Artists of the Pageant, Turner's House, Twickenham 4-16 June and Chelsea Flower Show

It's been a busy couple of weeks with the studio show and preparation for others.  The weather has been pretty terrible so it has been difficult to get out and work - not such a bad thing with all the admin that needs to be done.

It was however a brilliant Bank Holiday weekend and I was lucky enough to be in Chelsea for the final day of the Flower Show.  Sloane Square was bedecked with bunting and surrounding shops had some brilliant displays.

Sloane Square with Flower Show bunting (in progress)

One of the best sights in Chelsea has to be the crowds leaving the show, arms full of plants and brilliant flowers - a huge variety in shape and colour.  I was there last year and it has a ring of Palm Sunday about it.   I set up my easel in Sloane Gardens, a short cut to the tube station and worked straight into the light. There was a palpable sense of fun but I had to work quickly!

Crowds leaving the flower show (in progress)

Onwards and upwards.... Artists of the Pageant opens next week at Turner's House in Twickenham (www.turnerintwickenham.org.uk).  I was one of the 20 artists on the City of London School roof last year recording the Flotilla.

Below is part of the Press Release which outlines this unique and exciting exhibition: 

Artists of the Pageant

Twenty Artists present on the occasion of  the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in an exhibition to be held at JMW Turner's House, Sandycombe Lodge in Twickenham to coincide with the 60th anniversary of  the Queen's Coronation (free, open daily 10am to 4pm from 4 to16 June, except closed 10th June)

There will be paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures responding to the extraordinary atmosphere of  the day and the flotilla of  boats by artists, principally from the Princes Drawing School, from the roof of City of  London School beside the Millennium Bridge.  Timothy Hyman RA, Susan Wilson and Andrew Wilton are among the artists who recorded the event and follow earlier artists who have been inspired by the London Thames; from Canaletto to Turner, Whistler and Kokoschka.

‘Rain poured down and splashed around our feet as we worked. Students from City of  London School held umbrellas but still the paper got extremely wet. Andrew Wilton reminded me of Turner and made a quip to the effect that like Turner, who ran paper under the tap, the rain was doing the same for me. I had to work fast, really fast to get the images which sped on down the river from me’  Susan Wilson

'On the day we were privileged with the roof of  City of  London School. Suspended over London, the artists were an eye over the crowds, boats and colours of  the event. The excitement was only heightened by the rain,which gave the artists a near biblical determination to capture the events of  the day in whatever material they had. Painters and draftsman stood to easel, picking colour and form from the motion below, while a large collaborative mural, filmed in stop motion, provided a fun and warming exercise' Daisy Millner

JMW Turner is one of  the greatest British painters and his house, located near the River, is
an ideal place for these works which were started at the Pageant, now finished in honour of
the Queen's Coronation.

Please see www.thamescapes.com for further information and details

Wimbledon Studio Show this weekend!

I am in the midst of preparing my studio show at Wimbledon which starts on thursday www.wimbledonartstudios.co.uk, painting walls, preparing handouts and hanging the work.  Plenty to do in the run up and it is a good opportunity for me to focus on present and future work.

Spring has sprung late in London but when it finally did, it was magnificent.  Some of the best blossom I've seen and stunning weather to match.  An interesting part of painting in London is the natural in the urban context.  I enjoyed the contrast in the trees near Hyde Park corner with the bright red buses beyond.

Blossom and Hyde Park Corner

 In some of the busiest parts, some of the greatest trees can be seen.  I have always admired the tree opposite the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington Gardens.  Bees buzzed by as did the lunchtime crowds with their picnics.

Blossom opposite the RGS, Kensington Gardens

Under the cherry tree, Green Park

Hyde Park and the Shard

Part of my current body of work is concerned with a peep at the known.  I am working on a series of views under bridges.

Under Hungerford Bridge, Midday

Following in the footsteps of Jubilee and Olympics work, I am also pastelling at ceremonial events.  The State Opening of Parliament on the Mall last week was a splendid sight.  There were not the expected crowds though.

State Opening of Parliament Procession, Mall

My show continues until sunday 19th May.  I am also exhibiting in other shows, details of which can be found on my website or email louisediggle@yahoo.com.   With the anniversary of the Coronation, Wimbledon, warmer and sunnier weather, it is going to be a busy couple of months.

Morning Light, St James' Park

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New Spring London and Paris work and forthcoming exhibitions

Tuileries Gardens, Spring light, April 2013

Finally spring has come at last! It has been an exceptionally challenging winter for plein air painting and I have been occupied with researching new projects and experimenting with oils.

By Pont St-Louis, Morning Light

I took myself off to Paris for a few days - to find a different shade of grey from London.  I was fortunate to arrive in the first week of spring - the chestnuts had just come out and the light was dazzling.  It was difficult to know where to start, just like a very good box of chocolates.

Seine, late afternoon

The Seine was busier than the Thames, unexpected amounts of river traffic and, as one passerby pointed out, the currents are almost sculptural. The light hitting the waves was a bonus as were the glorious sunsets. It made it an interesting contrast to the Chelsea Embankment.

Seine sunset, April 2013

Towards Lots Road, Evening light, April 2013

Back in London to find more events - the fast and furious pace of the London Marathon was one of them

London Marathon - Finish

I will be participating in the following shows in May and June:

Thursday 16- Sunday 18th May
My studio show, Wimbledon Art studios (studio 402, blue building) www.wimbledonartstudios.co.uk

23 May - 8 June Small Paintings Group, Russell Gallery, 12 Lower Richmond Road, Putney
(invited artist) www.thesmallpaintingsgroup.co.uk

24-28 June Chelsea Art Society, Kings Road SW3 http://www.chelseaartsociety.org.uk/ 

June - Artists of the Pageant, Turner's House, Twickenham
Last year I was an invited with other painters to paint the Diamond Jubilee pageant on the roof of the City of London School.  As you might remember not even the weather could put a dampner on this extraordniary spectacle.

New work for 2013

The last couple of weeks have been occupied with researching new painting projects -  views of the Shard and London streets as well as ongoing projects in St James' park and on the Thames.  The early spring light is a marvel to explore - clear and bright with all the optimism of spring around the corner.

I have been continuing my work in pastel as it suits the transient moment. it has been pretty chilly and thermals come in handy.

Kensington street, early morning light (in progress)

Kensington Street, Midday light (in progress)

 

 

 

 

Piccadilly, late afternoon light (in progress)

I'm in the process of researching different views of the Shard and have been on various bus routes and long walks to get the wider picture. It's an interesting building - designed to be a blade of light - it catches the light on the dullest of days.  This is the first time we have seen it properly, fully glazed.  I'm going up into the building in April.

Shard and light

I have also been getting work ready for mixed shows in march:

Art@Clyde and Co, Guildford, where I will be giving a talk on 5th march about my work
With Surface ICA www.surfaceica.co.uk in Hartley Wintney
With Moorwood Art, near Hereford 6-18 March
With Quiddity Fine Art

For further infomation please either contact me louisediggle@yahoo.com or see my website www.louisediggle.co.uk

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Back to work with lots of ideas in the offing and 2013 shows to finalise.

Watch this space - new 2013 work to be put up shortly

Louise

Happy Christmas!

Mid December and it's been one of the busiest and exciting periods in my painting life.  The exhibtions have exceeeded my expectations and my work is in Cork Street for the fourth time this year.

There are three pastels of the speed walk are in the Medici Christmas show, Art for All - http://www.medicigallery.co.uk/ and runs to the 24th December.

Regent Street Lights 2012

At the moment I am concentrating on London over Christmas at night.  There are some glorious Christmas lights at the moment and I've worked on ones on the Kings Road, Elizabeth Street, Pimlico and Regent Street.  They give such delight.  I think it's important to include shoppers, buses and brake lights.  There is so much bustle and action at the moment. I was very impressed by the generousity of the bank who left their lights on until the cleaner left so that I could see to pastel.  It has been hideously cold though and necessity breeds invention to try and keep the fingers from freezing to my pastel box. All suggestions welcome - I'm trying to track down battery heated socks..

Further projects to the end of this year will include the ice skating rinks and the Christmas markets which abound and more lights.  Plenty of exciting projects lie ahead in 2013 and I plan to produce a series on the Shard as well as more paths into London.  The light at this time of year is so lovely.


Happy Christmas and here's to lots more pastelling! 

Kings Road lights 2012

November Exhibitions and Artist in Residence, Save Cork Street Campaign

The pace has been fast and furious.  The autumn light and the transience of the richly coloured leaves have been magical to pastel.  I’ve also been in the throes of exhibition organising:

Wimbledon Art Studios – my studio show, 22-25th November (Studio 402) www.wimbledonartstudios.co.uk where I will be showing my pastels of the Diamond Jubilee, Olympics and Paralympics

Daggett Gallery, Tite Street Group – Kensington Church St – 20-24^th November.  I will showing mainly still life work in oils

My work is also on show at Moorwood Art, Bruton, Somerset and I was invited to participate in Art for All, Medici Gallery, Cork Street 6-23 December 2012 www.medicigallery.co.uk

If you are interested in coming, please either look on the websites above for information or contact me on louisediggle@yahoo.com.

Yesterday I was Artist in Residence for the Save Cork Street Awareness Evening www.savecorkstreet.com.   

I pastelled  Cork Street over 24 hours.  During the day, the weather was largely overcast and the lovely and subtle London greys were pronounced.   I was interested by the volume of traffic hurtling down the road and the reflections on the cars and vans.  Cork Street has a life of its own when it gets dark. The gallery windows, street lights and spotlit buildings and flags have vibrancy, colour and life.   

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