Lisa Hooper in Port William

Lisa Hooper is an artist printmaker based in Port William. She can be found in Studio 61 on the yellow route throughout Spring Fling (photo above by Euan Adamson). Here follows a slice of Spring Fling life by Lisa.....

With Spring Fling approaching fast and a busy summer ahead I seem to be flitting from one thing to another – one minute printing labels and cards, the next finishing frames and cutting mounts - seldom, at the moment, managing to squeeze in much creative work. This week, I have a couple of chaps coming to do woodcuts with me for the day on Wednesday, and on Saturday I have three women coming to do batik on paper, so I’m also having to keep the studio clean and tidy which is a bit of a discipline! The workshops will be a prompt to have a think about my demonstration during Spring Fling, which is likely this year to include doing some batik on paper for the first time. I’ll be trying to think of a fairly short but productive demonstration so that visitors see as much as possible of the technique whilst also allowing me to produce something of quality which I can perhaps use on greetings cards for instance.

This year there should be quite a buzz at Seymour House as, following on from last year’s one day experiment with teas, two of our neighbours will again be occupying the kitchen and offering cakes and hot drinks (proceeds to a local charity): this year on the Saturday and the Sunday.

I’ve been very fortunate this summer with my exhibiting opportunities, which means that I am now thinking two or three exhibitions ahead of Spring Fling! In June I have a solo exhibition at the Rockcliffe Gallery in the Baron’s Craig Hotel, followed by almost continuous exposure right through until October. Last week I was offered a stall in the Art Marquee at the annual British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water in August, which although I’d been hoping it would happen, came as a bit of a wake up call. So, I started yet another list of works and set about finding a B&B for four nights. I’m now doing evening shifts making 300 cards featuring birds….

In spite of all these distractions, I’ve been working on a new piece featuring a fox (perhaps to go with all my hares!) and I’m just starting out on a woodcut of the neighbours’ gardens in Port William (featuring fish floats, lobster pots, a boat, a washing line and – why not? – the washing machine as well). But don’t hold your breath for that one….

Lisa

www.hoopoeprints.co.uk

Committee "meeting"

This sunday your dedicated Spring Fling Open Studio committee along with the key Gracefield support stars were mainly falling in streams, falling in bogs and generally enjoying the sunshine and the amazing beauty of the Galloway hills.

Andy Priestman, committee member but this year not participating in the Spring Fling event suggested that we should have a committee hill walk and that he would be happy to lead us as he has walked the Galloway hills for years now and knows them well. I have to say we could not a have had a better guide or for that matter he couldn't have booked better weather for us.

The glorious sunday coincided with Rebecca's birthday. Rebecca had brought cake with her. At the top of the Buchan when we stopped for lunch Natalie unveiled another birthday cake topped with candles and Rhiannon pulled a bottle of fizz out of her rucksack. There is nothing quite like a well earned luxurious lunch in the sunshine at the top of a hill with the most fabulous views.

Spring Fling was discussed as were many other topics and it was fantastic to get together for pleasure rather than just business and without the strict agendas we usually have at the SFOS meetings.

At Andy's house afterwards there was . . more cake! Are you sensing a theme for the day here? Look what fun and great cakes you could be having, remember this when there is next a call for committee members!

A small post from Urpu Sellar

Birds' Eye Point of View

Urpu Sellar is at Studio number 56 on the Red Route of this year's Spring Fling. A self confessed non-blogger she says about the run up to this year's event:

"I AM panicking about the Spring Fling though. Now and then. Usually four in the morning, wondering if I have enough stuff - the right stuff, will anybody come this year, where shall I put all the junk from the exhibiting area, will the cat be fed up with visitors, pack her bags and go... that sort of things. Last year's experience was very good. I enjoyed meeting all the people, all very nice."

Punk Rook

Using ceramics and mixed media Urpu uses recognisable animal shapes and gives then human qualities in a tongue in cheek manner. Visit her website at www.urpusellarceramics.co.uk or even better visit her studio during the Spring Fling.

Thief

John Clark and the Dumfries Howff Club

Unaccustomed as I am to blogging I thought I’d give it a bash and relay some info ‘closet bloggers’ or ‘fellow flingers’ might find interesting. Like many artists I have a dual occupation and juggle my workload between my gallery in Dumfries and my role as an independent financial adviser. Although my gallery is still ticking away after nearly 11yrs, I find it difficult to let go of financial services as most of my clients are personal friends. Tempting though it is to seek the quiet life, if there is such a thing, I would not want to ‘jump ship,’ and leave my clients in a state of confusion especially in this particular climate.

What’s all this got to do with the Spring Fling you ask? Not a lot but in an odd way having nearly 35 yrs in sales / advising does give some ideas that can stimulate interest and ultimately procure sales. The joy of painting on its own doesn’t pay the rent and I do sometimes look at how to make the purchase of original work more appealing and affordable.

Although I undertake some contemporary work, the bulk of my painting is representational landscapes of Dumfries & Galloway. I much admire those brave souls who can work ‘in-situ’ and paint the great outdoors. Wind, rain, daft dogs and mad cows, have made me embrace digital photography. For health and safety reasons this provides me with a quick exit strategy and sometimes additional imagery I had not bargained for! So it is, I return to my cosy studio and transform hopefully the digital image into something that is rewarding both financially and aesthetically. I had a look on Phil McMenemy’s site and the photographic images are truly stunning. I’ll have to get my self a good set of hiking boots!

This being my second ‘Spring Fling’ I thought I’d try, as always, to put some fresh paintings into the gallery. I must remark the ‘Taster’ was very well presented, diverse and ‘inspiring!’ Last year, a painting I put into ‘the taster’ sold just prior to the handing in day and this year I enjoyed a similar experience with ‘The Homecoming Ellisland,’ being purchased by the Dumfries Howff Club.

As the Dumfries Howff Club do a lot of work in promoting Scottish Literature in schools and the local community, I gave some thought as to how I could raise a bit of money for the club via a print run of the ‘Homecoming’ painting. As some of my gallery income is derived from Ltd Ed prints, I proposed to the club I would offer the profit from the first twenty prints to help offset the cost of the original with a further 25% on sales thereafter. Not surprisingly the club accepted my offer and without exception all the committee members and the manageress of the Globe Inn (the exceptionally talented Jane Brown) ordered a framed print on the night of my presentation. Not a bad start and it’s early days, but if advance orders are fulfilled the cost of the original will be recouped by the club by early summer.

The original painting of ‘The Homecoming Ellisland’ was handed over by ‘moi’ to the newly elected president, John Caskie at the AGM held recently at the Globe Inn, official meeting place of Dumfries Burns Howff Club. The painting was received enthusiastically by members and appropriately a framed print was presented to Maureen McKerrow for her excellent work over the years.

If the club take up my suggestion of networking the ‘special terms’ being offered to ‘Burnsians’ via the web they could enjoy additional income for many years to come. The place where the original will eventually be put on public display has yet to be decided but the fact Burnsians will be able to view it hundreds of years hence gives me (a Howff Club Member) a little buzz. Although income will be tempered a little on sales of this particular print I am happy in the knowledge money is being channelled into a very worthwhile cause.

Hopefully additional interest will be stimulated in my website leading to sales of other work and commissions. Oddly enough although I have been involved with sales all my life this is the first time I have ever ‘sold a painting’ in this manner. It was an enjoyable experience and one that I might revisit if it proves worthwhile. It will be interesting to see how things develop?

Best wishes to fellow ‘Flingers’ - John Clark
To view the painting/print in question just log in to http://www.landscapesgallery.co.uk/

SFOS Committee Members Updates.

Here are a few updates from some of your Spring Fling Open Studios Committee members just to get a feel for some of the things they are up to at the moment. More to follow soon so watch this space.

Having come back from Glasgow Art Fair slightly disappointed, then back from London rather confused after talking to some of the gallery owners there, I was really delighted to hear that I had won the Plein Air prize at Paisley Art Institute which is a week in a studio in BURGUNDY !! Brilliant!! We are going in the middle of September. Definitely feel much more enthusiastic!

Best wishes Hazel Campbell - Studio 49 on the Red Route.

Having participated in every Spring Fling to date I am now having a year off. One of the downsides of the event for me has always been the envy invoked by Spring-Flinging visitors' accounts of their visits to other studios. So this year, though I will have my own studio open as usual on the Saturday and Monday, I am very excited at the prospect of spending the Sunday seeing Spring Fling from the other side.
Jo Gallant

Lizzie Farey - Studio 50 on the Red Route - has been recently appointed as a Specialist Advisor for Crafts to the Scottish Arts Council. Definitly good to have someone from the region there.

Spring Fling Open Studios Committee members at their post Christmas meal.

Don't forget if you are a Spring Fling Participant and have a story to tell about your Spring Fling 2009 preparation do let us know. Or have you visited Spring Fling in previous years? Tell us about it.

The Bakehouse Studio in Langholm

Julie Dumbarton is an artist based at Studio 7 on the Orange route. The Bakehouse Studio is Julies' working studio. Situated in Langholm , it was previously a bakery, but was left unoccupied for over 13 years after its closure, until Julie discovered and fell in love with the building in 2004. "I’ve tried to keep the character of the old building - the old oven remains, along with the first aid kit and, of course, the baker boys bike! Retaining its previous life has been really important to me, whilst also nurturing it to a new focal point of Langholm. " Mike Day from the Scotsman newspaper took the above picture of Julie in her studio for the magazine.




Recently Julie held a 6 week painting course that was targeted at people who had no experience of working with oil paint, to give them an idea of working in a professional studio. "I had 19 people who all completed a painting of high standard, this all came together in a show in the studio. We had a huge turnout, I even involved them with hanging the work to give them an idea of what's involved in putting on an exhibition. The whole experience was a great success."

"I spend so much time in my studio it was such a nice change to open my doors and have such a nice group of people to enjoy the experience of painting with. Not just the highs but working out difficulties and learning about patience and how an image evolves through a process. Its been a great experience for me."

"The bakehouse is such a great old building, many of the people
who came to paint had stories of when it used to be a bakery years ago,
saying it had the best warm rolls for miles around."

Some comments from the participating students:

"I have just loved the whole experience and discovering the delights of creating a picture that i love. Thank you for such a great experience and finding the delight of colour and being able to do a picture I'm delighted with. " Jean Miller

"I've really enjoyed these classes, I was so out of my comfort zone but today i finished a painting I'm really pleased with and would love to do more". Ann Dalgliesh.

"This will be an exciting spring fling for me. I am selling really well at the
Morningside Gallery in Edinburgh and had great sales too at the House for an
Art Lover exhibition and The Red Barn in Cumbria. I'm exploring elements in
my paintings that I always have in my work in finer detail. I have loved
painting poppies and sunflowers in landscapes and this year I have been
invited to Chelsea to paint some of the gardens and plants that are
built in a short time."

Julie has some exciting work commissions coming up; she has been commissioned to paint a piece involving local schoolchildren to celebrate their school as it is under threat of closure.

You can see many more paintings at Julies website.....http://www.juliedumbarton.com/index.html

Kirkcudbright WASPS Residency.

This year for the very first time Spring Fling Open Studios Association in partnership with WASPS (Workshop and Artist's Studio Provision Scotland) are hosting a residency in Kirkcudbright. This project is to help celebrate the conversion of two buildings in the heart of Kirkcudbright into artist's workshops which will build on the town's growing artist's community. As many working artists will appreciate it is not always straightforward to find a suitable space in which to conduct an arts or crafts based business and this new initiative from WASPS will provide space for a number of such businesses.

Tim Taylor has been selected from over thirty applications from current WASPS artists around Scotland to come to Kirkcudbright for a ten day period and to create a work in response to his experience of the town. Tim who is a sculptor and installation artist intends to explore the natural and cultural heritage of the town and in particular the artistic and maritime history. Tim's work has been shown internationally and he has worked as a visiting lecturer at Edinburgh College of Art.

Maggie Savage a member of the SFOS Committee says, "Tim's proposal offers a particularly appropriate experience for our Spring Fling visitors. His work as an installation artist will complement our range of artists and makers and, by being on site to talk to visitors over the weekend, Tim will provide us with an opportunity to not only be inspired by the work on view but also to find out more about the concepts and processes behind the work. His proposal is also symbolic of the opening of the new Wasps studios. The creation and installation of artwork created during a residency on the site of the new studios will mark the beginning of a transition from unused buildings to creative spaces which will soon provide artists and makers with the opportunity to explore and produce new and exciting work of their own."

We look forward to welcoming Tim to the region and hopefully he will be able to contribute to this blog soon. His work will be available to see over the Spring Fling weekend, May 23rd to 25th in the new WASPS buildings in Kirkcudbright.