Thursday, 29 March 2018

Iveta Goddard, from the Great Pottery Throw Down to The Green Tree Gallery!


If you watched BBC2's The Great Pottery Throwdown last year, you may already be familiar with Iveta's work (on the right in this picture) as it was used as an example to the contestants...



Iveta set up her own pottery studio in West Sussex in 2004, having studied ceramics in her home country of the Czech Republic, where she also worked in TV films and cartoon studios.



She makes contemporary, unique pieces, including wheel-based bowls, cups and tealights as well as innovative wall plaques, clocks, lamps and boats, which are slab-built.



Her pottery is made in white earthenware or stoneware. The design is achieved using techniques such as engraving, carving and stamping following minimalistic decoration with oxides and colourful glazes. Finally the pieces are fired in an electric kiln to 1020 - 1240 degrees celsius.



"I enjoy the whole process of creating something from an idea which can come from anywhere at any time," says Iveta.
"For example, the idea for the shape of the clocks came from an interesting stone that I saw in an ornamental garden."



"Through the Eyes of a Child" runs until 12th May.

Friday, 23 March 2018

Sarah Rickard and her Guardian Angels


Sarah says she is driven to create art "which celebrates life and conveys a sense of wonder at nature's mysteries".

"My work is inspired by nature and the birds, beasts, botany and beings which inhabit our world," she explains. Her work includes wrens and robins, as well as running hares that reflect the phases of the moon.



She has a life-long fascination with angels, which stems from a spiritual experience in early childhood, when she saw a benevolent, other-wordly figure smiling at her from the end of her parents' bed.



Her angels, which take stylistic inspiration from William Morris, are constructed in white earthenware and decorated with oxides, underglazes and transfers, which are created from her original drawings and paintings.



"People buy them for many different reasons," explains Sarah. "Sometimes for friends or relations who are going through a difficult time or sometimes to put over a baby's cot."

Sarah lives and works in Heathfield, East Sussex.

Saturday, 17 March 2018

An Extra Special Party to Mark the Start of our 10th Birthday Celebrations


As you may know, 2018 marks the Gallery's 10th birthday, which we are celebrating by supporting Sussex children's hospice Chestnut Tree House throughout the year.

Having kicked off our year-long support at the end of January with our Annual Art Sale, the focal point of our campaign is the Gallery's spring exhibition. By giving the exhibition the title "Through the Eyes of a Child", we hope to also raise awareness in the local area of the charity and its work.

The exhibition was launched last Saturday with an extra special party. At the Chestnut Tree House awareness stall, manned by community fundraiser Jayne Todd, we welcomed our MP, Sir Nicholas Soames, who was tasked with officially opening the exhibition..


Alongside customers, friends and family were artists such as Sally Scott...


...Maddy McClellan, seen here with her mother, son and dog...


...gallery founder and sculptor Julie Janvrin...


...wire sculptor Emma Bird...


...wood turner Yas Hussain...


...as well as long-term gallery supplier Angela Farmer.


As our guests sipped on their drinks...


...Jayne told us about the work of Chestnut Tree House and the importance of art for the children of the hospice and their families.


Then Sir Nicholas Soames said a few words to launch the exhibition...


...before we trooped outside to cut the ribbon.


And now the roll call of thanks...a HUGE thank you to the following people for helping us on the day...

Chris for manning the till...


Tiff, seen here with her niece...


Mike...


Sally...


Emma...


...and last, but definitely not least, Sophie Mitchell of www.smpweddings.co.uk for her fantastic photographs that perfectly captured the sheer joy of the occasion!


As well as the Gallery donating 10% of takings on all launch days this year, Angela Farmer, David Fawcett, Julie Janvrin, Clare O'Neill and the family of our late colleague and 'Gallery Gal', Debbie Medlicott, have all donated work to be sold with all proceeds to Chestnut Tree House.

"Through the Eyes of a Child" runs until 12th May.