All in a good cause

PRESS RELEASE !

Just one of a series of events taking place in Brightlingsea this summer, The Summer Exhibition at the Waterside Gallery proudly brings together the creative talent of local artists, designer-makers and crafts people.

Over 20 local crafts people and artists will be exhibiting a range of their locally produced original, quality art and crafts including; ceramics, paintings, prints, jewellery, textiles and photography. The range of work displayed in the gallery space (which has kindly been donated rent free by Hampstead Homes Ltd.) shines a spotlight on creative talent in the local community.

Visitors are welcome to browse at their leisure and have the opportunity to purchase unique, locally produced gifts from the creative work on show. Commission from sales is being donated to the RNLI. 

There are several good venues to eat & drink or you may like to walk along the prom.  Crabbing on the jetty at the Hard is a popular past time for adults and children! If you have never been to Brightlingsea before, you will be pleasantly surprised! 

Nowt

'De Rien', a work in progress and my mode of transport on another leg of my pilgrimage. This time a couple of days sailing down the coast to Bradwell On Sea. I have long wanted to visit the church of St Peter on the walls and this seemed like a good opportunity to walk the six mile round trip from Bradwell marina, across the peninsula to the remote chapel. 

Church of St Peter-On-The-Wall, Bradwell On Sea

It's such a magical spot, windswept and wild. Though I'm at a loss as to why Cedd, on his way down from Lindisfarn, decided to stop here. It's impossible to get to by road, and especially in 645, it must have taken weeks to get to Maldon. Every Summer there is a pilgrimage to this church and I can see why, it really is a special place. Not to mention the oldest standing church in the country.

   MAP 

As I don't have a camera at the moment, I am having to rely on my phone to try and capture the wonderful colours of the changing skies and sea. Sorry, it doesn't do it justice. The sky was a wonderful bluey grey and the sea kept swapping between khaki and shimmering silver. Really lovely. I must try and capture it in paint. 

Today I walked a circular walk from Brightlingsea church, down through the quarry, through a waterlogged field of oil seed rape, along Alresford creek and back along the old railway to Bateman's tower and on through town to the church. I'm not sure how many miles it was because I can't set my pedometer properly.  It tells me I can eat at least 4 mars bars after that !!

No matter, it was a lovely walking meditation, watching and listening to the birds, counting snails on the path (19 stripey ones) and trying to let all those 'stories' in my head, blow away in the warm southerly wind.

Next week I'm off back to the home land of Wales, to walk a section of Offa's Dyke. Time only allows a 60 mile portion, though it is through the prettiest part of Mid Wales...biased? moi? ! I hope I will manage to get some half decent pics.

Cobwebs

I've lost my camera, gak. What a disaster. Dropped last weekend, somewhere on a walk in Brightlingsea. Small Pentax in a neoprene case, if anyone happens upon it......

Anyway, onwards and upwards......There's lots going on in Brightlingsea this Summer:

Brightlingsea's Waterside Gallery Summer Exhibition 2nd June to 15th July 2012
Open weekends and Jubilee bank holidays (4th & 5th June) from 11am-5pm.
21 craftspeople and artists will be displaying a range of original and quality locally produced art and crafts including: ceramics, paintings, prints, jewellery, textiles and photography at Brightlingsea’s Waterside Gallery, CO7 0FG Free Entry Level access. Pay & display public parking nearby.
All commission from sales is being donated to the RNLI and the space is kindly donated rent free by Hampstead Homes (London) Ltd.

The buzzing art vibe in Brightlingsea, is this year set to inspire with a host of exciting exhibitions and workshops to look forward to and the Waterside Summer Exhibition is just one of a series of events taking place this year with an artistic theme. Look out for more on facebook : Art In- Brightlingsea and Sea Green Studio, which is the new high street art studio featuring local art, crafts and practical workshops run by local artists.
Open Gardens (23rd & 24th June 2012) also has some artistic surprises in store, not just the creativity of the green fingered gardeners and the humour of the scarecrow trail, but also because it will afford a glimpse into a few artist’s gardens and studios with art and sculpture on display. Once again there will also be an Art Tent at this year’s Brightlingsea Free Music festival, from 3rd -5th August, where both established and emerging artists will be displaying their works. During the annual Colchester & Tendring Open studios www.colchesteropenstudios.org in September, there will be opportunities to visit local artists in their studios and gardens.
For more info about events pls contact Nicky Sheales: nickysheales@gmail.com www.nickysheales.co.uk 

Studio Sale

ARTMOSPHERE ART FAIR

This weekend at Burnham On Crouch, details can be found by clicking on the link above. I shall be showing some new mini, framed and unframed canvases. It will also be an opportunity for me to have a Studio Clearance Sale, selling work - less gallery commission. So this is a one off chance to buy an original artwork at a much reduced price.

There will be many local artists on show and is all set to be a be a great event. Hope to see you there.

Just thought I would share this with you !

:0)

Reeeeelax

A very big thank you to Christian and his team at Jardine Bistro for hosting such a great night. 12thNote provided a chilled atmosphere, so thank you to Alex and Alison for providing the music.

Many friends turned out to support us and thank you to all those people who came along. If you couldn't make it last night, the exhibition is on all month, so please go along and combine it with some fab food and a glass of wine.

Photographs by Alex Raven.

                     

Pilgrimage

Well, I am all sorted ! I think. I'm liking the way the collection looks, so hope it translates well into Jardine's on Monday. I'm also very excited about seeing Stefanie and Janette's work too. Although we have been swapping ideas and have seen snippets of work, it will be lovely to see them all hanging together.
I just have some words and thoughts to hang from the paintings. A sort of diary and an insight into my musings as I walked these paths.

So don't forget on come along on Monday 2nd April, all details on the blog post below, look forward to seeeing you all.

A week to go !

Pilgrimage Exhibition

A Pilgrimage is a journey of risk and renewal. A journey without challenge has no meaning. One without purpose has no soul and by definition it is life changing.

This travelling exhibition is on it's own pilgrimage and will be shown in a series of galleries during 2012.

First showing at 

Jardine Bistro 140 High Street Wivenhoe CO7 9AF

2nd-29th April

PRIVATE VIEW:

Monday 2nd April 7pm - 9pm
All welcome

Three artists, who work in very different media, have come together in a collaboration of similar ideas.

The outcomes have grown from  discussion and debate surrounding the joint theme of Pilgrimage.

Janette Lazell is a 3D artist who has created metal sculptures inspired by nature and a life long journey, arriving full circle.

http://www.janettelazell.co.uk/

Stefanie Moss is a Textile Artist who has created large hangings which incorporate the theme of journeys, architecture and maps.

http://www.stefaniemoss.com/

Sarah Baird is a painter who creates mixed media works. Recording her experiences in a diary of layered calligraphic markings, these palimpsestic codes flow onto backdrops of maps and collaged pages torn from books.

Live music at the PV from 12thNote

Changing Tack, that's a technical term.

“If I was asked to get rid of the Zen aesthetic and just keep one quality necessary to create art, I would say it’s trust. When you learn to trust yourself implicitly, you no longer need to prove something through your art. You simply allow it to come out, to be as it is. This is when creating art becomes effortless. It happens just as you grow your hair. It grows.”  -John Daido Loori from “The Zen of Creativity”

I have been reading 'The Zen of Creativity' for a while, it's hugely inspiring and guaranteed to push through that block. Although I have really enjoyed the work I have been doing recently, it hasn't been quite what I expected! So, in stead of continuing I have completely changed tack. Just letting the paint express it's self ! trying not to over think the outcome.

I find Tumblr a big source of inspiration, not only with art, but also inspirational quotes and some wonderful photography. I use it as an on line scrapbook of all the things I love. It's remarkable how strong my theme is. Unwittingly I chose the same colour ways and styles of painting. Have a look, you can check out my Tumblr scrapbook HERE

Another beautiful day in Brightlingsea. This year, to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, there will be lots going on down there, not least a Summer Exhibition of art at the Waterside gallery. I'll keep you posted.
Don't forget the Pilgrimage Exhibition opens at Jardine's in Wivenhoe on 3rd April (Private View on 2nd, please email me if you would like to go). You can check out Stefanie and Janette's work, click on their names.