Members' gallery
We are proud to display examples of
some of our members' art practice
and, where applicable, links to their own websites.
PATRICIA ARMITAGE
Patricia was encouraged to draw and paint by her father at a very young age. Her love of pastels began when on holiday in Charmouth as a child, on meeting a local artist who worked in both oil and soft pastels. She has attended life drawing classes throughout most of her life, although she worked in digital media as a graphic designer, embarking on an MA in Design & Digital Media at the age of 50. Having moved down to Dorset in 2018, she has returned to pastels and finds inspiration in the local scenery and skies in particular. |
Rachel Baynes
Being a late starter and somewhat unteachable after designing and making many quilts, and having read that ‘life drawing is the key’, Rachel began her art education in 2000 by drawing untutored from the model. Since then, she has had some tuition, sketched compulsively wherever she has gone, and experimented with most media. She loves colour and representational, but not strictly ‘photographic’ art and her strength lies in an unfashionable fondness for line.
Most of her current work is in ink or acrylic. She continues life-drawing, but now attends classes with David Marl and Clare Shepherd, and shows with BAS and the Incident Room Gallery in Blandford Forum.
Jim Boyt
Jim is a founder member of Blandford Art Society, and remembers how it started well over 30 years ago in The Chestnut Club. He is largely self-taught, although he has attended evening classes and Society workshops.
He works in most media: oil, pastel, acrylic, and watercolour, and also produces fine wood-engravings, all of which he has exhibited with BAS over the years. His favoured subjects tend to be landscapes and portraits, and his packed sketchbooks are wonderful examples of detailed, tonal work.
He works in most media: oil, pastel, acrylic, and watercolour, and also produces fine wood-engravings, all of which he has exhibited with BAS over the years. His favoured subjects tend to be landscapes and portraits, and his packed sketchbooks are wonderful examples of detailed, tonal work.
patricia burns
Patricia was born in North Wales. After a five-year apprenticeship in commercial art she moved south to a senior position in central office of a department store where she produced hand written show cards incorporating screen printing. She then ran her own business designing logos and screen printing designs for large companies and was involved with painting scenery. In Devon she worked as a decorator for the Dartington Pottery, developed her skills as a watercolourist, set up her own studio and gave informal workshops there and demonstrations at art societies.
She is self-taught and totally committed to her art which has appeared in many Devon and Dorset Open exhibitions, regularly in galleries such as the Westover and Mayfield Galleries in Bournemouth and in Salisbury Playhouse and opens her studio for Dorset Art Weeks. She is best known for her colourful flowers and still life, and is a member of the Society of Floral Painters.
She is self-taught and totally committed to her art which has appeared in many Devon and Dorset Open exhibitions, regularly in galleries such as the Westover and Mayfield Galleries in Bournemouth and in Salisbury Playhouse and opens her studio for Dorset Art Weeks. She is best known for her colourful flowers and still life, and is a member of the Society of Floral Painters.
GEOFF COLLINS
I have enjoyed drawing ever since I can remember and have dabbled with drawing and painting throughout my working life.
Other than attending some evening classes in adult education many years ago, I have no formal training in visual art.
My preferred working mediums are pencil and oils, and for a subject I seem to be developing a preference for the human portrait, although the freedom of painting more imaginative compositions is pretty good too.
www.geoffcollins-art.com
I have enjoyed drawing ever since I can remember and have dabbled with drawing and painting throughout my working life.
Other than attending some evening classes in adult education many years ago, I have no formal training in visual art.
My preferred working mediums are pencil and oils, and for a subject I seem to be developing a preference for the human portrait, although the freedom of painting more imaginative compositions is pretty good too.
www.geoffcollins-art.com
marie de'ath
Presented with a set of watercolours by her husband on retirement, Marie began to fulfil an ambition to paint, and a move to Dorset provided ample inspiration. Since then, she has attended various courses and workshops, and experimented with other media. Marie is now working chiefly in oils and acrylics.
Favourite subjects are landscapes painted in strong and sometimes non-naturalistic colour, and animals painted from her own photographs. She has exhibited regularly with Blandford Art Society and elsewhere, most recently with Amanda Keyte at Shaftsbury Art Centre and at Shepton Mallet.
wendy gregory
The view from my kitchen window is a constant source of inspiration. The horizon overlooking ancient earthworks is so open you can see where land merges into sky.
After graduating from Surrey Institute of Art and Design and moving from West Sussex to Dorset, I attended workshops at Abbotsbury Studio. Artist, John Skinner, taught that the big challenge for painting today is to respond to physical sensations and that, through the act of making a painting, the artist feels what the subject is like.
This revelatory process allows my work to develop by experimentation and is my own personal response to the subject. I start with a specific place or viewpoint, but I don’t know what the resulting painting will look like. Therefore, my artwork is constantly evolving with a freshness and vibrancy in an explosion of colour.
After graduating from Surrey Institute of Art and Design and moving from West Sussex to Dorset, I attended workshops at Abbotsbury Studio. Artist, John Skinner, taught that the big challenge for painting today is to respond to physical sensations and that, through the act of making a painting, the artist feels what the subject is like.
This revelatory process allows my work to develop by experimentation and is my own personal response to the subject. I start with a specific place or viewpoint, but I don’t know what the resulting painting will look like. Therefore, my artwork is constantly evolving with a freshness and vibrancy in an explosion of colour.
Jacky hardy
My first passion has been horses and all other animals and for most of my working life I taught riding, running my own riding school. I now have more time to follow my other passion, drawing the beautiful horses, dogs and cats for which I loved to care in pastels, and have added cows, sheep, landscapes and buildings to my repertoire.
I try to capture the ‘real’ animal and the essence of their character, and accept commissions, working from good quality photographs. The pleasure of presenting someone with a portrait of their beloved pet (even if they are sometimes reduced to emotional tears) is very special.
I try to capture the ‘real’ animal and the essence of their character, and accept commissions, working from good quality photographs. The pleasure of presenting someone with a portrait of their beloved pet (even if they are sometimes reduced to emotional tears) is very special.
NEIL HOUGHTON
I am largely a self-taught, amateur artist and continue to do a few short courses on watercolour, acrylic and life drawing. By actually painting myself, I achieve a greater understanding of art history which I studied with the Open University. After teaching art history for a while with Poole Adult Learning, I now lead two U3A art history groups. |
WENDY JUMP
I had a long, full-time career in the NHS and took up painting late in life. My usual medium is watercolour, but exploration and the addition of other media, including collage, stitching and threads, often produces my best, unique pieces of art. I like to study different topics. I spend time observing, sketching and photographing the subject in detail. Then I’ll work in the studio with my gathered resources. Starting with drawing, I often find an instinctive feel for the right medium. Flowers, landscape and animals are inspiring subjects, but when spending time in the atmospheric town of Blandford Forum, I was drawn to the historic buildings. The project developed with collage and inks into a range of cards, paintings and concertina booklets.
I had a long, full-time career in the NHS and took up painting late in life. My usual medium is watercolour, but exploration and the addition of other media, including collage, stitching and threads, often produces my best, unique pieces of art. I like to study different topics. I spend time observing, sketching and photographing the subject in detail. Then I’ll work in the studio with my gathered resources. Starting with drawing, I often find an instinctive feel for the right medium. Flowers, landscape and animals are inspiring subjects, but when spending time in the atmospheric town of Blandford Forum, I was drawn to the historic buildings. The project developed with collage and inks into a range of cards, paintings and concertina booklets.
Mike Lofthouse
www.mikeartandlife.weebly.com
Drawing with charcoal and pastel is still my preferred medium, but I am increasingly being seduced by oil painting. Much of my drawing/painting time is spent in life drawing sessions, as artist or tutor.
I hold a Diploma in Art and Design, and a Certificate of Higher Education in Fine Art from the Arts University College, Bournemouth.
Drawing with charcoal and pastel is still my preferred medium, but I am increasingly being seduced by oil painting. Much of my drawing/painting time is spent in life drawing sessions, as artist or tutor.
I hold a Diploma in Art and Design, and a Certificate of Higher Education in Fine Art from the Arts University College, Bournemouth.
JILL MARSDEN
Jill only recently started painting more regularly and now finds she can’t stop! She has no formal training, but has attended some classes and workshops with a variety of artist tutors using a variety of media. She has enjoyed trying out new mediums and studying a wide range of subjects, but has tended to maintain a preference for anything to do with wildlife and our countryside, and using mixed media. She has found being a member of an art society has offered the opportunity to share ideas, learn new skills, and find mutual motivation and encouragement, and also to make new friends! |
ann matthewS
Ann has had no formal training, but in later life has attended adult education classes, eventually finding her preferred mediums to be pastel, pencil and pen and wash. Though she enjoys still-life, her favourite subject is people, whether in portrait, life-study or movement, especially musicians and sketching children.
She has exhibited with the Pastel Society at the Mall Galleries, the Society of Women Artists at the Westminster Gallery, and exhibits as a member with Bruton, Sherborne and Blandford Art Societies. Ann has in the past exhibited at the Swan Gallery, Frome, and with the Salisbury Group of Artists, and Dorchester Art Club.
She has exhibited with the Pastel Society at the Mall Galleries, the Society of Women Artists at the Westminster Gallery, and exhibits as a member with Bruton, Sherborne and Blandford Art Societies. Ann has in the past exhibited at the Swan Gallery, Frome, and with the Salisbury Group of Artists, and Dorchester Art Club.
ELAINE NEALE
I became interested in art in 2000 when I signed up for a watercolour course, and since then, I have been hooked! I have spent many happy holidays attending residential courses with professional artists of many styles.
My main medium used to be watercolour, but now, I often work in mixed media and also love pen and wash, and pastel. Basically, I will use any medium I feel suits the current subject. I love to experiment. Although I will revert to representation, most of my work is semi-abstract in style. My subjects vary from landscape to still life, buildings, and abstraction.
I have exhibited for years and now have work in Australia, Canada and across the UK. I have been awarded for watercolour and mixed media works in Bridport exhibitions and was 'Highly Recommended' at the Town Mill Gallery , Lyme Regis.
I have not painted for a few years for health reasons, but lately have started again, encouraged by a friend and now wish to get back to painting on a regular basis. I hope the journey continues and I invite you to travel with me!
My main medium used to be watercolour, but now, I often work in mixed media and also love pen and wash, and pastel. Basically, I will use any medium I feel suits the current subject. I love to experiment. Although I will revert to representation, most of my work is semi-abstract in style. My subjects vary from landscape to still life, buildings, and abstraction.
I have exhibited for years and now have work in Australia, Canada and across the UK. I have been awarded for watercolour and mixed media works in Bridport exhibitions and was 'Highly Recommended' at the Town Mill Gallery , Lyme Regis.
I have not painted for a few years for health reasons, but lately have started again, encouraged by a friend and now wish to get back to painting on a regular basis. I hope the journey continues and I invite you to travel with me!
jackie poynter
As retirement from teaching beckoned, I promised myself time to develop new hobbies! I yearned to paint, but there weren’t enough hours in the day. I had always found time for creative embroidery and wanted to branch out.
I began with a watercolour course a few years ago, and still enjoy watercolour painting, however, I’m naturally ‘drawn’ to a more experimental style using mixed media, with inspiration usually coming from one of my photographs. I love photographing landscapes, both natural and manmade.
bridget richardson
I have had no formal training, but have sketched wherever I was all my life. Over the years, I have tried my hand at most subjects: life, portraits, landscape, abstract, flowers, animals, etc, in almost any medium that came to hand, although perhaps preferred ones are oil, acrylic, and watercolour.
It has never been more than a hobby, but a wonderful one at that!
It has never been more than a hobby, but a wonderful one at that!
pat richardson
Before returning to live in England a few years ago I lived on the Spanish Costas in the province of Valencia, where the light is clear and the sky a vivid blue. It is there I began oil paintings of beach scenes and cherry orchards, olive groves and medieval churches, and exhibited in local art exhibitions.
Since living in Dorset, I developed into pastels for life drawing, family and animal portraits, as well as local scenes, and am now experimenting with mixed media to liven up my style. With little formal art training, my techniques have been learned through art holidays, workshops and lots of practice.
Since living in Dorset, I developed into pastels for life drawing, family and animal portraits, as well as local scenes, and am now experimenting with mixed media to liven up my style. With little formal art training, my techniques have been learned through art holidays, workshops and lots of practice.
tina rowley
My training was in design, so it is form rather than colour or light that inspires me. For me, the exterior of a solid object has a spirituality given to it by its inner formless quantum state, so it is not a contradiction for me to like both traditional and abstract art.
I feel privileged to live in the beautiful county of Dorset. I paint chiefly in pastels.
JUDITH RYDE
Judith has been a Member of the Society since 2015, having moved to Dorset from Hampshire. She has been using watercolours for eleven years and loves the effects she can create with them.
She is not formally trained although she did take Higher Art (yes, she’s a Scot) at school. Using watercolours in earnest started when she met a very talented artist while living in France, and it has taken quite a while to become comfortable with this tricky medium.
Dorset has been an enormous inspiration to Judith, who loves her adopted county: the coastline, the countryside and the wonderful little villages tucked away. Colour and pattern attract her in particular and this shows in her work.
Judith has been a Member of the Society since 2015, having moved to Dorset from Hampshire. She has been using watercolours for eleven years and loves the effects she can create with them.
She is not formally trained although she did take Higher Art (yes, she’s a Scot) at school. Using watercolours in earnest started when she met a very talented artist while living in France, and it has taken quite a while to become comfortable with this tricky medium.
Dorset has been an enormous inspiration to Judith, who loves her adopted county: the coastline, the countryside and the wonderful little villages tucked away. Colour and pattern attract her in particular and this shows in her work.
norah saynor
Norah has not had formal training but has attended local classes and society workshops since retirement. She began by painting in watercolours but now particularly enjoys working in oils. She has exhibited regularly with Blandford Art Society, and featured one of her paintings in a floral display shown in Salisbury Cathedral cloisters.
Her chosen subjects are often landscapes or another interest, horses, and she was recently very inspired by a Dublin exhibition of the works of her favourite artist, Jack Yeates (brother of WB).
MARY STRAUGHAN
I joined BAS when my husband was posted from RAF Germany to Blandford Camp. At this time, I taught ‘piano’ at Dorset Rural Music School and various other local schools.
I studied Art and Music initially at Bath Academy of Art, when the Academy was based at Corsham Court, Corsham – and have studied and practised both disciplines ever since.
My husband and I now live in Hazelbury Bryan – and nothing makes me happier than sitting up in a spare bedroom – which I use as a studio – painting – and listening to Radio 3.
I joined BAS when my husband was posted from RAF Germany to Blandford Camp. At this time, I taught ‘piano’ at Dorset Rural Music School and various other local schools.
I studied Art and Music initially at Bath Academy of Art, when the Academy was based at Corsham Court, Corsham – and have studied and practised both disciplines ever since.
My husband and I now live in Hazelbury Bryan – and nothing makes me happier than sitting up in a spare bedroom – which I use as a studio – painting – and listening to Radio 3.
GEORGE TAPPER
I am Dorset born and bred, which could account for my passion in painting the Dorset landscape.
My early paintings were mainly surreal and abstract in nature and it was only later in life that I progressed to painting the wonderful and varied Dorset countryside. The Isle of Purbeck and Stour Valley in particular provide an endless source of inspiration.
My main claim to fame is that I was chosen as the first, and possibly only, Mayor’s Artist for Blandford by the then Mayor David Wright who was also a stalwart in Blandford Art Society.
My preferred medium is Gouache which I find suits my style of painting. My paintings are detailed, whether I am painting miniatures or larger works. I have exhibited in galleries and open exhibitions around Dorset.
I am Dorset born and bred, which could account for my passion in painting the Dorset landscape.
My early paintings were mainly surreal and abstract in nature and it was only later in life that I progressed to painting the wonderful and varied Dorset countryside. The Isle of Purbeck and Stour Valley in particular provide an endless source of inspiration.
My main claim to fame is that I was chosen as the first, and possibly only, Mayor’s Artist for Blandford by the then Mayor David Wright who was also a stalwart in Blandford Art Society.
My preferred medium is Gouache which I find suits my style of painting. My paintings are detailed, whether I am painting miniatures or larger works. I have exhibited in galleries and open exhibitions around Dorset.
JUDE TAYLOR
In my paintings, I aim to capture the atmosphere, spirit of place, and mystery of landscape and sea.
Working mainly in oil/mixed media, I spend many hours observing and sketching parts of Dorset’s coast and countryside. I enjoy shadows on hills, patterns on a shimmering sea and the magic of an early sunrise. This is always a challenge, but leads me on to experiment with different textures and compositions.
I take part in Dorset Arts Weeks, local exhibitions, and work in galleries and craft centres in Dorset and further afield.
In my paintings, I aim to capture the atmosphere, spirit of place, and mystery of landscape and sea.
Working mainly in oil/mixed media, I spend many hours observing and sketching parts of Dorset’s coast and countryside. I enjoy shadows on hills, patterns on a shimmering sea and the magic of an early sunrise. This is always a challenge, but leads me on to experiment with different textures and compositions.
I take part in Dorset Arts Weeks, local exhibitions, and work in galleries and craft centres in Dorset and further afield.
Liz Tredrea
Of choice, I paint in all the different media, but watercolour remains that mountain I’ve yet to climb. Unfortunately for me, Mum was a watercolourist. Paints in hand, I did what everyone does who doesn’t know anything about art, but is retired and wants to try their hand, and signed up for a watercolour course. By the last term, my fellow attendees had slowly dropped by the wayside until the very last class saw me sitting with tutor at my side in a large village hall, still failing to complete a watercolour that wasn’t mud. Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to be taught by some fine tutors. I have also branched out into woodcuts, and did a weekend relief stone-carving course with the marvellous Jo Sweeting.
Art has become a huge part of my life. It’s the best painkiller I know of! Another benefit has been all the lovely people I’ve met while doing classes, workshops, and even art holidays. For some reason, in my experience, only nice people do art. They may well be eccentric, but they’re normally very nice, thoughtful and helpful people, and better yet, I have something in common with them all. Some of these nice people belong to the Blandford Art Society!
Art has become a huge part of my life. It’s the best painkiller I know of! Another benefit has been all the lovely people I’ve met while doing classes, workshops, and even art holidays. For some reason, in my experience, only nice people do art. They may well be eccentric, but they’re normally very nice, thoughtful and helpful people, and better yet, I have something in common with them all. Some of these nice people belong to the Blandford Art Society!
SALLY WATSON
From an early age, I've loved drawing and art in general, and later joined various, local painting groups whilst working full-time in administration. Watercolour is my passion, but following a career change in 2014 and now having more time to indulge in my love of art, I'm enjoying other mediums such as pen and ink, and pastels. I love to draw and paint everything around me - except perhaps boats!
I've sold a number of paintings over the years and, in 2015, my watercolour portrait of my great-nephew was chosen amongst the best entries for the BBC Little Painting Competition and was exhibited at The Whitworth Gallery, Manchester, during May of that year.
From an early age, I've loved drawing and art in general, and later joined various, local painting groups whilst working full-time in administration. Watercolour is my passion, but following a career change in 2014 and now having more time to indulge in my love of art, I'm enjoying other mediums such as pen and ink, and pastels. I love to draw and paint everything around me - except perhaps boats!
I've sold a number of paintings over the years and, in 2015, my watercolour portrait of my great-nephew was chosen amongst the best entries for the BBC Little Painting Competition and was exhibited at The Whitworth Gallery, Manchester, during May of that year.
THERESA WATSON
My practice includes: etching, hand embroidery (including tambour beading), 3D plaster/clay and paint. It is important that my subject matter becomes ingrained and that I know it well before I begin. I have what I call 'thinking pieces' to work on if I get stuck on something. This could be written work. For textiles, I design beforehand but sometimes free-stitch works. I prefer stitch-covered fabric, rather than just designing a motif. I studied until I felt I could go on to do a degree with confidence. I needed that grounding before I started it for myself, and studied part-time for many years prior to it. In 2003, I completed an MA in Fine Art Print and then a PGCE (PCET) in teacher training in 2006.
candice willatt
Candice has no formal art training but has, over the years, worked in several media. At the moment, she is enjoying working in pastels, and is particularly excited about painting.
david windsor
David began painting when he retired to Dorset. He has had no formal training, but has attended classes, courses, and Society workshops. He paints and draws a variety of subjects: portraits, landscapes, and life–studies, favouring the mediums of watercolour and acrylic.
David is a past Committee Member of Blandford Art Society, serving in many roles over the years.