Lesley talked about the founding of the guild and handed over to June, our one remaining  founding member, who had put together this reminiscence of EAG's beginnings.

'40 years ago I joined a small group of painters (adult) class at the Eye Youth Club building opposite the Guildhall. We had a small exhibition at the Guildhall, not a house then, but offices, which led to five of us enthusiasts to form our own Art Club.  We advertised to see if anyone else would be interested and we rented a room for the evening at the 4 Horseshoes in Eye. Several people turned up and so we formed a committee, with Ruth Shuttleworth as chairman, and 4 other members, Betty Thomson, Sylvia Parton, Thelma Hodgins and me.  Two of those were also members of the Bury Art Group, so we had access to their constitution, which we copied and still use today. It was decided to call ourselves Eye Arts Guild, because of our first exhibition held at the Guildhall.  We also had a demonstration that evening by Pauline (whose surname I don’t recall), a local artist, printing on scrunched tissue paper. 

From then on during the summer we would meet on Thursday evening at a member’s house to show our day’s work.  Then winter came and our meeting place was Stoke Ash Village Hall. Our very first demonstration was how to paint a still life in oils, by Dorothy Swanton. 
The membership grew and became popular. After Stoke Ash Village Hall we have had to move to bigger venues, so may we continue to meet, paint and enjoy the pleasure of painting and make great masterpieces!'

Mine [Hannah] is a little animation made of 40 cells, the eye growing older as it goes along.

Lesley created a wonderful celebratory cake, beautifully iced, and more important, delicious!
Here she is cutting it.

Finally, here is something from Liz, that was held over from last week.

Jane was in charge of the still life set up today which was very varied, interesting and challenging.  

Before proceeding with today's work, here is Lesley Bu's work last week, which was not picked up in emails until too late in the day.  Apologies, Lesley.

Frances came in first with her work.  She is still in Brittany and says, "Bonjour!".  She adds:  "First is a quick sketch done in chilly conditions standing on the beach with a lovely sea near Trinité sur Mer. Second is acrylic and some ink, playing with a grid system and autumn oak leaves. Will probably cut it up for cards!!! "

Avril says she was on a roll today.  {I should say so! She has done nine portraits!  N}

Diana did some watercolours today, and thanks to her for one of the still life photos above.  She describes it as another good morning.

A portrait from Jackie, who has caught a very good likeness, and two from Elizabeth.

More portraits, first from Sally P - just the one as she says her second picture was not a success.  And two from Sally T, charcoal on sugar paper.

First, Carolyn has sent a drawing of her ornamental crab apple tree, which is still a lovely splash of colour in the garden. She added the following greeting -

'I won't be coming to the Bowls Club again till next year.
So Happy Christmas and New Year to all!'

If you also have a greeting for the members, send it to Noreen next week.

Frances is away in Brittany this week, but has sent these two, a sketch she did at Redgrave and Lopham Fen last week and some experimental tiny stamps she is in the process of making. Tempted by the small circular pieces in Jarrolds!

Sally L was doing her own thing this week, working on the lemons from last week. 'I have been having fun trying alternative backgrounds for the lemons that I painted last week using the pen tool on the photo editing screen.
So this is my mock-up background (first picture).
And this is my attempt at interpreting it, not yet finished (second).'