Merry Christmas Everyone!

My best ever Christmas present arrived this week, in the form of a finished studio!  I am so happy and can't wait to get in there and start painting.  Today I have been hauling tables and canvases and cabinets into the space and wondering where to put everything.  I am hoping to get some shelves built at some point, but that will have to wait.  I just want to get back to painting!  

Thanks to my lovely Aunt Agnes, who made it possible to have this beautiful studio built in our garden.  I think it's time to get that space filled with a bit more colour!  

Meanwhile it has been super busy in the print room with everyone trying to finish up their projects before the end of the semester. There is such a great atmosphere in the Cambridge School of Art print room... I love it.. in case you hadn't realised already!

Whilst waiting for my studio to be finished, I have been playing with a bit of acrylic paint and gold leaf.  I love messing around, and it makes me feel a little more Christmassy.  I rather like these..  

I have also been working on a new drypoint, continuing on from my plant series. 

This time snowdrops are the order of the day... it won't be long before they start showing their beautiful white flowers, but since we already have daffodils and narcissus blooming in the garden, I think the snowdrops might feel rather confused.  It has been far too warm this winter.. and the rain.. oh the rain.  I feel so badly for those living in Cumbria.  

Well, that's it for another year, so I shall wish you all a Merry Christmas and a truly Happy New Year!  

Thanks for all your help!

I often wake up very early these days and instead of leaping out of bed to get in front of my easel or go for a rare run, I seem to lie there and do a lot of thinking, (maybe it’s my age!).  This morning, I realised that for the first time in eighteen months, I actually don’t have any of those depressing dark clouds hanging over my head.   

When I look back to when I first returned to the UK in 2009 to be with my Dad during the first bout of his serious illness, I realised not only how much I have had to deal with, but how much I have also achieved! 

During the five years that my Dad fought his illness and spent many weeks in hospital and at home recovering, I managed to create a makeshift studio in his home, then when Dad improved, I relocated my studio up to Scotland, and painted for a group show in London and taught a workshop.  I applied, got in and completed my MA in Printmaking, which frankly, has been a lifeline, thanks to the wonderful print room, and tutors and technicians and students at Cambridge School of Art.  During this time, we as a group of printmakers put on various exhibits and I got my prints into the Bite exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London.  Whilst working on my MA (which included writing!), I also continued to paint for my galleries and various museum invitationals.  

After Dad died I discovered an underground water leak that had been slowly leaking under the driveway and who knows where else.  This just about brought me to my knees but I managed to stay standing.   It took six months to sort out, involving multiple phone calls, letters and holes left in the driveway. Thanks to the lady at the insurance company who fought my case, I got it fixed, two days before my MA exhibition! 

In addition, I made a couple of trips back to New Mexico and got to paint in my studio for a few months, which was lovely... a normal studio with space!  After returning to the UK last November, for the Society of Scottish Artists exhibition, I then had to sort out my dear Aunt Agnes’s bungalow because she had decided to come and live with me in my Dad’s house.  My Aunt had lived in her bungalow since 1959, so I will leave how much clearing out had to be done to your imagination!  I painted one room and threw out a 'fair' amount of ‘stuff’ and had to move half my studio that I had cleared out from Scotland, back into Dad’s house…. anyone exhausted yet?  We had a deadline to meet on the sale of her bungalow to pay off a loan that my Dad had taken out on his house and I wouldn’t wish that kind of stress on anyone.  

I confess, I have felt very sorry for myself at times and wished on many occasions that I had been part of a larger family!!  However, I am so fortunate to have a wonderful husband, some amazing friends and three lovely children who have supported me tirelessly throughout these last five years.  So many played their part and I want to pass on my heartfelt thanks to them for all their incredible support.

My husband, Barry McCuan has been so kind and understanding.  It’s not easy to be apart for so long, but he has been there at the really difficult times.   His help with packing, moving and helping me with my exhibitions this last two summers whilst trying to do his own work for his exhibitions at Ventana Fine Art has been just incredible.  Thanks to my two lovely and long term friends who gave me a bed to lie in during my long stays in Scotland and Cambridge.  Newer friends in Cambridge have been incredible in so many ways that have gone way beyond what one could expect from such new friends. Thank you to those who drove miles to be with me at my Dad’s funeral and my MA show… knowing that some had come many many miles after attending a funeral made it all the more poignant. Thanks to Eddie’s Mummy who has let me borrow him to satisfy my need for the companion of a dog.  I also want to thank my friend, who has managed to get me commission work, and to friends and family... yes, family!, who have bought paintings from me, keeping the wolf from the door, and those of you who provide lovely food, a social life and a bed during my stays in London and in Cornwall.  Last but not least, to my amazing children who come to my exhibitions and were incredible after their Grandpa died.

I am now painting for an exhibition in Ely, near Cambridge at the end of this year and actively looking for new galleries as many of my galleries have now closed and I have so much more time to paint!  My new studio will be arriving soon and I have been busy clearing away a section of the garden to make room for it.  I am so excited.  In the meantime, here are some of my latest paintings heading for the Albuquerque Museum Invitational this autumn.

Happy painting!

Summer Clouds, Summer Fields,  Oil, 30 x 30 cm 

Golden Sky, Golden Fields, Oil, 30 x 30 cm

The Spire and the Wheatfield, Oil, 30 x 30 cm

Views from my MA show.

Hello all,

Our private view was fantastic.  I couldn't get over how many friends and family came.  Friends from Scotland, Gloucestershire and London and my daughter and son came from Somerset and London.  It was incredible.  I felt quite overwhelmed and honoured.

Me installing the show.

For the show, I had bought a secondhand museum cabinet and installed various different little projects in each drawer.  It was fascinating to watch people gravitate to the drawers.  Forget those prints on the wall... it was the drawers that grabbed the attention!!

Here are some photos of the installation, plus Barry and I at the opening.

Barry and I at the Private View

The installation

I placed some of the copper plates in the bottom drawer.  Amazing how the colours matched!

Pond, wings and landscape etchings.

Entomology containers with beetle etchings.

I included some little specimen paintings in one of the drawers and the painted the lids of two specimen boxes, which contained a beetle etching.

The specimen drawer -  showing many variations of prints, some two plate etchings and prints showing the stages of a print.

Nineteen plate etching of beetles.

This drawer contained the seven stages of the etching, including a ghost print.  

I really liked this grouping, but it was changed in the final installation.

The show continues until 11th September and then I have to take it down on 12th.  It will be sad.  I had so much fun installing it, with the help of Barry.  It is finally the end of three years of hard work and some really great times.  What next?

MA Degree Show 2014

Hello all,  there is just over one week to go before the Private View of our MA Degree show. I have been painting a lot too as I wanted to include some little 'specimen' paintings.. a sort of nod to the theme of entomology which is what my final project is all about.

The final project reflects my conflicted feelings inspired by the Victorian obsession with science and nature and their desire to harness and categorise it.  Elements of capture and release whilst simultaneously enjoying the opportunity to observe in great detail have informed this body of work. I have played with scale, employing various intaglio techniques to create an installation of beetles escaping from their entomological cases back to the environment, whilst simultaneously playing with microscopic elements which would not be possible without their capture.

I am so looking forward to September 4th.  So much hard work has gone into all our work.  It will be sad when it is all over, but I do need to get back to a more normal life!!

Please come if you are in the vicinity!

Here are a couple of images from the show.

Two plate etching - 7 cm x 7 cm

Stow cum Quy - specimen painting 10 x 10 cm

Beetle box - etchings, on photo polymer prints from original photographs.  

That's all for now... see you at the show!

Another session of catching up!

Hello everyone, 

Can you believe that it is now July and the last post was in April? 

Three beautiful years came to an end when I handed in my Final Masters Project on May 16th and left the print room for a while.  It has been such an amazing experience and I am thankful to everyone who supported me during this time, especially my husband, Barry McCuan.  I have to say that the Print room at Cambridge School of Art, Anglia Ruskin University is absolutely wonderful and I am going to be dragged kicking and screaming from the print room when it is finally all over in September!   John Williams, our genius of a technician has added to the fabulous experience with his technical prowess.  Not only is John a wonderful technician, but he is also an inspired artist in his own right having graduated with an MA from Camberwell School of Art a number of years ago.  So anyone thinking of doing an MA in Printmaking.... Cambridge is a great choice!

Barry arrived a few days after I handed in my project and we drove down to Cornwall and had a lovely few days down there.  I needed the break before we came back to sort out my Dad's house.  It has been really tough,  and the newly discovered underground water leak hasn't helped!   Hopefully it will be fixed soon... it has only been five months since I first reported it.  Lovely insurance companies!!!!!

Painting on Chapel Porth beach

On the Coastal path above Kynance Cove, Cornwall.

We had Eddie to stay for a week or so and we took him on a little painting trip into Norfolk searching for a poppy field, which amazingly we found.  I think it might have been the only one!

Eddie the perfect painters' companion!

I have managed to get a small amount of painting done, mainly in my sketch book, but now I am back in the print room preparing for our MA show.  There are just a few more things I want to add to my installation, but here is a sneak preview!

Entomology - etchings

Will be back sooner next time!

Happy Easter everyone!

Spring is definitely here and I have managed to squeeze a little painting time in between finalising my MA project.  I love the fact that I can get on my bike with all my painting gear and just cycle along the towpath of the River Cam.   

Later I found the lovely spot at Stow cum Quy that my friend Mel introduced me to a few years ago. Quy is prounounced Kwai.  Locally the bridge I was standing on is known as The Bridge over the River Quy/Kwai, although officially it is called Quy water.

Stow cum Quy

River Cam towpath

Four weeks to go until I hand in my work for assessment and that will be the end, except for summer access and our exhibition in September. 

Almost three years glorious years of printmaking and how incredible it has been.  I keep saying I am going to be dragged kicking and screaming from Anglian Ruskin University's print room.  

Now to get on with some gardening.  I am trying to maintain my Dad's standards, but sadly, it's not possible at the moment.

Bye for now.

Catching up!

It's almost the end of January!  I can't believe it.  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!   

After spending Christmas with my Dad and Aunt, I drove down to Gloucestershire to spend a lovely creative New Year with my friend Annie.  I think I have mentioned before that she has a charming dog called Eddie.  It's always good to go on long walks with him and Norman, Eddie's little friend, who is equally charming, if somewhat mischievous.  Not that you would think so looking at his photo!

Eddie

Norman

In December I had volunteered to help some young school children, who attend a Saturday morning art club.  They were coming into the Anglia Ruskin University printroom to do some relief printing.  They inspired me so much with their wonderful images, I thought... hmmm, I think I will have to have another go at this.  Whilst I am by no means an expert, I have had so much fun and below are some of my attempts, cut up and collaged to make some cards.  

Of course, I did a little painting too.  I do find that doing the printmaking has really loosened up my painting.  I think the two definitely feed each other.  Does anyone else experience this?

Near Annie's ii 6  x 6 " Oil/Panel

Near Annie's i 5 x 7" Oil/Panel

Finally,  last but not least, today we hung our latest Printmaking exhibit.  Some alumni and final year MA Printmakers are having an exhibition in Cambridge.   It opens tomorrow, with a Private View on Wednesday, 29th January, 2014, 6 - 9.  Details are below.  Please come along if you can.  We would love to see you there.

Back to school.

These last few weeks have been amazing.  My travels to Cornwall were so inspirational and I am now translating some of the rock drawings into monoprints and etchings.   It is wonderful to be back in the print room.

I also got accepted into the Pushing Print exhibition in Margate and had to deliver my prints and then return the following weekend for the Private View. My good friend,  Jim, lives nearby, so not only did I get to see him, and deliver my work, but also spent time on Botany bay beach, which I love.   This time I paid attention to the tide times and enjoyed the high tide with the water lapping around the rocks which I normally walk amongst.  I posted a little video here.  I also walked all the way along to the arch at low tide which is near Broadstairs.  I hope you enjoy some of my photographs, including a few from the Pushing Print Festival.

My friend Jane with my prints.

Giant Monoprinting

Giant Monoprinting.

Botany Bay

Me amongst the rocks, drawing as usual.

Arch, a short distance from Broadstairs and Kingsgate.

Monoprint

Soft and hardground etching

 

Etching in progress.