Valleys visit - I'll be back!

Of course, I've visited the Valleys before, but never to paint; and certainly never to paint with such a talented and enthusiastic group of children as I found at Ygg Ylyncelyn. I will certainly be back.

 spot the odd one out....

 ...and here's my finished piece, started in the classroom as a demo, inspired by the lovely view from the classroom window ...

A day out in Ponty, by Helen Elliott aged.... !!

Association of Naive Artists' show this August - St Ives

Happy to say my pictures will be there .... but sadly not me - I'm chained to the studio all summer....oh, the hardship... But if you can get down there - there will be some seriously good work on show.

Biggest ever collection of British Naive Art goes on show in St Ives

Thursday, June 06, 2013

The Cornishman

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AN ART movement born out of a lack of artistic training or schooling that has since become one of the most popular in the art world is coming home to Cornwall.

'Naive art' was originally used to describe artists with no art education – like the Penzance fisherman turned artist Alfred Wallis who was one of the first members of the original St Ives art scene.

1. ​
   Lifeboat Blessing in Mousehole by Judy Joel - the sort of 'naive art' to be found at the new exhibition.

But it has since gained huge popularity with many people adopting its principles whatever their schooling.

Now the Association of British Naive Artists is launching a two-week exhibition in St Ives that will bring together the biggest ever collection of naive art.

Originally considered synonymous, or the same as, 'outsider art', naive art has become a distinct classification in itself with its own academies and highly skilled exponents.

It often ignores perspective and scale, focusing instead on strong colours and minute detail.

The exhibition will be held at The Mariners Gallery, home to the St Ives Society of Artists.

It will run from August 18 to 31 from 10am to 5pm.

Local naive artist Judy Joel said: "Cornwall is fast becoming the destination for Naive art and its collectors, particularly in some of the auction houses.

"Alfred Wallis, Fred Yates and Joan Gillchrest are some of our past heroes in the areas of St Ives, Mousehole, Marazion and Penzance and what wonderful footsteps to follow."

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and there'll be a book!

For information about the association, the St Ives exhibition or how to purchase the book, priced at £19.50, contact Judy Joel on 01736 732877 or e-mail littlepicturegallery@gmail.com

Read more: http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Biggest-collection-British-Naive-Art-goes-St-Ives/story-19203945-detail/story.html#ixzz2VY04mY6G

Schools workshop

Hi all

recently I've had a few contacts from you lovely teachers out there asking about school workshops. So I thought I'd put together a montage of images showing some of the work children have done with me in recent months.

As you'll see - work ranges from individual creative development to whole school involvement.

If you're interested in discussing a project - drop me a line, mail@helenelliott.net

NEWS.......NEWS.... NEWS
SECRET BID AUCTION to WIN this ORIGINAL by HELEN ELLIOTT.
HOW? easy - decide how much you'd like to pay for the painting.

Then send us an email, with the subject 'Auction Bid' to mail@helenelliott.net, and include in the message the amount you're bidding.

WHEN? asap, bidding starts now. All bids will be opened on 1/6/13 at midday, and the winner announced then.

PLEASE SHARE.....

& GOOD LUCK xxxxx
the painting 'Cardigan Bay' is big - 60 x 50cm, artists' acrylic on canvas. It would cost quite a lot in a gallery. Secret bids can be any amount - highest bidder wins. Simples...

 

Behind the scenes...

Behind the scenes .....

This month I've had  Chloe working flat out - Chloe owns West Coast Picture Framers, shown in these pictures, which is in Drefach Felindre, about 3 miles from my studio & gallery.

I just want to say a big thank you to Chloe - she works so hard, produces amazing quality frames.

Here's her facebook page WestCoastPictureFramers 

 all for me!!!

 Inspector hen - H&S rep

Painting & Ceramics creative breaks in France

2013

Your Summer of Creativity

Painting & Ceramics in France

Creative, Restful, Holidays

with celebrated sculptor & ceramicist

SARA GRACE WEVILL

and

HELEN ELLIOTT

Join us for a one or two week creative break holiday, timed to coincide with the blooming of the sunflowers.

22nd July 2013

29th July  2013

Indulge yourself in sun soaked, relaxed days; enjoy creating ceramics and paintings in the Pays-de-la-Loire region of France, an area famous for its sunflowers, gentle rolling hills and medieval market villages  ....

Sara, a fully qualified and experienced ceramicist, who lives and works in France, will work with you in her fully equipped large studio. Throw pots on a wheel, or sculpt your creation, which you will also be able to glaze and fire.

Helen will facilitate the painting and sketching element of your creative break. She has developed special techniques that will encourage your creativity to blossom, whether you're a complete beginner, or have more experience.  We will be painting 'plein air'  amongst the sunflowers, by the lake, and in the medieval market.

As well as working on both paintings and ceramics, spending time just relaxing in Sara's large, beautiful garden and enjoying al fresco meals under the stars, there will also be visits to local bistros, art galleries and ceramic museums available.

Non painting partners are very welcome.

Both Sara and Helen have many years of professional artistic practice and teaching experience and will tailor your creative holiday to suit your needs.

Included:

all art materials

firing of ceramics

(except canvases)

full board & accommodation

wine & soft drinks

travel to painting venues

tuition in ceramics, sketching & painting

transport from Le Mans rail and air link

not included:

travel to/from Le Mans from UK

canvases, available at wholesale cost

shipping your finished creations home,

but we are happy to arrange transport

restaurant meals & drinks

*******

Full details will be available on this site shortly, for enquiries please email Sara at saragharris@hotmail.com

twenty four paintings

CREATE: Not sure wether this is good or bad - but it feels OK - just counted the number of canvases on or around my easels that are 'underway' twenty four - yes - twenty four! that's a lot of pictures to keep in my head, but it seems to work for me.

Let me introduce you to a few of them....

 Left to right- may I introduce Llandysul, black & white; St Brides, in glorious 'Golden' colour and Llangrannog with foxgloves.

And here we have a nearly finished Newquay, behind that a project for Carmarthen County Council of Llaugharne, and behind that a nearly finished Llangrannog--- and to the right, a couple of paintings that have yet to find their identities.

Ah, and there's my sketch books, and on the left behind the empty wine glass, the book of flowers and kitchen roll is St Martin's haven, almost there (?) and waiting it's final couple of layers.

Each of these paintings (except the black and white one) will eventually have in the region of between 12 -15 layers of paint. I work this way as I'm never quite sure what the painting will be until it's finished and it takes a lot of layers for me to feel happy with it.