Chrome, Florals and Baubles!

Well after a bit of a post-Christmas lull (partially due to spending half the week in a new job) things have all been happening thick and fast lately.

I have submitted work for two exhibitions this month – The Titchfield Art and Craft Show and the Flower Power exhibition at the yellow Edge Gallery in Gosport. Unfortunately both private view evenings were scheduled for the same day so I will be visiting the Titchfield preview as it will be my only chance to see THAT show, and then demonstrating/invigilating at Flower Power on May 3rd.

My pride and joy Chevrolet painting which I spent weeks on is going into the Titchfield Show for it’s debut outing. I have actually got this one properly framed rather than buying a frame off the shelf or the internet, and I think the result justifies the cost. Hopefully visitors and judges will think the same! (I should really have taken a decent photo of the framed final product before it went to the show, maybe later!)

My entries for the Flower Power show were actually partly inspired by a meeting with Clarke Reynolds ( www.seeingwithoutseeing.com ) at a previous exhibition at the Yellow Edge Gallery. Clarke is a blind artist who uses braille in his work to create a more interactive and inclusive experience – allowing people to touch the relief texture opens up his art to those who cannot see, but can still touch. While I do not claim to do the same, it made me think about whether I could add an extra dimension to my own work, lifting it off the page in some way. I had been gifted a 3D pen for Christmas a couple of years ago but never really felt like I was getting the best use out of it. I have discovered that the pen can be applied directly to canvas, and that I can apply primer over the top to allow me to paint over it too. This is something I hope to experiment further with in the coming months. The main tulip below has been outlined using the 3D pen, although this is best seen in person as a photograph doesn’t really show the texture.

AND FINALLY….the biggest news of the week is that my design has been chosen for this year’s Long Barn Christmas bauble. Some of the proceeds will go to a charity of my choice so I have some thinking to do. I can’t wait to see my design come to life and see how it works on a ball!

A Prize, A Surprise, and Another Prize!

So the first event in my Autumn/Winter calendar for this year got off to a flying start – guest judge Jamie Sinclair awarded me Second prize at the preview evening of Fareham Art Group’s annual exhibition for my painting ‘Monochrome Minis. What made it even more special, is that there were 270 pieces in the exhibition, and my partner and parents were also in attendance. One proud little artist!

SOLD: Monochrome Minis – Emma Trickle

As if this wasn’t good enough, when the exhibition finished I discovered that I had also sold the painting – my first sale from a public exhibition, and not only that but I was also the winner of the public vote for their favourite painting (just!) Considering the amount of talent on display it’s fair to say that I am pretty thrilled as you can probably see below.

No rest for the wicked now though – two more paintings have already been dropped off to the Ashcroft Art Centre in Fareham today for their open art exhibition starting next week (7th November).

AND finally – a small plug for my Christmas cards now available on the store 😉

Exhibition Time!

If you or anyone you know happens to be in the Fareham/Titchfield area this weekend (30-31st October) then please consider visiting the Fareham Art Group 70th Anniversary exhibition. I will be exhibiting a few popular pieces as well as selling prints and cards along with the other talented artists. WE ALSO HAVE REFRESHMENTS! Some of them have been baked by my own fair hands but please don’t let that put you off.

In other news I now have two new stockists of my Christmas cards this year – Laurence Oxley and The Arlebury Cafe, both in Alresford. Of course you can still buy through this website, and that is very much encouraged!