Just before we went on holiday in September, the arts journalist Hazel Foxon spent a morning with me in my studio to research an article she was writing for the 'arts in the east' magazine Venue. If you live in Beds, Cambs, Essex, Herts, London, Norfolk or Suffolk look out for it in libraries, galleries and theatres – it's a glossy colour mag with David Bowie on the cover and it's FREE
. . . or you can see the article here.
I've framed prints and packed unframed work in time for the pre-Christmas rush and delivered it to Edwards & Todd in London; the Jessica Muir Gallery in Long Melford and Smiths Row in Bury St Edmunds.
My work will be included in a special exhibition of "Smaller Pictures" at the Church Street Gallery in Saffron Walden, starting on 1st December and continuing throughout December.
I am very excited to have been invited to exhibit in two lovely galleries . . .
Cambridge Contemporary Art is a beautiful bright exhibition space within sight of King's College Chapel right in the historic centre of Cambridge. I will also be delivering some framed work for inclusion in their Christmas exhibition which runs through December.
The other venue is in Suffolk but right over on the coast – it's The Gallery at Snape Maltings, I've delivered my prints just in time to be included in the Winter exhibtion. This is probably Suffolk's most famous arts venue in a beautiful setting beside the River Alde at the end of a long estuary. The concert halls, shops, galleries and restaurants attract lots of visitors throughout the year; if the sun is shining (as it was yesterday!) the views of the river and the boats are stunning.
As you can imagine, I've been spending lots of time framing prints and writing lists; but among all the requests from galleries I received an invite from Southwold Life Boat Crew:
"We're having a tweetup on 24/11 would love it if you came.
If you can't make up your mind then how does tea,
cake & lifeboat display sound?"
Well, although I live in Suffolk and enjoy reading the morning weather tweets from the life boat station right over in the diagonally opposite corner of the county, a 150mile road trip for cake was a bit keen! I politely declined. Then I received a message from a photographer who lives only a few miles from me "I'm going, I'll give you a lift" and before I knew it I had a place reserved on a boat to go out on a training exercise with the life boat crew! You can read what happened and see Celia Bartlett's fantastic photo-essay of the day with Southwold RNLI.If you can't make up your mind then how does tea,
cake & lifeboat display sound?"
Celia Bartlett ready for action at sea!
Well they say 'a change is as good as a rest', and being bounced over the grey waves of the north sea with salt water waves crashing into my face certainly blew the cobwebs away! If that's what a 'calm day' is like the volunteer life boat crews have my full respect for going out in all weathers to rescue those in danger off the Suffolk coast. Please consider giving your support to the RNLI.
Celia
x
Hope you have lots of sales in reward for all your hard work with the framing and prints.
ReplyDeleteThe brown sails on the boat- they look stunning against the blue sky.
Who is this non-sailor photographer that twisted your arm? ;-)
Thanks for the link btw. (now you've done your blog I can link back!)It was great to have your company on the day.
Celia x
Lots of framed work is a big investment... so hoping the return is good.
DeleteA very enjoyable day - if only we'd had the sunshine on Saturday!
wow what a great time you have been having and congratulations on all your exhibitions , i will certainly pop into Cambridge Contemporary Art and take a look..... x x
ReplyDeleteDelivering framed work to Cambridge early next week. It's a beautiful gallery and full of lovely things.
DeleteOh, well done! On all counts.
ReplyDeleteI was always a supporter of the RNLI. In fact, I dropped some money in a collection box not so long ago!
As we live so far inland, it's easy to forget the work of the RNLI - well done for giving them support.
DeleteI knew you'd mention Snape when I saw the top of the barge - thats the one Father Christmas uses each year for his visit to the Maltings.
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends was on the RNLI thing this weekened - have seen pictures of her out a sea - rather her than me!
I should think that seeing Santa arrive by Wherry is rather magical!
DeleteNext time you'll have to go to the life boat open day... you can just sit in the observation deck and eat cake ;-)
Gosh, this all sounds exciting, glad things are going well! :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't had much time to think!
DeleteWpw, Celia, what a busy lady you have been at home and on the rolling seas!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on all the exhibitions and article and mostly, of course, on your beautiful work.
This time of year really does seem to move at a very different speed, doesn't it? ox
As soon as the dust settles I'll have to start designing and printing new woodcuts... the plan chest is almost empty!
DeleteOh, wow, on all counts, the framing, the exhibiting and the sailing! I wish I could get to the exhibits...have a marvellous time.
ReplyDeleteGosh, you have had a lot on! And I like the sound of that 'change' ... what larks, and all in a great cause :D
ReplyDeleteTwo Cs on the high seas! Just found time to read the Southwold article. Great "thumbs up" shot!
ReplyDeleteGoodness you have been busy - I hope everything sells well for you - glad you enjoyed your sea voyage - I bet it was cold out there.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear you are so busy Celia and the trip on the life boat sounds very exhilarating!
ReplyDeleteJacqui
What a busy time of year it is! which of course is great but tiring!! I'll look out for the article and your work in Cambridge, well done. Quite an adventure on the boat, I'm SO glad that wasn't me, boats and me don't mix; I do admire the work these brave people do.
ReplyDelete