Take-Off – A celebration of birds in paintings, drawings, original prints, sculpture and decorative arts.
As we move out of Covid towards a ‘new normal’, it is interesting that many people have stories to tell of how bird song and birds have lifted their spirits over the past year. It seems apt that birds again can help inspire us to ‘take off’ from the lows of the pandemic to what we hope will be fertile new pastures and opportunities ahead. It’s surely true that many of us have gazed into the sky, seen a bird and dreamt of taking flight?
Many surveys suggest that people have begun to appreciate nature more since the pandemic began, as well as value the lower noise levels and cleaner air. When one considers that as magnificent as the dawn chorus is at this time year, it will be 40 million birds quieter than 50 years ago (that’s how many birds we’ve lost since 1970 largely because of human activity), many hope that this new found interest will be sustained in the years ahead.
Artists have been fascinated by birds for thousands of years. From ancient cave paintings to the present day, humans have long been inspired by birds, their ability to take flight, and the unique perspective they have on the world around us. Birds enthrall us with their stunning plumage, amusing antics, and lilting song. Avian art inspires in endlessly novel ways too, evoking the freedom of flight and the fragility of their earthbound existence.
So this selection of work brings together items from Nature in Art’s own collection and other items lent for display, that together celebrate birds.
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.
A Brush with Light – Paintings by Anthony Gibbs
MEET ANTHONY GIBBS ON July 31st and August 1st, 21st and 22nd
Nature in Art has been very fortunate to have had an association with Anthony Gibbs since our very earliest days. His work was on show the very first day we opened our doors to the public. This special selection of some of his older and very latest original works, including many generously loaned from private collections, highlight Anthony’s skill of bringing light and life into the amazing detail that he achieves – a beguiling mixture of an eye for minutia and a sensitivity and alertness to the spirit of the scene and the essence of the subject.
Currently we have his renowned oil painting ‘Punchy’ which never fails to stop visitors in their tracks. (Pictured is Anthony half way through painting it). This painting was one of two that received the USA based Society of Animal Artists ‘Award for Excellence’, two of many awards and accolades that he has received. Typical of his style, it is paintings like this that have given him international recognition as one of the UK’s best known wildlife artists. His renowned painting ‘White Tigers ever Watchful’ also will be included in this exhibition.
It is no accident that Anthony paints nature – he is passionate about conservation. So, more often than not viewers of his work are not simply intrigued and inspired by his painting technique (he also uses pastels), but also get to see the subject or scene in a different way and have a re-invigored appreciation of our natural world. His empathy with the subjects that inspire him, lived out through an apparent ease to manipulate his chosen medium to produce work that is instantly recognisable as his own, is a memorable mix. So, don’t miss this rare opportunity to see a collection of work by a remarkable painter. (www.anthonygibbs-art.com)
PLEASE NOTE DATES ARE FOR ONLINE ACCESS. EXHIBITION CAN BE VIEWED THURSDAY – SUNDAY 10am – 4pm. Given that Nature in Art has no guaranteed or ongoing public or private funding, the Covid pandemic has been a particularly difficult period for the museum. So this is a selection of original paintings, drawings, original prints and some 3D items that have been donated to the Trust to raise funds during these challenging times. Each has a minimum reserve price and bids will be invited at or above that amount throughout the exhibition period. Bids can be made at the museum (all the items will be on show or available to view) or on line. The highest bids at the close of the exhibition, 4pm on 31st August, will be successful. The are also a number of books, including editions signed by the likes of HRH Prince Philip, Peter Scott and David Bellamy.
TO SEE THE ONLINE GALLERY AND AUCTION SITE CLICK HERE
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.
Legacy of Love is a collection of original works – paintings, prints, photography and sculpture, almost all of which will be for sale – 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. It has a foreword by Virginia McKenna OBE. Get a glimpse of the book and some of the artwork here: www.legacyoflovebook.org
Almost all the artists and photographers will have work in the exhibition, including:
Nick Mackman, Robert Gillmor MBE, Chris Rose, Derek Robertson, Darren Rees, Richard Symonds, Karen Laurence-Rowe, Guy Combes, Gary Hodges, Jonathan and Angela Scott, Nick Dyer, George Logan, Julie Askew, Heather Irvine, Martin Avening, Suzie Marsh and Dave Currey
See Chris Rose creating one of the paintings in this exhibition on our video page.
Do join us for one of the book launch evenings (Limited numbers for covid safety)
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.
REFLECTIONS ON NATURE
An exhibition by members of the Braid Society
Following fascinating exhibitions over the years focusing on textile techniques and crafts, from quilting to lace, crochet to embroidery, this display highlights another discipline, braiding. All the work on show is by members of The Braid Society which was founded in 1993 to promote the practice and education of making braids and narrow bands. Most exhibits have been made by UK members, but some have come from abroad, including Japan, Israel and the USA.
Throughout history people have needed ‘narrow wares’ for practical purposes such as ties for clothing and straps for possessions. This expanded into them being used as decorations, embellishments and, latterly, for art pieces. Various techniques developed in different parts of the world (sometimes using specific pieces of equipment) and include Japanese Braiding (Kumihimo), Ply Split Braiding, Peruvian Braiding, Inkle and Tablet Weaving, Cord Making, Loop Braiding, Luceting, Sprang and other finger manipulated weaving.
This, the Society’s biennial exhibition (delayed by Covid), showcases recent members’ work made using diverse methods and yarns as they have ‘reflected on nature’. On some days, makers will demonstrate amongst their exhibits.
Plus see makers at work on Oct 8th and 13th (11am-3pm), Saturday 16th (11am-1pm), Wednesday 20th (11am-2.30pm) and Thursday 21st (2pm – 4pm).
On October 24th there will be an opportunity to try different braiding techniques. See art courses