NEWSLETTERS
LAS NEWSLETTER Spring 2020
Dear Member
I hope that you are coping as best you can with the national lockdown and finding that there can be positive aspects to staying at home. Perhaps like me, you now have a very clean car, the garden is looking its best and there’s a constant supply of homemade cakes (not good for my waistline!). And the wonderful weather we’ve been enjoying until recently can lift the spirits amazingly.
In the April Newsletter, I told you all about our Art Challenge which we hoped would keep you busily entertained and creatively active. Unfortunately, we have had a generally disappointing response from many of you, but thankfully not all, and thank you to those who have entered into the spirit of it. Perhaps if it’s “not your thing” you could send me some feedback so that we could offer you something better...please let me know. Please be assured that your opinions will be valued and your identity will be strictly confidential. Even if you think our ideas are rubbish, we can take constructive criticism! If it’s merely a question of knowing how to get your art put onto our Facebook page, then Val is more than happy to do this for you- just ring her on <number removed> or email your picture to her at valmackenzie@icloud.com
We now have a new page on our website incorporating the Art Challenge, entitled LOCKDOWN ART. Images appearing on our Facebook page will also appear on our website page – Val can help you with that as well. The page is located at: https://lechladeartsociety.co.uk/lockdown-art.html
Do visit our website regularly – it's a good source of information about other aspects of the Society. For instance, we supply links to free art tutorials so you can also learn whilst in Lockdown! A Max Hale teaching video is located at: <link removed> and you will find a large number of teaching and demonstration videos under Learning on this website.
Bearing in mind the exceptional circumstances we all find ourselves in, your Committee has wondered whether you may like to see more variety in our newsletters. A kind of magazine with more diverse subject matter, rather than just an update of Society events. We’re not suggesting a “coffee table” publication but perhaps something that is more entertaining than just informative, and visually more exciting, and in full colour. If this idea is to work well, I think it will need some suggestions from you. Your responses will help us to decide whether it would be worthwhile to go ahead with this idea.
Our initial thoughts are to have regular articles submitted by the members and not necessarily focused on “all things art” but of more general interest. How about a crossword? Recipes in a lockdown using larder staples? Funniest online jokes? Links to exercise videos? A Question and Answer column? An art quiz? I hope that gets the creative juices going!
We need to sound out opinions from everyone. We need to know:
Please send your ideas and opinions to me by email, or contact me in person (virtually that is!): sharonrellis@hotmail.com or ‘phone <number removed>. Your feedback, ideas and opinions will be private and confidential.
PLEASE NOTE... Your response will influence whether we produce the magazine or not.
Finally, we must not lose sight of the fact that we are a group of people with a shared interest and many strong friendships have been forged amongst our members. However, several of us live on our own and would welcome a phone call or even a friendly email just to know that we have not been forgotten in these turbulent times.
Sharon Ellis, LAS Chair
Dear Member
I hope that you are coping as best you can with the national lockdown and finding that there can be positive aspects to staying at home. Perhaps like me, you now have a very clean car, the garden is looking its best and there’s a constant supply of homemade cakes (not good for my waistline!). And the wonderful weather we’ve been enjoying until recently can lift the spirits amazingly.
In the April Newsletter, I told you all about our Art Challenge which we hoped would keep you busily entertained and creatively active. Unfortunately, we have had a generally disappointing response from many of you, but thankfully not all, and thank you to those who have entered into the spirit of it. Perhaps if it’s “not your thing” you could send me some feedback so that we could offer you something better...please let me know. Please be assured that your opinions will be valued and your identity will be strictly confidential. Even if you think our ideas are rubbish, we can take constructive criticism! If it’s merely a question of knowing how to get your art put onto our Facebook page, then Val is more than happy to do this for you- just ring her on <number removed> or email your picture to her at valmackenzie@icloud.com
We now have a new page on our website incorporating the Art Challenge, entitled LOCKDOWN ART. Images appearing on our Facebook page will also appear on our website page – Val can help you with that as well. The page is located at: https://lechladeartsociety.co.uk/lockdown-art.html
Do visit our website regularly – it's a good source of information about other aspects of the Society. For instance, we supply links to free art tutorials so you can also learn whilst in Lockdown! A Max Hale teaching video is located at: <link removed> and you will find a large number of teaching and demonstration videos under Learning on this website.
Bearing in mind the exceptional circumstances we all find ourselves in, your Committee has wondered whether you may like to see more variety in our newsletters. A kind of magazine with more diverse subject matter, rather than just an update of Society events. We’re not suggesting a “coffee table” publication but perhaps something that is more entertaining than just informative, and visually more exciting, and in full colour. If this idea is to work well, I think it will need some suggestions from you. Your responses will help us to decide whether it would be worthwhile to go ahead with this idea.
Our initial thoughts are to have regular articles submitted by the members and not necessarily focused on “all things art” but of more general interest. How about a crossword? Recipes in a lockdown using larder staples? Funniest online jokes? Links to exercise videos? A Question and Answer column? An art quiz? I hope that gets the creative juices going!
We need to sound out opinions from everyone. We need to know:
- if you are interested in the Society producing a regular online colour magazine for the foreseeable future
- if you would like to participate in the production with articles etc
- if you have any suggestions for articles/inclusions, or would like to be contacted to discuss further ideas
- if you have any other comments to make.
Please send your ideas and opinions to me by email, or contact me in person (virtually that is!): sharonrellis@hotmail.com or ‘phone <number removed>. Your feedback, ideas and opinions will be private and confidential.
PLEASE NOTE... Your response will influence whether we produce the magazine or not.
Finally, we must not lose sight of the fact that we are a group of people with a shared interest and many strong friendships have been forged amongst our members. However, several of us live on our own and would welcome a phone call or even a friendly email just to know that we have not been forgotten in these turbulent times.
Sharon Ellis, LAS Chair
LAS NEWSLETTER April 2020
Dear Member
Owing to the current COVID-19 crisis, the Art Society, like many other organisations, needs to adapt to, and comply with, the inevitable restrictions on socialising that the situation demands. Since we have no clear idea of the length of time the quarantining etc. will last, your committee have come up with contingency plans for the Society for now and the future. We hope that the Society will continue to thrive, and that you will still enjoy the sociability and enjoyment as before, but perhaps using the definite advantages of communicating using technology. To reassure those of you who choose not to use the internet, we will still be sending out postal communications as before.
We held our committee meeting earlier this week in seven different locations without any of us leaving home! We’ve discovered a wonderful video conferencing App called Zoom. It’s so easy to use and could be a very useful tool to link several people in different locations. Try it for yourself!
As you know, we have had to cancel all our regular meetings but we don’t intend to let you twiddle your thumbs or get bored with enforced isolation! We plan to start our “Members’ Art Challenge” from next Thursday 2nd April. All our members are invited to participate. The rules of the Challenge are simple. This is for you and we are all learning!
1. Follow the themes each week and produce some art
2. Post your art on our Facebook page on a weekly basis
3. Only post art made during this time
4. Start when you are ready but when you post, please reference the theme.
5. No digital art or photography please. We know it’s art but the idea is to create something manually
6. Be kind if you comment on someone’s work.
7. Work does not have to be of museum or gallery standard.
Contact Val Mackenzie on Facebook Messenger or telephone her if you just want to chat. If you have difficulty in posting your artwork on Facebook, email it to Val and she will do it for you valmackenzie@icloud.com
Please paint, draw, sculpt, collage or print on the following themes:
Week 1
A view from my window. Choose any window in your home and create the view that you see. This might be your garden, or the street or a driveway. Try to portray it as accurately as possible.
Week 2
Memories of a holiday. This will require you to find old holiday photos and try to find something worth recreating in paint, etc. or it may involve a compilation of different images of a holiday. When posting on line, please say where the holiday was.
Week 3
Edibles. Basically, anything you can eat or drink.
Week 4
Tranquility. Interpret this however you like. You may, or may not wish to post your reasons
Week 5
Plants or flowers. Whatever is around your house or garden.
Week 6
Time. Interpret this however you like
Week 7
In my kitchen. Any group of items or objects in the kitchen or a general view.
Week 8
A self-portrait or perhaps your “significant other” or a pet. Have a go. Make it bright!
Week 9
Something hanging on the back of a door. This could be a bathrobe, a towel, a handbag or a coat.
Week 10
Hands. We’re constantly washing our hands these days. How about painting them
Week 11
Childhood memories. Something you can remember from your childhood. It doesn’t have to be sentimental, just something you remember.
Week 12
Shoes. Get that inner Imelda Marcos out of the cupboard and draw or paint your shoes or boots.
Week 13
Summer days. This can be anything you feel which expresses summer for you.
Week 14
Spiritual Things. Whatever it is that you hold sacred, make an image of it. It doesn’t have to be religious!
That should keep us all occupied for the next few months – thank you Val for compiling that.
Other Diversions!
For those of you with a thirst for learning there are several websites offering art tutorials, amongst them Empty Easel.com and Isolation Art Challenge. Of course, if you fancy getting fitter you can always go onto Joe Wicks’ website!
Looking ahead, it won’t be long before we’re due to have our Annual General Meeting which was scheduled for July. If the current situation continues, this will not now go ahead. It is for this reason that your committee have all confirmed that they are prepared to carry on in their current roles. However, we have many new members and if anyone would like to be considered for a role on the committee please contact me.
It is also in July that our annual subscriptions are due and we will still collect them as usual, mainly to prevent confusion and the cancelling of Standing Orders. In fact, it would be most helpful if those people who would normally pay by cheque would consider setting up a Standing Order – this would reduce the risk of contamination. Reimbursement, if needed, may involve a subsidised Christmas Lunch.
Finally we must not lose sight of the fact that we are a group of people with a shared interest, and many strong friendships have been forged amongst our members. However, several of us live on our own and would welcome a phone call or even a friendly email just to know that we’re not overlooked or forgotten. Let’s hope we can help each other through this difficult period in all our lives. If you have any suggestions as to how we can help you or others to get through this stressful time, just pick up the phone.
<names and numbers removed>
I am really looking forward to seeing the pictures you put on Facebook - and don’t forget...STAY SAFE!
Sharon Ellis, LAS Chair
Dear Member
Owing to the current COVID-19 crisis, the Art Society, like many other organisations, needs to adapt to, and comply with, the inevitable restrictions on socialising that the situation demands. Since we have no clear idea of the length of time the quarantining etc. will last, your committee have come up with contingency plans for the Society for now and the future. We hope that the Society will continue to thrive, and that you will still enjoy the sociability and enjoyment as before, but perhaps using the definite advantages of communicating using technology. To reassure those of you who choose not to use the internet, we will still be sending out postal communications as before.
We held our committee meeting earlier this week in seven different locations without any of us leaving home! We’ve discovered a wonderful video conferencing App called Zoom. It’s so easy to use and could be a very useful tool to link several people in different locations. Try it for yourself!
As you know, we have had to cancel all our regular meetings but we don’t intend to let you twiddle your thumbs or get bored with enforced isolation! We plan to start our “Members’ Art Challenge” from next Thursday 2nd April. All our members are invited to participate. The rules of the Challenge are simple. This is for you and we are all learning!
1. Follow the themes each week and produce some art
2. Post your art on our Facebook page on a weekly basis
3. Only post art made during this time
4. Start when you are ready but when you post, please reference the theme.
5. No digital art or photography please. We know it’s art but the idea is to create something manually
6. Be kind if you comment on someone’s work.
7. Work does not have to be of museum or gallery standard.
Contact Val Mackenzie on Facebook Messenger or telephone her if you just want to chat. If you have difficulty in posting your artwork on Facebook, email it to Val and she will do it for you valmackenzie@icloud.com
Please paint, draw, sculpt, collage or print on the following themes:
Week 1
A view from my window. Choose any window in your home and create the view that you see. This might be your garden, or the street or a driveway. Try to portray it as accurately as possible.
Week 2
Memories of a holiday. This will require you to find old holiday photos and try to find something worth recreating in paint, etc. or it may involve a compilation of different images of a holiday. When posting on line, please say where the holiday was.
Week 3
Edibles. Basically, anything you can eat or drink.
Week 4
Tranquility. Interpret this however you like. You may, or may not wish to post your reasons
Week 5
Plants or flowers. Whatever is around your house or garden.
Week 6
Time. Interpret this however you like
Week 7
In my kitchen. Any group of items or objects in the kitchen or a general view.
Week 8
A self-portrait or perhaps your “significant other” or a pet. Have a go. Make it bright!
Week 9
Something hanging on the back of a door. This could be a bathrobe, a towel, a handbag or a coat.
Week 10
Hands. We’re constantly washing our hands these days. How about painting them
Week 11
Childhood memories. Something you can remember from your childhood. It doesn’t have to be sentimental, just something you remember.
Week 12
Shoes. Get that inner Imelda Marcos out of the cupboard and draw or paint your shoes or boots.
Week 13
Summer days. This can be anything you feel which expresses summer for you.
Week 14
Spiritual Things. Whatever it is that you hold sacred, make an image of it. It doesn’t have to be religious!
That should keep us all occupied for the next few months – thank you Val for compiling that.
Other Diversions!
For those of you with a thirst for learning there are several websites offering art tutorials, amongst them Empty Easel.com and Isolation Art Challenge. Of course, if you fancy getting fitter you can always go onto Joe Wicks’ website!
Looking ahead, it won’t be long before we’re due to have our Annual General Meeting which was scheduled for July. If the current situation continues, this will not now go ahead. It is for this reason that your committee have all confirmed that they are prepared to carry on in their current roles. However, we have many new members and if anyone would like to be considered for a role on the committee please contact me.
It is also in July that our annual subscriptions are due and we will still collect them as usual, mainly to prevent confusion and the cancelling of Standing Orders. In fact, it would be most helpful if those people who would normally pay by cheque would consider setting up a Standing Order – this would reduce the risk of contamination. Reimbursement, if needed, may involve a subsidised Christmas Lunch.
Finally we must not lose sight of the fact that we are a group of people with a shared interest, and many strong friendships have been forged amongst our members. However, several of us live on our own and would welcome a phone call or even a friendly email just to know that we’re not overlooked or forgotten. Let’s hope we can help each other through this difficult period in all our lives. If you have any suggestions as to how we can help you or others to get through this stressful time, just pick up the phone.
<names and numbers removed>
I am really looking forward to seeing the pictures you put on Facebook - and don’t forget...STAY SAFE!
Sharon Ellis, LAS Chair
LAS NEWSLETTER January 2020
A very Happy New Year to all our members and friends and I hope that 2020 brings us all a more peaceful and less turbulent world.
Meanwhile we have a new year to create some masterpieces (we wish!): we have lots of interesting extra events lined up for you this year. Our first workshop of the year is bound to be very popular!
Roger Jones will be holding a Watercolour Practice workshop on Saturday 29th February 2020 in the Pavilion from 10 am to 4pm at a cost of £30 per head. Please contact Roger if you are interested in joining him, on <number removed>. Spaces are limited and based on a first- come-first-served basis (so get your skates on!). This is an experimental workshop and the first of several we plan which will not be based on previous demonstrations. These will include ceramics, print-making and life drawing.
We also plan to introduce skills-based training for anyone who would like a greater understanding or general improvement in basic elements of art and design such as perspective, colour, tone and shading. These workshops would, most likely, be run during the week and be half days. Also the fee would be subsidised for those who want to attend and would be open to members only. More information and the dates will be published at a later date.
We will also continue, where appropriate, with follow-on workshops from the various demonstrations in the programme for the year.
The LAS Christmas Buffet Lunch was well received by all those who attended. The Wrag Barn Golf Club, which was the venue, was as successful as the previous year but this time the popular choice was for a Buffet. The staff were as accommodating and friendly as last year and the food plentiful and delicious. We’re booked in for next year already – it’s such a popular venue we had to get in there quickly – a bit like putting your name down for Eton….well perhaps not!!
Our first demonstrator of 2020 will be Graham Cox www.moodyviews who will demonstrate “Land and Seascape painting in Pastel” on Tuesday 11 February from 2pm to 4pm in the Pavilion, Lechlade.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Sharon Ellis
LAS Chair
A very Happy New Year to all our members and friends and I hope that 2020 brings us all a more peaceful and less turbulent world.
Meanwhile we have a new year to create some masterpieces (we wish!): we have lots of interesting extra events lined up for you this year. Our first workshop of the year is bound to be very popular!
Roger Jones will be holding a Watercolour Practice workshop on Saturday 29th February 2020 in the Pavilion from 10 am to 4pm at a cost of £30 per head. Please contact Roger if you are interested in joining him, on <number removed>. Spaces are limited and based on a first- come-first-served basis (so get your skates on!). This is an experimental workshop and the first of several we plan which will not be based on previous demonstrations. These will include ceramics, print-making and life drawing.
We also plan to introduce skills-based training for anyone who would like a greater understanding or general improvement in basic elements of art and design such as perspective, colour, tone and shading. These workshops would, most likely, be run during the week and be half days. Also the fee would be subsidised for those who want to attend and would be open to members only. More information and the dates will be published at a later date.
We will also continue, where appropriate, with follow-on workshops from the various demonstrations in the programme for the year.
The LAS Christmas Buffet Lunch was well received by all those who attended. The Wrag Barn Golf Club, which was the venue, was as successful as the previous year but this time the popular choice was for a Buffet. The staff were as accommodating and friendly as last year and the food plentiful and delicious. We’re booked in for next year already – it’s such a popular venue we had to get in there quickly – a bit like putting your name down for Eton….well perhaps not!!
Our first demonstrator of 2020 will be Graham Cox www.moodyviews who will demonstrate “Land and Seascape painting in Pastel” on Tuesday 11 February from 2pm to 4pm in the Pavilion, Lechlade.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Sharon Ellis
LAS Chair