Sunday, 10 June 2007

Following the Leigh Art Trail

JOY - Lisa Hawker
(See her at St. Clement's Church)

I was asked by Sharon to join her on the Leigh Art Trail this Sunday, it was just what I wanted to do so I happily agreed to go. Starting at no.2 the Explorer Scout Hut we were challenged by the BA Fine Arts students of South East Essex College, art that made you think - look out for the life cycle of a popcorn - great fun! Then on to the organiser of the events studio that he shares with Sheila Appleton 'Richard Baxter'. We carried on, crossing back over the footbridge and up a steep hill until we came out at St. Clements Church, then headed for the cluster of art extravaganza's at Rectory Grove, Elm Rd and back along the Broadway. The hi-lights here were no. 7 Frann's studio, I love her feminine fluid art work and no. 13 Simon Feather at '.......went to market delicatessen.' Both Sharon and myself said there was something very likable about his simple bold approach.

We carried on and after a quick bite to eat and a coffee at Terracotta which is no. 22, we popped next door and I bumped into Jane Woollatt who I had met at Andrea Mason's picnic, we had a good chat and she showed me hers and Chris Ruston's ink painting (fascinating as I'm playing around with my Hobbycraft set at the moment) they were using Indian inks and Chinese inks though - very fascinating - the resulting work was very modernistic abstract. We then went on to one of Sharon's favourite places no.18 'The Ian E Smith Studio', Sharon has already got four of his pictures and is holding on till he makes the fifth one she desires. I loved his work, to me his work expressed 'love for life' and exuberance. His pictures were big, bold and gorgeous. He had one particular piece that had several re-orders which was of a boat with a net of fish - he'd just done it in such an imaginative funky way.


Apparently we had missed the alley cut through of 15. 16. and 17. I'm glad we discovered this as in no 15. 'Castle Dawson Design' there was a bit of a club atmosphere, there was a guy at the decks, playing some pretty rateable music and a lady was handing out cocktails and mocktails, I was happy! We mooched around drawling over the jewellery for a bit then moved on. The next hi-light was meeting Cherry (college course co-coordinator) at no 24. St. Clements Church, then being absolutely spellbound by Lisa Hawkers ceramics and mosaics , see http://www.lisahawker.com/ absolutely awesome! No 28. 'Faux Workshop & Gallery' was lovely, I particularly loved a mirror with faux stained glass around it, I think it was called 'Fish'. I didn't want to pay the price though. But was intrigued to see they did a great range of workshops, I am definitely going to go on the 'Paint Effect Classes' perfect! http://www.faux-workshop-gallery.co.uk/

I loved looking in Cafe Rhubarb, and will admit the life drawings were the the most attractive I've ever seen, this was a lovely little restaurant with a beautiful patio back garden - I would go as far as saying the whole Cafe Rhubarb experience was 'sexy.'
I would say that I really like Jonathan Trim as an artist who was featured at no. 29 'Moylans Kitchens.' I've admired his work when I've looked at the Leigh Art Trail website. But my final peak experience was at the 'Karslake Studios' no.34 Paul Karslake is a fantastic realistic artist, he has had paintings hung in Gordon Ramsey's Restaurant, he does famous faces amongst other sort of work, this includes Humphrey Bogart, Jack Nicholson and David Beckham - I will say I was knocked out by his talent! http://www.paulkarslake.co.uk/
I plan to go back again, but next time driving up to No. 1 as I couldn't be bothered to walk it this time. This trail goes on to next Saturday, I seriously suggest you waste no time in getting down there, you won't be disappointed! http://www.leigharttrail.co.uk/

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# posted by Lisa : 10:26




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