studio space & swallows …

it looks like I’ve got a studio at last! having spent 3 years trying to find an accessible good-sized studio close to home (at present I’m working out of our tiny utility room, 6ft x 9ft).

I can’t wait to get using this space… it used to be a hayloft above stables and is built from typical Norfolk flint and brick. Apparently swallows flit in and out in the summer, there are nests… but not in the studio area, so no bird poo where ill be working, thankfully.

It needs a lot of work but fortunately I know a ‘man who can’, we’ll I’m married to him, lucky me ;0)

I’ll be posting updates on our progress…

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Inside Out…

Mari French at Highgate Contemporary Art, London

Mari French at Highgate Contemporary Art, London

This week saw the start of mine and Tassie Russell’s exhibition ‘Inside Out’ at Highgate Contemporary Art, London…

I’m very excited at showing my work in such a fresh, bright, welcoming gallery in the buzzing heart of Highgate, London, and indebted to those friends, clients and relatives who made long journeys down from Manchester, Lincolnshire and elsewhere to attend the private view on Wednesday eve. (a few photos from the evening shown here.)

The blurb on the gallery brochures and adverts reads… ‘the contained architectural exploration of space by Tassie Russell complements the open and expressive landscapes of Mari French’.

…you can read more about the exhibition, which runs until 8th July, at this link… Highgate Contemporary Art

Mari French with Tassie Russell & gallery owner Laurie Maclaren

Mari French with Tassie Russell & gallery owner Laurie Maclaren

Inside Out exhibition at Highgate Contemporary Art, London

Inside Out exhibition at Highgate Contemporary Art, London

Me and my good friend Stephen whose support and hard work made this show possible for me

Me and my good friend Stephen whose support and hard work made this show possible for me

A few of my works at the Inside Out exhibition at Highgate Contemporary Art, London

A few of my works at the Inside Out exhibition at Highgate Contemporary Art, London

seeing lavender…

After following a small path through woodland and undergrowth, then open saltmarsh and wide skies this was the inspirational view I stumbled on back in late summer on a glorious day near Thornham saltmarsh, Norfolk… a huge swathe of pale purple sea lavender flowers.

sea lavender, Norfolk © Mari French 2011

sea lavender, Norfolk © Mari French 2011

Below is the little sketch I did on the spot… can’t wait to re-interpret this as a large painting sometime!

Sea Lavender, Norfolk (sketch) © Mari French 2011

Sea Lavender, Norfolk (sketch) © Mari French 2011