Friday 28 December 2012

Review of 2012

This will be my last post for 2012, so I thought I'd look back over my year and pick out some of the highlights.

My first highlight is starting my blog! Way back on 08.05.12.

Saltaire Art Trail was a massive highlight for me- I absolutely LOVED it and can't wait for the 2013 Trail. As long- time readers will know, it was visiting SAT that inspired me to start this blog. If you would like to try and enter some of your own art work in 2013's Art Trail then you can find out more details of how to do so by going to http://www.saltaireartstrail.co.uk/getinvolved.php.

Holmfirth Arts Festival was a lot of fun- this mixed a variety of artistic forms in one, big, week long festival- poetry, painting and exhibition, sculpture, music and light installation, theatre etc. It was also very interactive, always a bonus. A fantastic event.

Holmfirth Art Week was on spiffing form again this year and I spent a small fortune in the shop at the main exhibition! All for a good cause though, they broke records this year with the amount they raised for Macmillan through the Art Week.

Discovering sculptures hidden around Grizedale Forest whole holidaying in the Lake District this summer made for a delightful day out- Chris and I will definitely be returning to the Forest in the future and taking a different route so we can spot more of the sculptures. Great for walkers and riders a like.

I visited Wakefield Art Walk for the first time in September- another fantastic local event, full of variety and very inspiring. Hugely enjoyable- make a day of it and have a shop in the city centre, grab some food, admire the beautiful architecture, then start your Walk early by heading to the Hepworth first, moving on from there when the other Art Walk participants open their doors from 5pm onwards.

I also went to the Saltaire Festival for the first time this year and enjoyed folk dancing, a magnificent craft fair and the Open Garden Trail (a wonderful way to have spent a sunny afternoon) alongside various art exhibitions. Thoroughly enjoyable.

It seems to me that, bar Holmfirth Art Week, my highlights have all been events I have only just discovered this year! What adventures and new highlights await me in 2013? Exciting! As well as enjoying events I'm already a regular at such as the Tatton Park Bi- annual sculpture display in the gardens and Beyond Limits at Chatsworth. Plus, I'm never too far off my next visit to YSP.

I'd like to say a massive thank you to all my readers in 2012 for making my blog such a pleasure to do, and I look forward to blogging for you more in 2013. Remember, you can get in touch by tweeting me @BekhaG, find me on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/BekhaG/366488380072426 or email me at rebecca.greensides@hotmail.co.uk. I hope I've inspired some of you to visit art galleries, events such as the ones mentioned here or have a go at some art yourself. Lots of love, Bekha xxx


Seasons Greetings

I know this message is a bit late! But I hope all my readers- regular, old and new- had a wonderful Christmas and that you all enjoy lots of success and happiness in 2013. Happy New Year!

Sunday 16 December 2012

Bolton Art Gallery

Last week I was working in Bolton and decided to visit the municipal Art Galley, Museum and Aquarium on one of my lunch breaks.

I know this is an art blog but really, the art gallery was the least impressive part of my visit!

The Aquarium, though small, was a delight. You enter by walking down a corridor lined with tanks on one side containing various different small fish and a history of the Aquarium on the other (opened in 1941, only public aquarium in Greater Manchester, holds a Zoo license etc), before entering a room lined all the way round with tanks containing much larger fish. There were some really gruesome characters in the main room! But very interesting to look at and, as the Aquarium is totally free, made for a pleasurable diversion before hitting the art gallery upstairs on the first floor.

The museum, also on the first floor, is in 2 parts- one is an Egyptian wing, which was actually very good, and the other was a museum about Bolton itself, which was fantastic! Very well presented, interesting and modern in layout and content and information displays- a real pleasure to look around. There was also a mezzanine level which I didn't get time to look around, so I'm not sure what was up there.

Housed within the Bolton museum wing was a small exhibition of artist Albert East's work- landscapes and scenes he painted of Bolton in the early 1900s. These were very good and were on display until today, so sadly I can not recommend you go see them as my post is too late (sorry!)

The art gallery section was short and sweet and, if truth be told, I can not remember the names of any of the artists I viewed there! But what was on display was enjoyable and varied and made for a pleasant walk around.

Between the art gallery and Egyptian wing there is currently an exhibition of Japanese decorated enamels- if that sort of thing floats your boat.

The building itself was stunningly beautiful- I didn't get any interior shots but did take some of the outside-



If I've inspired you to pay a visit (Bolton's shopping centre is also excellent) then check out the website for more info and to plan your visit- http://www.boltonmuseums.org.uk.

Saltaire Art Trail 2013

Any fellow artists out there who would like to try and exhibit at Saltaire Art Trail 2013 should follow this link for more details on how to do so-

http://www.saltaireartstrail.co.uk/getinvolved.php

Tuesday 13 November 2012

Art at the Fev

Oooh look whats happening at the fabulous Feversham Arms!

The Fev has always had a wonderful array of art work on display within its corridors and rooms and now they seemed to be expanding on that. All good stuff in my opinion. 
 


The Helmsley Galleries
Exciting Announcement
The Feversham Arms Hotel is delighted to announce the arrival of The Helmsley Galleries. For those of you who've been in and around the hotel , you might have noticed a new and exciting collection of artwork which has been hung around the hotel.
The Helmsley Galleries has been formed in association with Stephen Jack, a renowned and highly respected Art Dealer and currently showcases a fabulous selection of artwork in The Feversham Arms Hotel and Verbena Spa and The Black Swan Hotel.
Stephen Jack will act as curator and not only bring highly respected and popular artists to grace of the walls of these fine hotels, but he will also bring considerable knowledge and experience of the art world to the Gallery. Stephen is a former director of two London galleries and for over 25 years has been advising both private and public collectors in the UK and overseas. 
The Christmas Exhibition             
To commemorate the opening of The Helmsley Galleries, we would like to cordially invite you to attend The Christmas Exhibition, which will be held at The Feversham Arms and Verbena Spa and The Black Swan Hotel from Saturday 24th November to the end of December 2012.
The Christmas exhibition will give you the opportunity to view a wide selection of paintings within a unique and warm atmosphere. Much of the wall space will be devoted to works by well-known and established artists of international reputation. Also being exhibited will be more affordable art by encouraging local painters and young emerging artists. 
Personal Invitation
To welcome The Helmsley Galleries into their new homes, please join us for mince pies and mulled wine on Saturday 24th November 2012 at The Feversham Arms Hotel and Verbena Spa from 1pm - 6pm and 12 noon - 4pm at The Black Swan Hotel.
Stephen Jack will be on hand throughout the day to answer questions that you might have about the artwork so please feel free to call in
For more information on The Helmsley Galleries please contact:
www.jackfineart.com/Helmsley-Galleries/Helmsley-Galleries.htm
Stephen Jack: 07769665474 or email: helmsleygalleries@gmail.com
Feversham Arms Hotel and Verbena Spa: 01439 770766
Black Swan Hotel: 01439 770466

Monday 12 November 2012

Wakefield Art Walk

Wakefield Art Walk is just around the corner again, on Nov 28th. Why not go along? It's fab! http://artwalk.org.uk
A week today and I will be 30- ek!

Monday 29 October 2012

Checking In...

Hi readers, sorry not posted anything new for a while but have entered a very busy period in my life and not up to any Arty things at the moment! Still working on my latest piece so when I've finished that I will share it here. Not long now till the big 3-0 for me!

Don't forget you can also follow me on Twitter @BekhaG, find me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/BekhaG/366488380072426 or email me at rebecca.greensides@hotmail.co.uk.

If any of you are getting up to Arty things get in touch and let me know/ share any pics you take. I'd love to hear from you.

Tuesday 9 October 2012

Addition to post below- Beyond Limits is on every day up to and including 28.10.12. For more info visit http://www.chatsworth.org.

Chatsworth Beyond Limits 2012

 The work of Richard Long?

 Elephant

 Large Mirror Nijinski
 Large Nijinski on Anvil Point

 Bronze Horse

 Composition- very Disc World
 Sculler

 Leaping Hare on Curly Bell

 Large Troubador (my fave)

Leaping Hare on Crescent and Bell

This year was the seventh Beyond Limits event at Chatsworth House's gardens and, for the first time, they featured the work of a single artist- Barry Flanagan.
I have to say, this was not a popular move with myself! A number of the pieces exhibited are part of the permanent collection at Chatsworth anyway (so surely its then cheating to put them in the Beyond Limits exhibit?), they were all very samey and there were a lot less sculptures to view than usual generally.

All in all, disappointing! As nice as the sculptures were, they were a bit repetitive and samey. One of the nicest things about the Beyond Limits exhibit is the large quantity of pieces on display and the variety of artists works available to view in one location and at a single exhibit- featuring a single artist and much reduced number of pieces took away a lot of that magic.
Having said that, Elephant, Large Troubador, Composition, Sculler and Bronze Horse were all very nice. But no, it just wasn't the same. I hope they go back to their usual format next year!!!

Friday 5 October 2012

White Horse of Kilburn Painting

Regular readers may remember that back in May I visited the Zillah Bell art gallery in Thirsk and saw a lovely exhibit there all about the local landmark; The White Horse of Kilburn.

I couldn't believe Chris and I had visited the area so often and not seen this White Horse? That very trip we returned to Thirsk from an afternoon in Whitby and caught sight of it!

So, when we holidayed in the area again in August, we went exploring further and did a lovely walk across Sutton Bank from the National Park Visitors Centre, descended in to the wood below the Horse, then walked (drag our sorry backsides) up the side of it and across the top, before returning to the Visitors Centre along Sutton Bank.

But, this walk didn't really offer the best views of the horse, so we swung via Bagley village in the car afterwards, as our guidebook said that Bagley is supposed to have the best views of the Horse. We certainly weren't disappointed!

 View from Sutton Bank- it was stunning!
 Picture taken from below the White Horse, just before the steep ascent to the side of it (not for the faint hearted or weak legged).
The eye of the horse. Our guidebook said that 20 people can stand on that eye- must be 20 very slim people!!
Views of the White Horse from Bagley village.

I think the Horse is a beautiful oddity within the area and can see why it has inspired so many local artists. I find things like this fascinating, even if this particular chalk figure isn't an ancient and mysterious relic from a bygone era, but is actually the work of a local schoolmaster and his pupils from 1857!! I thought I'd have a go at painting it myself (of course).


Think I may have painted my horse a bit too big- oops!

This painting is for sale and, as its not one of my best, is only £25 inc p&p. The painting is 9 X 12 inches, acrylic paint on cotton canvas. Although the more I look at it, I'm coming to rather like it :) Any enquiries please email me at rebecca.greensides@hotmail.co.uk.

Ilkley Art Trail 2012

Through the power of Twitter I discovered there's another Art Trail in the fair country of Yorkshire- in the beautiful town of Ilkley!
Ilkley Art Trail is running from 6/10/12 till 14/10/12 and all venues involved are free to visit. This is only the second time that Ilkley has done an Art Trail, so if you fancy a lovely day out in a historic Victorian town get yourself over there (not far from Leeds).
I'm absolutely gutted I won't be able to make it to the Trail myself this time, but will certainly head there next year. For more info visit the Trail's website at http://ilkleyarttrail.org.uk.

Sunday 30 September 2012

Wakefield Art Walk and The Hepworth

On the Wednesday of this week I finished work early and headed over to the city of Wakefield for the Art Walk (26th).

Art Walks take place in Seattle and LA over in the States and- since 2008- our very own Wakefield! There were 15 venues open around the city between 5pm and 9pm. I got round 7 of them (had I not been totally exhausted I would have stayed longer and gone to more).

I started at off at The Hepworth Gallery. I first visited the Hepworth this time last year and found it to be a beautiful space, so it was great to go back and have another look around.

 Hanging by the walk way to The Hepworth- love all the details.
 Canal barges moored up alongside The Hepworth.
 Entrance to The Hepworth.
A bit of Barbie H goodness on the way in.

The Hepworth is free to visit and was created especially to house some of Barbara Hepworth's works and tools. It is the largest purpose built exhibition centre outside of London, proclaims the website. It's certainly a great place to visit- parking nearby, easy to get to and well signposted, big spacious shop and reception area, swish plentiful toilets and the gallery spaces are spacious, high and light- perfection. And all perched next to a river. There are also stunning views out on to the river from within The Hepworth.
On this visit I took a look at the permanent exhibits again (I looooove Barbara Hepworth's work) but also the Richard Long exhibit, two pieces of which are pictured below-


I think these pieces are beautiful, especially the top one. I'm certain I've seen Richard's work before- or someone who has copied this idea if it wasn't Richard Longs work!


My favourite Barbara Hepworth piece on display in The Hepworth- the model for the sculpture that flanks the John Lewis flagship store on Oxford Road.

After The Hepworth, I next visited The Orangery. A gorgeous little building with a graveyard in its grounds, where their Art Walk event linked in with the Wakefield Literary Festival. I availed myself of a free book and took a look at the 'word' focused art works on display (all very good and thought provoking), then swiftly moved on.

Graveyard in the grounds of The Orangery.
Eh up, whose that?
The beautiful Orangery building.

Next I popped in to the Art House and saw an artist painting with his mouth- and chatting to other visitors at the same time! How amazingly talented to paint such beautiful pictures with only his mouth, its certainly not something I think I could manage!

Then I stopped by the Theatre Royal Wakefield Cafe and viewed the photography work of a local school- some of which was excellent and very professional looking.

After that I visited the Westgate Studios and had a good nosey around the various artists studios in there. I thought the stuff on show in the Westgate Studios was particularly good.

 Work by the fabulous Faye Scott- Farrington.
 PeepArt
  PeepArt
 PeepArt

All the artists works featured in the PeepArt room were amazing! I loved it all and feel so inspired now. And I also swung by the studio space of my friend Helen Fields on the second floor (no photo I'm afraid- I was too shy to ask if I could take one- most unlike me!).

Helen was in her studio with her girlfriend Amy. Amy and I left Helen to it and visited the Neon Workshop, which was fantastic! We also popped in to Bevelo, which boasted having a signed Ashley Jackson and was displaying the art work of a proud Yorkshire man (sorry, I can't recall his name!).

Amy recommended the Neon Workshop and it didn't disappoint- I loved getting to see neon signs close up! The heat and brightness of the light coming off them was incredible. The Neon Workshop allows you to book and go on a Neon Taster day- certainly something I am now considering doing! Sounds like great fun!

All in all a most enjoyable evening, and an event I will certainly return to.

I know my blog posts are usually much better informed as to who I've seen and liked- I feel quite embarrassed that I can't tell you who most of the people I saw were, but sadly I forgot my notebook and don't have a notepad on my phone- doh! I'll do better next time!

Art Walk is on again on November 28th and will continue in 2013. I felt perfectly safe walking around Wakefield city centre on my own, the multi storey car parks are clearly sign- posted and simple to get, and the venue map for the Art Walk is really clear and easy to follow, plus all the venues advertise that they are part of the Art Walk with posters and balloons outside and they offered visitors refreshments- most excellently organised! If you want more info on some of the stuff featured in this blog post please visit-

http://artwalk.org.uk/
http://www.hepworthwakefield.org/
http://www.the-orangery.uk.net/
http://www.neonworkshops.com
http://www.the-arthouse.org.uk/
http://www.wakefieldlitfest.org.uk

Monday 24 September 2012

Tatton Park Biennial 2012

Art and sculpture have been appearing in the grounds of Cheshire's wonderful Tatton Park in the autumn time for some years now, and this September was no exception. Chris and I went along on Sunday to see what was on offer this year.

This year's exhibit is called 'Flights of Fancy' and, if I'm honest, it was a tad naff! I can't understand why anyone would bother creating some of this tripe but- to make it worse- is the horrendous piece descriptions that accompany the tripe!!! Strong words I know, but its true! But of course, that is just my humble opinion.

Below are some of the pieces I did enjoy, because it certainly wasn't all bad, and some I didn't. Put it this way, I think Beyond Limits at Chatsworth can rest easy for some years yet!!!

Chris and I initially walked past this and Chris joked 'I bet that's part of the exhibit', I said 'nah' and checked the guide just in case and he was right?! Inside was a video on loop. It wasn't too bad but the blurb to go with it was of the nauseating variety I can't stand- 'An endless 'pre- enactment' of a future that mimics the spirit of air travel without the memory of why (or how) we once flew'. Seriously?! Get a grip!!! (Sorry Simon Faithful!)

This interesting specimen is called 'Dead Cat' by Charbel Ackerman and is 'an ode to inspired experimenters like Tatton's last Lord, Maurice Egerton, an early radio and flight enthusiast'. I quite liked this, suspended between the trees high off the ground. Did rather look like road kill so was aptly titled.

Another corking load of tripe about this piece, Mars Society by Tom Dale, goes 'a 1950s Thunderbird rocket carries a cultural payload, its flags suggesting an ambiguous ideology'. Please! Who writes this nonsense?! What made this interesting was the fact that its a real unexploded bomb that landed at Tatton during WW2 and the MOD gave it back to Lord Egerton as a souvenir! Cool eh?

Brass Art 'Trine Messenger'. Quite liked this inflatable, beautifully situated.


This was a quirky piece by the Ultimate Holding Company called 'The Cartland Institute for Romance Research'. It was a little van with a large model glider on top, as you can no doubt clearly see, with a window in to the body of the vehicle revealing a display of Barbara's books and model planes/ gliders, a sort of chintzy 'reading area', photos of (I presume?) Barbara- it was quite good actually. I learnt that Barbara was 'instrumental in the development of the troop carrying glider, the Conservative 'Back to Basics' policy and promoting the rights of children and travelers'. So there you go!



This brilliant piece is Hilary Jack's 'Empty Nest' and 'considers the superstition that crows leave their colonies when a childless heir to a fortune dies'. The last Lord Egerton died without an heir, hence Tatton passed in to the care of the National Trust. This piece was fab, and once up in the nest it was very life like. It must have taken days and days to construct- great attention to detail.

I'm not even going to go here.... (Dinu Li 'VEX')





Juneau Projects 'Gleaners of the Infocalypse' was a good piece to finish on, although again, the blurb about it was nauseating- 'presented as a stage set fantasy about what life could be like in the aftermath of a technology- driven disaster, with a pair of artists acting out their own Cargo Cult rituals in the Deer Park.' This BAe 146-200 is supposed to be their 'hide' as they 'live feral in the grounds'. Oh god.... Looked good though.

If I've inspired you to pay a visit and form your own opinions of these and the many other pieces not pictured here, both in the Garden and House, then you can catch the Biennial till this Sunday, September 30th. More details can be found at the Tatton Park website- http://www.tattonpark.org.uk- in the events section.