Travels, Drawing and Spring Events coming Soon
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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