February Arts Newsletter
The White Garden at Sissinghurst #1
100×80cm unframed, oil on canvas
Just when you thought it would never happen, February is finally here! I actually fully embraced January being a quieter month and did lots of clearing out in the house, including in my studio. There is a photo further down to prove it. I always like to visit other artists' studios so I thought you might like to see what mine looks like.
I have also finally had time to start painting a series of works based on the White Garden at Sissinghurst. The first of which is above. I have been wanting paint these for months. I love the number of colours involved in a 'white' garden, very little actual white.
Exhibitions to see this month
Lucien Freud: Drawing into Painting at the National Portrait Gallery promises to have rarely seen preparatory drawings and paint sketches alongside some of his best known paintings. I love to explore a painters process so I know I will find this fascinating. I am lucky enough to be going to the Private View of this exhibition, yippee! National Portrait Gallery 12Feb-4May
Samurai at the British Museum promises to rewrite popular assumptions about Japan's warrior elite. Much of the myth (including the word 'samurai') was invented much after 1100-1600, generally considered peak Samurai period. This exhibition will explore intellectual and artistic pursuits of this culture that valued women in education, governance and even fighting. Quite a contrast to your classic Playstation game. British Museum 3Feb-4May
Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends. To celebrate Aardman's 50th anniversary year, the Young V&A are holding this exhibition with a behind the scenes look at the UK's favourite stop motion animations. There will be sets and storyboards, for example the iconic train chase from The Wrong Trousers. This will be glorious but also popular so book now for half term. Young V&A 12Feb-15Nov
Carravaggio's Cupid at the Wallace Collection is a small show to say the least. It comprises of one painting and two sculptures. Carravaggio's Cupid is quite an extraordinary painting though and having it singled out like this really does sharpen the focus. It is Carravaggio's most confrontational painting and still manages to shock as well as inspire awe at his paint handling. The general message of the painting is that love conquers all, you can't escape it. A perfect Valentines date exhibition! Free. Wallace Collection until 14 April
Can you draw a horse?
I came across this quite fun little site where you draw a horse and then 'release' it to run with others.
Bonnard Workshop last month
Thank you to those who came to my Bonnard workshop a few weeks ago. There was so much uplifting colour in the room, it was lovely. Lots of beautiful work was produced too.
My studio at home, newly tidy. I appreciate to the untrained eye, this may still look quite chaotic.
