Works on Paper 7 at Blue Shop Gallery

I’m delighted to have four of my original ink drawings included in Blue Shop Gallery’s Works on Paper 7. Ocki, owner of Blue Shop Gallery is committed to helping artists grow by keeping open calls free to enter. I entered the Works on Paper open call earlier this year (my second time applying) and was absolutely astounded to receive an email saying that my work had been accepted.

It’s a real privilege to have my work alongside artists who I admire greatly, including Orla Kane, Camilla Skye, Catrin Llwyd, Tom Scotcher, Louise Pettifer and Toby Wills-Hart (among many many others).

“Walking in forests and being surrounded by trees has always been a contradictory experience for me, I crave the stillness of the woods and the quiet of nature and yet an expansive forest environment can also feel quite foreboding, as if something could be lurking out of sight. In my drawings I'm seeking to represent woodland landscapes, my particular focus is on the light and dark, texture and detail. How woodlands are magical, beautiful, isolating and lonely places all at once. I utilise a process of layering ink and water, allowing the ink to create marks and textures which become integral to the work. I scrub away at the drawing and then use a fine brush to draw in branches, leaves and tiny twigs. The scale is purposefully small, to draw the viewer in and to create an intimacy, the drawings are like little jewels, reminiscent of collectable playing cards, each offering their own woodland impression.”

Among the Trees Exhibition

Some time ago my friend, sculptor Patrick Bull who I’d known since university asked if I’d like to exhibit with him in Marlborough, his hometown. He had a venue lined up, the historic 17th century Merchant’s House on the high street. We visited the venue, I was blown away by the room that we were to have our work displayed in - the most original room in the house dating from 1653; The Panelled Chamber. The walls are solid oak panelling with portraits by Mary Beale adorning the walls. Old bureaus sit atop tables and chests, the floor resembled a lapping sea in some places, an oak wave frozen in time. I wondered how I’d display my work as for obvious reasons nothing could be hung. We brainstormed and decided to utilise painted boards and easels to hang my work on, Patrick would use the furniture to display his bronze sculptures.

Set up day came around and we spent hours working out how to curate the room. First it felt like we didn’t have enough work, then we were worried about it looking cluttered. Then, once we’d borrowed some table top easels and furniture from elsewhere in the house to use it suddenly all came together.

The private view was well attended and much to our relief one couple bought a drawing of mine; Cathedral and a bronze resin robin by Patrick within the first 30 minutes.

The next day was exhibition day. I started the day invigilating with Karolinka, Patrick’s wife who had been such a help in preparing for the show by printing our labels and making us dinner before the private view! The day flew past, I had a drawing on the go but was interrupted often by visitors wanting a chat which was so welcome. It felt so special to be in the Panelled Chamber all day, with access to a few places that the general public aren’t privy to. This was the first exhibition to be held at The Merchant’s House and we were told that our free to attend exhibition attracted more paying customers to the house and museum. The exhibition was so successful in the staffs eyes that going forward they are looking to hold an art exhibition every month!

The exhibition had felt a little stressful, mostly because both Patrick and I have families (two children each) and other jobs to do but I’m so glad we got to show our work together. I think my woodland inspired drawings and Patrick’s bronze birds worked so well together and made for a coherent and interesting exhibition.

Hopefully we will get to exhibit together again in the future. Thank you, Patrick for the opportunity and to all the staff and volunteers at The Merchant’s House.

Exhibiting with Wiltshire Artists

In July my university friend Patrick Bull contacted me asking if I’d like to take part in an exhibition in Marlborough with Wiltshire Artists. Patrick and his wife Karolinka had taken over the organisation of the groups annual summer show and wanted to invite some new artists to take part.

I decided to make some new ink and brush drawings especially for the exhibition which was to take place on august bank holiday weekend. I had been on a hot summers day walk in Micheldever Woods and had taken some photographs of the woodland which I thought would translate perfectly into some atmospheric drawings.

The exhibition was held at a stunning church on one end of Marlborough High Street. I attended the private view and was delighted to receive really positive feedback about my two pieces, both sold at the private view with other parties also interested which was a huge confidence boost.

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