Update November 2011
In my 40’s when I was first returning to painting, having had years of working in art related occupations, I was exploring subjects and interests to paint. I have always been quite inspired by museums and whilst holidaying with family in Fife I went to one of my favourites the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther, www.scotfishmuseum.org
While there I recognised that although there was recognition of the essential role that women played in the Fishing Industry there were very few celebratory images and I set about researching and painting a series of Women in the Fishing Industry.
I approached the Museum for a venue to display this work and they suggested that more people would see it if I took part in the Pittenweem Festival www.pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk. This was the start of a fruitful 8 years of exhibiting in Scotland but the Museum hadn’t forgotten me and acquired two of the painting for its own displays and these have been on exhibition ever since.
This year the Public Catalogue Foundation, who are registering and creating a website in partnership with the BBC of Paintings in Public Ownership are placing my 2 paintings in their register. I feel very honoured that I am taking part in this and when it is complete will be accessible on www.thepcf.org.uk
Art this year
In 2010, various events conspired to keep me away from the studio. However, after a summer tutoring on painting holidays in both France and Spain, I felt freshly inspired to get painting again.
I’m increasingly working in paint rather than just pastel and developing the narrative within images – exploring what story the picture might tell.
Painting holidays
After claiming that "I am taking a year off from teaching to concentrate on painting" I have been tempted back to Las Alpujarras in Spain to tutor the September painting holiday. I had planned to go to Spain to paint so I will stay on for a couple of weeks so that I have time for paintings, hopefully completed for the November Art Trail Exhibition and the Affordable Art Fair.
After 18 months of working with Dawn as my part-time Assistant she has left for a full time job and very much missed. I am working to try and organise my cards and prints sales to be more efficient to release more painting time!
Article about my Work
I had an article published about my approach and the painting of my Bristol Night painting on page 54 of February's issue of The Artist magazine. I will try and attach a link soon to this page if available. The February issue is still showing on the website, here is the link http://www.painters-online.co.uk/store/product.asp?prod=555&cat=36 The Artist magazine offer to send anyone a printout of this article, so if you would like to see this feature do get intouch through Painters Online.
Exhibitions and Galleries
Last year saw me win a prize at the Pastel Society from the Linda Blackstone Gallery - www.lindablackstone.com
In October the Gallery took my work to the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea, which proved successful.
. Various galleries across the South West carry my art work, see the links page for a full list.
Calendar 2011/2012!!
The calendar was a roaring success this year, as we managed to hit the shops by the end of September! Four of us artists work together to produce the calendar which makes a welcome change from our usual solo existence! This year we have already started planning for 2012 and are looking for new artists to include. I think that next year we will have to have more printed as we ran out before New Year this time round.www.artistcalendars.co.uk.
All the best and hope to see you at the exhibitions.