Reflecting on my Summer activites and looking forward to new Arts/Insects events.......

I had such a busy Summer. My Artist-in-Residence at Slimbridge was so enjoyable, that Slimbridge and myself are keeping our connection going.

 

                             Insect Arts and Crafts Events for Children

 

 



We are planning more insect craft events for children for next Spring/Summer and also plan to run at least another two painting courses - The subject??.......... My beloved insects of course. I have just purchased a batch of new high powered microscopes and plan to use them for new microscopy courses in 2014........

I have used them in a limited way at events Slimbridge and also Stratford Museum in the Park, but for 2014, I will be running courses that are based around what participants can see through the microscopes. The anatomy and physiology of fab insects like bees and butterflies can be explained much more clearly with the support of the microscopes, making for a much more fascinating experience.......I can't wait to see the art that is produced as a result!! One date is already fixed for 2014. On the 6th June 2014, I am running a course at the famous Painswick Rococo Gardens called "Beautiful British Bees" .  I am also planning similar painting and microscopy courses at Nature in Art, as well as Slimbridge. Watch this space for dates.....

Artist-in-Residences

 

 

My relationship with Painswick Rococo Gardens begins with a spell as Artist-in-Residence from 10th - 16th February, during their ever popular snowdrop season. I am really looking forward to this. My theme for the week will be"New Beginnings" as the season wakes up after the winter and I plan to paint a collection of early emerging British butterflies and moths.....hoping for twenty in the study....that will keep me quiet!!

 

This is a watercolour study I did of an early emerging butterfly - the gorgeous Brimstone (one of my favourites) on one of its favourite food sources, Bluebells. Did you know that it is commonly believed that the term "Butterfly" comes form this wonderful butter-coloured butterfly??

 

Further Artist-in-Residences are planned at Nature in Art and others, still under negotiation. Watch here for date confirmation.......

                                                                   

                                          Conservation Events



 



So, lots planned for next year. I am also planning a couple of exhibitions and will be attending my usual conservation shows, such as the annual Butterfly Conservation AGM and Members' Day on the 16th November 2013.

 





A busy and enjoyable Summer at WWT, Slimbridge.

Phew, just over a month to go on my posting as Artist in Residence at WWT Slimbridge  http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/slimbridge/news/2013/04/wwt-slimbridge-news/our-new-artist-in-residence-will-create-a-real-buzz/

I have had so much fun. I have met some lovely people.......those who work at Slimbridge, and visit Slimbridge - everyone has been fab.

                                                      ART FINISHED AT SLIMBRIDGE

Despite my many, many animated chats about all things arty and insecty with those who have popped by to visit. I have still managed to get some work done.......Microscopy art is my new thing and I have finished 2 pieces at Slimbridge.......

The first one is a study of the female worker honey bee (Apis mellifera) and the second, a study of insect proboscises. Really chuffed because the honey bee study is going in the Autumn British Beekeepers Association Magazine, as part of a feature on bee anatomy.

I have also completed a painting of a White Tailed Bumble Bee with a Papaver Orientalis

So I have finished some pieces that I am really pleased with........What else have I got up to????......


                                          PAINTING COURSES AT SLIMBRIDGE

Still have one to go, but the July painting course, " Butterflies, Beetles and Bees" was such great fun. The students were all lovely. We all spent a very relaxing day sharing insect and art experiences and stories and just being a little bit self indulgent. This is the photo of those hard working folks at their easels....

......and "wow" did they do some amazing work!!! I think I need to be worried about their worthy competition. Have a look at some of these great paintings.....

Cant wait 'til the next course, "Painting Pollinators" on the 30th August at Slimbridge, but not before I do my "Why are Insects Fab?" arts and crafts sessions with children at Slimbridge on the 5,6,7 and and 27, 28, and 29th August. Children will have lots of fun making their own bugs. We will be looking at my exotic insect specimens and also using magnification equipment to produce some fab insecty creations.....cant wait!!

                      ARTS DAY AT MUSUEM IN THE PARK, STRATFORD PARK-
                                    "Incredible Insects and Butterflies and Bees"

For those who can't make the dates at Slimbridge, there is a chance to come along and enter the secret and fascinating world of insects at The Musuem in the Park at Stratford Park. On Sunday 25th August, I will be based at the lovely Musuem in the Park. The morning will be dedicated to the children and kiddy insect art and the afternoon will be dedicated to adults and to producing something a little bit more scientific........   http://www.museuminthepark.org.uk/timetable.asp?qmonth=8&pid=24&pgid=527&menu=0 .......look forward to seeing you there!!....... 

Bloomsbury Publishing have asked me to do 2 painting articles for aspiring artists.

I have had such great fun doing an interview for Bloomsbury Publishing's website designed to help young aspiring artists and writers "Writers and Artists". http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/artists/advice/341/an-artists-toolkit/interviews-with-artists/
 
This was followed by two painting tutorials. I have just finished one and the other will be posted next week. The first is dedicated to my favourite subject.....insects!! This is the macro photo from my own images that I recreate in watercolours.....

....and this is the link to the tutorial......  http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/artists/advice/382/an-artists-toolkit/finding-inspiration/
I really hope that both the interview and the tutorials help to inspire and guide aspiring artists in their early years, especially when it can seem like nothing is going as you plan.

How my Microscope will enhance my One Day Insect Painting Courses at WWT Slimbridge

After my Microscopy day organised by Cirencester Beekeepers, I have so much renewed enthusiasm and new ideas for my art!!

I found the day so interesting and, for the first time ever, I was able to see, with ease, what I always struggle to see with my own eyes when I am painting.

The clarity and detail that my microscope picks up is amazing and I cant wait to use my new found equipment on my one-day insect painting courses at WWT Slimbridge. It will also be fab to use with the children on their activities' too. For more info of my Slimbridge work as Artist in Residence this Summer, click here http://www.cathhodsmanwildlifeartist.com/recent-exhibitions/

These is one image that I took with my normal camera.....still have to buy the special camera attachment that allows you to take much clearer images and keep them for prosperity, but this still gives an idea of the excellent detail and magnification so far..... This is a honey bee head. You can see one of the secondary eyes on the right hand side of the shot. Its antennae are in the centre.  To the left of the shot is the start of the bee's proboscis....it's a lovely honey- yellow colour!!

Honey Bee - Apis mellifera head through a microscope.




The world of Microscopy

Cant wait!! Have just signed up to go on a Microscopy Course, run by Cirencester Bee Keepers Assoc
http://www.cirencesterbeekeepers.org.uk/

As my style of art work concentrates on macro, this is going to be perfect for me. Since starting a beginners' beekeping course in February, I know so much more about bees, but that leaves me still hungry for more....So much so, in fact, that my husband is getting me a microscope for my birthday!!

Bees are such intelligent, organised, strong and beautiful creatures, that it will be great to see them in more spectacular detail. These are the type of images I am hoping to see.....

 

All images taken from the internet

 

 

This extra knowledge and understanding of, not just bees, but all insects, that I will gain from using microscopy in my work, will hopefully improve the accuracy of my painting.  

 

"Colour Wheel" painting just finished....

Phew!!!.......that was a slog. Have just finished my latest painting. Mainly watercolour, but with a bit of pencil and some loveley pearlescent liquid acrylic.

Set myself the challenge of seeing if I could make up a painting of insects from Britain, from every colour of the spectrum....I wanted to illustrate how colourful insects can be....literally every colour of the rainbow!

I trawled lots of different sources...my own specimens, my own photos, taken on my travels and also the occasional visit to a museum to look at their Victorian entomological collections....I also had help from one natural-hisory website, for one of the butterfly images.- thanks Roy and Marie!

The finished result is quite busy...but that is what I want. I want it to look like the insects are exploding off the page....like a "Catherine Wheel" firework.

The insects are arranged in a circular pattern and split into slices of "pie". Each piece of "pie" is dedicated to a different colour of the spectrum and features 4 insects......This is how the "blue" and "green" sections were built up....





....and this is the finished result......

 

 

The painting took ages to finish, because of the research and the number of insects.  When it is mounted and framed, I am hoping it will have a strong impact on the viewer....who will hopefully look at insects with a more appreciative eye......

 

Going to enter this one and a couple of others into the National Exhibiiton for Wildlife Art in the Summer ....so fingers crossed, as it will be my first attempt at entry...

http://www.newa-uk.com/pages/home.php

Buglife sell my prints on auction site to raise funds.

Buglife is the only organisation who supports conservation causes for invertebrates...and so are a group after my own heart!! http://www.buglife.org.uk/

 



As such, last year, I donated a collection of my insect prints to sell on their website. Each one sold for £70.00 each and all proceeds went to Buglife.

There are still a few left!!!!....... Buglife have now placed the remaining prints on the "Giving Lots" website. This is a great site where you can buy or bid for special items...and all of the proceeds go to charitable causes. If you care about invertebrates and want to support Buglife, please click below and bid/buy... http://www.givinglots.co.uk/charities/Buglife%20-%20The%20Invertebrate%20Conservation%20Trust

This is one of the prints still available to buy..."Having a Drink" 

 

I love supporting and working with Buglife.....They are a great team of people who all work so hard to help preserve our smallest, but most important life forms.....our invertebrates.

 

Buglife Members' Day and AGM 20th April 2013

 

My prints and greetings cards will be on sale at their Members' Day too and after that, a selection of my greetings cards will be sold on their website on a more permanent basis, to raise funds.