Pushing my personal practice forward

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Andie Clay

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I’ve always wanted to work on a large scale but not always found the courage to do it. Earlier this week, I spent 3 days on Zoom studying with Katie Sollohub.

She was running a course entitled ‘Embodied Drawing’ at Seawhite Studios. Emily Ball is the owner of this set up and for this course she was participating alongside us.

https://www.emilyballatseawhite.co.uk/

“The course is for students wishing to expand their drawing practice and find new limits, beyond the scale of your average drawing, by working large, freely, involving body and breath. You will be your own model, working on two or three large scale drawings, and guided by Katie’s exercises and meditation…… By connecting the process of drawing to our own physicality, we can harness directly the power and sensations of the body to create marks. The outcome is perhaps not important, it is more about the process than the product in this course. However, the results may surprise and inspire you in your approach to drawing and painting beyond the course, helping you to discover a fresh way of working from the figure, reinventing your visual response to the physical body.”

Climbed a mountain during the course but it was so worthwhile, great group of participants worldwide and we’re staying in touch on social media, supporting and inspiring each other.

My thanks to Emily and Katie and the Seawhite team for putting this on for us. If this description inspires you, they plan to run this course again in the new year.

Latest news from my studio…

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Andie Clay

I have recently started a new body of work based on ideas and experiences that have been rattling around on the back burner of my brain for a while now.

This ongoing series are currently grouped under the heading Fires in the Mind, and make reference to the source of inspiration of Dave’s installation of the same name.

These autobiographic paintings are attempts to portray the struggles and internal dialogues I am currently going through whilst still receiving counselling to help me come to terms with the traumatic event of Dave’s death that changed absolutely everything in my life.

‘Rabbit Holes’ seeks to express the crazy internal unfocussed state of mind that I found myself enter, heightened over recent months by the solitude of lockdown restrictions.

‘Fires in the Mind – Rabbit Holes’

An easing of lockdown restrictions over this summer has highlighted to me the need to find the courage to become more earthed and focussed as the world too begins to feel its way through this pandemic that has changed everything in everyone’s lives forever.

‘Towards Awareness’ expresses the beginning signs of movement towards focus and a more frequent feeling of calm. Still sensing the omnipresent hair trigger of grief that kicks my feet from under me, the slow process of regaining my centre and grounding myself has begun.

‘Fires in the Mind – Towards Awareness’

Society of Women Artists 159th Annual Exhibition now open online

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Andie Clay

Exhibition now open.

The Society of Women Artists

159th Annual Open Exhibition – Online

Honoured to have four pieces of my work selected for this years exhibition which received very high numbers of entries.

You can see the exhibition online from the 22nd September -

31 December 2020

https://onlinegalleryswa.oess1.uk/

Vote for your favourite painting by clicking the Public Choice Voting button below your favourite artwork.

Remembering Past Successes

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Andie Clay

2011: SWA The 150th Annual Open Exhibition at the Mall Galleries London

In 2011 I was thrilled to receive the St Cuthberts Mill Award from Princess Michael of Kent. This was before I was elected to full membership of The Society of Women Artists in 2012.

In 2015 my painting ‘Blues Saxophonist’ won the Frank Herring Easel Award.

2014: SWA The 153rd Annual Open Exhibition at the Mall Galleries London. Princess Michael of Kent and then Director Sue Jell

New work on the way to Suffolk Gallery

Posted on January 30, 2015 by Andie Clay

colt low res mare low res A selection of new work is on its way to Suffolk including these two horses – Proud Stallion (top) and Calm Mare. To see them in their new setting pay a visit to Seapictures Gallery in Clare, Suffolk where Sarah and Alaric Pugh will give you a warm welcome.

www.seapicturesgallery.com

New Year Open Studio January 2-4, 2015

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Andie Clay

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I was pleased to welcome you all to my new year open studio-both local regulars and new visitors from near and far, including a couple who had seen my work on exhibition in London and travelled down to visit me in my studio.

BBC The One Show screening in January 2015

Posted on December 19, 2014 by Andie Clay

One Show Collage 19.12 copy

Transmission dates are pencilled in for Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th of January, 2015 but are subject to change. One film features Grahame Hurd-Wood and his ongoing project painting portraits of every resident in St Davids, Pembrokeshire. The second film shows myself and eleven other artists rising to the challenge of drawing as many portraits as we could in one day. This took place on a lovely sunny day at The Goat Street Gallery, which overlooks St Davids Cathedral, on the 7th of August 2014.

Solo Exhibition at Ty Solar, Rhosygilwen, Pembrokeshire

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Andie Clay

Fourteen of my semi-abstract paintings inspired by music, sound and vibration were on display throughout September at Ty Solar. Visitors responded positively, enjoying seeing my work displayed in a domestic setting. Ty Solar is the prototype sustainable home developed by Glen Peters, Western Solar’s CEO.

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Drawing the Figure in Motion art workshop at Rhosygilwen

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Andie Clay

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Great feedback from participants attending the workshop I ran at Rhosygilwen. Jo Shapland was excellent as ever, a tremendous model who fully understands my philosophy in teaching through my understanding of Tai Chi.

“It has been a very stimulating, energising and influential day”

“Different and interesting from any life drawing workshop I’ve been to. Enjoyed it”

“Really enjoyed every second of it, some great things to think about and take forward into my own work”

“For me, a new approach to drawing and one that I found fascinating. I love the connections with not just the model who was excellent, but the participation of everybody. Thank you very much and I look forward to another workshop in the future”

Performance Art

Posted on September 13, 2014 by Andie Clay

A&S1 copy A&S7 copy A1 copy A8 copy As part of my art project at Rhosygilwen, Glenn Ibbitson and I collaborated on painting and filming Yang style Tai Chi. The short film “Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain” is the culmination of that days shooting. For further details do get in touch.

Tai Chi, Sean Dowdall. http://www.dragontherapies.co.uk/

Filmwork and photographs above, Glenn Ibbitson. http://www.smokingbrushfineart.com/