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

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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.