September Newsletter
September is shaping up to be quite busy on the exhibiting front, but first things first, I have two new limited edition Giclee prints in my shop – Early Snow Fall and River Reflections.
Early Snowfall was inspired by a chilly walk around the chalk path at Avebury in Wiltshire, following a decent covering of snow in early December 2022. As if Avebury isn’t magical and mystical enough, a blanket of the white stuff just adds to the drama. I love the pared down beauty of the landscape here (as you may already have guessed) and the limited palette of colours. I’m particularly fascinated with the depth of blue in the shadows and dips.
River Reflections also uses a limited range of colours, but with a totally different feel. This view is of the Avon as it passes through Bradford-On-Avon in Wiltshire. The green-gold of the trees in late summer adds some much-needed warmth to the cool blues of water and sky. A slight breeze on the water makes the reflections indistinct and slightly abstract. The painting began with some quite free drawing with a graphite block in the shadowy areas of the trees. I regularly do this to stop myself getting too fussy and neat, and to ensure that I add enough dark layers to create the tonal values that I’m looking for.
Both prints measure 33x33cm image size and are a limited edition of 100.
Upcoming events
First up is the group show at the newly-launched MADE in the Pewsey Vale gallery, located in Pewsey High Street in the heart of rural Wiltshire. September is carnival month (yes month!) in the village, and is taken very seriously by the residents. The gallery is joining in with the celebrations and will be running the exhibition between 26th September and 5th October 2024. I’m excited to be part of this new collective of locally-based artists, and particularly delighted to have been offered a solo show in May next year – more to follow soon.
Next up is Swindon Open Studios. This is my third year of taking part and I’ll be showing my work at home on the weekend of 28th and 29th of September, 11am until 5pm on both days. I’m delighted to be sharing with good friend Mary Thorne – www.marythorneceramics.co.uk, who will be exhibiting her beautiful ceramic vases, bowls and homeware. We’re studio no 12 in the brochure, and one of my paintings has made it on to the back cover!
I look forward to seeing you at an event soon.
