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Latest Artists on our site
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Diane Grey
Diane Grey's exploration of sculpture in paper pulp has been enhanced by casting...
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Mark Hiscutt
I am married with 6 children and living in Dorset. I served for 11 years in the Royal...
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John Ashton
John's skill is wide and diverse, and he has a truly mesmerising talent of capturing...
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Stella Dunkley
Many of my paintings are inspired by the South of England's coastline, concentrating...
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Paula Carnell
Born in Weymouth, Dorset in 1968, Paula showed the desire to be an artist from an...
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John Nutt
I have recently moved to the West Country and I am absorbed in painting landscapes...
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The latest Art and craft news from Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset and Bristol
Somerset Art Weeks (SAW) 2008 – Launch Party at The Monks Yard
Somerset Art Weeks Open Studio Events will be launched at The Monks Yard, home to West Country Galleries' permanent exhibition, in Ilminster on Friday, 12th September 2008 at a grand event from 4pm – 7pm.
Over 250 artists are taking part in the Open Studios Event this year, showing their work in over 200 locations. Established artists will be exhibiting alongside those who are taking part for the first time.
The Monks Yard is a new venue, just of the junction of the A358 & A303, at Horton Cross, Ilminster. It has only been opened a few months but is quickly establishing itself as a versatile space and exhibits work from West Country Galleries, the online gallery showcasing work from the whole of the South West of England. It was once a farm but has been transformed and is still going through its regeneration process – common in rural parts of the county.
The Monks Yard will host a taster exhibition of artwork by a number of the SAW artists. You will see some craftspeople at work – including Kate Chidley famous for her “Cowtoons”, Frances Keenan who will be weaving willow and Sophie Harrison making felt - as well as having the chance to sample a variety of locally made food and drink from various producers in the area. Added to this a number of the exhibiting artists will be showing and selling their work in the different spaces within the complex.
Make a date in your diary to come along and sample what will be on offer - start your week-end having been uplifted by the visual delights in the exhibition and a quiet glass of wine in the courtyard or coffee and delicious cake in the Monks Yard cafe.
A Sculpture carved a new path by winning the first prize at the Royal Bath & West Show this year.
West Country Galleries sculpting duo, John and Jutta, who work under the name jj Creations, took home the first prize for their joint piece of work. The pair of artists from Wells were also recently accepted into the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen.According to chairman of the art committee, Fran Wood, this is the first time a sculpture has won over the judges in the history of the art exhibition.
Mrs Wood said: "I have been on the committee for a long time, and I think the standard has got better and better. There is a broad cross section, and it is a true open art exhibition, welcoming anyone from anywhere to have a go.
" What pleases me is to see more and more sculpture being entered, and I am thrilled this sculpture has won."
John explained how the two artists worked on the winning exhibit together. He said: "There is no formula to it. It starts with an idea, we discuss it, and then it normally takes its own direction. We like rusty metal, which is where this sculpture stemmed from. We found part of the sculpture while out walking, and brought it home in a rucksack. Half of where we live is a studio filled with the likes of bits of old wood and metal, a living project really."
Jutta added: "We are stunned to have won. It is absolutely amazing, and we are going to invest the prize money in a new camera."
Camelot Artists head for Mayfair
In May, a taste of Somerset will descend on Mayfair, the heart of London’s commercial art district. They call themselves the ‘Camelot Artists”, Paula Carnell, Nicholas Elliot and Terri Hogan. But they don’t come alone. With them comes food and drink provided by The Bay Tree Food Co, Olives Et Al, Longman’s Cheese and The Orchard Pig. West Country Galleries has joined the ranks of supporters.
The wide-ranging support for this venture is testament to the charity it supports - Somerset’s St Margaret’s Hospice, which currently receives just 19% of its funding from central government. Glastonbury Festivals organiser Michael Eavis says: “Somerset and its artists have a track record that has to be taken seriously – I am sure that the ‘Camelot Artists’ will live up to that reputation. Raising money for the St Margaret’s Hospice in Taunton is one of the best social causes I can think of. Good Luck!”
‘Camelot Artists’ is a new group of three well known artists: Paula Carnell, Nicholas Elliot and Terri Hogan. Their ‘2008 Collection’ will feature works of art ranging from floral paintings on silk, through abstract mixed media to still life in oils.
Paula Carnell is in a class of her own using new techniques that take silk painting to a level not seen before, here or in the United States where she also exhibits and teaches. A former gallery owner, Paula is a major influential figure of the art world in the South West having won awards from the Fine Art Trade Guild, Business Link and the Princes Trust.
Nicholas Elliot, the "New Old Master" is one of the most flamboyant traditionalist artists living and working in Britain today. His Still Life paintings are a close study of light and colour, sometimes with drama, sometimes humour.
Terri Hogan has one abiding passion: - the world around her. The heaving, breathing, visceral world in all its soaring grandeur and overpowering beauty. This she has sought to portray together with the more benign influences mankind has laid upon it.
‘Camelot Artists’ aims to raise £25,000 to buy 50,000 bricks for St Margaret’s Hospice ‘New Build’ Appeal. The concept is simple. They will hold an exhibition at Gallery 27, Cork Street, Mayfair on 19th – 24th May, where they will exhibit and sell 75 paintings from their ‘2008 Collection’. In the weeks leading up to the exhibition they will be offering 150 signed, limited edition prints of 12 of these paintings for £60 each. The new owners of these prints will automatically be entered into a £1,000 grand prize draw, which will take place during the exhibition.
Champion of the Camelot Artists exhibition and sale, MP for Somerton and Frome, David Heath said, “Most of us know someone who has needed hospice or respite care and will know just how important the work of St Margaret’s Hospice is. The Campaign that Camelot Artists have put together is innovative, combining their talents as artists and with an appeal to the business market. I am certain that it will be a great success and hope that they meet and exceed their target of £25,000. I will do whatever I can to champion their campaign.”
You can register for an invitation to the exhibition and order prints as they are released by visiting http://www.camelotartists.co.uk/
Monks Yard - the new home for West Country Galleries
We are very pleased to be able to announce that West Country Galleries will now have a physical gallery at a wonderful new venture based in the South West. The Monks Yard is a Business and Hospitality Centre near Ilminster in Somerset, which is a recently converted dairy farm.
The venue, which opens on the 24th April 2008, is an inspired and unique environment, in beautiful surroundings, providing large conferencing facilities, a coffee house, and office and hot-desking for micro businesses. Future plans will also include several craft workshops.
Their aim is to provide a hub for businesses and communities alike to meet in its spacious, hamstone buildings. They want to showcase West Country art and we are the perfect match.
More details will follow but if our West Country Gallery artists would like to take part in this exciting new opportunity to show work please let us know by email or telephone Barbara on 07867 795235.
Impact, power … and age is no barrier says Robert Jennings
Sometimes the only way to see change is to take the time to sit, look and study the subtle ways that our world changes.
Fortunately for those of us who don’t or can’t, Bob Jennings has made it his life’s work.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that at seventy-eight some people might not wish to continue to stretch themselves or take on new challenges. Artist Robert Jennings thinks differently.
I’ve had opportunities to try all sorts of art. It is a question of learning how to do something, developing it and moving on in a natural progression. Some ideas work, others are complete failures,” he says.
With a background in advertising it is not surprising he likes to think ahead; inspirational rather than static. He started his working life with the intention of being an engineer but completed only five of a six-month apprenticeship before working in a studio.
After becoming a sailor he later worked in various advertising agencies before deciding to move to Devon to set up on his own was the right step to take. “I’ve always painted. I’m one of those artists who attempts new things, if only to stretch my skills. But again, like advertising, innovation does not necessarily mean improvement,” he says.
Robert is currently on a diet of gouache and acrylics and mainly produces landscape work because he “enjoys the constant change and variety”. Obviously, some mediums lend themselves to detail more easily than others but his basic approach is for impact, colour power and compositional form.
Age is no barrier for Robert and he continues to churn out work. His latest piece focuses on a plot of uncultivated land. He has been watching wildlife and the changing seasons there and in six months has produced five seasonal scenes which were displayed at the University of Plymouth’s Cube Gallery last year. In recent years he has covered West Country rivers and geology – particularly the coastline – and woodland scenes. It was not a difficult step to move into individual trees for his Celtic Tree Calendar.
Robert adds: “The number of people who have said to me ‘I’ll paint when I retire – it will be so relaxing’. I always think ‘if you are so keen what have you been doing all your life?’ As a ‘senior’ painter I find that every new picture is a new experience; an insight into what I think I know – and how little that is.
“I try to create projects, one that push me a bit harder. I now explore the countryside and have persuaded farmers and friends to let me loose on their plots.” His advice to budding painters has a youthful ring about it, too: “Tackle each painting idea with a flourish. Learn from it. Beat it into shape. Explore every aspect of it. But don’t give up. They think it’s all over; is it heck!”
Enjoyable Art
Durgan and Katie Cooper from Somerset were really pleased with their painting by Matthew Buchan from Cornwall. The couple - who bought two paintings from West Country Galleries, both by Matthew - were really delighted with his work.
Katie told us “The paintings look fantastic in the room and buying from West Country Galleries was easy and enjoyable. We are thrilled with our art - both paintings look stunning".
Matthew grew up in Cornwall and draws much of his inspiration from the natural beauty prevalent around the coasts and shores of the county. He strongly believes that art should be available for everyone's enjoyment!
westcountrygalleries.co.uk goes live
7th November, 2007
Between 2pm and 10pm on Friday 19th October West Country Galleries had over 1000 people visit the site and log in. Thank you to all of you who registered and also for the lovely comments we had, including:
"A very well designed site, easy on the eye and easy to use - I have bookmarked this site for future use".
"It has been a pleasure to visit your gallery. I have thoroughly enjoyed the last half hour's wandering. Inspirational, accessible, lovely and "local" . Am thinking of Christmas presents..".
"I wish you every success in your venture! I really enjoyed the landscapes, seascapes and photographs".
"A really good idea to have ability to select by colour. Site refreshes and transitions quickly. Easy to use".
"I think this a really innovative way to get these great pieces of regional art to the wider audience that it deserves. The site is easy to navigate & I hope it's really successful for all the artists involved".
"Fantastic web site and easy to find your way around. Good luck, sure it will be a success".
"Beautifully set out. I will be a frequent returner".
"The Website is fantastic. It is so light and clean looking. The colours are amazing and the variety of artists and work - wow".
"Have had a good look and you have some lovely works on there - good website too - very easy to negotiate".
The case of Champagne was won by Dr. Mike Tutcher from Yeovil.
westcountrygalleries.co.uk Launch Night
Friday, 19th October 2007.
West Country Galleries opens its 'virtual doors' for a pre-launch viewing on Friday 19th October. The site features paintings, photography, ceramics, sculpture, glassware, bronzes, textiles, designer jewellery and crafts from regional artists at prices between £25 and £3,000. Any visitors who register on the site between 2pm and 10pm on Friday will automatically be entered into a free draw to win a case of champagne.
Directors, Jacqui and Barbara would like to thank the following people and organisations, who have helped their vision to become a reality:
Mark Smithson, Mike Williams, Ian Mansell and the rest of the fantastic web development team from Digital Morphosis.
Lawrence and Courteney, Bill and Joan, Jean, Buster and Bella for all of their support - also Martin Bovey at NatWest, Penny Bool, Creative Boost, ArtsMatrix, the Connecting Somerset Team - and of course all our wonderful artists!
