Frolic into 15

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 And my first Arty outing 2015 was back to the gallery in the Park for a collection of artists on display put together by Mary Gavagan who has taken it on until March. Lots to see and I can tell you that not only is it a diversity of brilliant work in all kinds of form but also striking prints of Bert Irvin's are on display...I mean Wow, that's what we want, Albert Irvin in Pendle!

Below: Johny B and me checking out the situation

Next having some fun infront of a Bert

So go along to the park in Barrowford and enrich your understanding of art and you'll even get to meet Mary.

 Below, with Mary

I was drawn to David Cooks wonderful pictures below, the composition was just right to me, and he's such a lovely chap!

All the pieces in the gallery instantly and easily transform the space and kill the white, it's a super show of work, so go on, pop along (also fit in a piece of Pat's pie across at the Heritage) it's so much less stress than tennis!

TWINKLE TWINKLE

May the bright star shine down on you and yours this Christmas and make all your dreams come true!
We artists at the mill kicked off Xmas with an Elfing good time last week, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear....and we did! Below: Elf watching Elf

I got even more carried away and through in a Elf dance!

So whether you're basting a turkey, listening to the queens speach or drinking heavily, I hope your Christmas has lots of sparkle...dance under mistletoe and be merry........
Tiz the season to be jolly.........I hope you all go Christmas Crackers Ho Ho Ho

My Favourite time of year!

Meet the yellow clown she was everywhere this season!

I always want MORE Halloween, so I always make the most of this time of year, and in theses times you watch folk in there splendor and wonder what's going on, you know like, is that devil girl wanting to dance with the spookee clown guy? And best of all....who the hell are theses people?

I started early last week in the big smoke and then finnished off in style at home in Pendle, which you can imagine is BIG business!

yes "KISS" ladies!

that clown again and the prince from you know where?

Don't fear the new people, a jazzy band of outsiders, scarey yes, anything but boring!

Below, let the spoolee fun begin!

ONE STEP BEYOND

Quirky pics? They won't sell peeps the idea of a sculpture. What will though is a lovely walk in the countryside to see a piece as you would come across it in situ. So that's what we did Phil and I last week and he wised up to the fact that tea and cake on the menu first, you know for a bit of energy before the walk, would get me into it. Also this is our annual witches walk from way back in 2011 (my arts council piece) Below Montee dog and I at the same spot as in 2011 on our way to Whitewell

Philippe's (Handford) piece is part of a series of landmarks, temporary installations celebrating fifty years of AONB status of the forest of Bowland and Phil's piece "Out-take" is at Langden Intake on the road to the Trough of Bowland a mile out of Dunsop Bridge.

Yes and best to be seen if you walk from Dunsop Bridge and "Not" the village before Whitewell as we did! Ok we didn't feel the first bit as we where looking forward to the scones, but my oh my did we feel the walk after the rain came and then we realised we had miles to go, even to get to it, never mind the way back, and I only had on a clasic afternoon tea combo on!

So park at Dunsop and walk easily to the spot and you will be amazed to find yourself in a theatrical setting, well that's the feeling I encountered whilst stood in the middle, like the countyside is having a love affair with the opera, super!

So have a day out but be quick as I said, they are only temorary and don't forget the scones.....well it would be rude to just pass the Inn at Whitewell wouldn't it! Below, phil and I just a tad soggy, when we eventually get back to the car.

Bushed

I consider myself a real lucky girl, my friend Stella got me a wonderful birthday gift, yes a Kate Bush ticket for her first live concert in 35 years, I was blown away at the time (in May) but even more bowled over with the show. She came on barefoot and most of us fell apart, totally overwhelmed with her presence, I consider myself to have grown up with Kate Bush and most of my painting days are spent listening to her so it was a bit to much for me when she was just stood there, amazing we were mystified with this engrossing, transporting extraordinary show and what a night we had and then back to Chelsea Arts for drinks later.

Next the French peeps were over to build their piece for the Pendle Sculpture trail with lead artist Philippe Handford, as part of a cultural exchange bewteen the twin towns of Pendle and Creil. This was to celebrate 40th years twinning and they all stayed in our little house, well Emanuel stayed with Julie for two days first in a Lux bed before I trapped him in the attic and put him on a Zedbed.

Pendle Print Fest, started Fri 5th with a print trail along the river to my mill for the exhibition "Unfamiliar Ground" then a symposium with guest speakers on the Sat, the exhibition is on going and the trail is open for another weekend!

Below Joel,  Nani and Emanuel pose with Anita at the gallery (the start of the trail) and again with my latest but un finnished piece and then Emanuel and I before they left on Sunday

What fun we had with them and who would know Imanuelle was such a good dancer!

But before all this went on we had Anji and Brian over from the C.A.C with their daughter Leala for a weekend in Pendle at the Blues Festival, we had such a fun time keeping it cool in the Green Chimney early on (below) and then letting rip after dark till late in Jim's Acoustic Cafe

But check out this wonderful video that Brian did of my giant pooch

Video: Brian Usher

And to finish off my fortnight I had tea and cake Brienne (my niece) Oh what joy!

Tu rahh!

Molly and Me

  

I made my way from South Ken on Tuesday up to see my friend Molly the fabulously decadent fashion wizard, only to be greeted with a hollywood smile and a whole lotta strawberry tasting fun.

Above: A selfie in front of Mol's new beautiful painting of New york........................
Mirror mirror on the wall who has the biggest oversized specs of them all?

We had such a wondreful time talking fashion and painting over a green tea, we sure are  (in Molly's words) kindred spirits!

 

Scrumee strawberries in the magical world of high colour, dripping with glamour

Next I was off to the C.A.C to meet friends, Molly didn't fancy it this time, so the club will have to wait till next time for our big entrance although it could easily be Vout O Reenees for us girls!

Supersize Me

Did you see the article in the Ribble Valley Mag? A super size image of Anthony Lycett's photo of my studio, me in fuctional clothing items, out with the tricksy and in with the easy!

I've been a busy bee all week with my last painting for the Show in October, although it's only been two weeks, it's coming along nicely yet some days I can get restless, turn to the clock tick tock, what to do, I'm not hungry, too early for a drink, paralysed by a combination of indecision and lassitude......quickly Joejoe into a yoga pose, yes this will help body and mind, then back into the work in no time and I didn't think about the pub across the road as I was upside down,  not once..... honest!