The World in Acrylics

Posts tagged ‘fundraising’

Exhibition News Featured

One of the best moves I have made in being an artist is joining a local art group, in my case the SAA Frome Valley Art Group in Winterbourne, South Gloucestershire. Each year we hold our annual art show, our 26th, having taken place this last weekend. And boy, what a show!

In the 5 years I have been attending, the wealth and variety of talents across many mediums used has grown from strength to strength, this year’s event exceeding everyone’s expectations in both numbers of visitors, and numbers of works sold, and with over 60 members, there was much to see, although not all of our members exhibited.

The lead-up to the show is hectic, both from the committee’s point of view in organizing, and ours as the artists. In my case the busiest being that of deciding which paintings to put in, then pricing each work (always a problem). More so this year due to the current economic crisis. Would people want to pay what is a frivolity, a non-essential, when they have worries over fuel and food bills. Our exhibitions have always proved popular but the usual concerns as to whether anyone would come let alone buy anything are constantly there. Once entries are decided upon, next comes the business of obtaining suitable frames and mounts etc, not normally an issue but stores here supplying these, are struggling to obtain stocks or have limited choice.

My seven paintings were hung along a wall all to themselves, with the theme of water running across four of them.

My wall of paintings, and some of our many guests on preview night

From the moment the preview evening’s doors opened the room was packed. One of the many joys at these events is being able share and talk art with people who love your work, often more so than the satisfaction that comes from selling one. I was of the mind that even if nothing was sold, it was unimportant. To my surprise and delight one of mine, the bluebell painting, sold within half-an-hour. People love my bluebells, it seems. The purchaser was even more delighted to be introduced to me. A second joy came when another couple sought me out to chat about one of my works they had purchased in late 2021. Saturday proved equally busy, as did Sunday, the only lull being during lunch time.

Some of the many works on show

Arriving for stewarding duty on the Saturday afternoon, I was greeted with news that 2 more of my paintings had sold that morning. On Sunday, arriving to enjoy an afternoon cup of tea and cake from the refreshment table before the raffle was pulled and the event closed, I didn’t notice at first that a fourth painting of mine had also been purchased.

A happy band of Sunday afternoon stewards, all members of the art group

It was a thoroughly enjoyable, and successful show for everyone involved, if tiring. Over 40 paintings sold, not including those from the mounted tables.

The mounted artwork tables

Many artists, including myself, are donating our sales money to our chosen charity, the Ukrainian Red Cross, as has one member who ran a table in the foyer selling her bespoke, hand-crafted and beautiful individual greeting cards.

What a show!

Sold Painting

The Sunflower Project Featured

The Sunflower Covid Art Project in association with the SAA

Image may contain: flower, plant and nature

A few days ago I was more than honoured to be approached by the Society for All Artists (The SAA) for permission to use my “Sunflowers” painting as part of the social media promotion for a new fundraising project the Society has been working on in collaboration across the art industry with artists, art suppliers and others to announce “The Sunflower Project”. The sunflower is a symbol of hope and healing, so of course I said yes. There was no hesitation.

These past 6 months have been a terrible time worldwide thanks to the Coronavirus Pandemic, and many of us have lost someone to this dreadful illness. A close family member, a relative, a friend or colleague, and as a consequence of lockdown, the virus has affected how we have been able to mourn their passing at such a sad and difficult time. We’ve been unable to seek support and comfort from our families and friends. No shoulder to weep on, no comforting hand to hold or hug from those we hold dear and so often the case, unable to attend the funeral of one so cherished, whether their passing was from the illness or other causes. Such lonely and strange times.

For those in lockdown, art has proved a comfort. Many people and children taking up the hobby for the first time. My painting has certainly helped keep me going, although my “Sunflowers” was painted a couple of summer’s ago, inspired by those growing in my garden that year.

About the Project

With this in mind, the aim of the Sunflower Project is to encourage people – artists and non-artists alike – to draw or paint a sunflower in memoriam of friends and family lost during this terrible time, in order to create a lasting memorial website which will enable people the opportunity to upload their artwork, creating a gallery of creations to share with the world, and ensure that every life lost during the crisis was remembered and treasured. To build and maintain such a dedicated website is expensive, thus the society is looking to raise £20,000 from the public in order to facilitate what will be a spectacular permanent memorial to our loved ones.

The website will be launched in late August, and free of charge to use. In addition to the artwork gallery, the site will include signposting, advice and support for bereavement and mental health. In addition, it is hoped the project will be used to actively fundraise for the much-needed support of those with mental health difficulties.

To see more information and to donate, please visit here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/Co-vid-Art-project-sunflower

Please donate a little something if you are able and help create a permanent art memorial to those who have lost their lives to Covid-19. Or even better, paint a sunflower and submit to the gallery on the SAA website.

“Sunflowers”

“Sunflowers” is for sale at £100.00 (UK only). Should you wish to purchase it, I am donating the full amount to the Sunflower Project, so you will be helping this exciting and lasting cause. Contact me via the comments box to this post or direct on my email kitdominoart@gmail.com.

Painted in acrylics on stretched canvas, it measures 50×36 cm (18″x14″) and will be supplied ready to hang.

Prints and notebooks, and other items will be available soon.

And a big THANK YOU.

Sold at Auction Featured

Gorse Covert Bluebells

Back last autumn, a local junior & infant school asked if local businesses would consider donating a “prize” for auctioning at their annual fundraising ball scheduled for January 2020. I offered one of my paintings, especially as it was pertinent to the local area, being a framed scene of our local bluebell wood, a few yards from my home.

Once part of a large woodland, this small copse, known as Gorse Covert, sits on the edge of a local open area and park. The covert is maintained by local residents and boasts a small pond with fish, frogs and newts, plenty of birdlife including woodpeckers and owls, and populated by foxes and grey squirrels. When the native natural bluebells are in bloom, the covert is a delight to walk through, for the flowers and the gentle perfume wafting in the air. As many of you know, I love bluebells, so I have plenty of inspiration right on my doorstep.

The school was delighted to accept my donation of “Gorse Covert Bluebells”, which sold at the auction, exceeding the reserved price and helping to raise a considerable sum for their coffers and making me one happy artist.

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