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Roche Art Group
Roche Art Group
Competition Evening - 28th September 2011
I have been visiting this group for almost a year now but the Roche Art Group seems to have taken on a new lease of life. Yes, we were here last week at the James Merriott evening , but we always go where we are invited and so this was responding to another invitation from this warm and friendly group. Tonight was viewing the ‘Summer Challenge’ competition entries which this year had the theme, ‘Lazy Days’.
Started by Lily Mills some twenty years ago, people have come and gone over the years and the group now runs with a committee. New members, whether beginners or those with much past experience, are clearly very welcome. (I have three times watched newcomers being welcomed!) They do have an annual subscription and a small weekly fee which is good value for the use of the light and airy hall to the rear of St. Teresa’s, and an evening of friendship and encouragement and, of course, tea, coffee and biscuits every week.
Looking forward, the Group is planning its part in the Rochford Art Trail (you should have seen it in the recent excellent copy of Rochford Matters). They will be number 33 on the map and will be holding an exhibition in the hall to the rear of St. Teresa’s on the 22nd October, 10.00am to 4.00pm. Plans include an exhibition of their paintings, members demonstrating painting, a table for you to have a go yourself, and art from pupils of St. Teresa’s Junior School and, of course, refreshments. Book it in your diary!
Now in the present, looking back, over the Summer holidays each year, this group has a gentle challenge for any member who wants to take it, to paint something on a given theme. Tonight they had invited ex-member Pauline Grove to come and judge the eight entries. Below are those entries and the camera really does not do them justice (so apologies to the artists!). See if you can guess which one won - we’ll tell you at the end of the page. We’ll also tell you some fascinating stuff about Pauline and how she goes about judging.
Looking forward, the Group is planning its part in the Rochford Art Trail (you should have seen it in the recent excellent copy of Rochford Matters). They will be number 33 on the map and will be holding an exhibition in the hall to the rear of St. Teresa’s on the 22nd October, 10.00am to 4.00pm. Plans include an exhibition of their paintings, members demonstrating painting, a table for you to have a go yourself, and art from pupils of St. Teresa’s Junior School and, of course, refreshments. Book it in your diary!
Now in the present, looking back, over the Summer holidays each year, this group has a gentle challenge for any member who wants to take it, to paint something on a given theme. Tonight they had invited ex-
Judge Pauline Grove & Chairman Christine Mardon preparing to judge the entries
Well there they are! Is beauty in the eye of the beholder? Which one catches your eye? Let’s find out what Pauline had to say on the matter.
Rochford Life: Pauline, you are an ex-member here and obviously an artist of repute to be here tonight?
Pauline: Yes, I suppose that's right. I do exhibit locally and I will be holding an exhibition this November which I would like you to advertise if you will. It's something I do every other year in aid of the Southend Hospital Breast Unit. (SEE BELOW) I paint paintings and have cards made of them.
RL: I’m told you do oils and portraits?
Pauline: I’ve got known as a water colourist but I do paint in oils and also acrylics. I think I started painting about 1995 and came along here but I had never picked up a paint brush before, apart from at school. I really taught myself out of one of those ‘Learn to Paint’ books.
RL: Do you make a living out of this now, or is it just pleasure?
Pauline: It pays its way, but I would carry on painting anyway. I do sometimes exhibit in exhibitions in London now.
RL: You have rather a lot of letters after your name. What are they?
Pauline: Well SWA is Society of Women Artists, SBA is Society of Botanic Artists and SFP is Society of Flower Painters. There are only about 120 members in the first two and 200 in the last one. To get in to these associations you have to submit six pieces and get all six accepted. If you get them in once you become an associate but to become a full member you have to get another six in and get them all accepted.
RL: OK, now coming to judge paintings. How do you go about it?
Pauline: I judge on the way I am judged. With the big associations you take five or six paintings in and they go before selection panels. They judge you on drawing ability (some subjects are more difficult to draw than others), composition (how the picture ‘fits’ together), use of materials (skill in using washes etc.), and tonal values (where you use the darks to allows the lights to shine).
RL: Right, thank you very much, I’ll leave you to your judging now.
Summer Competition Evening - September 2011