Dorset Art Weeks - the aftermath

I took the exhibitions down exactly a week ago with a mixture of emotions. Happy because they have been so succesful and sad to finish because it has been fun to meet so many lovely new people in Dorset and afar. I also met two people that read this blog - hello Sue and Viv!!

I really enjoyed visiting as many other exhibitions as I could and saw some great work - Dorset is truly a talented county.

Today we walked up Cadbury Hill and saw the Montgomery Jerseys grazing at the top together with the friesians looking majestic in the sun. It gave me a strong urge to paint. Now I am painting for Baxters gallery at the end of June,the Quartz festival in October and
'Emporium' The Fifth Penny Brohn Cancer Care Invitation Art Exhibition along with work by Prince Charles and Banksy!

The two remaining originals and many prints are now on show at Clavelshay Barn Restaurant near North Petherton, Somerset as well as the ongoing exhibition of prints at the Mill at Rode near Frome, Somerset, Wallaces Farm Shop in Hemyock, Devon and the Udder Farm Shop in East Stour, Dorset.

The last excitement is I think that I am going to be in Farm Life in Farmers Weekly next Friday. I was interviewed by Hannah Velten who herself has written a book about cows called Cow which is just published and available on amazon (click link to find). I shockingly reveal that I don't know much about cows really, or farming come to that - so why I am in Farmers Weekly is a mystery!

dorset art weeks

The Dorset Art weeks exhibitions are in full swing. Despite the terrible weather, people have been coming to see the cows in Sutton Montis and Mappowder and quite a few originals have been sold to a new home.

This weekend some of the cows can be found at Art for Heroes which is a free charity event with over 20 local artists and profits will be given to Help for Heroes. It is at Digby Hall, Sherborne from 10am to 5pm.

dorset art weeks

Only a short time to go until Dorset Art Weeks now.

The private views will be on Friday 23rd May at 6.30pm until 8.30pm at Bramble and Sage and Saturday 24th May from 11am until 3pm at Boywood Farm, Mappowder. See Dorset art weeks website for details. Please email or phone if you would like an invitation in the post.

There is lots of interest in the cow paintings, so if you are keen on owning one, then get in touch early. The new pictures will also be on the website from the 23rd May but here is a sneak preview of a couple.....

New Year, New Cows

Happy New Year

I'm busy in the studio painting for the next exhibition in May 2008. I have two venues in Dorset Art Week - one is Bramble and Sage Sutton Montis and the other Boywood Farm at Mappowder. The first is a farm shop and the second a barn on a farm!

At the moment I am painting pedigree Jerseys from a farm in South Cadbury ( see photo). I am going to see an old Hereford Bull next and then maybe another Highland.

A new exhibition of prints and prints on canvas will be going up soon at the Mill at Rode near Frome.

baxters gallery exhibition

The Baxters Gallery "menagerie" exhibition is in full swing in Dartmouth. Eight new cow portraits were on show there. It has gone really well with only three left as of today. The private view was fun - 10 galleries opened up for Dartmouth Galleries Night. There was a buzzing atmosphere, helped by Sarah from Baxter's wicked cocktails!

Two new enormous cows are going to Delamore Art Gallery in Devon on 8th November.

Moving House

We moved to Sherborne at the end of July, so now I have a new studio to work from. It will be great when I get round to sorting out some natural light - it's a bit like working in a coal bunker at the moment!

I'm beavering away in the coal bunker painting for the "menagerie" exhibition at Baxter's Gallery Dartmouth starting on October 19th. I will have eight new paintings - some old friends - "Aggie" and "Maurice" making an appearance in a different form.

A new project is underway as well - www.greencowcards.com

These will be new greetings cards printed on recyceld paper with vegetable based ink, using recycled envelopes and biodegradable cellophane bags.

New website will be launched soon and the cards will be available from September.

Stafford Exhibition

I was approached by a fantastic looking gallery in Stafford not that long ago to exhibit in July at their Country Life exhibition. What a fantastic opportunity. Up until now my exhibitions have not ventured past the M4/M5 junction, so this is new territory.

Trouble is I only have one original to exhibit - not much of an exhibition - so I'm on painting overdrive.

I met these guys by chance when I was dawdling back from nursery with my 2 year old hoping she would snooze in the back of the car. It was one of those glorious sunny spring days where the light is fresh. I stopped by the yard gate for ages trying to get the cows accustomed to my presence but every time I moved a muscle they all panicked and backed off. Eventually these three decided their curiosity had got the better of them and came and nosed at me at a safe distance.

I like the way my current painting is working out. I'm using more bold colours on a vivid ultramarine background. I have a bit more work to do to them all, especially the cow on the right. Just need to think of some names then...