March Arts Newsletter
Blink and you miss it, that’s February done. March onwards! I have had a busy month of painting, planning and been lucky enough to visit both Paris and Florence for some serious art history injection.
My culture highlights of each are both architectural - in Paris, the restored Notre Dame is drop dead gorgeous. In Florence it was the Vasari corridor - the Medici family private passageway from the Pitti Palace across the river to the Palazzo Vecchio. Designed by Vasari and built in 1565, it has also been restored and reopened in 2024. Book it if going!
White Garden at Sissinghurst #2, oil on canvas, 90×110cm framed
I have recently completed the second of my paintings based on the White Garden at Sissinghurst. I am currently working on the third (and final) in the series.
What to see/book in March
Rather than my usual summary of new exhibition openings this month, I thought I would focus on beautiful, arty houses that you can visit around the UK. Some you need to book ahead.
This was inspired by a visit to last week to Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge, (see below). Absolutely gorgeous and lots of inspiration on how to display art in your home. There were some works by very important artists and some simple found objects, all treated with the same reverence.
Farleys House, East Sussex
Farleys House in East Sussex was the home of photographer Lee Miller and her husband artist Roland Penrose. If you saw the fantastic Lee Miller exhibition at Tate Britain recently, you will know that this house hosted their roll call of 20th century artist friends; Man Ray, Picasso, Juan Miro to name a few. There are murals, Picasso ceramics all in home setting. The house was also used in the Kate Winslet film, Lee, about the photographer’s life. Open Apr-Oct but book now due to popularity after the exhibition. Farleys House
Leighton House, Kensington
Leighton House, on a Kensington back street, is somewhere I have recommended before in these pages but it remains real delight. Lord Frederic Leighton built this extraordinary house for himself in the 1860s and it’s a house that speaks of adventurous Victorians. The red brick facade does not reveal the shimmering ‘Arab Hall’ with its gilded dome within. Not terribly practical (there is only one small bedroom) this house was all about the art and the soirees. Indeed you can still attend concerts in the house. Embrace your inner Victorian.
Charleston, East Sussex
Charleston, home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, is probably the most well-known of the houses I’m recommending here. It was the Sussex outpost of the Bloomsbury Group. Every surface seems to be painted so if you’re toying with the idea of a mural, come here for inspiration. The interior style here continues to be influential, with designers like Beata Heuman and Molly Mahon clearly taking their lead from Charleston.
Each May Charleston has a festival with art, talks, creative workshops and performances. This year speakers include Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Rose Wylie, Kae Tempest and Michael Heseltine. Tickets went on sale this week.
Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge
Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge was the home of Jim and Helen Ede who collected and shared their art collection from the late 1950s. There are lots of paintings and sculptures from mid century British artists like Ben Nicholson, Alfred Wallis, Henry Moore and Barabara Hepworth. Jim had been a Tate curator so knew his onions. The house now belongs to the university and a contemporary gallery has been added which has an excellent programme of exhibitions and events. Absolutely stunning.
Win a Picasso
Christie’s in Paris has taken a leaf out of the Omaze book and for a €100 raffle ticket, you could be the proud owner of Tête de Femme painted in 1941. Said to be worth about €1m. It looks a bit grey at first glance but I’m pretty sure I could learn to love it.
I am delighted to report that my Swimming Pool painting has been selected for the Extended Longlist for the Jackson’s Art Prize. There are several rounds of judging yet but it’s a good start!
