Must see exhibitions, local and worth travelling for

So much inspiration in visit to exhibitions in the past month.

Compton Verney for three exhibitions. The first an exhibition of one of my all time favourite artists, Eric Ravilious. His use of colour and abstraction of shapes is beautiful to analyse.

The exhibition also includes the work of his wife and his friends.As this generation of artists were often trained as commercial as well as fine artists, a fair amount of the exhibition contains their work in publishing, ceramic and textiles.  The work of Tirzah Garwood, is terrific. Witty, poignant and colourful.

On until 09 June.

At the same venue, “Created in Conflict” , work made by members of the British Armed Forces, alone, and in collaboration with professional artists. Interestingly curated, frustratingly, no photographs allowed, so I can’ show the great nurses cape, perfectly conventional on the outside, but covered with souvenir regimental patches on the inside.

Then lastly, the redisplay of British Folk Art. Lots of bonkers exhibits to make one smile.

There is so much to see at Compton Verney, it is really worth a trip. Transport links are improving, and there is a regular bus service. The grounds are beautiful, and the restored, deconsecrated chapel is a stunning, restful space.

Closer to home, “Charmed Lives in Greece”, free exhibition at the British Museum, on until 15 July.  Wow, what an explosion of colour, shape and heat. It made me want to go and book a holiday to a Greek island the minute I came out of the museum. The images on line really show why it is important to go and see paintings, rather than relying on reproductions. The painting below is a feast of intense blues, greens and purples not done any just by the reproduction.

Another favourite, Kurt Jackson at Messum’s in Cork Street until 25th May. The theme is “Olives” and the heat just shimmers off these paintings. Some collage pieces and bronzes. The gallery is very welcoming to non-buying enthusiasts. My favourite is below, but this gives no indication of the mount of texture and density in the paint.

 

 

Art, doing and viewing

As my work schedule has changed, I have had to move from Morley to a different art course.  If anyone is looking for a business idea, may I suggest day time classes in drawing for beginners in the London area.  Every course I have tried to get on to has been full.  I have therefore compromised and joined a course in drawing and painting at the Mary Ward Centre, taught by Sophie Charalambous.   Like Morley, the Mary Ward Centre has a great feeling when you go in, and the studio where the course is taught is at the top of the building, so is large and light.  Sophie concentrated on drawing last term, so is focussed on painting with acrylic paint,  for beginners,  this term.  It isn't quite what I wanted, but I am going with it.  Last week's theme was developing colour wheels, and this week the focus was on creating transparency, tints and shades.

Mine is the one with the big orange drip, as I tried using a desk easel - not the right tool for an exercise involving a lot of watery paint!

I've never really  understood about using complementary colours to darken a primary colour, but after Sophie's very clear explanations, I really got this yesterday.  Interesting to see the black and white copy of the tints and shades side by side.

The morning had been a return visit to Peckham to see the continued presence of my friend's art work, "People of Peckham".  This has survived well, and is still relatively free of graffiti.

A walk past a local mosque, where the minaret was in startling contrast to the winter sky.

Then off to the Horniman Museum, to see the exhibition "River", by Kurt Jackson.  I cannot get over how much I love  these paintings.  The way he uses paint to show light on water is inspired.  This exhibition finishes on Sunday 25th January, I wish I had gone earlier so that I could see it again.  Also fantastic to see his sketchbooks, ceramics and zoological sketches.

I am trying to continue to draw during this term, before Sophie returns to drawing next term.  Last night's attempts - better than 6 months ago.