Barleylands Art Trail 2012

This blog showcases some of the stunning work which can currently be viewed as part of the Barley Lands Art Trail. Following the success of last year’s event, this time the art trail has been extended to run for a whole month, allowing more people to have the opportunity to view the local talent of Essex, both professional and amateur. Now in its third year, galleries and workshops within the Barleylands Craft Village have again opened their doors to local artists to display their work.

The trail was formed two years ago by a voluntary committee with the aim of creating opportunities and links between local artists, business and community whilst promoting the profile of all three.

The Barleylands Craft Village is the perfect venue for such an event of this kind as it is home of more than fifty studio shops working with a whole host of materials including paint, canvas, paper, clay, glass and steel to produce an array of unique products. Take the opportunity to visit soon and view some great art and very creative product.

In the mean time here is a sneaky preview to wet your appetite....

Official opening of the Barleylands Art Trail 2012

Graham Collins, Illustrator in Studio 52 (image to follow)

Martin Dyer, Visual Artist in Studio 30

Richard Argent, Visual Artist in Studio 19

Donna Phelps, Visual Artist in Studio 33-35

Liz O’Brien, Visual Artist in Studio 42

Caroline Weidman, Sculptor in Studio 44

Denise Gannon, Textile Artist in Studio 48

Lisa Smith, Visual Artist in Studio 28

Steve Burdett, Visual Artist in Studio 15

Danielle Clements, Sculptor in Studio 41

Jennie Clements, Fantasy Art in Studio 41

The trail blazers, reviewing this years Art Trail

Willerby, Visual Artist in Studio 43 (image to follow)

Paul Magner, Photographer in Studio 50

Sandra Bonner, Photography in Studio 24

Mandy Davis, Painter in Studio 20

Pearce Hall, Visual Artist in Studio 18

Janet Stout, Visual Artist in Studio 40

Jan Simon, Jeweller in Studio 43

Robert J Railton, Visual Artist in the Courtyard Tea rooms

If you would like to see the works mentioned in this blog and much more, why not visit Barleylands Craft Village, Barleylands Road, Billericay, Essex CM11 2UD. To find out more details go to www.barleylands.co.uk

Reasons to be Cheerful, Exhibition

This September I have been lucky enough to be on of the many artists selected to showcase their artwork at the stunning Barleylands Craft Village as part of the Barleylands Art Trail 2012.

When I was a child I loved jumping on bouncy castles, laughing, giggling, falling over, going on adventures with my brothers and sister, playing cards, board games, top trumps and the Atari! No fear of hurting myself, what I looked like, who would be watching - just fun. As an adult with the pressures of a family, work commitments, mortgage, household bills - we forget about how curious we were as children, how fearless we were, how we trusted in our imaginations and believed whatever it would conceive – was achievable! Instead we spend much of our adult years reminiscing about the past, afraid to take challenges, try new things or take risks. As part of the Barleylands Art Trail, my exhibition contains several interactive pieces of art that I hope encourage adults to remember what it physically feels like to be a child again, to let go, to have fun, to laugh. The memories on the Bouncy Castle and table cloth are those of my siblings, friends and my own. I hope that you have the courage to go back in time and have a bounce or two, visit the Wigwam, share your memories and let the child in you come to life.

Reasons to be Cheerful (1980's bouncer)

Reasons to be Cheerful (1980's bouncer)

Thank you to Glass from the Past, Studio 28 at Barleylands, being my host venue for 2012.

Threes a Crowd, Felt, buttons, thread and toy stuffing

Little b, Little d, embroidered onto a tablecloth

Close up of "Little b, Little d"

Inside the Wigwam, Felt replica's of everyday objects

Wigwam, Felt, Material, Cane sticks and string

Mother Mask, Prescriptions, felt, embroidery thread and toy stuffing

Tell me a Story, Wooden easel, felt on canvas

The lovely Abigail creating a story on the felt  canvas in the Wigwam

Thank you to all my friends and family for your ongoing support, love ya.

The exhibitions runs form the 4th - 30th September, why not pop along for more information check out http://www.barleylands.co.uk/ If you are interested in commissioning a piece of work please contact Lisa on lisamart@hotmail.co.uk

Journeys and Cells

Last month I held my first solo show at Glass from the Past at Barleylands craft village as part of the A127 art trail. In the exhibition I showed a selection of my paper 'cell' sculptures and crayon 'journey' drawings.

The `cell’ sculptures in this exhibition portray my love of paper. I enjoy reclaiming old papers, newspapers, found images etc giving them a new life and a new form. My working process explores manipulating the use of paper as a sculptural medium, expressing the aesthetic quality of nature.

My drawings reflect observations of places and happenings I have come across on various journeys. I use oil pastels and crayons to create accessible images provoking the viewer to contemplate their own journeys, memories and thoughts of everyday life.

For those of you that missed out on seeing the show, here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

 Gallery View showing Eclipse, and 9 Cells, Paper sculptures made from newspaper and painted with acrylic paint

 9 Cells, newspaper and acrylic paint

 Metamorphose 1, newspaper, printed paper and acrylic paint

 Shapes that go together, newspaper and acrylic paint

 Nothings gonna stop us now, newspaper and acrylic paint

 Unknown Journey, newspaper and acrylic paint

 I'll do my crying in the rain (detail), newspaper and acrylic paint

 I'll do my crying in the rain , newspaper and acrylic paint

 My cup runneth Over (detail), newspaper and acrylic paint

 I'll do my crying in the rain, newspaper and acrylic paint

 Cell, newspaper and acrylic paint

 Live, Love Laugh, newspaper and acrylic paint

 Me

 My Journey Drawings on Display

 Paris in the Rain, Pastels, Water soluble Crayons and pencil

 London Calling, Pastels, Water soluble Crayons and pencil

 Brandenberg Gate, Pastels, Water soluble Crayons and pencil

 Bubble Girl, Pastels, Water soluble Crayons and pencil

 Wellies, Pastels, Water soluble Crayons and pencil

 Frothy Spoon, Pastels, Water soluble Crayons and pencil

 Norwegian skies, Pastels, Water soluble Crayons and pencil

 Elizabeth, Pastels, Water soluble Crayons and pencil

Going Nowhere, Pastels, Water soluble Crayons and pencil

I am happy to undertake any commissions and have some of the drawings and sculptures shown above still available for sale. If you would like to make an enquiry please contact me on lisamart@hotmail.co.uk

Thank you to Caroline Wieldman for graciously allowing me to exhibit my art work at Glass From The Past at Barleylands Craft Village www.glassfromthepast.co.uk and Matt from Root red photography www.rootredphotography.co.uk for the amazing photos of my sculptures.