This Spring I am taking art in a self created art residency and exhibition called Art in Nature, at the beautiful Lanjeth Nursery and Water Gardens. From the 31st March to the 19th April myself and six other women artists from across Cornwall will be making art inspired by Lanjeth Gardens. And you are invited to be a part of it.
What is an Art Residency?
An art residency is an opportunity for an artist to take a step back from every day life, and to focus for a time on their creativity. When I started my business many years ago I soon discovered that being a professional artist is far less about the actually creating than I anticipated.
There is all the associated admin, marketing, accounting, event planning and attending, and logistics of running a business. This is very time consuming. I also do a lot of teaching which I love, as it inspires me to work with so many different people. And then commissioned portraits stretch me in new directions with exciting challenges. I honestly enjoy every element of my job, and being self employed and running a business suits me very well, but it can be hard to step back and find time to just make art for me.
Art residencies are something that you might travel for, combining a new environment with an equipped studio, a fresh collective of creatives and perhaps a new structure to work within.
The Art in Nature residency idea was born from a conversation with Sharon Bruster, a fabulous artist friend of mine who lives and works in Padstow on the North Coast of Cornwall. I introduced Sharon to Lanjeth gardens where we walked, drank lots of coffee, has excited conversations and found ourselves completely inspired by the environment. That same day we were inviting fellow artists to join our new project and come and make art with us there.
For me this is a chance to see this place that I know well through fresh eyes. Not only by responding to what my fellow artists create, but also by looking anew myself. Taking lots of time to slow down, explore ways of drawing en plein air, and introducing lots of play to my sketching.
I may take some sketches and ideas into my studio and develop them further. I may make many experiments on the page which I later abandon. I may try new art materials, and I may find myself in a more methodical rhythm. The beauty of this time is that there is no necessary outcome, no pressure to make art that is pleasing to anyone else. Just the space and permission to be curious, to draw a lot, to find new ways of capturing on the page what I see and how I feel.
And there is the added benefit of making alongside other artists, being inspired by and learning from them. I am always interested to see how differently we all see the world around us.
Artists in Nature
There are seven women artists in total taking part in this art residency. Myself, Sharon Bruster, Belinda Latimer, Christina Milward of Ivy Prideaux, Roberta Hopkins, Josie Purcell and Fran Marks Art.
We have a very wide range of styles, approaches and media, with the common thread of each being inspired by nature.
You can find out more about us and follow the residency planning and news in our Facebook event.
The Art of Lanjeth
If you haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Lanjeth Nursery and Water Gardens yet, let me tell you what you will find.
Lanjeth is a village on the outskirts of St Austell, and also home to Lanjeth Gardens. This tranquil 13.5 acre site is part of a natural wetland, and has an illustrious history as a nursery for aquatic plants. It boasts over 100 ponds and a waterlily lake, with walks winding throughout and down into ancient woodland. It is a very special place which is run for the benefit of the local and wider community. Families, walkers, nature enthusiasts and dogs on leads are all very welcome.
You will find a new plant centre, a cafe with the most delicious lunches and light bites, and very friendly welcome from all.
Lanjeth Gardens is currently open to the public from 10am – 4pm Thursday – Sunday. Then seven days a week from Easter weekend.
We will be scattered across the site, with artists there every day from the beginning of April. Come and find us and say hello, we would love to meet you.
There will also be an opportunity to contribute to a collaborative artwork we will be creating with our visitors.
Plus we are holding a raffle of seven original artworks, all donated by the artists, to raise funds for Growing People CIC. This Community Interest Company is at the heart of what Lanjeth does, creating nature based connections and opportunities for the local community. Tickets will be available through the cafe at Lanjeth, and the draw made on the afternoon of the 19th April.
Art of Lanjeth Exhibition
These weeks of creativity will culminate in an exhibition sharing all we make on the weekend of the 18th and 19th April. Plus a private view event from 5-7pm on Friday 17th April. You will find our exhibition in The Pavilion, next door to the cafe.
Inspired to Learn to Draw Too?
I run a number of regular classes and workshops at Lanjeth Gardens throughout the year. As well as private tuition, and delivering bespoke workshops, talks and demonstrations to groups. You can find out more about all the ways you can learn with me here.
For any questions you may have about art tuition or anything else, you can contact me here or call or WhatsApp on 07967 416072
