LSA Summer Exhibition

I went over to Leamington with Marcus for the LSA Private View of their Summer Show at Warwickshire College this Tuesday, 13th July. As I have only recently joined LSA this was the first time I had submitted work to the Summer Show - all members are guaranteed to have at least one piece shown, and several other members of SAF had their work up which was good to see.

We were impressed by the event in several ways – O.K., first things first, the wine was delicious which is not always the case at Private Views. Second, we were warmly and professionally welcomed as we arrived, firstly by Dominica Vaughn who is the gallery director for LSA’s Gallery150, and then by Dave Phillips who takes an interest in SAF and our struggles to get the recognition and council sponsorship we deserve – in his opinion. The work was well displayed in the college environment, with adequate space between pieces, allowing the work breathing space. It was well lit and the fact that the work was so varied made it interesting to look at – and included sculpture, ceramics, textiles, mixed media, pencil, oils and acrylics. Prices ranged from £50 to several thousand. An eclectic collection!

The attendance was high and the atmosphere lively – a good evening and a very professionally co-ordinated event. The exhibition ends on 24th July and is well worth a visit. Paula Hamilton

A Day in Touchwood Shop Space

Jackie, Avril and Maureen spent Tuesday 13th July in the shopspace in Touchwood showcasing their work. It was extremely busy especially after Veracity was delivered. To those who don't know Veracity she is a sculpture created by Mark Tilley, standing over six feet high with a very voluptuous stance. After her entrance a lot of remarks and interest were forthcoming, one likened her to his wife whereas others disliked her instantly. Whatever the remark her appearance brought people into the space where we were able to discuss the group and also our work.

Jackie had printed a leaflet about SAF which we handed to the visitors and hopefully this will encourage new members.

The end of the day we were met with a downpour which soaked us whilst loading the work into the cars, despite this we all decided the day had been worth it and time had passed very quickly. I think the coffee and doughnuts were also a great help despite Jackie and Avril protesting they were not good for us. Maureen Toomey

Summer Evening at Usha's

Ushas Studio showing works inpired by a visit to Petra

Last night Usha Khosla kindly invited SAF members to her studio as part of Warwickshire Arts Week. She had a fabulous display of work on show and talked us through the process from initial inspiration to the production of pieces (a lot being of coiled clay) and the application of slips, oxides and glazes with some works being fired many times. Afterwards in the garden we were treated with wonderful samosas, nibbles and drinks. We discussed the benefits, problems and development of Art trails of which Usha has many years experience giving us food for thought on our up coming Trail in September.

Usha's studio is open until Wednesday next week and is well worth a visit - the little jugs she makes specifically for the trail are delightful and from £7.50 unbelievable value. Go and buy one! Jackie Mackay

Studio Visit - Caroline and Michelle

Caroline discusses art and philosophy

Last night we were treated to a double bill. Carolyn was opening her studio and had asked Michelle to bring her work along too. Carolyn Pigden's work started when she looked at renaissance paintings and realised how beautiful were the figures within them no matter how grisly the subject. She wanted to paint beauty and was advised the most reliable medium for the job is oils. To find a definition for beauty she studied the philosopher Kant. To represent this definition was not enough as she considered the view of the painting. So she was led to Walter Benjamin’s Reflection Theory. No value is absolute, it needs a reference to be appreciated. Heaven needs Hell, beauty needs ugliness. So now she is developing but in a subtle way these mixed messages.

Returning - Michelle Allen

Michelle Allen set out on a quest to paint the invisible or nothing. Surely this must be the most challenging prospect in the minimalist genre. She very nearly got there too with her transparent floating letters, her colourless suspended glass tubes and her entrapped dust particles. All this was ably brought to life in a monochrome video set to haunting music. Back from this brink she now thinks about parting and absence as indicated by an empty pair of boots or a disconnected telephone. These she renders in oils or interlaced acrylic sheet. Both the artists had prepared their presentations thoroughly to provoke our thoughts and to promise work that we will look forward to. I must get back to my Kant. Mark Tilley

Stuart Paints and Meets Sir Geoff Hurst

Portrait held by John Chaplin chairman of Jaguar Social Club

Jaguar Social Club contacted me and asked if I would donate a painting for an auction for the NSPCC, when they told me former England striker Sir Geoff Hurst MBE was the after dinner speaker I offered to paint his portrait. He requested samples of my work which he OK’d; I sent a pencil sketch and received the green light to go ahead with the finished portrait.

An A4 copy of the portrait which Geoff kindly signed for me

More than 260 guests attended the black tie event at Browns Lane, Allesley which raised £4,250 for the NSPCC including £250 going to SPARKS a children's charity of which Sir Geoff is chairman. My portrait of Sir Geoff was sold for £650. It was great meeting the man last Friday (June 4th ) at the auction was and when he saw the size of my hands asked if I had considered a career in goalkeeping. Always thought I could have done something useful with my hands. Stuart Spencer

Valerie at The Mill

The exhibition space showing 2 of Val's small paintings

Last Friday Valerie Just had 3 of her paintings on show at The Mill in Little Shrewley, run by Sue Lewis-Blake. Each exhibition is launched at an open evening from 6pm to 8:30pm on the first Friday of the month. After this, the work can be viewed by appointment for up to three weeks. The space is not large but the walls suit most types of artwork and it is well lit.

The end wall is painted blue which enhanced those works which do not sit well against white. The large painting in the centre is by Judith Hickling whose theme for her work is based around knitting. Even though it was a glorious summer evening the event was not well attended - but that did mean I was able to have more than my fair share of cheese straws. Jackie Mackay

Kenilworth Festival Gala Day

I spent a disappointing day at the Kenilworth Festival Gala Day on Sunday. We borrowed a gazebo and several tables for the day but the wind made it difficult to keep the gazebo up and caused me to abandon my usual practice of displaying my glass on stands. A good sized event held in Abbey Fields by the local Lions Club, including field events in arenas and multiple stages. With the sun being out and free live music the crowds came out in droves. However they were mostly families and although they looked and admired I sold very few items but I believe I made one or two contacts who may approach me later.

From a stall holders perspective this was not a well organised event. Although there was an area for craft stalls they were placed haphazardly. You had to guess where the row was going based on the heaps of goods or half erected stands. The majority of stalls at the event were charity based with about 16 – 18 in the craft section and a few of these might have been better at a car boot sale. I shall not be attending this event in future years. Hilary Poole