Exciting times....

Not only am I booked to do the Cambridge Open Studios in July with Nina Sage, but the Carnelians have just booked a two week period to exhibit at the Michaelhouse Centre on Trinity Street in Cambridge for two weeks in November this year. This is a very central location and obviously the month before Christmas Cambridge is very busy - so hopefully a large footfall. It is just next door to the Cambridge Contemporary Art Gallery, which a brilliant place to visit - it has different medium exhibited there, but seems to specialise in fine art prints - last time I was in I noticed they had even got some John Piper prints - love his stuff.

When the builders have finished redoing my studio (hopefully end of February), I really do have to start working hard for these two big events. I have lots of ideas of techniques I want to try, possibly combining my present techniques with those of Sarah Bee - who taught me at a course at West Dean. Interesting possibilities there.This painting was my second attempt at Sarah's class - combinging an underpainting of acrylic with pastel on top. This painting ended up rather fussy, but I can see the potential of the technique and how I can adapt it. I have lots of photos from the New Zealand trip last February that are just begging to be painting and I'm really excited about it.

I have also just booked myself on a course with Chris Forsey
I have liked his work for ages, as he mixes watercolour, acrylic, inks and pastel (and probably lots of other stuff too), which is right up my street. This course will be for landscapes, which is something I really want to develop this coming year.


Obviously nearer the time I will be posting further information about all these events on this website.

Only other things to promote - the Purple Printmakers (which includes Sherry and Nina) have an exhibition on at Bishops Stortford College at the moment. I went to the preview night last Friday - some really great work there. What I love about this group of artists is that they all started off at the same course at Curwen Print Study Centre on a year's course, but since leaving they have all explored different areas of printmaking - some really exciting combinations of techniques have been used. A really talented group of ladies - and an exhibition well worth going to see.


So - all in all I think 2014 will be an exciting year, with lots of things happening. Looking forward to it!