Our annual Open Day saw 23 members painting at the hall and welcoming about 80 visitors. It was a lovely sunny, bright day so visitors popped as they were passing. All artists were very happy to discuss their artwork and the hall was abuzz with chatter as we talked about our paintings.

Comments from visitors and the comments book included…

“Very impressed!” “The quality gets better and better!” “So interesting to see the artists painting while I can see their work on the walls” “Excellent!” “I’m very inspired. I’m going home to get out my pencils and paper!”

There were 67 framed paintings with 3 sold, 3 browsers full of 75 mounted pictures with 3 sold, Dot sold 8 of her greetings cards and there were 3 membership enquiries. A good response in only 4 hours, well done everyone!

Thank you to everyone who helped with hanging on Friday evening and a HUGE thank you to all members who kept tea, coffee, squash and biscuits constantly supplied on the day. Also for washing up and drying so many cups and saucers. We couldn’t run the day without your help and enthusiasm!

Here are all of the framed paintings…

Our last session of 2023 will be our Christmas Party on Wednesday 13th December 7-9pm.

Twelve members attended the session and most painted or drew on black paper or canvas with acrylic paint, white pens, silver pens and coloured pencils.

There were many subjects chosen and all very effective on the black background. It was extremely difficult to photograph the pictures in the dim light, so please forgive the dull photos, the original artwork is much brighter.

Dot couldn’t attend the session but sent in three beautiful paintings she had previously done as it’s a subject she loves.

Some members painted to their own theme. We always like to see what you’re working on outside the group too.

Great work everyone. ‘On Black’ was an interesting theme and you rose to the challenge, well done!

The next time we meet is hanging evening on Friday 24th November from 7-9pm to hang our paintings for the Open Day on Saturday 25th November. On the Saturday the hall’s booked from 10am to 3pm, with visitors welcome for 4 hours from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

Angela D recently visited Avebury Manor in Wiltshire and spotted some fungi growing on a tree in the grounds. A gardener kindly unlocked a gate so she could get near enough to take some photos. Angela started her detailed drawing whilst away and finished it at home.

At the last Saturday session Lesley painted some oysterling mushrooms growing on wood. They grow in white, cream or grey colours and become pink as they mature. Brenda painted fly agaric toadstools and Tracy drew Zentangle-inspired mushrooms in black ink on a colourful watercolour background. Lovely work, well done all!

Please read all of this newsletter as there’s lots of info…

Here are the dates of our next meetings.

Wednesday 8th November – 7-9pm – On Black or finish paintings

Friday 24th November – 7-9pm – hanging evening

Saturday 25th November – 10am-3pm – Open Day (Visitors from 10.30am to 2.30pm)

Wednesday 13th December –  7-9pm – Christmas Party

With the Open Day you don’t have to hang your paintings on the walls or in the browsers, it’s not compulsory. We call it an Open Day not an exhibition, as a way to open the hall for a day so visitors can see what we do at our sessions. It’s also a good way of showing the group to people who are looking for a local art group to join. So if you have interested friends please ask them along.

If you aren’t showing your art please come along and enjoy a day of painting, along with friendly visitors. 

Wednesday 8th – 7-9pm –  On Black or finish paintings

Draw or paint on black paper or canvas. Think moonlight, fireworks, a bonfire or stage lighting. Any medium, any subject.

Last year Janet W and Tracy drew fireworks on black paper on a free zoom workshop organised by John Lewis. Here’s the link to last year’s post…www.medwayandchalk.art/2022/11/05/remember-remember/

Or come along and finish your paintings for Open Day, then mount or frame, string and label.

Friday 24th November – 7-9pm  – Hanging Evening

Please email Steve asap with how many framed paintings you will be hanging for our Open Day, along with their names and price or NFS (Not For Sale). 

Framed paintings – up to 6 and not too big to hang from the hooks. No clip frames as they easily break. All with D rings, strung across the back and a label hanging down below the frame or on the front with your name, name of the picture, medium and the price or NFS. 

Mounted pictures – any number for the browsers, but they must be for sale, all labelled front or back. There won’t be a list of mounted work, so please keep a record yourself of which ones you bring along. 

If you need insurance for your artwork then please make sure it’s in place for today and tomorrow.

From 7pm drop off your paintings or stay and help hang them all up. Please bring scissors to cut the hanging cord.

If you can’t come on hanging evening then please arrange from someone else to bring your artwork.

Saturday 25th November – 10am-3pm –   Open Day

*** Please give all completed wood slices to Tracy by this date. If you can’t come for the whole of Open Day please pop in for a few minutes to drop them off. She needs them early to make sure everyone will have one at the Christmas Party and to wrap them all up. ***

Visitors welcome 10.30am to 2.30pm.

We open our doors and invite friends, family and Chalk locals to come and see what we paint. Please don’t be upset if you don’t sell anything, it’s lovely to welcome people into the hall to talk about art and painting. 

There’s no set subject, just bring along something to paint during the day. 

So no one gets stuck in the kitchen for hours please take your turn making teas and coffees for visitors and also washing and drying up the cups and saucers. 

Please wash up the teaspoons too, they don’t wash themselves :o)

Membership – If any visitors want information about becoming a member please take them to Steve, who can tell them about joining M&C. 

Sales – If anyone is interested in buying a framed or mounted picture please take them to Tracy for payment. We don’t have a card reader for debit or credit cards, it’s cash only.

Wednesday 13th December –  7-9pm –  Christmas Party

Come along in your natty Christmas jumpers, smart posh frocks or fancy festive hats and enjoy some quizzes, a lucky dip for a wood slice Christmas decoration to take home and Pass the Parcel, snow permitting this year!

We’ll go back to how we catered pre-covid. Bring along a plate of food to share and pop it on the side tables. Also bring your own plates, cups and drinks.

If your food is for vegans or coeliacs please label accordingly and place on the separate table.

Your partner/family are welcome to come along too. Please email Tracy asap if you’ll be coming, so we know how many tables and chairs to get out and to make sure there are enough wood slices for everyone. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available as usual.