Wednesday 18 May 2011

The Poppies are out at Castlegate


Everything's early this year. We also appropriately have a splendid new Fedden oil called Orange Poppies 30 x 22 inches dated 1989. It is a particularly good one - a mad clash of vibrant reds and pinks. You may have seen it before - we sold it some years ago - and now it has come back on the market. Thereby hangs another story - but you will have to wait for the next book for that.

Mary Fedden is just coming up to her 96th birthday and sadly Altzheimers has affected her badly in the last few years - she no longer recognises me or anybody which is sad. I have known her since our days in Bristol in the seventies. She has now become a National Treasure and her work, particularly that done in the Eighties, is cherished.

The Patricia Sadler exhibition opened quietly and is moving slowly. This is nothing to do with the quality of work which is excellent but more to do with following the hectic four weeks of Percy Kelly frenzy. Patricia herself is modest and quiet but don't overlook her show. It is worth seeing and a refreshing contrast to the ebullient Kelly.

Wednesday 4 May 2011

It's a hard act to follow


The Percy Kelly Little Gems lived up to the name and sold out. There was a stampede on day one and likewise on the last day (Monday May Bank Holiday).

The gallery has hardly been empty of visitors for 5 weeks and we could have sold many several times. I am so pleased that the catalogue gives a lasting record of the whole show because it is now disappearing in all directions and will never be seen together all in one place again. (we still have some catalogues left - 52 colour pages £10 inc postage as a lasting aide memoire)

And now we are hanging the Patricia Sadler exhibition which opens on Friday. If anyone can withstand following Percy (and is brave enough) then it is Patricia. Her landscapes and flower studies in acrylic on canvas as well as her pure watercolours are confident and accomplished. They are a joy to see.

She lives in the Scottish Borders between the Cheviot and the sea and draws on both for subject matter. She was among the first people I pursued in 1986 when getting an exhibition together to open the gallery in 1987. She was doing pale delicate watercolours which I loved.

Over the years we have moved on and grown up together. Her work has become stronger and more complex. Her development of acrylics on canvas using the fluidity of the medium is an interesting move.

Have a look at her exhibition in full on the web page www.castlegatehouse.co.uk/patricia-sadler-exhibition.html

Patricia will be in the gallery next Saturday 7th to talk about her work.

The weather is looking good. The garden is open with a mist of wisteria and blossom showing off the sculpture.

Come and see us.