What’s On

Five artists exploring themes from the natural world through drawing, painting, printmaking and poetry.

Murmur II (Conversations with Nature) brings together a new body of work, in a variety of styles and media by Andrew Morrison, Jo Biggadike, Shelley Winnett, Roy Hubbard and Julie Smith. At least one of them will be available each day to talk to visitors.

Humans speak the loudest, but beside our raucous demands are murmurings from wild things struggling to adapt to a changing world. ‘Conversations with Nature’ attempts to attend to nature’s quiet, often hidden voice; to listen and respond with paint and ink.

Free admission. Original artworks, prints and cards are available for sale with 10% of all sales supporting Nature in Art.

‘Meet the Artists’ evening – Friday 26th May, 6:30-8pm. Open to all.

The annual exhibition of The Wildlife Art Society International. A display consisting of over 300 works, both 2D and 3D. The society provides a focus for the interests of wildlife artists, painters, sculptors and photographers, whether they are professional, serious amateur or leisure artists. Most works are for sale. See members demonstrating every day.

The Wildlife Art Society International was founded in 1992 and has grown to be one of the leading Wildlife Art Societies in the UK and continues to grow in recognition internationally.

This event is organised by TWASI and will take place in a marquee on the front lawn of Nature in Art.

NOW EXTENDED TO 23rd July (was 16th)

A unique selection of work by the popular UK cartoonist, Norman Thelwell.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of Britain’s most popular cartoonists to have worked in Britain since the Second World War, Norman Thelwell (1923 – 2004). Although best known for his images of girls and their fat ponies, his work is far more wide ranging than many realise. The countryside and environment were particular passions that informed his work. His cartoons were a powerful way for him to comment on issues of the day.

‘Wrestling with a Pencil’ was the title of Thelwell’s autobiography (1984), and in it he says ‘Although my object as a cartoonist was mainly to earn my living by amusing readers, it was also quite possible to express my own feelings on subjects, situations and events about which I felt strongly. Politics I have always found very boring and there was no way in which I could have become a political cartoonist. My interest lies in the minutiae of the human dilemma, the day to day problems of life and the way we are all swept along by events or developments which we feel helpless to influence. I seem to have touched at one time or another on almost every subject under the sun from combine harvesters to computers, rockets to ramblers, paraffin to pigs. But the predominant thread which has always run through my work is my love of and fascination with the countryside: the flesh and bones of these islands.’

This exhibition will include a broad selection from a remarkable body of work produced over a lifetime. The selection was made with the assistance of Thelwell’s artist son, David, who will be artist in residence at Nature in Art in June, and Thelwell’s daughter, Penny.

In 1952, Thelwell penned his first cartoon for the satirical British magazine Punch, renowned internationally for its wit, irreverence, and for publishing the world’s best comic writers and poets. This led to a relationship that lasted for 25 years and over 1,500 cartoons, including 60 front covers. Some original Punch cartoons will be included in this exhibition.

Thelwell published his first pony cartoon in 1953, and quite by accident, his name became synonymous with images of little girls and fat hairy ponies. The ‘Thelwell pony’ quickly became the most-often referenced source of horse humour the world over, and today, as we prepare to celebrate the centennial of the artist’s life, his caricatures remain as popular as ever. Thelwell’s 34 books have sold over 2 million copies in the United Kingdom alone, and his cartoons are found on a diverse array of merchandise. Interestingly, when we need it most, his book ‘The Effluent Society’, which commented on environmental issues, was republished this March. (This, and some other merchandise will be available in the shop.)

Lent by the family archive, this display, although including a few of his renowned horse and pony pictures, also embraces serious paintings completed purely for pleasure, and drawn and painted cartoons with relevance to nature, the countryside and environment, plus early works from his army days in India and before.  Together they reveal not just Thelwell’s skill as an artist, but also his mastery of sharp social comment and his awareness of then current and future threats. He used satire to convey serious messages about the need to preserve the natural world; many of which still have poignancy today.

Many of his 34 books centre upon country life and country pursuits, and their light-hearted images are founded upon a thorough knowledge of their topics. (He was a keen angler, for example.) Although progress has been made in some areas of conservation and the tackling of environmental challenges, it is likely that Thelwell would be disappointed that many of his cajoling drawings are as relevant today as the day he put pencil to paper. Things have not changed as much as he would have liked.

For the last quarter of a century of his life Thelwell lived in the Test Valley at Timsbury, gradually restoring a farm house and landscaping the grounds which gave rise to his first factual book, ‘A Plank Bridge by a Pool’, which detailed the first two lakes he dug there. A third lake was later featured on the BBC TV.  Written much earlier, but published three years later, ‘A Millstone Round My Neck’ described his experiences in re-building a Cornish water mill that was sold before the book was published. He always loved old buildings, and in his autobiography, ‘Wrestling with a Pencil’ he wrote about his joy of old cottages.

FULLY BOOKED

Course Suitability: Absolute Beginners – Improvers

Maximum Capacity: 10

Course Description:

Painting can be very therapeutic, but the enjoyment can quickly disappear if you find yourself frustrated with what you produce. This class is about reintroducing you to the fun of painting, loosening your painting style and teaching you how to take the pressure off the end result. It will teach you how to be inspired to create relaxing abstract paintings but also how to feel relaxed when creating them.

Through guided exercises you will learn different painting techniques, as well as practical tips to free up your painting style. We will explore different materials, surfaces and subjects, painting to music and other ways to help you unwind and take pleasure in painting. There will be laughing as well as moments of calm and reflecting. A fun filled day learning something new and giving you the chance to relax. Suitable for all abilities, even those who have not picked up a paintbrush before.

Materials List:

The tutor will provide the required materials for course participants. The cost per person will be £10, to be paid (in cash) to Christina directly on the day of the course. Please wear old clothes / apron.

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.

She has exhibited work on the London underground, Saatchi Art and is represented by Wychwold Art Gallery. She had a pop up shop in John Lewis and produced artwork for Gloucestershire Hospital to improve their mental health in Crisis room.

Course Costs:

Members: £48

Non-members: £59

(cost does not include lunch (available to order and purchase on the day from the Coffee Shop))