The Eye Art Guild visit to Framlingham, the picture showing 3 members, Avril and her dog, Jackie and Angela.

There were 7 of us in total, around and about in Framlingham. After being delayed, (road closures) and so arriving late I missed Josie and Ian, but I'm told they were there. After Sally T and I put the world to rights over a cuppa, we headed to the castle where we bumped into Angela, Avril with her dog, and Jackie. They all had aleady done some drawings. (see below).

I left jackie and Sally inside the castle, and went for a walk round the outside, including the meadow. See the photos below. It took me back to when our previous dog was young and we used to  visit regularly, and she ran off through the wood into the large moat
.
The weather was OK, dull and a bit cold, no rain though, but it was  windy.

The Castle interior

First we have Angela's drawing followed by Avril's drawing

Next from inside the castle, Sally T's drawings and then Jackie's and finally mine.

Next we have Carolyn's work for this week, following that Francis's sketches from France

And 2 images of Dahlias by Sally P plus a photo

Finally a photo of the meadow beside the castle showing the path and a butterfly, it wouldn't keep still though! Hard to spot.

Next week is in Eye and Maggie-Anne is hosting.  Hannah will be blogging, so send contributions to her.

Six members at Beccles today, most of us stayed around the quay, but Jackie ventured down to the Lido, and  the Old Market, AND The weather was in our favour this week.
But first Coffee, and a lengthy session putting the world to rights. You’ll notice that we are all smiling in the photograph, but we did all agree that one way and another things are pretty grim at the moment. - nothing like a day’s painting to restore our equilibrium!

First Lesley with a view towards the old Beccles bridge,and also a watercolour of the view over the water looking in the opposite direction.

Also a badly submerged boat, somebody else’s problem thank goodness.

Harriet found some beautiful swans on the slipway.

And a colourful view of the footbridge in mixed media.

Hannah produced a lovely drawing of  a boat moored near the footbridge.

Sally T chose a similar view to Lesley looking across the cut to the boats river’s edge and the boats moored there.

I also drew the view similar to Lesley’s of the old road bridge.
​i was using a new ‘find’ from the art range in Woodware workshop, a Daler Rowney system 3 fluid acrylic ‘pen’ I do not recommend this frustrating piece of equipment as the nib is quite fine,and the acrylic paint congeals and frustratingly blocks it!

Jackie bravely struck out into Beccles, drawing a collection of canoes at the Lido that reminded her of sardines in a can, and another lovely drawing of one of the picturesque houses in the old market place.

Diana , has ‘beamed herself into Beccles’ and produced this collage of a view over the footbridge!

and now for something completely different…
Carolyn has sent this drawing of the plums from her garden, ideally suited to the medium of coloured pencil drawing, it beautifully reproduces that velvety sheen on the skin. Delicious!

and Frances has sent a pen and wash drawing of that moment when the Hydrangeas tell you that autumn is on it’s way.

and her sequence of scraperboard drawings, first in reverse, then ink on the board,and then beginning to scrape away the image. She isn’t completely satisfied with the results, and is considering repeating it on white scraperboard.

  

and finally

• Next  week we are in Framlingham
• Next week’s blogger is Harriet
• Think about your ‘summer picture’ it can be any piece of work that you have produced over the summer, or maybe just a quick sketch that evokes a particular happy summer memory. We will look at these picture at our first winter session after the AGM

Sally

8 Members turned up today at Frog Farm despite the wet weather, three of us started as the rain came down the rest sheltered under the tarpaulin. The owner was kind enough to supply some flowers for us to draw from and take home, so we took them to Frances house. Frances was kind enough to invite us and supplied drinks and made freshly baked scones.  

Some of the sunflowers were past their best but there was still plenty to draw.

Jackie drew a beautiful pen and ink of the planters in Frances's garden and Sunflowers in vases. Sally P had to leave early but produced the last painting of the sunflowers.

Ian J was impressed by the large window and view outside and also went into the garden with his watercolours and painted the grapevine. Josie successfully  treated the sunflowers in different ways.

Sally L made a flowing pen and ink drawing and Sally T two delicate  coloured watercolours

Frances had fun printing and finishing off her cards which looked wonderful.

Avril, me was like a child in a sweet shop there was so much for inspiration in Frances house lots of interesting things.

Sally T had kindly asked us to her house for tea, biscuits and a cake. We had a very sociable time as Sally's husband Phil and their next door neighbour Martin joined us.

​ It is sunflower day today and I’m sure you will all enjoy their beauty. Better from real life than photo, but this is all that is available to me. sent to us by Carolyn.

Next weeks blogger is Sally L

Eye Art Guild met at Bulls Hall, Occold, a charming house and garden just outside the village. A bit off the beaten track, 7 of us found our way to Angela's property and enjoyed her hospitality. She welcomed everyone with a cuppa, and then we all got down to work. We are very spread out as her garden is very large. 
The weather was reasonably kind to us, it didn't rain but at the end of the day there was a bit of a wind.
Below are the photos of her garden with artists working. First is Frances , then Jackie, followed by Maggie Anne, Sally P and Penny. Also present were Sally T and myself.

As well as seeing Angela's beaufiful and extensive garden, she showed us her work, first showing her in her studio with some of her paintings, followed by her work, she says:
'I have been a bit busy with grandchildren this summer - 
I have been painting a bit-  here is one from Thornham, one from Orford and one from a sketch I did years ago in Norway!
Sally L and I have pieces in Holton Lodge Barn as part of Open Studios summer exhibition.'

Here are some lovely pictures first by Jackie, 2 watercolours, and Lesley has produced a pastel picture which she has just started and an  acrylic, which was hard because the paint was drying so quickly, what with sun and the breeze.

Followed by fine drawings by Penny, first one,  and Sally P, the following three - all pencil drawings.

Next are three pencil drawings by Sally T, and my two - the first started out as a pen sketch but there was too much detail so it became a pastel sketch and my second is a pen sketch of a cherry tree wtih attractive bark.

Here are some ink drawings by Frances, the first is in Gables in Amsterdam, followed by an interesting looking church tower,  and then the view towards Rotterdam from the Hook of Holland, o followed by 3 pictures of Angela's garden: Acanthus going to seed; two of the pond.

Next week is at Frog Farm (Sunflowers) and the blog is being done by Avril, so send your contributions to her.

What wonderful weather today when three enthusiastic members met to have tea and coffee at the expertly manned pop up. It was a pleasure for me to meet Laurens Jolles who has joined us to open air painting.   

First photo is of the pop up cafe' middle Bob and Avril and the third Laurens and Harriet

The marvelous views at Knettishall today are shown below.

Harriet's lovely watercolour of the bridge 

Avril only did two today as she went at lunchtime and Bob had a nice walk

Carolyn said - Roy was given this bag by the butcher who said “this is the largest business card ever!”

Photos from Frances, not Beccles but Zvartsluis in Holland on her way to Badbergen in Germany! 

Maggie-Anne said :  just to prove that I am still here and  painting this is a pen and inks and watercolour of a branch from one of the Buddleia in the garden.

A message from Lesley - I’m in Woodbridge on our boat. Played tourist this morning and discovered an art exhibition members may be interested in.  Look at Stop press for further information

Next weeks blogger is Harriet

 6 members went ‘on safari’ to Wetheringsett today, and although all the usual attractions were looking their best we were forced to seek shady shelter, and although we were allowed into the repair shed this year ( and very impressive it was too) even that became too hot in the end.

Inside the repair shed, look at those spanners, pic 3, what a collection!

Outside a very attractive new feature, a Dig for Victory garden, and the shady end of the track, which has been extended this year.

action shots…
Jackie and Lesley in the shade behind the repair shed.

Sally T dangerously close to the edge of the platform.

​Sally P executing a detailed line drawing of one of the outside sheds.

And Lesley with the view over the tracks…and the view with the tracks!

Jackie painted part of the Dig For Victory garden, and an almost ethereal railway carriage.

Laurens created a colourful snapshot of the platform in oils.

and Sally T has been sketching,( the picture of the carriage on the left should be viewed horizontally, sorry Sally) on the right the view up to the tracks
A different view down to the tracks, and some tricky fastening components on the underside of the carriage ( I’m getting out of my depth here)

and speaking of getting out of my depth…I did my usual trick of biting off more than I could chew!

​and this is Lesley’s flat bed of the locomotive waiting for assembly in the repair shed

Frances has been busy preparing some beautiful prints of hares and butterflies for the Charity Craft Market at the Waveney Centre in Beccles on Saturday. Let’s hope that they fly off the stand!

Hannah’s picture this week is based on a photo of a ploughed field in Thorndon. She says ‘ it’s not yet finished. It needs the pink to be redder, and the colour ramped up a bit.’ Painted in oil on an old painting sanded down and painted white.

 Carolyn has sent a drawing of a fallen branch from an oak tree. Which landed in a ditch. In her garden It’s been rescued by her gardener who has left her with a pile of neatly sawn logs, which will be the subject of her drawing next week

Very fair weather today, as befits the name of the venue.  And a fair number of members, and a would be member, came to the Angel Cafe in the morning before dispersing to sketch and paint.  Quite a few of that number went home early ( including me - H), but a productive morning was had, and there are some interesting sketches included in this blog.  Two views of the gathering, as we were at different tables.  I hope I got everyone in!

Here is the work Frances did - charming views of some of the perimeter buildings, including the cottagee on the end which has just had its magnificent chimneys renovated.

And here are Harriet's sketches, first the house visible through the trees in Ian's picture, and then a fine drawing of the playground.

Flixton is a favoured spot to visit for EAG.  There are probably thousands of interesting items on display, from whole aircraft to memorabilia and engine parts.  Outside the hangars is a fascinating engine 'graveyard' which always provides popular subjects for sketching.  We met in the 'NAAFI' for a welcome coffee or tea, and then spread out, initially inside the hangar complex, to avoid the wet weather outside.  It did clear up, and proved quite warm and sunny.  I left early, but most members stayed for tea at the end of the day.

Avril brought Bob with her, and he behaved beautifully while she sketched just behind me.  Here is a selection of her work, which includes subjects both inside and out.

Now Frances, who said, 'Today I only took charcoal and felt pens which react with water. So a bit of a challenge with the subject!

'First , charcoal pattern created using fronts of the aircraft.
Second using the felt tips and water, a plane that felt looked ready to eat some prey!
Thirdly outside and just using felt tips and no water!'

Diana was working at home, with day lilies her inspiration, but she also sent a sketch done on a previous visit to Flixton.

Sally P.   Pencil one is the Sepecat jaguar in pencil. 
Second a quick 20 min sketch of the damaged propellers in a water soluble twin ended felt tip pen and a bit of watercolor. Done as a semi blind contour.

I’m indebted to Sally P  as I didn’t get to Westhorpe for this very comprehensive report.
​
A cold and wet day, at times at Westhorpe. Well for most of the time actually! There were only 5 hardy artists and Ian C! ( He stayed indoors painting from an upstairs window!)
We started with tea and biscuits in the morning and just as we went outside it started to rain. Jackie stayed in the garden and was luckily positioned under a large sun umbrella whilst painting a scene of a Bistro table and chairs.
Josie, Ian and I wandered over to the church where we met Sally T who had started a picture that had to be abandoned due to the rain. I sat indoors to draw some clangers. I had to position myself away from the leaky roof! 
Ian J. Chose a complicated view of the interior of the church. He made a good job of it too!
Josie sat outside in the porch and produce two pictures.......with some new pens! I particularly like the colour one. 
Sally T also sat outside. She produced one drawing of a window and one of the same view as Josie and I. 
I joined them for my second and third pictures. The third one I was trying out Jo's new pens. ( Rather nice) 
Ian C. Very wisely chose to stay indoors and painted a Sycamore tree and a pine tree in oils.
Then at just gone 2.00 we decided to head back to Ian's house for a cuppa and two lovely cakes. A lemon drizzle and a fat free sponge with strawberries and cream. Jackie and Ian were already indoors and had finished a cup of coffee! 
​

Here are Sally T’s pencil sketches, done very quickly she says.

Three from Sally P some metal ‘clangers’ inside the church. A view of the war memorial, and the third ,’in the style of Josie’ using some of Josie’s pens.

​a view of Ian’s garden from Jackie, you would never know that it was raining!

​an original ‘Josie’ from Josie of the graveyard first in charcoal, and then, using her new pens, and a delicate coloured pencil church interior from Ian J

Two oil paintings of trees from Ian C that he can see from his window at Westhorpe.

​



​Carolyn was first off the blocks today, with this picture of a rose currently flowering in her garden.”at it’s best in bud or partly opened” one of her favourites.She sends greetings to you all. 

Hannah has been collaging a lot lately, using Gelli prints and adding some ink. 
she will also be putting something on Messages from Members about an exhibition she is  participating in, so please look there for more information.

Lesley is staying in Boxford and has sent ‘a couple of quick sketches whilst out on a walk before the rain arrived’ 

and Frances has sent three pictures from France, a brilliant blue Agapanthus with Peacock butterflies, the finished version of a previous sketch, the second, while standing in the sea… that’s rather extreme even for a dedicated member of EAG,…maybe this is the beginning of a trend for extreme sketching…and finally an acrylic version .

Harriet was sorry not to get to Ian’s house today, but has sent a lovely drawing of some of her house plants.

​Diana says, ‘I can remember going through the churchyard near Ian’s several years ago these are possibly the sketches.
The third one is what you can do with water on felt tips.Ive seen a lot of water this week,mainly coming through the roof on to my living room floor.’

​and from me a mixed media puddle picture, 

• Our blogger next week  is Hannah, please send pictures to her.
• Don’t forget to check the Members Only section  for details of Hannah’s exhibition, and an invitation to the private view at Holton Barns, part of the Suffolk Open Studios late summer exhibition, where Angela and I are exhibiting.
  

Sally

10 members came today at variously different times. We discussed where we would go and Maggie Anne decided that there was a lovely church and Jackie said there was a good bridge, it turned out that they were thinking of another place altogether and we had a great laugh about a Bridge that wasn't one and a church that was not the right one. The Cowshed was very impressive and we were made welcome.

The views at Thrandeston were spectacular

Ian C was happy to paint at Stuston and found a reservoir with boats on it. He decided to go back to his oils and used quick drying white and burnt umber. The flies kept him company and the oil paint entombed them. 

Sally sketched a wonderful pencil drawing of a house and a watercolour using the scumbling technique. Jackie also did the house on the 3rd photo and along with Ian J were invited to tea from the owner.

Sally L had a good day and had fun mark making with black ink and used a red crayon to draw attention. Sally did the middle one, (the same house as Sally P) from another angle which shows the lake.  It had dark shadows behind which made it stand out. Jo made a super job of the willow trees, very colourful and then did the charcoal thatched roof house that was a very unusual shape.

Ian J worked hard on his pencil drawing and started on the thatched house but it was time to stop before he had finished.

Avril's selection today, the weeping willows did not look right so they were changed into 'Yeti'. 

This was sent from Maggie Anne:  ​I thought the Cow Shed cafe was great.  Not much inspiration for painting in Stuston. Hope tea was fun. 

Lesley had a texture workshop with Lesley Monrose it included college, printing on tissue, brown paper, bubblewrap, textured wallpaper using only black white and two other colours. Lesley chose green and blue this made the samples work with each other, the limited pallet worked really well. 

Harriet said : ​I didn't make it today but I found a bit of time to do two images, one a drawing and the other with soft pastels, both of the petunias which are looking very nice at the moment. 

Diana sent these photos from previous sessions

Next weeks blogger is Sally instead of Avril

'Orford has nearly something for everyone, whether its quaint cottages with wisteria - overgrown and still flowering; wild life and meadows, a castle and golden cornfields ready to harvest; and of course plenty of boats, large sky, long horizons, sparkly water and in the distance Orford Ness, with the testing 'pagodas' just in sight (to visit you have to book ahead - see National Trust web site for further details)
The weather was hot, but there was a breeze which helped although it blew paper about. Here are some images showing Orford's castle and church

There were 11 Eye Art Guild members, most of us stayed by or near the quay, here are some images of the quay and distant views of members in position, followed by artists almost ready to get going.

First we have Sally Procner's work, followed by Lesley's 

Next we have Ian Jones, then Josie, followed by Ian Cotgrove and Sandra's

Here are Angela's, folded sketch and showing her sketch pad, and Sally Ladbrooke's

last of the artists at Orford, Jackie's, Sally T's  and finally mine

Thanks to those who emailed their work for us all to see, first we have Frances;

Bonjour Harriet,

First a sketch of agapanthus in the garden. I did see a peacock butterfly behind it! A painting in the offing.

Second my favourite Romanesque church in this area St. Gildas. A sketch of the exterior of east end.
( A bit tricky!!!)  By the sea where Abelard the lover of Eloise was an abbot, although not very successfully.

Then Diane
Hope Thursday EAG has passed well. My armchair Tour de France has started. Next Brittany , Pyrenees,across the south ,then the Alps.
The sketches are of Morston Quay from 2014. Thank you ,Diana x

Followed by Avril
Sorry I decided not to come today, I stayed with Bob in the shade and played in the paddling pool
But yesterday I did some Lino prints so I thought members might like to see my efforts

Finally Carolyn
I have been busy watching tennis this week, so have only done a quick sketch. The crop of gooseberries was good but they were all rather small. Was that due to the dry spring weather this year? More work to deal with though. Have a good day, not too hot

Next week Sally L is your blogger.  Please send any submissions to her.

Another very hot day, at least to start with, but all nine of us lasted the full day.  Pulham St Mary was very welcoming.  The Pennoyer Cantre staff not only kept us fed and watered, but also took the photo at the end of this group, and seemed genuinely interested in what we were doing.  The landscaping at the front of the building (by a local volunteer!) also offered subject matter for several of us.  This is a pretty little village, with a church and churchyard of a size to tell us that it was once perhaps much bigger and more populous.  The font (in the first picture has a very elaborate lid like an architectural model, with a wire running up to the ceiling to lift it off.  Most of us ended up at the church for at least some of the day.

First today, Avril, who drew in the churchyard and sketched the house across the road, and a few more not shown here of the flowers.  Prolific as usual!

These are Sally P's three sketches from today. She felt the first of the two flower studies was less successful than the second, which she feels is looser and more vibrant.

Frances is in Brittany and said, 'Bonjour Hannah,
'In Brittany and have just done this relatively quick sketch of a lace cap hydrangea. They always inspire me when I am here and the following is an acrylic on a landing here.
'We also found old shutters here during the renovation and I have painted on several. This is my latest, as yet unfinished using passion flowers as the subject.'

Frances has been told about an exhibition in Harleston in September.  The preview is on the 11th September and the exhibition runs from the 12th to the 21st.  I will put the details on Messages from Members tomorrow.  There have been some changes made to the Exhibitions pages of the website, and there will shortly be details of the recent exhibition at the Bank and of the individual Open Studios.  Next week's blogger is Harriet.  Send any contributions to her.

11 members joined our happy band today to paint, three just for the fun and the rest for great artworks. we began with our usual  coffee/tea and chat and then split up in various places in the town.

Ian C gave me a run for my money by producing six impressive drawings, he said it was difficult to get the perspective right, but I think he made a good job of it.

The first two are Josie's, a smashing gargoyle and side view of church; the 3rd one is Ian S a good perspective and I think he did the clouds last as it did start to rain towards the end of the day.

Sally P went to the Pennings and drew lovely shades in a pencil drawings and an effective watercolour of convolvulus

The first two are Jackie's watercolours done at the Pennings, what realistic cows.  The last one  is Lesley's which was radiant, she commented that using good ground and and creamy unison pastels made all the difference.

Judith had to go early but gave me her piece before she went so she said that it was not finished, I think it is very colourful

Frances said 'I only meant to do the gargoyle and add another but it all became a bit complicated!  The middle one was some flintwork on the tower and the last was a sketch of church done from the viewing point on top of castle tower.

A selection of Avril's done in the town and the Pennings.

Diana was busy today and made a simply spectacular collage of the Town.

Carolyn said I am attaching 2 drawings of flowers in the garden which is looking wonderful just now. 

The first thing I did in Eye today was call in at the Bank and took some photographs of our marvelous exhibition. A list of members who entered and their comments follow
​

 It was nice to see Richard, Maggie Anne and Jane for coffee and show them what we had been busy with.

There are a few notices today ,one about the funeral arrangements for Les Bragg which are now on the Members Only page. Carolyn was sent details of an open exhibition in August at the 'Beyond The Image' Gallery at Thornham Walks, details and how to exhibit are on the Stop Press page.

Please do not forget members are showing their work this weekend for the open studios.
​Next weeks blogger is Hannah.

Sadly, today we start with a message from Lesley.

'Members will be saddened to hear of the death at the weekend, of our friend Les Bragg.
Les had been unwell for some time. Our thoughts go to Barbara and family. 
Les and I joined the Guild about the same time, back in 2007, both participating in Rebecca’s Introduction to art evening classes.  Since then his art has flourished, as he enjoyed the challenge of experimenting with new techniques and different media. 
Les quickly became a stalwart of the guild, a long serving committee member always ready to volunteer such as helping set up exhibitions.
But most members will remember him for his enjoyment of life, sometimes outrageous sense of humour and several hilarious pantomimes he wrote and produced for the Guild’s Christmas parties.
 
A true one off, we shall miss him.'

Lesley

I am sure members will have particular memories of Les.  If you wish to share them, or celebrate his life, send an email to me (Hannah), and we will publish them on a separate page.

It was less hot than I expected today, but perhaps that was because we kept to the shade.  There were only four of us, and two had to go even earlier than the other two.  By 1 pm, we had all left!  There were plenty of walkers passing through, and the sunshine makes for great contrast between light and shade.  My work doesn't reflect this anywhere near adequately.

Frances also had to leave early, but sent her pictures to me afterwards, and included some she did earlier...
She also thoroughly recommends the Hiroshige exhibition at the British Museum - full details here.
It is on until 7th September.

1. Sketch done today. More interested in structure of oaks than the greenery.
Next pictures completed on previous visits:
2. Finished painting in watercolour on board.
3. Watercolour on paper… murmuration.
4. Watercolour… done from a sketch.
5. A sketch in situ.

A further message from Lesley regarding the exhibition at The Bank:

A reminder to all members exhibiting at the Bank arts Centre in Eye next week.
Refer to  your entry form instructions sheet for details on how to prepare your work for hanging.
Work should be brought to the Bank next Monday, 23rd June at 9.30am, where it will be signed in by Abbie, the bank’s artistic director and Angela.
It should be collected the following Monday, 30th June 9.30-10.30am.
If you are intending to sell cards, please make sure they are clearly labelled with your name and price. Be aware the Bank will take a 10% commission.
Next Thursday 26th June  tea  after our painting session will be at The Bank so we can admire our creations!

Avril will be blogging next week, so send contributions to her.

.A grand day out today for ten of us, bright sunshine, and clean shadows, and plenty of inspiration, although one member was heard to comment that it was ‘too boaty’… there’s no pleasing some people!
​

​First coffee at the cafe. It looks as if Sandra is giving us all a pep talk, which we are all  deliberately ignoring…

​

Avril wasn’t able to join us this week, so Harriet won the ‘most pictures in a session’ award, I think I counted eight!

​three from Lesley including a view across the river.

Two from Sally T, whose boat wouldn’t stay still.

​Two more bootiful boaty pictures from Jackie

Angela also produced a  pastel of the Martello tower, and a cluster of boats.

Ian choose a very brightly coloured boat, a definite focal point, and a long view across the river

josie also looked out into the river, with a lovely muddy shoreline, and three posts reflected in the river.

Diana wasn’t with us today, but has very cleverly compensated by taking a street view from google maps and making a collage which manages to perfectly reflect the atmosphere of the day.The final picture, a lesson to us all, collage and cooking don’t mix!

Here is the result of my day’s work. A pen and wash of the harbourmaster’s hut, and my favourite thing,’ boatyard stuff’.

Carolyn has sent a drawing of the elder, Sambucus Niger shrub  flowering in her garden, lovely frothy pink flowers contrasting with the deep almost maroon foliage.

Avril was working from home this week, and has sent these two quirky images of ceramic faces, painted its acrylic paint, and displayed very effectively against her woven background.

​Harriet has forwarded this lovely image, from Jackie, that muddy creek looks almost inviting.

And finally ..

• Our Exhibition at the Town Hall was very successful, we sold three paintings (15 exhibited) and lots of cards, so a big thank you to everyone who contributed .
• Our next exhibition is at The Bank, running from Wednesday 25th - Sunday 29th of June.
• Entries to the bank on Monday 23rd 10.30 -11.30
• Collection on Monday 30th 10.30 -11.30.
• Next week’s blogger is Hannah

Sally