Tessa Spanton SWA Artist, tutor, writer



TESSA SPANTON SWA ARTIST, WRITER AND TUTOR

Welcome to my blog.
This is where I write about some of the things that inspire my work,
news of exhibitions and works in progress

Tuesday 27 March 2018

Silk Scarf Painting at The Watts Gallery



 Earlier I write a post about a workshop I was going to tutor at the Watts Gallery Artists' Villlage.
We had a light, spacious and well equiped studio to work in which is attached to Limnerslease house which was the Wattses' home. It is surrounded by woods and approached through a well kept garden area.
We started with a an informative tour of the Helen Allingham exhibition to get inspiration.
The scarves were worked off frame. The silk was made damp first, placed onto a sheet of polythene then the colours blended on the silk. Salt was added to some while still wet to make patterns.
We were fortified by good coffee and biscuits!
When dry some people added motifs using a small frame, outliner and more colour. Some did a second scarf.
Here are the lovely results.

























Wednesday 7 March 2018

Sculpture and Art at Pashley Manor Gardens



Rose Hot Chocolate    
original watercolour by Tessa Spanton (c)

Yesterday I delivered some new paintings to Pashley Manor in Sussex for the Exhibition of floral and botanical art 2018
 Open 31st March to 29th Sept Tues-Sat, Bank Holiday Mondays and special event days 10am-5pm

more details and directions here

Works by several artists are for sale from both is an on show in the cafe and shop. Exhibits are changed with the seasons. There are also cards and prints available in the shop.
I paint in the beautiful gardens there. Hot Chocolate (see above) is one of the unusual roses growing in the garden. I bought my own during the Rose Festival that takes place there every June.

The gardens at Pashley Manor provide a stunning setting to showcase both abstract and figurative sculptures.
Below are 2 of my favourites, both works by Helen Sinclair whose work I have admired at the Chelsea Flower Show