I got the chance to visit Art in Action! I was due to be at another festival which, due to bad weather, had to cancel. Not Art in Action though... Their website clearly instructed all visitors to bring wellies and it was a military operation to enable the festival to go ahead. Clear signs led festival goers to hard standing, where free buses shuttled to Waterperry.
Many pleasant surprises at this art festival, classes, lectures, performances, shopping and meeting artists and watching their alchemical processes in wonder.
Things I loved
I had the opportunity to try machine embroidery! Sewing machine phobia overcome by the great character, Richard Box, who seemed to genuinely trust I wouldn't mess up the piece he was working on. He will be running a machine embroidery course at Knuston Hall in January 2013.
The unique Shelly Perkins explained that she uses Photoshop to produce beautifully clear crisp art from up to 100 layers of her scanned traditional artwork and runs courses in Gloucestershire at Art in Nature.
Painting
Wandering and watching artists at work in real time and particularly David Caldwell's portraits and Sarah Spackman's use of muted colours.
Sculpture
Art was in Action here as I was surprised to find a real pony in the sculpture area so artists were able to craft from a real living thing.
Printmaking
Louise Scott took me though the copperplate etching process. Her work has a magical feel with animals that look like they have stories to tell.
Laura Boswell demonstrated her Japanese watercolour and woodblock printing and linocut techniques to produce beautiful trees and foliage and rooks.
Best of the Best
Wow the biggest felted picture I have ever seen.
Illustration
I knew Jackie Morris would be coming to share her magical books and illustrations and I finally got to meet the lovely lady herself. She kindly drew a beatiful cat when she signed our copy of The Cat and the Fiddle.
The Illustrator Paul Kidby painted a large baby dragon whilst talking to visitors and answering questions. He is the Terry Pratchet artist who gives life to some individual characters.
I will be coming again next year and hope to try out some classes and watch some performances. Art in Action is definitely a festival for all ages.
In the meantime, I will begin Autumn Term workshops after a festival Summer on the road.
Watch this space for details.
