November is proving to be a busy month. The society had a stand at ‘Art Materials Live’ at the NEC, Birmingham from 2nd to 5th November 2017. A lot of interest was shown for our exhibition of work with some inquiries for joining our society.
On Friday 10th November twelve members visited Kew Gardens. Kew was bathed in sunshine showing up the lovely autumn colour. Time was short before our arranged visit to the Library and Archive so some dashed to the Shirley Sherwood Gallery to see the art installation – ‘Life in Death’ and the exhibition – ‘Abundance’ both worth the visit. Others had a leisurely stroll to The Hive and conservatories. At the Archive we were treated to view original art work by Verelst, Ehret, Redoute and Bauer. Also laid out for us to see was the earliest editions of Curtis’s Botanical Magazine from 1787, and art work for later editions through to the 21st century. We saw work by Walter Hood Fitch from the 19th century, by Lilian Snelling and Stella Ross Craig from the 20th century and Ann Farrer and Lucy Smith present day artists at Kew.
Dianne Sutherland was the demonstrator at the meeting on 19th November, Dianne showed us her technique for painting ivy leaves – first we overlaid the drawing with blue and yellow washes. Using wet in wet we placed the veins and then using her technique of small brush strokes built up the contours of the leaf. Dianne achieves some lovely effects and a technique worth practice for the rest of us.
The December meeting is our paint a postcard competition, the theme ‘A botanical cracker’. Keih Larkin will be bringing books for sale at the December meeting, you can view his books on http://keithsplantbooks.co.uk. Lunch is also provided.