'Inlet 1' a large acrylic 60cms. x 90cms.

my good self at the exhibition

Called at the Chapel Gallery  Ormskirk to view the exhibition and see how my paintings look in this mixed exhibition.

Absolutely delighted by the variety of content, some really exciting ways of ‘seeing’ represented here and the hanging of my paintings in the context of the theme is certainly splendid. They are shown off to their very best and congratulations and thanks to the curator Ruth Owen.

In a small and ‘busy’ studio it is often difficult to appreciate a painting fully but in an exhibition space where there is an opportunity to step back and see the work within its own space, there is much greater impact especially whilst my paintings are rich in colour.

An aerial view of the landscape

I have nine paintings in the exhibition which continues until 5th.May.

It will be a great opportunity to show so many related paintings together in one gallery and to gain feedback  from visitors

At the inlet point where the land meets the sea

about my particular interpretation of the landscape, taking a view of the world from above.

Watercolour with photograph of subject

Completed watercolour of Rivington village

An unusually early morning start for an art group meeting 09.030,with around 50 people making up an enthusiastic and anticipatory audience at Blackrod, I set up to paint a familiar landscape of Rivington Village in watercolour.

As is the case with these events, there isn’t enough time in 2 hours to complete a painting so I had my ‘Blue Peter one I did earlier’ placed on an easel in order that everyone could see what I was aiming to achieve.

Naming colours throughout the demonstration and explaining their particular properties especially for mixing purposes, was I understood afterwards, a very valuable tip.

In fact talking throughout the demonstration mentioning relevant points as they occur helps enormously as does taking questions as they crop up with answers again relenant to what is happening at that moment

Another vital tip for when you need to mop out colour which might have run the wrong way, always use a damp cloth or tissue not a dry one otherwise you can leave hard dry edges that will interrupt the next flow of colour….not what you want in wet-in-wet watercolour.

Showing that the first washes of colour which fill the paper and rid you of the white space is a lovely though scary time when colour is flowing about and the board is tilted this way and that as needs be.It can also look messy but take heart, when that dries down and you begin to paint in a more careful and deliberate manner, firming up shapes with stronger tones and shadows, the painting begins to take shape.

All exciting stuff and the big message is to engender confidence,have a go, don’t be overly precious and if it’s lost, then ask why and learn from the experience.

Everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable morning and I received a lovely email to that effect from the groups’ secretary.

Let me know what you think?

I worked from an earlier completed watercolour painting of Rivington village to show the difference in the finish between the two mediums.Many members are very familiar with watercolour but it is common to find that acrylics sound good but the speed of drying and the density of colour can be offputting.

My aim then was to show how the medium is best used, giving general tips on the techniques in handling this very versatile and exciting paint. It does need taming and persistence and experience are key to success.I wanted to inspire members to return to acrylics and to give it another chance.

At the interval there were lots of questions asked and whilst I enjoyed my cup of tea in between, my biscuits just had to wait!

It was a splendid evening, thoroughly enjoyed by everyone including myself ( always stage nerves before I go on) and I later received a very kind letter of thanks and appreciation from their secretary Sally Bahir.

I look forward to a return visit in the near future.

Next stop Blackrod Art Group.

Visited a village and met the people in the compound. Fascinating talking to them about their lives and the big differences between us shows up just how much we take for granted.But they are happy and lovely people and with permission and some deserved Dalasi, we took some good photographs which I can work from later.

On the flight back we flew over the Sahara and with a window seat I was able to make about a dozen drawings of the varied landscape down there.It was heading fast towards dusk so the colours were quite something. Now I have lots of images and ideas to make a whole series of new paintings…the Sahara Series.

Watch this space.

It’s a mixed exhibition of Manchester Academy artists and my paintings are all contemporary landscapes. Much texture! Much colour! Good sizes! Lovely.

A number of years ago we worked on a book together called ‘The Heartbeat Cookery Book’  myself creating the illustrations. It was a hugely successful book and is having a revival, especially in the USA, through internet interest. Whilst lots of the illustrations were understandably food themed some were landscape pieces which captured the sense of place where the series was filmed. Glad Tom and the publishers liked the idea which was inspired by my visit to the ‘set’ and being involved, at a distance, with the ‘action’

Great fun.

It is likely that we will have a project together again this year and I’m very much looking forward to working with Tom.

Grand chap..

Recently had a great spread in the Bolton News by Angela Kelly and similarly in the Chorley Guardian by Natalie Banks regarding recent exhibition successes.

View the Bolton News article HERE.

Happy New Year for 2012 to you all.

Gerry