May 2011 Art Group Update
It seems a long time ago since we started off with a ten week start-up course in painting . We now run two courses and this is our second exhibition of members' works. You will find a good cross section of landscapes /seascapes and flowers ( a popular subject for many).
Netley has provided a rich source for topics including views of the foreshore, sketches taken on our field trip of the abbey ruins, and even early morning fungi. The bluebell woods at Netley still provide a delightful sight of an English woodland scene.
Some of the flower compositions are influenced by the work of Hilary Page who wrote an interesting article entitled "Vibrant Flowers" in which she outlined her working method. Another interesting artist whose work we looked at was the Canadian, Peter Stuhlman. His deliberate use of black to form an overall design in his paintings awakened in me and in many others a different way of painting landscapes , particularly where branches and trees dominate the scene. Some of our members have used local Riverside trees in experimental studies. Look out for the "stained glass" look of some of these works.
You will also notice some other "landscapes with a difference". These may have been influenced by the work of Delia Cardnell , a professional artist who specialises in abstract landscapes. Her use of colour is unconventional in some respects but she paints beautiful pictures using her method. Horse chestnuts, dragonflies , birds and local rivers are other topics of interest covered this year.
We are an amateur group of painters who get together for a friendly chat and to paint pictures. Members choose their own topics and we generally restrict ourselves to works in watercolour or acrylics. We welcome people of all abilities, those with experience and complete novices. Their will be some initial instruction / teaching to get you going but members with experience generally are kind enough to share their "skill and know-how" with new members.
Ask for Dave Hewett or Barbara Leamon if you want to know more at our upcoming exhibition.
We have two Flower Guilds in the Parish, one based at the Church of the Ascension, and one at All Hallows. The Flower Guilds provide floral arrangements for special services like Christmas and Easter, and can provide arrangements for other services such as weddings or funerals.
