He is Risen

In loving memory of Geoff Scott

born 30th September 1929
died Holy Saturday 30th March 2013

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord

And let perpetual light shine upon him

May he rest in peace

Hoo's a lucky girl then?

Paula's Pansy
© Teresa Newham 2013

I'm delighted to say that I've had a couple of works accepted for next weekend's annual Luton Hoo Walled Garden Open Exhibition.   The theme of the exhibition is "The Garden and Beyond", and I took the opportunity to dust off three older works - Paula's Pansy, Red Tulips in a Blue Glass Vase and Acer Leaves VII, as well as some browser items and a few greetings cards. 

Red Tulips in a Blue Glass Vase
© Teresa Newham 2013

Unfortunately Red Tulips didn't make the cut, which surprised me a little as it's one of my favourite paintings.  So perhaps I'll hang that one in my studio to remind me of the afternoon I spent trying to paint tulips from life!

Acer Leaves VII
© Teresa Newham 2013

More than a hundred artists are taking part in the exhibition, as well as  local schools, who always produce the most intriguing installations. If you are in the area it's well worth a visit, as is the Walled Garden itself - hope to see you there . . .

looking forward, looking back

February is turning out to be a month of forward planning as far as my creative side is concerned.  In the space of one week I found myself filling out forms for the Open Exhibition at Luton Hoo Walled Garden and this year's Art on the Common, and hosting a meeting for those of us hoping to exhibit at Artscape in Harpenden for Herts Open Studios 2013.  Much of it seems a long way off; but time for creative pursuits has proven scarce so far this year so I've started thinking about possible exhibits already. As always when time is tight, I've gone back over my photo albums; last October's visit to Kerry has proved a rich source of inspiration. We were staying right on the harbour at Portmagee, and took a stroll on the quayside early one morning when the tide had just gone out:

 

 

seaweed, Portmagee harbour

Kerry offers the most spectacular views, and it's easy to forget that there are plenty of smaller delights right under your nose if you care to look, such as this little plant growing in a crevice of rock on Valentia Island:

rock plant, Valentia

Back in Portmagee Harbour I indulged my particular obsession with the wooden crates which the fishermen use to catch lobster.  They have wonderful colour and texture both when wet and dry, and are festooned with ropes which also hold a particular fascination for me:

 

old rope, Portmagee harbour

As well as working on some exhibits involving rope, plants and seaweed, I'm also putting aside images which are suitable for cards, such as the one below.  I like this one so much that I've hung it in my cloakroom, which has a Kerry seashore theme to it:

the sign of the cross on the foreshore at Kilkeaveragh

So at the moment I'm looking forward to September by looking back to last October, keeping the memories alive and the creative juices ticking over at the same time!

Love Unlimited - guerilla printmaking!

Love Unlimited - linocut greeings card

© Teresa Newham 2013

We've had a busy few weeks since New Year, with little time for creative pursuits, so I suspect it was Divine Providence which reminded me, towards the end of January, that if I wanted to make my husband a Valentine's card, the time to start it was now.  My problem was how to go about it without him noticing -  J takes a great deal of interest in my art and is incredibly supportive, so it felt quite disloyal to do something in secret!  I hastily drafted a simple design on the PC when J was downstairs, marking schoolbooks.  I even managed to transfer the design onto lino in my studio when he was working in the dining room next door - there is a window between them so it wasn't as easy as you might think.  I was sweating buckets and kept looking over my shoulder - I'd be a hopeless secret agent!

Scene of Crime I - the box in the crate . . .
© Teresa Newham 2013

At this point I realised that although there was still almost three weeks to go before 14th February,  the card would need a week to dry, so would have to be cut and printed that coming weekend.  Which would be impossible, as my brother-in-law was staying; usually I can rely on J to pop out at least once or twice over the weekend but we were planning to do everything together!  Perhaps I could sort something out in the week?  difficult, as someone was going to put up curtain poles in the studio on Wednesday, so J was planning to move my studio equipment out  of the way.   I might not be able to access what I needed, and if he came across the card by accident it would spoil the surprise . . .

Scene of Crime II - the shelf in the cupboard
© Teresa Newham 2013

I had no idea how to solve this problem, but I decided that if Divine Providence had prompted me in this direction in the first place, DP would probably supply the solution (I did a bit of praying too, to help things along).  And on the Monday morning, after J had gone to work I found I had twenty minutes spare before I needed to leave.  Who usually has twenty minutes spare in the morning? not me!  but I wasn't quibbling - I got out the cutters and set to work.  And finished the cut.  I could hardly believe it, but I found a hiding place for the lino block and dashed out to the station.

Scene of Crime III - the drawer in the cabinet
© Teresa Newham 2013

On Tuesday morning the same thing happened; I managed to print up three cards (two spares just in case), and clear up, and move quite a lot of studio stuff out of the way in preparation for the curtain poles the following day.  But drying the cards somewhere J wouldn't see them was the next problem.  In the end I put two in the drawers of a plastic storage unit where I keep my printmaking inks, and the third in a cupboard.  OK - it's not the most complex card I've ever made (or the neatest!) but it is all my own work - and not bad for something put together in a hurry in total secrecy!



the finished card (unsigned)
© Teresa Newham 2013

J loved the card - all that secrecy was worth it - he had no idea it was coming!  it's our wedding anniversary in a few days' time;  but guess what?  I've bought him a card for that - my shredded nerves won't take any more guerilla printmaking . . . !!

snow scenes

Harpenden Common in the snow I
© Teresa Newham 2013

 

Everybody loves the snow, don't they?  I do - despite the trouble it causes!  my trains to London didn't quite grind to a halt this week but it was a close-run thing;  and leaving my teacher husband tucked up warmly at home (school closed) while I walked, wrapped up like an eskimo, through several inches of snow to the station was not ideal (to be fair he did offer to run me there in the car; but as the road was like an ice rink, I reckoned I was better off on foot!).

Harpenden Common in the snow II
© Teresa Newham 2013

 

The upside, as you can see, is that the snow has had me reaching for my camera again.  The colours of Harpenden Common were absolutely gorgeous  as the sun rose;  and if I hadn't been walking to the station I wouldn't have seen them!  these were taken before the worst of it;  a light dusting of snow and a heavy frost between them created a real winter wonderland.

 

Harpenden Common in the snow III
© Teresa Newham 2013

 

 

 Our most interesting weather was probably last weekend;  constant, steady snow on Sunday had us pulling on our woollies and snow boots to walk to Mass - no way were we going to get the car out!  I took the opportunity to explore the alley at the end of our road through to Cross Lane.  To my shame, I've been meaning to do this since we moved here nearly eighteen months ago - and this was the first time I'd taken a look! 

 

 

 

Cross Lane I
© Teresa Newham 2013

 

 

Cross Lane used to be a rat run from the St Albans road to Southdown; so the council blocked it off many years ago and now it's a haven for dog walkers, horse riders and (in this weather) sledgers.  Many's the time I'd envisaged popping down with my camera for a leisurely photoshoot.  I hadn't anticipated being so cold that my fingers would barely grasp the camera;  it was a very quick visit indeed!

 

Cross Lane II
© Teresa Newham 2013

 

Finally, in honour of the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, which I took part in this afternoon, here's this little fella eating his fill during last Sunday's steady snowfall.  I hoped very much that he would also put in an appearance today and I'm glad to say he did;  unfortunately I was too busy juggling my pen and paper, bird book and binoculars to take any photos of the birds at that point . . . 

 



blue tit at the peanut feeder
© Teresa Newham 2013

And if you think I was being intrepid in the snow again, you're mistaken. My birdwatch was conducted seated cosily inside by the patio doors with a rug over my knees. There's only so much snow I can take!

New beginnings

The weeks just after New Year can seem very flat, but for us 2013 has begun in the chaos of yet more decorating.  There are bits and bobs from my studio all over the house, and the freshly painted room itself currently contains nothing more than two tables and an empty shelf unit.  Until we're straight again I'm depending on my Christmas presents to keep my artistic side satisfied!

two different kinds of catalogues

So far I have found time to read Hammond & Scull's The Art of the Hobbit. This is a special edition in a smart slipcover, presumably launched to tie-in with the release of the first of Peter Jackson's Hobbit film trilogy, An Unexpected Journey, which we saw just after Christmas and enjoyed very much.  It contains virtually all Tolkien's released (and unreleased) sketches and paintings he made to illustrate The Hobbit,  including early and abandoned drafts.  I have also been given the catalogue for the Pre-Raphaelite exhibition at the Tate Britain - just as well, as we didn't manage to visit the show itself!  I love the Pre-Raphaelites, and it's next on my list to read.

a picture book and a book for pictures

Another Tolkien-related present was a last-minute addition to my wishlist at Amazon - a hardcover edition of Mr Bliss.  It's one of the few Tolkien books I don't already have, and full of more of his charming drawings.  The back of the book is laid out in the original landscape format with the facsimiles of his handwritten drafts, so it's really two books in one.  The other present shown above is a felt-covered sketchbook by local textile artist Barbara Weeks.  It's so lovely I'm loathe to use it straight away!

two books on icons by Sister Wendy Becket

The final two art books on my list were by Sister Wendy Beckett, and are about icons. Sister Wendy is a one-off - a true original;  a contemplative nun living under the protection of the Carmelite Order (although not a Carmelite herself), an art historian who uses her love of art to spread the message of the Gospels.  What her Wikipaedia entry doesn't tell you, however, is that while studying at Oxford she was taught by . . . .  a certain JRR Tolkien! 

a selection of Caligo SafeWash Inks

Another present I'm looking forward to getting to grips with is my new set of Caligo SafeWash Inks.  They are transparent oil-based relief inks which wash off with soap and water - at least, I hope they do!  so all the advantage of oil-based inks with none of the mess.  I put six colours on my wish list and was lucky enough to receive them all.



The Stairs of Cirith Ungol - print of an original painting by Cor Blok

 My final arty present was anotherTolkien-related one: a print of Cor Blok's The Stairs of Cirith Ungol.  I was thrilled to hear that Cor Blok was going to issue some prints of his works inspired by Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings; and meeting the man himself at Return of the Ring 2012 was an added bonus.  I picked up a list of his prints there, dropped a hint or two to my husband, and on Christmas afternoon found myself carefully unwrapping a print of this touching scene, carefully packaged up by Pieter Collier of the Tolkien Library, who has done so much to bring Cor Blok's work to public attention.

I've been extremely blessed to receive these lovely presents, with the core themes of my life - religion, art, Tolkien - running right through them.  Now I must put them to good use . . . !

Christmas blessings

Holy Family II

linocut

Teresa Newham 2012

It's almost Christmas, and amidst the chaos of our working and domestic lives we Catholics are called to take time out and reflect on its true meaning: God made man and born of a Virgin to be our Saviour.  The Virgin Mary has been on my mind a lot during Advent; a girl no older than thirteen or fourteen, from a humble background;  chosen by God before she is born to be his own sinless mother when he takes human form.  She doesn't know this of course; and when the Angel Gabriel announces that she has been chosen to bear Jesus she could still say 'no'.  But she doesn't; she accepts God's will even though it is made clear to her that hers will not be an easy path.  Joseph, too, when he realises his betrothed is expecting a child, has to take a leap of faith, and trust in God.

We are also called to follow God's plan for us.  It's easy to say and can be incredibly difficult to do, even in the mundane circumstances of our own lives.  But if Mary and Joseph can say 'yes', can't we?

Wishing all readers of this blog blessings and peace at Christmas, and always xxx

more sketches from Kerry

During our recent stay in Kerry we spent a lot of time chilling out at our friends' house; eating, drinking, watching TV and enjoying the splendid light in their conservatory.  It was ideal for sketching, and as their home is full of interesting bits and pieces it wasn't long before these two concertinas caught my eye:

concertinas at Kilkeaveragh

 I had to try them out, of course, even though I'd never played one before.  They are intriguing instruments requiring you to use each hand in a different way.  This brought back grim memories of trying (and failing) to learn to play both hands at once on the piano.  I soon abandoned the idea of making a tune and did a little pencil sketch of them instead.

two concertinas

I enjoyed doing this so much that I cast round for something else on which to practice my drawing skills.    Amongst all the tempting items I spotted this stack of lidded baskets:

Another very happy hour soon passed.  It's not often I get the time to concentrate exclusively on drawing something like this;  unless you're in something like a life class there will always be interruptions or distractions.  It did me good to study the baskets and I produced a better drawing than I had managed with the concertinas.

baskets, Kilkeaveragh

It was a very pleasant afternoon sketching;  I must develop the discipline to do more drawing at home.  Practice, as they say, makes perfect - and you can tell I haven't been practising as much as I should!

An Unexpected Bonus

visitors enjoying the Harpenden Arts Club Open Exhibition

Coming as it does at one of the busiest times of the year, the Harpenden Arts Club Annual Exhibition always seems to take me by surprise.   As usual, the entry form was done in a hurry while I was in the middle of sorting out something else; when I came to prepare my entries for handing-in, I was surprised to find that I was going to show two watercolours and a monoprint, with half a dozen works going into the unframed section.

Painting the Boat alongide some other seaside-themed exhibits

 I haven't managed to get along to a club meeting for some time, so as a contribution to this most local of local exhibitions, I usually put my name down for a couple of hours' stewarding on the Saturday.  The exhibition, which ran from the Friday through to the Sunday, was enjoying some success:  the sales had clearly been good already, and we had a steady stream of visitors voting for their favourite piece and dropping by the stewards' table for a chat!

Two Hand Reel amidst a selection of works featuring figures

What's more, the exhibition had been hung really well.  For example, Painting the Boat had been placed with a number of seascapes and beach-related pieces;  they looked far better grouped together than they would have done dotted about here and there.  Two Hand Reel was hanging with some other paintings of figures;  it all made sense, somehow - our visitors certainly thought so.

view of the exhibition looking towards the stewards' table

The club kindly allows stewards to sell greetings cards during their stint, so I had a basket of mine with me;  yet again I spent the entire two hours convinced that nobody would buy one and for the third year running I sold a couple just as I was about to leave.  The bonus, however, came on Sunday afternoon when I went to pick everything up;  one of my Winter Birds two-colour unframed monoprints had sold.  Winter Birds is now one of my most successful series of prints!  The ash tree on which the birds were originally photographed has had to come down - a victim of ash die-back disease.  So the prints will have to be its memorial . . .

A big thank you to the organisers of the HAC exhibition!



sketches from Kerry

Portmagee Harbour from the window of my room at The Moorings

I recently returned from a wonderful week in Co. Kerry, staying as usual in the fishing village of Portmagee, at The Moorings B&B/restaurant/bar.  It was two years since my last visit, so it was lovely to spend time with friends in the area and to catch up with all their news.  From the seafront rooms at The Moorings you can look right across the harbour, and because I was staying for a week I was able to make a pen & wash sketch of some of the boats - the main disadvantage being that because they are working boats they kept going off fishing!

Portmagee harbour - pen & wash sketch

The weather was extremely kind; only one rainy day (when we were recovering from a Halloween party the night before anyway), which meant that we were able to visit our favourite places, such as the areas from which you can see the Skelligs.  Every time we caught sight of them, they seemed different; bathed in sunlight, bathed in mist; looking close enough to touch (they are an hour's boat ride away) or remote and mysterious.

the Skelligs seen from Valentia Island

One day two of us parked the car at a viewpoint and I got out my watercolours to make the little sketch below;  I'm hoping to use it as  an aide memoire to work up a proper painting eventually (although the last Kerry paintings I did took two years to come to fruition . . .).  I'm not a fan of "plein air" painting - I always end up with mud or sand or rain on my efforts - but this was cheating a bit because we were sitting cosily in the car!

watercolour sketch of the Skelligs

My husband joined us halfway through the week and on the drive back from the airport  we stopped off at another favourite place of mine: Rossbeigh beach, near the little town of Glenbeigh.  Over the years I've done a couple of paintings based on photos taken here and I was keen to make a sketch with a view perhaps of doing a third painting (some time - see caveat above!).

Rossbeigh Beach

This time I did get out of the car to produce the rough ink sketch below.  I'm starting to get over the idea that sketches like this have to "look good".  The marks in some artists' sketchbooks are almost illegible (Turner, for example, used to use his thumbs) - they are notes for future use, and it's great to have the freedom to be as scruffy or as scribbly as I like.   I added the colour from memory later, back at The Moorings - sitting on those wonderful pebbles had eventually made me so stiff I could barely stand up.  Does that count as suffering for your art?

ink sketch of Rossbeigh Beach (colour added later)