Countdown.... to Friday 4th June 2010

Doors to the Studio at Dawlton Barn will be open the following:

Friday 4th June - 6th June, 11.00am - 6.00pm

Saturday 12th - 13th, 11.00am - 6.00pm

Thursday 17th - 20th, 11.00am - 6.00pm

with late night openings 17th & 18th, 6.30- 8.30pm

Or by appointment at any other time. Email me rod@dawltonbarn.co.uk

I look forward to welcoming you.

Look Who is Watching....

Body Casting Demonstration at The Art Room, Ashford.

I have just been sent the image above of the outcome of the body casting demo this month as part of the SEOS Preview Show. Body casting was a process I used a lot in my practice as a figurative sculptor.

I developed a whole body-drape approach over the many years worked at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield, with anyone from young children sat in 'buddha' like poses to images of personal identity working with young adults that were wheelchair users. I had forgotten the magic of working with plaster and the impact it has when the model peels themselves from the cast husk.

You can check out a web broadcast TV film and interview by going to www.yourkenttv.co.uk and search for "getting plastered in Kent".

Thanks to Sharon Binnie (model) for braving the grey overcast weather with me.

Hold the Dates!

Two Fairs in Two Months... twice the chance to see and buy new work.

Following on from the success of taking my own art work to Brighton Art Fair last year, I decided to apply for it again this year. I will be taking work from the studio and enjoying a few days by the sea 16-19 September.

I have also decided to support the team of Jon Tutton and Sarah Young with their venture of taking the excellent BAF product to London and I will be exhibiting in the inaugural Palace Art Fair 2010 in Fulham Palace, 7-10 October.

Art Fairs have been good to me. I have enjoyed taking groups of artists to fairs, fueled by the energy and buzz that you get from other participants and the punters. I have been invited to speak at several on developing successful sales and networking opportunities and indeed mentored artists during BAF several years back. I now find myself doing it for myself once more and relish the thought; a heady mix of market stall vendor and critical friend to those looking to make a first purchase or hardy collectors. Come and see me. Say Hi!

Getting the Studio Ready!

Countdown to Open Studios is upon me!

Those that know me will be unsurprised at the project plan I have in my studio of what needs to be done by when. Colour coded too. The 4th June will soon be upon us all and I am intending to open with new work from the studio collection and my daily pieces.

The small 10x10cm pebeo linen frames I ordered from Chromos in Canterbury arrived and I have been busy applying the gesso (above). This will allow me time to work through while I am open without the smell of rabbit skin glue simmering away and the gesso thickening beyond workable. If anyone wants to see this process drop me a mail and we can arrange. rod@dawltonbarn.co.uk

I will be open the following days & times; 4th-6th June from 11am-6pm, 12th-13th from 11am-6pm and the 17th - 20 June from 11am-8.30pm or by appointment at other times.

Art Under the Hammer

SEOS at the Art Room Ashford.

Jeremy Sparks, Regional Director of Bonhams held the audience in his hand as he called 'sold' on the works selected for sale at the auction (pictured above).

Emma Dove Gallery owner made a strong eclectic selection from members submissions that hung salon style in a perfect snapshot view of the breadth of what SEOS offers to its' thousands of visitors.

Emma said;

"I am thrilled to be a part of this event. Open Studios is a fantastic opportunity for artists and art lovers to connect."

Check out the SEOS website for full details. The auction also launched the Friends of SEOS Scheme, visit the website and become a part of the South Easts' growing creative and cultural economy.

SEOS at The ArtRoom

South East Open Studios Preview Show at The Art Room in Ashford, Kent.

www.seos-art.org www.theartroomashford.co.uk

The SEOS preview show has been a great success for both organisations and participating artists, who at the VIP Art Auction last Friday sold work, myself included. It at times was a bidding war and others gracefully went over the reserve price to secure a much coveted new piece of art or craft for their home. The above reserve price also has enabled SEOS and the Art Room to secure enough funds to offer a bursary to a selected member next year.

I exhibited new work from the studio collection exploring the archaeology of the marks I make on gesso surfaces. More work like this and past collections can be seen in the studio at Dawlton Barn during June.