SAW Festival ’19 at Dove Studios: 2) Studio exhibitions

Mokuhanga prints by Robin Frood

As the last weekend of SAW ’19 approaches, here are some photos from our venue 108 at Dove Studios. Four artists are showing work in the etching studio (although not all etchings): Robin Frood, Mokuhanga prints; Sandie Roche, handwoven textiles, Diana Milstein, paintings and a moving painting (video); and Bronwen Bradshaw, artist’s book and etchings. Over in the pottery Mike Dodd is showing his functional domestic stoneware and a few not so domestic but very beautiful pots as well.

Below is Robin Frood wrapping some of her small Mokuhanga prints. Mokuhanga is a form of woodcut practised in Japan, using only waterbased pigments, which are brushed, not rolled on. Robin works in series, often using the technique of monoprint, so no two prints are the same.

Robin Frood wrapping her small Mokuhanga prints

Sandie’s rugs, as see above behind Robin, are true works of art, based as they are on her observations in different locations. She has travelled a lot in southern Europe recently, and her current work radiates the colours of the south. Colour is also a major feature of her scarves, as seen here:

Silk scarves by Sandie Roche

Diana Milstein’s paintings seen below on the left, are the final product of her moving paintings: she photographs the painting layer by layer, never knowing what is coming next, until she stops. So in the end there is only one painting, but she is also exhibiting stills from the video. The videos can be seen in the adjoining room – pointless to try to photograph them, so come and see them yourselves!

Paintings and video stills by Diana Milstein

On the right of the photo above are two framed etchings of trees by Bronwen Bradshaw. Seven of them can be seen in the book below, together with text that has been handprinted, using letterpress type, which we are fortunate enough to have a wonderful store of here.

Artists book with original etchings and letterpress type by Bronwen Bradshaw

Mike Dodd is a hugely prolific potter, always experimenting with new glazes and recently, enamels;  here is his showroom for Art Weeks:

Functional domestic stoneware by Mike Dodd

Only three days left; come and see us!

 

 

 

 

Somerset Art Weeks 2019

Welcome to Amazing Space III, the third Biennial Arts and Crafts event at Dove Studios. There’s a great deal to see: in the studios there is work by Mike Dodd (pottery), Sandie Roche (handwoven textiles), Diana Milstein (painting, and a moving image painting), and Robin Frood (Mokuhanga prints). Outside, on the meadow, Bronwen Bradshaw, Fiona Hingston, Kathryn John, Sue Palmer, Shannon Leah Watson and Sophie Willoughby display some of the work that resulted from their collaborative residency earlier in the year. And – at last! the Tree House Library is up and running, housing 25 artists’ books that celebrate this small but happening corner of Somerset.

Come to our Open Evening on 28th September, 5 – 8 pm, with a performance in the Tree Circle of Ama Bolton’s collection of poems ‘A Conference of Trees’ and music by Maya Love and Bron Bradshaw. After the performance Paul Stubbs will fire up his pizza oven, and drinks will be available. Parking this evening will be on the adjacent field ‘Wild Lea’; watch out for signs to the entrance in Barton Road. Also, bring a folding chair if you need one for the performance, which takes around 30 – 40 minutes, and a torch to help you find your way home!

Workshops and events: Shannon will be in the Door House on the meadow on Sunday 22nd September and Saturday 5th October with her drop in workshop ‘Can you teach me how to knit?’ The last weekend of SAW will see an ongoing workshop in the meadow: ‘Draw the Trees’, with all materials provided.

We hope to see you here!

 

 

 

Nature into Print: details of course

Etching by Jenny Graham

NATURE INTO PRINT

July 3 – 5, 2018, 10 am to 4 pm

Tutor : Jenny Graham

Fee: £180

Using aspects of the natural world students will explore different aluminium etching techniques. Discussions about creative interpretation of the environment will be combined with practical exercises on how to create line, tone and texture using a variety of processes.

Students in Jenny’s last year’s course printing etching plates

Etching by Caroline Dowdell

Etching detail by Lin Hawkins

Participants will begin by collecting visual information from the landscape surrounding the workshop. Sketches will be turned into simple line etchings and then other printmaking processes will be added to create tone and texture. Students will be encouraged to use a creative and experimental approach to the subject working with both figurative and abstract techniques.

So, if you want to learn aluminium etching techniques (always experimental!), or improve skills you already have, using the lovely surroundings of the Dove as inspiration, this is the course for you. Email bronbradshaw@yahoo.com or message dovearts on facebook if you would like to reserve a place.

 

Etching by Jenny Graham