A Moment in Time
Part 2
Back in 2015 a book was published, filled with works and words of members of the Thornbury Art Club. We invite you to have a look at a moment in time.
Acrylic
Sunflowers
Artist: Esme Hodge
“My interest in art really started when I joined Seaton Art Club and primarily worked with water colours. When I moved to Thornbury in 2003 I immediately joined the Art Club and now, thanks to the many workshops, demonstrations and weekly classes, I also paint in acrylics, pastels and oils.”
Acrylic
Spanish Horse
Artist: June Hopkins
“From a holiday snap riding in Spanish Nevada. I have been a member of the Art Group for about eleven years and have enjoyed every minute from studio sessions to Summer get together for outdoor painting, the Club Night demonstrations, and London Art trips. I hope to enjoy many more years.”
Pastels
Me First!
Artist: Patricia Howarth
“I took up painting when I retired 20 years ago. My first love is watercolours, including Pen/Wash followed closely by Pastels. I will have a go at most mediums – acrylics, oils, coloured pencils, silk/china painting. My specialities are animal portraits in pastel and flowers and landscapes in Watercolours.”
Watercolour
Queen Elizabeth as a Child
Artist: Tony Iles
“I was born and educated in Thornbury and enjoyed art classes at school. I always maintained an interest in art throughout my life, so how fortunate that, in retirement I could join the excellent Thornbury Art Club where I and others can enjoy practiing our skills.”
Acrylic
Leon Blunos
Artist: Stephanie Keates
“Since the early 1980s I have been a member of the club. I enjoy painting people, concentrating on portraits and experimenting with various mediums. Most of my work is done quickly in one sitting and Leon Blunos kindly sat for the club when I did this painting.”
Pastel
Mama...Papa...Bonbons!
Artist: Nicola Latham
“Inspired by a life changing experience. We all think we know the meaning of poverty, but to see true poverty opens up our eyes to it.”
Watercolour
Looking out to Sea
Artist: Elizabeth Lavender
“I have been painting since about 1995. I started with watercolour classes and attended various workshops with many different tutors. I enjoy using brush, water and colour mixing and am still learning.”
Acrylic
Market Day in Bafia
Artist: Anne McAllister
“I learned a great deal from painting this picture which was inspired by a trip I took to Cameroon in West Africa. I was really excited by the vibrant colours and patterns but hugely challenged by the inclusion of people and the need for balance.”
Acrylic
The Delphiniums
Artist: Barbara McNamara
“The earliest nucleus of our Thornbury Art Club began with a sketching class organized by Rene Garriock, even earlier than most people think. We hired a little room above Slooks, at the top of the High Street, and we had a few people join us. We then moved down to the newly acquired Chantry Community Association. We hired a room there and more people came to paint. Such a strong desire in our lovely Thornbury was helped along and continued to grow from strength to strength.”
Collage and Acrylic
A Cornish Beach
Artist: Joy Moorhead
“A memory of the past: - UNESCO proclaimed 1979 as the 'Year of the Child'. That year whilst the Club held it's annual Exhibition in the Chantry, we had a second exhibition, alongside the main event: Illustrating this subject. I remember that Jack Puddifoot received an award from the selection critics and received the public's choice.”
Acrylic
Salsa
Artist: Liz Naish
“I have been a member of Thornbury Art Club for a few years now. I get a buzz exhibiting my work and this year when I sold 3 paintings I was so excited. My painting is bright and happy it is called 'Salsa' because I thought the flowers looked like they were dancing. I don't always name a painting until it's finished, this is when I ask my family to help. I tell them what the painting says to me how it makes me feel and they all chip in.”
Pen and Watercolour
Hibiscus
Artist: Madeline Peathyjohns
“I love flowers, watercolours and watercolour paintings of flowers. I have watched many artists painting flowers. They all have their own choice of palette, brushes etc. and their own way of painting. Big brushes – small brushes. Lots of water – little water. Fascinating.”
Watercolour
Hogweed
Artist: Gwenda Potter
“In recent years, I have tried to develop my watercolour skills – improving brushwork, enhancing the colour and refining my flower paintings such as 'Hogweed'. My main influences have been David Curtis, Steve Hall, and Ann Blockery whose work has helped me see beauty in even the most common hedgerow.”
Acrylic
Self-Portrait 1985
Artist: Jack Puddifoot
“I was one of the founder members of the Art Club, together with Leon Blunos and Dave Hague. I am totally self taught, and greatly believe that anyone cam paint if they understand a few basic techniques. I prefer to paint in oils although I have tried most types of painting. I enjoy doing portraits, but will have a go at anything.”
Acrylic
St. Ives from the Tate Gallery
Artist: Maggie Rowley
“I find the view from the top of the Tate Gallery, St. Ives, captivating. The community aspect of art is important to me. It is a powerful medium for self expression and also communication. I am thrilled our art club is able to produce this book to celebrate our 50 years. Well done!”
Oils
Clouds
Artist: Philipp Safron
“I often gaze at clouds, and see draft things in them. These seemed to me to march across the sky of the Outer Hebrides like terracotta warriors. I like tom paint trees in much the same way. The way that their canopies float above the ground and suggest shapes is very cloud-like.”
Acrylic
The Obstinacy of a lost Soul
A Harrowing Tale
Artist: Christine Sherriff (artist & poet)
Sad poetry
Inspired my art; metamorphosis,
Made my loving Dad perverse.
Not madness but Alzheimer's curse.
An abstract expressive collage took shape;
I saw him as a tree rooted – there'sno escape
From the spot as decay set in, around his nape.
Chief mourner, a magpie holds his gnarled hand,
Waiting for freedom's visit – as if it's planned.
Goodbye Dad.
Acrylic
Stonehenge
Artist: Anne Strong
“I try to capture mood and atmosphere in landscapes. In this depiction of Stonehenge, a feel for the impressive presence of the megaliths has been conveyed by exaggerating the texture in the rocks and enhancing the colours of sky and shadows.”
Oils
Tranquility
Artist: Kate Teague
“In 2007 I was in Galway and came across the artist Fran Mc Cann. His oil paintings really inspired me. My first oil painting was for my husband's 60th Birthday. I enjoy painting lots of different subjects but especially the sea and get a lot of inspiration from the artist John Hammond.”
Oils
Emergence 2014
Artist: Clare Thatcher
“My practice is concerned with the landscape genre. I am interested in how we seek deep meaning and an emotional response through allusion to our subject matter. My aim is to combine a translation of reality with perceptions of my own experiences, capturing a transience of place.”
Watercolour
A River in Swodonia
Artist: Peter Todd
“Peter was an enthusiastic member of the Art Club for many years and has always loved sketching and painting watercolours outdoors. Despite suffering a stroke in 2012, he still paints beautiful watercolours at home and with the Thornbury Stroke Group.”
Oils
Shallots
Artist: Val Verey
“Leon Bluno's friend and club member was instrumental in my return to long neglected watercolour painting which I pursued for several years. Recently introduced to thick, shiny more forgiving oils, colour shape and contours frequently feature in my paintings as seen with these 'Shallots'. Thank you Leo for encouragement.”
Acrylics
Really Rough
Coba Da Roca, Portugal
Artist: Marcel Wadman
“I started painting 5 years ago and have had no formal training. I never thought I was good enough to exhibit but thanks to Thornbury Art Club was encouraged to do so. I prefer heavy body acrylics and enjoy bright colours which remind me of my years in South Africa.”
Pastel
End of the Day Below Watendlath
Artist: Pauline Wilson-Smith
“I have been a member of Thornbury Art Club for nearly forty years. My preferred medium is oil paint but I also work in acrylics, gouache, and pastels. I usually keep watercolours for sketchbooks and 'botanical' paintings. Favourite subjects include landscape from my own, or family, photographs, pets, still-life and plants.”
Watercolours
Really Rough
Coba Da Roca, Portugal
Artist: Jean Worgan
“I have been a member of Thornbury Art Club for the last couple of years and enjoy the friendly, encouraging atmosphere.”