Best in Show

Congratulations to Daph Willett. Not only was her sunflower image chosen for the exhibition poster, she also had one of her pictures voted as Best in Show.

This is the first year LAS has invited visitors to vote for Best in Show. This proved very popular and also gave some added interest  for some of our younger visitors. Nearly every painting received at least one vote and there were two other paintings that were only three votes short of the winning entry.

More pictures at the exhibition

More pictures from the exhibition

 

2013 Exhibition - all set up, ready to go

Our annual exhibition of members' work starts tomorrow, Saturday 25th May 2013. Click here to see times.

We're all set up and ready for the members' preview this evening.













For more images click on

Computer Art

When you look at David Hockney's iPad paintings from The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate or art produced by artists using Photoshop or Illustrator you may find yourself thinking "That must be easy/difficult" or asking "Can I get rid of my sketch book anytime soon?"

So if you want to know more, come along on Tuesday 7th May at 9:45 for Paul Arnott's demonstration of computer art. See http://www.southwalesartsociety.co.uk/?p=1019 for a report on a demonstration by Paul Arnott last year.

For more views on Hockney try http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/01/18/ipad-painting-hockney_n_1213786.html There's also an article about using computers on the front of last year's LAS Newsletter http://www.msmusic.co.uk/ledburyartsociety/newsletters/2012-09_newsletter.pdf

Christopher Hughes - Watercolour

After more than thirty years as a full time working artist Christopher Hughes had plenty of experience to share with us yesterday. Before he began the demonstration he told us a little of his story which included working at Worcester Porcelain and running classes - at his home and studio in Worcestershire, on the Greek Island of Alonissos and online using Skype. To find out more about his work and courses visit his website www.christopherhughesgallery.com

He brought along some of his painted porcelain plaques and responded to the many questions LAS members through at him about the processes involved.

I don't think many, if any, of us are likely to try painting porcelain and after painting so much fruit for Worcester Porcelain he confessed that he had gone off fruit. Vegetables were a different matter, so he had brought along an arrangement on a plate that was to be the subject of his still life watercolour demonstration (see above).

Robin Holder

Robin Holder is, by his own description, a River Severn artist. Do take a look at his website http://www.robinholder.co.uk/ to see more of what he does and find out about the tuition he offers.

Kempsey Church in Snow

Today's watercolour demonstration was a view across the Severn to the church at Kempsey and was inspired by an oil painting executed in the field.

You can see from this image that his palette is limited. He used raw sienna, raw umber and cerulian blue. An advantage with using insoluble pigments is they can be lifted out and that's how the white highlights on the near river bank have been achieved.

Nature in Art

I was pleasantly surprised by today's presentation. Simon Trapnell, Director of Nature in Art, is an engaging speaker who has been involved with the museum since it was no more than an idea. Through the many images presented we gained insights into the variety of the collection and, thanks to Simon's knowledge, into the work of many of the artists.

I should perhaps explain why I was surprised. Because I'm a frequent visitor to Nature in Art and always enjoy the mix of 'old friends' and special exhibitions I didn't expect to be so stimulated by an illustrated talk. I can highly recommend inviting Simon to talk to any art group. He's not an artist but he understands art inspired by nature and communicates very effectively.

One thing I have always enjoyed on my visits is seeing the artists in residence at work. There's about 60 each year. I don't know how some of them get much work done with the constant stream of visitors questioning them but I've always found them keen to talk about their art and their methods of working.

Don't try to take in everything at once. Take a break part way through your visit and enjoy coffee and cake in the restaurant ... or stop for lunch.

Take a look at the website http://www.nature-in-art.org.uk for the programme and other details.