Meet the Artist + Devon artwork available
Happy Wednesday , I hope you're half way through a decent week.
Before we get onto the sordid subject of Star Wars...
Julie Dunster and I had a fantastic four days in East Prawle, sketching and painting. She put me to shame getting up every day to paint the sunrise! On our last day, Julie suggested we laid out a private private view for ourselves. Unconvinced, I went along with it (not least to avoid being taken to yet another windy rocky outcrop!), but it was actually really nice to step back and take stock of what we'd produced on all those bracing outings.
Seeing all our work together really helped identify our artistic 'voices': the choices we each make when putting what we see onto canvas. This can include composition, selective editing (what to leave in/take out), colour mixing, brushwork, and lots more. My work seems to be rather more bold, brash even, with evidence of my love of drawing. Julie's work is more subtle, considered, tonal, and she has a great understanding of light (which is what originally drew me to her work, as a collector). We spent every evening deep in conversation about techniques, and other artists. It was a real boost.
The large seascape was specifically for Coastguard Cottages (where we stayed), but others are now listed on our websites. I'd be very interested to know if you agree about our relative styles:
So..... have you ever been to Weston-super-Mare? The 19th century seaside resort has sweeping flat sands, donkey rides, a Grand Pier... and is not without its gritty underbelly. Since 2017 it has been undergoing a steady push of renovation led by dedicated locals with funding from Historic England
Read on, and I will present you with a Star Wars Day out proposal, this Saturday!
It was wonderful to be joined by so many friends and family who came to the gallery opening event: Artists, collectors, the Mayor, supporters from Historic England and the Chamber Of Commerce all reflected how happy they were to have a fine art gallery in the town. For more pictures see the gallery website.
Now for your day out in Weston-super-Mare this Saturday:
I've ordered sunshine, but might be worth bringing a coat. After taking in lungfuls of sea air, I propose you start with brunch overlooking the sea in (for example) Bistrot Pierre.
Next, a stroll over the sand towards the Grand Pier, then up to the roadside. Standing with the pier and sea directly behind you, walk straight ahead for 5 minutes to the gallery, itself in a recently restored building.
Frank Harwood (whose colourful work I have long admired) and I will be there to welcome visitors from noon - we are looking forward to sharing our process, and love of all things creative. I have sourced a gorgeous BB8 droid model for a Star Wars themed oil painting demo, and have everything crossed that Frank might be tempted to show some of his wonderful automatons/ watercolour figure paintings.
Pop in for a chat, dip out to a local cafe, or stay for the duration. All the represented artists have work on the wall. The gallery owner Aga Kubish (in the photo next to the mayor) is internationally renowned for her stunning giant linocuts. Aga has a work table and printing press within the gallery. So if you come on a quieter day, you may be lucky enough to find her at work there.
You want more?!
Opposite the gallery is the archetypal 1930s "Plaza" cinema (itself an ongoing renovation project), where they are showing this topical gem, neatly timed to coincide with the end of my demo:
The project with Amit Ghose is going swimmingly. The livestream went very well, and I've started the painting (more on that next time). Jenny Saville's portrait of Rosetta (and her work generally, with the loose brushwork, technical foundation, underpinned by drawing) is a huge inspiration to me.
Tim Benson (recent President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters) has done some really interesting work featuring Adam Pearson (who, like Amit, has Neurofibromatosis). Tim very kindly gave me a long call discussing many elements of portraiture, some really helpful advice about handling a commission such as this, and professional artistry in general.
I'll sign off with this short clip, where Amit was responding to two alternative approaches for the portrait - one that downplayed his visible difference, and one that confronted it.
Thank you for reading, and engaging with my content wherever our paths cross. Your time and attention are precious, so I appreciate you spending them here.
May The Fourth Be With You,
Gail xxx