Tuesday 6 December 2011

Open Studio - report


Three girls looking pleased with their printmaking efforts at our recent Open Studio, with excellent instruction and demonstration provided by the very accomplished printmaker Colin Beaumont. from Leven.



(photograph above) showing Colin,  having just run one of his excellent collagraph prints through the etching press.   


Apparently the print workshop was busy for all of the four hours that we were open to the public.
Of course the warm drinks and nibbles,  helped engender a convivial atmosphere in this cold weather we have been experiencing of late but there certainly was a lot of interest in the huge range of artworks that were on exhibition.  Additionally greetings cards that artist members had for sale were extremely popular with visitors.


This is a photo of the cards that member Babs Pease, had available for purchase.  These are mainly made using lino cut as well as some that she has had made into reproductions of other artworks.  

Really compared to what you can buy on the high street, her cards are such a delight.  You can see more information about Babs  at her WEBSITE.  



In fact I was lucky enough to be in a position to buy one of Babs lovely lino prints of Penguins (above), which I got to give to one of my favorite nephews, as he is crackers about Penguins.

Thanks to chair of FDPW, Steve Ratomski for providing photos of the event.












Wednesday 5 October 2011

Encounters with Place


Encounters With Place


A Perthshire Visual Artists Forum exhibition featuring works selected by Arthur Watson a major Scottish sculptor, printmaker and educator.  The show presents an intriguing range of work by 20 PVAF member artists. 

The venue is at Threshold Artspace, Perth Theatre, 185 High Street, Perth PH1 5UW.  The exhibition is open from 24th October 2011  to  20th February 2012, Monday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm or until 10pm on performance evenings  (closed Sunday).  www.horsecross.co.uk
 
For further details and information on PVAF, visit the web site at  www.pvaf.org.uk



EXHIBITING ARTISTS

Tricia Anderson, Shelagh Atkinson, Margaret Bathgate, Thora Clyne, Ann Coomber, Genie Dee, Emma Herman-Smith, Gillean Hunt, George Logan, Mary Golden, Su Grierson, Chris Jenkinson, Astrid Leeson, Dawson Murray, Liz Murray, Malize McBride, Lesley McDermott, Jackie Smith, Aileen M Stackhouse, Clare Yarrington



Artists have engaged with many aspects of Place, from their own gardens to their upbringing, incidental and particular landscapes and buildings, from remote woodland to major cities. The media used include, painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, digital images, screenprinting, etching,  book form and video.

Using drawing techniques Aileen Stackhouse’s work Treeline   references places along the River Ericht and over the Knockie hill behind Blairgowrie, while Malize McBride’s  abstract landscape ‘Elie , geologically’ references the varied geology  of Elie in Fife. Mary Golden's two works ‘Evening Hill’ &  ‘Rising Mist’ use  paint and drawing respectively to capture the breathtaking moments  when the mist and cloud suddenly clear.  

Chris Jenkinson’s painting ‘Sexy Curve’s records the visual  overload  of one’s senses in New York where in the midst of this organised chaos one can find patterns and rhythms. By contrast Astrid Leeson’s small  delicate painting on plaster 'Journey to work’ records an often unnoticed place she passes on her way to work.

Various printing processes feature in the exhibition . Dawson Murray  uses the etching process  to turn the fennel plant of his garden into an abstract  dream like space while Thora Clyne’s  etchings show details from a chestnut flour mill, centuries old in Tuscany.

Clare Yarrington’s two screenprints  ‘Jammed II &  III ‘climb the corners of a Theatre space, suggestive of the handhold a climber has on the specific rockface while climbing.

Photography is represented by George Logan’s  images “Dark Time’ which are a visual exploration into a landscape of contradiction, of chaos and yet also of a profound mental solace.  In direct contrast to this, Gillean Hunt  represents the bottom of her garden with her ‘dancing with ....’ abstract plant images.

Margaret Bathgate  documents installations of her textile works within the  gothic style Memorial Chapel on Falkland Estate. Tricia Anderson has two photographs which aim to capture the feeling and spirit of Sherrifmuir before during and after a storm and  Genie Dee’s photographic work shows multiple views of Platform 7 at Perth railway station a place she has got to know rather well .
Digital images  are featured by three artists. Emma Herman-Smith  creates graphic works exploring  the dominance of pylons and  tangles of telephone wires in the landscape.  Su  Grierson creates digital photographic works  ‘Flatland and Dark Forest’ with incorporated  texts that suggest an additional element of experiential or conceptual engagement and  Jackie Smith’s digital print ‘Rhew’ refers to a Scottish  aquatic loch environment.

Shelagh Atkinson’s screenprints engage with her own communist upbringing with  images,  a book form  and video  referring to  St Petersburg, while Lesley McDermott’s screenprints refer to the places visited  in  her travels as a  young woman. Also inspired by travel, the mixed media work of Liz Murray  refers back to the dance halls of 1920's Paris.
Ann Coomber brings us the show’s only  sculpture ‘The sea is singing’ an abstract piece that refers directly to her experience on a deserted  Norfolk Beach.

Lesley Mc Dermott and Clare Yarrington at Birnam



                                                                                Birnam Arts Centre   http://www.birnaminstitute.com/
Perth Visual Arts Forum:  http://www.pvaf.org.uk/


Tuesday 4 October 2011

EQUILIBRIUM


Equilibrium is an eclectic exhibition of contemporary visual art from both  established and emerging women artists living in central Scotland.  It promises to be challenging in its diversity, with over 20 artists on show.   They represent a "tour de force" that asserts reconsideration of the position and politics of artists who are female.

Macrobert is based on the Stirling University campus, it is open daily from 10am - late
For information about the Macrobert programme, access, etc, please visit www.macrobert.org   
                                     Arthouse
                                     Macrobert. 
                                     University of Stirling, 
                                     Stirling, FK9 4LA

Current  FDPW members included in this exhibition are:

Clare Yarrington <http://www.clareyarrington.com/

Mandy Tait  <http://www.nattymaid.co.uk/
 
Catherine King  <http://www.catherineking.org.uk/>

Lesley Mcdermott 
<http://www.lesleymcdermott.weebly.com/>

Former members

Carolyn Mason  <http://www.hangingtogether.co.uk/>  

Karen Strang  <http://www.karenstrang.co.uk/>

Tuesday 27 September 2011

G L O V E S

I just thought I would let members know that you can purchase a box of 100 pairs of  disposable gloves for just under £5.00 from Gloves for Less dot com.  That price  includes V.A.T. and delivery costs.
I think it's an extremely good deal.  Prior to this I found I was having to pay on average. about £8.00.




Sunday 25 September 2011

FDPW Members exhibiting


Exhibiting at The Line Gallery in Linlithgow from October 1st to the 25th are our very own Susan Smith who I believe lives over that way , Catherine King, Sheila Carnduff and Clare Yarrington.  I really like their web set up .  Very personal and just friendly.  It is peculiar because I used to live in Linlithgow when we first landed in Scotland and had not really been aware of this gallery.


International Print Exchange and Exhibition Canada

The “Not-So-Mini Print” Exhibition and Exchange

*Deadline: November 15, 2011*

Each year, the Artist Proof Gallery (Alberta, Canada)  holds a non-juried show and sale to showcase the work of local printmaking artists, and to raise funds towards A/P’s artistic and educational programming.
For this year’s show, A/P is inviting all interested printmakers to submit and edition of ten 15” x 11” prints for exhibition and exchange in the Artist Proof Gallery.


Each participant will receive 8 prints created by other artists, and A/P will retain 2 works from each edition for sale in our studio and gallery.

The exhibition will run from Nov. 30 to Dec. 22, with an opening reception and print exchange to be held on Friday, Dec. 2, 2011 from 6:30 to 8:30pm.
Submission requirements: 

All interested artists are eligible to participate in this non-juried exhibition.  Submissions must include:
  • An edition of ten 15” x 11” prints
  • A completed submission form (download here)
  • Submission fee of $10 for members and $15 for non-members
**Participating artists can pick up their exchanged prints at the opening reception on Friday, Dec. 2, or they can include a postage-paid envelope for the return of their 8 prints.**
Deadline is November 15, 2011

Mail submission packages to:
A/P Gallery Committee
P.O Box 6821 Station D
Calgary, Alberta T2P 2E7
Or drop them off in person to:
Alberta Printmakers’ Society
2010F 11 St. SE, Calgary, AB T2G 3G3
Questions? Contact:
Christie Kirchner, Art Centre Director
Email: aprint1@telus.net
Phone: (403) 287-1056

Tuesday 30 August 2011

Lino Printmaking Course

lino print image "Stitches"  by Aine Scannell (FDPW)


Location: Falkirk Campus, Falkirk

http://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/art_and_design/51748

Start date: 13 Sep 2011 End date: 4 Oct 2011

Tutor:  Catherine King

Day: Tuesday

Start time: 18.00

End time: 21.00

Cost: £90 (includes all materials )
 

Tuesday evenings for initially 4 evenings.
It is hoped that Forth Valley college might be able to offer an 8 week follow on if there is enough interest) 
Tutor Catherine king says "I hope to cover more than basic techniques, (multiple plate, wax resist and and caustics) but the course would be suitable for beginners also".

The cost will be £90 to include all materials (perhaps you might want particular paper which you’d have top pay for) and of course,  use  of  all equipment.

To enrol by phone contact Falkirk college evening class enrolments on 01324 403000

If you would like  any further information contact tutor FDPW printmaker : 

Catherine King at catherine.king@fsmail.net






Monday 29 August 2011

Perth Open Studios - up Milnathort way

JANE MATTHEWS

Once Jane had returned from holidaying in Norway recently  (where she used to live for a  few years) she made it her business to immediately commence  working at FDPW,  on relief prints in preparation for the Perth Visual Artists Open Studios. Lots of experimentation starting with shells and then moving on to boats.  Her studio is in Milnathort.


 
THORA CLYNE

Thora has been working on relief prints and woodcuts in the past few months but will no doubt also  have paintings on show.  I cant help but suspect that 'feline beings' may well feature in her imagery.
                       




To see the details as regards
opening hours and directions      
please go to
Thora's page on the Perth Open Studios website

Thoras website

Jane Matthews
To see the precise details  re. opening hours as well as directions please go to 
 Jane Matthews page on the Perth Open Studios website

you can also contact Jane by email: matthews.well@gmail.com


Friday 26 August 2011

Sketchbook course at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop


FDPW member Chrissie Heughan will be teaching a course starting in October.
Here are the details:

Working with a Sketchbook 

Saturday mornings, 17 September to 22 October, 10am-1pm 



6 weeks
  £120   All materials included

Carrying your sketchbook with you is the only way to ensure that you never forget a great idea you have encountered, or miss the chance of recording your thoughts or recollections which can be left as a record for later reference and for further exploration. Getting the best from your sketchbook is exactly what this course is designed to encourage and motivate.


Each Saturday students will meet at a different venue with tutor, Chrissie Heughan, and be given the tools to work with confidence in a range of media.

These six Saturday mornings will help you to:

1. Record a variety of visual stimuli


2. Select and edit your own personal viewpoints

3. Find materials sympathetic to suit your creativity

Location, theme and suggestions: 

We will end each session with an informal chat and ideas for further development over tea/coffee. Locations can include places such as: Museum of Childhood, Royal Botanical Gardens, Gallery of Modern Art, Gorgie City Farm, Surgeons' Hall, Forth Rail Bridge and Butterfly & Insect World.




Book your place

Bookings can be made online, by phone, in person or by e-mail.
 10% discount applies for concessions.
VAT is included on all course prices at the current rate.
Course prices include the cost of materials.





image by Carolyn Saxby




Conditions
  Courses are for adults aged 16 and over. 
ESW reserves the right to change any aspect of the courses. 
Cancellation procedures are on the website.


For full booking information and conditions please visit
:

Monday 22 August 2011

Perth Open Studios - up Crook of Devon way

Perth Open Studios has come around again and as referred to  in the previous post ......several  FDPW  members will be opening up their studios, sheds and shacks to the general public so its a good opportunity to finally get around to visiting.
First to mention is 'our Angela'  (aka Angela Heidemann) who is sharing her spot with a couple of her arty friends namely Karen Heriot (Jewellry) and Sylvia Breslin (Photography).  They will be located at "Eidon" which is located  in the Crook of Devon.

 


 



For full details on Angela set-up within Perth Open Studios  i.e. how to get there, when her studio is open  and the times you can be received see Angela Heidemanns page on the Perth Open studios website

Thursday 11 August 2011

Warming up for Open studios (Perth Open Studios)

Me saying that some of the girls at the print workshop are 'warming up' for their open studios is a bit of a laugh really -  as in actual fact,  they are really working hard at getting prints finished and prepping artworks for their individual open studio events.  Thora Clyne  has been working on a lovely reduction lino print of a cat and a fish ...............its a good size about 45 x 45 cm I would estimate.  Heres a photo of the plate that I got Colin Beaumont to take with his mobile phone a couple of weeks ago.  She was still working away on it today.  Colin couldnt manage to get to the print workshop today because of flooding near his house or something along those lines ...we missed his company. 

Tuesday 26 July 2011

Caroline Paterson

Well firstly I must apologize for such a long spell without  a post BUT those of you who I encounter at the print workshop will be only too well aware that I have been ploughing away at making my artists book edition.  IF and it's a big if....I ever do another artists book edition - it will be an easier format , than that which I have opted for,  with this one..............

A few weeks back I asked Caroline Paterson to send me some jpgs because she was going to be exhibiting some works in the Forth Valley Open Studios along with Fiona Clasen, at Bridge of Allan, in the Trossachs.  Fiona works using pastels and of course Caroline was exhibiting collagraphs as illustrated below:




 Unfortunately I overlooked the posting and now it has 'been and gone' !!.  Once again to Caroline - my apologies.  I am particularly cross with myself as I like to support up and coming artists (as they say) and I remember admiring  her skills using collagraphy right from the beginning when she initially joined the workshop, following undertaking an introductory course with Colin Beaumont.

Wednesday 16 March 2011

Art Link Central workshops planned for June and August 2011



Carol Seymour continues in her work, to raise funds for Art Link Central.  This is a very worthwhile arts organization which coordinates excellent opportunities in an ever growing range of contexts in the community including prisons,  people who may face mental health issues and/or learning disabilities.

To see further information in relation to the image at the top of this post (copied from the Artlink Central website) see this link http://artlinkcentral.org/the-perfect-ten-project/


Wednesday 23 February 2011

Introductory Printmaking Course at FDPW 2011

You can contact course tutor Colin Beaumont at
co.beau@hotmail.com     if you have any questions.



Because there has been an unusually high demand for this course you are advised to send a cheque, as soon as possible,  to avoid disappointment.  

Please make it payable to "Fife Dunfermline Printmakers" 
and post to:

Fife+ Dunfermline Printmakers Workshop
The Basement,
Dell Farquharson Community Centre,
Netherton Broad St.
Dunfermline, Fife,
KY12 7DS

Monday 14 February 2011

Photopolymer Film for Photo Etch

A message from Green Door Printmaking Studio:

Dear Printmaker,   
Green Door Printmaking Studio have always endorsed and promoted the use of Photopolymer Film in photographic etching to our artists and students.  We are now able to sell this product at an excellent price online!    
  
Note image above is by 12 year old printmaker/artist Samuel Gratton - thats the youngest printmaker I have ever come across !!                  See more about him HERE
The Uses of Photopolymer Film
Photopolymer Film, otherwise known as Photec, is used by Printmakers in the photopolymer etching techniques promoted by Green Door Printmaking Studio (and other studios like it). 

Photopolymer Film is also used: 
    - in other similar photographic etching techniques, such as Keith Howard's Intaglio - Type
    - by workers in the PCB Industry using plating processes and associated chemicals to produce printed circuit boards (PCBs).  
    - by Jewellers to transfer artwork or designs to metal

Our high resolution film - which is now available for purchase online and in our studio - can be used in all of the above processes. It was previously stocked and sold online by Sally Dyas.
For more information and our prices, please visit:
www.photopolymerfilm.co.uk
We are committed to making life easier for printmakers, and this will help you to access a previously hard to come by product. I hope that you will check it out and tell other printmakers who you think might be interested in it. 
Anna Johnson
Creative Director

Green Door Printmaking Studio
Email: admin@greendoor-printmaking.co.uk
Website: www.greendoor-printmaking.co.uk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/greendoorstudio
Blog: http://blog.greendoor-printmaking.co.uk

Tuesday 1 February 2011

International Print Exchange Portfolio/ Exhibition - South Korea


Image above is by Mike Stewart  - Monotype for "Loose Ends"


The International Print Exchange South Korea,  is going to be the first print exchange based in South Korea with hopes of gathering an international collection of printmakers together to share, network and exhibit work.

The theme for the 2011 exchange will be "divided." 
Artists are to create work related to this theme. As with most themed exhibitions and exchanges, sticking to the theme is not strictly enforced, but is encouraged for the continuity and sophistication of the collection as a whole.
How to Participate:  Artists are to send an edition of 15 prints, using traditional (non-digital/photographic) printmaking techniques. Each of the prints sent must be identical to the others. Each artist will get 13 random mixed prints in return. Two prints from each edition will be held by I.P.E.S.K. to be exhibited in at least one gallery in Seoul, South Korea in the spring of 2011.
An online gallery will also be created with a list of participating artists and images of all the work.
Please contact I.P.E.S.K. via email to confirm participation in the exchange and to be added to the website.
 http://mstewartprintmaker.com/ipesk.htm  (note: website is very slow to load)


However I.P.E.S.K. also has  a  Facebook page by which means you can keep up to date with developments.
Due date: packages should be postmarked by no later than 


Friday, April 1st 2011


Edition size: 15 identical prints
paper size: 7x7" (17.78cmx17.78cm)



Slip-sheet: yes
labeling: from left to right 


(edition #, title, artist signature)



Theme: "Divided"
.
An exhibition has already been set up for the Spring schedule, at the Laughing Tree Gallery in Seoul, South Korea
"Future Past" ( from the 'Laughing Tree' exhibition program)
Click link above for further information
Payment
Payment must be made via a Paypal account to be set up as the date approaches. A US$ 30 participation fee is required to enter the exchange. This will cover return shipping, curation of exhibits and opening reception expenses.


Mailing
Packages should be postmarked by Friday April 1st 2011 to coordinator Mike Stewart.
Mike Stewart c/o WSI (IPESK)
Core Building 3rd fl., 13-13 Gwancheol-dong
Jongro-Gu, Seoul, 110-111, South Korea.