What to do with this blog?

This blog is called Swindon Open Studios 2011; it seems outdated in 2012, so I have started another blog:
www.swindonopenstudios.blogspot.com
Ideally I would merge the two blogs under the new title, but will wait until someone can help me with that job.

To give you a taste of the first article, it's on the Edward Burra exhibition at the Pallant House Gallery, www.pallant.org.uk

'Snack Bar' detail 1930 oil on canvas
To have your news featured on the blog, please email:swindonopenstudios@hotmail.co.uk

What a Rediscovery- the Barge Inn at Honey Street is magical

Parking at Overton Hill near Avebury, it's possible to walk over the tops before dropping down to Stanton St Bernard, and from there walk along the canal to the Barge Inn at Honey Street.
Like many others, I watched the programme about renovating the Barge Inn and reopening it as a community run pub and was keen to see what it was like.

Here is the outside of the pub

 The barges on the canal

 Two photos of Vince Palmer's ceiling paintings, they need to be viewed in person.

 The inside of the pub, it has been beautifully renovated. I sat in a table with the best view of the canal, only possible now the Ladies toilets have been relocated elsewhere.

 Bangers and mash with red cabbage and onion gravy- delicious.

And honeyfest is being held on the 14th of April: honeyfestuk.com
The pub's website gives lots of information about the pub and includes a photo of Vince: www.the-barge-inn.com

The walk back was almost due north passing by the Alton Barnes White Horse and onto the old Ridgeway. The sun came out for the first time that day just before it set highlighting the old hill forts and field systems.

The Alton Barnes white horse can almost be seen!

 This was the sunset at the end of the walk, the red colour was not picked up by the camera.

What a wonderful day out, The Barge Inn is well worth a visit and best reached on foot or water, but if time is short, take the car.

Filming on the Green in Highworth

Campaigner Kate as she calls herself has been to Highworth for the BBC's programme 'Inside Out' due to be broadcast on the 17th of January.

It will focus on the conflict between developers and local communities, particularly with regard to village greens.

To find out more about Kate's activities, visit her blog:http://campaignerkate.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/filming-on-the-green/

Kate Ashbrook certainly takes a great interest in our countryside and open spaces.

On the 12th day of Christmas, a chance to reflect on what items Tim sold as presents this year.

Happy New Year, it's 2012 and this is the last day we have trees, cards and tinsel around the place.
The blog does not advertise the fact we are looking forward and aware it is 2012, but hopefully will do soon.

It was good to see that a number of people thought Tim's paintings and ceramics would make excellent presents, so here's a selection of the sales:

A painting entitled 'The Traveller'- what a beauty

 And here is 'The Traveller', comfortably settled in it's new home:

 Glorious angels below: more examples are to be found in the Taste Cafe on Victoria Hill.

 And two examples of the birds in a tree wall plaques, these are still for sale, but several similar to these were sold.

 And last but not least, a ceramic working clock featuring Tim's trademark intertwining figures.

For more information on Tim's paintings, visit www.timcarroll.co.uk

Out with the New-In with the Old an exhibition by Andy Preston

Andy Preston has an exhibition of art from this Saturday at 12:00am until Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 11:30pm.
Do have a look, there will be labels there by now. I arrived as Andy was positioning the pictures.

• At the Old Merlin Gallery Theatre Square

• The work is in the shop window, for more information on Andy, have a look at his website. Photos taken this morning of the work with varying degrees of success due to reflections on the windows:

Edge Effect - Art & Design - Fine Art

www.edge-effect.co.uk

Edge Effect. Electronic music, digital arts, design and production from Andy Preston of Swindon in the U.K

Eric Gill Exhibition at the Wetpaint Gallery in Cirencester- last 4 days!

The Wetpaint Gallery is currently holding an exhibition of prints of Eric Gill's wood engravings. They are all beautifully framed and for sale.
The gallery also has a well picked selection of work by other artists on display. As a first time visitor, I was delighted by the exhibition space; it's housed in a former chapel, and is intimate, yet large enought to show work off to advantage.
Here are some photos of the Eric Gill prints:

There are several prints of these, they are from a series of 50 nudes; difficult to see here, but fabulous.
For more information on Eric Gill, can I recommend the book 'Eric Gill' by Fiona McCarthy published in 1989, ISBN 0-571-14302-4 by Faber and Faber, now sadly out of print, but obtainable on Amazon.
In case you do not manage to visit the exhibition before Christmas, there will be other interesting exhibitions in 2012 in the Wetpaint Gallery. Here are a few photos of the gallery:

The Wetpaint Gallery is easily reached from the A419 going north, take the second Cirencester turning, not the industrial estate one, turn left off the A419, then go straight ahead at the first roundabout, and the Wetpaint gallery is situated on your left, if you drive past the gallery and take the first left, there is a handy car park to be found there.
Address: The Old Chapel, 14, London Road, Cirencester GL7 1AE
T 01285 644990
E cah@contemporary-art-holdings.co.uk
W www.wetpaintgallery.co.uk

Robbo's Extravaganza at the Beehive tomorrow 19th December

Monday Dec 19th 7.30pm Robbo's Xmas Charity Extravaganza 

- Fundraiser for the Horn Of Africa Famine Apppeal and Swindon Night Shelter 

featuring: Good Things Happen In Bad Towns, The NoMarks, Missin' Rosie, Swindon Samba, The Amateurs, Poets, Face Painting, Raffle and more!!

Come along for what promises to be a great night out.
For more information on Christmas at the Beehive: www.bee-hive.co.uk

Lucy's New Studio is now Officially Open

An invitation to the opening of a studio on almost the shortest Saturday of the winter was too good an opportunity to miss.
Lucy, a recent graduate in Ceramics, has moved back to Swindon and will soon be on the Open Studios circuit we hope.
Her magnificent studio is in the garden, and her impressive kiln is housed next to the tropical fish in the garage.

 Long shadows falling outside the studio, and warmth and sunshine inside thanks to the insulation and 500 Watt heater.

 Here's Lucy with the kiln, and below the inside of the kiln.

 There are always unexpected delights, just look at the cake and mince pie stand beside one of Nicky's mosaics and below two more of Nicky's mosaics. Maybe mother and daughter could have a joint open studio?

And Lucy was wearing one of Tim's art box ceramics as a necklace.
More info at:www.LucyFoakes.com      Lucy.J.Foakes@googlemail.com

How about a Two Week Sketchbook Journey to Southern India?

Well how about it? The trip leaves on the 16 February 2012 and returns on 29 February 2012, it has been specially prepared for Maxine Railton who has considerable experience in running these sketching trips to India, by Steppes Travel.

Here is some of the information on the trip:

A SKETCHBOOK JOURNEY TO SOUTHERN INDIA

This very special journey to southern India has been designed for those who wish to experience a fascinating culture with a chance to develop the art of quick and vivid sketches.
During your first week you focus on developing and practising your drawing skills, whilst based at the college campus of SCAD (Social Change and Development). This environment has been chosen as it provides wonderful opportunities for drawing and fascinating insights into SCAD’s impressive work with the rural communities of Tamil Nadu. Part of the cost of your trip will make important contribution to their work
Each day will be led by Maxine Relton as you visit the local initiatives and villages in the area and receive guidance as you choose your subjects to draw.

The second week in contrast is not so focussed on sketching but allows you to travel through the beautiful region of Kerala, experiencing stunning mountains and river scenery which will hopefully continue to inspire you to practise your drawing skills. Maxine will be on hand to assist if need be but in a less structured way than in week one. The journey ends with a few days to relax on Keralan Backwaters.

www.steppestravel.co.uk
www.scad.org.in

Latest News from the Platform and a Hard to Resist Invitation to a double bill on the 22nd

Bea and I went down to the Platform this morning to meet Paul Ashman, the Music Development Leader, to discuss hiring the magnificent space as a venue again this year.
 We agreed to hire the main room, the railway carriage and to use the newly converted space upstairs as a possible 'hands on' art session for young people.
 We were also invited to a gig at the Vic. on the 22nd of December to hear the Monkey Dolls and The Raker Project, both Paul's bands. Should be a great evening.

www.thevicswindon.com

I have included adverts for Swindon Young Musicians

 Swindon Rock School and the Rock Pod.

Swindon Music Service took over the building in April 2011 with the aim of expanding their offer to include concerts, workshops and activities to keep the love of music buzzing in Swindon. To find out more visit: www.swindonmusicservice.org or ring Paul on 07590 688808
The Platform is the the former Railway Museum on Faringdon Road, SN1 5BJ