Opens tonight with a private view for family and friends.
L U S H
Sky Arts and a Greedy Cold Artist
Once you apply to be a contestant on Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year, whether successful or not, the idea, the temptation and the potential is revisited every year with an invitation to apply again, in email form. So up it popped… again… and again… until the deadline came and went and I felt thankful to put the opportunity, which I’d already visited and adored past me. It wasn’t something I needed to experience again and if I did apply, wouldn't I just feel a bit greedy for the experience?
Well, apart from my husband, I am usually the last to leave the table. Greedy is my middle name! A few clicks later and I had applied to be put through the mill of joy and loathing again. You guessed it. Lucky greedy me was chosen for the second time. But this time it was different. Gone were the bright bold brushstrokes of carefree days. We had just been through a pandemic and homeschooling two young children was not conducive to painting impasto in my kitchen.
My style of art became someone meditative and stripped back. Using only vertical lines, reminiscent of prison wall cells (I imagine?) I embarked on a minimalistic style capturing very local scenes on my ‘let-out-once-a-day runs’. Reaching for materials you might only find on a school desk, I found my new style not only a total departure from previous practise, but obsessive and necessary. I had to find order in my art, to answer the chaos that the pandemic had brought.
My submission piece. Black Nore Lighthouse, Portishead.
The day filming in Northern Ireland was an incredible day of hard work, shared wonder and camaraderie. Meeting artists fills me with excitement. A plethora of human experiences and expression captured in one intense day, scrutinised on camera. I knew there was a reason for my greediness. It was cold on the spit looking over the water to Castle Ward. Of course I was ill prepared but the very kind and attentive crew found a heater and a spare jacket for me. The jacket wasn’t spare might I add, but given with great insistence off someone’s back. I can be stubborn but this was next level.
It was a struggle to finish the work with drying pens from the cold and tinges of RSI! But the judges were able to glean my intentions which ultimately led me to getting shortlisted as one of the final three. To be honest, when my name was called out, I barely noticed. I clapped out of reaction but didn’t really register the moment. I may have jumped with shock and joy like a deranged seal. Such an embarrassment. The editors thankfully cut that bit out.
So, thank you Sky Arts. Thank you attentive crew and thank you universe for sending me this gift. I am humbled and satisfied. The belly is full.
Link to time-lapse: https://www.skyartsartistoftheyear.tv/landscape-artist-of-the-year/profiles/series-8/
Art Exhibition: Creative Perspectives on the Climate Emergency
We are sprinting as a species, driven by consumption, into the inevitable climate catastrophe and my need to have honest and uncomfortable conversations is at the forefront of my mind. Small talk is over.
I had the absolute pleasure of creating a piece of work for #bristoluni_cabot_institute, highlighting the climate emergency. The work was based upon and inspired by the conversation between ex-Met Office Chief Scientist Dame Professor Julia Slingo and climate scientist Dr Dann Mitchell.
We can all create opportunities to have conversations about this burning issue. What have we got to lose? I dare you to think about that!
This event is part of the Bristol SU's Climate Emergency Day of Action https://www.bristolsu.org.uk/climate-emergency-day-of-action
Everyone is welcome! This event is open to the public. Register for your free ticket. Come along any time between 11 am and 3 pm on the day.
The artworks featured in this exhibition were created during Cabot Conversations; when ten local artists were each invited to create an artwork in response to a conversation around climate change. Listen to the conversations and see the artworks taking shape:
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/cabot/conversations/
Painting classes in Clevedon
How very exciting is this?! Very, I tell you, very!!
I have an honest passion for helping people get to where they want to be… and the most frustrating things I hear all the time are, “I wish I was good at art” or “I don’t know where to start”. This is like a bull to a red flag for me. The short answer is YOU ARE GREAT when you embrace YOUR STYLE!
One of the hardest things as an artist and perhaps as a human, is to give yourself the freedom to be yourself. To express yourself in an authentic and truthful way. Society bombards us with sounds and images, flavours and ideas, which sometimes leave little room for our minds to breathe. What really goes on in our heads when we stop listening to the opinions of others? We can tap into this sacred space when we start to create from our internal energy and the depths of our gut instincts. I made that sound a bit ‘hammy,’ I know, but creating art is less – painting by numbers – but more – singing in the shower.
Be brave and paint like no one is watching!
So, how about it?! Reconnect with your creative side and join me for six weeks of exploring different techniques as you gain confidence and learn how to make your mark!
Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Herstmonceux
Gloria, is this you . . ?
When I got the phone call from Sky Arts to say that I’d made it through to the heats, I honestly thought that my dear friend Gloria was having a bit of a joke . . . I entered the competition on a whim, daring myself to be considered and I wondered whether the universe might just throw me a bone. You see, this was and is my favourite arts programme and I was going to be on it, meet the esteemed judges and kowtow to all their wisdom. After some reassurance that the caller was kosher, I put the phone down and my world changed.
I experienced such a mixture of emotions in the months leading up to the filming. Am I good enough?! I am good enough! I’m not good enough . . . I tried to analyse what it was that the judges had seen in my submission painting. Could I do ‘it’ again? Whatever ‘it’ was.
My submission painting of the River Erme in South Devon
The day before filming, my husband Sasha and I drove to an air b&b near the location still not knowing what the view would be for the day itself. I hardly slept because of the excitment but I had so much adrenalyn, nothing was going to dampen the day . . . except for the continuous torrential rain of course!
Call time was 7am. Driving in the early morning drizzle, the sat nav led us through a rather stately entrance where I saw our painting pods set up in front of the glorious Herstmonceux Science Observatory. I think i deafened Sasha by shouting with excitement (that it wasn’t the castle round the corner, no offense). My eyes feasted on the dusty turqouise tainted copper domes and big moody skies. It had a slight feel of alien invasion about it! But not only that . . . what were these magnificent giant shiny balls??! Later on, I discovered that they were part of an art installation, aptly depicting our solar system. On closer inspection and after a gentle flick, I realised with a sinking feeling that ‘shiney’ wasn’t exactly my forté!
My pod for the day
At the risk of sounding terribly British by mentioning the weather again, the rain and ominous dark clouds did play a huge part during the day. I was far too happy and nervous (or was it excitement) to care about it; I was also sheltered by the pod, but I really felt for the incredibly dedicated and cohesive team buzzing busily around us. The weather was certainly a character not to be ignored so I tried to evoke a sense of ‘soggy’ in my painting(s).
My second canvas
Having my chat with judge, Tai Shan Schierenberg was really fun. Like a –did that really happen– kind of fun. When you meet someone who’s work you respect and admire so much, you never really know if your brain and mouth will connect to say anything of value. Thank goodness Sasha took some snaps . . . I think the picture says it all!
Me with Tai smiling politely!
Meeting the other artists was like absorbing sunshine into the soul. People who were just as nervous, just as excited and just as grateful to have a chance to learn and get feedback from the day. It was like a little secret club that had met for the first time. Our vulnerability brought us together.
Although it only took one day of my life, the impact of taking part in Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year has changed my perspective permanently. Since filming for the show, I’ve started to hire studio space in order to pursue my ambition of painting as a full time career. Being filmed doing something so personal, challenging and joyful, has taught me more about myself than technique, composition or anything else . . . I was always good enough. Thank you Sky Arts, I’ll cherish the experience for ever.
My final painting of the day
Live Competitive Painting? Ok . . . I'm in!
They call it Art Battle. It’s international and this event was held in the fab Trinity Centre in Bristol. The concept? 12 artists compete against each other and the clock. You have 20 minutes to complete a painting without any visual aids, with only your eyes and mind for inspiration. The audience vote for who wins and there’s a silent auction selling the finished pieces. Sound scary? It was. It was also extremely epic!
You know when you hear about things that -other people do- and think to yourself, ‘Ooooo, I’d love to do that if I was braver,’ ? This was one of those things. If the idea of painting in 20 minutes wasn’t enough pressure, certainly the reality that I had to do it in front of an audience was going to send me over the edge! I may be a sucker for these kind of ‘sink or swim’ type senarios, where you feel like you have to force yourself to magically pull something out of a bag, but you don’t know if it’s going to be a cute bunny or a stink bomb. I’m not usually a thrill seeker. I’m not good with heights and I drive quite slowly. Turns out live competitive painting is my thing!
My nervousness manifesting itself into shoeless dancing antics. Oh me, oh my.
To be honest, it was all a blur. It all kicked off with a countdown from 10 at the start and I realised I could hardly paint straight because of my jittery hand. I poured all my energy and soul onto my canvas and after 15 minutes the hand of what felt like an angel’s grabbed my arm and I heard a calming voice whisper, “Stop”. I -think- that actually happened? After the 20 minutes, I felt happy with what I’d done. I felt like crying my emotions were so high, my mind didn’t know what was happening. I just collapsed into the arms of some dear friends that had come to support me.
I won my round, I won my round! I can go home now right? Uh Oh . . . The beautiful people of Bristol had voted me to paint in the final and after about four pints of water, a mouthful of delicious vegan food from #firmlyplanted_uk, I was set to join the three other finalists to once again pour out our hearts on our canvases for the high energy love fest of artiness.
I felt eyes watching, heard the chatter of people milling around and critiquing my decisions. I had to admit to myself the creeping yet powerful feeling of . . . I actually want to win! What was this?! I really wanted to win this! For my friends that came to support me . . . for the friends who wished me luck. I wanted to bring home the coveted golden paintbrush to show my son, who’s last words before heading off to camp with school were, “Good luck at Art Battle Mum!” I wanted to show my little daughter that her Mum was good enough. I wanted to suprise my husband with a symbol that his belief in me had made a difference. And tell my Mum that finally, after coming second place in a drawing competition when I was three at nursery school, that I’d won. I’d drawn a picture of a cat playing the violin. I mean, c’mon . . .
When the golden evnvelope was opened and my name was announced, louder than I’d ever heard it before (and pronounced correctly) I felt like I was in this cool, edgy dream where I won. But I actually did win!
But of course, being an artist (there, I said it) the best part wasn’t really about that moment, but meeting the other artists, hearing about their journeys, painting instinctively from the heart about things that your soul agonises over and feeling bare to be judged. Would I do it again? I’d encourage everyone to!
Actually, the best bit -was- winnning. Who am I trying to kid.
https://artbattle.com/
High Altitude Sketching
I’d feel more accomplished if I’d actually walked the 3000 or so metres to enjoy this view, but thanks to some suprisingly stable cable cars, it made for a less sweaty and more relaxing opportunity. Carrying what seemed to be more sketch pads and pencils than sandwiches, the view of the receding glacier at Argentiere near Chamonix was a sight to behold.
Some climbers were seeking their thrills and an Ibex led us up the lush stream lined and rocky path. Arriving near the top (the top would have meant metal ladders on veritcal sheer drops) we were rewarded with a view of the town. The glacier looked like it was balanced… paused in motion, with an impending doom that one day God would press ‘fast forward’. I’ve returned with a determination to capture both the awesomeness of these mountains and the mournfullness that perhaps one day, we as a civilization, might think things like snow topped mountains and glaciers were a thing of mythology.
I'M SOLD
When creating, there’s a balance to achieve. The need for creative satistaction, to bring life to a vision, but also the very practical need to make a sale! I’m sure there are many business savvy artists out there who are able to sell much more but for me, rightly or wrongly, I have to paint from the heart. Call me a hippy… but I paint to give life to something that’s unseen, to pour love onto the canvas, to capture the spirit of something or someone…
Every sale is celebrated like it’s the icing on the cake. Oh, did someone say cake?!!
Life Painting at the RWA Drawing School
The first time I ever looked at a person (in the nude) with the intention of painting them, was about 10 years ago in 2008 when pregnant with my son. I was quite nervous about having to study someone so intensely, although the models were there to be paintily scrutinised, it somehow felt a bit rude to stare! I worried all the way to the class but when I arrived, there was something extraordinarily normal and casual about it.
Ten years on and I treated myself to another bout of classes to study the human form. I have loved every minute of it. Humans are amazing. Our different shapes and sizes (no laughing…) and the way we are able to hold ourselves for hours with what looks like great ease and poise. I speak for the models anyway and not for myself!
A great venue, a great teacher and some fantastic models. I’ll be looking to sign up again.
Exhibiting at Gallery du 808
Hurrah for Summer!
I’m super excited to exhibiting as part of the ‘Summer Solstice’ Exhibition at Gallery Du 808 in Bristol from 20th June - 17th July 2019. For me, nothing says summer like sunflowers. Van Gogh has a room full of his sunflowers at Tate Britain currently, so I thought that I’d nod my head to him and create a corner of my own… Pop along and take a look if you can!
