Saturday 25 October 2014

"In the Abstract" off to a flying start!


It was the usual flurry of activity last week, rehanging all the walls and rearranging the entire gallery for "In the Abstract".

The end result was a real explosion of colour...isn't this just what we all need, now that Autumn has set in?



The gallery was buzzing with people as we handed round drinks and canapes to customers and friends, as well as some of the artists taking part in the exhibition.



Rex Matthews, Naomi Sack and Sophie Abbott all popped in, adding to a really lovely atmosphere.

And in a perfect start to the exhibition, two sales at the launch party! "Phoenix Warehouse" by Rowan Hannay...



...and "Painted Bird" by Naomi Sack




Friday 10 October 2014

"In the Abstract"...a sneaky peek at the line-up!


"Running Hares" by Alison Ingram

Here at the Green Tree Gallery we are already taking delivery of paintings and sculpture for our next exhibition, "In the Abstract".

With works by Sophie Abbott, Rowan Hannay, Alison Ingram, Rex Matthews, Min Maude, Ev Meynell, Naomi Sack, Julian Sutherland-Beatson, Zed Talijan and John Thompson, it promises to be an exciting and thought-provoking exhibition.

"In the Abstract" opens Saturday 18th October and runs until Saturday 15th November...watch this space!


Sunday 28 September 2014

Coffee, Cakes and Chat raises £640 for Macmillan!


What a lovely day we had on Friday with our Macmillan Coffee 'Morning'...it went on all day!

As well as our Gallery donation of 10% of the day's takings, very generous donations from friends, family, customers and visitors took the total raised for Macmillan Cancer Support to £640!

There were cakes galore...

...and gorgeous vintage cups, saucers, teapots and cake stands lent to us very generously by Philippa of Philippa's Bazaar.


Wednesday 13 August 2014

Green Tree Gallery Sponsors Young Rider

With our exhibition "Horse Play" in full swing here at The Green Tree Gallery, we are now getting ready for the Borde Hill Horse Trials this weekend. Not only are we sponsoring a fence in the Trials, we are also sponsoring local rider, Alex Medlicott in her British Eventing debut.



15-year-old Alex is teamed with her six-year-old French thoroughbred bay gelding, Burlington Bavarde, known as Bertie. Bertie was brought over from Ireland, where he had been bred for racing, by Bryony Whittington, sister of England International rider, Francis.




According to Alex, Bertie wasn't cut out for racing. "He's too polite!" she says. "He prefers to follow...not what you need in a race horse!

"Bertie is kind, honest and brave," says Alex. "But definitely accident prone! We have nicknamed him Bubblewrap - because he needs to be wrapped in it!"

So if you're at the Horse Trials this coming weekend, be sure to give a big cheer for Alex and her "Bubblewrap" Bertie!

And do pop in and see us at the Gallery...we will be open 10.30-5.00 both Saturday and Sunday.


Saturday 9 August 2014

Introducing Sarah Beevers..

If you've visited the Gallery recently, you will have no doubt noticed the array of stunning freshwater pearl and semi-precious stone jewellery by our new artist, Sarah Beevers.


Based in The Secret Garden Studio at Joanne Harmer Gallery in Deal, Sarah has been designing and making jewellery full time since 2011.


Drawing inspiration from living on the coast, Sarah enjoys mixing colours and textures "to ensure the most is brought out of each stone and that their natural beauty is accentuated."


The pieces of jewellery that Sarah creates are both contemporary and classic, with each stone or pearl chosen carefully to accentuate the next.


And with both sterling silver and silver-plated items available, there is something to suit every pocket.

Friday 1 August 2014

Paul Guthrie discovers Horses....

"Horse I"

Paul Guthrie only discovered horses recently, having been asked to contribute to our "Horse Play" exhibition. But then again, he did not find out he was an artist until four years ago, at the age of 37!

"After looking at a friend's horses, I was inspired to go to Lancaster to the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre," says Paul. "I was then drawn to see the working athletes at Lingfield Races and on to the dressage at Hickstead."

"Dressage II"

He uses eye and camera to capture the personality of what he sees and then works with bright, vibrant colours to convey that personality in as truthful a way as he can.

"I find [horses] complex and captivating and I'm sure I'll return to them again and again," says Paul.

Saturday 26 July 2014

Emma Bird's Witty Wire Sculptures


Emma Bird has been a regular contributor to our exhibitions over the past few years, always finding a witty interpretation of the titles and "Horse Play" is no exception.

Emma says she has always made things : "My mum used to dread coming home when Blue Peter had been on, she knew scissors, card and sticky-back plastic would be everywhere!"

Although she works in a range of media, it is her wire sculptures for which she is most well-known, such as this wall hanging.



Having originally studied Art at Canterbury Christ Church College, Emma moved to Sussex and is now Head of Art at Shoreham College.

"Carry Me Home"


"Stable Mates"


"Nose Rub"


"Horse Play" continues until 30th August and includes sculpture, paintings, prints, photographs, textiles and jewellery, all with an equine theme.

Sunday 20 July 2014

Horsing around at the Green Tree Gallery!

It's been a flurry of activity in the last 10 days at the Gallery as we prepared for the opening of our summer exhibition "Horse Play".

Artists, friends and customers joined us for drinks and nibbles as they browsed the paintings, prints, photographs and sculpture exhibited by 10 Sussex artists.

This is "Freedom", a one-off sculpture cast in copper resin by Brighton-based Linden Hamilton.

The sculpture is large in scale...in horse parlance, "Freedom" stands almost six hands high, or 23 inches at the withers!
Linden's sculptures capture the movement of her equine subjects as well as some of their anatomical detail. She initially works in cement and cloth or paper and PVA glue draped around a strong metal framework and then takes a mould of the finished artwork. The final sculptures are cast in polyester resin mixed with metal powders, marble or slate.

This is "White Marble Horse", which is similar in size to "Freedom" but cast in marble resin.


And on a smaller scale, this is "Prancing Horse" in copper resin.


"Silver Horse" in aluminium resin, sold on the first day of the exhibition.

Thursday 12 June 2014

Surprise Visit from Maria Allen

Maria Allen popped in to the Green Tree Gallery recently to say hello whilst she and her family were visiting Borde Hill Garden.

It was lovely to get such positive feedback from Maria when she told us how much she loved that our display of her handmade wooden jewellery and gifts on squares of natural tree bark.

Hove-based Maria started selling her reclaimed and sustainable wood products whilst she was at Brighton University studying Graphic Design and has been designing and making them full time with a small team since graduating in 2011.

Maria's designs feature intricate vintage illustrations on wood, fusing together the traditional and modern.
"My inspirations include typography, travel and nature," she says.
In 2012, Maria created an exclusive Alice in Wonderland themed range for the Tate Galleries and also an exclusive collection for the Royal Academy of Arts in connection with its "Renaissance Impressions" exhibition.


Sunday 25 May 2014

Victoria's Furred and Gentle Beasts invade Gallery!

This weekend we celebrated the opening of the gallery's own ceramic sculptor Victoria Lovell's first solo exhibition, entitled "Of Furred and Gentle Beasts".

Working with seven different types of clay and using as little glaze as possible, Victoria has explored her fascination with animals to create almost 30 pieces of work.

"I have allowed the clay to speak for itself through its natural properties," says Victoria. "I hope this immediacy of colour and texture gives life to the creatures I have portrayed."

"Sculpting animals in clay fascinates me," continues Victoria. "I find it challenging and ultimately rewarding to achieve a balance of creating the animal desired, give it a personality and the feeling of movement in something as solid and immovable as fired clay."

"Of Furred and Gentle Beasts" runs until Sunday 8th June.

Sunday 18 May 2014

Felted Rose Corsage Workshop with Debbie Medlicott



The Green Tree Gallery's own Debbie Medlicott will be running a felting workshop on Thursday 19th June, as part of Borde Hill Garden's 'Roses in Bloom' week.
Working in Borde Hill's recently restored Victorian glasshouse, Debbie will guide you through a day of felting fun, at the end of which you will have created a pretty rose corsage that is completely unique to you.
The workshop runs from 10.00am until 4.00pm and costs £60 a head. Included in the price are all materials, entry to the gardens, coffee and cakes on arrival and tea in the afternoon.
For lunch you have the option of bringing your own picnic to enjoy whilst exploring the glorious gardens or alternatively dining on site at Jeremy's restaurant or Cafe Elvira.

And after the workshop, don't forget to pop in and visit us at the Green Tree Gallery, where you will receive a 10% discount on all purchases made on the day!
To book the workshop, phone 01444 450326 or for more information, please email medlicott@btinternet.com

Sunday 4 May 2014

All change at The Green Tree Gallery!

It's always a bit sad when an exhibition ends and it was definitely the case when we waved goodbye to the lovely landscapes we had in "Sussex, beloved Sussex".
But we have some exciting new artwork now on show, including these pieces by textile artist Lynn Collison on the theme of "Corrosion"



This is "Harbourside": pieced background with scrim, needle-felted organza and finished with semi-precious stones



and here is "Stitched Layers"




Sunday 20 April 2014

Sussex Downlands: a Source of Inspiration for Chris Forsey

Downland and coastal scenes are what inspire Chris Forsey. This self-taught watercolour painter's constant re-appraisal of his style and technique has led him to a mixed-media approach, combining watercolour with acrylic, pastel and gouache.
"I am exhilarated by colour and surface," he explains. "I enjoy creating textured layers of dry-brushed colour that allow hints of complementary hue to glow through..creating an exciting surface of scattered, broken colour."

"Reflecting April"


In his landscapes, Chris often explores the themes of man-made alongside the organic: buildings by water or structure emerging from a rocky cliff. Sometimes figures inhabit the middle ground between buildings and the wildness of nature.
"I try to capture the sense of a place at a specific moment, season or time of day, always endeavouring to bring passion and immediacy to my work."

"Teasels in Spring"


Chris is a tutor of painting and runs watercolour classes in Sussex, as well as in Surrey and the Greek Islands.

"Spring Mist, the Arun"



"The Arun & Downs Scarp, Amberley"


Our exhibition "Sussex, beloved Sussex" features the work of Chris Forsey and six other painters and runs for one more week until Saturday 26th April.

Saturday 12 April 2014

Helen Brown's landscapes: imbued with the emotion of place

Helen Brown is a woodcut printmaker who exhibits regularly at the Green Tree Gallery. She is a Sussex resident and most of her work depicts the South Downs.

"Over the Downs to Kingston"


"I draw directly from the landscape onto wooden blocks," says Helen. "I then carve into the blocks and print from them. Each one of my pieces is given individual life through chine colle (paper overlay) and hand tinting, just as the mood of a scene shifts with light, time and experience."

"Chanctonbury Ring"


Helen spends time in the places her works depict and returns to those places time and time again.
"Working outdoors enables me to connect with the spirit of the place, capturing the line and fluidity of scenes and localities," she explains.

"Stanmer Ridge Down"


"Poppy Hill"


Our exhibition "Sussex, beloved Sussex" features a selection of Helen's work, both framed and unframed.




Friday 4 April 2014

A Painting A Day

Eastbourne-based artist Julian Sutherland-Beatson has been creating daily paintings since 2008, many of which have been inspired by the Sussex landscape.

"East Dean Village"


His "Sussex 365" project in 2009 was shown at Glyndebourne Opera House and led to him becoming Artist in Residence. He produced daily paintings during the Glyndebourne Festival season (mid-May to mid-August) which in 2011 were inspired by the flora, fauna and architecture of Glyndebourne as well as its visitors.

The following year his paintings depicted life 'behind the scenes' and featured the performers, costume-makers and stage personnel, as well as the actual performances.

As well as loving "the enforced discipline and focus" of producing a daily painting, Julian also cites Malcolm Gladwell's book "Outliers" which suggests that it takes 10,000 hours to achieve a specific level of expertise and excellence.

"The Beatles did it, Muhammad Ali did it. Picasso did it," he says.
"This is my way of 'doing the hours'."

"Near Cuckmere Haven"


"Farm Track near Beachy Head"


For 2014's daily paintings, Julian's theme is "At Home and Abroad".

Saturday 29 March 2014

Spring Sunshine welcomes "Sussex, beloved Sussex"

What a lovely day we all had at the opening of our first exhibition of the year "Sussex, beloved Sussex".

We were blessed with Spring sunshine and a steady stream of visitors taking in the stunning artwork and enjoying a drink and a chat.

Alongside the familiar faces of the regular customers and friends of the Gallery were new customers visiting us for the first time and clearly surprised to be offered drinks and nibbles!

Artist Julian Sutherland-Beatson popped in to see his work and was snapping away on his camera.

Then later in the afternoon Grant De Jong paid us a visit, accompanied by family and friends. Here is Grant's vivid and highly textured "Red Downs".