As I write this I look out onto woodland that is bursting into life with glorious sunshine. Spring is a long time coming but the hazel catkins are magnificent and already scattering their powdery pollen. We have a few snowdrops and our first primrose is in full bloom. I discovered yesterday that Queen Bumble Bees emerge this time of year and feed on pollen before going off to find a new home for their offspring. Primroses and snowdrops are their life source. They love an old mole hole of which we have dozens so hopefully Longmeadow is a safe place for the Queen bees to settle.
We have had a bit of a change round in the garden, planted a Rowan tree and some clematis to scramble over a pergola. It is still soaking wet underfoot but hopefully we can get outside by the end of March to tidy things up for the Art in June Open Studio event which this year runs from the 6th to the 22nd June. Longmeadow studio, gallery and garden will be open each week from Thursday to Sunday and I will be joined this year by Mary McCarten, a fused glass artist who will exhibit her work in the garden and gallery. We will be providing tea, coffee and homemade cakes in aid of Hospice in the Weald every day that we are open, You will recieve a friendly welcome at Longmeadow, it is a lovely spot to linger and chat over a cuppa whilst taking in the view, and sauntering around the garden.
I shall again be offering free demonstrations on demand: eco printing, paper folding and book making. If any of these techniques interest you I am also running workshops by arrangement for 2/3 people that last for 2 hours at a cost of £35 per person including materials and refreshments, throughout May, July and September. If you have a friend or two who would like to join you, send me a message and we can arrange a date and time to suit you all for a bit of creative therapy.
I have a new workshop aimed at the artist who has too much work stashed away in a drawer, is that you? I repurpose most of my work by making it into concertina books, explosion books, little 14 page sketchbooks and more. This is a one to one session where we discuss your work and create a cluster of books for you to use as sketchbooks, for gifts or just to treasure and admire. Old life drawings make wonderful landscape sketchbooks, watercolour paintings are perfect for book covers, abstract designs create fascinating concertina books. You will learn and make a variety of book making techniques using your unique art. Basic materials and refreshments are provided and the session lasts for 3 hours for £60. If this is something that appeals to you I am always around for a chat beforehand to discuss your ideas and exactly what materials you have available. I am very flexible in arranging dates and times although I would advise daylight hours throughout May, July and September.
I have been busy since Christmas making books but now the weather is turning it is time to get back in the studio. I have two large panels on the go and have been waxing and labelling the paintings I finished last year. I do love a bit of power sanding especially when it is sunny so some older work has been rubbed down and now I am in the process of building them up again, only to sand them down further. Sometimes I do this six or seven times until I eventually get a texture and effect that I like. This finished painting called "What Goes Around Comes Around" is a perfect example, it is 30cm square on wood and will be framed with a minimal natural pine frame before I wax the whole thing. This will be one of several new paintings on show at Longmeadow in June.
Are you following my #100dayproject on instagram stories? My Pot Doodles are in a handmade A6 concertina book. I am hoping to draw a wide range of pot shapes from observation to flood my subconscious in preparation for a new series of intuitive still life paintings. I am also showing this inside the "ARTHOUSE" which is now in its third month. A fantastic creative space lead by Sally-Anne Ashley https://arthouse-retreat-studio.mn.co/about where I have made new friends and explored so many new avenues into creativity. If you are looking for a virtual art community to participate in I cannot recommend this more highly. You have the choice to meet up several times a week to learn something new, just have a chat, share your work and hear extraordinary interviews. There is a gallery, resources, guided and unguided zoom sessions where you can work alongside a lovely bunch of artists that are kind, caring and interested in what you are doing. A safe place to learn about your creative process. It is on Mighty Networks which removes all the irritations of Facebook and Instagram. Sally-Anne hosts in a calm understated way and if you would like a taster pop in to the Open Studio zoom session on Sunday 30th March at 11.am GMT which is open to nonmembers. Details of how to take part are on the Arthouse website listed above or follow Sally-Anne on Instagram @sallyanneashleyart and @arthouse_retreat_studio
If you feel like a trip out to the country now the days are getting longer and warmer you are always welcome to pop in for a chat and a cuppa. My studio is chaotic at the moment but that will soon change once the warmer weather arrives. I am off to cook a fish supper now with delicious scallops from our local fishmonger at Flower Farm. Looking forward to a beautiful spring and plenty of creativity. Please do get in touch if you fancy a workshop in May so I can book you into the diary before my next newsletter. Oh and have a great Easter break everyone, wherever you are.
Best wishes JaneS
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