I've spent 2022 on a "sea" theme, partly inspired by a week in Hastings in June, partly influenced by the wonderful summer we've had. Having grown up in Kent, always near the sea, some of the pictures have an old fashioned flavour to them - shops selling buckets and spades, children dipping into rock pools etc. There's a local theme, too, with a large collage and acrylic picture of Abingdon. I love doing these as the challenge is to find objects which blend together in colour and shape; the perspective may not always be right and it may not be accurate, but it sums up the nature of a place. Despite the fun and challenge of collage work, I always seem at the end of it to go back to my first love of watercolour; it's such a lovely medium for country scenes, in all weathers and at all times of year - though I have to admit to rarely painting en plein air!
When I want a break from painting, I turn to making jewellery from old beads - whatever I can find or people give me. It is so satisfying to give new life to something broken or thrown away. The part I really enjoy is blending the colours and textures together to create a piece which is totally unique and original.
Events coming up in 2023: (Please check as more events may be added throughout the year.)
Sat 28th Jan. Abingdon local excellence market, Market Place Ab, 9.00 to 2.00, (Originals, prints, cards, jewellery)
Sat 4th Feb. Spring fair, Trinity Church, Abingdon, 10 to 1pm, (Small originals, prints, cards, jewellery)
Fri 17th-Sun19th Feb. Longwick Art Show, Longwick C of E School, Walnut Tree Lane, Longwick HP27 9SJ. Fri 19th preview 7.30-10pm, (£12 entry), Sat 18th 10 to 5pm, Sun 19th 10 to 4pm, (£2.50 entry). (New originals, prints, cards)
My cards are on sale at Annie's Tea Rooms by the boathouse, Abingdon. (Cash only)
I am a historian by training, having attended grammar school in the days when you were expected to study something 'academic' rather than art. However, part time work and then retirement have enabled me to return to my love of being creative. When I'm not painting, (and there isn't a worldwide pandemic) I love to travel, expecially to more unusual and distant parts of our world. (On one occasion a friend did ask me what war zone I intended to visit next!) Whether travelling back into History or travelling across continents, I think the aim is the same - to deepen my understanding of human lives and our interaction with the natural world. I will often choose to paint landscapes containing some manmade element rather than pure nature. But then again, what can beat the beauty of a field of poppies, or primroses nestling on a mossy bank?
If you would like to see more work, or make a purchase, please contact me at mrhorton7@gmail.com