A goodly number gathered today, despite the cold, the wind, and for some of us, having to drive through floods!
It felt very spring-like with Rachel's choices of flowers, and she was dressed for cooking, and gave those who drew her an interesting angle or two to look at.  Together with those who had brought their own interesting work in, we all got thoroughly absorbed in our work and it was a very quiet and studious atmosphere for most of the working morning!

And finally, apologies to Noreen, in case anyone has wondered why she has taken so long with this today - definitely not her style!  This has been Hannah, and I am afraid I got whisked off to the cinema (to see 1917, which I thoroughly recommend), and so I am late, and then of course my computer decided to act up... Hopefully all will be as it should next week, when it's Sandra's turn.

A select few members arrived for our first art session of the New Year.  Were the rest still celebrating, I wonder, or recovering from their seasonal jollities? 

So here goes - my first Christmas party report!  And thanks to Noreen for her hard work during the year, producing this page in record time every week - I'm afraid I take rather longer!
This year Diana surpassed herself with the most difficult quiz since I joined.  Harriet introduced us to a very competitive version of Pictionary that had team members running to beat their opponents, and we had some great readings and music, including some that we sang ourselves.
First of all, have a go at the quiz, and see how far you get before you download the answer files!

Once again there was a patch missing from the patchwork picture - you know who you are! But see if you can spot the deliberate mistake that was unveiled when we were first shown the picture.  Sally quickly corrected it, and it was agreed that it was a most interesting painting, and that our rendition had done it justice.  It is called The Christmas Tree and was painted by Elizabeth Adela Stanhope Forbes, who was one of the Newlyn painters.

Next came the entertainment -
First Irene read to us from The House By the Dvina, by Eugenie Fraser, a most vivid account of Christmas in Russia, and then a contrast - the Battle of Hastings by Stanley Holloway, described as though it was a football match!

Next Richard conducted us through 12 days of Christmas, fulfilling (maybe) a long held ambition.  We weren't bad!
He then regaled us with a poem on the woes of 'Twelve Days of Turkey'.

Finally John treated us to a trio of songs accompanied by the ukelele - Dream, Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman.

As usual, the food was excellent, and the proof of the pudding was in the eating!

Thanks to the committee members for their stalwart role in organising (and clearing up) the party.
And finally,
Diana made a Christmas card for us all, which was displayed during the party, and came up with the great idea that we should all do the same and bring the results to the party next year.  You will be reminded again next October or thereabouts.

Sally also gave us the title of the Chairman's Project to be completed by April of next year, which is

So there is something to think about, as we all enjoy the pleasures of the Christmas season...
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!
Best Wishes from Hannah

We look forward to our Christmas party next week, which starts at our usual time of 10am but goes on later to include the buffet.   We are reminded to bring any of the patch paintings not already handed in - we definitely don't like to finish with a hole in the picture.  
By the way, Hannah has kindly agreed to do the Blog next time, on the party.

​After that, it's holiday time until 2nd January.

Well Jane (and Noreen) will have to forgive me, because it has only just occurred to me that I did not take any photos of her, or her still life in all its glory, as Noreen and I agreed only as we sat down this morning that I would do the blog today because her broadband is down (this is Hannah, by the way).  If anyone did take a picture or two (and DOES have working broadband) perhaps they could email it to me, and I will add it later.

Anyway, we do have a fine crop of drawings and paintings done this morning, as shown below.  The still life featured a wonderful vintage picnic set, complete with apples and a bottle and glasses, together with cameras for capturing the event!  Actually, if you look at the three paintings that show the whole still life you will get a pretty good idea.

Our exhibition will be going up at the Bank on Sunday afternoon.  Don't forget to bring your paintings, fee and submission form between 12.30 and 1.00 pm.  We will also be having a gathering on Wednesday afternoon at 4.30 pm at the Bank, with mulled wine and mince pies.  Come along and feel free to bring partners with you.

Well, thanks so much to Carolyn, who has sent me pictures of the still life in all its glory!

​What a show of autumn leaves in Angela’s still life!   The variety in the leaves themselves, of colour, tone, texture, translucency …. I could go on …. all presenting a great invitation for us to paint.  We tried, and of course cannot compare our efforts with nature but I think we did give some splendid interpretations and impressions.
Angela herself was our model, clearly a popular one judged by the many resulting sketches and drawings.  
Those working on their own projects were unfortunately short-changed for space, as it looked early on as though the still life spaces were too few and the own projects spaces not fully required - however, things changed shortly after a table was transferred.  This is being looked at for next time.
​
The arrangements for the Bank exhibition in December have been published.  Earsham is still on hold and work hanging there will be brought back next week - in time to enter for the Bank if you wish.

Next week we have Jane presenting the still life and model.

After about an hour and a half, it was our turn to paint.  We all produced at least one, and in some cases two, paintings.  John walked round and spent time with each artist, giving advice and showing techniques.  This was repeated again later in the day, so we all benefited greatly from John’s knowledge and expertise.  
Some excellent work was completed and I am sure we all learnt a great deal - I certainly did.  For me it was a very interesting, enjoyable but somewhat exhausting day.

Diana provided a full table for the still life on the theme of Harvest, which led to ten pictures.  

Next week, for those who have signed up for it, we have John Shave's workshop on Landscapes in oils - see Sally P's message.  The following week it is Lesley's printing, but there will be space for those who don't want to print but do their own thing.

Next week Diana will be doing the honours.  There will be a still life as usual.  As for a model, Diana has difficulty with long sitting so it is hoped two or three volunteers will take turns to sit.

It was good to get back into our stride in the Bowls Club and welcome back a number of members who we don’t see so much of on our summer days out.  There was quite a crowd of us - with plenty of chat in the breaks, but huge concentration otherwise.  
This week the still life and model were provided by Hannah, who herself posed as the model.  The new arrangement with just one still life set up and separate space for those doing their own projects seemed to work well.  The still life table gave us a child’s eye view of a domestic situation with lots of teddy bears and other toys around.  Some interesting pictures emerged, which I think you will agree.
Next week we have Richard Kite doing the honours.
Please click on images to enlarge them.

Sally Procner, at the end of her first year as excellent Chair of EAG, got through the agenda very smartly, including delivery of her Annual Report (click here), thus concluding the AGM at 10.35.  
Our membership is full, our finances are healthy, programmes running smoothly and everyone seems very happy.  It was also a happy occasion to celebrate with chocolate cake the four active members who passed their ninetieth birthdays this year:  Carolyn, Freda, Cynthia and (in absentia) Dorothy.  With two other members over ninety now, I declare that art is good for longevity.  Happily we also have lots of much younger members.
After the celebration we proceeded to Show and Tell where members were invited to bring their best painting from the summer and tell us something about it.  This is so interesting as everyone has a different story - about where it took place, what they tried to express, the technique or media used,  and more.

​Lesley Buckwell's work was on a different scale, an exotic plant in her garden, with huge blooms and strong fragrance.  A stark contrast to Sally T's pen and watercolour study at the Mid Suffolk Light Railway Museum, and Jackie's gentle watercolour of the garden where she was staying in Turkey on a painting holiday.

Click on images to enlarge them.  
​Next week it's the Bowls Club with Hannah presenting still life and model.