Tweets from Bridport

Right, LOTS going on in Bridport (of course). First up, I've been enjoying opening my studios to the public from 10-3pm every Saturday. I spend most of my time painting on my own, which I love, but it really doesn't mean anything unless I share my work with others. I also love that people can come and see my work progress and get a taste of an artist's life.

Also, Bridport's Saturday market just seems to get busier every week, and more & more people are discovering the Art & Vintage Quarter down on the old St Michael's Trading Estate.

The new Red Brick Cafe is just 50 yards down from my studio, and serves the most delicious food I've ever eaten (made with love), all for under £10 ! It's truly remarkable, and yet another example of the unique quality that makes Bridport stand out as an example, not just to the West Country, but to the rest of the UK.

It's all very well talking about 'Big Society' and 'empowering local communities', but we all know most of it is just political spin and hot air. The fact is that Bridport is a real example of 'big society' in action, where the community has come together naturally. If politicians really want to encourage community initiatives, then they should visit and learn from the people of Bridport, where it's already happening.

With Christmas approaching, there are several exhibitions opening, and I've also been to 3 Private Views in the last 3 days.

Thursday evening was an opening of an exhibition of George Wright's photos at the upstairs of Beach & Barnicott, South Street Bridport.

On Friday evening I went to an opening of paintings by Gerry Dudgeon, in his studio near Melplash.

Then on Saturday evening I went to the opening of "Sea" at Sladers Yard, West Bay, where I met artists Alex Lowery and my old London studio colleague Rufus Knightwebb.

I've also started 'Twittering', mainly in order to keep the front page of Bridport.org up-to-date. I'm going to be covering exhibition openings, interesting events, inspiring links, as well as the development of my own work, so click on the link below to follow my thread...


I'd put off signing up to Twitter for ages, because I didn't really appreciate what it means... but now I'm doing it, I'm beginning to realise it could be quite revolutionary. I think all of these new 'social networking' tools are going to have a profound effect on the way we communicate, share ideas and do business in the future.

Obviously I'm already familiar with Blogging, and I maintain a Facebook page... But what I like about Twitter is that it offers an intimate taste of the thoughts and ideas of anyone we choose to follow. We don't have to apply to be their 'Friend', and while it's possible to follow 'fan' pages on Facebook, it all seems rather complicated compared to the simple efficiency of Twitter, and if someones tweets are uninspiring, you can simply 'unfollow' them.

So, next up for me is my next Saturday Open Studio this coming 20 Dec, and the following Sat 27 Dec. Please pop in if you're in town on a Saturday, you can see the exciting (and rather intense) progress of "Lewesdon Tree", my current commission...

Then we've got our annual St Michael's Xmas Open, on Sat 4 and Sun 5 December, with a dozen artists taking part. More details on that in the coming weeks...

Autumn Painting

Press Release

Kit Glaisyer to open his studio on Saturdays

Artist Kit Glaisyer will be opening his studio to the public on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm, starting October 30. He is based at St Michael's Studios in the emerging Art & Vintage Quarter of Bridport, on the St Michael's Trading Estate.

Kit will be showing a wide range of recent paintings, including his current commissioned project: a late-spring view from Lewesdon Hill looking towards Pilsdon Pen. Visitors can talk to the artist, see several works in progress, and buy original paintings, prints and cards.

Kit Glaisyer is probably best known for his popular series of paintings of the "Cafe Royal" - the 50's style diner located down by the old bus depot. He followed this with a series of life-size "Drip Figure" paintings, first shown at a solo show at the Bridport Arts Centre in 2004, and then in an exhibition in London in 2007. He is now gaining widespread acclaim for his series of large-scale landscape paintings, many showing views across the Marshwood Vale.

Kit says he wants his "art to remind people of the beauty and mystery of the world, whether it's an old cafe or an epic landscape.When we feel inspired by life then our inner creativity is unleashed, and we realise we already have all the talents and resources we need."

St Michael's Studios is located in the red brick building with a tower, on the St Michael's Trading Estate, visible to the south-west of Waitrose car park. The area is now becoming known as Bridport's Art & Vintage Quarter, with art studios and dozens of antiques & vintage shops opening, as well as a monthly Vintage Market and the new Red Brick Cafe.

Kit Glaisyer's studio will be open from 10am to 3pm every Saturday from October 30 until December 2010. Visit www.kitglaisyer.com for more information. To make an appointment to view his studio at another time call 0798 3465789.


Also on:
The monthly Vintage Market takes place this Sunday 31 October.

A group of local artists are exhibiting at Eype Centre for the Arts this weekend.

Recent graduates Alice Jones and Helen Jones are part of a group show at Artwave West, in Morecombelake.

Simon Quadrat is showing alongside Peter Swanson and Petter Southall at Sladers Yard.

Indian October & Art Fairs

Painting the Sublime
I've been busy working on my "Lewesdon Tree" commission. After some time spent gradually building up the background, I've now moved onto the foreground, and it's becoming a very intense process. This is where it gets fun, and also more complicated, as I have to switch between painting on several different picture planes. It's the point at which the painting really begins to communicate with me, to beguile and seduce me. This is always encouraging because there's still a fair way to go...

Some landscape painters develop short-hand techniques in order to express certain effects of light, shape and ambiance, but I'm not interested in mimicking these sensations, I want to get to the essence of the experience, and capture the over-whelming emotional complexity of the moment.

We've got so used to getting scientific explanations for how we 'interpret' reality, but all of these lack an appreciation of the mystical, the infinite, and the unknowable. The truth is that we're just a part of something far bigger than us that we'll never fully understand. But we can always feel it. And we can all have a mystical experience simply by standing in a field, watching a sunset or looking up at the night sky.

Thinking of skies, I've also been working on the stormy clouds in the latest in my series of paintings of views from Allington Hill looking out across the Marshwood Vale. I always start from a photographic reference for my skies, because they contain such a dense fluid complexity and chaos, and I don't want to only paint the parts I understand. This for me is how Science and Art can complement each other, the photographic process offers a form of scientific reality, and my painted poetic interpretation expresses my subjective reality.

Art Fairs
It was the Frieze Art Fair in London last weekend. This contemporary art fair has established the Frieze Art Week in the 2nd week of October, and has led to several satellite fairs popping up to mop up some of the visiting international art collectors. This year these other fairs included the Plus Art Projects underneath Atlantis (the largest art materials shop in Europe) just off Brick Lane in the East End. There was also the Sunday Art Fair, and the Street Art focused Moniker International Art Fair, plus the Future Can Wait - yes it can in their case...

Before I go to London I like to check out what's on in all galleries, and I tend to use the Art Forum Magazine online listings page. I also use Artinfo.com which has a smaller selection of galleries.

I also like to keep abreast of happenings in the art world while I'm in Dorset, so I subscribe to a weekly newsletter from Artinfo.com which offers a wide range of stories covering the international art scene. Another good source of art world info comes from the Art Newsletter. Then there's Artnet.com, which is broader contemporary art resource and also has an online magazine with some good reviews and stories.

In terms of 'real' magazines, there's Art Review, Art World magazine, and Modern Painters - which unfortunately seems to cover less and less actual painting...

For broader cultural insights KultureFlash is a weekly online magazine that has been covering contemporary culture since 2002, and is well worth a read.

In terms of videos, the Tate Museum offers a wide selection of artist interviews and exhibition reviews, for instance, here's a short film on Peter Doig. There's more interviews on the US TV /Internet Show "Charlie Rose", and while it doesn't have many fine artists on, it does have lots of Film Directors (JJ Abrams) and much more besides. Here's his interview with Damien Hirst from back in 2008.

Anyway, back to the easel...

Autumn in Bridport, West Dorset

I've started October with a major clear-out of my studio. I seem to accumulate so much stuff, but everything interests me, so it's hard to chuck it out. But I've also been working on my "Lewesdon Tree" commission, which is quite a large painting at 42"x56", so I want all the space I can get.

Another painting I've been really enjoying is a view of the path on Lewesdon Hill, disappearing into the darkness as you head up hill. The row of trees actually reminds me of Moby Dick, as the trunks are like a whale's ribs... I guess I thought of this because Steph Goodger, a painter I've known since college days, loves Moby Dick, and also the painting "Raft of the Medusa", by Gericault.

I've also updated my website www.kitglaisyer.com which is a constant job, but it's now so easy to share what I create with an international audience. I've also added a 'share' button because I've found that I often share things I've found on-line on Facebook or Gmail. I might as well make it easy for people to share my work!



(I've also added a Share button to this Blog if you'd like to spread the word...)

I've also very excited about all the new works I've got planned for these coming months. I've got many more panoramic paintings in my mind, with vistas from Eggardon Hill and Shipton Hill, and more across the Marshwood Vale. I was also out today, photographing and sketching the brilliant Autumn skies. So watch this space...

I love living in Bridport; this town is full to the brim of people rich in imagination and independent in spirit. We love it here because we have managed to retain a quality of life and sense of community that seems to have been lost in most other towns. And in recent years Bridport has been experiencing a renaissance that is the envy of our neighbours -

* The Electric Palace goes from strength to strength, with a packed house at most events
* The Bull Hotel has expanded with it's own Pie & Pizza Bar in their Stables
* The St Michael's Studios complex is thriving, raising the national profile of our art scene
* Next door the Antiques & Vintage district has now transformed the old Top Gear garage, with dozens of small businesses providing a cornucopia of furnishings, clothing and adornments
* While over the road, the new Cafe in the Red Brick House is proving to be a major hit
* The Lyric Theatre - formerly at threat of residential development - has been bought by performers Niki McCretton and Mark Parrott, and will re-open to the public next year
* Our 1st Hat Festival was a great success, and a brilliant celebration of a local family business
* The Vintage Market really is THE place to be on the last Sunday of the month
* The Literary Festival is about to start, it runs from Fri 29 October to 7 November, with talks by the likes of Andrew Graham-Dixon and Peter Snow giving talks.

You'll notice that all of these lovely enterprises are driven by inspired individuals and supported by the local community, and yet they're receiving national acclaim, and pulling in visitors from across the country. We're not waiting for some government policy, Council approval or 'social initiatives' to get us started, we just rely on our own ideas and passion to make things happen.

I mention this because recently there have been some indications that developers are once again eyeing up Bridport's historic St Michael's Trading Estate, in the hope they can get mixed-use planning permission (it's currently just light industry), cash in and convert it into Poundbury mk.2, despite the fact that it is now home to a thriving Arts and Vintage district.

What these misguided architects, developers and Councillors don't appreciate or understand is that the majority of people love this untouched part of town just the way it is, and certainly don't want it to be 'gentrified'. The other key concern is that if the new development plan is anything like the last one, then it will turf out dozens of small businesses - that rely on low rents - and replace them with units that only solicitors, accountants and estate agents will be able to afford.

If you would like to register an interest in protecting Bridport's Art & Vintage Quarter, please give us your email HERE and we will be in touch about future development plans.

On a lighter note, in art, there's some great art coming up this month, first of all with an Autumn Exhibition coming up a Artwave West Gallery, in Morecomelake in a couple of weeks.

The exhibition includes work by recent graduates Helen Jones and Alice Jones. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing Alice's drawings after meeting her at the Bridport Open Studios launch in August. She is also the winner of the Young artist of the year award awarded by Clarke Willmott, Bristol, UK. I haven't met Helen Jones, but judging by her website, she makes remarkable charcoal drawings of the sea.

Meanwhile at the Sladers Yard Gallery in West Bay, Simon Quadrat is giving an artists talk on 15 October at 7pm, as part of "In My Mind's Eye" (until Nov 7), with Peter Swanson and Petter Southall.

Busy Bridport Weekend

You'd think that things would quieten down a bit now that we're out of the tourist season and into autumn, but September has been a very busy month for Bridport. Recently we've hosted the first Hat Festival - check out this big crowd in Bucky-Doo Sqaure, as well as having packed Gala screenings of "Tamara Drewe" and "From Time to Time" at the Electric Palace, which has also had saxophonist Courtney Pine down to play.

This weekend has been particularly entertaining, starting with dinner on Friday evening at the new Cafe on the St Michael's Trading Estate, which the Jalopy pizza van has already make into a great venue over the summer. The Cafe is run by Anna and Joy, who provide delicious and very affordable home cooked food from Wednesday to Saturday.

Of course on Saturday we have the main Market on South street, which stretches all the way down South Street, and was packed once again. This was followed on Sunday by the latest Vintage Market on the St Michael's Trading Estate. It has an amazing atmosphere, with people of all ages, with their children and dogs, and this week live music from Mitch Norman and a Jazz Duo. If you haven't yet visited, then I highly recommend exploring this thriving antiques district just a little bit further on from St Michael's Studios.



Then I went to the opening of the freshly painted Bridport Arts Centre on South Street, and met with the new incoming Director Holly Gifford. Current Director Lindsay Brookes had asked Abbotsbury artist John Meaker to set up a life modelling session, only this time the models were the guests to the event. John also teaches at his studios in Abbotsbury and also leads life drawing sessions at the Bridport Arts Centre.

Next up was the two day event at the Jam Factory in Uplyme, organised by artist Gail Sagman, called "From the Absurd to the Ridiculous, a feast of Live Art." A few artists from Bridport were involved, including Jollyon Carter and Linzi Light, as well as various Lyme artists, amazing poet Sally Crabtree from Cornwall and wacky Martin Zet from Czchecoslovakia. (Please let me know if anyone has filmed the event, and I'll upload a link to Youtube.)

Tamara Drewe Gala screening tonight at Electric Palace, Bridport

First up is my triptych of the Three Graces - Euphrosyne, Aglaia and Thalia for the "Six by Nine" launch exhibition at the Bull Hotel, for the Bridport Open Studios event over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

It was a great little exhibition, and I'm sure we'll repeat it next year. It also set the tone for the Open event, which was excellent as usual.

Next up is a computer mock-up preview of my exhibition (just on for tonight) at the Electric Palace, Bridport, for the Charity Gala screening of the new Stephen Frears film "Tamara Drewe". There's still lots to do, but we're all looking forward to it!

This exhibition is only on for one night as I'm including a couple of works I no longer own. If you'd like to see my work in the flesh, just email/call me to arrange a studio visit. Also check out my online portfolio at www.kitglaisyer.com (where you'll also find contact details).

Bridport Hat Festival starts today! It kicks off this evening with Hank Wangford & the Lost Cowboys at the Bridport Arts Centre.

Just a few days left to listen to this weeks Gilles Petterson on Radio 1, this week in conversation with rising superstar Janelle Monae. I've been listening to Gilles for years, brilliant selection of funk, jazz, r&b, contemporary and classic.

Meanwhile, Keith Coventry won the John Moores painting prize yesterday, the latest in a number of accomplished artists to win the prize, including Peter Doig, Alexis Harding and Ged Quinn.




















"Green Goddess" by Inka Essenhigh

Some other artists I'm enjoying include this current New York exhibition by Jean-Pierre Roy. and a site of video art by Franci Alys, plus here's a Tate interview with one of my favorite artists - Glenn Brown, and a link to the website of the remarkable New York artist Inka Essenhigh (pic above).

Monday morning painting

Monday morning painting, listening to an endless loop of "Tank" by Audioporn (see previous post). Painting, for me, really is the best way to start the day/week, getting into a pure creative space, also in this case a celebration of nature, just as the seasons are changing.

This is my current commission, the evening sun dazzling through the branches & leaves on the path up Lewesdon hill, bleaching out the trunk of a young tree.

It's a complex painting, which is why, once I've sketched in the basic composition, I then work my way from back to front. I love to challenge myself, and I wouldn't envy anyone undertaking this painting, but I just get on with it, believing I'll eventually pull it off.

This afternoon I've got to put on my 'business head' and get my exhibition ready for the Tamara Drewe Charity Gala this coming Friday. I'm looking forward to it.

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