A photograph of a wide expanse of heath with a green path leading into the picture and purple heather either side

Creative Peninsula, August Craft Month and More

Adele / August Craft Month, craft fairs, Creative Peninsula, Creative Peninsula, Events, Exhibitions, News, Projects, Workshops

A new adventure with SWLA in Norfolk

As usual I will be taking part in the Creative Peninsula fesitval and August Craft Month this year. In addition to all those events, I will be taking a trip to Norfolk to take up an opportunity to be part of a major new project with the Society of Wildlife Artists.

I am excited to be included in an ambitious, year long project with the Society of Wildlife Artists and Massingham Heath Wilderness in Norfolk. The project will be showcased at the society’s annual exhibition in October, and will eventually culminate in a publication. Norfolk conservationist and writer, Nick Acheson will be creating most of the text

In mid August, I will be travelling to Norfolk to get close up with the insect life of the heath. I will be on site from 11 to 17 August along with a group of other SWLA artists. There will be an artist trail for visitors and an informal exhibition at the end of the week.

I will be posting about my adventures and more about the project in due course, but in the mean time below are links to more information, and, if you are able, a page to donate to the project costs.

This is a year long project and any funds raised will go towards some of the basic costs for the artists (travel and meals) and extra funds for the workshops, community projects plus possible hire fees for gallery spaces.

You can read more about the project on the SWLA website HERE

New Responsibilities with North Down Craft Collective CIC

The Craft Room in Newtownards has now closed its doors. While the retail space has gone, North Down Craft Collective has been reconstituted as a community interest company. I have the honour of serving as one of seven directors who will be guiding the organisation forward.

We have lots of plans. Workshops and craft fairs will continue as well as other projects that bring craft and art into the community. Watch this space!

For more information and news, check out the NDCC website HERE, Including our August Craft Month Fair at Castle Espie. Read on for more about that and a long list of other things happening in August!

Online Comic Fair with LD comics

1 – 31 July 2025

Another new adventure for me this year has been taking part in my first online comic fair.

Laydeez Do comics is a women-led comics forum who believe in the transformative potential of the comics form to offer wellbeing through making and reading. To celebrate their 15th birthday they are hosting an online comic fair which is now live.

Here are a couple of pages from my comic, “McNab” to whet your appetite!

Visit the fair and explore all the comics

Exhibition Wildlife Art

From 25 July 2025

The Exhibition Wildlife Art is an open annual exhibition based in the North of England. The exhibition is staged in a specially constructed gallery space at Gordale Garden Centre.

This year I am again taking part in the online gallery which is hosted on their website, where you can see works from both the online and in person exhibitors. The online gallery will launch on 25 July, and remain live after the physical exhibition finishes.

Visit the EWA Website

The Creative Peninsula is Northern Ireland’s premier celebration of professional Art and Craft. This thriving annual event has been taking place for over 20 years and showcases the best work from professionally practicing artists and craft makers who reside in the picturesque Borough of Ards and North Down.

Exhibitions – this year I will be in 4 shows in August!

Creative Peninsula Main Exhibition: “Reflection”

Thursday 31 July – Saturday 30 August 2025
Exhibition Preview: Thursday 31 July, 7 – 9pm

I will have one piece in the main Creative Peninsula exhibition at Ards Arts Centre. This is the prototype which I will be elaborating for the show. It will be facinating to see how everyone has responded to this years theme, ‘Reflection’

Creative Peninsula at Castle Espie: “At the Waters Edge”

Saturday 2 August – Sunday 31 August

Inspired by the surroundings and wildlife of Castle Espie WWT. Expect a variety of mediums including paintings, drawings, ceramics, glass and more by selected artists and makers from the borough of Ards and North Down. I will have 2 drawings of insects made in the reserve.

More information about the Exhibition here

Creative Peninsula at North Down Museum

Tuesday 29 July – Sunday 21 September 202

My Drawing of sandwich terns from earlier in the spring will be part of the Creative Peninsula group exhibition at North Down Museum. This year the exhibition will be in the Coffee Cure Cafe, so you can have a brew while you enjoy the art on show!

See moreore information about the exhibition HERE

August Craft Month Exhibition: “(Un)Bound”

August 7th – September 30th.
Join us for the Late Night Art opening event:
Thursday 7 August 6 – 9 pm

I am please to say my piece, “Screaming Party” has been accepted into the August Craft Month Exhibition at Craft NI. This piece was inspired by my involvement for the past two summers in nest surveying with the North Down Swift Conservation Group.

See more about the exhibition HERE

Fairs – Enjoy an evening of art in Ards or Sunday Crafts at Castle Espie

a photograph of a georgisn building with a colourful banner over the door which reads Creative Peninsula

Twilight Market and Art Night

Friday 1 August
3 – 8 pm

I will be one of the Creative Peninsula artists and makers exhibiting, demonstrating, and selling their unique hand-crafted products in Conway Square for one-night only, including a drop-in area for children’s arts and craft activity provided by Boom! Studios.

There will be live music from Cool Hand String Band and the String Ninjas, local artisan food produce, drinks, and a bar so you can make a night of it!

Find out more HERE

North Down Craft Collective at Castle Espie

10am-4pm
Sunday 24 August

The collaboration between North Down Craft Collective and Castle Espie will be continues with our August Craft Month Fair, this time including craft demonstrations throughout the day.

Entry to the market and the cafe is free. Normal admission applies beyond the visitor centre.

More information HERE

Creative Peninsula Workshop – Bugs!

An image of a sketch of insects in green and black. scattered over the drawing are brushes and pencils

Creative Cafe – draw bugs with me at at Castle Espie

Wed 6 August 2025, 10:00am – 12:30pm

Join me for an expanded, and more in depth version of the informal drop in bug drawing sessions I normally run. We will explore insects through drawing with some captive invertebrate volunteers! We will also look at adding colour and try some different surfaces. If we get good weather, maybe we will try some drawing in the field!

Price includes includes materials, a cuppa and a tray bake

Book a place

Creative Peninsula, August Craft Month and More Read More »

She Likes Her Little Drawings

Adele / Drawing, Events, Late Night Art Bangor, Musings

“She likes her little drawings” appeared to be the the main insight that my first Junior school teacher, Mr Seaton, had about me. He would regularly report this to my mum and dad at parent teacher evenings. I suspect my parents did not regard this as new information. Clearly, though, my creative genius had made an impression!

Daisy and the Man

Early on in Mr Seaton’s class, we watched an animated film about a man who had a daisy come up in his garden. The increasingly desperate man tried various ways to eradicate this weed, but every time the daisy popped back up in his lawn.

The class was tasked with coming up with our own ideas for ways the man could try to get rid of the daisy. Its fair to say that my best friend, Frances, and I took this idea and ran with it. We created ever more ridiculous ideas for daisy destruction, all of which failed as the indomitable daisy always returned. We would show each other our funny drawings, laugh our little heads off and go straight back to our pencils to do another.

In my memory this went on for weeks. We were fired up and couldn’t wait to get to school to let our imaginations run riot! It was probably shorter than I remember, but eventually, realising there was no end in sight, Mr Seaton was forced to call a halt so that we could learn other things. The Normans, probably.

It was the single most joyful episode of my entire education.

But here’s the thing – we were small.

Where Does the Drawing Go?

Recently, I tried, and failed, to engage a group of teenagers in a comics workshop. One of the main stumbling blocks seemed to be that they had already decided they could not draw. They identified as non drawing.

What happens between those daisy and the man days of 7, 8, 9 and teenage, such a short time later? Why does the fun of drawing drain away? Who tells them to abandon it? Who tells them its not for them?

Some of us, of course, somehow slip through this net. But we are not untouched by it. Of the nine subjects I had to choose for O level, in only one, Art, was I instructed to ask the teachers if I was “Good enough”. To their credit, when I did ask, my art teachers looked at me as if I was mad.

I Can’t Even Draw a Straight Line, Har Har!

I have lost count of how many people I have met who, when they learn I am an Artist, light up and immediately say “I Can’t Even Draw a Straight Line, Har, Har!”. I have always felt uncomfortable responding to this. Not just because not once has this been been funny. Not just because I’m resisting saying “Yes you can, its easy, use a ruler. That’s what I would do”. But because I also can’t help feeling like I am being subtly talked down to.

It is clear from their beaming delight, that they believe ‘not being able to draw’ (whatever that means), far from impoverishing their life, is the best policy. Theirs is the sensible, safe, normal and rational position. They are the adult in the room.

As if Artists didn’t also pay bills, commute, have children, do their taxes, vote, have jobs, send emails, respond to government consultations, and think about the state of the world etc., etc.

Do Funny Drawings, and Laugh at Them

As we all struggle to keep our feet in a world where the haters, and the polarisers seem to have all the tools, all the money, and are getting all the wins, a thought occurs to me. The last thing those people would want is that we should be showing each other our funny drawings and laughing our legs off.

So in that spirit, my studio in Boom 2 will be open this Thursday evening from 7-9pm. I may have biscuits, and I invite you to call in and laugh at my little drawings!

She Likes Her Little Drawings Read More »

a sketchbook double spread featuring studies of the shore birds golden plover and a Dunlin

Travels, Drawing and Spring Events coming Soon

Adele / craft fairs, Exhibitions, News, Projects, Workshops

Introduction: Travel Adventures and Days at the Beach

The year started in dramatic fashion with me attempting to fly to Bristol on the day of Storm Eowyn. Amazingly my flight was one of the few that actually departed, albeit over 2 hours late. Trains and buses were all cancelled, so it fell to Bangor Cabs to make an epic and convoluted heroic journey to actually get me to the airport! I just about made it to the private view of Paperworks!

Since then I have been spending as much time as I can concentrating on my fieldwork. The local beach has once again been a delight.

As the spring has come in, I have been treated to flocks of up to 300 golden plover, some starting to go into Summer plumage. This year there have been frequent red throated divers, and one day a sparrowhawk took an unsuccessful punt at the plover. There are already signs of summer with glimpses of gannet and a sandwich tern.

Paperworks Exhibition

25 January – 27 April 2025

If you should find yourself in Bristol in the next few weeks, I highly recommend the exhibition. It is a beautiful and diverse showcase of art made on and with paper. Here I am looking slightly surprised to find myself in the rather grand surroundings of the Royal West of England Academy!

all the pieces can also be seen on the RWA website here:
https://www.rwa.org.uk/collections/rwa-biennial-open-2025-paper-works-artworks

Trymwood Studios

While I was in Bristol I was able to attend a workshop exploring “expressive watercolour” at Trymwood Studios. The workshop was led by Society of Wildlife Artists member Nik Pollard, whose work I have long admired, but had only met briefly in person.

I was not disappointed, and I am still pondering and experimenting with the ideas I came away with. Its a long time since I treated myself to a day like this and it has definitely refreshed my practice.

https://www.trymwoodstudios.co.uk/
https://www.nikpollard.co.uk/

Spring Events coming up:

Boom Studios Sketchbook Library Project

My most recent drawing trips have also been motivated by taking part in Boom Studios Sketchbook Library project. The idea is to fill your sketchbook by the end of August and return it to Boom. There will then be a showcase of all the sketchbooks which will be open to the public to view.

The project is open to all. A5 paperback sketchbooks are available from Boom’s shop – follow the link below for more information and to get your hands on a sketchbook and join in!

Order a sketchbook and join in!

I will be revealing progress so far in mine at this month’s Late Night Art, Bangor – read on for more details of this creative led initiative in Bangor…

Spring Exhibition with the Society of Wildlife Artists

12 – 27th April 2025

This exhibition is an opportunity that has come to me through my membership of the Society of Wildlife Artists. Unfortunately, I won’t get to see the show as it is in Colchester! I have been advised, however, that my carefully packaged pieces (including “Grumpy Gull”) all arrived safely.

Late Night Art Bangor

Thursday 27 March
6 – 9 pm

Late Night Art Bangor is an initiative that aims to share Bangor’s amazing arts and cultural venues and showcase the creatives who live and work here. On the last Thursday of every month from 6-9pm you can enjoy open house across the city centre.

LNA launched in January 2025 with 10 venues and hundreds of people taking in exhibitions, demos and workshops. It is a collective effort by the Creative community of Bangor and is completely voluntary and self-funded.

Late Night Art Bangor is about encouraging collective effort. All you need is to share the goal of creating a vibrant arts community. We hope the knock-on effect will be a boost to the city centre and the nightime scene.

for the March Late Night Art, I will be showcasing sketchbooks and drawings. I will be pulling out scribblings old and new for you to see. And you can also get a sneak preview of the little book that is intended for the sketchbook library at the end of the summer.

Find out More

Spring events at Castle Espie 1 – North Down Craft Collective

The collaboration between North Down Craft Collective and Castle Espie will be continuing this year with three seasonal Craft Fairs. The first of these will be our Easter fair with 26 local makers taking part

Sunday 13 April
10am-4pm

Entry to the market and the cafe is free. Normal admission applies beyond the visitor centre.

Find out more

Spring Events at Castle Espie 2 – Kilmood Art club

19 April – 18 May 2025

I won’t be away from Castle Espie very long as I will back the following week to help with the hanging of Kilmood Art Club’s Spring exhibition. I am hoping to have four pieces in the show, which will most likely be some of the new drawings from the field trips I have made since Christmas.

The Exhibition opens on the afternoon of Saturday 19 April

Entry to the Gallery and the cafe is free. Normal admission applies beyond the visitor centre.

Find out More…

Paper Bird Workshop at the Craft Room

Saturday 17 May
10am – 12pm

My next paper bird workshop will be back at the Craft room in Newtownards. the nesting season will be well underway, so to celebrate, we will be making a pair of Bullfinches.

As always, we will use simple paper cutting and folding techniques following instructions and demonstrations.

All materials will be supplied and refreshments are included.

The workshop area at The Craft Room is located on the first floor accessed via a short flight of stairs.

Book a place on the workshop

Travels, Drawing and Spring Events coming Soon Read More »

banner image showing a paper wasp nest sculpture on a white background with Text detailing the exhibition title and dates

Happy New Year

Adele / Events, Exhibitions, News, Workshops

Happy New Year!

I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas break. As life returns to normal, I am gradually emerging and turning my attention to the year ahead in my usual haphazard and unplanned way. As always, there is plenty to be getting on with.

The new year has started rather well with my paper wasp nest being accepted into the Royal West of England Academy Open exhibition, which has the theme “Paper Works”. It is also an excuse for me to book a short trip to Bristol to attend the private view and see how others have interpreted the theme. Bob, of course, is delighted to hear that another trip is being planned!

Getting my drawing head back on again

Despite the cold and wet weather, I have managed one trip to the beach with my paints. This black headed gull was paddling furiously to try and coax a snack or two out of the wet sand. And a heron stood stately in the shallows.

The Society of Wildlife Artists have an exhibition in April, but the deadline for me to send my list of pieces is next week.

Getting my comic drawing head back on again!

I will also be starting work on a new cartoon for the LD Comics online comic fair. That will be for another post as the fair isn’t until July. However, the first deadline to have something to show for myself is the end of February so I need to crack on with it! Watch this space.

Upcoming Workshops

Closer to home, the winter and spring is all about workshops with three coming up in the next few months. read on for more details, and please feel free to forward to any friends you think might be interested!

Winter Paper Bird workshop at Rowallane Gardens

My first workshop of the year will be at Rowallane Gardens National Trust. We will be making Robins and Bullfinches to bring a little bit of colour to the dark wintery days.

Saturday 18 January

10.30am – 12.30pm

Rowallane Gardens, Crossgar Road, Saintfield, Ballynahinch, BT24 7LH

The cost of the workshop includes entry to the gardens, so fingers crossed for a nice day for making birds in the morning followed by enjoying an afternoon in nature!

Book Now

Paper Bird Workshop at the Craft Room

In February I will be back at The Craft Room in Newtownards for another workshop. By then we will be looking forward to the spring, so I thought we would make great tits and coal tits, two of the first to start singing, so we will also have a go at learning the songs.

Saturday 15 February

10am – 12pm

The Craft Room 24a Frances Street, Newtownards, BT23 7DN

Tea and coffee will be available to keep you going!

Book now

Paper Bird Workshop at Aghalee Village Hall

My final workshop of this spring is a bit further a field in Aghalee Village Hall. If you are in that area, or willing to travel this is a great opportunity. The cost is very low as this workshop is subsidised with funding obtained by the local group to deliver a program of art and craft activities to the community.

Saturday 29 March

2pm – 4pm

Aghalee Village Hall, 6 Lurgan Road, Aghalee, Craigavon, BT67 0DD

if you are interested, please email aghalee.vhall@btinternet.com and leave your name and number. They will get back to you as soon as they can.

Happy New Year Read More »

Adele Pound photographed next to her pieces exhibited at the Natural Eye Exhibition

London Adventures and Christmas events

Adele / craft fairs, Creative Peninsula, Creative Peninsula, Events, Exhibitions, News, Uncategorised

Back from London and into The Christmas Events

Bob and I are not long back from our annual trip to london for “The Natural Eye”, the annual exhibition of the Society of Wildlife Artists. It was great to catch up with friends and the wildlife art community once again. I was pleased to find I had been hung in the main gallery this year, and also had an image included in the Catalogue. The physical show is now finished, but all the pieces from the show can still be viewed on the Mall Galleries Website.

Now we are back and set to launch ourselves at the festive season.

View the Natural Eye on Line…

Bob Contemplates More Travels

As well as the the exhibition, we took ourselves off to the Natural History Museum for the day where we visited the “Birds Brilliant and Bizarre” exhibition. We enjoyed pressing buttons, felt a humming birds heart beat and Bob tried out a swiflet nest. As well as the obligitory souvenir pencil, we also picked up “The Inside Out of Flies” by the Natural History Museum’s very own Erica McAlister. Can’t wait to delve into that!

But we have one more adventure lined up. We will be off to Harrogate to visit the UK’s largest comic convention “Thought Bubble”, something I have been wanting to do for a couple of years.

We will report back, but in the mean time, read on for our upcoming events in November and December…

Ulster Watercolour Society Annual Exhibition

6 – 17 November 2024
11am – 4pm each day (closes at 1pm on 17th)
Merville House, Merville Garden Village, Newtownabbey.

The Ulster Watercolour Society Annual Exhibition continues until Sunday 17 November at Merville House. I have 2 framed, and 4 unframed pieces on show.

Find out More…

Christmas Pop up Shop and Twilight Shopping Event at North Down Museum

I am happy to say I will be displaying my work at North Down Museum again this year. Join us on the evening of 28 November for an evening of twinkly lights, music, artists demonstrations and shopping. The museum will be festively decorated, the museum café will be open serving food and drink and visitors will be able to explore the museum and purchase unique gifts in a completely different way.

The shop is free to visit during normal museum opening hours right through the festive season and into the start of the new year.

Wednesday 20 November 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025
Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm, Sunday 12noon – 4pm
Closed Mondays

Twilight Shopping Event:
Thursday 28 November 2024, 6:00 – 8:00pm

Find out more…

The Creative Peninsula Christmas Fayre

This year I am again taking part in this popular fair which made its post covid comeback last year. Be inspired to purchase the perfect, unique, handcrafted Christmas gift in the opulent festive setting of the Georgian and Sunburst galleries of Ards Arts Centre.

Seasonal interludes, complimentary gift wrapping and festive refreshments.

Late Night Shopping Friday 6 December 4pm – 8pm
Saturday 7 December 10am – 4pm

Find Out More…

North Down Craft Collective Aim for a Big Finale at Castle Espie

The year long collaboration between North Down Craft Collective and Castle Espie will culminate in a Christmas Craft Fair on 8 December. Over 20 makers, myself included, will be setting up their stalls throughout the centre. Entry to the centre, and the cafe is free, so why not join us for some festive shopping!

Sunday 8 December 10am – 4pm

Find out more…

Boom Studios celebrates its 10th Birthday (Again!)

Boom Studios is celebrating its 10th birthday this year. We have already had one celebration exhibition, but we are going to do it all again in the studios themselves.

You will be able to get in for a nosey during our Open Studios event to coincide with the Bangor Christmas light switch on Saturday 23 November. The two Boom buildings will be open from 12pm – 5pm (don’t forget about us in Boom 2!)

There is even talk of a special birthday zine….watch this space!

www.boomstudios.org.uk

London Adventures and Christmas events Read More »

A photograph of a wall intstallation of 5 paper swifts attached to dark blue ribbons of papre that curl and twist in and out from the wall

Autumn starts with an exhibition in Portadown, Castle Espie and London

Adele / Exhibitions, News, Workshops

As we head into autumn, I have not one but three exhibitions coming up. Two in fact are opening this weekend, so I am double booked! My summer evenings spent running round Bangor in search of swift nests have inspired this piece entitled “Screaming Party” which will be showing in Portadown. As part of “Paper Magic”

Meanwhile, some of the insects from the summer will be heading to London for the Natural Eye exhibition and a couple of others are off to Castle Espie.

Brent geese have already started returning to Strangford Lough and it will soon be time for me put on the layers and turn my attention back to drawing the winter birds.

North Down Birdwatching Club Display

With the winter migrants in mind, if you find yourself in Newtownards, call in to the Visitor Information Centre. There you will find the latest display by North Down Bird Watching Club which celebrates the winter wildlife of Ards and North Down.

The display features photos by some of our talented club photographers, information produced by the club, some knitted wildlife and taxidermy specimens kindly on loan from NIEA, including this fabulous mute swan!

Find out More…

Paper Magic Goes to Portadown

Saturday 14 September -Saturday 26 October 2024

The Belfast Artists in Paper Society (BAPS!) are back with another celebration of all things paper. This time we have taken over the beautiful gallery space at Millenium Court in Portadown, with a fun, vibrant show that celebrates paper art in all its wonderful forms and features papier Mache sculptures, collages and large scale mixed media pieces.

Join us for the official opening :Saturday 14th September at 2pm

To customise ‘Paper Magic’ for the Millennium Court, we have each created new pieces in celebration of the pioneering work of Portadown artist, Ann Acheson. During her volunteer work for the WW1 war effort she helped develop the papier Mache ‘Acheson Splint’ to speed healing of broken limbs, a precursor of the plaster cast. You’ll have to come along to see what we all came up with!

blue square with 3 images of paintings of a kingfisher, boats and a highland cow. white text reads kilmood Art Club - Art Exhibition

Kilmood Art Club Annual Exhibition at Castle Espie

Saturday 14 September – Sunday 6 October

The other exhibition opening this weekend will be Kilmood Art Club at Castle Espie. I will have 2 pieces included. The show will be officially opend by local artist Kathryn Callaghan this Saturday, 14th, at 2pm

Unfortunately, I won’t make the opening as I will be at the opening in Portadown! However, I will be doing my sitting duty in the gallery 10am to 1pm on both the 21st and 29th of September. On the 29th there will also be the next pop up by North Down Craft Collective, with another three makers setting up their stalls in the foyer. So well worth making the trip down!

Find Out More

Workshop at the Craft Room

Robins and Blue tits are the designs we will be making at my next paper bird workshop at the Craft Room in Newtownards. Come and have a relaxed informal morning learning a few simple paper cutting and folding techniques and go away with two paper birds made with your own fair hands!

Tuesday 24 September 2024
10am – 12pm

To book email the Craft Room at: info@thecraftroomni.com

The Natural Eye Exhibition

17 Oct 2024 – 27 Oct 2024 – 10am to 5pm, closing 1pm on final day

I am especially excited, (and also a bit intimidated), about this years Natural Eye Exhibition as it will be my first year exhibiting as an associate member of the Society of Wildlife Artists. This year my labels will read Adele Pound ASWLA!

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be framing my 6 pieces, packaging them up and shipping them to my friend and fellow artist Kate Wilson who very kindly will deliver them to the mall on the receiving day.

Then I will be booking myself a trip to London to see the show and catch up with friends old and new. It will be a welcome break before the christmas madness begins in earnest!

Visit the Mall Galleries Website

New product alert – Goldfinch Bauble!

Last but not least, a new bird will shortly be joining my paper flock – Goldfinches!

Look out for them appearing in Craft NI and The Craft Room in the near future!

Autumn starts with an exhibition in Portadown, Castle Espie and London Read More »

The Busiest Month of the Summer

Adele / August Craft Month, craft fairs, Creative Peninsula, Creative Peninsula, Events, Exhibitions, News, Workshops

Where are the Insects?

As the wet summer continues, I have been having quite a struggle to find insects to draw. Numbers seem to be much reduced from the last few years, perhaps because of a cold, wet spring and the unsettled weather we have been having.

I have however, managed to track down a few bright orange soldier beetles, and these small black and gold beetles which appeared for a few brief days near the beach in Millisle. I have tentatively identified them as Lagria hirta and have completely failed to depict quite how iridescent they were. The book describes them as “covered in fine hairs” which also fails to convey that they appear to have been dusted with the finest of fine gold powder!

The Mad World of Summer Swift Surveying

This summer I have also joined North Down Swift Conservation Group for their first year of swift surveying in Bangor. Finding a nest site is only possible by being in the right place to see a swift go into a nest, which they do just before dark.

We are a strange sight often in the middle of the road, looking at the eaves of peoples houses with binoculars. The residents twitching their curtains suspiciously must be very baffled to then see us pointing at the sky and going round in circles until we bump into each other, or fall over!

Exhibitions opening

Exhibition Wildlife Art takes place in Gordale Garden Centre on the Wirral on the last weekend in July, and on line for the rest of the year. 31 July sees the launch of the Creative Peninsula exhibition in Ards Arts Centre and with it one of the busiest months of the summer! Read on for what I’ll be up to for the Creative Peninsula Festival and August Craft Month.

Exhibition of Wildlife Art 2024

The Annual Exhibition of Wildlife Art is an exciting three day show featuring the work of some of the world’s most talented wildlife artists. It is held at the Gordale Garden Centre on the Wirral, at the end of July .

The physical exhibition runs for one weekend, but the online gallery, which I am taking part in, is now live and will remain so for the rest of the year.

View the 2024 online Gallery

Exhibitions, Fairs, Workshops

The Creative Peninsula is Northern Ireland’s premier celebration of professional Art and Craft, making August the busiest month of the summer.

This thriving annual event has been taking place for over 20 years and showcases the best work from professionally practicing artists and craft makers who reside in the picturesque Borough of Ards and North Down.

I will be taking part in some of the festival events and will have pieces in the two festival exhibitions:

Creative Peninsula Exhibition at Ards Arts Centre

Thu 1 August – Sat 31 August
During Arts Centre opening hours
Find out more…

Creative Peninsula Exhibition at North Down Museum

Tuesday 30 July – Sunday 22 September
During museum opening hours
Find out more…

Visit the Creative Peninsula Website

Paper blue tits hanging on twigs in a white plant pot on a white table top against aplain neutral background

Creative Cafe at Castle Espie

Join me for a Creative Cafe at Castle Espie Wetlands Centre where you will make your own paper bird decoration. we will learn some simple paper cutting and folding techniques to cut and assemble a paper bird decorationWe’ll be making Robins and Blue tits.

Thursday 8 August 2024,
10:00am – 2:30pm

Fee includes includes materials, a cuppa and a tray bake, plus access to the Creative Café/Visitor Centre only. For access to the full site an admittance charge applies

Book Tickets

Highlighting the vibrant local craft scene right across the island of Ireland. August Craft Month provides unique opportunities for people to get involved to learn about, make, see, and buy craft this summer!

Presented by Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Craft NI.

Below are the craft events in August that I will be taking part in. you can also see all the events happening across Ireland on the August Craft Month website.

Paper Bird Workshop at the Craft Room

My August paper bird making workshop at the Craft Room has now sold out, but we have added another date in September, We will be making robins and blue tits!

Tuesday 24 September 2024
10am – 12pm

To book email the Craft Room at: info@thecraftroomni.com

Killinchy Community Summer Fun day

On 17th August I will be taking part in the Community Fun Day at Killinchy Presbyterian Church Hall. There will be plenty going on besides the fair – donkey rides, a party bus, an owl show and more!

Saturday 17th August
2 – 5 pm
£3 per adult, £2 per child
Killinchy Presbyterian Hall
Craigarusky Rd, Killinchy, Balloo, Newtownards BT23 6QS

poster forKillinchy community fun day featuring summer images such as Marquees, hot air balloons and icecream cones

Craft NI Exhibition at Festival of Making

The Folk Museum’s Making Festival returns on 17th &18th August for a weekend of craft demonstrations, hands-on activities, musical performances and film screenings.

As part of this years festival Craft NI are curating an exhibition of local makers using heritage crafts in a contemporary way. I will be exhibiting a piece in the show.

Saturday 17th August
& Sunday 18th August

Find out more and book tickets

North Down Craft Collective Summer fair at Castle Espie

Sunday 25th August
10am – 4pm

Over 25 makers will be showcasing their work as part of North Down Craft Collective’s ongoing collaboration with WWT Castle Espie.

Entry to the visitor centre and the award winning Kingfisher Cafe, as well as the fair, is free. The visitor centre is on one level with wheelchair access. Free parking

For access to the full site an admittance charge applies

find out more at North Down Craft Collective’s Facebook Page

The Busiest Month of the Summer Read More »

A page of gull studies in pencil and watercolour

Workshops, a fair and a New Craft Kit

Adele / craft fairs, Events, News, Workshops

Getting Ready for the Spring to be Sprung!

Easter is behind us, but the weather has only just realised today that it is time to stop blowing us sideways into a hedge! This has put a bit of a halt to my fieldwork trips to the beach over the last 2 or 3 weeks. Fortunately there is always plenty of admin to be getting on with while I am waiting for better weather as the end of another financial year has come around. To start off the year I have some workshops, a fair and a new craft kit!

New pieces online

The drawing I did manage to get done earlier in the winter has, however, enabled a refresh of my pieces in the Scottish Ornithologists Club online shop. You can see the shop here:

https://www.the-soc.org.uk/collections/art-shop

A quick trip to Norfolk

The last week in March found me getting a quick trip away to London and Norwich. A much needed break and a lovely catch up with old college friends. I was, of course, accompanied by the famous Bob! A drive out to Blakeney Point on the North Norfolk Coast brought us sightings of marsh Harrier and dark bellied brent geese. Both not often seen here. And a visit to the lovely Birdscapes Gallery to see their exhibition of Society of Wildlife Artists work

Trying my hand at lithography

While I was away, I also had an opportunity to spend an afternoon trying my hand at stone lithography. This is a facinating and slightly magical process that allows very free drawing and mark making to be captured in print form and, as such, is right up my street.

I was very fortunate to have the expert guidance of Simon Burder of Oaks Fine Art to keep me right. Basically I had a very enjoyable time playing with some crayons and then followed instructions! The result was this little print of a curlew, a bird I have sketched quite a few times this winter.

a small image of a lithograph drawing featuring a curlew in front of rocks and seaweed with 3 starlings in the background on the rocks

Where you can find me in the next few weeks

Back in the studio, there is plenty to plan for in 2024. Later this year I will be part of large exhibitions in Whitehead and Portadown, but in the meantime, here are a few local events coming up in the next few weeks:

May Day Celebrations in Holywood

The popular May Day celebrations in Holywood will take place on Monday 6 May bank holiday.

The town centre will be transformed into a pedestrianised hub of activity centred on the town’s historic Maypole with displays of dance by local school children, and other traditions such as the Bonnie Baby competition and the crowning of the May Queen!

Art on the Rails

Art on the rails will be part of the bank holiday event with stalls in the main street

You will find me somewhere among the Art on the Rails stalls from 10am – 5pm

More details can be found on the Ards and North Down Borough website

Merry May Day promotional image. White text on a light blue background with a stylised maypole and council logos

Two New workshop dates

Paper bird making

My next paper bird making workshops will be at The Craft Room in Newtownards on Tuesday 21 May from 7 – 9pm

This will be a very relaxed and informal couple of hours. I will introduce you to a couple of useful tools and a few simple cutting and folding techniques. Hopefully everyone will go away with a Robin and a Blue tit. There are still places available. Bookings can be made on the Craft Room NI website.

Tuesday 21 May
7 – 9pm
The Craft Room, Newtownards

Book the Workshop

Bug Drawing workshop

On Saturday 15 June, I’ll be doing bug drawing workshops in the Walled Garden Bangor.

These will be 2 one hour drop ins. I will have some bugs from the garden ready to observe and draw and a selection of materials to use. You are welcome to bring along your own sketch book and materials if you wish

Sat 15 June 2024, 11:00am – 12:00pm

Saturday 15 June 2024, 1:00 – 2:00pm

Bangor Castle Walled Garden

Valentine Road
Bangor
BT20 4BT

FREE (pre-booking recommended)

Find out More

The contents and packaging of a craft kit to make a paper blue tit are laid out next to each other

New Kit now available!

While developing the materials for the workshops I have also come up with another kit to compliment the make your own Bob kit.

Now you can also make your own blue tit! These are already available in The Craft Room.

Workshops, a fair and a New Craft Kit Read More »

The Seasons of Bobs is fast Approaching! Christmas Craft Fairs where you can find me this year.

Adele / craft fairs, Creative Peninsula, Events, Exhibitions, News

I am just back from a trip to London where I attended the 60th Annual Exhibition of the Society of Wildlife Artists. While there, I also received the wonderful news that I have been elected as an associate member of the society. This news makes me both proud of this achievement and humbled to be counted among such illustrious wildlife artists, both past and present. It is also a joy to be part of this welcoming and supportive community of artists united by their love of nature and their desire to express and communicate its value through the work they make.

Now I am back in the studio and busy preparing for all the events in the next few weeks. Its Bobs favourite time of year and he is much in demand! Bobs in shops, make your own Bob workshops, Bobs at festive craft fairs, you name it! This starts TOMORROW with the Boom open studios, which coincides with the Bangor light switch on

Boom Open Studios and Light Switch on

Boom Studios is open part of the Christmas Passport Trail this Saturday! Come to our open day from 12-4pm and get your passport/stamp. Enjoy a workshop taster, refreshments and visit the artists working in their studios – we’ll finish up at 4, plenty of time to go down and see the lights switch on!

Lots of fun happening in Boom 1, but dont forget to have a peek in Boom 2 – next to the Heart Foundation shop. Ill be there 12 -4.

Free to attend event. Costs may apply to some activities.

Programme for the day:

5.30 pm The Switch On of the Christmas Lights at the McKee Clock arena

12noon – 7pm | Festive Bar and Food Village, Queen’s Parade car park

1pm – 6pm | Indoor Festive Market, Main Street (former TK Maxx Building)

Promotional image for North Down Museum Christmas Pop Up Shop

Promotional image for Late Night Shopping event at North Down Museum Christmas pop up shop

Made in AND – Pop up Christmas shop at North down Museum

The very popular pop up shop will once again be taking over the galleries and cafe at North Down Museum. This event is fast becoming a local seasonal tradition. Don’t miss the special late night Shopping event on Thursday 30th November! Join us for an evening of music, artists demonstrations and shopping. The museum will be festively decorated, the coffee shop will be open serving food and drink and visitors will be able to see the museum and purchase unique gifts in a completely different way.

North Down Museum, Bangor

Wednesday 22 November 2023 -Sunday 7 January 2024

Late Night Shopping Thursday 30 November 6-9pm

Museum opening times
Tuesday -Saturday 10am-4:00pm
Sundays 12noon-4:00pm
Closed on Mondays

Find out more…

Promotional image for Creative Peninsula Chrstmas Fayre

The Creative Peninsula Christmas Fayre Returns!

This Year sees the welcome return of the Christmas Craft Fayre in Ards Arts Centre after an absence of 3 years due to the Covid pandemic. The gap has been filled by a Christmas pop up shop for two years, but we are all excited to have one of the best fayres of the season back in our schedule,

Come and enjoy the opulent festive setting of Ards Arts Centre, with seasonal live music interludes, complementary gift wrapping, and festive refreshments! Take time out of the busy shopping crowds and get your December shopping campaign off to a great start.

Ards Arts Centre

Friday 1 December 4 -8 pm
Saturday 2 December 10am – 4 pm

Find out More…

North Down Craft Collective at the Court House, Bangor

My final event for this year will be at the Court House,Bangor. North Down Craft Collective will be returning for a third collaboration with this great venue in the lovingly restored Court House in Bangor.

Sunday 10 December 2023
The Court House Bangor
12 – 5pm

Find out more

Don’t Forget to Support your Local shops!

In the flurry of Fairs and events, it is easy to forget about your local craft and art shops that are there all year round. Here are a few where you can find some of my work. Get out and support them this festive season!

The Seasons of Bobs is fast Approaching! Christmas Craft Fairs where you can find me this year. Read More »

Summer Festivals and Exhibitions Galore!

Adele / August Craft Month, Creative Peninsula, Creative Peninsula, Events, Exhibitions, News

With Creative Peninsula and August Craft Month about to kick off, I won’t trouble you with a long introduction. Suffice to say there is a lot going on and not just what is listed below. You can check out all the events on offer for you delectation and delight this summer via the Craft NI and Creative peninsula websites and, while you are at it, have a look at the summer events in Boom Studios!:

August Craft Month

Creative Peninsula

Boom

Oh and one more little plug – I am very happy to say that some of my new original drawings from earlier in the year are now rubbing shoulders with some very fab wildlife artists in the Scottish Ornithologists Club online shop.

Exhibitions

Exhibition Wildlife Art

This is a great and well established weekend exhibition of wildlife art taking place in Gordale Garden Center on the Wirral Peninsula from 28 to 30 July. This year I am taking part remotely and have 8 pieces in their online gallery which goes live on 28 July. All the pieces will remain available for the rest of the year.

Visit online Gallery

Creative Peninsula Exhibition at Ards Arts Centre

The exhibition opening and official launch of the Creative Peninsula festival will be 6.30 – 8.30 on Thursday 27 July and includes an opening talk and demonstration

This year the exhibition has a theme – “Inspired By”. No prizes for guessing what I am inspired by, but you’ll have to come along to se exactly what I came up with as its a bit different.

Thursday 27 July – Thursday 24 August.

Find out more and book

August Craft Month Exhibition at Craft NI

I am delighted to be taking part in this exhibition. Again its something a bit different, so you’ll have to wait for the exhibition before I reveal it! Why not join us for the official opening and late night art in the Gallery on Thursday 3 August from 6-9.

Thursday 3 August – Friday 15 September 2023

Monday – Saturday 10 -5

Late Night Art Thursday August 6pm – 9pm

Find out More

Creative peninsula exhibition at North Down Museum

Another of my winter bird drawings from the beach at Millisle will be showing in this exhibition, Bangor’s Creative Peninsula celebration of local artists and crafts people.

Thursday 3^rd August until Sunday 4 September

during museum opening hours

Find out more

Craft Fairs

Creative Peninsula Twighlight Market and Arts Night

This event has a new twist this year being an evening event. The usual mix of local crafts people and artsits, myself included, exhibiting, demonstrating and selling in a one night only craft village in Conway Square, with live music, and drop in childrens crafts with Boom studios. Meanwhile the Arts Centre will be buzzing with creative goings on where you can see demonstrations and even try your hand at a new skill.

Friday 4 August

4 – 9pm

Conway Square, Newtownards 4-9pm

Free Event – Find out more

North Down Craft Collective in the Court House

Following from our very successful fair at Christmas, North Down Craft Collective will be back in Bangors Newest venue for an August Craft Month Event.

I’ll be at both these fairs with my all my usual stuff and a new thing or two to tempt you with!

Sunday 20 August

12 – 5 pm

Free event – find out more

Workshops and Demos

Sketching Landscape and Wildlife

On the afternoon of Sunday 30 July, I’ll be hosting a relaxed sunday sketching workshop at Cockle Row Cottages in Groomsport. This is a free drop in event, I will have some materials to use, but feel free to bring along your own weapons of choice! Here’s hoping the weather is kind to us

Sunday 30^th July

2-4pm

Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport

Free event – find out more

Make a Paper Bird Workshop, Newtownards

For the Creative Peninsula festival, I have a paper bird making workshop now available to book. We will learn about some basic paper cutting techniques and tools. You should come away with at least one paper bird decoration.

Tuesday 1 August

7 -9 pm

Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards

Book Workshop

Alfresco Art

Another free event. This one always has a lovely relaxed Sunday vibe enjoyed by makers and public alike. Get yourself a brew from the Coffee Cure at North Down Museum and enjoy seeing local artists and crafts people demonstrating their skills in the courtyard. I’ll be there from 12 -2 pm, but there will be more makers in the afternoon.

Sunday 6 August

The Courtyard, North Down Museum, Bangor

12 -4pm

Free event – find out more

Make a Paper Bird Workshop, Lisburn

If you can’t make it to the Creative Peninsula paper bird making workshop, there is a another opportunity as I will be delivering it again in Lisburn as part of the Island Arts Centre August Craft Month Program. Bookings are now open.

Saturday 19 August

10.30am-12.30pm

The Island Arts Centre, Lisburn

Book Workshop

Open Studios

Bangor Art Tour and Tipple

Join the Creative Peninsula team for a tour of Bangor’s creative spaces. Starting at North Down museum, where you will find me doing a short demo of paper crafting, then on for a peek behind the scenes at Boom Studios and Seacourt Print. With drinks along the way!

Wednesday 2 August

8-9 pm

Book tour

Summer at Boom

Come and get a nosey round Boom studios, meet and chat with some of the artists in their studios , and see what we get up to all day. I’ll have my studio, over the road in Boom 2 open, so why not call in and say hello!

Saturday 12 August

11am – 5pm

Free event – find out more

Open House Festival evening Art Walk

Join Boom Studios Director, Marainne Kennerly, for a tour of creative spaces in Bangor and a glimpse into the vibrant artistic life of the city. I’ll be in Boom 2 waiting for a chat!

Thursday 24 August

6.30-9.30pm

Book Tour

Summer Festivals and Exhibitions Galore! Read More »