SPRING Newsletter 2021 Rebirth

As we arrive at the spring equinox and restrictions in the UK are beginning to tentatively lift, there is a feeling of pushing forward, of new beginnings and even rebirth in the collective atmosphere. 

The Croft has been the longest consistent 'home'  featuring in my life for the last 19 years. But with every new year cycle I see it's rebirth and it's growth developing in a new way. Including how we interact with the land as a family.

This year I am so excited to share this 'new' newsletter with you!

Thank you so much for signing up.

This, like everything in the natural world will take time to evolve and form, so I will keep this young seedling small and carefully propagated as I transplant the forthcoming 

School of Outdoor Art programme of courses and introduce this seasons featured

artist Andrew Barrowman. 

Our 2021 programme launches in April with :

Painting the Seasons with Oils. 

These four seasonal courses designed and delivered by Andrew Barrowman fit perfectly with the SOOA vision of developing your creativity whilst connecting with the

natural world.

 Andrew  is a painter of landscapes and seascapes based in Cornwall. He paints predominantly in oils en plein air and from his studio at Krowji, Redruth. He spends many hours walking and observing the varied Cornish landscape as the light changes throughout the day and time of year.

Sketchbooks are his constant companion (often along with his dog). On paper he records his observations daily, using oil sticks, charcoal and water based media. Trying to capture the feel and atmosphere of a place in all weathers is Andrew’s goal, rather than a photographic representation.

It is from outdoor sketches and plein air oil studies that his paintings begin to emerge in the studio. Winter light is a particular favourite of Andrew’s - often leading to frozen fingers and toes after a day painting and sketching in the cold damp Cornish mizzle!

Andrew illustrated books and worked in an advertising studio before concentrating on his painting. He sells through several galleries in the UK and has paintings in collections worldwide. Andrew has recently exhibited with the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts and the Pastel Society in Mall Galleries London. In 2021 he has a book of his oil sketches being published. In the book will be over 120 sketches describing the view from his studio window as it changes over the course of a year.

Seasonal News!

The buds are emerging, first we notice is the Willow. This time of year we start lopping the pollards and weaving the willow structures and popping in a few new whips around the place. This year they are beginning to form a screen for some male toilet facilities!

The willow will also be used to make some charcoal for the coming courses. 

In the polytunnel things are getting exciting, propagation of my pigment plants are emerging and the Hopi black sunflowers are winning, followed closely behind by the woad. Both of these will be able to be harvested and used this year. 

On the wildlife front we have a new polytunnel resident - 'Pierre' the frog, as named by my 7 year old, is a constant companion to the new shoots and is coping with the humid temperature at the moment, occassionaly enjoying the little frying pan pond created by by son.

Coming this Summer...........

Find out more daily at SOOA social media accounts.

Seasonal wishes and wellbeing to one and all.

Thank you so much for reading.

Oll an Gwella