. Not finished yet.

Carolyn

Attached is a small sketch of a water lily on our pond. They are looking wonderful but I have, over the years, found them difficult! I love the way they open during daylight and go to sleep at night.


Ian has been wood turning and here is what he produced
Sally

I decided to make my dad a Father's Day card. I'm rather pleased with the result.
It's one I've painted before but this one is on a much smaller scale......21cm x 15cm. 

My picture
: Tamsin Little had an acrylic class last night in our Village Hall, which included plenty of  prosecco - very nice! I wasn't happy with my picture, the cow parsley looked like jazz hands, so I redid it, and like it better. Here is the result. Cow parsley is also very hard to do.
Finally here are some pictures from the Town Hall last weekend, sent in from Sally T.
Next week is at Albion House, Syleham Road, Hoxne
(room for 5 cars only, please car share)
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PLEASE NOTE THE VISIT TO MENDHAM MILL 11TH JUNE 2026 HAS BEEN CANCELLED BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER

10/6/2026

0 Comments

 
Any contribution you may have can still be sent to Harriet.
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June 4th Dunwich Beach

4/6/2026

1 Comment

 
The weather led us a merry dance today, more like the Hokey Cokey! No sooner had we unpacked our kit, and chosen a view than the heavens opened and we had to run for shelter, but…in spite of that there were 11 of us today, and we were treated to some spectacular colour changes. The sky went from Cobalt blue to inky purple, and the sea changed from deep green to pale mustard, and to cap it all the distant view of Southwold came and went as the rain clouds descended.
​ here to edit.
We started off cheerfully enough with coffee from the cafe, but soon we were seeking shelter, Avril had even sensibly brought her own!


​some of us were attracted to the beach. 
​Avril, Ian C and Ian J.



​Josie, Judith and Frances


Sally P’ view toward Sizewell,  and Sally T’s beach panorama.




​Jackie made pencil sketches to work on her composition and then painted it in watercolour



Lesley worked on the amazing colour range in the sky and the sea.


​I battled with the sea in between showers


Meanwhile inland was also an attractive subject.
​Harriet and Frances walked up to the ruined abbey.



The view across the marshes was also spectacular.
​Sally P, Lesley,and Ian C
And Harriet. Ian C also captured his coffee cup and some passing strangers. 
 
and from Carolyn a reminder of the last of last autumns apple harvest perfectly framed in a wooden wine crate ( also the best way to keep the mice away)
And finally…
  • Eye Open Gardens exhibition next weekend. 
    please bring your pictures to the town hall for hanging from 9 o’clock.
  • NB  Next week we are painting in the private gardens of Mendham Mill, the birthplace of Sir Alfred Munnings, in Mendham village.
  • There is a £5.00 fee ( cash please) which goes to the Munnings  Trust.
  • For this week we would appreciate you getting there as close to 10 as possible so that Lesley and Sally’s painting day is not disrupted. ( They need to show you round)
unfortunately please note.  NO DOGS ALLOWED

please see STOP PRESS for directions and further details.

next week’s blogger will be Harriet.


​


Sally
p.s. Avril has been making a scarecrow for a village event in September, the subject is children’s books, no prizes for guessing who this is! Sorry Avril, I did turn him round, but ‘computer says no’
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