January 2022
"Ancient shapes and paper experiments..."
Since showing with the SGFA (Society of Graphic Fine Art) in the beautiful Mandells Gallery, Norwich last October, I was delighted when three more of my recent paintings were selected for their New Year exhibition currently showing until mid to end of February.
See www.mandellsgallery.co.uk for opening times.
The Gallery is situated in the heart of the historic quarter of Norwich and is easily accessible by train and well worth a visit.
As mentioned before, I have found lockdown and beyond has been an ideal time to sort my archives of sketches and studies accumulated over the years
This image forms part of some paintings I have been creating, focusing on developing ideas from sketches made of antique ceramics whilst in Chile some years ago.
Some of these date back to around 1400BC, and I am loving the designs, colour and shapes, plus the ideas they evoke.
Blending these ancient shapes with contemporary items of porcelain and fabric are providing me with endless hours of pleasure, experimenting with different brands of watercolour, papers and daring working methods.
At the moment I am totally concentrating on working in pure watercolour finding my way round using different brands of watercolour and papers. I am testing myself at every turn - flooding , lifting , scraping, removing and replacing as I go. It is the ultimate journey, and although I love working large, I am taming my ideas down to around 30x30cm (approximately), hugging the design elements within patches of delicious colour into which I will occasionally plop another colour, wet into wet and wet on dry - enjoying just ‘watching paint dry’ - no really!
I still hang on to my quiet spaces though, and they are very important to me and to the feelings I want to evoke in my work. Also, some papers are so resilient that they never cease to give, and this is wonderful, especially when areas are actually over-worked and begin to crack the surface. Could be a disaster, but on the other hand there is a beauty in there if one knows where to look.
With a goal in mind, to create a collection from which I can ultimately push myself further forward with my 3D works, I am itching to get into the studio each day, although a lot of my thinking time happens just about anywhere.......
Jackie Devereux
MORE COURSES & WORKSHOPS
Missenden Abbey, Spring & Summer 2022 see ..... www.missendenschoolofcreativearts.co.uk
I’ll be there running both Ink + Watercolour and pure Watercolour courses as detailed below.
25-27 February 2022
Experimental Lino and mono printing workshop.
Incorporating collage, and working with a variety of exquisite papers, blending tradition with exciting contemporary ideas.
25-27 March 2022
Ink and watercolour know no bounds………An energetic stroll into abstract on this workshop. Feel the excitement brew as the unexpected creeps over the paper, whilst we develop ideas through creative play and experimentation.
22-24 April 2022
Contemporary works on paper………Oh the joys of creating contemporary works – with ink and watercolour – join me on a journey with a difference. It’s not all about paint, and paper isn’t just the vehicle for it. Find out more on this very exciting and creative workshop.
20-22 May 2022
Composition, composition, composition……..Working with pure unadulterated watercolour, we shall explore some intriguing methods which would make the early Victorians’ hair curl! We shall be dipping more than just a toe into this tantalizing medium – taking unnecessary risks and reaping the rewards together as a result.
10-12 June 2022
Small format, strong contemporary ink and watercolour works on paper……….
A workshop full of surprises…..let’s be brave with these liquid challenges. We shall look beyond the norm as we take the plunge with watercolour enhanced with ink. A thoroughly modern take transcending preconceived ideas as we step boldly into a world of minimalist ideas, whilst manipulating paper and subject matter.
Not for the faint hearted!
