Exhibition (on show in the Atrium of our Education Centre)
A diverse show of paintings, prints and sculpture which demonstrate the inspiration that this established local group has drawn from the natural world. Founded in 1965, this is their second exhibition at Nature in Art. Part of our programme of shows supporting and highlighting regional groups and talent.
Artist in Residence
Linda Twiddy originally trained as an engineering draughtswoman and enjoys drawing as an instrument for expressing concepts and designs. She gains inspiration for her artwork from an interest in geometry, geology, architecture and the repeating patterns found in nature. Linda’s work emphasizes detail and texture, using the dramatic contrast of graphite pencil and the vibrant effects of watercolour.
During her time as artist in residence Linda will be continuing to work on a drawing inspired by the beautiful fireplaces of Wallsworth Hall. The picture combines all the fire places at Nature in Art into one composition, showing each fireplace inside another but maintaining the proportions and unique quality of each fire place.
Art Course
with Furzie (Michelle Hickman) 10am – 5pm
Maximum Participants: 10
On this 1-day course you will learn how to needle-felt with wool.
You will be introduced to the basics of needle-felting, taught how to make a wire armature to form the basis of your sculpture and how to mould the wool to the frame.
You will be amazed how the wool sculpture seems to develop a character of its own. Once you have become confident in using the basic skills and techniques you are only limited by your imagination!
Course Cost
Members: £40
Non-members: £50
Course Suitability: Absolute Beginners – Advanced
ART COURSE BOOKING FORM
Materials List
A materials pack will be supplied by Michelle Hickman, at the cost of £15 per participant, payable directly to her on the day. The materials pack will include a felting kit and tools to keep, plus all the wool and materials required.
Artist’s Profile
Michelle taught herself needle-felting and, for several years now, has been selling sculptures and commissions of her animals all over the world, as well as running courses and workshops.
She enjoys passing on her love of wool and needle-felting and is keen to share what she has learned.
www.furzie.co.uk
Artist in Residence
Trevor Smith has had an interest in wildlife from an early age. Family visits to the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust at Slimbridge fostered a lifelong passion for birds and the environments they can be found in.
‘I have been teaching students the essentials of bird art for over twenty years now, but I still get a kick from seeing people thrill to the subject and often surprise themselves with hidden latent ability.’
Artist in Residence
Val Briggs is a self taught artist who for the last 30 years has dedicated herself to recording the flora and fauna of the British countryside in watercolour. Val also works in graphite and pastels, using them to sketch from life.
Art Course
with Sharon Foley 10am – 5pm
Maximum Participants: 9
Glass fusing is joining two or more layers of glass through heating in a kiln.
There are several techniques that can be adapted to this basic principle some of which give surprising results. This 1-day course will teach some of those techniques alongside glass cutting (if you are new or in need of a refresher) and consist of glass layering, use of glass frits, powders and encapsulation between layers of glass.
The course will guide you in designing and making either 4 glass coasters or a larger, flat piece of art glass. These will then be fired in a kiln and ready for collection after the course.
Course Cost
Members: £40
Non-members: £50
Course Suitability: Absolute Beginners – Beginners
ART COURSE BOOKING FORM
Materials List
All materials will be supplied by Sharon Foley, at the cost of £25 per participant, payable directly to her on the day.
Artist’s Profile
Sharon Foley began working with glass in 1999. She started making stained glass panels and quickly used lots of different processes to obtain various effects. Once she had acquired her own kiln she began experimenting with more 3-dimensional forms.
Sharon completed a Masters degree glass course at Wolverhampton University which gave her the freedom to use this transparent material in other ways. She now expresses her ideas by combining kiln formed glass with other media.
www.sharon-foley-glass.wix.com/sharonf#!
Robert Cox has been a freelance graphic designer/ illustrator for 35 years.
‘I am now developing a life long interest in wood sculpture embracing the study of form inspired by nature. Calling on design skills and a lifetime of experience in the use of traditional carving tools, I take my inspiration from the natural world, especially the unique and unusual world of plants and flowers. My work has taken me on an evolving journey, taking in beautifully carved wood sculpture for public and private collections, large public works and traditionally carved signage.’
Artist in Residence
Gareth Watling started his artistic career in graphic design and freelance illustration, but he now dedicates his time to establishing himself as an artist portraying British Birds.
Artist in Residence
Ros Wise is based in Gloucestershire and began to paint seriously in 1980. ‘My main inspiration is the Natural World. I began by studying single plants and flower heads in detail and traced their change and evolution through the seasonal year. At the moment I am painting less botanically and painting plants where they naturally grow whether in gardens or wild spaces.’
Artist in Residence
Stephen Walton is a self taught, award winning artist who specialises in using charcoal and charcoal pencils.
‘My artwork developed alongside my love of taking photographs, which resulted in my very particular style and method; when I am out and about I take photographs and when I am at home I draw from them.’