Monday 25 July 2011

ART IN ACTION 2011

Art in Action is like no other arts festival. Held every year at Waterperry Gardens it shows about 400 demonstrating artists to the public. If you want to know how and why art is made then book your ticket to Art in Action 2012 now.
I was invited by Nature in Art to join a group of artists demonstrating their passion for the natural world. Nature in Art is also an extraordinary place. Between Tewkesbury and Gloucester it is the only museum in the country dedicated to art work inspired by nature. www.natureinart.org.uk. I am very grateful to their support during the festival and also the camaraderie of the other exhibiting artists in our area. As you can see from this photo a good time was had by all.

The refreshing thing about Art in Action is that it is not all about sales, the public come and watch us working. We tell our secrets and send people away keen to have a go themselves.

I must have spoken to hundreds of people, but I still had time to make 4 collagraph plates.

Here are 2 of them, I can't wait to get printing. My favourite reaction when talking to people was the complete disbelief when I said I used tile cement to make my plates. I sense there may be a run on it at the closest B&Q to Waterperry.


As busy as I was, I made a real effort to look around at fellow demonstrators, especially as there were a few personal heroes at the festival.


I was very excited to be able to see Sarah Morpeth's work in the flesh. www.sarahmorpeth.com.



We share a passion for the natural world and Sarah is such a sharing artist.


I know I am completely obsessed when I look at the work that has caught my eye. These fantastic bronze casts, of clay built sculptures made by Brendan Hesmondhalgh and David Cooke. www.sculpturelounge.com


I love the character of these creatures, so strong and bold.



Back at the Nature in Art area I shared a space with Philip Nelson. www.philipnelson-artdecoy.co.uk. He makes the most beautiful decoy ducks, they have a wonderful soft , feathery look to them and they are skillfully carved from wood. We shared a wicked sense of humour throughout the festival.



Being involved with Art in Action is a real honour, it is wall to wall talent wherever you look, but more than that, as demonstrators we are warmly looked after by an army of volunteers, coffee flows and we are well fed. Our egos are boosted by 4 days of almost constant flattery. Thankyou everyone for making my Art in Action such good fun.















































4 comments:

Gina said...

I'd really hoped to get to Art in Action this year but it wasn't to be. I think I need to put the 2012 dates in my diary now.

Sara Bowen said...

Congratulations, Sue! It's brilliant that you were at Art in Action - I used to try and go every year as it was just so inspiring, and wonderful to be able to talk to the artists. Plus Waterperry Gardens is such a beautiful setting! Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself, Sara

Jennifer Tetlow said...

Can only endorse what you say - a brilliant and utterly inspiring event. Came to see your stand, but so busy I didn't get to speak to you (I was having a quick rush round and didn't want to be away from my stonecarving for too long). Delighted you had such a positive time!

Sarah said...

It was a fantastic four days - completely overwhelming ! Lovely to meet you Sue - specially to see our shared love of crows/rooks ! Sx