NORFOLK OPEN STUDIOS
Looking forward to opening my studio doors for Norfolk Open Studios starting over the Bank Holiday weekend. I shall be opening my work space for three weekends: 25/26/27 May 1/2/8/9 June. Opening 10am till 5pm. All welcome –
A big thank you to everyone who came to the first of my art workshops – it was a very busy day and the rain held off so we could enjoy walking and sketching around Burnham Overy Statithe harbour.
Welcoming Spring light in the studio and brighter days…
I’m holding an extra workshop on Saturday 29th June – sign up here!
In the studio this month I’m trying out cold wax medium as it’s textural and interesting to use. I’m hoping to go on a course at some point to learn more about the process but for now I thought I’d try it and see what effects I could create and learn from making lots of mistakes. Before starting this process I first read a good blog by Nicki Heenan http://nickiheenan.com/ and recently found some informative videos by Lisa B. Boardwine on Youtube. As I’ve used Zest It products before I thought I’d try their version of cold wax. Cold wax is mixed with oil paint and as I normally paint with acrylics the feel of oils is quite different. It’s a vast subject and my first results are painful to say the least – so I’m allowing myself time to play and see what happens. These images are the results so far, some pieces are on mounting card and the two blue abstract ones are on MDF board – coated with three layers of Gesso first. For the sake of health and safety it’s important to wear a protective face mask, gloves and work in a well ventilated studio with the doors and windows open.
This month I’m trying out some new framing ideas – the one below is called a St Ives/Nicholson frame by Ashcraft framing. Ashcraft Frames are an online framers and this is the first time I’ve tried using an online company. The only problem with using an online framer is that all the frames need to be assembled, taped on the back and strung by you! so you’ll need to feel confident enough to do this before ordering any frames. To finish off the frames why not have some sticky labels designed to add any extra information about your painting and to promote your website, wish I’d designed some ages ago…
http://www.ashcraftframing.co.uk/home
Loving taking time out of the studio to sketch the views at Wells-next-to-Sea. I use Seawhites of Brighton sketchbooks as they are sturdy and the pages seem strong enough to take whatever materials I like to put on them or scrap off! I’ll be demonstrating how to use a sketchbook at my one day art workshops coming up soon. Due to lots of interest I’m holding an extra workshop on Saturday 29th June – sign up here
https://website-uvhxxj4kx6.live-website.com/creative-art-workshops-fun-mixed-media-norfolk/
Studio lighting is a big topic and one I spent ages researching and asking advice on. Finally I choose a set of studio lights by RALENO. I found them on Amazon, the reviews were good and the quality of the stands and lights seemed good enough for my first set. After seeking the help from a photographer friend I realised my old Nikon Coolpix camera was quite capable of taking some decent images for printing cards and giclee prints.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post –
More creating news coming soon….
As February ends with temperatures higher than average March blows in with storms, high winds and plummeting temperatures.
However, the need to create work goes on and this month I’ve treated myself to some new art materials from Jackson’s Art, who are an online art supplier. Buying art materials is an expensive business and I get over excited by the thrill of seeing the array of delicious new colours and stuff on offer. For the first time I’m trying out using Cold Wax medium. Cold wax contains beeswax mixed with Linseed stand oil and Gum. It is used cold straight from the tub and is not to be heated. More on these experiments later…
Over the last few weeks I can see an exciting change in some of my recent paintings. I’m abstracting the horizon, seeking the thin places between heaven and earth. Most of the new work will be heading to galleries and my Open Studios event this year – where I shall be opening my space for three weekends: 25/26/27 May 1/2/8/9 June. Opening 10am till 5pm. All welcome.
Thank you for visiting my website –
More ideas to follow …….
My February mood board came about from de-cluttering my studio and finding lots of hidden photos, odd prints and drawings that I just couldn’t throw away. I really do feel that it’s a mistake to chuck out all of this inspiring stuff – hence the idea came to turn one corner of my studio into an inspirations board.
This month has been about learning new techniques and I’ve enjoyed using what’s known as a Gelli Plate. A Gelli Plate is made out of clear gel – they are easy to clean and ideal for creating monoprints. A monoprint is a single ‘one off’ print. Best suited for use with acrylics paints there are endless possibles and the outcome is quite a surprise! This month I’ve been experimenting with a different colour palette of muted grays and Prussian blue. I tried various different types of paper, such as banana paper and tissue paper with pleasing results.
https://colouricious.com/block-printing-shop/gelli-plate-monprinting-mixed-media/
Having produced lots of prints the next thing was to try using them in a collection of semi-abstract ideas on paper. This is a brilliant way to learn without the pressure of creating a ‘finished’ painting. Play time should be encouraged and something I try to build into my art practice every so often.
Being inspired by the graphic black and white tones on the mood board I explored the Gelli Prints further by making several abstract pieces on paper using the torn magazines, white acrylic paint and added accents of rust orange and teal blue to give a pop of colour. The results were urban edge and are quite different for me and I’ve even surprised myself with the results.
Excited by this progress I then went on to create a more contemporary piece using bits of torn tissue paper and collaging them into the painting. I’ll be demonstrating several of these techniques on my Art Workshops this year.
Above ‘Second Nature’ 45x45cm
More monthly inspirations to follow…
It’s January and I’ve been thinking over the Christmas break just what do I want from this year? Here are some of the questions I’ve been asking myself : 1, How to keep my faith and prayer life fresh? 2, How to keep my studio in order? 3, Where to exhibit and find new opportunities? 4, Mentoring – who and how do I find them? These are things I aim to address during this year…. I don’t ‘blog’ as such but this year I aim to keep more of a written journal/diary about what it is I love doing and to be more ‘open’ to sharing these things with you.
Looking around my studio I can see it’s holding far too much stuff so I’m using the inspirational Marie Kondo method of tidying up and having a good declutter. Starting with my brushes! as you can see many have been well used and seen better days. This insightful method is all about sparking JOY and as my work is about creating uplifting and joyful artworks then I aim to have this feeling all around me as I continue painting. Well that’s definitely one goal to master this year. https://konmari.com/
https://website-uvhxxj4kx6.live-website.com/tracey-ross-artist-great-ways-keep-touch-join-mailing-list-for-news-of-workshops-and-exhibitions/
My creative workshops are already filling up but there are some spaces left – so if you’d like to enjoy a day of creative play along the North Norfolk coast then get in touch. More about the dates are on my Workshops page :https://website-uvhxxj4kx6.live-website.com/creative-art-workshops-fun-mixed-media-norfolk/
Thank you to those who came to visit my Advent Open Studio event – it was very well attended with lots of friends, fellow artists and visitors. I really appreciated it, especially those who came from far away and made such an effort to make it. Thank you. These latest mini artworks make delightful gifts at any time of year. Each one measures 15x15m and are £95 each. http:// https://website-uvhxxj4kx6.live-website.com/tracey-ross-artist-great-ways-keep-touch-join-mailing-list-for-news-of-workshops-and-exhibitions/
WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND ALL THE BEST FOR THE COMING YEAR
Christmas Open Studio Event
Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd December. Time 10.00am till 3.30pm
This will be my first ever Christmas open studio. Lots of fresh artwork on display together with prints and cards. Offering a warm welcome, mince pies and hot mulled wine. More details about this exciting event is on my News section…
Bright crisp November days are here and there’s a chilly nip in the air. However, in keeping with the rich autumnal hues I have been inspired by the beautiful views around my studio and coastal walks, creating several new paintings for galleries here and abroad. Top tip! with shorter days it’s always challenging to keep ahead of the fading light during my painting sessions and it’s never a good idea to mix paint under artificial lights, mainly as they completely change the tonal values, so always mix enough paint to see you through!
If you’d like visit my studio to view my paintings please get in touch:
info@tracey-rossart.co.uk
Autumnal sunny October – a season of changing colours bringing fresh inspiration. The warm weather has been a delight to sketch in, especially after my sketching holiday on Patmos – a small Greek island where Saint John wrote ‘Revelation’, the last book in the bible.
Since coming back I’ve been walking and sketching in the dunes at Holkham and Wells-next-the-Sea, capturing the light and exploring different mark making ideas using Inktense blocks and pencil. Meanwhile back in the studio I’ve been working on finishing two new pieces for the Corte-Real Gallery in Portugal – more about this and other galleries on my News post. Enjoy the rest of this glorious sunshine!
If you’d like to make an appointment to visit my studio and view my artworks please get in touch: info@tracey-rossart.co.uk
Above are just two of my paintings available at Creake Abbey Cafe until the 16th October. Featuring large and medium sized paintings, plus great coffee & cakes!
A busy start in the studio preparing these large canvases for the Corte-Real Gallery in Portugal and for the gift shop at Holkham Hall. If you would like to make an appointment to visit my studio and latest artworks then you’d be very welcome. Tel: 07786 401396 or email: info@tracey-rossart.co.uk
Studio workshops 2019! – new dates are on my creative art workshop page but here they are again. Please do contact me by email or call me if you are interested in enjoying a day of create play: Tel: 07786 401396 or email: info@tracey-rossart.co.uk
Saturday 18th May, Saturday 15th June, Saturday 6th July, Saturday 7th Sept.
More to follow…..
‘Summer Vision’ 104x104cm is available thorugh Mandell’s Gallery, Elm Hill in Norwich.
Thank you to everyone for coming to visit my exhibition at Salthouse church in July. It was a great success in terms of visitors and sales.
My solo show ‘Norfolk Horizons’ continues at Creake Abbey cafe until the 16th October with lots of large and smaller works to see.
Here I am working on a large scale painting in the studio – what a summer we’re having and how challenging it has been working in a hot studio!
