January to March

MMMmmm ? I seem to be a bit behind on keeping my Blog. So much for a new years resolution to keep  an up top date Blog....

Im not sure who can gain access to this Blog now as I am having problems with my Website www.connollyart.com

If you type the address into the web browser, then it works ok. However for anyone who does a Google search for me, then the link that comes up will take you to lots of other sites to get  a loan to buy sack loads of Viagra while applying for Compensation 'cos you were mis sold a PPP'

This year seems to be flying by already and I feel I have only just caught up with myself... On the painting front I was forced to slow down because of major problems with contact dermatitis.  Having realised I am also allergic to latex gloves as well as  acrylic inks and paint, I am now wearing  blue vinyl gloves which seem to be helping, along with copious amounts of steroid ointment and Epaderm... Enough about my hands which are now MUCH better.

I have already done workshops with Ashby and Tamworth  Art Groups and had a great time with both groups of enthusiastic artists. Last week I was delivering work to the lovely Lyndhurst Gallery on the edge of the New Forest ad Harrison Lord Gallery at Brighouse. This week (its now 8th March) I have delivered work to No Naked Walls in Surrey and Gallery 55 in Hampshire as well as doing a Demo to an art group in Wolverhampton. All  made easier because I have now got my new 'Art Bus' named Scarlett (for obvious reasons) For anyone into VW's its a VW Transporter T5 t28 104psi... Yes I have become a 'Vanarack'.

Scarlett

I am now going back into the studio for a few days before doing another Demo in Buxton on Monday and delivery to OCG in Ambleside on Tuesday... 

Got lots to do now as I have picked up three  commissions in the past few days and also need to get lots of new stuff ready for  Reading Art Fair at the end of April and two shows at Leabrooks Gallery in Somercotes throughout May and Ferrers Gallery Nr Ashby from May to September. 

Heres just a few of the new paintings delivered recently. 

Path thro Buebells going to OCG

Moorland Heather went to Harrison Lord

Lakeland Light for OCG

Fairy Light at Lyndhurst

Woodland Blue to Lyndhurst 

Loch Eribold for OCG

This is MY Wood. Lyndhurst Gallery

Late Autumn at Harrison Lord Gallery

Return to Thringstone Art Group

Having already worked with this group twice this year, I was really looking forward to meeting the lovely artists from Thringstone who as usual made me feel really welcome.

I ran a mixed media workshop from 10 - 4.00 with the usual stoppages for coffee, biscuts and seasonal mince pies. Everyone worked really hard all day. The morning session concentrating on experimental mark making (paint brushes were banned) and the afternoon using newly learned skills and techniques to produce more finished work. 

These photographs below show the experimental work done in the morning and some of the 'nearly finished' pieces produced before 4pm

If anyone is looking for an art group to join, I can thoroughly recommend Thringstone Art Group.

Contact:  Julie Rowe 01530 838662     mobile 07854 027433 

Demo and Workshop with Matlock Arts Society

The 2 hour demo and 4 hour workshop with Matlock Arts Society had proved to be very popular amongst its members.  27 artists had booked for the workshop with as many again wanting to attend the demo.

The room was almost full and it was lovely to see so many artists all eager to learn new techniques and to explore, (some for the first time) the use of acrylic paint. There was a lovely friendly atmosphere with everyone working really hard  to complete at least one piece of work in the afternoon.

This was just a taster workshop with Matlock. At least two more workshops have been pencilled in the diary for next year.   I shall be running acrylic and mixed media workshops which will involve the use of a wide variety of media and collage materials. 

For further details go to : :http://www.matlockartistssociety.co.uk/

50% of the artists had left before I managed to charge my camera phone. Here are some photographs   that reflect the high standard of  work produced in under 4 hours .. 

NB some of  this work is not 100% complete

2 hour Demo Painting