Left: Philippa Beale. Right: Tim Craven
Following on from previous exhibitions by the Arborealists at Nature in Art, this exhibition is a collaboration between them, a group of professional artists of diverse art practise who share the subject of the tree,and Julian Hight, a celebrated authority on ancient trees and the author of Britain’s Tree Story.
This unique selection of pictures explores the extraordinary physical presence and diverse colourful histories of a varied selection of these great survivors. Some have been selected by Hight for their significance, species and geological spread and others chosen by the artists as local favourites. Some trees are variously interpreted by different artistic approaches,styles and media and these will hang together for context and insight.
Although the least forested, Britain possesses the largest number of ancient trees in northern Europe of many species for a number of reasons. Some may have stood for over a thousand years while some British Yew trees are reputed to be up to four times that age, which if true, makes them the oldest living trees in Europe. Small wonder that artists have been inspired by their beauty, presence and aura.
From a human perspective, it is their constant presence within the community,surviving through one generation to the next and carrying with them events and stories, that elevates ancient trees to a higher place in our psyche. Over the centuries people have revered and named them. They act as silent witnesses to the past. Indeed, it is amazing to think that such is their longevity that some could be only ten generations away from the end of the last ice age when they first colonised our islands.
PLUS:
September 10th: Do join us for a private view of this show to meet some of the artists and find out about the Arborealists and on September 26th: An join us for an evening talk with Julian Hight. Find details of both HERE
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Elizabeth Gray (left) and Dafila Scott
It is hard to believe that we recently celebrated the 36th anniversary of us opening our doors to the public. Over the years we have been fortunate to work with many hundreds of artists, either as exhibitors, artists in residence and/or tutors. These associations have been part of our journey developing and building up the museum, its collections and activities, and we hope a valued part of their artistic journey too.
So as we look to the future, we are presenting a unique exhibition of A5 sized original works by some of these artists. Drawings, paintings, prints, even sculpture, each a nature-inspired to raise funds for our David Trapnell Legacy Project.
The fundraising element works like this ….each card will be allocated a number although this will be kept secret. Numbered tickets will be available for you to buy for just £30 each, a sum which we hope will make participation within reach of almost everyone. Once all the tickets are sold the numbers will be revealed. Only then will‘buyers’ discover which original postcard they have acquired.
So, we do hope that you will be keen to purchase a ticket for this special project! As well as a great way to help the museum, it is a rare opportunity for you to acquire a unique original signed piece of artwork.
Buy a ticket when you visit, or if you can’t make it, give us a call on 01452 731422.
FULLY BOOKED
Course Suitability: Beginners – Advanced
Maximum Capacity: 12
Course Description:
Assorted Colour Pencils on Pastelmat paper.
Explore the techniques required to create the fur colour and texture of this beautiful cat on Pastelmat paper.
A line drawing is supplied to trace so no need to worry about drawing freehand.
Materials List:
All materials supplied to use within the session.
Artist’s Profile
Karen Coulson is a coloured pencil artist as well as a tutor specialising in wildlife and animal portraits. She enjoys incorporating unusual backgrounds behind her subject which indulges her love of colour.
Karen is a Gold Signature Member of the UKCPS (United Kingdom Coloured Pencil Society). She has won many awards for her artwork including “Best Fantasy/Abstract” picture at the UKCPS Annual International Exhibition in 2014.
Course Cost:
A £25 non-refundable deposit is required on booking. Full course price is:
Members of Nature in Art: £110
Non-members of Nature in Art: £138
FULLY BOOKED
Course Suitability: Beginners – Advanced
Maximum Capacity: 12
Course Description:
Explore the techniques required for fur and colour mixing to create this bright fluffy red squirrel using assorted colour pencils on Mount Board.
A line drawing is supplied to copy or trace so no need to worry about drawing freehand.
Materials List:
All materials supplied to use within the session.
Artist’s Profile:
Karen Coulson is a coloured pencil artist as well as a tutor specialising in wildlife and animal portraits. She enjoys incorporating unusual backgrounds behind her subject which indulges her love of colour.
Karen is a Gold Signature Member of the UKCPS (United Kingdom Coloured Pencil Society). She has won many awards for her artwork including “Best Fantasy/Abstract” picture at the UKCPS Annual International Exhibition in 2014.
Course Cost:
A £25 non-refundable deposit is required on booking. Full course price is:
Members of Nature in Art: £55
Non-members of Nature in Art: £69
This is one of a series of shows highlighting the work of art societies. This exhibition, on show in the Atrium of our Wallsworth Centre, features work by The Wildlife Art Society International’s award winners from their 2024 Annual exhibition. See some of the award winners here. 2D and 3D exhibits in a variety of styles and media. Most works are for sale. There may be restricted access on 5th October. Meet members at work each day.
SPACE AVAILABLE
Course Suitability: Beginners – Advanced
Maximum Capacity: 12
Course Description
Assorted Colour Pencils on Mount Board
Explore the techniques required to draw this stunning bright eye and to create the feather textures to complete this stunning portrait.
A line drawing is supplied to copy or trace so no need to worry about drawing free hand.
Materials List:
All materials will be provided free of charge for use within the session.
Artist’s Profile:
Karen Coulson is a coloured pencil artist as well as a tutor specialising in wildlife and animal portraits. She enjoys incorporating unusual backgrounds behind her subject which indulges her love of colour.
Karen is a Gold Signature Member of the UKCPS (United Kingdom Coloured Pencil Society). She has won many awards for her artwork including “Best Fantasy/Abstract” picture at the UKCPS Annual International Exhibition in 2014.
Course Cost:
A £25 non-refundable deposit is required on booking. Full course price is:
Members of Nature in Art: £55
Non-members of Nature in Art: £69
TO BOOK PLEASE CALL 01452 731422 (ask for Simon) OR TEXT 07774 803177 and we will get back to you.
A wonderful chance to come and do some stargazing with local astronomers who will be bringing their equipment to share. Learn about the stars and the equipment to view them. As part of the evening Neil Havard will be giving a talk and showing some wonderful astronomical photographs. Includes tea and coffee. Tickets via ArtTickets, £6.
An evening with members of the Cotswold Astronomical Society to experience some star gazing and learn a little about the sky at night.
Full details to be published soon.
FULLY BOOKED
Course Suitability: Absolute Beginners – Improvers
Maximum Capacity: 12
Course Description:
Join us on this exciting course, exploring the artistic skills and techniques of sketching buildings with pen and wash. Over two inspiring days, you will delve into the fusion of pen techniques and watercolour washes, learning skills such as perspective, proportion, colour mixing and how to loosen up.
Led by an experienced tutor, the workshop offers hands-on guidance in capturing the essence of buildings with precision and expressive flair. From foundational drawing skills to the harmonious blending of watercolour hues, attendees will discover a versatile approach to urban sketching. Suitable for beginners and students with some knowledge of the medium.
Materials List:
The tutor will provide the required materials for course participants. The cost per person will be £30 (cash) which will be paid to Jonathan by the participants on the day of the course.
Should the students wish to use their own tools and materials rather than buying a set from the tutor then they are welcome to bring them along.
Artist’s Profile:
Jonathan Newey is an award winning artist with over 20 years of experience in teaching in adult education. He has experience in a wide variety of mediums and subjects including landscapes, wildlife and architecture in acrylic, watercolour and coloured pencil.
Course Cost:
A £25 non-refundable deposit is required on booking. Full course price is:
Members of Nature in Art: £110
Non-members of Nature in Art: £138
Course Suitability: Absolute Beginners – Advanced
Maximum Capacity: 12
Course Description:
This watercolour painting workshop is aimed at all ability levels and for those who want to learn more about the hidden insect worlds that are all around us.
In Darwin’s Day, Bumblebees, these flying, buzzing, pollination power-houses were called “Humblebees”, simply because they hummed as they flew. Bumblebees are familiar sights in our wild spaces, but just how much do we really know about their private lives?
This workshop will shed light on some of the mysteries and surprises of the lifecycles and lifestyles of these well-known & well-loved charismatic insects. Cath will take students on a magical journey into their secret world to show that these large fluffy bees are anything, but “Humble”…
Cath will then guide each student how to take all of their new-found love, knowledge and enthusiasm for these large balls of buzzing fluff to produce a unique and detailed watercolour painting, using microscopes, magnifying glasses and macro photographs, as well as Cath’s own huge bee (ethically sourced) specimen collection.
Materials List:
- Watercolours: I use Schmincke mainly, but any similar good quality w/c’s will be fine. Not a hard & fast list. Any similar colours will be fine: – Titanium White; Payne’s Grey; Helio Cerulean; Cadmium Red Hue; Cadmium Yellow; Madder Lake; Cadmium Violet Deep Hue (Sennelier), Ultra Marine, Brilliant Blue Violet, Orange, Indigo, Cadmium Red Hue,
- Brushes: – Small ones: Brushes with short round bristles. Synthetic bristles are best: Sizes such as- 00, 000, 0000. Large ones: 2, 5, 6 Rosemary SER 307 and 301 are both good.
- Pencils: – 0.5mm HB Pentel propelling pencil. HB graphite pencil.
- Pens: – 0.05 “Black” UniPin Fine Line. Water and Fade proof (Mitsubishi).
- Paper –, 100% cotton Saunders Waterford StbCuthbert’s Mill or equivalent paper. 14” x 10” 140lb. Hot pressed. White.
- Ceramic Palette
- Masking Tape
Artist’s Profile:
Cath Hodsman AMRSB, is one of the U.K’s foremost entomological artists, illustrators and teachers. Based in the Cotswolds, she has exhibited; showcased her art; or taught at many relevant esteemed venues throughout her career, including the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, R.H.S Wisley and the Natural History Museum, London. Cath believes that the best way to celebrate the importance and relevance of insects in a happy, healthy ecology, is to capture their micro beauty and anatomical intricacy. She uses microscopes in her work in order to capture beauty that is invisible to us.
Course Cost:
A £25 non-refundable deposit is required on booking. Full course price is:
Members of Nature in Art: £110
Non-members of Nature in Art: £138
To book a place on this course, please click here.