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Dear Fellow Members

Next week we begin our regular life drawing sessions Monday morning and Wednesday evening.

Drawing days are back on the agenda. Meet up at Oxford University Museum of Natural History at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. This is a great opportunity to meet like minded people and enjoy drawing in public spaces with the comfort of knowing you are one of a group. Participants usually meet up for lunch making it a pleasant social get together. Please let us know if you are able to come.

The Sale is well under way. If you have managed to find any unwanted art or craft items you are willing to donate, I am sure Matthew would be happy to take them off your hands! The Sale finishes on Sunday. This does not affect Gills' two day Print Making workshop at the weekend which may still have one or two places left. (Please check on this if you are interested.)

I have nearly finished my RED pieces. They are very explosive as you will see!

Keep painting, potting, sewing and jewellery making for our exhibition.

Diana
West Ox Arts Trustee

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I have been inspired by a visit to Chichester Cathedral, no, not the road to Damascus, but seeing the John Piper tapestry behind the high alter, very bright colours, including red. It is helping me with my members' entry. There was also a lot of red in the Chagall window although I was a bit disappointed with the size of it. If you haven't been to Chichester there is a gallery well worth a diversion if you are in the area. The Pallant House Gallery boasts "one of the most significant collections of Modern British Art in the country."

Next Monday (18th) Ella is the model for our extra session of life drawing - 10a.m. - 12.30p.m. Could Ella be your inspiration for the members exhibition? (hand in 2nd February) Have you all rushed out to buy blue paper? Having just caught the end of the Titian to Canaletto at the Ashmolean, I have decided to try drawing in chalk (conte) but I don't suppose it will improve my attempts. I might get as far as the blue paper.

Still haven't got round to sorting out my pieces for the sale. It will take me a long time to go through my unsold pictures and umpteen entry forms!

Look forward to seeing you all soon.

Diana
West Ox Arts Trustee

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Happy New Year Everybody. I have started working on my entries for the members exhibition. Lots of bitumen, and red paint followed by complaints about the garage floor. The bitumen seems to take a long time to dry and the finger prints prove it. It is, however, a novel way of signing my work!

Ian is concerned that the weather may change before the planned life drawing sessions on the 18th and 25th of January so please contact him if we suddenly get snowed in, or flooded, to check that the models can get to us.

Matthew will be receiving works for the sale on the 19th and 20th. I have been giving the attic much needed attention in my quest for work that I hope may sell for less than my talent deserves. Oh to be recognized!

Here's to a creative 2016.

Diana
West Ox Arts Trustee

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Christmas is upon us and the Gallery is now closed until the 23rd of January. Don't think however, that the Trustees have gone into hibernation. We are beavering away preparing for a productive and exciting 2016.

Ian cannot wait until February to begin life drawing and has arranged two sessions at the end of January. I don't think I could bear (bare!) taking my clothes off in January, but then I don't suppose anybody else would appreciate it either, so I will continue to dabble with pen and paper. Ella will model for us on the 18th and Pauline on the 25th. Watch this space.

If, like me, you have an attic full of paintings, my own work of course, nothing for the Antiques Road Show, you will be able to sell your work at reduced prices in our January Sale. This was a great success last year and a boost to our funds. When you have recovered from the festivities, have a look and see if there is anything you feel you could part with for half the original price or
thereabouts.

Matthew's last day is Tuesday, returning on the 5th of January if you need to contact him.

I hope you all have an enjoyable Christmas, some friends and relatives, but not too many, good food and drink, but not too much!

Cheers
Diana

West Ox Arts Trustee

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After a break of four weeks my life drawing has deteriorated dramatically. I managed to make Arthur look like a Giacometti figure, perhaps as a result of Peruvian dust in my eyes, still lingering after the desert like conditions we encountered. Lifers please remember next monday (16th) will be the last until February 1st. How will we survive?

With Christmas relentlessly approaching, our programme is slowing down slightly but we still have lots to enjoy. Gill and Kathy have a Sketchbook Workshop next Monday. If you hurry, there are still a few places left. I confess I have not used a sketchbook since leaving college which probably accounts for my lack of progress all round! Next week also sees the start of the Christmas Fair so remember to come in and enjoy shopping in a quiet, restful environment. I couldn't believe the traffic in Witney last Friday. How will we cope?

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I went to my last life drawing for a few weeks this morning because, if everything goes according to plan, we should be in Peru next Monday. Consequently you will not be hearing from me for the next four weeks. (Did I hear a sigh of relief?)

There is plenty to enjoy this month. Gill is demonstrating her expertise on the 19th, running a hands- on workshop on collagraph printing. The 24th also demonstrates the versatility of print work with the beginning of a new exhibition Off The Wall. There will be the usual reception with drinks manned by a Clive substitute , yet to be named. (He/she will certainly take up less space!) The drawing day on the 30th will be in the Gallery.

Thank you to those of you who have got back to me regarding the Christmas Art & Crafts Fair. As I will be away, please contact the Gallery if you need information.

Adios mis amigos.

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I managed to make our delightful model Ellie look as if she had had a limb amputated today, but was slightly more successful with the hands and feet than usual. Life drawing goes from strength to strength and we have been joined by some new Lifers. If you can't make Mondays, Wednesday evening is a must. Roger will be happy now that fitting casters to the plinths is in progress. Don't forget to put the brakes on!

Matthew is beginning to surface and getting to grips with everything in spite of the chaos caused by losing Amby and Therese simultaneously. This week we have a drawing day at Pitt Rivers. Meet the others (and Kathy if she is feeling better) at the entrance 11 am.

Thursday evening we have our Artists Forum, a rather pretentious title for a good chat about the art world, accompanied by the usual glass of wine. I seem to remember the topic to be our recent/favourite exhibition we have attended but this is just a steer for the conversation. Don't be put off if you haven't been anywhere lately. (phew - that lets me of the hook!)

Looking forward to seeing you

Diana

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Monday morning, pouring with rain, what could be better than life drawing? Managed to make Arthur look like a Bacon on speed! For those who can't make Monday remember Wednesday evenings have started.

How often have we heard "My five year old could do that" or, "I could do that." Often whilst perusing an exhibition, I have heard disparaging remarks about paintings, usually re the abstract genre. I wonder what it is that constitutes a great work of art, for instance, I cannot come to grips with Auerbach, (sorry another rant) and continue to join the uninitiated in regard to some artists who are considered great. A five year old would certainly revel in the amount of paint on offer when trying to emulate Auerbach, but I doubt if he or she would have the patience to keep applying layer after layer, or the ability to produce a vaguely recognisable subject whilst doing it!

Enough! If you disagree with me come along and put me right on Thursday evening. Martin is much too polite to tell me I am a philistine of the first order. Join the fun, enjoy a glass of wine and sandwiches whilst putting the likes of me to rights.

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Diana's weekly blog update

9/8/2015

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Life drawing has started. Should have practiced hands, feet, head, front and legs. Back OK!

Last Thursday we had our first Artists Forum after the break. Ten of us enjoyed talking, sometimes about our set piece, The Road. Next time we will be discussing our most recent or, most enjoyable, exhibition visit, and how it has influenced our work. (or not as the case may be) This suggestion allowed me to express my feelings about Sickert, having recently been to the Pallant Gallery Chichester, to see Sickert and his Influence. Sickert will certainly not influence me. Most of the paintings I have seen will encourage me to read Patricia Cornwell's Portrait of a Killer. Cornwell 'proves' that Sickert was Jack the Ripper, something I'm keen to find out, as to me a lot of his paintings are full of darkness and foreboding.

I actually met someone who had bought their first Christmas present the other day. I know time flies but, really! However, if any of you have latent talent in the craft line, our Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair begins on November 21st. The Fair is a very successful venture and may also include the Vesey Room opportunity as well. If you feel like taking part and enhancing the Christmas spirit, contact the Gallery for information.

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Diana's weekly blog update

9/2/2015

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We are nearly into autumn, "Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness' It has certainly being very fruitful for WOA. recently. Our venture into the Vesey Room this month has proved very successful for our members. Those who have been taking part in the Art & Crafts Exhibition have also been able to sell in the Vesey Room for the whole of August thanks to Laura's hard work.

The drawing day on Wednesday is in Woodstock. Meet the others in the entrance to the museum at 11 a.m. Kathy will be there to greet you and brief you on the plans for the day. Lets hope it stops raining but I expect there will be room inside if it doesn't. (Don't quote me on that!)

Saturday is the opening of Picture a Garden featuring well known artists, Anuk Nauman, Judy White, Polly Wyatt and our own Rosie Tomlinson, past curator of WOA. Join us for a glass of wine on Saturday 12 to 2 p.m. and enjoy their company as well as their work. Nena is curating this exhibition prior to Matthew arriving next week.

Onward and upwards.

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