Valerie Brigg's In residence

Val is in Residence in the Stable Workshop till 28th August.

 




 Val has been involved with the Gallery for over 30 years  - dating  back to the days when it all started as Bevere Vivis Art




Through the years she has been involved with many activities - Exhibitions, Demonstrations, Art Shows, Classes and much much more and it is great to have her here in person in the Stable Workshop till 28th August

Her wildlife  and nature paintings and drawings  are on show for Gallery visitors to enjoy. Also the chance to meet her and engage in friendly conversation

Some of Val's  artwork on show

She will be putting the finishing touch to the painting of Tiddesley Wood she has so generously donated for private Auction:-

From Worcestershire Wildlife Trust Blog

A watercolour painting by Worcester-based artist Valerie Briggs is being auctioned by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.

 

Val starting on the Painting

nearly done!

The nationally-renowned artist has donated the painting to the county’s leading conservation charity to help raise funds for their work.  The painting features the carpet of bluebells at Tiddesley Wood, Pershore, and a series of vignettes of the wildlife found in the wood.

Sian Bakewell, Grants Officer for the Trust, explained “We’re really grateful to Valerie for donating this beautiful artwork.  Valerie’s work is collected by people throughout the UK so we’re very fortunate that she’s donated her time and this painting to help wildlife in the county.”

Valerie has been exhibiting her paintings for nearly 30 years and is dedicated to recording the flora and fauna of the British countryside. 

Many of her paintings are of local scenes and she is especially drawn to our county’s waterways that provide green corridors for a wildlife population under the constant threat of urbanisation.

Valerie commented “The idea came about because of the close association I have with the Tiddesley Wood Open Day that the Trust holds each May.  The event was celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year and I wanted to do something to celebrate the occasion and help raise much needed funds for the Trust.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed researching the wildlife for the vignettes – that’s often the hardest part. I had not realised that there were Perry Pear trees in the wood and that the noble chafer beetle existed. I am grateful to Harry Green for helping me out there with reference material. “

Valerie will be putting the finishing touches to the painting during her residency at the Bevere Gallery from 20^th to 28^th August.

Any reader that would like the painting hanging on their wall should send their bid in a sealed envelope or via email to Sian Bakewell, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, Lower Smite Farm, Smite Hill, Hindlip, Worcestershire, WR3 8SZ or silent-bid@worcestershirewildlifetrust.org .

There is a reserve price on the painting and the auction will close at 9am on 16^th January 2012.

Walter Keeler - Featured Ceramist in Bevere Gallery - from August 10th 2011

Walter Keeler

Message  from our Ceramic Curator -  Stuart Dickens :-

Display In The Gallery

COFFEE WITH WK

It is always a pleasure to spend time with Walter Keeler and his pots. He lives and works in a quiet corner of Monmouthshire surrounded by a delightful cottage garden and a silence that tells you that you are in the heart of the country

His home has impressive examples of his work from several decades and he has shelves of antique pots, some of which have influenced the development of his ceramics.

It was difficult for Walter to get his work to us for the current show and it was definitely no hardship for us to visit South Wales particularly as we had pretty much a free choice of the pieces for the gallery. Spoilt for choice hardly seems an adequate phrase!

Noticeably, every piece is mint quality. Whatever direction his work takes the precision, clarity of line and the sheer brilliance of his glazing and decoration are evident in every pot. Like so many master potters he is modest about his skill and extraordinary facility with his chosen medium.

8 of the 24 selected

The pieces we eventually selected are a snapshot of his current output. We also learnt that he has been developing  a yellow glaze and I have to say that the combination of his ink-wash grey glaze and the soft yellow is stunning. Unfortunately there were none of the yellow pots available but some were promised - watch this space.

Our visit was all too short, but as always when we left, life seemed that much better for the time spent with one of our great craftsmen.