At the start of the Covid-19 emergency I wasn’t able to get into Double Elephant Print Workshop to do any printmaking. Then gradually I was able to get in now and then for short bursts of printmaking activity if I had another legitimate reason to be there (all to do with the workshop being positioned in a public building). Now we are increasingly able to be open for printmaking and I can book time in the workshop the same as all our Full Members. But teaching is unfortunately going to be restricted for some time. However, I plan to be able to deliver courses to small groups quite soon, but in the light of the probability that teaching might not be a reliable income for quite a while, I have been focusing on what might be other potential income streams.
News
Lost news stories…
A little while ago I had another round of technological issues with my website. I am only semiliterate as far as computer stuff is concerned and I needed help to sort out some wed issues that were well beyond my capabilities. While I am relieved that things are back to “normal” I have actually lost a few news stories that were here on this page L
I can’t bear the thought of re-writing and working to make things fit nicely on the page and I’ve realised that thought has been blocking me for doing much needed up-date here.
So – here is just a small mention of what was lost, and then I can get on with up-to-date news!
Bath Art Fair – Report
I set off for the Bath Art Fair with very low expectations.
I knew that it would be a well run event in a good location, but in today’s political and economic uncertainties I have noticed people being cautious about how they spend any spare cash on things that could be considered a luxury.
I planned as well as I could to put on a good show, but decided I would focus my efforts on the marketing side of things. Read More
Mentoring – and what happened next!
I’ve had the privilege of helping quite a few people in need of mentoring. I very rarely advertise that I’m available for this kind of service. It’s usually has come about through people meeting me through Double Elephant or other activities I’m involved in, and there being a realisation that some one-to-one time exploring specific areas of interest is what is needed to kick start the next stage in their personal development.
Editioning Work
Every now and then at Double Elephant I get the chance to edition other peoples intaglio prints for them. This I find that I actually like the technical challenge of printing consistently in a style of how the artist wants it to be.
IMPACT 10 (Santander)
In September, I was very lucky to be able to represent Double Elephant at IMPACT 10. IMPACT is the international printmaking conference that takes place every two years. When Double Elephant was a mere fledgling, both Simon Ripley and myself (founder members) were at the inaugural IMPACT conference in Bristol, in 1999 and then again at IMPACT 8 in Dundee with Joshua Gaunt of Workshops n’ Docs fame.
This year IMAPECT 10 took place in Santander, Spain.
Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Back in May I had the privilege of taking part in another of the guided walk organised by the Devon Guild of Craftsmen with the Devon Wildlife Trust. Last year this sparked off my Magnificent Mires work. This year the focus is on the Greater Horseshoe Bat Project.
Greater horseshoe are the UK’s biggest bat with a wingspan of almost 40cm. They were once common across southern England but changes in land-use such as urban development and a move away from cattle grazed pastures and hay meadows has led to their disappearance from much of the countryside.
Newsletter #20 to #22
Since my website went all wonky last year I got out of the habit of updating regularly. Yet again I’m promising to try harder…
I always have plenty of stuff going on and keep things ticking over nicely on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I also send out the occasional newsletter to keep people up to date with my projects and other activities. If you are not in receipt of my newsletter but would like to there is a signing up button to you left. Or click here
If you would like to see what you’ve missed :-
Collaborative editioning
Every now and then at Double Elephant, I have an opportunity to work with other artists. Usually it’s a straightforward request to edition some artwork that they have already created. But sometimes there can be a more collaborative element. On this occasion I was approached by the Thelma Hulbert Gallery to work with Frances Hatch – winner of the THG OPEN 2016. The plan was to work with Frances to create a new artwork relating to her exhibition starting in September which we would edition. The new print was then published during the exhibition.
Read More
Magnificent Mires
In June 2017 I was lucky to be one of a small group of people taken on a guided walk in a restricted zone on Dartmoor to get up close to the blanket bogs and have the ecology of the mires explained by a Dartmoor National Park Ranger and a bog expert from the Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT). The walk was organised by The Devon Guild of Craftsmen, who subsequently arranged a “Magnificent Mires/Beautiful Blanket Bogs” themed display at the Waterside Mill at Bovey Tracey.
