This talk will be delivered online. If you would like to attend, please use the link below to book. You will be sent your login details by email. We look forward to welcoming you.
As some of our exhibitions, exhibits and events have shown, trees have been an inspiration to artists, writers and musicians and are central not just to our physical well being but our emotional well being too. Some of the beautiful trees we have at Nature in Art were planted by people with a passion, a legacy which others can enjoy for hundreds of years. So join us for …..
An illustrated talk by Julian Hight
Come on a tour of Britain’s ancient forest told through its surviving ancient trees. From the wildwood, through working woodlands and royal forests, enclosed deer parks and landscaped manorial estates to modern plantation forestry and rewilding, this talk recounts the little told tale of an evolving landscape shaped by its wildlife, people and their relationship with trees – many of which survive as living links to Britain’s rich and ancient history. As well as being an ancient tree specialist and nature lover, Julian Hight is a designer, photographer and musician, so his talk will also feature original music written and recorded by him reflecting seasons in the forest, with forest sounds recorded through the year weaved in to produce a unique forest soundtrack.
SOLD OUT
This talk will be delivered online. If you would like to attend, please use the link below to book. You will be sent your login details by email. We look forward to welcoming you.
We had expected to be showing the latest Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at this time, but Covid-19 has forced it cancellation. It is the pre-eminent exhibition of its sort, internationally renowned, attracting over 45000 entries from over 100 countries, and taking the viewer on a journey across the globe. So do join us for ….
An illustrated talk by Philip Mugridge ARPS
Philip is a very experienced and widely travelled nature photographer. Iceland is one of his favourite photographic haunts which he has visited multiple times. This talk will reveal why he loves it so much! Its spectacular landscapes and awe-inspiring geological features (including many active volcanoes) mean this is an inspirational place for the nature photographer, particularly when coupled with some fantastic bird life. (Iceland is the only place in Europe where some species breed). Whether you are a nature lover or adventurer, practicing photographer or armchair traveller, do join us for this entertaining and fascinating evening.
FULLY BOOKED
Moo Cow Milk Bar (entrance area), 203 Victoria Street, London SW1, circa 1954. (Photograph courtesy of the Milk Marketing Board).
This talk will be delivered online. If you would like to attend, please use the link below to book. You will be sent your login details by email. We look forward to welcoming you.
Ceramics as Show
An illustrated talk by Dr Matthew Partington
Nature in Art has a fascinating collection of ceramic items, including tiles, many of which would have adorned not just private homes, but public and commercial buildings too. During the lockdowns of the past year none of us have managed to frequent our regular haunts as we once did, including our favourite eateries and coffee shops. So instead, this evening we are venturing out to the coffee bars of the 1950s to explore the ceramics which were made for them by a small group of potters – primarily Margret Hine, William Newland and Nicholas Vergette.
Matthew, a V&A Visiting Fellow and Associate Department Head and Programme Leader at the University of the West of England, has brought together photographic, documentary and oral history evidence to paint a picture of a group of artists working for clients who wanted work which would make their coffee bar stand out from the 500 or so which had sprung up in London during the mid 1950s. Whilst little if any of these ceramics survive today, it is clear that, unfettered from the restraint so beloved of the Leach school, these artists were free to use colour, size and exotic themes to realise their client’s desire for their bar to ‘stand out’.
From the early commissions for wheel-thrown cow heads and tile panels for the Moo Cow Milk Bar in Victoria Street to a whole series of bars with French, Mexican and American themes through to their work in the 1960s on Indian restaurants, the work of these artists represent a fascinating example of site specific ceramics. They were ceramics conceived for particular spaces to amuse and engage the public.
This talk will be delivered online. If you would like to attend, please use the link below to book. You will be sent your login details by email. We look forward to welcoming you.
An illustrated talk by Robert Ferguson
This talk coincides with the annual selling exhibition of The Wildlife Art Society. This year part of the proceeds from the exhibition will be given to the charity Explorers against Extinction. Robert is one of their trustees and runs their Sketch For Survival campaign. He has spent his career working in travel and conservation starting as a mountain guide in the Himalayas. He has trekked across Borneo, traveled the ancient Silk Road and acted in Bollywood. He is a Fellow of the RGS and a Member of the Explorers Club in New York. He has spoken at both venues and is a published travel writer with Bradt Guides. Come and hear about this innovative charity that promotes the conservation of rare and endangered species and their environments and helps local communities impacted by their proximity to benefit from their protection. Their current focus is ’21 for 21’, a campaign championing the work of 21 conservation projects across the globe, 6 of which are in Africa where Robert has visited many times.
This talk will be delivered online. If you would like to attend, please use the link below to book. You will be sent your login details by email. We look forward to welcoming you.
Alfred and Louise Powell: Decorating Wedgwood pottery in the Cotswolds
An illustrated online talk by Mary Greensted.
Mary Greensted MPhil, AMA, was decorative arts curator at Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum. She is now a writer and freelance lecturer.
This talk complements some of ceramics in Nature in Art’s collections and has Gloucestershire associations. The Arts and Crafts Movement designers in Britain characteristically tried their hand at numerous crafts before finding the one closest to their hearts. The husband-and-wife team Alfred and Louise Powell were no exception to this. Alfred trained as an architect before his involvement with the crafts while Louse worked at calligraphy, illuminating and embroidery. Their main contribution however was as decorators of pottery for Josiah Wedgwood & Sons producing stunning pieces and leading to a revival of the hand-painted wares at Stoke on Trent.
Course Suitability: Absolute Beginners – Improvers
Maximum Participants: 12
*Every effort will be made to maintain social distancing during the course and the wearing of masks will be encouraged.*
Course Description:
When is ink not ink? When it’s Acrylic Ink (it’s liquid acrylic paint, not ink). Explore this fascinating medium, which adds a whole new dimension to your acrylic practice. Discover the vibrant colours – glossy, iridescent, shimmering, pearlescent – and explore when and how to use. them in realistic and abstract art. We will experiment with different methods of applying the ink and cover working with layers of colour, wet into wet, detail and usage with other media. No prior knowledge of working with acrylic inks is necessary.
Materials Required:
• Acrylic Inks: Jackie will bring inks for the whole group, so there will be a materials charge of around £7 per person on the day. You are very welcome to bring your own inks too if you already own any.
• Palette: The ceramic daisy type are good and easy to clean. Or a plastic palette with a lot of small wells (NB: Inserts from boxes of chocolates can make good disposable palettes).
• Brushes: Don’t use expensive sables. Nylon brushes are best: I prefer to use filberts or the flat, square shapes. A selection of sizes and shapes (including a rigger or sword liner) are useful, though one large flat and one small detail brush will suffice if you’re on a budget. Jackie will bring some spares for students to use.
• Supports: Stretched watercolour paper OR a watercolour pad OR a watercolour block. A CP/Not (e.g. slightly textured) surface is best. Several A4 or A3 pieces will be better than one large. Jackie will also bring mountboard off-cuts for you to practice on.
• Water Pot
• Small spray bottle for water: The sort sold in chemists for travellers
• Sponge: The car wash type.
• Ruling Pen: Only if you already have one. No need to buy one specially.
• Kitchen Roll
Students wishing to discuss the course in advance are welcome to telephone Jackie on: 01453 847420
Art Course Cost: £90 NiA Members, £110 Non-members
(cost does not include lunch (available to order and purchase on the day from the Coffee Shop))
Places will be offered on a first come first basis.
If you would like to book a place on this course please email: tickets@natureinart.org.uk by Friday 27th August.
Come and meet some of the contributors to the amazing ‘Legacy of Love‘ book and celebrate is launch amongst some of the original artworks from the book and others by contributing artists and photographers. A wonderful evening celebrating an innovative project reflecting people’s love and care for animals. Contributors attending include TV presenter Nigel Marven and artists Suzie Marsh, Martin Aveling, Chris Rose, Nick Mackman, Dave Currey, Gary Hodges and book creator Lynne Chitty.
Vegetarian buffet and soft drink included in ticket price.
Other drinks available to purchase.
Other museum galleries available for viewing.
To help keep people safe, numbers are being limited.
Tickets priced £10.
Legacy of Love is a collection of original works by artists that feature in a new coffee-table book, funded through Kickstarter, that is being launched on September 10th and 11th at Nature in Art. The exhibition includes art and photography by some of the best known wildlife artists and photographers. With 48 chapters written by famous actors, artists, photographers and charity founders, the words and images in the book are all about celebrating animals. The foreword is written by Virginia McKenna OBE.
Get a glimpse of the book and some of the artwork here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0WreY0ZIww
Almost all the artists and photographers will have work in the exhibition, including: Nick Mackman, Robert Gillmor MBE, Chris Rose, Derek Robertson, Darren Rees, Julie Askew, Karen Laurence-Rowe, Guy Combes, Gary Hodges, Richard Symonds, Jonathan and Angela Scott, Suzie Marsh, Nick Dyer, George Logan and Dave Currey
(Numbers are limited to this event to help keep guests Covid safe. It will be repeated on 11th September)
CLICK HERE TO BOOK
Come and meet some of the contributors to the amazing ‘Legacy of Love‘ book and celebrate its launch amongst some of the original artworks from the book and others by contributing artists and photographers. A wonderful evening celebrating an innovative project reflecting people’s love and care for animals. Contributors attending include photographers George Logan and Dave Currey, artists Suzie Marsh, Nick Mackman, Stella Mays and Gary Hodges and book creator Lynne Chitty
Vegetarian buffet and soft drink included in ticket price.
Other drinks available to purchase.
Other museum galleries available for viewing.
To help keep people safe, numbers are being limited.
Tickets priced £10.
Legacy of Love is a collection of original works by artists that feature in a new coffee-table book, funded through Kickstarter, that is being launched on September 10th and 11th at Nature in Art. The exhibition includes art and photography by some of the best known wildlife artists and photographers. With 48 chapters written by famous actors, artists, photographers and charity founders, the words and images in the book are all about celebrating animals. The foreword is written by Virginia McKenna OBE.
Get a glimpse of the book and some of the artwork here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0WreY0ZIww
Almost all the artists and photographers will have work in the exhibition, including: Nick Mackman, Robert Gillmor MBE, Chris Rose, Derek Robertson, Darren Rees, Julie Askew, Karen Laurence-Rowe, Guy Combes, Gary Hodges, Jonathan and Angela Scott, Richard Symonds, Suzie Marsh, Nick Dyer, George Logan and Dave Currey
CLICK HERE TO BOOK
(Numbers are limited to this event to help keep guests Covid safe. It was repeated on 10th September )
Course Suitability: Absolute Beginners – Improvers
Maximum Participants: 12
*Every effort will be made to maintain social distancing during the course and the wearing of masks will be encouraged.*
Course Description:
This two day course will show you how to sketch the landscapes and architecture of Gloucestershire with waterproof black ink pen and watercolour wash. Using photos supplied by Jonathan you will be shown how to use pen with watercolour paint both before and after painting. Techniques taught will include colour mixing, brush technique, light and dark, drawing with pen and how to loosen up to achieve expressive sketches. By the end of the course you will have produced a few sketches to take home with you.
Materials Required:
Materials will be provided at a cost of £25. per person, payable. to Jonathan during the course.
Should students wish to use their own tools and. materials rather than buying a set from the tutor then they are very welcome to bring them along.
A full list of what is needed can be obtained from Jonathan: jnewey210@gmail.com
Art Course Cost: £90 NiA Members, £110 Non-members
(cost does not include lunch (available to order and purchase on the day from the Coffee Shop))
Places will be offered on a first come first basis.
If you would like to book a place on this course please email: tickets@natureinart.org.uk by Friday 27th August.
Course Suitability: Beginners – Advanced
Maximum Participants: 12
*Every effort will be made to maintain social distancing during the course and the wearing of masks will be encouraged.*
Course Description:
This course will explore the techniques involved in producing realistic and lifelike drawings of birds using coloured pencils.
You will look at how to capture the iridescence seen in certain bird feathers, as well as the textures and patterns of your own choice of bird subjects.
Materials Required:
• Reference photos or sketches of particular subjects that inspire you.
• Cartridge paper, pencils and tracing paper to create and transfer your initial drawing.
• Drawing paper (Andrew’s personal favourites are 250gsm Bristol Board or Clairefontaine Pastelmat which can be purchased from www.saa.co.uk
• A good selection of coloured pencils
Artist’s Profile:
Andrew has been associated with Nature in Art for over twenty years. During this time he has run numerous courses and been an annual artist in residence. As a professional artist he works in a variety of media, including coloured pencil, graphite pencil, pastels and Chromacolour acrylics. He has recently published three art techniques books, featuring drawing birds, painting birds and drawing tigers.
Art Course Cost: £90 NiA Members, £110 Non-members
(cost does not include lunch (available to order and purchase on the day from the Coffee Shop))
Places will be offered on a first come first basis.
If you would like to book a place on this course please email: tickets@natureinart.org.uk