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Excited about exhibiting in Ravenstone

I’ve enjoyed this week, its been a good reminder of the natural “high” that artists get when they’re planning an exhibition. And I think its a higher high if the exhibition is a solo one, as this one is. I’ve had some late nights for it though, and early morning starts to get it prepared, but want to do as much as I can for it, since you only get one go at making a good first impression.

I know I’m a prolific artist, but even I’m surprised how many pieces of original art I’ve found in dark corners to frame up and get ready for the exhibition. I shall list them later on when I get them wrapped up for transporting them.  And the subjects and styles are so diverse that I’m sure most people are going to walk in and think that its a group of artists who has done all the work, not just one.

But not only will there be original art, there will be limited edition prints too, ordinary prints, and cards. So, something for everyone, from just a few pounds up to paintings in their hundreds. I am aware this is a small village exhibition so am hopefully covering every opportunity for sales.

 

And to make it more local for the villagers I’ve done some paintings and prints of the village as well.

The first one is a watercolour painting of the 300 year old Hospital Almshouses which still are used for sheltered housing for women in the village. Its a beautiful building and was a joy to paint. I loved the old apple tree in the fore ground and the beautifully manicured lawns it sits in. The lime greens are a beautiful contrast to the red of the brickwork of the building, and its a typically English scene.

The second picture lead on from the first one as I noticed the specific details of the Almshouses as I drew it, so I did a pen drawing showing all the tiny details of the diamond panes of each window, the stone detailing, and the wide archway doorways which was a joy to draw. Its been a while since I did a pen and ink drawing and really enjoyed working on it, just aware of the light and dark and textures of the brick, stone, slate tiles, glass, leaded lights, and trees behind.  The drawing is called “Diamond panes of Ravenstone Almshouses” to differentiate it from the general painting of the  Almshouses.

And since I was very much into painting Ravenstone by then, I thought I’d do a more general view as well! So, the third painting is of the Main Street and the picturesque cottages there. I purposely used light and mostly transparent colours for this one, and love the pretty colours of it.

So, I’m as ready as I can be. All I need is a good footfall of people through the door!

But, I know already that I’ve got some visitors coming along – some locally, and some from as far as Northamptonshire. And it would have been as far as Surrey if the guy I was talking to last week had been able to come too! He really wanted to, I know, but other circumstances have deemed otherwise.

But, even if you can’t attend, and you’d really like to, you know that I’ll give you the details of it in the next blog post, and some photos, so you can view it vicariously through that.

I almost keep forgetting that its actually a big bank holiday weekend, and even if some people aren’t bothered about the Royal Jubilee aspect of it, they’re planning street parties, and other entertainment in celebration. I shall miss most of that, but will catch up afterwards!

4 thoughts on “Excited about exhibiting in Ravenstone”

  1. While I like the two colour paintings of Ravenstone, particularly the street scene with its airy pastels, it’s the black and white drawing that really catches my eye, as it is all (except for the arches, the bush to the left and the tree in the background) converging lines with the contrast of the window designs. It just leads and lures me into the scene.

    1. Hardin – Its funny that a lot of people really relate to colour, and yet its the black and white pictures that always seem to stand out more! I suppose its because the colour isn’t there that you concentrate more on the image, and the use of light and darks to create it, as well as the depiction of texture in the work. It was a tricky picture to draw because of the converging lines, but that is what draws you in. If you’ll excuse the pun! 🙂

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