Erika Richmond

Think this is going to be my last blog before Christmas but if you have any new work, exhibitions coming up do send through to me and I will see if I can add them here or post on twitter. My twitter account is @kentcreates so if your on there please follow!

Artist Erika Richmond has been in touch to tell me about her new work and framing business.  Erika is a multi media artist based in Tunbridge Wells who creates the most beautiful abstracts and portraits using layers of collage and paint to build up her pictures. The painting above is called 'Frida 1', it is the first in a new series based on Frida Kahlo of which Erika is currently working on.

Erika recently set up her own framing company Mitre and Pin also based in Tunbridge Wells where she offers bespoke picture framing tailored to a clients specific requirements. For more information about Erika and to see more of her work visit her site http://www.mitreandpin.com/

Erika also sent me some really great snaps of her dolls houses that she creates and I couldnt resist putting them up!

 

Hadlow Christmas Pop Up Exhibition

 

7th - 9th DecemberChristmas exhibition in Hadlow
'Gingerbread Cottage Gallery' @ Walnut Tree Cottage
Hadlow Square, Hadlow, TN11 0DG
Fri 7th 7-9pm, Sat 10-6pm, Sun 11-4pm

 

 

 

I had an email from Hildegard Pax to tell me about a 'Pop Up' she will be taking part in this weekend in Hadlow.  The show will feature the work of seven artists in conjunction with the Hadlow Christmas Fair

 

Martin Ingham – Paintings & pastels

Stephanie Willcox – Etchings

Shelley Rose – Prints & photography

Hildegard Pax - Glass

Ray Taylor – Glass

Julie S Taylor – Paper

Caroline Wetton - Paper

 

For more information about the artists taking part and what they will be exhibiting please see their facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/GingerbreadCottageGallery 

 

 

Rod Mcintosh

 

 
I recently found out about the work of Artist Rod Mcintosh through a friend and was interested to find out more about his work. Rod lives and works in rural Kent, where his studio is based and he also works as a creative industries consultant in London. Rod creates vibrant paintings using bold colour and mark making and he has kindly sent me some images here of his studio and making processes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rod has an exciting exhibition coming up in London where he will be showing his work with Fleur Deakin called 'NOHO ARTISTS'

 

"One of our rationales for the show was to make connections with the locations in which we work and live and through a DIY approach to create opportunities that takes our work to a new audience. As I live between Kent and Soho, and have been fortunate to embed myself within Kent through events like South East Open Studios and building a network of artists, arts organisations and galleries across the region through virtual (twittersphere) and realtime meetings, I felt it time to look towards the other place I inhabit."

 

 

For more information about Rod and Fleur and NOHO ARTISTS please read on!

 

 

 

NOHO ARTISTS – It’s all happening north of Soho

2nd - 5th December 2012

NOHO ARTISTS is a ‘pop up exhibition’ across two domestic venues. Linking two points within the heart of the west end of London. They are the live/work spaces of artists Fleur Deakin and Rod McIntosh. Making a north : south connection between Noho where Deakin is well placed within a bright 4th floor rooftop studio apartment overlooking a gated garden and Soho, where McIntosh lives within an urban epicentre of constant cycle of change, decay and renewal.

Deakin has been producing and selling floral paintings nationally for 10 years. Questions such as “why am I painting flowers when I live in the centre of London?”, “where do I belong?” and “is there a creative community near me that I can be part of?”.

Both artists exhibited at art fairs in 2011, where they met sipping champagne and discovered they live 10 minutes from each other. Here they to began to make connections other than simply geography. Attracted to each other’s work, charisma and drive they embarked upon working towards how they may work together or support each other’s development. This is this first collaborative exhibition, a further project is in the pipeline for the Soho:Noho pair in early 2013.

Each will select a piece of the others work to show within their space alongside their own. Furthering a connection between practices. An essay written by Crista Cloutier* about each other and their work will accompany the exhibition.

Private View Saturday 1st December, 6.30-8.30pm. By invitation.

Open House Sunday 2nd December, 11.00am – 5.00pm. By invitation.

Show Continues Monday 3rd – Wednesday 5th December. By appointment.

Location: W1W 5DL and WC2H 0LA

It is a 10 minute walk between the two sites, passing by many of the neighbourhood art galleries, leading creative industry hubs and premiere leisure/hospitality venues of Charlotte Street and Soho Square.

 

Artists websites: www.fleursart.co.uk               www.rodmcintosh.co.uk

*Crista Cloutier has been actively involved in the contemporary art world throughout her career, she works internationally as a writer, artist, playwright, and educator.

For an invitation to the exhibition, or to make an appointment visit www.nohoartists.co.uk

Artists at the Ice Rink

Ceramic Vessel By Claire Palastanga

This weekend Tunbridge Wells Borough Council will be opening their popular ice rink for the Christmas period! Open from 24th November 2012 to 7th Jan 2013.

 

Alongside the ice rink there will be a number of Kent based artists and makers showcasing their work, so this is a great opportunity to meet and purchase items directly from the makers, whilst sipping on some mulled wine and contemplating that ice dance you have in mind!

Artists and makers showing their work include Claire Palastanga, Caro Spinette, Lynne Meek, Kate Hasted and AP Illustrations. Further information about when artists will be exhibiting is below.

Claire Palastanga: 24th and 25th November, 8th and 9th December www.clairepalastanga.com
Caro Spinette: 1st and 2nd December   www.carospinette.co.uk
Lynne Meek: 1st and 2nd December
Kate Hasted: 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th December  www.katehasted.co.uk
AP Illustrations: 8th and 9th December http://www.ap-illustration.biz/portraits.html

For further information about Royal Tunbridge Wells at Christmas and to book tickets for the ice rink visit www.tunbridgewellsatchristmas.com

Creative Opportunities for Global Entrepreneur Week

Tunbridge Wells borough council are supporting local talent by offering free workshops, of particular interest could be the 'Entering and Surviving in the Creative Sector' on Thursday 15th November. See below for more information.

If you are interested in taking part contact by email or phone on:
business@tunbridgewells.gov.uk or ring 01892 554272

Artisan

Its that time of year again when Artisan comes to Tunbridge Wells! This great exhibition of selected artists and designers from the South East will be showcasing their work at Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery from Saturday 10th November to Jan 6th - so you have loads of time to get down there and take a look, I know I will be! More info below...

Appleducks and 'Handmade With Love' at Trinity

Appleducks is a brand new local business recently established by Jo Roberts @ Lovelies (www.facebook.com/lovelieshandmade) and Stephanie Brushfield @ Elephant in my Handbag (www.elephantinmyhandbag.com). Friends Jo and Stephanie discovered that they both had a passion for supporting talented local artists and makers but felt there were very few outlets for them to sell their beautiful handmade products. Visiting shows such as The Spirit of Christmas and the Country Living Fairs confirmed their view - they saw that there were plenty of outlets for mass produced things but not for smaller quantities of beautiful handmade items.

So the seed of an idea formed and Jo and Stephanie decided to give Tunbridge Wells its very own Craft Fair, called ‘Handmade with Love’ championing local makers. At the same time, they established Appleducks as an event company - both Jo and Stephanie have experience in event organisation (Jo had organised craft fairs and Stephanie charity balls in London). The next step was to find the perfect venue for ‘Handmade with Love’ - Trinity stood out as the hub for the Arts Scene in Tunbridge Wells.

Jo and Stephanie hope Handmade with Love @ Trinity will be the first of many successful local events for Appleducks !

 

 

Handmade with Love @ Trinity will be held on Saturday 10th November 2012 from 10.30 am - 4 pm and will feature beautiful handmade crafts designed and created by hand-picked talented local makers and artisans. As well as knitted, crocheted and hand sewn goods, there will be artwork, ceramics, cards, homeware, jewellery and clothing for sale. Perfect for sourcing one-off Christmas presents or just for treating yourself!

 

 

                                      Ceramics by Katie Brinsley

 

 

Entry to Handmade with Love @ The Trinity is just £3 and children under 16 are free.

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the workshops are no longer taking place.

 

For more information about the event and to see more about the artists and makers exhibiting please visit http://www.facebook.com/AppleDucks or contact  Stephanie on 01892 528071 or Jo on 01892 540904.

Sevenoaks Craft Show

The popular Sevenoaks Craft Fair is on this weekend so if you are in the area or like contemporary crafts and design, this is a great one to visit.  2nd - 4th November - dont miss it! For more information about Sevenoaks Craft Fair and other fairs run by Craft in Focus visit here: www.craftinfocus.com

 

 

 

Cloth and Clay Handmade Midwinter Market

 

A new crafts market coming to Lenham at the end of November will be showcasing a wide variety of hand created items, many made by local artists and makers.  For more information please visit clothandclay.wordpress.com

Hello and Welcome!

Hi all, this is my new blog site where I hope to bring you exciting news about contemporary crafts and the arts across Kent!  As well as promoting artists and designers, I hope to include information about exhibitions, pop up shops and opportunities.

If you are an artist or designer maker of contemporary products please email me with information about your work. If you are running an event or exhibition showcasing artists and/or designers I will promote it on here.

I am very new to blogging so hoping this is all going to work!

Looking forward to hearing from you! Please email kate@katehasted.co.uk

Kent Creates

Hi I have just started so bear with me! I will start posting properly in the next couple of weeks!