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.