Explore Art & Craft Studio Online Exhibition

Introductory text by tutor, artist and curator Margaret Adams

'Art in the Time of COVID'

I have great pleasure in presenting an online exhibition of the beautiful and impressive artwork that has been created by a group of Explore members who, originally, attended Explore workshops and the Art Studio on Wednesday afternoons.

Following COVID restrictions, when we could no longer meet face to face, the group members continued to produce art, working independently following their own inspirations and processes. Zoom sessions and a WhatsApp group made it possible for us to keep in touch and to share our artwork, ideas and inspirations: and give each other support. While the Art Studio began again with online sessions in November, creating opportunities for the members to hone their skills and tackle new techniques, the Zoom sessions and WhatsApp have remained a valuable way continue to share ideas.

The work in the exhibition covers a wide range of art styles, techniques and processes from drawing and painting, printmaking, needlework and ceramics.

I hope you enjoy looking at the exhibition and it inspires you to pick up a pencil or paintbrush. We would love to hear about and see any of your own work and in the future, we may have more exhibitions in which you could take part.

Margaret Adams February 2021

***PLEASE CLICK ON THE ARROWS TO MOVE THE SLIDES ALONG* *AND CLICK ON INDIVIDUAL IMAGES IN THE SLIDESHOW BELOW TO VIEW EACH PIECE FULLY***

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Sue Brophy - A lino cut printed in four different ways. Newcastle upon Tyne, football stadium reflected in the university buildings opposite. Every day I pass it the colours change. I love the patterns and the joy of cutting the lino.

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Sue Brophy - one of four lino cuts printed in four different ways. Newcastle upon Tyne, football stadium reflected in the university buildings opposite. Every day I pass it the colours change. I love the patterns and the joy of cutting the lino.

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Sue Brophy - River Glen Valley in February (oil painting). A walk I've done many times in all weathers, this time with snow just catching the tops. Really missing being out in the Cheviots but I can see them, all in snow, from Cowhill on the town moor.

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Jan Eckford - Explore Art & Craft Studio Lockdown Exhibition

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Jan Eckford - Explore Art & Craft Studio Lockdown Exhibition

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Barbara Riddick - From the first lockdown in March we've walked round the lake in Exhibition Park and watched the swans lay their eggs and followed the progress of the cygnets. This was a quick sketch of one of them preening with its feathers ruffled on a very windy day in November.

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Barbara Riddick - From the first lockdown in March we've walked round the lake in Exhibition Park and watched the swans lay their eggs and followed the progress of the cygnets. This photo was taken in the first week of February 2021.

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Barbara Riddick - Last August we took a picnic and sat surrounded by heather in the Simonside Hills, such a treat after lockdown.

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Barbara Riddick - Last August we took a picnic and sat surrounded by heather in the Simonside Hills, such a treat after lockdown.

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Steve Barrett - Explore Art & Craft Studio Lockdown Exhibition

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Margaret Adams - These works are part of a series of work which started with the most incredible clouds which had formed over the beach at Druridge Bay. It was the day before the recent lockdown in January - almost biblical, the sky overhung with the imminence of a deluge. Simultaneously, and curiously the colours on the beach brightened to a luminous glow.

Light and colour drive all of my work which is often experimental and covers processes from painting to film making. These pieces of work are using watercolour and pastels. I have attempted to capture a sense of being held by the clouds and that impending sense of an event about to happen.

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Margaret Adams - These works are part of a series of work which started with the most incredible clouds which had formed over the beach at Druridge Bay. It was the day before the recent lockdown in January - almost biblical, the sky overhung with the imminence of a deluge. Simultaneously, and curiously the colours on the beach brightened to a luminous glow.

Light and colour drive all of my work which is often experimental and covers processes from painting to film making. These pieces of work are using watercolour and pastels. I have attempted to capture a sense of being held by the clouds and that impending sense of an event about to happen.

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Pam Richold - Explore Arts & Craft Studio Lockdown Exhibition

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Pam Richold - Explore Art & Craft Studio Lockdown Exhibition

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Helen Watson - Painted from photographs taken on a visit to Herterton in July with members of the Explore Art Group, during the brief bit of Summer when we were allowed out. Such a lovely place and inspirational gardeners!

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Helen Watson - These are some of the chimneys on the roof of the recently renovated Morpeth Station. The renovation has won an award.
I am inspired by chimneys (!) and really like the way these stand out in a part of Morpeth that is otherwise lacking in artistry. I used the print for some of my Christmas cards.

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Helen Watson - Explore Arts & Craft Studio Lockdown Exhibition

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Rita Prabhu - Explore Arts & Craft Studio Lockdown Exhibition

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