Out Yer Tree at Coombe Abbey

Just returned from a soggy day at Out Yer Tree Outdoor Art Exhibition, today (Saturday) was the artists walk and talk, 32 artists discussed their work with various visitors to the Coombe Abbey Country Park. There is an eclectric mix of contemporary work, all hidden either in the trees, the lake, woods or in the formal gardens. It is worth a trip to visit to the Country Park, once you have got over the shock of £3.00 to park the car.

These are a couple of photos of my work of distorted hybrid flowers unnatural in shape and size, whimsical yet futuristic. Placed alongside plants and flowers from our natural environment evoke a feeling of unease in the way we view them. The Exhibition runs until 17 September. Avril Elward

Hilary's Smashing Time in the Garden

Had a bit of a disaster last weekend. I went in the studio and found that the Green Man hanging sculpture (shown above) had fallen from its temporary hanging space and more than 50% of it was in pieces on the table. It is made from Stella bottles and I only had two in my bottle box – I needed three to make a new cap for the top as well as lots more bits for the bottom. Fortunately when I went inside some one had just emptied another one. However It takes at least two kiln firings to make the cap and there was no space in the kiln because I was doing things for the Preston Bagot exhibition. I was running out of time. The sculpture and the Preston Bagot photos have to be delivered this weekend. Will I complete them in time? Watch this space - updates after Easter. Hilary Poole