SHOW AND TELL JUNE 2026

Our small gathering of four succeeded in being a lovely conversational style exploration of our individual experiences and perceptions of the journeys we each have taken in developing our artistic styles.

There were such varied yet related aspects and topics discussed that for myself the core of the debate has since

become somewhat illusive, which sounds unfocused, yet the dialogue did remain relevant throughout.

We talked about whether our work is process led and what that means, especially in relation to art courses which often use that method of teaching. Photography and plein air sketching practices were touched upon where cropping, enlarging and collage can allow a deeper comprehension of mark making and composition as well as being in, and capturing the moment to take back to the studio.

Christine showed us more of the on line course she and others in the group are doing. She found that the workbook or journal, documenting the various procedures and tasks,

provided an invaluable reference for future work. She feels that being selective in choosing the particular parts of the process which she is more drawn to enriches her own creative style and retains her unique artistic identity. As part of this she has been exploring using more areas of dark for drama.

We then moved on to the very pertinent question of creating art in our later years we were reminded of many well known artists in their eighties and nineties today who are still progressive and successful especially the women artists who might have been overlooked in their earlier life.

Finally Sumi had an idea to hopefully take us a little bit or even a long way off the beaten track. It would involve making a piece of art using cardboard as a substrate with any

medium or any mix of mediums. As we had just been toying with the questions of ”so what?” and "what if?" as a way expressing confidence and exploration in what we do without looking for outside validation, those words could be the incentive alongside a title I couldn’t recall and thought it was “Disruption” or another similar word but it turns out it was “Exuberance!”

This idea would be open to all who might be looking to be more adventurous or abstract and want to take part in something a bit different. I’m looking forward to that. Who else is up for the challenge?