Art Trail blog

Thanks to 'mudlark' Nick Ardley for sharing his blog post on his visit to Hadleigh Art Trail...

"Wow, just got home from the Hadleigh Art Trail..." read the blog here
http://nickardley.com/index.php

Fair Havens Hospices Day Care

Fair Havens Hospices Day Care Patients have been working hard towards their Hadleigh Art Trail Exhibition.

Shown in Havens Hospices Charity Shop, Venue 15 the work is created by the patients and staff in Day Care at Fair Havens Hospices during their Creative Therapy.

Creative Therapy is a great way of giving patients a choice control and a feeling of self worth. The artworks are always patient led; it's about their aspirations, broadening horizons or introducing someone to a new hobby.

http://havenshospices.org.uk/

Alongside the patients work is artwork by Creative Therapist, Teresa Rock and in Venue 6, 2nd Time Around Boutique – Creative Therapist Elizabeth Ireland showcases her Fashion Illustrations. Elizabeth says,

“I have a degree in Fashion Illustration and I work freelance as an illustrator, I demonstrate a bold, quirky style of general illustration as well as stylish fashion-based illustrations that have a 1950s influence. I am also a Creative Therapist at Fair Havens Hospices teaching a variety of Arts and Crafts activity. “

http://elizabethmaryireland1.blogspot.co.uk/

Sneak Preview

Visual artist, Chris Macallan has given us a sneak preview of her work to be shown during the Hadleigh Art Trail 2013. Chris Macallan who has a B.A. Honours degree in Fine Art says,

“My work is often driven by its own process, which allows the images to develop through layering and deconstruction. It is then brought to life through a period of reflective dialogue and adaptation. The work, whichever medium I use, always seeks to find the essence of its content.”

“These small 2 inch x 3 inch silk paintings are in preparation for my HAT pieces, the title of which is The Four Elements .”

Working site-specifically with the venue Chris explains,

“My venue is Alpine Insurance in Hadleigh High Street. I had originally envisioned something else entirely, but having visited the venue and seen the space, I thought about the need we all have for insurance etc ,then, having researched other artists, decided on making four two-metre long silk paintings.”

Chris shares with us another image showing water which is an extract from a piece exhibited at Trinity Buoy Wharf in June 2004 and is 4.50 metres long.

         

This site-specific installation for Hadleigh Art Trail 2013 references the use of the Four elements  - earth, wind, fire and water in classical Art as well as the concept of Insurance. Chris says “most of us insure our property against the potential dangers of the elements.”

 

“My Practice makes use of expressive organic forms. The processes and materials selected seek to extend and transform the original image or concept through de-construction. This abstracts the image, seeks to locate its essence and projects it into a context which is often delicate, subtle and suggestive.”

“This installation uses pure silk and was selected because of the space available at the venue.”

Chris has prepared a very different work for the All Trail exhibition to be held at Hadleigh Old Fire Station. Using found Super 8 cine film footage which is then worked into with bleach and acrylic paint, the film is being played on a short loop on an original Super 8 cine projector at intervals during the Exhibition. The film will be screened on Friday 4 October from 1.30 - 3.30, Tuesday 8th from 5pm - 7pm and Friday 11th from 1pm - 3.30pm.

Still from 'Marking the Sea' Super8 Cine projection for Hadleigh Art Trail 2013

Chris says ‘I often use a range of   materials as ‘canvases‘ such as 8mm and 16mm film, digital photography and a wide range of surfaces on which to project, print or paint on. “

Chris MacAllan’s work can be found at Venue 10 - Alpine Insurance, You can meet Chris on Tuesday 8^th  and Thursday 10^th October when she will be in the venue.

Part of the proceeds of any work sold at the venue will be shared with Alpine Insurance’s favoured charity.

www.facebook.com/chris.macallan.9

"Perfect Pairing"

Venue 25 Cameo Boutique

Cameo Boutique, Venue 25 is hosting visual artist Chris Ruston for Hadleigh Art Trail 2013 and it couldn’t be a more perfect pairing according to Trudy Dove, proprietor of Cameo Boutique. I spoke to Trudy about Hadleigh Art Trail and how hosting Chris’ work has been a match made in heaven!

Trudy said “we have been a venue for the Hadleigh Art Trail every year, hosting different artists and this year we are really thrilled to be paired up with Chris Ruston”

“I always like to have our artists’ work displayed as a backdrop to our window display and Chris’s textural pieces will really work well for us this year. I was delighted to be invited to Chris ‘s studio in Hadleigh Old Fire Station to see how the pieces are prepared and to see some work in progress. It’s really exciting”

“I studied textile design at University and I just love the textural qualities and colours of Chris’s work – it’s a perfect match of artist and venue!”

Trudy took over Cameo Boutique in 2009 and made the move from one of the UK’s leading clothing retailer’s to utilise her wealth of knowledge and experience of retail and buying coupled with her passion for fashion to embrace her dream of owning a ladies wear boutique in her local area.  She has worked hard to create a charming independent boutique offering womenswear and accessories that can’t be found on the high street. All the ranges are handpicked and chosen for their compatibility with each other allowing many of the collections to be mixed and matched creating a unique offering. Trudy explains, “the Cameo team is committed to ensuring our customers have a thoroughly enjoyable retail experience and that our ladies leave feeling they have the perfect outfit whatever the occasion. Our expert eye will ensure that you look and feel your best.”

Art work by Chris Ruston 

“The Hadleigh Art Trail means that we get a chance to raise awareness of the boutique, get to meet lots of new people and, like most events, it’s hard work but good fun too. We get a real buzz out of taking part and it really brings something to the town not only for businesses like mine but it’s something the whole community seems to get involved in.”

www.facebook.com/cameo.boutique.uk
www.cameo-boutique.com

From an original background of Fine Art, Hadleigh-based visual artist Chris Ruston enjoys working with paper and ink, producing both paintings and artist's books. Her images are created by allowing an interplay between the random mark and the directed hand.. Visit www.chrisruston.com

Award-winning artists' work exhibited in the Trail

BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year Marie Antoniou. Photo: Ian James

Hadleigh Art Trail 2013 is delighted to welcome BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year, Marie Antoniou.

Marie recently picked up the prestigious award for her painting 'Pigeon Frenzy' in the British Birds category and was also highly commended in the same category for a second painting titled 'Woodbridge Swans'.

Marie says "I am always drawn to nature and often use it as a source of inspiration within my paintings".

"It was hard to keep the award under wraps until the winners were announced at the end of August and it was really lovely to be presented with the award at the Marwell International Wildlife Art Society."

Marie's award-winning painting will be on display in the All Trail Exhibition to be held at Hadleigh Old Fire Station - open daily throughout the Trail (opening times vary, see our Trail Guide).

Hadleigh-based artist Marie is also running a free Kid's Workshop at Hadleigh Old Fire Station on Saturday 12 October from 12 noon 'til 4 pm. Create your own masterpiece at this drop-in workshop!

Congratulations to Marie!

View Marie's artist profile on our website www.hadleigharttrail.org.uk/artists-a-z

Promoting the Trail - Castle Point Community Information Day Saturday 29 June 2013

Castle Point Council Leader, Cllr. Pam Challis chats with visitors and stand-holders at Castle Point Community Information Event on Saturday 29 June at Hadleigh Old Fire Station. The event was well attended and we made some new friends! Especially enjoyed talking with Legacy XS and RSPB Futurescapes - Greater Thames and the possibilities of future projects and collaborations.

In the Pink

My studio table has taken on a pink glow! Now in possession of Hadleigh Art Trail posters and Essex Summer of Art brochures - better get cracking then...

A distant horizon

This is what I think Art Trails are all about - an excuse, or should I say a reason, to visit somewhere you wouldn't normally.

Thurrock Art Trail is the first in the 2013 Essex Summer of Art. High House Production Park, Purfleet provided the setting for the launch event. What a place! A walled garden and 16th Century barns and farm buildings with the truly majestic QE2 bridge on the horizon forming an industrial backdrop so typical of Essex's contradictory landscape.

Like all Art Trails, Thurrock has its own unique personality. Not set in one confined area but spread over venues across Thurrock, encompassing Grays, Horndon-on-the-Hill, Stanford-le-Hope, South Ockendon, Corringham and the RSPB Nature Reserve, Rainham. A real diverse mix of arts and community projects.

Check out their website here and download a map
www.thurrockarts.com

High House Production park is a 14 acre, beautifully landscaped site based in Purfleet, Essex, home to the Royal Opera House's Bob and Tamar Manoukain Set Production workshop where world class artists produce the sets and scenery required for the Royal Opera House's Covent Garden stage. We were treated to a tour of the workshop - a real inspiration and right here on our doorstep!

www.highhouseproductionpark.co.uk

October's Hadleigh Art Trail, also part of the Essex Summer of Art, seems a distant horizon. More Essex Autumn of Art really!

QR Code for Hadleigh Art Trail website and promotional material.

Boundary issues?

Making connections & something about the #Thames!

It's astonishing how art makes you make connections. I'm not just referring to the networking kind that is a fundamental requirement for artists.

I thought it would be a good idea to start a 'conversation' about Hadleigh Art Trail 2013 not just through this blog but via Twitter. So I created @HATrail on Twitter last week - I liked that it has 'HAT' and the word 'Trail' but it's also somewhere to hang your hat (a hat rail!) but in hindsight it does sound a bit like a travel company - oh well. Tentatively I tweeted a few 'hashtags' #HadleighArtTrail #EssexSummerofArt and then #HAT2013 - almost by return I had my first 'follower'.

'Henley Arts Trail' is now following you, I returned the favour of course! Immediately followed up with a "thanks for following" and offers of sources of help for our Trail. It turns out Henley Arts Trail 2013 is also using #HAT2013 which is where the connection was made.

Then it struck me - it is not just a # or the Trail format or even the art (or Arts) that connect us but also the River Thames! Here we are in Hadleigh overlooking the mouth of this mighty river but follow the thread of the snaking Thames on a map toward its source and you will arrive at Henley, near Twyford and beyond Marlow.

So art connects us, art trails are a common denominator and the mighty Thames, as it turns out is our thread. All because of a little #.

Sue Willis
Hadleigh Art Trail Co-ordinator

Call for guest 'bloggers'

Fancy blogging for the Hadleigh Art Trail 2013? You may be an artist, represent a venue or an arts group - we'd love you to share your experience leading up to the Trail and during. Can be words, photos, pictures of work in progress or all of those.

A visitor to the Trail? First timer or a regular - share your experience of the Hadleigh Art Trail, write a review of the whole Trail, a venue or an activity you have participated in. Words, photos, poems - anything that captures the mood!

If you would like to be considered as a guest blogger for the Hadleigh Art Trail 2013 get in touch via the website and tell us why. www.hadleigharttrail.org.uk or email info@hadleigharttrail.org.uk

Look forward to hearing from you

2013 TRAIL Call for Submissions

Coming soon...call for submissions - 2013 Trail.

Please check back within the next few days when we will be publishing details about how to apply as an individual artist or artist group.

If you are a venue and would like to offer a space to an artist or group or become a Supporter of the Trail by displaying a poster and a supply of trail maps - details of how to get involved will be published shortly. Please check back in a few days.

Meanwhile check some images from the 2012 trail at Visit Essex