Link to Past Newsletters

 

Newsletter -October 2005

OPEN TO ANYONE WHO WISHES TO PAINT OR DRAW

ISSUE : - 01 SEPTEMBER 05 2005

‘THE CONCEPTION’ ????

There aren’t many of us who don’t know where Brooklyn Beckham was conceived are there? but………..how many know where the conception of the Haydon Artists Society took place? Ok! It wasn’t conceived as H.A.S. – just an Art Group, or to be more precise, just an idea to get like-minded people together who want to draw or paint.
Two friends on holiday in Portugal with their lovely husbands conceived the idea. It’s thanks to Barbara (who took her paints on holiday but didn’t touch them) and to Margaret (who took her paints and did use them) that the idea of a group was born. As Margaret painted and Barbara talked (what’s new!) they decided to try to form a group of painters and would be painters who would enjoy meeting together. The fact that we have a mixture of people who have been painting for a long time and beginners shows the group is doing what Barbara and Margaret first imagined. More than this though, is the fact that people have become friends and have been there to help each other through good and not so good times.
Some people have asked why we aren’t called the Haydon Artists’ Group but who wants to be known as one of the HAGs .
Now almost three years later is our new look Newsletter.

Chairman’s comments:
February 2002 seemed an unlikely time to do something momentous, but that is what a small group of folk decided to do.
Its aims were simple - get a room, a few like minded souls, and get cracking. But cracking at what precisely? Well painting of course, or drawing, or pastels, origami, who knows?
Slowly the word got around and the numbers got bigger and the room got smaller. The variety of individuals was astonishing and the range of interests equally so. Well here we are 3 years on and 20 or more members meeting every Thursday in splendid spacious accommodation at the North Swindon Library and producing all sorts of interesting and dare I venture, talented works of art.For me the group has given me regular painting, but more important, social contacts who help each other with the development of our skills. The librarian says she knows its Thursday because of the laughter and chit chat. So perhaps that says it all. Keep up the good work and enjoy your art. Fred

What happened in 2005 so far
Looking back over the year we have been a rather busy group. To date we have held no less than three exhibitions, all organised by Roy. Personally I think he needs a good pat on the back for his work, ‘cos he just ‘gets on with things’.

Ron organised a super trip to Wheatley in Oxfordshire for Art in Action on July14th. What a fantastic day that was, even though we went on one of the hottest days of the year! There were plenty of smiling faces and quite a lot of raucous laughter to be heard. We don’t let a bit of sun stroke bother us.

Joining up with Chippenham and District Artists for a trip to the Artists and Illustrators Exhibition on July 21st was a tremendous idea. On our journey through London to our destination, we were reminded of the atrocity that took place on July 7th – particularly seeing the floral tributes. Whilst in the Design Centre we were all very concerned to hear there had been yet another outrage. The organisers at the Design Centre made us feel very comfortable by offering the venue to be used for as long as we wished. Was anyone else eyeing up corners where one could spend a not so comfortable night? The exhibition was great – Barbara bought a fantastic box for her pastels but Pennie bought an even better box at half the price – thanks to Norman!!!!! Our journey home was hardly delayed so a good time was had by all.

Everyone who attended the demonstration by Chris Jones was very impressed. Chris demonstrated the use of Acrylics and talked of how he became a wild life artist. I was particularly upset that I was not able to attend, but I just HAD to go on holiday.

Those who were involved in painting in the West and North Swindon Library celebrations were watched by lots of the public and apparently it was good hearing comments about our paintings which were hanging at the same time.

New Tuesday Group
A few members from H.A.S. benefited very much by attending classes and a couple of workshops held by local artist Carol Kibble in Goatacre. Carol works in Pastels and paints mainly wildlife, and portraits. Those of us from H.A.S. enjoyed this morning group so much that we decided to start a morning group ourselves. This was something we had been asked to do but didn’t get around to it until we missed our Tuesday classes. We meet at the Haydon Wick Parish Council Offices on Tuesday from 10.00am to 12noon.

The reason I am doing this Newsletter is that our nominated Secretary is otherwise engaged. Sally gave birth to Milo at about the same time that the lambs were gambolling (sorry Sally cannot remember whether it was April or May when he was born). Milo is a lovely brother for Mia who must now be coming up toward three years of age. Can’t think of why Sally is otherwise engaged can any of you?

I hope I’ve covered all that has happened so far, but if not accept my apologies. It’s time to say a great big thank you to all who have been involved with the past years events, be it organising or taking part. I’m not going to mention names because with my memory I will make some very silly mistakes. You all know who you are so thank you all for taking part – just keep up the good work.

Whats coming next?
There are several items of interest: Roy is organising our pre-Christmas Exhibition, which will be at the North Swindon Library for the month of November. Paintings must be taken to the Library on 29 October in order to be hung. If you need any help or have any queries please speak to Roy. It’s always helpful if your paintings are strung properly and if you cant bring them yourselves make sure they are wrapped and in a bag so they are not damaged in transit. If you are not sure about the correct way to string your paintings Phil is more than willing to help.
Inkspots, (the art shop in Edgeware Road which is to the rear of Woolworths) arranged a competition of artwork – they realise that it is difficult for amateur artists to find suitable hanging space to exhibit. If you are interested in entering the competition your work must be at Inkspots no later than September28th.

Barbara is in the process of arranging 10% discount for any of our group who shop at Inkspots so watch this space.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

VENUE: NORTH SWINDON LIBRARY

THURSDAY 13th OCTOBER 2005

TIME 7.00pm (prompt start)

(This AGM is late in the year as we postponed the last one because of Fred’s illness)

To keep the group fresh and growing we need to have things happening so if you have any good ideas and are willing to help put them into action this is your opportunity.

Please let BEZ have any items to be raised, in writing, at least a week before the meeting so they can be added to the agenda. There will be no ’any other business’ so the meeting should end in time for us to have some painting time.

EXHIBITIONS to visit
World War 11 Art to celebrate win
Swindon Museum and Art Gallery are displaying works collected between 1944 and 1945.The works by local artists, cover a variety of topics from rural scenes to homes and portraits.

The exhibition is open from 10am until 5pm and admission is free – for further information call 466556.

Royal West of England Academy - Clifton (Queens Road)
Annual show of over 500 vibrant works including painting, drawing, and architecture
Times From October 23, Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm, Sun 2.pm – 5pm, ends Dec 10
Price £3.00, concs £2.00, children free

Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery – 21 January – 2 April 2006
The National Gallery together with the Bristol Musuem of Art Gallery and the Laing Newcastle have received from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Fairbairn Foundation to develop their touring partnership. This exhibition features works by many of the great artists who include Rubens and Constable.

REMEMBER any Newsletter is only as good as its contents so PLEASE let’s have your input. Perhaps if you want sell or give away any art equipment you could advertise it in the newslatter. If you have any snippets of interest get them in well before the date for the next letter. We hope to have a letter every three months on the same date as your subs are due. A reminder that subs are due on October 1st and will be £18.

DON’T FORGET THE A.G.M.

 

 

Past Newsletters Oct 2005