Ouseburn Open Studios

Another exciting weekend for your diary! The 26^th – 28^th November is set for the much anticipated Ouseburn Open Studios. I have vivid memories from last year of anxious queuing outside the Mushroom Works, a rampage when the doors were finally opened and then, not what I would call an altogether civilized, buying frenzy! Definitely the most hectic art exhibition I’ve ever experienced! With the great success we had last year, I can only imagine what this year will bring us.

For those of you who have yet to make it to the Ouseburn Open Studios, allow me to explain what this exciting weekend beholds. Within the hidden treasure of Ouseburn, eight creative venues will be opening their doors to the public creating a great opportunity to talk to the artists within their studios. Most of the venues this year will be hosting workshops, artist led demonstrations or other activities for all the family. There is also a huge variety of affordable work to buy from paintings, sculpture, jewellery and prints. Following on from the success of last year, Mushroom Works will be hosting their 20 x 20 exhibition. Artists create a 20cm squared artwork at a price of just £20! This is such a popular event for early Christmas present hunters, but it’s too good an opportunity not to grab an original artwork for yourself too! I limited myself to buying 3 pieces last year for presents, however 2 of them are now hanging proudly in my bedroom!

Every spare moment Joanne has had over the past few months has been spent preparing her 20 x 20s. Here’s a sneak peak of one she’s been working on.

All the information you need is on the Mushroom Works website at www.mushroomworks.com

The opening times are:

Friday 26th November 6pm-8pm (preview night at Mushroom works only)

Saturday 10am - 5pm (all venues)

Sunday 11am - 4pm (all venues)

Hopefully see you all there!

Written by Katie

Biscuit Factory Preview Night

As Joanne is otherwise engaged with some new additions to the family, I thought I would keep you updated with news of their recent events. 

The Christmas spirit was definitely in the air at the Biscuit Factory on Saturday evening. The new Winter Exhibition 2010 was officially revealed and with the great turnout the night was a great success. There is such a variety of work by local and national artists being showcased. Among the much-loved Newcastle landscape paintings and hare sculptures, there is a large collection of pieces from new artists to the gallery. 

 With people browsing for early Christmas presents, sparkling wine being handed out and frost on the windows, it was a perfect night to browse some artwork! On the ground floor, Joanne was set up with her very own exhibition space. It was great to see her work placed in yet another gallery and gathering the interest of eager buyers. Three of her originals were sold before the new exhibition was even officially opened! As you can imagine Joanne and Ross have led a rather hectic life over the past month after the arrival of two little boys! So it was great to see Joanne again, showing off the new originals in her collection. All that’s needed now is to prepare ourselves for the chaotic Ouseburn Open Studios! Wish us luck!

Written by Katie

Fun at the Fair!

Phew! We survived! Another hectic weekend spent at the NewcastleGateshead Art Fair.

Hello there. My name is Katie and, as Joanne already mentioned, I will be helping the Wishart enterprise with anything from art fairs to marketing. I’m studying Art History at Newcastle University at the moment, with an aspiration to work in the arts. Art journalism is a great interest of mine, so don’t be surprised if I keep making an appearance in Joanne’s blog!

I was set to work on Thursday night to help out with the preview night of the ever popular NewcastleGateshead Art Fair. The night was a big success. A full turn out of art lovers and a great atmosphere in the air. Drinks were flowing and art was selling. Ross and Joanne were busy all night chatting to those who were interested in their art which was being displayed by the Design Room Gallery from Wooler. I had the much more relaxing task of wandering the rest of galleries to see what other people had to offer. There was definitely a great mix this year and such a showcase of all the fantastic art from local talents. From the traditional, much loved hare sculptures to the more eccentric work of the up and coming artists, the place was brimming with exciting pieces. It was also a nice touch to wander the venue with a man playing the violin following close behind! Definitely a first for me!

photograph of the Design Rooms stand at the NG Art Fair. Article written by Katie Hughes.

Hello and Goodbye

Over the last month we have said goodbye to Sally our intern who is off to London to work at the Imperial War Museum and study for her MA. She will be sadly missed but I am sure she will be enjoying her new life and career in the big smoke.

Ross and I would like to officially welcome the wonderful Katie Hughes to the Wishart team. Katie is a History of Art student with a passion for the creative sector and has been interning with us for a few months now. Katie is working on a lots of projects for us including a marketing campaign and setting up an etsy shop so her help will be a great asset in the coming months!

Photo: Katie Hughes 

Oranges and Lemons

                                            

Alnmouth Arts Festival was glorious this year, with the sun shining people meandered around with ice cream in hand. Our church stall enjoyed a variety of visitors who seem to be increasing in numbers each year at this ever growing event.

As someone who is drawn to anything related to the sea Susan Waters work really caught my eye. Her fishy sculptures amazed me, a deck chair made of fish skins and a dress constructed with seaweed, her use of natural materials is clever and creative, fitting in perfectly to this beautiful seaside town.

Alnmouth Arts Festival

Visit the beautiful coastal village of Alnmouth for the 6th Annual Arts Festival on 26th and 27th June.

As summer has finally descended upon us, we have taken up the opportunity to exhibit my work within this year’s Alnmouth Arts Festival. The plans for the weekend have been creating a buzz of anticipation within the area. Around one hundred of the region’s best professional and local amateur artists and crafts people are coming together for this unique and very popular event. The public have the opportunity to follow an art trail around the village and visit over twenty venues hosting exhibitions, photographic displays, demonstrations, craft stalls, live music and children’s fun arts and craft events. I’ve been given the special location of St. Johns Church where you can find me and my work as you follow the art trail around the village. All of the venues are within easy walking distance of each other, intermingled with the village shops, inns, cafes and the beautiful beach. Set in beautiful countryside and with miles of unspoilt sandy beaches it’s a perfect location for outdoor activities or simply to enjoy nature. So if browsing the pick of the regions talents and relaxing with a drink in your hand sounds just up your street then a trip to Alnmouth seems the perfect way to spend the weekend! I hope to see you there for what is set to be yet another dedication to the creative talent of the North East.

www.alnmouthartsfestival.com

Alnmouth

Northumberland

NE66 2RF

Tel: 01665 830 050

Mirror Mirror on the wall......

On Saturday Ross and I took a trip into rural Northumberland to collect a mirror that furniture designer Paul Squire of Fallen Tree Design had been hand making for our new house. Winding along beautiful country back roads Pauls workshop sits in the heart of the Cheviots. I have to say I was jealous of this location. Peace, quiet and fresh air!  I met Paul last year at my exhibition preview at the Design Room Art Gallery in Wooler where he had made a wonderful counter for my brothers gallery. After a chat over a couple of glasses of wine I couldn't resist commissioning Paul to make us a mirror. Now all Ross and I need to do is decide where to hang it... 

Weird and Wonderful......

This years "Late Shows" is nearly upon us at the Mushroom Works. We are all full of busy in preparation for a fun filled weekend of weird and wonderful creativity. My studio will be open to the public for a glass of wine and a chat from 7-11pm on Friday and Saturday night. So come along and be amazed ...........

Arts, Craft and Inspiration ...

After having a little lie in this morning I have just about recovered from the British Craft Trade Fair (11^th 12^th &13^th April) an annual event for British and Irish Crafters who were exhibiting their handmade products.  Yesterday after a very early start of six in the morning, I hopped on the train to the lovely Harrogate to join my husband and business partner Ross for the last day of the fair.

We had a variety of my work on show, including framed, unframed prints as well as my handmade and printed greetings cards.  It went really well with lots of interesting people to talk to.

I didn’t spend all my time working, who could resist a little browse around the show when there were so many talented crafts people under one roof !?

There were so many lovely things that I cant talk about them all, but some work that really caught my eye included Fiona Frances SeaHolly Tiles.  These charming mini tiles come in three different ranges, I love her garden range with her charming butterflies. 

I also bumped into Donna Cheshire, ‘lovetextiles’ you may recognise her textile pieces from Mushroom Works Prefect Presents Christmas show.  I have a massive weakness for textiles, as I trained in textile design at University and I think her fun seaside holiday designs are definitely worth checking out – they are sure to put a smile on your face.

                                       

Currently I am working on my 2011 garden bird collection and Janice Parker’s quirky ceramic magpies caught my eye… highlighting a bird that I had almost forgotten. Working with porcelain and copper her pieces are figures from charming stories such as ‘The Thieves of Time, The Magpies and The Time Machine.’ Check out her beautiful website to see her characters come to life. 

3 days to go!...

The ArtsBank was certainly taking shape with what looks to be the perfect venue for arts and culture within this beautiful, sleepy seaside town. Builders, artists, curators, (and just about anyone they could get their hands on!) were hard at work to meet the Easter deadline. Paintings going one way and sculptures going another, there seemed not a moment of peace for anyone working on the project. The day was certainly filled with the air of excitement and anticipation, with only a slight glimmer of the inevitable feeling of panic setting in!

The ArtsBank is set to be a major investment for arts and culture within the town of Saltburn. The newly refurbished exhibition centre will be host to five floors of film, fine art, photography and performance. A major new artistic initiative, funded by local businessman Bryan Goodall, aiming to boost the work of creative people across Teeside, North East and beyond.

The day went surprisingly well for us, which after first seeing the hustle and bustle within the centre, really wasn’t what we expected! After a tour of the building, I was given full reign of choosing where and how I was to display my work. And so to take full advantage of this a whole room became mine! It was the perfect size to display all the paintings I’d brought, with lots of natural light to accentuate the bright colours within them. Also to reveal and document the progress of the centre, filming, photo shoots and interviewing were taking place all day. A somewhat nerve racking experience being interviewed in front of the camera, but fun all the same! The films will be available to view once the ArtsBank get their website up and running. Everyone working there was really helpful with the set up which meant we were done and dusted within a few hours. Just in time for a pub lunch down by the sea!

Just can’t wait to get down to Saltburn again for the grand opening now. Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd April have been set for the official opening dates for the public. I will be there on the Friday to witness this much anticipated event and to talk to anyone who might interested in my work. Many people are expected from far and wide, as well as many of the other artists themselves. A perfect way to spend your Easter weekend I should think!

www.artsbank.co.uk

29 Milton Street, Saltburn-By-The-Sea, TS12 1DJ

+44 (0) 1287 625 300

info@artsbank.co.uk

Colourful Colourful Houses

I have just come across this great image by Doug Bird. All the way from Newfoundland, Canada. It reminds me of the painting I have just finished of Lovaine Terrace in Alnmouth.

I love the bicycle in front of the yellow house!

Happy Birthday to me!

Thank you Ross for this fab birthday card of Morph. It brought back many happy memories of my childhood watching what this cheeky chap was getting up to!  I used to love watching Tony Hart and his art demos but was alway disapointed when my work wasn't selected for the gallery at the end of the show!

Morph

Sally joins the Wishart business.

Welcome Sally!
This month at the studio sees a new face join the Wishart team. The delightful Sally Page is joining me in the studio two days a week to undertake an internship programme.
Sally is an Art History graduate who is keen to learn about life and work in the creative sector, and hopefully will teach me a thing or two along the way!

Springing into 2010

Ross and I have recently returned form exhibiting at Spring Fair at the NEC in Birmingham. We were exhibiting in the card hall along side some fabulous card companies such as Five Dollar Shake, Paper Salad, Alice Palace, Bird and Alex Clarke to name a few. We certainly felt like little fish swimming in a big pond! We had a great week launching our new cards and gained lot of new outlets on the South coast, Cornwall and Wales.

On returning home after a week of eating pub food and takeaways at the event I am now on a health drive and have resumed jogging!

Race for Life - Joanne Wishart's Fundraising Page

Well its been a to a sad few months for Ross and I. Firstly losing our wonderful Aunty Susan before Christmas and more recently our fabulous friend Natasha both to Breast Cancer. After feeling totally helpless I decided to enter the Race for Life to try and raise a bit of money to help others. Please give what you can and sponsor me at this wonderful event hosted by Cancer Research UK.

Race for Life - Joanne Wishart's Fundraising Page

Donkey Ride Anyone??

It has been a long cold winter so I am introducing three of my new summery card designs to warm you up. I have been working on a new collection cards inspired by the British seaside holiday. My favourite is the donkey image below, we saw some very cute donkeys on Whitby beach this summer that inspired me to paint them!