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 »

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: [email protected]

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 »