Freedom in Painting in Polruan, Sept 16 Course - Report

Gill Corden

We have just held our second Freedom in Painting course in Polruan, Cornwall - congratulations to the artists for responding to the challenges that were set and producing such a striking collection of paintings.

ON LOCATION

Polruan - Drawing the Chapel on St.Saviours Hill

The course started with drawing- in Polruan from multi viewpoints, moving through the landscape, and in Fowey, a short ferry-ride across the river. 

The artists were asked to follow a discipline in their drawings to provoke ideas about composition and design and of course possibilities for their painting. 

IN THE STUDIO

In the studio the artists explored colour-mixing, colour-theory and the process of abstraction, with reference to many of the painters of the St.Ives School, Peter Lanyon, Ben Nicholson, Terry Frost, Patrick Heron, Alfred Wallis etc. Over the next few days,the paintings emerged, the artists sourcing ideas from the analytical and the emotional response to the landscape, the drawings, the studies and the exercises transformed with imagination and invention. 

The painting-course was a great success - the landscape was inspirational, the artists worked extremely hard and bonded well, often continuing in the evening with a pint and a meal after work.  Now we have some new members in the Freedom in Painting Group

GALLERY

Gill Corden

Kathleen Alberter

Kathleen Alberter

John Robson

Cathy Hilser

Cathy Hilser

Christina Scawin

Christina Scawin

Georgie Hadley

Georgie Hadley

Julie Morrish 

Ashley Hanson

TESTIMONIALS

'Horizons in painting are getting broader'   John Robson

'Ashley gave us so much - energy, knowledge and passion for art'    Christina Scawin

'Enjoyed all - good demos - good everything!'   Julie Morrish

October 'Freedom in Painting' Course in Porthleven

Porthleven - The Old Lifeboat House on the left

The Old Lifeboat House in Porthleven, Cornwall once again became the perfect studio for our 7 experienced artists from all over the UK. Porthleven delivered - wild weather and big seas followed by beautiful sunny days, giving our artists plenty of inspiration for their paintings. Under Ashley's guidance the artists worked extremely hard resulting in a very strong and eclectic exhibition by the end of the week.

On Sunday afternoon the artists had their first experience of the studio's stunning location, with the sound of the sea through the open door. After setting up their space, Ashley gave a brief talk about the aims of the course and an insight into the week ahead before hosting an 'unofficial'  meeting at The Ship Inn next door - a great way for everyone to get to know each other.

Hils Sketchbook

Stormy Weather Photo - Courtesy of Hils

The dramatic weather on Monday morning didn't deter our group -  they were excited! Many wonderful weather-charged drawings were produced during that first session around the harbour. Back in the studio, Ashley then set a series of challenging group exercises throughout the afternoon, exploring different ways to start a painting.

During the next few days there was a mixture of outside drawing exercises (weather permitting) and demonstrations from Ashley. As part of the course, Ashley worked on his own Porthleven painting, giving an insight into his ideas, methods and techniques- which the group seemed to love. Most importantly, each artist pushed their paintings forwards,  finding their own personal vision of Porthleven.

Ashley and Jane in the studio

Ashley entered into a dialogue with each artist, offering advice about where their painting might go and introducing them to the work of other artists including Terry Frost, Peter Lanyon and Alfred Wallis amongst others. A great camaraderie was formed and everyone was happy to share ideas and discuss each others work.

Diane painting

Antonia sketching

Ashley instructing for a drawing exercise

After the clear up!

Friday was Private View day - but not yet! All the artists worked right up until the 12 noon deadline  - before the big clean up. The afternoon was spent transforming the studio into a gallery, ready for the exhibition opening in the evening - it was now that the artists could see their work properly for the first time .

Friday night Preview

Speaking about the exhibition, Ashley said ' The work is very inspiring, I know Porthleven very well but the artists' paintings are making me see it in a different light. It 's fascinating to see how, during the week, some artists have moved from abstraction into figuration and others from figuration into abstraction. I would like to congratulate them all.'

Diane Bedser

Antonia Glynne Jones 

Hils Tranter'

Jane McClement'

Erica Shipley

Jo Rollnick

Mitzi Delnevo

Ashley Hanson- Porthleven 21

The Preview was a great success and one of the strongest paintings from Jane McClement was quickly snapped up. Following tradition the artists and guests (including the younger Hansons) celebrated with a delicious dinner at Amelies. After dinner I made a special presentation of one of Ashley's Porthleven prints to Jane, who has been on one of our courses every year, since our very first Painting Holiday, five years ago.

Celebrating at Amelies

Making my presentation to Jane

The exhibition continued all day on Saturday and the artists enjoyed chatting to the many visitors about the work. Ashley particularly enjoyed the conversation with Stephen Rod about the history of Porthleven and its' harbour.

Dramatic Porthleven

Freedom in Painting does what it says on the tin! The concept acknowledges that artists cannot stand still and all our workshops/holidays are designed to encourage artists to explore the possibilities in painting and to move their practice forwards - well done to our latest Porthleven group for your hard work, for taking the principles on board, and producing such amazing paintings. We hope to see you again soon!

Denise & Ashley

If you are interested in joining one of our Porthleven courses next year. The dates are:
Sat 21st - Fri 27th May & Sun 2nd - Sat 8th October but hurry as the courses are filling up fast! Contact denise@ashleyhanson.co.uk for more details. 

www.ashleyhanson.co.uk 

Win a Workshop with Ashley for your Art Group

Colour, Abstraction & the Art of Cornwall - A Workshop with Ashley Hanson

We are once again collaborating with Great Art and are offering all art groups and art societies a fantastic opportunity to win a workshop with Ashley, who will be bringing one of his most popular workshops to the winning group.  The prize includes a full day's tuition with all materials kindly donated by Great Art, for a group of up to 15 people. 

Ashley will  take the lucky group  through the process of abstraction from drawing into painting. With a sequence of exercises exploring colour, mark-making and composition, using acrylic paints the group will learn how to simplify, edit, refine and 'abstract' allowing the painting to emerge through the process.

'Thermal' - Peter Lanyon

During the day Ashley will also introduce and discuss some of the painters that have influenced his own work, in particular Cornish artists Peter Lanyon, Patrick Heron and Terry Frost and demonstrate and share many of his tips and techniques.The day will end with a brief informal discussion about the work made. 

'Porthleven 20' - Ashley Hanson

It's easy to enter, just click here and complete the competition form - but hurry the closing date for entering is Tuesday 30th June !!

See entry form for competition conditions.

Freedom in Painting in Porthleven, 5-11 Oct, 2 Places Left

Artist Sara Bor on 'Freedom in Porthleven' 2013

A wonderful opportunity to work in a small group with colourist and landscape artist Ashley Hanson in the ‘Lifeboat Art Studio’ in Porthleven, ideally situated on the edge of the harbour wall directly facing the sea. It is designed for painters who wish to enhance their creativity and look towards abstraction and beyond the representational. During the course Ashley will inspire and encourage artists to produce their own personal interpretation of Porthleven.

This 5 Day course is £320 - only 2 places left.

The course will start with an introduction on the Sunday afternoon, followed by four intense working days in the studio and around the harbour. The fifth day, (Friday) will be dedicated to transforming the studio into an exhibition space open to the public from 12 - 7.30pm, where the work will be available for sale.

'Porthleven 6'

Ashley has a very special connection with Porthleven: the paintings of Peter Lanyon (in particular 'Porthleven' made in 1951) had a major influence on his work and this unspoilt fishing town, with its double harbour and iconic clock tower was the inspiration for Ashley's first series of paintings about Cornwall.

There are now 18 paintings in the series and 'Porthleven 6' has been selected for the 'Brilliant Colour Exhibition' at Falmouth Art Gallery, 20 Sep - 22 Nov 2014 . This exhibition celebrates work from some of Cornwall's finest abstract artists including Sir Terry Frost, Grace Gardner and Patrick Heron.

To book or find out more contact:
 denise@ashleyhanson.co.uk or call 01208 77656

Testimonials from 'Freedom in Painting in Porthleven 2013'

Since Cornwall and being back in my studio, my work has moved on.Wonderful environment, wise criticism, excellent company.
Helen Herbert

I found the 4 days of concentrated work very useful in exploring different ways of painting.
Rebecca Child

'Porthleven 6' at Falmouth Art Gallery

My daughter Faye's favourite painting (and one of mine), 'Porthleven 6', has been selected for the 'Brilliant Colour' exhibition at Falmouth Art Gallery (20 Sept- 22 Nov 2014), to be shown alongside work by Terry Frost, Roger Hilton,Trevor Bell, Grace Gardner.

 

When I moved to Cornwall 9 years ago, it was inevitable that Porthleven would be the subject of my first Cornish paintings: the work of Peter Lanyon and in particular his  'Porthleven' from 1951, had a major influence on my decision to drop my architecture studies and become a painter.  

 

'Porthleven'     1951     Peter Lanyon
 

To start the Porthleven series, I nailed white wooden crosses, (taken from the Cornish flag) to 6 canvases and enjoyed the painting problems that they created. In 'Porthleven 5', halfway through the process, the cross was removed, leaving a imprint of the cross in the heavy paint. I repeated the action in 'Porthleven 6', which revealed the remarkable sharp edge of the bottom left pier - one of the most fantastic moments in my career as an artist. We need and crave surprise in our work.