Friday, 15 January 2010

MICHAEL KENNEDY'S SESSIONS

The handout Michael porvided for this first session of the year began, 'A thing of beauty is a joy for ever, Keats, 'Endymion' (1818). We were asked to question what is conventionally regarded as beautiful and how canons of beauty can change with each generation. A collection of postcards demonstrated images that might be considered beautiful, which included the use of simple items as subject matter, by artists such as Braque and Morandi. We were then asked to select an item oursleves that could be used to express an idea of beauty or challenge the notion of beauty.

If you were not at the session last Monday, you should have received copies of the handouts. Below are the dates and titles of the sessions for Michael's first half term. Hope to see you on Monday evening!

11th January Beauty in common things
18th January Natural beauty
25th January Absent beauty
1st February Studio beauty
8th February Completion of work followed by critique

Saturday, 2 January 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Best wishes go to all members for a happy and creative year ahead.

Brentwood Art Society has plenty to offer everyone this year. Apart from the two sessions each week, there is a workshop and painting weekend away to look forward to. There are also efforts to re-introduce painting trips beyond these shores. Take a look at Trevor Harwood's piece below about art courses in the Algarve.

Back at home, the term begins on Monday 11th January with tutor Michael Kennedy.

The Preview Evening of our Annual Exhibition, that took place in November and December at Brentwood Library, was once more a very enjoyable event. Thanks go to all members of the committee who undertake a range of tasks to ensure everything runs smoothly, and to Bryan Semour and his wife who organise the hospitaltiy element of the Preview Evening. The Mayor of Brentwood, Tony Sleep, opened the exhibition, which continues to be a splendid way of demonstrating the variety and quality of work that is achieved by the society. In these more frugal times it is encouraging that a few sales were made and the sale of greetings cards featuring members artwork was very succesful.


HARWOOD ART

Some of you may remember that many years ago Brentwood Art Society used to have art holidays abroad as well as the art weekends in the UK that we now enjoy. Recently I visited the Algarve, the non-touristy eastern end and was invited to review a new art holiday location there. It occurred to me that it would be an ideal location for BAS members to venture overseas again.

Prior to launching this venue for my own business, I thought I would take a straw poll amongst members to see if there was any interest for such a venture. The owners have agreed a flat rate for one week, which I feel is good at Euro 500 each, excluding flights to Faro. Some extra details are attached or you can contact me anytime.

There is a special painting week organised for 20th –27th March 2010 for the same price, which we could
attend or I can organise a separate week for BAS. More information can be found at the centre's website: http://www.artinthealgarve.com/



~ HARWOOD ART ~

PAINTING HOLIDAY IN OLHAO, ALGARVE, PORTUGAL

Join Trevor Harwood in the peaceful and beautiful countryside surrounding the old port of Olhao, east of Faro in Portugal with host David - an ideal location for a painting holiday.

Set in the heart of Olhao's protected historic area one can find the Olhao Art School. The school has been restored and with vaulted ceilings, Roman brickwork, three courtyards and an olive tree (believed to be over 150 years old), it offers an exceptional space for artistic creativity.

There is something romantic about the building, with the beautiful light from outside filtering through the large windows and courtyards adding to it’s charm. There is an abundance of old features and it is a fantastic place to gather inspiration. The Art School can comfortably accommodate up to ten artists and a teacher.

All easels, both radial and portable, are supplied, along with a selection of props and paper.

The Pool House
There are two double bedrooms, a further double with an additional single bed, and an attic room which sleeps three. A spacious sitting room, dining room, kitchen and garden offer guests a very homely, comfortable environment. Hairdryers are provided in each bathroom. The Garden is split over three levels with a swimming pool on the ground floor and two sunbathing terraces.

The Annex
The Annex was restored last year and is a smaller flat for people to stay in. On the ground floor there is a large open plan kitchen and living area. Upstairs there are two double bedrooms, each with large en-suite bathrooms.

The Artist's House
The house has one double bedroom with en-suite bathroom, and two further double bedrooms with a shared bathroom. A large sitting room with TV and DVD machine, a dining room, kitchen and utility room and a studio with a single bed. Outside there are four terraces, a wonderful courtyard eating area and a small dipping pool.

Cost of accommodation, based on full board (single or double occupancy), including tuition €500.


These prices include: 7 nights full board including wine at dinner, a day trip to nearby islands and the knowledge of our host David who is fluent in Portuguese!

The price does not include: Flights, insurance, or artists' materials. Canvasses, paints and brushes can be supplied for an additional fee.

Please let me know if you are interested as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Contact Trevor Harwood for further details and any questions you may have on 01277 218688 or email
Harwoodart@talktalk.net

Trevor Harwood

Friday, 20 November 2009

51st Brentwood Art Society Annual Exhbition

The Society's Annual Exhibibition will be helld in the Becket Gallery, at Brentwood Library from 28th November to 28th December 2009. A Preview Evening will be held on Friday 27th November. There will be sixty five exhibits representing twenty five of the Society's members and they include abstract, as well as figurative subjects in water colour, oil, acrylic, block print and other media.

The subject of the painting here, which David Smith will be exhibiting, will be recognised by all those familiar with Brentwood. It illustrates what was until rcently the home of Cooper's furniture store and which now houses a range of small retailers. This detailed work is in itself a record of the changing face of the town.
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Chairman's Message
Please encourage friends and family to come along to our Preview and share a galss of wine with us. The Mayor of Brentwood will open the exhibition, which promises to be an exciting one this year. We look forward to seeing you there.
Anna


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Whitstable Painting Trip

In September this year, the Art Society marked its return after the Summer break with a weekend painting trip to Whitstable. Gillian Robinson was the tutor and as usual, provided an interesting focus for the group before they set off for the seafront, the harbour and neighbouring areas.

We were fortunate to have as our base a room in Whitstable's modern Arts Centre, a wonderful building inspired by sailing vessels and located right on the seafront. On the lower floor is a large gallery and during our visit the exhibiting artist was stood at an easel demonstrating his work. There is also a cafe in the building, so everything we needed if the weather was not kind to us but as the sun shone throughout our trip everyone was able to work outside on both days.

Whitstable has a lot to offer, apart from its busy harbour lined with stalls selling a vareity of fresh seafood. There are boutiques, restaurants, bars and plenty of reasonably priced areas to park. A good deal of Whitstable's charm lies in the understated, slightly shabby appearance of its many wooden buildings. Despite the hotels, guesthouses and other tourist attractions, the place feels like a working town that has not allowed itself to become too tourist oriented.

Whatever the particular interest of the artist, be it seascape, landscape, still life, architecture or people, our surroundings supplied them all in abundance. Gillian even brought along some natural form items that could be used as foreground images to the wonderful choice of backdrops.

The first of our evenings was spent at the Rose In Bloom pub, which overlooks the sea and served really tasty food. Our meal on the second evening was at the Chestfield Barn, an attractive thatched building with a galleried retaurant.


































Saturday, 31 January 2009

Strangely Familiar

This was the theme chosen by Anna Hughes, Julie Sanger Gowers and Susanne Taylor for their recent exhibition at The Upstairs Gallery Space in The Nellie Dean public house, Soho.

The theme inspired work that showed how familiar objects and settings can be used as starting points for inventive and imaginative processes. Compositions were often simple, sometimes complex, but always lively and pleasing to the eye.

All three artists are based in Essex and have exhibited together on previous occasions. Their different approaches to media and subject matter, a similar lyrical and graceful treatment of their chosen areas, and a shared interest in ordinary items or situations ensured a display that was both diverse and cohesive. Anna Hughes’ relief prints are inspired by still life, her garden, the woods beyond, and images collected while travelling. Julie Sanger Gowers combines traditional techniques with electronic media. In her paintings and collages objects are juxtaposed to achieve new and unusual relationships between space and subject. Susanne Taylor’s images are based upon direct observation and present a personal vision of light, colour and form through watercolour, acrylic and print.

The Preview Evening, held in November, was attended by the friends and family members of all three exhibitors and The Nellie Dean was an ideal venue for such an occasion. Thanks go to Kim Beeching, for her help in organising the exhibition and to all those who joined in celebrating the work of these artists.

 

 Anna's print Anna Hughes

Bouquet
Julie Sanger Gowers

Sunflowers by Susanne Taylor (2)


Susanne Taylor
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