'City of Glass' Series at Modern Artists Gallery, Reading

2nd February - 16th March 2013

 

 

 



 

If you missed the chance to see the 'City of Glass' series in London, the first 8 paintings in the series are now showing at the Modern Artists Gallery until 16th March. The gallery is in a beautiful spot at Whitchurch-on -Thames, not far from Reading and a close drive from the M4. http://www.modernartistsgallery.com/index.php

 



'City of Glass 8'- The Red Notebook' (& Penzance 9)

 

  

Ashley is now back in the studio working on the 9th painting in the series. No doubt there will be big changes this week - please keep the pink dot on the left! See post below.  We are still trying to contact Paul Auster, the author of 'City of Glass', anyone have any suggestions, or even better an email address?!!

 

A big thank-you to the gallery director Peggy Brodie who has championed Ashley's work over the years.

 

 

 

'City of Glass 9 (Fiction & Fact)' - work in progress

 

The painting is getting closer after a week in the studio but the balance is not right yet between freedom and control. There is not enough range in the paint, not enough movement or precision.  At this stage, the idea- finding the letters of T..H..E..T..O..W..E..R..O..F..B..A..B..E..L..in the streetmap of New York- is stronger than the execution.  I found my 'R' at last! I do like the spaces towards the edges though, flanking Manhattan. Not sure about the palette either- for the first time in many years in places I have used a tube-black instead of my own mix and those areas seem a bit dead. I'll put a coloured glaze on top and also use a glaze to break down and soften the edge around Manhattan.  There is also the problem of familiarity/similarity but I am sure this will go away when I work the on the the left side of the diptch -(the 'fiction' side, with the letters formed by Stillman's walks in the novel)  The piece will read as an opened book, fiction and fact side by side.

 

It is a curious phenomena- the painting looks stronger online than in reality.

Just Released - Our Painting Holidays for 2013

 Following 2 highly successful holidays in 2012, we are delighted to announce our Painting Holidays/Courses for 2013.

15 - 20 April & 23 - 28 Sep 2013

 

The concept remains the same, a unique opportunity to work with Ashley spending 2 days  on location in Cornwall’s stunning coastal landscape followed by 2 full days developing the painting’s and ideas further in a studio set in a sleepy village high on Bodmin Moor.

 

 

 Prices start from £360 and include:

• 5 nights accommodation
• 4 full days tuition
• 1 to 1 tuition
• Group critiques
• All lunches
• Ferry trip to Polruan
• Celebratory evening meal

 

'The Artist 'magazine February 2013 edition, features 'In Conversation with Artist Ashley Hanson',  see link for editorial  http://www.painters-online.co.uk/Features/In-Conversation-with-Artist-Ashley-Hanson/_ft344_mg13

  

 ‘Ashley’s concern as an artist and teacher, is to unleash the emotional response to the subject matter that enables the painter to take risks, discover a ‘personal colour palette that excites’, and to provide the fresh vision of Britain’s natural beauty that places him within the long tradition set by the masters of the landscape genre.’

Quoted from February 2013 edition of ‘The Artist’ magazine by editor Dr Sally Bulgin

 

 

New for 2013

 

• More cottages - giving lots of accommodation options depending on your budget. Hire your own cottage, get together with a group of friends or make new friends sharing a cottage.

• Option to go on the course and source your own accommodation if you prefer.

• Non particpants welcome.

To Book or for More Information:

Contact denise@ashleyhanson.co.uk or call 01208 77656

See also www.ashleyhanson.co.uk for detailed information

 

Limited to 16 places, book early to guarantee your place.

 

 

Comments from our Previous Holidays

Thank-you so much, both of you. Ashley is a very good tutor and such an enthusiast that it is completely contagious. I am buzzing with picture to paint in my head, like I never had before...it is almost a waste of time to sleep! You were both so generous with your time and care...very memorable and can’t wait to come down to Cornwall again!

Jane Crane September 2012

 

Thanks to this experience I have been jettisoned into a new confidence about myself and my work and I know I shall be doing more painting in the future. My abstract has been hung in our living room by my husband, who wouldn’t hang anything up in our room if he didn’t like it.....so it must be good!

Susan Emms April 2012

 

I didn’t know what to expect—but I have been delighted that it lived up to its title ‘Freedom in Painting’ - suggesting that the painting comes first, it dictates the subject matter. Its been very useful for ideas for future work. Ashley’s a very passionate, selfless teacher. He tries to get into the mindset of each student and find out what they want to achieve. He really gives of himself. Excellent.

Kate Newington April 2011