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Wednesday 30 May 2018

violets


violets
linocut by Teresa Newham

For this mini linocut (it measures no more than 7 cm x 15 cm) I didn't need to go far for inspiration.  It was the beginning of April when I first spotted these pretty little flowers in a sheltered corner of the back garden.


violets in the garden
© Teresa Newham

I was working on other projects, so it wasn't until a few weeks later that I started making some sketches of possible designs of both violets and celandines, which were flowering at the same time.  I had intended to make a full size piece, but in the end I chose another subject for that, which is still in progress.


working out wildflower ideas
© Teresa Newham


At the moment I've abandoned my bench hook when cutting, preferring to use rug liner - the sort that prevents rugs sliding about on laminated floors or carpet.  I find I can turn the lino much more easily, which helps when creating curves; but as ever, I have to be extremely careful that the direction of the cut is away from my hand.



the cut
© Teresa Newham

The violets are gone from the garden now, as are the celandines, and other wild flowers are gracing our gardens and hedgerows at the moment.  I wish I had time to make a linocut of them all, but there's an unfinished project to be getting on with . . . !


the finished print
© Teresa Newham









Monday 14 May 2018

Sunny and bright


Parish Church of  S Peter & S Paul, Kimpton
© Teresa Newham

The first full weekend in May means two things:  the Spring Bank Holiday, and the Kimpton Festival.   I had entered some works into the art exhibition in the parish church, which was looking at  its finest in the record-breaking warm weather.


Art and flowers
© Teresa Newham

Inside, the church was wonderfully cool, with beautiful flower arrangements amongst the exhibits, which filled every available space, including boards perched on some of the pews.  Some visitors were  wandering around admiring the art, others were sitting and listening to the choir.


glass, and more glass
© Teresa Newham


As well as paintings and photos, there was a whole side room devoted to glass and textiles, with ceramics and wooden items displayed separately in front of the stained glass windows.  Every inch of the church had been pressed into use.  My own pieces were easy to spot alongside the stewards' table.


every space was used for exhibits!
© Teresa Newham


Once we'd had a good look round, we ventured up the bell tower, where local bell-ringers were on hand to share their expertise.  While my husband tried his hand at ringing church bells for the first time, I was able to look down on the scene below.  As usual, it was a superb exhibition.


birds' eye view from the bell tower
© Teresa Newham


We walked around the village, admiring the knits which adorned every suitable object, and a wonderful display of paper flowers in a front garden on the High Street.  We had tea and cake in the Dacre Rooms and ice cream while we watched the falconry displayat the recreation ground.  It was a glorious afternoon!



knits and paper flowers around the village
© Teresa Newham