Art@41: Half term has been lovely, shame the week has gone...

Art@41: Half term has been lovely, shame the week has gone...: Half term has been lovely, shame the week has gone so fast! due to 50% of the family been really poorly with that horrible flu bug I neve...

Half term has been lovely, shame the week has gone so fast!

due to 50% of the family been really poorly with that horrible flu bug I never managed to get over to Pateley Bridge to see my Mum...gutted really as its been ages since I've been over....Christmas doesn't count!...and I wanted to get out to visit some of the galleries over there....

I even had a list of galleries, there are some great places I really want to get to visit...The studio, Dacre Banks,  and Masham Gallery & maybe a new'ish gallery called Buscall Gallery  in Harrogate....even tho' we never managed to get over I am hoping to pop over at Easter and take time to relish a few glorious days of gallery gazing and if I'm really cunning get over to Salts mill and the National Museum of photography - that one should please hubby!....and if I was really cheeky, while over Bradford way take a peek at Fabric...not sure Mum would appreciate me spend my entire time taking in the galleries...but I live in hope for Easter!

Things are quiet in the gallery...not me tho'...busy as always...packing things up...and then finding something and having to make it up....well thats what you do when you find half a tweed jacket!...only problem is I couldn't get the button hole to work on my machine, hence why the buttons are attached on tape for later!

 I've made a batch of books from the remnants of our unhealthy lifestyle in the gallery...they're available to buy form "Eat Me Cafe @ home" a new venture for Martyn and Stephen that compliments their wonderful cafe that opens on Tuesday...the place is looking great, it's lovely seeing business growing from strength to strength and I'm proud to be able to support them.

random pages from old Beno & Beezer annuals

The books are filled with combinations of different papers: graph, tracing, art, coloured, card, cartoons, manuscript paper etc....no two are the same...the only thing is I haven't had time to make any hand-made paper recently, I love that added element and I've just found some mesh thats perfect for making my own Mould & deckle...so when I get my new studio up and running I'll be having a go at making some cloth paper amongst others.

I've decided I need to spend a couple of days a month  making up my "bits & bobs" that I sell along side my art other wise I get bogged down chasing my tail - is that the correct term?!

I'm also busy applying for a couple of art commissions which takes up a lot of time, sorting out submissions, proposals and presentations means my head is full of things all to do with planning for the future... 

I've also managed to finish two pieces of work, ones a commission...

A few more details of my latest installation...I like the fact that the pebbles are suspended ...just as I have suspended their journey by taking them from their natural surroundings....to be returned at a later day...their shadows like reflections seen through the water, hazy and distorted...

...and as always I think about pebbles, sketching, making & abstracting marks ...

Hope you have enjoyed your week, catch up again soon... happy reading

Art@41: Coastival Scarborough...

Art@41: Coastival Scarborough...: That's it.... Coastival Scarborough exhibition at Laine & Co is up and running....even though Coastival only lasted for the weekend, I hav...

Coastival Scarborough...

That's it....Coastival Scarborough exhibition at Laine & Co is up and running....even though Coastival only lasted for the weekend, I have decided to keep the art on display in the hope that more people will get the chance to see some beautiful, uplifting and fresh pieces of art produced mainly by Scarborough based artists - one artist and friend is from Whitby!...

Jane Sullivan & Wendy Havelock

Ruth Miemczyk & Diane Malcomson

Janilaine Mainprize.

.Janilaine Mainprize...me!
Light kindly lent to us by Electrodec 

Ruth Miemczyk

The good news was that the weather for the event was lovely and spring like, Yay!...Saturday was quite busy so much so that we had to wait for afternoon tea and cakes until about 3.30pm! We had lovely feed back from the visitors and quite a few commented that they never knew about the gallery and "shame" that its closing...my, how a year flies by!

It's interesting to see how artists need, use and articulate light within their work. I love the shadows that are created through the use of light both naturally and manmade. Kevin, who predominantly photographs landscape struggled as the light we have recently had has been fairly poor, so he tried his hand at something new...and really enjoyed the challenge too!

Jane, I noticed used a lot of dark, black colours to emphasise light...Wendy's subtle use of light transforms her work giving such depth. Diane looked at reflections and how the light reflects on the water. Ruth's work is fresh, vibrant and captures the essence of beautiful summer days.

So thats how I curated and would describe the art on display, let me know what you think...

Kevin Mainprize 

....so if you get the opportunity to call in over the next few weeks, make sure you say hello....after the 17th March I'll be packing everything up and seeking out pastures new....I'll re-cap on my experience with the "pop-up" gallery over the next few weeks....but while the weathers sunny and fresh its time to start preparing for my new studio...

....obviously with hubby at the helm, leading the way!

Happy reading and back soonish

Art@41: "....into the light"...

Art@41: "....into the light"...: Well....there's nothing like random weather to quite literally keep you on your toes!....not only do you have to expect the unexpected but ...

"....into the light"...

Well....there's nothing like random weather to quite literally keep you on your toes!....not only do you have to expect the unexpected but also be prepared for all eventualities!...this flurry of snow appeared just while eating my lunch on Monday!...lets hope my spring bulbs are hardy enough to withstand our rather long lasting cold spell!

I must say I've been enjoying doodling away, very therapeutic and rewarding too!...Hubby bought me some new walking boots so we ventured out along the coast to try them out on Sunday, there had been loads of landslips along the cliffs and it was very wet but it was lovely to get out.

work in progress!

...I couldn't bring myself to damage this old pebble book I found so photocopied the pages onto art paper!

I've just been sorting out some remnants of old maps to work on too.

I'd really like to have a go making some cotton paper, I've never made it before so I'm on the look out for workshops. I love making my own paper but have never used cotton. I know its a similar process but to be honest I'm a bit worried I blow up my blender!

"Making the journey"

I've finished my last (extra) piece of art commissioned for Scarborough General Hospital, I just have to take it to the lovely chap who makes my frames, then I can hand over and install them just in time for the skin specialist who has had to put up with me for 20 years is retiring, thanks to him I'm still around to ramble on!

"Making the journey" is part of a series of art influenced by the pebbles I find when I am out and about. This last one is all about their journey so to speak, the luggage labels don't have an address...their journey isn't mapped out as such. Maps, text and postcards hint at their destination. 

Taken from actual pebbles I have embroidered, teased and laser cut shapes, patterns and added colour and texture. Identification labels create a museum like effect....I have stopped their journey by removing them from the beach... in time I will return them to the beach, 

their journey re-comencing..... 

So along with figuring out what work to put in for my Coastival exhibition I have been pleasantly busy...however as I still haven't finished all or installed my Coastival stuff I won't put pictures on just yet...

...whetting peoples appetite for the exhibition next week!...

....details...

...for further details have a look at Coastival and hopefully I might see you at some of the venues soaking up and celebrating art in and around Scarborough.

Hope you have a good weekend, happy reading x

Art@41: ...Springs afoot - well almost!

Art@41: ...Springs afoot - well almost!: The snow disappeared overnight  (much to my glee and my sons disappointment!)  which was good  really and I've actually seen the sun a few ...

...Springs afoot - well almost!

The snow disappeared overnight  (much to my glee and my sons disappointment!)  which was good  really and I've actually seen the sun a few times over the last week which has really lifted my spirits....although it's been a 'tad freezing and the wild wind has made the gallery and studio freezing, it's nice to see the light at last!.....

....which leads me nicely to the fact that I have started doodling and sketching again....I don't really know how or why I stopped, its just one of those things I suddenly noticed and then was reluctant to start up again....anyway, I've been feeling the need to do "something" and found myself doodling and scribbling....phew, although my work isn't as loose and relaxed as it used to be ....it's a start!...

I'm busy getting my work together for Coastival....it's slowly coming together, no pressure as the exhibition starts on the 15th of February!, all the elements are ready, I just have to put them together!

...this is one of my initial ideas, neutral and layered....

I have quite a few dotted around my home and studio, i just have to stop faffing and get them finished now!

...anyway, its just a short but sweet blog as I feel I have been neglecting my duties as a blogger!

...once I've got Coastival sorted I'll post some new images, honest!

Hope you all have a good weekend...

...happy reading, bye