Art In Action 2010

The private view of my exhibition of 48 engravings was a great success but there was no time to reflect as the next day saw us heading down to Essex to a family wedding. One extra pleasure was staying at the bed and breakfast establishment of printmaker Akiko Fujikawa. She is a friend of Nana Shiomi - they had both been at Art In Action with me in 2007 - and also gives courses in hanga printmaking.

Returning from the wedding, I had just two days to collect everything together and head over to Oxfordshire again and, on the wednesday, everything was packed into the car and I set off.

It felt like home to be back in the printmaking tent. I set to hanging framed work and setting out my tables:

The tent catered for both drawing and printmaking. I could look across and see the Rochat etching press that was used for demonstrations.



Over to my side was the lovely 1876 Albion press. Next to it you can see the remarkable linocuts of Colin Moore. Other printmakers attending were Barbara Jackson (etching), Laurie Rudling (collagraph and etching), Melvyn Petterson (etching), Johanna Zhang (drypoint), Louise Hayward (engraving on plastic) and Carry Ackroyd (screenprint). We made a very varied and lively crew.



Art In Action ran for four days and it was very busy for almost all of the time. I only really sw anything outside our section if I went out at lunchtime, when it was lovely to meet up with old friends.


Drawing was also represented in our tent and included an area where people could try their hand at drawing from life:


Although food is provided for demonstrators, there were tempting alternatives and, on a couple of days, I enjoyed delicious mezze:


There is also a large market place of artist, craftworkers and sellers of materials. I treated myself to a selection of superb hand made oil paints by Michael Harding.



On the Saturday evening, there is a dinner for the demonstrators. It is a real occasion, starting with a drink and performances in the outside theatre. We then went into the marquee and were served lovely food. Wine flowed and the printmakers had a very happy time.



Afterwards, we wended our way home between illuminated tents. It was alovely evening and we only had one more day to go.



Back home, I was very tired for a few days. It was a treat to unpack and try out my new Michael Harding paints - and three handmade brushes by Rosemary & Co.



They are now in my old pochade box, waiting for a plein air painting excursion - a guy's got to have a hobby ;-)

Finally, I am back in harness and finishing off A Christmas Carol (the early images were recieved with great interest last week in Oxfordshire). Here I am engraving ivy leaves from life:


On with the work...