Tag Archives: saltmarsh

a bit of a do …

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Incoming tide. Mari French 2014

Incoming tide. Mari French 2014

 

… it would be great to see you at my upcoming solo exhibition ‘Coastlines’, which will be showing at Greyfriars Art Space, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, from 27 September to 11 October 2014.

The theme is inspired by my residency at Brison’s Veor, Cape Cornwall earlier this year and contrasts that wild, rugged coast with the very different North Norfolk coastline close to where I live, and where, as regular followers of this blog will know, I often walk, sketch and paint along the saltmarshes and beaches.

On the opening Saturday (29thSeptember) I’ll be having a ‘bit of a do’ between 12 noon and 4pm to launch the exhibition, with wine and nibbles, you’d be very welcome!

visual language …

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as mentioned in my previous post Making a Mark, I’ve been concentrating on developing my own visual language with a series of small mixed media pieces on paper. I’m quite pleased with these three and I’m going to keep at it, because hopefully it will bring a new dimension to my paintings. 

abstract 1. Mari French 2014

abstract 1. Mari French 2014

 

I’ve been using a fairly limited acrylic paint palette of Burnt Umber, Titanium White and Prussian Blue, which I’m finding very fresh and satisfying just now. I haven’t used Burnt Umber much before, finding it a little red, usually preferring Raw Umber. The scribbled marks are mainly NeoColour watercolour pastels… I prefer their soft smudginess to oil pastels, and get around their solubility with a fixing spray of Matt acrylic medium. There’s also some lovely sludgy burgundy Inktense stick in there too and ink stained tissue.

abstract 2. Mari French 2014

abstract 2. Mari French 2014

 

Although intentionally abstract, I did have in mind the salt marshes, creeks and staithes of the north Norfolk coast, where I often walk and sketch.

abstract 3. Mari French 2014

abstract 3. Mari French 2014

 

sitting comfortably …

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Just a few sketches from this week’s visit to my favourite stomping ground … Thornham salt marsh on the Norfolk coast. In celebration of the Queen’s jubilee a new bench has been conveniently sited facing out to sea along the creek. HM had her photo taken on her new bench recently with some of the villagers (Sandringham is nearby).

Thornham salt marsh. Mari French

Thornham salt marsh

It’s a popular spot for locals to rest, but despite the bright sunlight there was a cold northeasterly (there has been most of the year so far), and I had the bench to myself for an hour and could spread out. What a luxury not to be perched on a cold rock or on my waterproof mat on a tussock of grass trying not to lose my brushes or pencils in the grass. I’ll be getting soft 🙂

Emerging sun, Thornham Creek. Mari French

Emerging sun, Thornham Creek.

There was a very low tide… I’ve never seen the mud in the creeks so dry and pale. The blonde smudge of sand reflecting the sun across the near horizon seemed larger and closer than I’ve seen it before, with the channel marker posts standing out clearly. 

Changing light, Thornham. Mari French

Changing light, Thornham.