WELCOME TO AUTUMN '24

A round up of events and a look forward to the programme for 2025!

Firstly, apologies for the radio silence on the blog - quite a lot going on this year but happily things improving!  My daughter Caroline was diagnosed with Stage IV cervical cancer and after 18 months is now in remission.  Tomorrow she begins an epic cycle ride from London to Paris for The Eve Appeal to raise funds for womens' cancer research. I did manage to get to Higham Hall twice this year, with the indefatigable Robert Dutton in February and Lionel Playford in early July. All useful learning!  I took part in H-Art earlier this month and managed a few new paintings!  I hope you have had the chance to get creative too!

ART - I know many of you have enjoyed the programme so far this year and there is some good art to come.  As well as that, you have enjoyed and taken part in the Come and Paint sessions during the summer.

Ian managed to get to the international watercolour masters and joined Joe Dowden for more watercolour magic!

Sue Murphy snuck off to Posara in Italy to join Rebecca de Mendonca for a week of sun and wine - and pastels!

Some of you have also taken the opportunity to join our friends at Hereford Painting Club and their outings to various spots around the county.  I particularly enjoyed the session at Hellens Manor early on, in brilliant sunshine.

We look forward to seeing your efforts at the next LAS EXHIBITION in the Weavers Gallery in November.  Ian will be sending out details for this shortly so please sort your paintings for framing and we look forward to putting this on.

For those of you working in pastel, you might be interested in the UNISON pastel challenge beginning on 30th September.  Worth having a look at this as they are immensely useful.  Details on their website.

PROGRAMME

We look forward to welcoming Worcestershie artist Suzanne Nicholl on 1st October at the Catholic Church Hall, from 9.45am.  Suzanne is a landscape artist, creating contemporary and abstract paintings in oil, acrylic and mixed media.  She will be sharing an insight into her practice and will bring with her a selection of work in progress and sketch books. 

(If you are new to Ledbury Art Society, please join us!)

Carole Baker will be back with her colourful acrylics in November.

Fiona has been working on the 2025 Programme which is looking great.  Just to whet your appetite (we'll publish the full list shortly):

Barbara Curry - oils (www.barbaracurrypaintings.uk)

Frank Collict - watercolour and line and wash (www.frankcollictart.com)

Ian Ridley - watercolour (ianridleywatercolours.co.uk) 

Hope this has been useful and we look forward to seeing you in October!!! Sue

2024 PROGRAMME OF DEMONSTRATIONS AND ACTIVITIES

 JANUARY'S DEMONSTRATION

The first demo of the year was very well attended with Rupert Aker providing us with five super examples of loose and swift oils with a pallete knife.  Rupert is a Cotswolds artist and his subject landscapes.  He works from his studio in Painswick, the old public toilets, The Louvre, where he also provides tuition and workshops.  You can see his larger canvasses at the Burford Garden Company.  Visit his website for details.

There was a good selection of Members' works on show so please remember to bring yours to next week's meeting!  Thankyou.

Note:  All meetings are held in the Catholic Church Hall, New Street, Ledbury - Guests are welcome.  Demonstrations start at 9.45am and finish by 12 noon.  Coffee is served.

Do join us!  We look forward to seeing you.

FEBRUARY MEETING 6th February

We look forward to welcoming local artist David Birtwhistle to this meeting.  David is very well known both locally and nationally for his memorable watercolours.  This will be a real treat so please arrive in good time to pay and get your seat for a prompt 9.45am start, not 10am!

MARCH 5TH AGM

Please try and attend this meeting - it is your chance to say what you would like for the future of the Society.

APRIL 2ND

Helen Norman Helen is a Gloucestershire based artist and successful oil painter who now concentrates on collages.  Helen is known for her depictions of local scenes, people, seascapes and cockerels.

MAY 7TH

Brian Griffiths Workshop Brian is a member of LAS and Herefordshire Painting Club and he will provide both a demonstration in charcoals in various forms and a Workshop.  A materials list will be sent in good time.

JUNE 4th

Joe Dowden - Watercolour

Joe comes to us straight after the International Watercolour Masters exhibition in May where he is running workshops and exhibiting.  A superb, internationally recognised watercolour landscape painter, he particularly specialises in the depiction of water.

July, August and September - Painting Get-Togethers in the Catholic Church Hall or outside venues

OCTOBER 1st

Suzanne Nicholl, Oil/acrylic

Suzanne is a Worcestershire based expressive landscape artist creating contemporary and abstract paintings in oils, acrylic and mixed media.  Her work is bursting with energy and colour!

NOVEMBER 5th

Carole Baker - Acrylics

Carole returns to demonstrate her practice of capturing the effects of light upon the landscape.  Her paintings are more about a feeling than a record of place.  Her work is held internationally and she has a busy commission schedule.  She holds Open Studios throughout the year and a welcoming programme of workshops and holidays.