It is always a great experience to be asked to be an artist in residence in a gallery. This is my second time in Thornthwaite Galleries. Early in the year I spent a Saturday and Sunday in the gallery. I painted the gallery and the two local postboxes. Thornthwaite Galleries has been here a long time, I bought my first piece of art here way back in ...
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I booked my accommodation in Kirkcudbright for the Scottish August Bank Holiday Weekend back in February because I'd been told how busy it is for the ArtandCraftsTrail. I was there in 2024 with my work in The Tolbooth Arts and Crafts Centre. This year I was hoping for a gazebo in the soaperie gardens. I had confirmed and paid for my tra...
It is a while since I've been out into the NW corner of Cumbria so I decided on a Sunday jaunt out to the Solway plains. I have a solo show in the Shipping Brow Gallery called Both Sides of the Solway in October so I'm re-exploring the area again. I've already painted most of the Pevsner buildings in this region but still one or two to do and...
My experience as a wildcard artist on Landscape Artist of the year. To be a wildcard you must first apply to be a pod artist. You need to fill in an application form with a photo of yourself and photos of at least two pieces of your best work. I received a reply saying although I was not successful I could apply to be a wild card. You are off...
A chilly start but a beautiful drive through the Lakes to Penrith with clear blue skies. First stop Rheged for coffee time with friend, Joyce. Then into the Everest exhibition, a history of the men and women who have conquered the mountain. Some interesting paintings, photographs and memorabilia particularly of The Mallory and Irvine expedition whe...
Rachel, Nanette and I managed to paint on site whilst we were there and Nanette also managed some gardening. The workshops were all very well received. At the same time I managed to get out and about to visit others on the trail. My framers in Brampton were part of the trail because upstairs is situated, the Gallery North West. On my re...
Florence Arts Centre is my venue for open studios. Every year in September, Eden Valley Artistic Network creatle a brochure of artists in north and west Cumbria. Over two weeks and three weekends artists open their own studios or gather in churches or community venues to show art and skills. Two years ago Nanette Madan joined me, last year we were ...
We are now a few weeks in to my exhibition in The Tolbooth in Kirkcudbright. This year it spans the Arts and Craft Trail. With nearly 140 contributors, there is so much to see. We decided to book into our favourite hotel over the weekend to experience the atmosphere. The first thing we noticed when we arrived on Friday was how busy it was. Usually ...
How I love to receive a book token and I was delighted to get one for my recent birthday, and a special big one it was. I was picking up my art work from the New Bookshop, where it had been displayed in the window as part of Meanders, a wonderful annual exhibition of artist's work in the windows of shops in Cockermouth. I had chosen my paintin...
So excited to be back in Kirkcudbright for my second exhibition in the Tolbooth. We arrived as the Gallery and Museum was opening and quickly unpacked and began to hang the work. It has a wire and track system that is easy to use. This time I have paintings of the wider area of Dumfries and Galloway as well as the street views of Kirkcudbrigh...