I managed to just scrape in and see David Hockney’s work at the Royal Academy of Arts before the exhibition closed. I won’t pretend I know what I’m talking about on any professional level, but I did like the bigness and the colours and the fact that he has managed to grab so many people. Lots of people sat looking at his ipad work while having a go themselves on their own ipads….  young and not so young alike. That was nice to see.

And yesterday I made it to Saltaire to see the Hockney exhibition at Salts Mill. It’s called 25 Trees, though most of it is made up of portraits of family and friends. I preferred the  landscapes and trees at the Royal Academy. However, there was a very good DVD playing at Salts Mill that showed how the large landscapes were painted. Hockney does actually stand in the middle of the countryside and paint. And the 6 canvas pictures – well, those 6 canvases are set up side by side, on easels that are positioned on top of the dirt and leaves, in front of the trees and paths and plants. He paints fast because it’s cold. Hockney does go on to add colour and general Hockneyness to his work in his studio, but the actual recording of the scene is done in situ. Amazing. Oh to be driving in the Yorkshire countryside and see David Hockney filling his massive canvases by the side of the road.

Karen

I am very behind with updates…. what we’ve done…. what we’re going to do……

So far this year, there have been 3 Sunday workshops – Stained Glass Hearts with Cynthia Else, Collaged Landscapes with Helen Hallows (Helen is currently exhibiting at the Sock Gallery in Loughborough) and Pendants and Earrings with Jessica Noonan.  To see the full range of photos, go to our Facebook page. Here’s a sample to keep you going:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And what’s coming…

Look out for our Easter Holiday Paper Making Workshops and Flower Making Workshops….  and our musical evening on the 21st of April. Details will be available soon.

Oh, and if anyone likes David Hockney, you can see an exhibition of his work at Salts Mill in Saltaire until the end of April.  It’s a wonderful place with lots to look at and some very nice food too. Not sure if it’s still the same, but we had American Root Beer the last time we went.  That alone was worth the visit.

Karen

Wirksworth Festival is coming soon.  The ART TRAIL – a chance to see the work of approximately 170 different artists and to glimpse the inside of a fair few of Wirksworth’s lovely homes – will be held on the weekend of the 10th/11th of September.  Arrive in Wirksworth just before 10.  Park up (click on the link for a list of car parks).  Get a festival map and badge (can’t find a price on the website, but it’s always been under a fiver to date).  And get walking around.  There are places to grab a bite to eat and music to entertain you on your travels.  It’s a great day out with a wonderful atmosphere.  While you’re there – keep an eye out for Bolsover’s own Sarah Godfrey. Sarah has some of her print making work for sale in BEANS – with more available at the Wirksworth Festival where you can meet Sarah in person.

And the following weekend, 17th/18th September, is the ART and ARCHITECTURE TRAIL at the Melbourne Festival.  Trail badges are £5 for adults and free for under 16s.  Look out for Helen Hallows – our collage and stitch exhibitor as well as a tutor at BEANS and for Jeanne Roberts – BEANS’ felt making tutor and scarf exhibitor. Melbourne Festival is in much the same vein as Wirksworth – a chance to enjoy all things arty, meet the artists and buy whatever takes your fancy as well as providing  the opportunity to  have a bit of a nosey into other people’s homes and local buildings. I’ll warn you though….  if you’re anything like me, you’ll go home and feel the need to redecorate throughout. But, if you stay strong, the feeling passes after a couple of days. Honest.

PS  If you fancy making a Pendant and Earrings with Jessica Noonan on 11th September, the final booking date is the 25th of August. Jessica needs to know numbers by then so she can purchase the necessary materials.  To book, go to our courses page.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of nipping down the hill and heading over to Chesterfield College’s end of year art exhibition. The exhibition displayed the talent, skill, enthusiasm and amazing work of the College’s many art students. The standard is high. The work is varied. And the quality is fantastic. It was an absolute pleasure to have a preview of the work of up and coming local artists – some of whom will no doubt go on to become recognisable names in the art world.

In September, BEANS will be bringing the work of some of those artists to Bolsover. Keep on eye on this blog (or join our email list – or follow our facebook page) for details of timings. You won’t want to miss it!