From Small Acorns
. January 7th – February 2nd
A selling display of 2D and 3D work by Elizabeth Gray.
Elizabeth Gray died in March 2022, two weeks before her 94th birthday. Originally a concert pianist, she was completely self taught as an artist and it was from the ‘small acorn’ of a natural skill that she developed her talent. Her work is held in public and private collection internationally and she was the first person to donate an item to Nature in Art’s collection. A uniquely creative person, her work over the years was as multi-faceted as that of any artist. In fact, so diverse were her influences and output, she used different names for different elements of her work – Elizabeth Gray, Ben Venuto and Emmie Gee. It is likely that many people had no idea that these different names were in fact the same person. For her, the diversity of her work was as natural as night and day, yet to many it is still hard to believe that her creations came from the same artistic soul.
The exhibition includes watercolour paintings, pastels, drawings, reduction lino cuts, mixed media work, ceramics, decoupage and more.
In her life-time, all the proceeds from her work were donated to charity, particularly relief work in the developing world (including the purchase of an aeroplane for medical relief work in Africa). In this case, 100% of the proceeds from sales will benefit Nature in Art Trust. Prices range from under £50 to £1000. We are most grateful to the family for making these works available to benefit the Trust.
Gloucestershire Society for Botanical Illustration
February 4th – 13th
The Gloucestershire Society for Botanical Illustration annual exhibition. Members include winners of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Gold, Silver Gilt and Silver Medals.
Meet members every day. Some exhibits for sale.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
4th February – 6th April
Selected from 59,228 entries from 117 countries and territories, the winners of the Natural History Museum’s prestigious competition in its 60th year are all on show in this stunning exhibition of 100 images revealing the natural world’s most astonishing and challenging sights.
Doors open at 6.30pm to view the Wildlife Photographer of the Year photographs and the museum galleries
Bring a pudding for 2 people and spend an evening trying other people’s puddings from 7.30pm!
To book tickets (£5) visit Nature in Art or call Simon on 07774 803177 or Brian on 07721 315684 (even if you pay on the night, it would help to know if you intend to come!)
Proceeds will go towards projects in Ghana overseen by Caendon
Inspired by Nature
February 15th – 23rd
A colourful selling display by five local artists from Junction 12 Art Group. It includes art, landscapes, figurative and abstract paintings, plus fused glass.
Meet artists each day.
An illustrated talk by Tony McFarlane
Tony is an avid collector and admirer of Ladybird books with a personal collection in excess of2000 copies. This talk on the history and art of Ladybird books will have a particular emphasis on the portrayal and promotion of the natural world in all it’s forms from the 1940’s to 2000. In the past, Nature in Art has shown original artwork from Ladybird books by, for example, Charles Tunnicliffe, so this is great opportunity to spend an absorbing evening applauding the work of the great Ladybird artists and illustrators who contributed to this iconic series, loved by so many.
- Doors open 7pm to view exhibitions
- 7.30pm finger buffet
- 8.10pm talk
To book, click here
Wild Animal Portraits with Lucy Burton
Course Suitability: All Abilities
Maximum Participants: 12
Course Description:
Together we will work through a stage by stage process to create an Animal Portrait in Oils or Acrylics- using an ‘islands to oceans’ method of working. We are aiming to make the eyes come alive and give the animal and your painting lots of personality! I hope to inspire you with some new ideas and techniques to take away with you and apply to your own work.
You will be working from your own image, either from an I-pad OR you can use a photograph at least 5” x 5”. The animal’s eyes must be clear and in focus. Crop your image so that it is square. The head of the animal should take up most of the frame. For good (free to use) reference images see www.pixabay.com
Materials required:
8” x 8” Canvas or 8” x 8” Ampersand Smooth primed panel (available on day £5)
A colour photograph of your animal or an image on an ipad / tablet.
A black and white print out of your square cropped image as large as you can make it on an A4 piece of paper eg:
A selection brushes eg. Rosemary Ivory Short Flats nos. 2,3,5, Ivory Filbert size 0
A selection of artist quality paints oils or acrylics eg. Daler Rowney starter set.
Palette knife – eg. Winsor and Newton size 22
Paper Palette and a box to take your work home in
Oils only: A jar and some low odour thinners/ white spirit substitute for cleaning your brushes, some rags or plenty of tissues to wipe brushes clean.
Optional extra items
‘Liquin’ painting medium if working in oils
A ‘Stay-wet’ palette if working in acrylics
Artist’s Profile:
Lucy is an oil painter and teacher, living in Leamington Spa.
Whatever the subject matter, Lucy encourages students to apply the paint in a dynamic and interesting way: focusing on colour mixing, brushwork and composition.
She paints commissions, sells her work and exhibits locally with ‘Leamington Studio Artists’…and has also:
• Worked as the ‘Artist in Residence’ at ‘The Artroom’ Gallery in Leamington,
• Painted live at ‘Blenheim Palace Flower Show’
• Been a wildcard artist on ‘Landscape Artist of the Year’
• Exhibited with ‘Warwickshire Open Studios’
All courses are £59 per day for members, £75 for non-members
Abstracts inspired by your surroundings with Christina Sadler
Course Suitability: All Abilities
Maximum Participants: 10
Course Description:
This workshop will introduce you to different ways of creating abstract art in response to your surroundings. We will explore the outdoors and beautiful grounds of Nature in Art but also use the sounds, smells and textures as inspiration. This will all be achieved through guided exercises and support from your tutor Christina. No judgement will be placed on the outcome of your work. This day is centered on the enjoyment and relaxation that comes from creating abstracts. There will be laughing as well as moments of calm and reflecting. An enjoyable day creating whilst giving you the chance to unwind. We will use a mixture of materials but acrylic paints and inks will be the main medium being used. You will create mini abstract as well as larger pieces and you will learn various skills and techniques to continue painting abstracts at home. But above all, it’s a day to escape and take some me out for yourself. As we will be venturing outside at some point please come with relevant clothing, if you have mobility issues please do not worry Christina will adapt the outside session to meet your needs. This class is perfect for all – even those who have never tried painting or abstracts before. If you have been on a class with Christina before this class will teach you new and wonderful techniques to try but also give you a chance to develop skills already learnt.
Materials Required:
Christina will provide the required materials for an additional charge of £15 per participant to be paid to Christina on the day of the course. This will include a little selection of inks to carry on using at home.
If possible please bring two jam jars for water
Artist’s Profile:
Christina is an abstract artist based in Gloucester. Inspired by the natural world she works with inks and paints to create layers of translucent colours resulting in soothing and relaxing art.
Christina has had lots of experience in the arts and running workshops and at one stage was even the Education Officer here at Nature in Art.
Currently, Christina is represented by Wychwood Art Gallery in Oxford. Her art has been exhibited on the London Underground and showcased in a pop-up shop at John Lewis, and her work is also available at Saatchi Art. Additionally, she is part of Sixteen Gallery in Cheltenham. Christina created the hero lion for the Lions at Large trail, set to launch in summer 2025, which will raise funds for the Big Space Cancer Appeal.
Christina is passionate about the power of art and actively engages in outreach programmes, providing artistic opportunities for individuals using art for well-being, such as Children unable to attend school. In 2024, she created an immersive installation for the National Gallery Road Trip, transforming an empty workshop into a living painting inspired by the collection.
All courses are £59 per day for members, £75 for non-members
Experimental Acrylics with Jackie Garner
Book here
Course Description
The more artistic experience we have, the greater the options for our own creativity. This course is focused on the exploration of acrylics and techniques, giving a deeper understanding of the medium and a willingness to be inventive. We will create textures and marks through layering, monoprinting, stencilling, texture, spattering… laying down colour and working into or over it. The resulting art may include realism or be purely abstract according to the participants’ preferences. An ideal course for those who want to move their art beyond “It looks just like a photograph”.
All courses are £59 per day for members, £75 for non-members
Materials list
Essentials: • Acrylics: Your usual acrylics, heavy body and/ or soft body • Palette • Brushes: Nylon brushes are best for acrylics. A variety of sizes and shapes will be useful. Some spares will be available for students to use. • Painting/ palette knife: any shape, a range of sizes and shapes if you have them. • Supports: Your choice of canvas, canvas board or primed board, at least A3 size • Water Pot • Kitchen roll • Sponge: different types are useful • Table covering: some spares will be available • Apron if desired – remember acrylics are waterproof and permanent when dry • Easel if desired
Please bring any of these if you have them, but no need to buy specially as some spares will be available: • Acrylic inks • Sketchbook for practice. (Some mountboard off-cuts will also be available) • Small spray bottle for water • Gelli plate • Colour shapers/ wedges • Stencils If you have no supplies, materials may be provided for a small charge, but only by prior arrangement with the tutor.
Students wishing to discuss the course in advance are welcome to telephone Jackie on 07800 804847.