ON VIEW: JUNE 2006
A Tribute to Catherine Brennand RI
I was greatly saddened to learn that Catherine had died at the age of 44 on 1st May 2006. She had been fighting the battle with breast cancer since July 2002 and her friends always hoped that she would make a full recovery.
I first met Catherine when the Society organized an exhibition of the work of RI members to coincide with the Ludlow Festival in 1997. She lived in Wolverhampton and brought her work to my house accompanied by one of her children. Later she gave presentations on two occasions to members at our monthly meetings.
Catherine graduated from Bishop Otter College, Chichester with a degree in Art and Design. Her first job was as a Technical and Graphic artist in the construction industry where she rapidly developed her individual interpretation of buildings.
Catherine specialised in watercolour, working in the essentially traditional method of line and wash. It was a style that she developed in her own personal, distinctive way- superimposing many thin washes to produce rich colours and tones. She also gave textural interest to her paintings by combining wax resist and collage techniques with watercolour.
In 1991 she received the Winsor & Newton Young Painter in Watercolour Award at the RI annual Exhibition and was subsequently elected to RI membership in 1992. Her unique talent as a painter of architectural subjects was recognized by further awards at RI annual exhibitions in subsequent Catherine was an accomplished artist who had an engaging lively personality. Her work was greatly admired by those members who were able to attend her presentations and who visited her exhibitions at the Coign Studios in Tettenhall.
She is survived by her husband Mark and her two boys to whom, on behalf of the Society, I would like to offer sincere condolences.
Robert Kirk
Note: The Society's website carries a record of her first presentation given in January 2003 which displays some examples of her work.
There are also moving tributes to Catherine given by her husband Mark and her father. Visit: http://www.catherinebrennand.co.uk/funeralservice.html
Chris and Graham Butler: Vote of Thanks
I first met Chris by chance. I went to the Bear Steps in Shrewsbury and saw one of her solo exhibitions I was immediately taken with her unusual watercolour paintings. They were all done on Japanese paper but in a western rather than oriental manner. Someone who can produce such innovative and unusual work I thought would be an asset to the Society and I was pleased when she agreed to join us and send in work to our next exhibition.
I little realised what an asset I’d discovered. Shortly after exhibiting with us she gave a very interesting presentation on Oriental watercolour papers at one of our monthly meetings, you can still read the substance of her talk among the Archives on the society’s website. Chris followed this by serving the society as Editor if the news letter and Membership secretary she has made a significant and valuable contribution to the life of the society for over 5 years.
It was through my friendship with Chris that I met her husband Graham, It was Graham’s misfortune to drift into my life just as I was coming to the end of my period of office as Chairman, and I had been trying for almost six months to find a successor but all to no avail. Graham although not an artist, had helped set up the Shropshire Arts Association and had valuable experience of committee work. So I was pleased when he agreed to be nominated as chairman.
Graham has brought the society through a difficult period and his task has not been easy while living so far from Ludlow and being in full-time employment. I am grateful to Graham for the service he has given to the society during his three year term of office.
I hope Chris and Graham will both keep in contact with the society and I hope that it will not be too long before Chris’s lovely watercolours grace our exhibitions again.
It is with great pleasure and affection that I propose this vote of thanks to Chris and Graham for the service they have each given to the Society and on behalf of all our members I wish them well for the future.
Robert Kirk
AGM and first meeting of the new committee
Election of officers
Chairman: David Whitehead
Vice-chairman:No Nomination
Hon Secretary: Ruth Tune
Hon Treasurer: Betty Harris
Committee : Barbara Bulgin Monica Davenport Jo Stephens Craig Young
Jacqui Dowell was elected as a co-opted member and as News letter Editor as she lives in Newtown she would not have to attend committee meetings.
The retiring committee members are Chris Butler, Catherine Goldthorp and Bill Sneary, they have made a very valuable contribution to the society. A letter of appreciation has been sent to them all.
Since the AGM Chris Butler has very kindly agreed to continue as membership Secretary, she will be proposed as a co-opted member at the next meeting
We would appreciate expert guidance from any member of the society who can advise on publicity - please contact David Whitehead on 01584 878611. Or Ruth Tune on 01584 831458
Would members please think very carefully about filling the roles of Vice Chairman and two committee members, please contact David Whitehead.
Committee agreed unanimously to continue the Spring Exhibition as 9 days and to reduce the Summer Exhibition to 10 days ( including two week ends and bank holiday Monday ) Please read the separate article.
A volunteer list has been started for members who are prepared to help with the work of the Society, ( the list is already headed by our retiring members of committee!) Please contact David or Ruth to volunteer. Ruth’s e-mail address is ruthtune@yahoo.co.uk
Exhibitions
The Spring Exhibition as I have mentioned will be for 9 days and the Summer Exhibition 10 days ( to include two week ends and bank holiday Monday). Committee noted that apart from 1994 all subsequent Exhibitions have resulted in average sale receipts per day were generally significantly higher in Spring than in Summer. Additional problems have arisen from stewarding, maintenance of continuity between sessions and errors made involving sales (the latter has involved the treasurer in much additional work) and ensuring contact with visitors.
The Committee has been helped at the Spring Exhibition by having one member present as a steward throughout.It is very difficult to repeat this at future exhibitions. However there are a number of possible options:
: A small group of members could volunteer to act as ’lead steward’ (handling sales and ad hoc problems )for two or three days each.
: When the stewarding list is prepared one steward of the three at each session could take responsibility for handling all sales. A committee member could be available to answer ad hoc queries by telephone.
: An expensive option would be to employ a steward to attend daily to deal with sales and problems - thus being paid a fee ( it would be wise for such a role not to be filled by an officer or member of committee!!).
If you can contribute in any way either by volunteering or suggesting other options please contact David Whitehead 01584878611. Whatever response is made, committee must make a decision at the committee meeting in early July on the method of proceeding at the Summer Exhibition. We made a small profit on the Spring Exhibition although Betty has not yet confirmed the final figures.
Welcome to our new Editor Jacqui Dowell, who is now responsible for news letters . In spite of the fact that Jacqui lives beyond the borders in Newtown I hope that she will be producing English versions for those of us who live East of Offa’s Dyke.
David Whitehead, Chairman.
To contact jacqui is as follows:
Address : 153 Lon-Dolafon, Vaynor, Newtown, Powys SY16 1 QY
Telephone : 01686 625396
E-Mail : j.e.d.dowell_home@dslconnect.co.uk
Dates of Meetings
General
6th July Trudy Friend
7th Sept John Palmer
5th Oct David Donne
2nd Nov David Mace
7th Dec Christmas Party
Committee Meetings: 13th July, 14th Sept. 9th Nov
Notes From The Editor
Thank you for being patient waiting for your newsletters, we have had various problems, now solved ( I hope) and thank you to David for his welcome. I would like to request that any of you that have Email addresses to forward them to me. Also that you send me your new’s and articles and comments, it is a waste of postage to send blank sheets out, and I would like to continue as Chris has done and serve you well, many thanks. Jacqui.
David Tedham would like to announce his exhibition of abstract art at the Assembly Rooms, starting on June 30th which is free view and running until 23rd July, All are welcome.
Silk Top Hat Gallery: Calendar of Events
July 8th Exhibition of wood engravings by Sarah Van Niekerk ends July 29th
July 17th Exhibition of New Paintings by Noel Sherperdson ends 5th august
July 30th SILK TOP HAT CLASSIC "The Ipcress File" (1965) at Ludlow Assembly Rooms 7.30pm
August 5th Exhibition of Watercolours by Tamsin Bridge ends 26th August
August 14th “THE ROLE OF CHANCE” Exhibition of recent work by Shelagh Popham ends 2nd September
August27th-28th SILK TOP HAT CLASSIC “ A DAY AT THE RACES (1937) at Ludlow Assembly Rooms 7.30pm.