Thursday, 25 August 2016

Last, but definitely not least...Rosi Robinson!


Rosi Robinson is a batik artist, teacher, lecturer and author. She has been featured in many magazines including Artists & Illustrators, Craft & Design and International Artist and has written three books on batik.



Rosi was born in Edinburgh and studied history at Vassar College in New York. She taught for 43 years and was Head of Art at Cumnor House School for almost 28 years, before retiring in 2013. She now lectures and gives batik workshops throughout the world.

Rosi's travels to the Far East, Europe and North America have influenced her subject matter, which includes land and seascapes, portraits and sporting scenes.



Her batik pictures are principally figurative and look like watercolour paintings but she also enjoys experimenting with wax and dyes, developing ideas in more abstract ways on cotton and paper.

"Reflection" ends on Saturday 3rd September.

Tuesday, 23 August 2016

My Time At The Gallery: Emily O'Shea

Over the course of this summer I have had four days of work experience at The Green Tree Gallery, and I have extremely enjoyed my time here. The ladies that I have been working with and the customers have all been so welcoming that I would definitely love to visit again in the future.

At The Green Tree Gallery I have been allowed to work in a variety of different areas. I was able to aid in customer service in which I really enjoyed interacting with buyers and discussing their own artistic interests. I was also able to create different displays of artists work and understand how to attract the eye to certain pieces using different heights and dimensions.

Following this I began looking into the online media of the gallery. I was able to photograph pieces of artwork and then to edit them before writing a post and uploading them to Facebook. My experience here as allowed me to gain an insight into the amount of work that is required to run a business such as the gallery, which I feel will be extremely useful in my future.

I have really enjoyed exploring the array of artistic techniques used by the artists which has really inspired me to experiment with different art methods in my own work. I also really love how the gallery appeals to a range of different people from young children to eager art collectors through the range of interesting pieces displayed.

An artist whose work really stood out to me was Grant De Jonge (seen to the right) who creates beautiful landscapes of brightly coloured skies using a very interesting abstract technique with oil paints on canvas. The rough bursts of colour have really inspired me to try and use more effortless techniques and possibly explore some more landscape work, as well as practicing my oil painting.

The work by Rosi Robinson (seen to the left) also really caught my eye, as I have experimented with batik techniques before, creating large floral patterns, but have never seen such beautiful and intricate batik paintings as these. They have been created with amazing skill and are made with stunning colours. This has again inspired me to practice more techniques such as batik to broaden my artwork.


The exhibition “Reflection” has interestingly brought in a great deal of glass work to the gallery. I love how these pieces have been reflecting through the summer sunshine and really brightening up the gallery.

I have really enjoyed my time at The Green Tree Gallery and have gained such a great experience working in the art industry and having done so in such a lovely environment.

- Emily O'Shea



Wednesday, 17 August 2016

A pair of painters: Paul Guthrie and Annie Vince

Our exhibition "Reflection" features paintings by two artists who are both self-taught: Paul Guthrie and Annie Vince.

Paul says he "didn't find out" that he was an artist until six years ago, at the age of 37.

It started when he painted "Cows, Red Background" and hung it on the wall at home. The astonished response of his friends set him on an unstoppable trajectory.



"The only way I can express it is to say that I can't avoid painting," he explains.

Unlike his painting in the exhibition, "Abstract I", Paul's subject matter is usually birds and animals. He is driven to convey in his work the nature of a living subject, its essential character.

"If a sheep looks like a fleece stuffed with old farm implements, then that is what I must represent," he says.

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. His way of working conveys the reality of a subject more fully than any factual or naturalistic representation can.

Paul aims for a strong response to his paintings. "My hope is that the viewer takes something new from a painting every time they see it."

Annie Vince's interest in art started about 20 years ago when she learned to paint. Although she experimented with most media, she found that acrylic and oil suited her best.



"I started to focus on abstract painting, first on paper with oil and now on large canvases," says Annie, who was born in France but now lives in Hampshire.

"I like using vibrant and vivid colours with bold strokes, always trying to produce a dramatic atmosphere with lots of movement."

"I begin by picking up a line, then by adding colour and texture, the painting develops naturally," she says. "I always have a palette in mind before starting painting, which I apply freely at first. I then introduce some structured lines."


Saturday, 13 August 2016

Reflection...on metal and glass



Metalsmith Simeon Smythe and glassmaker Stephanie Else met at our launch party for Reflection and spent the afternoon comparing notes on working in their respective media.



Simeon studied three-dimensional design at Brighton Polytechnic, where he worked in wood, metal, ceramics and plastics before choosing metal as his main material in the final year. After graduating in 1986, he set up a workshop and started producing his own designs in metal.



"The inspiration for my work comes from nature, architecture and geometric forms," he explains. "I often get ideas by working directly with the metal using a combination of machine and hand tools."

The main metals Simeon uses are copper and brass and the finished pieces are either commercially plated or individually patinated using chemicals.

Stephanie is self-taught. Having "worked and played with glass for many years", she uses a variety of kiln-forming and glass-fusing techniques. She works with a combination of both transparent and opaque glass, adding metals, foils and lustres to produce both decorative and functional works of art, jewellery and gifts.



Like Simeon, Stephanie finds her inspiration in nature and the world around her, as well as in the glass itself. She says she "never tires" of experimenting and exploring new techniques.

"I enjoy the unpredictable nature of my work," she says. "Never knowing exactly what a finished piece will look like when it comes out of the kiln...and the fact that no two pieces can ever be the same!"

"Reflection" ends on Saturday 3rd September.



Wednesday, 10 August 2016

Meet Sussex Guild members Brian and Deborah...




Sussex Guild members Brian Denyer-Baker and Deborah Timperley are both exhibiting with us for the first time: Brian is a print maker whilst Debbie is a Glassmaker.



Brian studied Fine Art & Design at Brighton College of Art, where he learnt the skill of etching under Raymond Cowern RA RE, and went on to study at the Royal College of Art.

His career has embraced teaching Art & Design as visiting tutor at Harrow and Wimbledon Schools of Art and later at West Dean College. As a freelance design consultant and illustrator, Brian worked for many large companies, including Shell International.

He has work in private collections throughout the UK, the Middle East, Europe, Australia, the United States and Japan. He has exhibited in London at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, the Mall Galleries, New Grafton Gallery, Llewellyn Gallery and Eastern Rooms, Rye.

He is a regular exhibitor at Henry Paddon Contemporary Art in Eastbourne and with the Sussex Guild at exhibitions throughout the county.



With a workshop on the Borde Hill Estate, Debbie is as local as can be although she has exhibited widely in Europe, showing in Germany, Lithuania, Switzerland and Belgium!

She has been selected several times for the British Glass Biennale and also shows at craft events such as Art in Action in Oxfordshire.

Her techniques are all kiln formed, including lost wax casting, open casting, fusing, slumping and cold working.

Her sculptural pieces are a combination of technical mastery employed to convey an idea whilst others are a more literal evocation of landscape. More functional work includes wall panels, mirrors and a variety of bowls as well as coasters.

"I still love that moment of anticipation when I lift the kiln lid," says Debbie. "Will it be followed by delight or despair?"

"Reflection" continues until 3rd September.

Tuesday, 19 July 2016

From Nightclub Murals to "Lightbox" Landscapes


Grant Dejonge has been making art for twenty five years. At present his work concentrates on landscape painting but he has occupied many roles in the art world, from gallery owner on Brighton seafront to mural painter in London nightclubs.




He now lives in the heart of the South Downs where he records the beautiful scenery that make up the South Downs National Park.

Grant is driven by a desire to understand the world around him and to recreate it in two dimensions. He references many different art movements in bis work: surrealism and symbolism sit comfortably with pop art and portraiture.

"I particularly love Otto Dix and Max Beckermann," says Grant. "Painters such as Matta and Tanguy were an early influence, but in truth most of my day-to-day influences are my friends and fellow artists who no-one has ever heard of...and my wife Jaqueline."

In 2010 he won first prize in a national competition run by artrepublic, to make a positive contribution to the urban environment and raise awareness of the problems of homelessness. His picture "Lost", depicting a homeless child sleeping under the lamplight of a city park is perhaps one of his most famous pieces.

Although Grant has exhibited with us previously, he is breaking new ground in this exhibition. Among his works on display are two innovative "lightbox" landscapes, which are painted on perspex and backlit by LEDs.



"Reflection" continues until 3rd September.

Wednesday, 6 July 2016

Emma Bird's lateral thinking...


Emma Bird has exhibited her wire sculptures at the Gallery for some time and always comes up with witty interpretations of our exhibition titles.

So with bated breath, we waited to see how she would interpret "Reflection".

Emma's work in this exhibition focuses on the contemplative angle with evocative and tenderly observed wire sculptures and framed pictures.


This is entitled "Remember When"....


...whilst this free-standing sculpture is simply called "The Good Old Days".

Emma's work celebrates the beauty of creation, the people and animals that she sees around her, as well as the interaction between them.

"Wire gives me the freedom to draw in the air," she says. "It is so intriguing to see the line hold its shape without losing a sense of flow and delicacy."

She uses the minimum number of ‘lines’ to suggest the highlights of each creation and its character.

"I work with my hands, pliers and cutters alone to create my pieces," she says. "I value the purity of this process and avoid the temptation to solder or glue wires together so that I produce truly handcrafted work."

Until recently, Emma was Head of Art at Shoreham College but now works full time as an Artist.

The exhibition continues until Saturday 3rd September.

Wednesday, 29 June 2016

Reflection! An exhibition of glass and so much more...

After 24 hours of reflection on the Brexit result, we had had enough!
It was time to crack open the Pimms and celebrate the opening of "Reflection", our summer exhibition.



The exhibition features work by our talented glassmakers as well as contemplative work in other media including wire sculpture, paintings, etchings, textiles and metal.



The exhibiting artists were out in force, including glassmaker Debbie Timperley and printmaker Brian Denyer-Baker...



...as well as metalsmith Simeon Smythe and glassmaker Stephanie Else.



Exhibiting artists are:

Emma Bird – Wire Artist

Grant De Jonge – Paintings

Brian Denyer-Baker – Etchings

Stephanie Else - Glass

Paul Guthrie – Paintings

Rosi Robinson – Textiles

Simeon Smythe – Metal

Debbie Timperley - Glass

Annie Vince – Paintings

The exhibition runs until 3rd September and also includes new work by our regular glass artists Jo Downs Glass, Fired Creations, Four Hands Etched Glass, Fran McCaskill, Glory Art Glass and Studio Shards.

Wednesday, 25 May 2016

Celebrating Irish craft and design with Small Island


If you came to our recent exhibition "Blossom by Blossom the Spring Begins", you'll know that most of our artists and makers are pretty local. They are mainly from Sussex, some are from Surrey and the Home Counties and a few are from further afield.

However, on Saturday we reached out a fair bit further, starting a month-long celebration of Irish craft and design with local company Small Island.



The Cuckfield-based online business was set up in 2015 by Irish-born Mandy Wilson and was inspired by the range of beautiful products she saw on her many trips to Ireland in recent years.



"Everything we sell is designed and made in Ireland by talented craftspeople," says Mandy.

"Some are just starting out and others are working in family businesses that go back generations. Influenced by both the Irish landscape and Irish culture, they all have one thing in common - a desire to bring Irish craft and design up to date and to the attention of a world audience."



This special combination of age-old tradition and new innovation results in some beautiful and unique pieces that have both a strong Irish identity and also a wide appeal.

Blankets and throws may have been woven in mills that have been in existence for hundreds of years but they are being made with different wools such as supersoft alpaca and in designs that feature bold contemporary colours.



And whilst linen has long been associated with Northern Ireland, it is now being woven in new designs and colours and used in exciting new ways such as combining it with lambswool to create very special blankets.

"2015 was the year of Irish Design and a worldwide exhibition took the work of many designers and makers as far afield as Toyko, New York, Milan and Amsterdam," says Mandy.

"It was a huge success and interest in Irish craft and design is at an all time high. The Daily Telegraph has even tagged Irish Design ‘the new Scandi’, which indicates its popularity and appeal."

Small Island's beautiful wares include blankets, ceramics, wooden chopping boards, slate coasters and cheeseboards, textiles and handbound notebooks and will be on display at the Gallery until Saturday 18th June.






Wednesday, 23 March 2016

From Sale to Stitching to Spring!


Here at the Green Tree Gallery, it's been an action-packed year so far. We kicked off 2016 with our Annual Art Sale...



...then squeezed in a quick Free Machine Embroidery Workshop with Suzanne Sanders.



And on Saturday, we launched our Spring Exhibition: "Blossom by Blossom the Spring Begins"....



Customers, friends and family chatted...



...enjoying drinks and canapes whilst they browsed the glorious art.



Claire Medhurst of Duck Egg Blue Design Company popped in with her family to see her work at her first gallery exhibition...



....as did Gail Gibson Tait



...Linda Compton McDonald



...and Jo Hodder.


"Blossom by Blossom the Spring Begins" also features works by Nichola Campbell, Ruth Green and John Thompson and runs until Saturday 7th May.