Show and tell May 2026

A good turn out for this month's show and tell get together with eight members turning up.

To kick us off Lesley presented her lovely soft painting in muted earth pigments. very evocative of church buildings and seen as a misty ethereal image. Lesley explained how she achieved this effect by the careful use of a roller which delicately blended the ingredients whilst at the same time retaining the semblance of subject matter.

However, although Lesley and we thought it could be said to be a finished painting, she felt there was some more to be done. With that in mind the simple collective rhetoric was that there could be more of the same, more rollering with slightly more contrast between lights and darks. Some of us saw strong echoes of John Piper's work in it and very strangely the photo of this piece seems to have incorporated the suggested changes already through some photographic illusion making it appear to be very definitely complete. You can see the painting below.

I then initiated a short discussion on the question of "who do I make my art for?" I drew an analogy with the simple enjoyment and pitfalls of riding a bike. I'm afraid you had to be there to catch the drift of the debate as it's always a good subject to get into but unfortunately doesn't travel well in a blog!

Then it was Christine and Catherine's turn to update us on their ongoing abstract landscape course. We had the initial two stages last month from Catherine and Sumi and now Christine has moved on apace with the next phase. The focus of this stage is that of documenting the landscape. This means actually getting out there into it, sketching, photographing and looking to see what you're drawn to and what really interests you. It is then process led where photos and sketches are enlarged, cropped and collaged. The photos below show a little of how Christine's work is evolving through this instructive and creative process.

Listening to our members' experience of their course was enlightening and enabling in its ability to allow us to share new approaches and fresh ideas.

Thank you to Lesley, Christine and Catherine for sharing their creative expeditions and here's to the next time!