A few Midsummer Night’s left in Aldeburgh
June 28, 2017 § Leave a comment
Bon Route…
June 27, 2017 § Leave a comment
Someone said yesterday that we never talk politics in this house.
(I am not on Twitter or Facebook or anything else, so for more of the above, go here https://mobile.twitter.com/euflagmafia?lang=en
A bientot et, erm, bon route!
Another link, to an alarming article by George Monbiot:
https://amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/28/paid-leave-vote-funding-brexit-public-inquiry
…and there is ‘Hope’
June 20, 2017 § 1 Comment
Some of the wonderful species I got to meet and draw last year at Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre, for the book I was working on. Having worked every weekend since, I had made a pledge to return at the first opportunity so off we went to do battle with the midges of Kielder once more. Incidentally, I have discovered why it is that the French have such good motorhomes with which to recreate the civilisation of being ‘chez eu’ mais ‘en marche’, (comme La Republique in fact!) and it is because they don’t like putting up tents. So being party to a Frenchman erecting our canvas palace whilst doing mortal combat with professional midges is something to behold. Only a 2yr old uttering the word ‘pooh’, just as all the poles were balanced in position for the flysheet to go on, and the realisation the toilet block is 500yrds away, could have increased the dramatic potential of the scenario!
But I digress. We love camping. And it was great to be back at KWBOPC, not just to see the many species of owls, hawks and eagles, from all over the world, but people who are so passionate that they spend everyday looking after these remarkable creatures and educating us ordinary folk about some of the incredible wildlife we share the planet with, (I say ‘share’, if only we were better at it…!). ‘Hope’ the Steller’s Sea Eagle has gone to another centre for a while, but ‘Sima’ the Sea Eagle still holds court and this time we also saw a Bateleur Eagle, a 2 month old Golden Eagle, an Ashy Faced Owl, as well as the now fully grown Barn Owl ‘Eden’ who I drew last time as a chick. Thank you to Ray Lowden and all the staff and volunteers for another inspiring and educational visit.
Puck & the World
June 13, 2017 § Leave a comment
Having almost circled the earth, (or at least travelled the length of the A1 which is pretty much equivalent in terms of time), Puck (modelled for superbly by Gabhran) is going to stay in Aldeburgh. A bit of a wrench because it is a special one for me and the paint is only just dry but I am delighted it has found a good home! My first time working with gold leaf, and indeed, painting flowers.
The ‘wild Thyme’, ‘woodbine’, ‘violets’ and ‘oxlips’ of Oberon’s famous verse, and perhaps my favourite part of Britten’s opera. Also some forget-me-nots thrown in too.
Lots of other works still available for sale at Sandhill, Aldeburgh.
For more information call: 01728 452035, the exhibition runs until 25th June « Read the rest of this entry »
“I’ll put a girdle round the earth…”
June 12, 2017 § Leave a comment
Puck did it in 40 minutes, it took us somewhat longer, but nevertheless it was with some reluctance we left the beautiful realm of Sandhill, Aldeburgh to head back north and home. All thanks to Anne Cuddigan for the best exhibition opening, ‘the stuff that dreams are made of’, and to everyone for their kind hospitality. Apologies to anyone in East Anglia looking for oysters, as I fear there might be a shortage after the visit of a certain Breton, nothing to do with Brexit though, he just hasn’t had any for a while…
A great privilege to meet Matthew Rose and friends, thank you very much for coming and for the most incredible music and being patrons of pictures too!
EXHIBITION CONTINUES 11-5 daily until SUNDAY 25th JUNE
A Midsummer Night’s Dream and meeting the ‘Real’ Bottom!
June 10, 2017 § Leave a comment
The paint is dry and the work is on the wall! Opening tomorrow, Sunday 11th June 12 – 2 pm, friends and families welcome.
https://mobile.twitter.com/Gallery44Ald/status/873460828959375361
One sale already made to none other than Matthew Rose, world reknowned bass and discerning art collector, who has bought his portrait. For a funny photo see here…
https://mobile.twitter.com/Gallery44Ald/status/873160545557413890/photo/1
From Asses to Bottoms…
June 7, 2017 § 2 Comments
In honour of the election, a portrait of Bottom. The latest work to be finished for the forth coming exhibition ‘Images of A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
Sandhill, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, IP15 5EP, Tel. 01728 452035 or email: a.cuddigan@btinternet.com
Opening on Sunday, runs for 3 weeks.
image: ‘Bottom Sitting’ – gesso & oil on hardboard, 32 x 24″
Drawing Asses
June 2, 2017 § Leave a comment