Artists in action during lockdown
It’s been a while since we announced the postponement of our workshops and courses due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but that doesn’t mean nothing has been happening at Yardley Arts.
First, we have been talking to our tutors about moving some of the planned spring and summer events into the autumn. You’ll find details of these in our What’s On section.
Secondly, we’re looking at the schedule for next year and will soon be announcing details of our Summer Exhibition for 2021 - something you’ll definitely want to put in your diary. There will be some very high profile artists’ work on display and we’re pretty excited about it too!
In the meantime, we thought you might be interested to know what some of our tutors have been doing during these unprecedented times, starting with Cathy Burnett.
Cathy Burnett, Love Icons
Nicky Hunter, Summer Bouquet
Facemasks produced by Westbury Arts Centre
In Cathy's own words, "In mid-March, I had begun working on these little love icons. They are small ... about postcard size. I enjoy collecting bits of text to include in my work and add meaning. I allow the watercolour to flow freely, and enjoy the colour blending, drawing freely with the brush. I added synthetic gilding, to add richness to the surface. As lockdown wore on, I enjoyed making more of these. Once the initial layer of colour dries I build up another layer with clean sweeps of colour."
Cathy is an experienced art practitioner who exhibits locally and undertakes commissioned work. There is a continual strand running through her work exploring memory. She has taught art and design for over 30 years across Northamptonshire to a wide range of age groups, and is able to foster confidence and enthusiasm in others.
Meanwhile, Nicky Hunter has been busy both painting her wonderful floral watercolours and in helping design and stitch face masks with her colleagues at Westbury Arts Centre. Available in rainbow colours from their website, all profits from the masks are going to support the Arts Centre during these difficult times. One of the watercolours she has shared with us is inspired by a bouquet she received for her wedding anniversary. Beautiful … and we’d all like to receive a spectacular bouquet like that!
Another artist and tutor who has been incredibly productive is Tony Hinchliffe. Tony takes a lot of his inspiration from his time spent in the outdoors, often in Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and, more recently and prior to the lockdown, Morocco. He says, “Light whatever time of year is fundamental to the appearance of everything, and can easily make a mundane moment come alive with exciting possibilities.” Tony sells original work, copyrights and Giclée prints. He also exhibits and teaches painting and drawing through various workshops, including at Yardley Arts.
On this time lapse video, you can see Tony in action completing a stunning painting of a couple embracing … and we’ve also included a finished image from the same romantic series.
We’ve been posting these and other tutor’s work on our Facebook and Instagram pages. If you don’t follow us already, then please do. It’ll be the first place we announce when we can return to some sort of normality back here at Yardley Arts … and we can’t wait!
Tony Hinchliffe