A letter from Mary Fedden

In May of 2005, my husband the photographer Andrew Sanderson and myself were invited to visit Mary Fedden in her studio. We arrived two months later and she kindly showed us around her place, provided us with tea and allowed us to photograph anywhere we liked. Later, Andrew made a book of the pictures which he gave to me as a present.

  
I discovered the letter from Mary yesterday whilst spring cleaning and though it might be of interest.

The letter reads;

Dear Andrew, I really love your photographs. I love the way you make beautiful + significant the most trivial – seeming things – your observation is perfect.
Thank you so much for your book. I’m touched that your wife thought my surroundings would interest you. When you come to London, I would be happy for you to come + take some photographs.
I certainly have plenty of insignificant objects for you to transform!
Do give me a ring when you plan to come, + we will fix a date.
With best wishes to you both
Mary Fedden
Your children are beautiful!

Before she died I managed to visit her on three occasions and she was always very welcoming and friendly.

If you are interested in seeing the photography that Mary was referring to, please visit; http://www.andrewsanderson.com

This was one of Andrew’s still life pictures that Mary asked for, we gave her a mounted 10×8 print.

 

Bircham gallery solo exhibition March 2015

It has been a long time since I posted on my blog. I have been super busy painting over thirty new paintings for my solo exhibition at Bircham Gallery in Holt, Norfolk

http://www.birchamgallery.co.uk/catalogue/artist/Debbie:George/?category=paintings

A number of the paintings in the exhibition include book covers. I started painting them because I was inspired by the beautiful patterns of vintage books, especially King Penguins and children’s Picture Puffins. It began when I discovered some music books with amazing covers in a local charity shop,

I researched the designer (Stephen Russ) and found out later that he had taught my mum at College in the sixties. I have recently been looking at the covers of the New naturalist series which were designed by Rosemary and Clifford Ellis.

Here are a few paintings that are in the exhibition;

New paintings.

Apologies that it has been so long since my last post, I have been busy painting for three solo shows.

I have been looking at detailed pieces of Sunderland lustreware, the illustrations seem to tell a story and I find them a rich source of inspiration. The images often depict simple scenes populated by less than perfect illustrations of people and animals, and this is partly why I am inspired by them, there is a naive quality which I love.
Here are a few of the most recent paintings.

Crocus.

In my paintings over the years, a particular motif might hold my attention over a number of paintings. It may have been wooden animals, feathers, book covers, sailboats or certain ceramics. Recently, I have found that birds have appeared quite a bit and the flower which I’m most drawn to right now is the Crocus.
I find the colours so joyful, and at a time where everything else is so grey and we are all wishing for spring to arrive, I think they bring a little brightness.

Artists’ Cards

Here are four new cards which have just been produced by Artists’ Cards. (http://www.artistscardsltd.com/) This is the third set they have published of mine since Spring 2013.

The second batch of cards were mentioned in this post; in September.

Angie Lewin at YSP

Last week I went with my husband to the opening of Angie Lewin‘s solo show at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.  The exhibition is called a natural line, Angie has taken inspiration from YSP’s historic 500 – acre landscape to create a series of new prints and watercolours alongside newly designed products such as mugs and bags. The exhibition continues until 23rd February 2014. It is well worth a visit.

Simon martin from Pallant House, With Angie.

New work.

Here are a couple of new paintings, done in the last couple of weeks. One of them includes a book cover originally designed by Enid Marx, and is part of an ongoing series of paintings depicting beautiful book covers from my collection.

Yallops gallery, Norwich.

My brother, the furniture designer (and much else besides), Anthony George has refurbished a property in Norwich and opened a new gallery there by the name of Yallops Gallery.
The current exhibition there is Paul Bommer and his ‘Sack & Sugar’ show of limited edition prints and delft tiles. The private view is tonight April 12th and the show is only on this weekend, so hurry!
Yallops Yard, 59, St Augustine’s Street, Norwich, NR3 3BG.

Solo exhibition at Bircham Gallery.

I have just finished a rather busy period of painting and organising of framers, couriers etc. I have been full on since before Christmas and I’m just beginning to see the results. This is all new work and I have included some paintings which are a slightly different direction for me.

My work is now safely at Bircham Gallery in Holt ready for the opening of my solo show on Saturday 23rd of March.

Bircham Gallery are celebrating 25 years of being in business this year and my show is the first in a range of special exhibitions featuring artists and craftspeople. 

Saturday 23rd March to 17Th of April 2013

Opening times: 10.00am – 5.00pm.

Bircham online catalogue:  http://www.birchamgallery.co.uk

14, Market Place, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6BW.

Robin Hood Staffordshire figure

My husband Andrew Sanderson recently photographed my Staffordshire figure of Robin Hood and it inspired me to include it in one of my larger paintings. My children have ridiculed my choice of ornament ever since I bought it from a local junk shop a few months back. I originally bought it for a bit of fun, but have grown rather fond of it.
This then led me to look at other pieces in this style. I found, and painted two Staffordshire cats and have done the drawings for lions and horses, but have not had time to paint these yet. I am sure there will be more curious finds to inspire soon.