Today is the first day of h’Art 2014, an annual event offering the opportunity to visit Artist Studios and other venues all over Herefordshire. I am no 37 venue and look forward to welcoming visitors to my studio in the back garden of my home in Ledbury, over the next 9 days. The studio has never been so clear of clutter ! www.h-art.org.uk
I have just collected h’Art brochures which will soon be distributed to venues across Herefordshire and adjoining counties. There is a super painting by Roger Luxton featured on the cover. There will be 104 venues to visit during the second week in September
I felt honoured on Sunday to have my May Hill paintings hanging on the walls at Oldfields House , where Edward Thomas lodged, with his family in 1914. Robert Frost and family would have visited from nearby Little Iddens and the two poets rambled around the countryside and over May Hill. The event was an hour of readings by Tom Durham from the work of Edward Thomas, as part of the Ledbury Poetry Festival programme. Thanks to Helen and Pete who hosted the very emotional, never to be forgotten event in their home.
An exceptionally successful event was held this weekend, as part of the Ledbury Poetry Festival, at the ancient Tilley Printworks by local artists and poets who have a particular interest in Bookarts. The working, letterpress printworks is hidden in one of Ledbury’s many alleyways but a regular stream of visitors managed to find us and once they had woven their way round the printing equipment, the office, and staircases….then .. a warm welcome, a chair to sit on and lots of self made books awaited them !
The page from my recent book about Edward Thomas has details of a sketchbook page made whilst sitting surrounded by wild flowers and grasses waiting to meet friends – unfortunately not on a railway station !
My latest greeting card celebrates the anniversary of the birth of this famous poem by Edward Thomas developed from notes made at Aldestrop station on a journey to visit Robert Frost and family. Cost is £2 bought from galleries and bookshops or I can post 5 for £10 post free.
A beautiful blue sky this afternoon in Ledbury so I chose this sample page from my new book Edward Thomas. Sometimes the poems merge into the image and sometimes the poem is set onto the opposite page. The books have been delivered to most bookshops in Herefordshire and The Forest Bookshop in the Forest of Dean
I have just taken delivery of some copies of my new book Edward Thomas – Paintings and Drawings by Valerie McLean. The book has many pages reproduced from my sketchbooks worked on while out in the countryside around Ledbury and Dymock, walking the lanes and fields where a colony of Poets Including Edward Thomas and his great friend, Robert Frost lived for a time just before the First World War. Edward Thomas died at the battle of Arras in 1917 but his prose and poetry remains and I have made a personal selection for this book. The book will be available from bookshops and galleries and from my website.. Lots of copies at Ledbury Books and Maps in Ledbury already
This weekend I attended a Stained Glass workshop at Brillie, about 10-12 miles from Hereford with Nicky Hopwood. I made two wings and a selection of extra pieces to be incorporated into a garden sculpture by Artist Blacksmith, Stephen McRae who is based here in Ledbury.
Introducing Sketchbooks Day for Adults
Sunday 29th June 2014
At Dymock Hall and the Poets Path (weather permitting)
Beginners very welcome
10 a.m. ~ 3 p.m. cost £35 inc. basic materials
Please bring own lunch. Tea, coffee etc provided
Further information: tel:01531 635857 info@valeriemclean.com
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email: ____________________
I enclose a cheque made payable to St Mary’s Church PCC for amount___________
Please fill in above details and return to Jackie Tweedale, Horseshoe Inn House, Brooms
Green, Dymock, Glos Gl18 2DP with payment