Category: Recreation: Art

Flying Saucers Are Landing Soon In Warminster

Friday 27th April 2012

A new business is about to open at
Weymouth Street, Warminster.
It’s a painting and pottery cafe called Flying Saucers.

These photographs taken by Danny Howell
on the afternoon of Friday 27th April 2012
show a name sign already up
and posters in the windows advertising
the impending “visit by aliens”

Some people passing by failed to take any notice,
others looked at the posters and seemed bemused,
while others said they welcomed the new venture.

A similar venture, called Hippopotamouse,
in the Corn Market shopping precinct,
Warminster, not so long ago,
turned out to be a short-lived venture.

Part of the colourful sign.

The painting and pottery cafe will be in
one of the rank of shops
behind the old Town Hall.

Crockerton Art At The Cartshed

Painter Joanna Sims and sculptor Olivia Clifton-Bligh, who are both based at Crockerton, have an exhibition of their work at the Cartshed Gallery, at Semley, south of Warminster, running until 13th April 2012. Opening times are Tuesday to Saturday, 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

The Cartshed Gallery is at Chaldicotts Courtyard, Semley, Shaftesbury, SP7 9AW.

Directions to the Cartshed Gallery ~ If coming down A350 from Warminster, pass under the A303, proceed along the East Knoyle Bypass, and further on, take 1st turn on the left signposted to Semley. After turning off A350 there is on your left a business estate. The gallery is a small independent timber frame barn on the left.

Telephone : 01747 862005.

website: www.thecartshedgallery.co.uk

email: info@thecartshedgallery.co.uk

Watercolours At Wylye

Thursday 1st July 2004

Danny Howell writes:

An inspiring exhibition of 18 watercolour paintings by Christopher Edwick are currently on show at the Newton House Studio in Wylye.

There are 12 landscapes and 6 abstract paintings, with titles such as ‘loved up crush’ and ‘we don’t need to touch, just breath on me,’ and if you want to make a purchase, the prices range from £165 to £425.

Chris Edwick is London-born but came to Wiltshire as a child, when his parents moved here, and he went to Bishop Wordsworth School in Salisbury. He returned to the capital to do a BA Honours Fine Art course, prior to pursuing a successful photography career for 15 years.

He worked as a fashion photographer for the Mail On Sunday and The Times newspapers, and also contributed to Monsoon’s retail brochure, The Company Magazine, as well as other publications. He left the world of photography last year, returning to Wiltshire, to become a full-time painter.

Because of its sensuality and fluidity, Chris prefers watercolour as his chosen medium, which combines well with his vivid imagination. His work has been compared with the two great Scottish watercolourists, John Maxwell and William Gillies, both of whom left a powerful mark on Elizabeth Blackadder, Sir Robin Philipson and many others.

Chris says his vivid use of colour brings a whole new dimension to his landscape scenes. Although he is obviously skilled in drawing, there is a minimum in his paintings, which he says allows his colours to explode on the mind. This is borne out by the comments already recorded in the visitors’ book to the exhibition.

Derrick Tilbury of Wylye notes the “stunning use of colour,” while Tara Kingrett of Chitterne describes the paintings as “tremendous, with some very good effects.” Peter Dolbear of Bratton has written “Thoroughly enjoyed. A joy to see paintings of quality.”

The exhibition runs until Saturday 10th July and is open from 10 am to 5 pm. Newton House Studio is off the High Street, in Wylye, just a couple of doors up from the village shop and post office.

Watercolour Artist Tony Emmerson

1990s

Danny Howell, writes:

Sometimes, during the 1990s, when I went for a regular walk over the top of Middle Hill, Bishopstrow, or the neighbouring hills and fields, I would see Tony Emmerson.

He lived at The Cottage, Bishopstrow, and he was an artist. He used to paint the most delightful watercolours, usually of local scenes.

I can remember seeing him when he was sitting on the edge of the burial mound on top of Middle Hill, painting the view looking towards Warminster. He didn’t have an easel up, he just had a sketch pad on his lap and a brush his hand, with his paints beside him.

Whenever he saw me he would always have a little chat with me, while he painted. He was very sociable. I always found him very pleasant and very modest about his pictures.

You could buy greetings cards featuring his watercolours, in Boreham Post Office. I believe the proceeds from the sales of those particular cards were donated to St. Aldhelm’s Church, Bishopstrow.

(Danny Howell wrote these notes in 2010).

McEwan Porter Exhibition At Warminster Arts Centre

From the Wylye Valley Life magazine, Friday 22nd February 1985:

Advertisement

Warminster Arts Centre at The Athenaeum
Foyer Exhibition for March – McEwan Porter
McEwan Porter, F.R.I.B.A., has produced professionally many architectural perspective drawings in various media (often mixed). Lately, especially since he retired, he has concentrated on capturing in watercolour the scenes of the downs, rivers and seaside which we all enjoy.
Warminster Arts Centre, Athenaeum, High Stteet, Warminster, Wilts, BA12 9AE. Telephone: 0985 213891.

New Shop And Restaurant At East Street, Warminster

January 1981

Advertisement:

The Isis Gallery of fine art and quality crafts.

Welcome to our new shop at 40 East Street, Warminster. Telephone 216815.

Original paintings, prints and drawings.
Hand-made soft toys and handicrafts.
Expert picture framing.
Athena posters, cards and prints.
And much, much more.

Plus, try our new restaurant for the best in American home cooking.
Pizzas, Pancakes, Mexican Food, Hamburgers, Thick Shakes, Sandwiches and more. Dishes too numerous to mention.