Valerie McLean

In connection with the ‘Conversations’ exhibition and series of events at Blue Ginger Gallery in Cradley, near Great Malvern, I am one of eight artists working in a discarded book before sending on to the next artist in the group. There are now eight books travelling round spending one month with each artist before returning to the original owner in August. My book contains letters written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning to Miss Mitford and I have tried to relate to the text and to ideas around …conversations

Working on paintings about memories and meetings for the opening exhibition and series of events with the title ‘Conversations’ at Blue Ginger Gallery, Cradley 28th March. (Work in progress )

In response to recent requests, I have just added a May Hill print  to the items available to be purchased from a page on this website using the Paypal Button. The original painting was painted during the summer months reflecting the strong bright colours in the countryside around the Hill. There is a line transcribed from the famous poem by Robert Frost about his friend Edward Thomas. “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood And sorry I could not travel both” The two friends often walked and talked together on May Hill during the summer of 1914.

I have three paintings accepted for the Royal West of England Academy Open Exhibition in Bristol this year and look forward to going to the traditional Varnishing Day on Saturday 11th October. This painting was made after I returned from witnessing the Art Installation in Birmingham by Brazilian artist, Nele Azevedo,  to commemorate the centenary of the start of the W.W.I. I joined the huge crowd in placing 5,000 ice figures (the number of men lost at the front from Birmingham) on the steps of Chambelain Square and watched as they melted away in the sun. I wanted to paint an ice figure in a heavenly landscape.

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.