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Diana's Weekly Blog post

7/13/2016

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Dear Fellow Members

Now that Wimbledon is over I expect the weather will improve!  Next week we have an extra curricular life drawing session, fortunately unaffected by the weather.   Ian has organized this to keep us all in practice and the model is Pauline, who I think I have yet to draw.  I look forward to this, but as usual I will probably not do her justice!  The times are slightly different, starting at 10.15 am and finishing by 12.45.p.m.  

Monday is a busy day as the afternoon is taken up with Laura's Beginners Jewellery Workshop. I am looking forward to learning the tricks of the trade.  I haven't got very far with my efforts for the Members Exhibition, but have lots of ideas!  At the moment I am divided between Barbara Rae and Georgia O'Keeffe for my inspiration.  A trip to Tate Modern is essential.  (Any excuse!)

Keep creating.

Diana
West Ox Arts Trustee

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Diana's Weekly Blog Post

6/14/2016

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Dear Fellow Members

I didn't make life drawing today due to boiler renewal and no car.  However, I do have good news to report.  Ian is arranging two extra sessions during July and August in case you cannot cope with the withdrawal symptoms come the end of June.  The sessions are planned for Mondays 18th of July and 15th of August.  Pauline will be the model and the sessions will last from 10.15 a.m. to 12.15 p.m.  Keep these dates free in your diary.

A free morning gave me time to research my proposed entries for the Members Exhibition in August/September.  I have been through thousands of our photographs looking for suitable subjects for Barbara Rae type compositions.  This means of course you will not be able to come up with the same idea without appearing to be a copy cat. (However, I accept that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.)

Good researching

Diana
West Ox Arts Trustee

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Diana's Weekly Blog Post

6/7/2016

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Dear Fellow Members

Back to life drawing today.  I thought I would try out Tracy Emin's light spidery technique, needless to say I am reviewing my previous opinion of her drawing skills!  I don't think even my small pieces would qualify for the Summer Arts and Crafts Fair.  This fair is a new venture for us.  As you know the Christmas Fair is one of our biggest fund raisers and we hope this will be as successful.  We need as many of our crafty members as possible to take advantage of this opportunity.  I know there are some amongst us (they will remain nameless) who don't regard craft as art, but if William Morris still lived just down the road methinks he would not agree with you!

Don't hide your light under a bushel, get creating and show us what you are made of.  Please contact Matthew or Laura for details.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Diana
West Ox Arts Trustee

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Diana's Weekly Blog Post

6/1/2016

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Dear Fellow Members

I hope you all had a good weekend.  With no life drawing, I spent some time painting walls and "sculptures" in the garden, I'm better at that!  We have four more life drawing sessions on Mondays, but alas, the last Wednesday evening session is this week, so make the most of it.  Ian, an insatiable Lifer, would like to hold some sessions after the official end of Mondays'.  Please let Ian or me know if you would like to take advantage of a few sessions in July or August.

I'm sure we will all get withdrawal symptoms now that Artsweeks has finished.  Get your fix by joining us on Saturday for the preview of the Mini exhibition.  

Cheers

Diana
West Ox Arts Trustee

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Diana's Weekly Blog Post

4/19/2016

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Dear Fellow Members

The Lifers are becoming insatiable!  Ian has arranged for a session for the May bank holiday, (Monday the 2nd ) at 10.30 am - 1 pm in the gallery.  This allows those who work for a living, or refuse to join the traffic jams, a chance to spend two and a half hours in peace and quiet whilst honing their skills.  I will be away for the weekend (what again you may say) so cannot join in, and just as my attempts are improving.  As it is a bank holiday costs will be slightly higher than usual, consequently, fees will be  £10 for members and £12 for everyone else.  If you would like to come along, or would like further information, contact Ian on 01367 860073.

If there are any of the workshops you may like to attend, don't forget to contact the gallery in plenty of time.  Gill and Kathy work hard at setting up an interesting programme, arranging for professional artists to come along and impart their skills, but of course it depends on the number of participants to make it worthwhile.

Also on the 2nd of May, in the afternoon, Martin is helping us with "Plein Air" work at Woodstock.  With the weather improving (by the way it was sunny and hot in Sicily but I don't suppose you want to know that!) you may like to take advantage of the beautiful scenery and expert help on offer.

Cheers

Diana
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Diana's Weekly Blog Post

4/5/2016

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Dear Fellow Members

You may have noticed our deliberate mistake in the What's On Guide.  Just to keep you awake we put the date for the Members' Social as April 10th.  Of course it should read the 14th so keep next Thursday free and join us for a relaxed and sociable evening.  Unfortunately I cannot make it from Sicily!

Life drawing is going from strength to strength with Ian organizing bank holiday morning sessions and Roger sourcing new models to keep the Wednesday evening Lifers on their toes.  Keep the bank holiday Monday, the 2nd of May, penciled in for a 10.30 am session in the gallery.  This morning Loraine was as lovely and professional as usual.

Esther and Chris are exhibiting in the Vesey room until the end of April.  If you haven't been yet, do go.  They might give you inspiration to make the most of our connection with the Vesey room which allows our members to exhibit free of charge (subject to 25% commission for WOA much needed funds!)

There may still be a chance of joining John Somerscales Drawing with Confidence on Monday 11th.  I desperately need his guidance but will be away. 

Keep drawing

Diana
West Ox Arts Trustee

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Diana's Weekly Blog Post

3/29/2016

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Dear Fellow Members

No life drawing today but do not despair.  On Wednesday there is the Free Drawing Day at Cogges Farm Museum to enjoy.  If, like me, you object to paying the entrance fee for a repeat visit, you can still have lunch at the cafe and draw free of charge in the vicinity. (Call me mean if you like!) You may not have heard that Kathy has broken her ankle and consequently will not be at Cogges on Wednesday. We wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her soon.  Gill will be there at 11 am to meet you, and introduce newcomers to the regulars.

Today saw the end of the Lucy Ash exhibition, a truly novel and inspiring event for the Gallery.  Saturday brings us something equally interesting, Drawing as Process, as practiced by the MA students and graduates of Oxford Brookes University.  Join us on Saturday at the reception, 12 to 2 pm, for a chat with the artists and the usual lubrication.  Maybe it will teach me how to draw!

Scribbling as usual

Diana
West Ox Arts Trustee

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Diana's Weekly Blog Post

3/22/2016

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There was a good turnout for life drawing this morning.  Annie, our model, was as good as ever, but I somehow managed to give her a beard!  I know some of you have to earn a living and can't make Monday mornings, but in addition to Wednesday evenings, there may be other opportunities to become a Lifer. One of our enthusiasts, Ian Bailey, is canvasing for interested parties who may like to draw on the bank holidays, Mondays 2nd and 30th of May. (mornings) We need to know how many are likely to come to make it financially viable.  Why not make a day of it and join Martin in the afternoon of the 2nd at Blenheim. (Very good value at only £10 for members).

Trustees and fellow members put in a lot of work, arranging workshops, life drawing etc. but I'm afraid unless the event at least draws even, we cannot afford to put it on.  Let us know if you are interested in taking part in any of our planned workshops.

On a brighter note, those of you who are nervous about exhibiting your work on the walls, may like to take advantage of placing work in the browsers.  Visitors, especially those from abroad, often prefer to buy something unframed.  The slight snag is that if you do sell we take 30% commission!  For the benefit of our regular visitors from across the pond, we change the work every three months.  

To give you encouragement, we have a John Somerscales workshop on 11th April, Drawing with Confidence.

Diana
West Ox Arts Trustee

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Diana's Weekly Blog Post

2/23/2016

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Dear Fellow Members

This week we continue with our life drawing, both Monday and Wednesday evening.  Last week on Monday afternoon, in addition to life drawing, Kathy ran a workshop with a clothed model, which was very successful, but now we are back to our 'natural' routine.  Wednesday could prove a full on day for you, as there is a drawing day arranged at Modern Art Oxford followed by life drawing in the evening.  If you haven't been to a drawing day, it is very informal and friendly, a good way to meet fellow enthusiasts.  Starting at 11 am and finishing at 3.30 pm it is a very pleasant way to spend a cold and wintry day.  Let us know if you can make it.

Tuesday I am going to the RA for Painting the Modern Garden:  Monet to Matisse.  I will let you know if it is as stunning as advertised.  As an antidote I will try to take in the Auerbach exhibition at Tate Britain.  So far, I cannot see why he is regarded as one of our best artists, but, as I am frequently told, there are many artists I don't understand and maybe it's time I learnt!

Trying hard

Diana
West Ox Arts Trustee

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Diana's Weekly Blog Post

2/9/2016

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In spite of the stormy weather today our intrepid Lifers turned up to draw or paint John.  Next week we have Annie, a delightful, diminutive lady and excellent model.  If, for a change, you would like to draw a clothed model, Kathy is holding a workshop in the afternoon.  Why not make a day of it and stay for the afternoon session.  The model is a dancer, so would be Degas bring your pastels!   Please contact the gallery if you would like to join Kathy's workshop.

This Thursday evening (11th) we are holding a members social.  If you haven't been in to see the Red exhibition do come, it is a wonderful opportunity to see and talk with other member about their work.  Entrance is free, although a small donation is asked for a glass of wine if you wish to imbibe.  This usually helps those of us who are reticent to talk about our masterpieces even in front of a sympathetic and knowledgeable audience!

Don't forget that there is life drawing Wednesday evenings for those of you unfortunate enough to have to work for a living.

Hope to see you soon.

Diana
West Ox Arts Trustee


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