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"Dawn on the Derwent"

30/10/2014

"Dawn on the Derwent" - original watercolour by Glenn Marshall

I called this painting “Dawn on the Derwent” but it could easily have been called “Dawn on the Ouse” or “Dawn on the Wharfe” as it is an amalgamation of all my memories and wonderful experiences surrounding the beautiful rivers of Yorkshire. What I was really trying to portray was the combination of beauty and power that makes these rivers so spectacular. On a warm summer’s day they meander so peacefully through the valleys and dales of ‘God’s Own County’, but after heavy rain they remind us of their immense power roaring through those same valleys and dales sweeping all before them. This then is a tribute to all of Yorkshire’s rivers and I hope it evokes happy memories for you too.
This is painted in a very free style allowing the watercolour to do the work. I have used masking fluid to preserve the details allowing me to let the colours swirl and flow together. This is in the manner of the great watercolour artist Nita Engle from whose book I learned so much. I used to be obsessed with every detail when I first started to paint but she liberated me from that tyranny. Painting became a joy instead of a struggle. I always tell my students that if you are excited by doing the painting then people will be excited by looking at it. I really enjoyed doing this and I think it shows. And the good news is that someone else was excited by it - enough so that they have bought it and it is now on its way to a new home. Bon voyage. Glenn

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What's in a Frame?

28/10/2014

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"Wild Roses on the Wolds" - original watercolour by Glenn Marshall

OK - here's the scenario. You have finished your masterpiece and very pleased you are with the result. Naturally you want people to see it. Watercolour does not look good on a wall if it is just stuck there with blue tack. So - you need it framing. Easy? No- in fact it can be quite tricky to get it right. When I first started I hadn't a clue about framing and I soon realised that the painter is probably the worst judge of the best frame for his painting. I think this is because we focus on the painting itself - nothing wrong with that but we have to remember other people look at the whole package which includes the frame. I used to go to a frame shop and get the cheapest frames and mounts I could. This was good in theory but a bit harder in practice. I once ended up with some green frames and cream mounts. The best thing to say about them is that they were cheap - very! And why - because no one wanted a painting in a green frame that's why. I experimented with single mounts, double mounts ,double mounts in different colours, gold frames, wood frames and who remembers that hideous phase when silver frames were in fashion. I've still got a few of those left too! The upshot of all my trials and tribulations is that a good frame can enhance your creation but a bad frame can destroy it. So here's a good tip - find a good framer who you can trust and listen to his advice. For 'Double Vision 2014' we decided to have all the work framed exactly the same format. Luckily we have a good framer we can trust and he produced us seventy high quality frames and mounts of various sizes. They are all black with a white mount. Classic - and the minute you enter the Gallery @ the Spa in Bridlington Spa, the whole exhibition harmonises giving the impression of a clear theme to the show. So here's a big thank you to Richard at Elliot Frames for all his hard work and support for the exhibition.
I came across 'Wild Roses on the Wolds" earlier this year. It was just such a lovely scene with the vivid hedges bursting with life and festooned with these wonderful wild flowers. The double crowned sycamore tree provided a perfect centre piece in the middle distance. I loved the place so much that I returned to it for a large winter painting "Winter Walk on Wykeham Road" and here they are together framed and sitting proudly on the wall:

"Winter Walk" and "Wild Roses"

I hope you agree that the frames enhance the paintings and that they look good together. We all have some great 'framing' stories. Here's one of mine. It was my first time as Artist in Residence at Burton Agnes Hall. This is a magnificent Elizabethan stately home and to be there for a month with a fantastic studio and gallery in the grounds was a great privilege. One day a lady came in and enthused about one of my paintings. "I want that" she said, "I'll go and get my husband to get it." Off she went leaving a very happy painter behind in the summer house. Back they came and once again she enthused about the painting. Finally she turned to him and said "Well dear - what do you think?" George (let's call him that) shuffled closer to the piece. He had his hands in his pocket (guarding his wallet no doubt) and peered suspiciously at the painting and then the price. Finally he gave his considered opinion, "Nay lass," he opined "It's amazing what a good bit of framing can do for a picture." And with that he turned sharply on his heels and left leaving a very embarrassed wife and a very disappointed artist in his wake. Never mind this is Yorkshire and it's good to keep your feet firmly on the ground. I hope you can come and see the exhibition, frames and all. It runs up to November 27th. The gallery is open daily from around 9.30 am until 5.00 pm and admission is free and we will be there most days but certainly every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Look forward to seeing you. Glenn

See all works in 'Double Vision 2014

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"DOUBLE VISION"

27/10/2014

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"Winter Walk on Wykeham Road"

At last 'Double Vision' is officially open. It starts from today 27th October and runs through until 27th November 2014. You can find us in the Gallery @ the Spa situated just inside the main entrance of Bridlington Spa. It was a busy day yesterday hanging the show and I couldn't have done it without all the help I received so a big thank you to everybody especially Ozzy, Mark and Stan.
We made a good start. I've sold a painting before we hung but the buyer is letting me keep the painting for the duration of the exhibition. Merice sold a print as she was unwrapping the bubble wrap.....and then I got a parking ticket. Ah well - that's life! Here's a look at how the day unfolded:

We started with a house full of paintings and then into the car....

Car packed or a packed car!

Down to the Gallery @ the Spa. When we first entered this large empty space it was a bit daunting to say the least but once we got everything laid out excitement and confidence grew.

Ready to go.

With a little (actually with a lot - they did most of the work!) help from my friends everything was finally shipshape and Bristol fashion. One last thing to do:

Nearly ready for Mr Yips

Yes it was finally time to decamp for Mr Yips and his most excellent cuisine for a well earned meal and a drop of libation. So there you have it. After two years 'Double Vision' is finally on show. Both Merice and yours truly are very pleased with how it looks so once again a very grateful thanks to everybody who helped us out yesterday. "Winter Walk on Wykeham Road" is featured in the exhibition. I wanted to paint a snow picture without using any white (as you do!) and is a companion piece to "Wild Roses on the Wolds" which is the same location in a different season. The whole point of the exhibition is to make art joyful and accessible so we would like to extend a very sincere invitation to everybody to come and see us. We will be there every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from about 12.30 so please call if you can. If you can't make it in person here's a link to view the show online. I hope you enjoy. Glenn

Check out "Double Vision 2014"

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Battling the Elements......

21/10/2014

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"Wet Road, Woldgate" - original watercolour by Glenn Marshall

Phew - just got back from a walk in the park with Merice and Bonnie. It sure was blowy! Apparently we are receiving the tail end of a hurricane that has made its way across the Atlantic Ocean to give us a quick blast before visiting mainland Europe. All I can say is that if this is the 'tail end' then I certainly wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of its full power. Painting the elements can be an exciting challenge. "Wet Road in Woldgate" is an attempt to capture that brief interlude between heavy showers when the sun temporarily bursts through the clouds and we get this blinding light reflected on the road. But you can see how heavy the sky is - this is only a temporary reprieve and the rain will soon be back. I used fairly subdued tones to portray the wetness of the scene and treated the road almost as if it was a stream so I could let the reflections run down the paper. This painting will be on show at Bridlington Spa from the 27th October as part of our 'Double Vision' Exhibition.

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At the double.......

7/10/2014

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"Evening in Wykeham Forest" - original watercolour by Glenn Marshall

Less than three weeks to go....and counting down in earnest now. I can't believe that our exhibition 'Double Vision' is almost here. We are busy with final preparations though I still have sixteen more to frame - at least all the paintings are done and Merice has chosen her final selection. There will be seventy new pieces on show and "Evening in Wykeham Forest" is one of them. This has always been one of my favourite subjects - in fact at one time I was known as 'Treeman' because I painted so many trees. I have always found that being in forests is a very stimulating, even spiritual experience. They have an atmosphere of calmness and I always feel at home when surrounded by trees. This one is all about the light penetrating into the forest and reflecting in the ancient brook - what's not to like? The exhibition is being held in the Spa Gallery at Bridlington Spa and runs from October 27th through to November 27th. It is open daily from 10.00 until 17.30 hrs (ten o'clock till half past five in old money!) and we will be there most days if you get the chance to call in. It is exciting as it will be our first major exhibition for two years and it will be lovely to see you. Glenn.

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Now you see it, and now you see it again.....!

3/10/2014

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During the long dark days last winter I had a lot of fun with the iPad. I reworked some of my watercolours in this exciting new medium. It passed the time most satisfactorily and I was even thinking of including them in 'Double Vision' at Bridlington Spa from 27th October to 27th November.However once spring arrived and I was out and about I soon picked up my paintbrushes. Six months later I had enough watercolours for the exhibition so have decided to go with them. Here's a couple more for comparison:

The nights are starting to draw in again so who knows - maybe I'll pick up the iPad again - after all I certainly have plenty of watercolours to go at! Glenn

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Wet Weather Weekend.....

2/10/2014

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"Wet Road to Westerdale" - original watercolour by Glenn Marshall

We went down this road last Saturday during our tour of the outer edges of the North Yorks Moors National Park. What a contrast - the sun was shining and the road sat happily under blue skies - what a difference from the painting! But it is true to say that sometimes(!) it does rain in North Yorkshire and this was the scene earlier this year. I rather like the grey tones and the little bit of colour - it makes for a very atmospheric painting. This weekend we are having a family gathering from Merice's side. It's a marvellous opportunity to catch up with relatives and meet some we have never met before. But the weather forecast isn't too good for Saturday when we are having a meal together. There could well be some rain but if you've just arrived from Australia it might be a bit of a novelty though not so if you've come from Wales, Whitley Bay or Leeds! Never mind - even if it does rain I'm sure it will not dampen our spirits.

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"Dawn on the Derwent"

What's in a Frame?

"DOUBLE VISION"

Battling the Elements......

At the double.......

Now you see it, and now you see it again.....!

Wet Weather Weekend.....

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