Oh Australia, Rebirth & Renewal

Inspired by Begonias I

Burton at Bideford

Studio Kind

Just a note to confirm that the above two paintings are on display at the Burton in Bideford - “Inspired by Begonias” and Studio Kind in Braunton - “Oh Australia, Rebirth and Renewal”. The painting that I have exhibited in Studio Kind,  is one that I made during the first lockdown, and refers to the dreadful bush fires that occurred in Australia earlier that year. We were on Kangaroo Island in South Australia in 2008 and lived there for 2 months with a friend. I was devastated by the destruction caused by the fires on that beautiful island and had to work through that shock with paint. This one is about nature renewing and reclaiming the land. 

For anyone who isn’t aware of Studio Kind, it is situated at the back of the Tesco store in Braunton - head for the delivery entrance and there is a  little industrial area to the right as you go in, and Studio Kind is a couple of doors down from the main parking area, at the back of Tesco. This exhibition is run by North Devon Arts and will continue until Friday 18th June, opening hours 12 noon - 5.30pm. Pop long and have a look there is a variety of interesting and delightful works available for sale.

The exhibition at the Burton in Bideford, is continuing until Sunday 4th July - I know the poster says Saturday - but the 4th July is Sunday this year! Open every day, 10am - 4pm, apart from Sunday’s when the opening is 11am.

This year we are sharing the gallery space with another display in Gallery one, a print maker, and very well worth having a look. The Westward Ho! & Bideford Art Society exhibition is in Gallery 2. All the work is by the membership and is available for sale.

Well we have been in lockdown since January and not a lot has been happening in the Smy household. We have been working hard in the garden, at least my hubby has and I have been giving help and instructions - which plants to remove and where I want the wall to be built etc. However, that is nearly finished and I have been working in the studio as well. The newest piece is ‘Landslide’; another painting worked in oils and cold wax medium. It was originally in landscape orientation, but as it developed it started to speak to me about coastal erosion and the orientation moved to portrait.

The second image, which I have shown before, is my submission for the Westward Ho! & Bideford Art Society exhibition, with the third image being a poster of that show with dates etc. Its very exciting to have a physical show of works, especially in such a lovely space as the Burton in Bideford. It will be a smaller showing than usual as we are sharing space with another display, but do come and see us in Gallery 2, where there will be a range of pieces by the members of the society. 

We have recently been updated by the Westward Ho! & Bideford Art Society, that we will have a physical exhibition this year, hooray! Although there is no theme, the painting must have been produced during lockdown.  The above image is of a painting - ‘Inspired By Begonias’ - which was created last August/September time. It was rendered using oils and cold wax medium and, as the title says, I was inspired by the begonias in my garden. I have in fact created two such paintings of my begonias, as I was so delighted with the colours and habit of the flowers, but this is the one I have chosen for the exhibition.

I understand that we are handing in works on 30th April and the exhibition will start on Monday 17th May - Sunday 11th July inclusive. The exhibition will be held at the Burton Art Gallery and Museum in Bideford with their usual opening hours. It is framed under glass with a white wood frame and white mount and measures about 33” x 25.5” framed. It is priced at £400