Painting Holiday 2018 at L Age Baston Chateaux

Date for this years painting weeks in France are confirmed as the 7th and 14th July.
It's a real treat to stay at the chateaux, painting and drawing in the well equipped studio, then relaxing by the pool. Walk in the woods and explore the local village.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you want more information,
It is a lovely place to stay.

L'Age Baston 2017

Every week, every year, the weather, the people. Everything is different which means it is never dull to work in this way. This year had some different dynamics that kept me on my toes. The first week was a small group - but they all wanted tutoring at their own pace, which gave me a lot of reward as teacher. The second week had more people but some had come with their own projects and agenda, which meant my role was more fluid and in ways uncertain.  It felt there was a good round up at the end of the week and I remind myself... It is a holiday for them, not an art course. I did some sketches that will remind me of the time but most of my input was on the whiteboard and will be lost in the dustbins of France.

 I was picked up by my dear friend Sue who drove down the length of France with me, looked after our dogs and picked me up for a trip out on the changeover day. The last photo is of the lake I have been sitting next to, watching heron and blue skies, breeze ripple and calm, a kingfisher. We have swum and walked, weeded, watered and cut back brambles - it's been a thoroughly restful end to the trip. Now packing for the return journey and looking forward to my own weeds and watering.

Preparation and Presentaton

Mill Farm arty week starts tomorrow - so the studio is looking clear and tidy. What ever the other outcomes, I have sorted through piles of collected detritus, thrown away unloved work and gubbins, washed the kitchen thoroughly, cleaned the toilet and sharpened about 100 assorted pencils.
The space is about as ready as I can make it before people actually turn up, so I went to the degree shows at Greys School of Art yesterday.  I saw some fine original works and was lifted by the standard, though experience and the cynic in me knows that barely one percent of these young talented folk will still be doing 'art' in three years time. But still it is a great training and I felt the fashion and textiles were outstanding.

A desire to raise the bar in my own work is always there, teaching and painting. So I am paying attention to the details of the programme for next week, to give the participants the best opportunity I can to enjoy, be creative and learn.

Summer Art Week @ Mill Farm Studio

A chance to dip into a variety of creative activity. I have challenged myself with the creating of the week but the best of it is working with talented professionals like Lyndsey Gibb who has done all the work for the Flyers and information sheets shown here. Come and Join us.

Lake and Peak District 2016

Driving too and fro from Aberdeenshire to Kent is made all the more interesting by stopping off along the way and it removes the emphasis of getting there. Earlier in the year I was accompanied by Mary Cane as I persuaded her to come with me and visit Jenks garden near Dumfries. Open for one day a year only and I had already arranged to  pick up paintings just 20 miles away in Kircudbright. 
A Memorable trip indeed, though raining, that did not dampen our pleasure at seeing the monumental land works and plantings. The 'garden'  included railway carriage, river and stream crossings, stairways and pathways, walkways and spiralled ways up and down.

I have just returned to Kemnay having completed another trip with time spent in a hot tub near Cocketmouth with Jeni and James Watson and on the way back - a reunion near Buxton which apart from the great company, spacious farmhouse accommodation and a visit to Chatsworth house, I managed to swim in the refurbished leisure pool and dabbled a couple of sketches.

I have decided, no more dashing up and down. But more stops along the way to see places and people.

West Dean - Monoprint.

Gathering my materials together to tutor one of my favourite processes - the ever surprising and rewarding Monoprint. It is with a mix of anticipation and apprehension that I approach the four days at lovely West Dean. Skill and luck.

Kent Painters Group - Sevenoaks

The Kent Painters Group 

The Annual Exhibition will be at Sevenoaks School opening on Friday evening of the 30th October and running for the full weekend. A huge variety of works will be hanging and the commission on sales is in aid of four local charities. Lots of hard work by the organising team.

It is a privilege to show again with the group as I have done for twenty years. 

This will be one of my paintings showing. It's called 'Early Summer' and I worked it this year when Mattie had seven lovely puppies.  When I had a moment not feeding her, or them, or clearing up or trying to find them in the garden... I painted.

Open Studio Time - again...

So it is time to clear spaces and hang some images for people to enjoy...

I will be working in the studio for the duration and hope visitors may get an insight into some of the processes involved and join in with some drawing or painting if they wish.

These are some snapshots of images that may be on show.

RSW - Two works Accepted.

A great reason for trip to Edinburgh. 
Catherine and Jenny Ross - clever young talented artists arranged to drive works down for submission, which is always the most important, but hardest hurdle.  To make that effort with the possibility of rejection. Donnie (uncle Donnie to aforementioned girls) also sent work down and has also been successful. It was at this show lat year that he sold a small work for £2000 - what a boost.

So we will go to the opening and have the pleasure of prides warm glow.

Painting Holiday at L'Age Baston

Good timing for a new booking - just when the daylight is near its dimmest and the grey clouds so sodden that they drip with rain. An invitation to tutor in France near Limogue in the hight of summer.  

I have a good feeling about this trip, with such lovely surroundings and an impressive organisation, it should be good for tutor and participants to get on and do lots of lovely painting.

The link will be going onto the website soon, but until then....

Www.Lagebaston.com

Hedgerow Art And Alchemy - A Celebration of Spring

Judy and I are doing a different twist on the theme. So do come along. I guarantee it will be lovely!

Hedgerow Art and Alchemy

One Day Courses

Artist Susie Hunt and Herbalist Judy Patterson

Friday 2^nd or Saturday 3^rd May 2014

9.45am – 4.00pm at Mill Farm Studio, Kemnay, Aberdeenshire

£50 per one day course – bookings 01467 643569/624572

*****

Creating an Impression – Hedgerows in Spring

Creating an impression of the Spring Hedgerow through simple printing techniques, painting and herbal alchemy. Both days are suitable for beginners and beyond.  Art materials and vegetarian lunch provided.

·         Guided Herbal Walk with herbalist and artist

·         Collect plant materials and inspiration

·         A rare opportunity to stop and stare

·         Sketching, printing and painting of wild plants in art studio

·         Experience herbal plants – teas, tinctures, tasting and intuition

·         Creating your own cards as gifts

Time swift and rushing past.

No time to write really - not enough time to paint. I would like to do that all the time, but other things call on my time. Time to mow grass for the first time this year. Time to gather all the winter debris and make a new fire (so I don't risk roasting the blackbird and other fellows who are using my big pyre to shelter and nest in.) Time for a cup or coffee and reflect on other things I should be doing with my time.

Time to go back into the studio and continue painting. With time to spare to take the dogs for a walk before it is time to go to Kemnay to help with the film night.

All in all its a fine time, as long as I don't get worried by the speed time is passing.

New Work for New Year.

New Year... 2014

Last new year dragged its feet for me, with snow interrupting the flow, lessons and outings cancelled - bumpy. So this year I made the decision not to start lessons until the third week in January (next week) To allow a settling in and recovery from the festive season. It has paid off in that I have made some encouraging starts to painting and projects for the next couple of months.
Jim Livingstone has put me in touch with a gallery in Kirkudbright - The Whitehouse Gallery. It is a lift to have a new venue to show work in. Also doing a workshop in Shropshire in February which is titled 'Making An Impression '- mono type/ mono print. I have such enthusiasm for these techniques, the transferred mark and the unpredictability that it brings.

And tomorrow The Artist Lunch' get together with fellows who may or may not know each other but who share the common problems and pluses of creative life. Lunch on a Monday? Who else can do that!
(Does not mean we will get on!)

It was a stimulating and enjoyable addition to time spent in Surrey, so we will see if it has any legs here.

Leaf Clearing - The post Opening Lull.

Those of you not lucky enough to live in Aberdeenshire are I believe, suffering from dull weather. A bit grey, a bit damp, a bit cold. But we are not. It is the time of year when even I - not an early to rise but a late to fall sort of person, get to see the sunrise and I have been rewarded with some splendid visuals. Not only that, the sunsets have been equal to none, each day succeeding to outdo the last. Very early in my painting life I realised that Turner and Monet were the men for a sunset and that us lesser mortals should leave that scene in the moment. To view and be in awe of natures clever play and not to try and trap it onto paper. Though of course the skies inevitably find their way as backdrop to the painted world. During this November run of benign natural beauty I have had the Opening of painted works at the Theatre in Aberdeen. It is not a grand space, neither prestigious or large, but it has been focus my thoughts and efforts for the past year. That line is now crossed with or without success and I have dropped into the void, the time and space beyond the deadline. So leaf clearing. Perfect for such time with its endlessness and lack of mental challenge. And the weather is kind, mild and dry.

RSA Edinburgh. Small Works Exhibition

Dear Dad... I was so resistant to enter you for this open show. But I knew you were my best chance - fearful and not wanting to push the luck - I did send you down to the selection. And the beat goes on, its been a good year and you are now showing in Edinburgh at the RSA. I can not wait to go and see where and what company you are keeping. All good>

Susie Hunt at His Majesties Theatre

But - maybe - in the next two days, all will come together and the ladies will be paddling in the water while folk drink their interval drinks in the Dress Circle bar. Opening 6.00pm on Tuesday 26th November and staying on show for a couple of months.

Exhibition - GHAT at His Majesties Theatre - Aberdeen

Having had weeks to prepare, I have delivered paintings to be framed with very little time to spare. I am cobbling together the framing for a large work with the help of Jim Livingstone - which is problematic all round. I have send an incomplete list of works, titles and prices to the most patient Tamsin (GHAT exhibitions manager). I am a complete ding bat.

Greece 2014 and GHAT

After much cufuffle and human error; predominantly mine - we have finalised the dates for Greece next year.
Going in September (oh yes, warm warm sea) for two weeks.  Thursday 11th - 18th and 18th - 25th.
I have double checked the flights ...( At first attempt there were none! ) there are plenty of charters with Monarch - Thomson's etc, but easy jet give up mid month so that option is gone.

Phil Thompson has been at the receiving end of all my malarkey, he has repaired my endless mistakes and has been charmingly patient - thanks mr t. All that training dealing with data from hundreds of NEOS artists has paid off.

I have to get my head down now and finish off works for showing at his Majesties Theatre - Grampian Hospitals Arts Trust ( GHAT) have space to exhibit on the walls of the bar and for three month over the pantomime season there will be mine.