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Helene Howse joined me on my visits to the studios this weekend and once again it was a beautiful summer's day with just enough of a breeze to make the journey a pleasant one.
Our first stop was to David Bent's studio in Old Town to view his much anticipated new gallery. I was immediately struck by the light and space in the open plan room. Skylights and French doors open up the space and the split level design makes it deceptively large. Jasmine white walls are the perfect tone to complement David's art work and the interesting angles of the building make it an art form in its self. It is a stunning gallery built to his design that is a credit to David's vision.
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| David is very productive and his work varies from geometric landscapes, aviation art and figurative paintings to retrospectives ones and photo collages blending images into patterns of tone and shape. Of the latter I really liked the tonal arrangement in Rhino's Bottom and the subtle blues and purples in White Collage. Of his paintings English Rose makes such a strong social statement and the more whimsical Hat Shop shows his sense of humour. There is even more work on display in his spacious studio and around his home. So much of David's work is obviously inspired by his travels around the globe. I especially liked reflective images he recently photographed in Dubai for a mural that he is planning. I look forward to seeing the finished piece. Taking our leave of the Bent's relaxing garden, complete with double hammock and giant Buddha's head we pressed on. |
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After the initial difficulty in finding Tim Carroll's studio on Colbourne Road we parked at Wick's and arrived through the back gate to an idyllic little garden complete with shady arbour. Visitors were sitting around enjoying a cool drink in the sunshine. Mounted on a green garden shed is the first of Tim's work, a vivid plant captured on canvas that belnds in to become part of its surroundings.
Inside we find a room full of of work from a table of ceramics to a gallery of miniature portraits. Tim's painting style is an eclectic mix of Goya like plants, surreal human chains and traditional compositions. He has done a series of crowded buildings and people and solitary figures in open landscapes. My eye was caught by a monochrome painting of a nesting bird with a human head and also by a layered clay building in a frame. |
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| Upstairs the landing was stacked with paintings as was, we were informed, the attic. Tim would need an exhibition hall to himself for you to fully appreciate the scope of his work. For a small taster of his various styles please visit his profile or look out for his 'Seven Deadly Sins' exhibition with Laura Copping at the Arts Centre 11th July to 29th August 2006. |
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Vanetta Joffe's studio is in its own little valley and the overhanging branches on the short drive down to it sweep away the stresses of the outside world. The house, gardens and lake are a sanctuary of peace surrounded by woodlands.
Despite its size, Vanetta's home is filled with her work. We could not be made to feel more welcome as we entered the main gallery hallway. Vanetta provided us a viewing guide with notes on the inspiration for her work. I liked the concept behind Natalie of the North using textured maps as a background to imply distance.
Cafe Society encapsulates so much for me with it's energetic colours and peaceful subject relaxing and enjoying the sunshine whilst On the Job captures the sentiments in a different environment.
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My favourite piece, which reflects my own fascination with the fungal form, is entitled Fungal Fantasy and comprises of creamy mushroom cups and wispy blue tendrils. It can be turned 360 degrees giving a different mood with each rotation. The second floor landing leads you to a large studio teeming with passionate bold sketches and detailed portraits awaiting perusal. Back downstairs we look through Vanetta's wide selection of cards which will suite any taste. Just enough time to enjoy some drinks and cake on the terrace whilst we admire the view across the beautiful gardens. By the light of early evening Helene and I head back fulfilled by our smorgasbord of art. |
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| PS. Gallery of studio images coming soon! |
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