Blogging memories ~ I hope you will join me as I travel through memories via my paintings of the British Isles; then to Europe and the United States. Enjoy the journey as I share from the Art Gallery of my website some of the hidden treasures along the way.

You will find the poem “Shades of Summer”, on page 77 of my new book “Come Walk With Me” ~ A Poetic Journal.

 “Shades of Summer”
St. Ives, Cornwall, England

Have you ever been to St. Ives, meandered down the cobbled streets, and stopped to rest on a quiet green? Perhaps you will be inspired to visit and see firsthand the beauty of St. Ives and the surrounding area.

Michael and I parked high upon a hill and looked out as the North Atlantic propelled its mighty swells breaking onto the shore below. It was a beautiful day, warm with gentle breezes puffing up from the scenic ocean below. Viewing from our divergent spot, the village of St. Ives cascading down the wandering street, we gingerly chose our steps among the cobbled stones flanked with exquisite homes that were hidden within the gardens along our passive stroll. There is an oasis of gardens, both private and public, where one can rest and find a haven away from the crowds.

Silence fell between us.  A magical fantasy of senses claimed the afternoon and I finally understood it was the light. The soft ambient light was spilling from the shadows, punctuated by the sun pouring selectively on its chosen subject. It was like a dream, when you experience the soft changing of colors, an easy breeze ruffling your hair and somewhere out there a single violin playing your favorite song. Obviously, this is a moment that lives in my mind.

As we continued our stroll, Michael pointed out a very large grey cat sunning on the stone step of a pavement shop. My animal lover husband, unable to just observe, reached to pet the biggest cat I’ve ever seen, only to be met by a hissing, fanged teeth mammal which seemed to stretch the entire six foot two inches of my startled husband. Trying to compose myself, I giggled all the way to the golden shore.  There we sat stuffing ourselves with fish and chips while watching the tide rush out, leaving the boats sitting on the smooth sandy tide pools. We walked the sea wall out to view the merging North Sea and browsed the beautiful village shops for prized memorabilia.

Mid-afternoon found us searching the halls of the celebrated Tate Gallery. The building itself rivals the modern sculpture found within its walls. The artist in me had to be forcibly removed from the gallery as Cornwall continued to fill our entire weekend.

St. Ives, a place I return to, if only in my dreams.

Due to circumstances beyond my control, the art classes at the Artful Touch in Kirkland have been cancelled.  I sincerely apologize if this has inconvenienced anyone. Please watch this blog for future class dates or workshops.

Those who influence ~ my most revered artist is Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot.

The Barbizon school of painters was part of an art movement towards realism in art which arose in the context of the dominant Romantic Movement of the time and was active from 1830-1870. The Barbizon school was made up of a group of artists who took their name from the village of Babizon, France near Fontainebleau Forest.

In 1824  the Salon de Paris exhibited works of John Constable. His rural scenes influenced some of the younger artists of the time, moving them to abandon formalism and to draw inspiration directly from nature. Natural scenes became the subjects of their painting rather than mere backdrops to dramatic events.

During the Revolutions of 1848, artists gathered at Barbizon to follow Constable’s ideas, making nature the subject of their paintings.  The leaders of the Barbizon school were Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, Theodore Rousseau, Jean-Francois Millet and Charles-Francois Daubigny.

The Barbizon School of painters was the precursor for the French Impressionist painters. If you love impressionism and it’s history, it might be of interest to search for the aforementioned amazing Masters.

Do you paint?  Do you want to learn to paint?

I will be offering Beginning & Advanced Acrylic Painting Classes starting Wednesday, March 7.

Here are all the details:

Dates:         Every Wednesday, starting March 7
Time:          1pm – 4pm (3 hour class, 4 week sessions)
Location:    An Artful Touch; 12437 116th Ave. NE, Kirkland, WA

Classes will be on-going with one-on-one instruction and featuring “Golden Open” paints.

Please contact: Sharron Woolsey at 425-823-2336 or  support@artfultouchonline.com

I have over twenty years of experience with personal art sales and commissions. I also offer Private & Group Painting instruction in my studio.  To view my work and style visit my website gallery.

Check out my TV interview!

Enjoy the Journey!

Beverly

Blogging Memories ~ We will be traveling through my paintings of the British Isles, then to Europe and the United States I hope you will enjoy the journey as I share the memory of my many paintings. The paintings blogged are taken from the Art Gallery on my website.

Today we are traveling in England; Southwest through the grandeur of Devonshire.

“After the Rain”
Devon, England

A weekend trip to Cornwall brought picture postcard beauty as we traveled through Devonshire.  Another trip to Devonshire was also on the planning board as it has so much to offer – from the heathland to the cliffs, and the beaches of Torbay.  Inland is Dartmoor, a National Park.  This is the land of the ‘heatherclad moorland” which was made famous in the Sherlock Holmes mystery, “The Hounds of the Baskervilles”.

A cloudy, misty morning much like weather in our home state of Washington brought a limited view of the surrounding countryside.  The Lorries (trucks) crowded the motorway and brought unsettling anxiety, prompting a tea break followed by a side trip out through the countryside.  The summer’s morning began to lighten as did our spirits.  We drove past many charming thatched roof cottages with lush gardens and pruned hedges, and on through open fields of velvet green sweeping with yellow gorse following the curvature of the land.

Then, suddenly, the clouds opened and the sun shone through and I yelled “Stop! Stop!”  My husband being the calm and settled kind of gent, slowed the car and asked if I would like to turn around?  Living with an artist, he knew that there was perfectly good reasoning behind my hysteria.  The clouds had opened and the sun was shining on a thatched cottage with lovely gardens and the largest rose hedge I had ever seen!  With camera in hand, I approached the drive, and a lady in a yellow slicker came walking toward me.  I exclaimed something to the notion that I was a painter and would it be okay if I photographed her beautiful garden to paint?  I remember a smile, then a raised eyebrow and she said, ‘not until I take cover’.  Grateful for her kindness, I know just where she hides behind the rose hedge.

My sister, Jeanette, amorously refers to this painting as the “lady behind the roses”.  I reminiscently call it “After the Rain”.

Blogging Memories ~ we will be traveling through my paintings of the British Isles, then to Europe and the United States. I hope you will enjoy the journey as I share the memory of my many paintings from the Art Gallery of my Website.

Today we visit the beautiful Hoghton Tower Gardens.

Michael and I awaken to a beautiful morning in Lytham and decided a day trip was the order for the day. The drive to Hoghton Tower was filled with brilliant sunshine and soft floating clouds cradled by a timid breeze. What we thought was to be  a day of quiet stroll through the lavish gardens turned into a fun filled local fete.

Vendors filled the gardens with their local wares. I bought lavender lotions and creams in stunning cobalt bottles. A small musical ensemble played while we munched on scones and drank hot tea in proper tea cups. It was all so very English and we loved every minute of the revelry. We decided to shop early for Christmas gifts and found a woolen merchant and bought delicately woven jumpers (sweaters).

After a bit, while Michael talked with a brass merchant, I began to wander the walled garden. The rampart intrigued me as I followed the stately wall, marveling the antiquity of the fortress. I realized how large the walled garden was as I walked the various rooms of open garden protected by the stately stone walls. While the festivities continued I found solace while images of Mistress Mary conjured up author Frances Hodgson Burnett’s description of her cherished “Secret Garden”.

Then I found it, I found the garden gate!  Pulling paper and pen from my tote I wrote the poem “The Secret Garden” found in my book “Come Walk With Me”~ A Poetic Journal. Quickly flipping the page I began to sketch and noted the colors and the way the sun played creating shadows that must be captured without delay. I then photographed and with permission from the estate, painted with awe what I interpreted as my impression of the Secret Garden.

The Secret Garden©-Original painting

 “Secret Garden”©, Hoghton Tower Gardens, Lancashire, England- My painting found on my websitehttp://www.beverlyhooks.com/  art gallery/gift shop for giclee print.

“Hoghton Tower, a Grade I listed building,  is the ancestral home of the de Hoghton family. The de Hoghton’s are descended directly from Harvey de Walter, one of the companions of William the Conqueror, and through the female line from Lady Godiva of Coventry, wife of Leofric, Earl of Mercia.

Since its re-creation in 1565 by Thomas Hoghton this ancient, fortified, hilltop manor house has retained its Tudor-Elizabethan character and construction in its entirety.

The Tudor gardens, wilderness lawn and rose gardens decorated with ornate stone fountain are a photographer (Artist) dream. Clipped yews lead to ramparts ~ castellated walls and fairytale turret with commanding views across Lancashire, the Lake District and North Wales.”

Hoghton Tower is the only true baronial residence in Lancashire, England. For more information visit their websitewww.hoghtontower.co.uk/ **

**Factual information is taken from the stated website.

Cheers, Beverly