Excellent session at Thornhill Art Group today. People bought in their work for the exhibition - some real variety and some fabulous and exciting work. 

Over 50 pieces of work will be on show in all media including paint, collage, 3d forms, digital imaging, weaving, embroidery, chalk and charcoal, amongst other things.

Not to mention the 'DNA strand carousel' - as a result of a project led by Sandie - intrigued? Best come to the exhibition!

About a dozen artists have so far completed the 'sketch book challenge' for which prizes are due. They contain personal reflections on art and life and the RMS Project, and are to be shared at the launch.

Work continues at the Tardis Studios where Geoff is hand making 24 1m x 2m frames covered in calico on which to hang the work. An innovative picture hanging system purpose built for our launch weekend.

And our exclusive Private view invites are being sent out from today - hope to see you there! ~Jacqui L

This month we are thinking about how in portraiture there are often clues to the subjects personality and identity in terms of the setting and what/who else is present.

Historically it has been fashionable at certain times for these to be items with symbolic meanings on many levels. The viewer is then invited to puzzle through clues to something beyond what can be seen with the naked eye - eg an open door, a skull on a table, a mirror, a half-seen manuscript, food, wine. 

So we spent some time beginning to ponder ... 'What would we add in to images of ourselves that would help the viewer to understand more about us as people, our interests and concerns and our personalities?' 

We used 4 different still life set-ups to practice our observational skills in pastels, pencil and paint. 

Studies of flowers, bottles, food hand tools and of a statue of Venus are emerging. Everyone worked very hard - still life demands a high level of attentiveness and energy. The work will continue over the coming weeks as individuals gather items of particular relevance to themselves to explore and to draw.

The group are also looking forward to portrait artist Judith Handford from Winchester returning to inspire us all in early July. ~ Jacqui L

TAG17 - Sandie Schulkins - a dish of hair balls prepared ready for dye

Above: right way up! Sorry Sandie! :)

TAG16 - Sandie Schulkins - 30x30cm canvas - hair and hair dye - a study towards a piece 'who do you think I am?'

This week we are looking at Renoir and his paintings of ladies (and men) with hair. I will also be encouraging the group to use lines from poetry, songs, literature to inspire them to make a painting or drawing. ~Sandie