Summer at the Lund

The Summer show has opened at Lund Gallery, and the gallery has come alive...

In June, Debbie held a drawing course, Dominic a stone sculpture course, and Celia Smith a wire sculpture course - accompanying the opening of her show. The courses took place throughout the Lund - in the barns, fields, gallery, courtyard and Tractor Barn - a real buzz...

We finished the courtyard in time for exhbiting works by Chris Lewis, Nigel Edmondson and Sarah Walton:

And on top of all this, Debbie has been putting a body of work together for a show coming up in Harrogate next week. A busy time for all...

Summer show...

Chris Lewis delivered some amazing woodfired ceramics to us a couple of days ago, and it's been like Christmas unpacking the work. We now have a selection of huge pieces sitting outside in our courtyard waiting to be arranged - something we have been waiting for for years...

Following the film showings last weekend, it's all change for the Tractor Barn - out with the chairs and carpets and paintings, in with the easels and mounting some simple shelving to hold drawing boards - all in preparation for Debbie's first drawing class. Dominic will be holding a stone carving weekend at the same time, so there will be a real buzz about the place over the weekend...

Then I'll be taking a week off work to repaint the gallery - ensuring the walls are crisp and clean as a backdrop for Celia Smiths long awaited return to the Gallery with her wire sculptures... the Lund Gallery Summer Show..

Dawn to Dusk - Peter Hicks

Lund Gallery hosted it's first film preview on friday evening - and it was a privalge for us to be able to do so. Film-maker Nick Turner spent 5 weeks with an artist who both Debbie and I have a strong admiration and respect for, Peter Hicks, recording Peter taking inspiration from the changing light in the landscape of the North York Moors. Nick then distilled this down to around an hour of footage, complete with dialogue from Peter, that held the undivided attention of two sell out audiences over the weekend. It was wonderful for us to be able to host such an inspirational film for people who are as much in admiration of Peter's work as we are...

During the Friday show I had gated the sheep into the back field to free the front field up for parking. But, sheep being sheep, they managed to find a way through (- the grass is always greener.... ) So I spent a fair part of Saturday patching up the hole in time for the second film showing. As with everything else in life, it's the unexpected 'extras' that keep you busy, no matter how well planned things are in advance...

It might seem like something small

... but it's very big for us

Part of our 'grand plan' has always been to be able to throw the doors of the tractor barn open during the summer months, to let the fresh air and sunshine in, and the people out... There is a (potentially) beautiful south facing enclosed courtyard that is waiting to be filled with sculpture and guests. Unfortunatley this has had to wait while we have saved our pennies to put some steps in. And the time has come! As you can see from the photo, a very hand man (Steve from Hawthorne Landscapes) is building a fine set of steps. It might seem like a small thing, but it will hopefully mark the beginning of a 'new space' for the gallery...

Goodbye to our space rocket

We have lived with a feed silo outside our kitchen window for the last year, and I've grown very fond of it. I've had dreams of painting it stipes of red and white - to look like the space rocket from the frint of one of the first TinTin books. But, instead, we sold it off. A man came with a big lorry and took it away at the weekend. A fond farewell (- if one can be fond of a feed silo...)

Spring is here - so it must be 'end of year'

As spring takes hold, activity on the farm is picking up. The muck collected over the winter has been spread on the fields and harrowed in to fertilise the grass for the next year. Daffodils are just about to burst forth, and the lambs will soon be in the fields. A magical time – and looking forward to sharing it with our son!

Random picture – a wonderful multicolour trailer parked up in a neighbours field. I’ve always been drawn in by the overpainted depth of colour…
I’m waiting on the lawnmower coming back from servicing. It’s a small ride-on, and I think I pushed it too hard last year, poor thing. It’s been in lawnmower hospital for a couple of weeks now; hope it’s let out soon, as it’s about time for the first cut.

Financial year coming to an end in the next few weeks – deep joy. Trying hard to chase up on the paperwork (remember remember - always get an invoice…). It has been a very ‘steep learning curve’ over the last few years, but with some explanations from some very patient accountants I think we are starting to get the hang of it.

Celia Smith’s wire sculpture course has already been booked up for this year. It’s a great feeling to be getting the ball rolling on the courses and putting the extra space at the gallery into a ‘creative’ use.

Tractor Barn coming to life

When we expanded the gallery we converted the old barn where we kept the tractor into 'flexible space' with the aim of using it for meetings and workshops. During 2009 we were so busy (thanks son) that we weren't able to dedicate the time to get the ball rolling. This year, things are starting to take shape; it feels good to see the space filled with people.

Last week the Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership held a networking meeting, and we have our first 'corporate clients' renting the space in a few weeks. Debbie has arranged course and workshops throughout the year, many by makers who are showing at the gallery (if you would like a place on Celia Smith's wire sculpture course you'll need to hurry - only 2 places left...)

It's a good feeling to be linking up with other businesses in the area - with the catering being arranged by Fine Foods of Yorkshire - the award winning deli in Easingwold. The more excuses I have sample their fantastic food the better!