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Despite the short notice given for the spring exhibition we had over 170 framed entries, which proved a challenge for the exhibition organisers on the hanging day. But thanks to all the hard work from the helpers on the day, we managed to find space for all the selected pictures, as well as the 3D work, in time for the official opening on the Saturday. Once again the overall standard of work was very high with a wide variety of subject material being submitted. However, the external selectors did suggested that some artists let their pictures down by poor presentation in terms of poor choice of frame and mount. If your work was not selected on the day and would like advice as to why this might be, I am sure the more experienced and professional artists within the society would be only too happy to give advice. Thanks to Tink for organising the trip to the Royal Academy to see the Van Gogh exhibition. We had a full coach and spent a very enjoyable day in London. Our next outing is to 'Art in Action' on the 18th of July so be sure to send in your return slips quickly and diary the date so you don't miss out. We would welcome help from any member who would be willing to organise outings for the society, so we don't leave it all to Tink.. If you are willing to help then please let me or one of the committee know.
The Autumn exhibition dates have just been booked with the Library for Saturday 30th October to 13th November. Happy Painting. Geoff Stubbins
Spring Exhibition The selectors were John Shakespeare RBSA who was the Award Judge, David White RBSA and Sylvia Taylor RBSA for the Society. The awards were as follows: -
The award judge felt that "Autumn" by Richard Arnold was very striking and skilful and also deserved to be highly commended. CLICK on the 'EXHIBITIONS' button to view the prize winners.
Public Vote
The public vote at the spring exhibition went to Pat Dolan for her coloured pencil picture entitled 'Katie - Ready for the Prom'. Pat Ryan came a close second with his oil painting entitled 'Snow Walkers'.
Painting Days In 1947 a group of local artists started a new group which they called Sutton Coldfield Society of Artists. Lichfield had started its own group in 1945. Our records show the early beginnings and through perseverance the growth of the society. Some of the original members are still with us and take an active interest in what we do. The most important thing was to find suitable venues where members could paint, compare ideas and get to know each other, and also to find regular premises for exhibitions so that the people of Sutton would look forward to seeing our work. It was not possible to buy our own meeting place, but as the years went by we hired rooms to be used on a regular basis and where we could set up still life, store equipment and painting materials. In the early days we hired rooms at the Sutton School of Art where we could paint, learn and be comfortable with that essential cup of tea and biscuits. We now hire the Fellowship Hall in South Parade and we always have a life model for portrait and figure painters. Nude models may accompany Tutors and as the hall is a public building we do, of course, need to curtain off windows. In the past, members always wanted still life groups set up as well. But recently they prefer to work on paintings already started at home. Still life can however still be set up as required. Other outdoor painting opportunities are arranged for Wednesdays in July and August at venues selected for a great variety of subjects, such as rivers, vistas, trees and gardens, buildings, animals, aeroplanes, trains, etc. All venues have loos, refreshments (or bring your own picnic), and shelter from our English weather. Coach trips to painting venues and exhibitions are also arranged. Members can enjoy these facilities at no extra cost (except coaches and entry fees) which represents a very good investment. The committee look forward to you all enjoying what is on offer. Look out for details of the painting days out/summer school organised by our outings secretary Tink Bough
New Society Logo Following our competition to design a new logo for the society your committee has selected the design submitted by Petra Röhr-Rouendaal as the best and most professional. We hope you like it.
The new design has already been etched on to our new crystal painting award for best watercolour in the spring exhibition and will gradually replace our old logo on our stationery etc. as Sam Revill our general secretary issues new membership booklets and letters.
In the Gallery Clive Sayer
I took up painting about four years ago, when I had stopped working full time in the law, and soon found I was spending more and more time doing it. I then joined the Sutton Society and became a friend of the RBSA (the Royal Birmingham Society of Retired Art Teachers).
Streetly Gate Painting is something I had saved up for my retirement. I had a very academic type of education and art was not even on the curriculum, however, I had always known that I had some ability to paint and draw. Several visits to Society exhibitions over the years had incentivised me to take it up properly once I had more time.
Elizabeth At first I thought that painting would be a rather solitary hobby, but I now find I do most of my painting with other wielders of the brush, having joined various congenial groups and classes, such as the Streetly Art Group run by Geoff Stubbins, to try and improve. Whilst I try to avoid painting by committee, I find it helpful to get feedback about my work from others. It is so difficult to see your own work as others see it. I have received help from many experienced artists in the Society, such as Sylvia Taylor who has a really good eye for a painting . When I started out I was determined to avoid learning anything about such tedious subjects as the colour wheel and perspective, but I now have to admit there was something in what she said! As regards the painters I admire, I like the impressionist and post impressionist era - Monet, Walter Sickert, Toulouse Lautrec and the like. I have found that trying to paint myself has given me a greater interest in visiting art galleries and the art world in general and I am constantly discovering more artists I like as I go on. I try to be original in my choice of subject and paint mainly people from my world. I have done several paintings featuring pub and restaurant/café scenes, railway stations, portraits of friends and relatives etc. I was struck by reading that all Lautrec's paintings were of scenes within two miles of his home in Paris. Admittedly, I use a digital camera rather than a sketch on a tablecloth as the first point of reference - but I am with him in spirit!
Street Life I paint in acrylics as I like to start by slapping on the paint and seeing what happens with as little preparation as possible. Acrylics make it possible to alter and amend as you go along, something that is difficult with conventional watercolours. With acrylics it is also possible to paint on any type of surface or with a palette knife. Throw off the shackles of conventional watercolours now - acquire some acrylics!! Clive Sayer
Prize Art Quiz (Compiled by Fred Lee) A £10 art materials voucher is offered to the first fully correct entry drawn out of the hat. The winner's name will be published in the next Newsletter. Please send all entries to the editor .
The answers to the Dec issue quiz are:
The winner of a £10 voucher for Vesey Art & Crafts this time is Evelyn Corfield. Send your entries to our editor Sam Revill, 32 Patterton Drive, Warmley, Sutton Coldfield B76 1GQ or email your answers to jessar@blueyonder.co.uk
Autumn Exhibition Autumn Exhibition dates are: Submission date Friday 29th October; Opening date Saturday 30th October; Closing date Saturday 13th November 2010.
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