What Occurred at this is where it's Art? - Brittany Coxon's Event Report

This is where it's Art happened on the 8th, 9th and 10th of June in the Spennymoor Town Hall and Spennymoor Leisure Centre. We encourage all visitors and exhibitors to get in touch with their own write-ups, reports, photos and thoughts on the event, so that we can share them (with your permission).

You can email us at thisiswhereitsart@gmail.com or message us on Facebook or Twitter with your stories. Please do tag us in your Facebook photos if you took any during the event, we'd love to see.


This is a little run down of my personal (Brittany's) highlights for the festival, accompanied by photos.

Friday

It was great to meet everybody on Friday, the variety and quality of work was excellent. I spent a good part of the day getting to know the other exhibitors and learning my way around the Town Hall in preparation for the busier day that would be Saturday. There was a wonderful atmosphere as the exhibitors greeted one another, shared stories and swapped knowledge. The atmosphere generated in those first few hours lasted throughout the entire festival.

Saturday

We had a bit of bad weather but the folk of Spennymoor were not put off and the Town Hall was full of curious visitors. Curious in a good way, everybody was genuinely interested, both in the art and the people behind it. At noon there was a flash-mob in the market square, a street dance performance by Kdanz, which unfortunately I missed, though the kids involved enjoy it, commenting that dancing in the rain made it all the more dramatic. Paul picked up some honey from the bee man (South Durham Honey), who had an observation hive set up in the Town Hall bar, they were fascinating to watch, I took far too many photos of the bees and learned a great deal about them while doing it.

Sunday

The weather cleared up a bit on Sunday and the Town Hall was filled with visitors, some of which had come along on the previous day and returned, this time with their entire family. There were plenty of activities for all ages, including a comic book workshop over in the leisure centre, stained glass fusing workshops in the Town Hall and weaving, which happened in the exhibition space. I mention the weaving specifically as it managed to keep several children occupied all weekend, each going away determined to continue this new hobby.

I'm looking forward to the next one already, it was such an enjoyable festival, full of lovely, friendly people. I even found a new favourite food place in Spennymoor, Bistro Fifty3, which kept Paul and I very well fed during the weekend. 

Thank you to everybody who came, everybody who helped spread the word and the people of Spennymoor for being so lovely. 

Brittany Coxon.

You can view all of Brittany's photos from the event on her Flickr page. 

Setting Up

 The exhibitors have arrived and are setting up their displays ready for our grand opening tomorrow.

Here's a little peek behind the scenes. 

I'm so impressed by the quality and variety of the displays, excellent work everybody. Can't wait for tomorrow. 

Meet the Exhibitors - Wreckonize

Who are you?
We're Chris and Joe aka Wreckonize, part of a larger crew called WHK

What do you do?
We dance, eat, teach, stretch, dance...that's pretty much it!

Why do you do it?
Because we love it! Its never boring, every day we're teaching or dancing in a different place. Also watching our students improve and grow as people, and seeing what they come up with on their own inspires us and teaches us things we might not have thought of. What's the most exciting thing you've done recently? Mastering a new move is pretty exciting, it brings the possibility of new combinations and ways to link what you already have. Chris has been getting some nice flares lately and I'm starting to get 90's after trying for a long time.

Further Info:


http://www.wreckonize.co.uk/breakdance/
Wreckonize on Facebook

Meet the Exhibitors - Paul Thompson

Who are you?
Paul Thompson. I’m an artist and writer, working in digital art, photography and comics.

What do you do?
I write and draw comics, Tales of the Hollow Earth is now in its third issue: Dark goings on in a coastal city of peculiar institutions, origami, weird tales, dangerous catering and unreliable narrators. As well as comics, I've had several exhibitions of digital artworks and photography, and I occasionally write and draw comics with other people and contribute to comics anthologies with the Newcastle based Paper Jam Comics Collective and others.

What's the most exciting thing you've done recently?
I’m working on two comics projects right now – one is called Interchange-V, a sci-fi comedy collaboration hopefully in the spirit of Douglas Adams, low budget british sci-fi and claustrophobic 80’s and 90’s sit-coms. The second project will have SCIENCE in it, but is otherwise absolutely top secret.

Why do you do it?
Why comics? Comics are a massively accessible and flexible medium for telling stories and communication of all kinds. Placing pictures in sequence will build a story, whether it was intended or not. Putting words too close to an otherwise unrelated picture will set a world in motion. Most of it happens in the viewer’s head, and it’s much greater than the sum of its parts. The comics creators I admire have a supernatural control over this, and from this unstable chemistry are able to wield extremely evocative storytelling.

Further info:


http://www.hollowearth.co.uk
Twitter: @paulxthompson
Email: paulxthompson@gmail.com



Comics: Words + Pictures where Time = Space
At midday on the Sunday of the This is Where it’s Art festival, I’ll be doing a 35-40 minute talk on the subject of storytelling and design on a comics page. The talk is aimed at people of age ten and above, interested in making comics, reading comics and knowing a little more about how comics work - for example: how to use the shapes of the panels to control the pacing and drama, the different approaches taken by American, European, Japanese comics, and how the less you draw, the more people see. I’ll provide a comprehensive list of what I think are the very best comics of the last few years and the very best books about making comics.

Meet the Exhibitors - Stables Art

Who are you?
I'm Collette Lau, originally from the Isle of Islay, situated in the west coast of Scotland. I'm now living in County Durham and have been here for 12 years. I live on a small holding with my family, and keep all types of animals, including horses and sheep. I have always liked living in rural and semi rural locations as doing so gives me the opportunity to explore all aspects of country life from the natural beauty from Mother Nature, and our spring lambs being born, to the darker side of death from wild animals hunting prey, road kill, to taking our lambs to the slaughter house. Therefore, enabling me to produce art work which is bright and happy - for display in the home, as well as dark art which is possibly better suited to being displayed in offices, night clubs, and other business premises. Sometimes my work is a mix of being both vibrant & bright, with dark undertones.

What do you do?
I experiment with and create pieces from all types of media, from acrylic and oil paint on canvas, to motor oil, coffee, dog fur, sheep fleece and textured paint, on dried animal pelts. I create animal characters, mostly of horses, sheep and cows. As well as modern works - both lively & vibrant, and dark & twisted. I have developed my own style of painting, and undertake both private and commercial commissions.

What's the most exciting thing you've done recently?
The most exciting piece I have recently finished is titled Pony Love. A loving, harmless looking pony character. Media: textured acrylic on box canvas. I created texture by layering the paint, and used silver metallic paint in the background which adds depth and feeling of coldness against the non metallic pony of red and orange tones. Painted in a semi expressionist style, due to the method of painting and the pony having a twisted head and face. This piece shows the happy, loving, loyal side of the pony - mixed cos with the darker side of the character - symbolised by the twisted head and face, and wild oversized eye. I really love this painting because of the dark undertones. To me the piece gives a feeling that there is more to this pony!

Why do you do it?
I paint and create unusual pieces, usually with underlying dark tones, and a dark meaning because this is the 'category' I feel most comfortable in. I feel we are all dying day by day - whether we are a super cute furry bunny, or hard faced domineering human - along with my thoughts of 'art is an expression of self'. Mixed together these trains of thought lead to my twisted, deep and dark works. I enjoy expressing myself through art. I display some work in Talkabout in Spennymoor, and in Laus in Wolsingham Market Place. However I’m mainly based in my art studio at home which has a very basic and rustic feel, being a loosely converted horse stable. Here I am happiest. Here I enjoy my own company. Here I can lose myself in my creations.

Further info:


http://stablesart.co.uk/

Meet the Exhibitors - Jennifer Wyse

Who are you?
Jennifer Wyse

What do you do?
My work is predominantly an interpretation and response to both the places I have been and objects and scenes from my everyday life which I hold close to me. I don’t think my concern is to produce an exact visual representation of what I see but more a sense of time and being in that place. Light and colour combine to portray form and shape in a timelessness outside of the daily hubbub of our modern life. I try to explore and make sense of these thoughts within my paintings, through colour and pattern and in choice of scene. I like to think my paintings take the voyeur on their own journey of discovery and have been told they have a quality of peace and calm. Painted in oil or acrylic on canvas or board, I work from sketches made on-site and photographs taken for reference.

What's the most exciting thing you've done recently?
I think probably entering the Spennymoor Art Festival, as it is my first arts festival! I am really looking forward to meeting other artists and being involved in the whole thing.

Why do you do it?
My father was a graphic designer so I always wanted to be an artist when I grew up; it's just taken rather a long time! I love learning about colour and the whole physical process of painting. I like to celebrate my love of nature and the countryside and hope that people can see this in my painting.

Further Info:


http://www.wix.com/wyse_jennifer/fine-art

http://www.redbubble.com/people/jenwyse

Meet the Exhibitors - Brittany Coxon

Who are you?
Hello, my name is Britt.


What do you do?
I'm a designer, illustrator and photographer based in Newcastle.

I design and make stationery such as greetings cards, notebooks, business cards and wedding invitations. My work is created using recycled and sustainably sourced paper and card (local, when possible). One of my aims is to be as unique as possible, I don't use any kits or pre-made embellishments in my work, preferring to draw out any elements myself. As a result, my designs are often influenced by illustration styles. My own illustrations include comics and event handouts. My comic work has appeared in local comic anthologies and I'm currently working on my first solo project, a detective story with a bit of a supernatural flavour. I also specialise in website design for the creative community.

My photography is best described as serendipitous. From an early age I found it important to document anything I found interesting, holiday photos were mixed with abandoned shoes, clouds, signs. I like not knowing what the final result will be, often pointing my camera at the subject without glancing at the view finder.


What's the most exciting thing you've done recently?
It would have to be making the website for This is where it's Art, to be involved in a project like this is great. I've seen it grow from an idea into what I'm sure will be a great weekend for the whole family. It's fantastic, getting to know all the exhibitors and I'm looking forward to meeting everybody during the event.


Why do you do it?
One of my earliest memories is of trying to make a robot out of cardboard boxes, loo roll insides and string. Combining that enjoyment of making something with my love of well designed paper goods seemed like the obvious thing to do.


Further Info:
http://britthub.co.uk/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Britt7094

http://britt7094.blogspot.co.uk/

Meet the Exhibitors - Dayyani Square

Who are you?
The band is called Dayyani Square. We formed about 18 months ago and we have spent the time since putting together an ever expanding selection of original material, some of which we are about to record as our first studio album.

What do you do?
We are all creative people who love great music. We are lucky enough to be a prolific song writing band and we have developed a very strong sense of our musical direction and have a definite sound of our own. We are always well received wherever we play and we are firm believers in focusing on the listeners experience rather than the image with which the music is presented.

What's the most exciting thing you've done recently?
We recently played an excellent gig at a record label launch and supported a band that was launching their new album at the event. It was an amazing night with a great crowd and venue. We are now working with this record label. Also in the previous few months we have played live and been interviewed on local radio stations and recently our singer/guitarist had two tracks played on BBC Radio via their BBC introducing platform.

Why do you do it?
We play mainly because we are all music lovers. Individually we are reasonably normal guys working normal lives, so spending time writing and playing our music is a very important outlet for us all. Band members have creative interests outside of the music including graphics, design, film making and digital production. We do it all because we hope to offer up something interesting and thoughtful and also because we have a strong desire to create.

Further info:
You can find us on: Facebook, You Tube and Sound Cloud by searching the band: Dayyani Square.

Meet the Exhibitors - Art Heroes

Who are you?
Art Heroes is Daniel Clifford, writer, and Lee Robinson, artist.

What do you do? 

Art Heroes publishes all-ages comic books, and facilitates workshops that use comic books to engage young people in reading, writing and creativity. Art Heroes can also be commissioned to create material for other publishers and businesses.

What's the most exciting thing you've done recently?

Halcyon & Tenderfoot issue 1 was launched at Newcastle City Library on March 31st. We ran a Quick Comics workshop and held an talk about putting the comic together, which were both well attended. But the best part was receiving fantastic feedback from readers and the parents of young readers/workshop attendees. Some young people aren't interested in prose and our comics are designed to engage those people - seeing that working out is heartwarming.

Why do you do it?
The comic book industry has been shrinking for many years. Young people don't spend as much money on comics as 20-40 year old men, so the industry has stopped catering to them. We're making comics suitable for young people so that there are still comic book readers in ten years.

The workshops come from Daniel's struggles with reading as a youngster. Prose wasn't interesting to him - it's only through reading comics that Daniel developed his linguistic skills and graduated with 1st Class Honours from Northumbria University. Art Heroes aims to capture the imagination of similar young people through comic books and workshops.

Further Info:

ArtHeroes.co.uk is the place to go for further information, comic book preview pages and the Art Heroes online shop.

Meet the Exhibitors - Eric Thompson

Who are you?
Eric Thompson

What do you do?
Since 1980 I have been exhibiting my watercolours all over England, Scotland and Dublin, as well as travelling to The Channel Islands to show my work for 20 of those years. Its these exhibitions that help develop your work as you get to meet more and more people who let you know what they like (and dislike) about your paintings. I built up quite a following of customers who collect my work especially in Jersey and Guernsey as well as making some good friends. I now exhibit my art through Bondgate Gallery in Bishop Auckland and sell Giclee prints from the originals all over the world. I run 3 watercolour classes which I really enjoy as the people who attend are very enthusiastic and great company. Its great when they see the finished result all framed up and realise what they can achieve.

What's the most exciting thing you've done recently? 
I've just had a one man show at the new Spennymoor Gallery which was very successful. Part of the exhibition featured 40 little watercolours of scenes from my childhood and these were well appreciated. I think the best part of the exhibition was when some of the local school children attended and I demonstrated some of my paintings and chatted to them about my childhood. They were full of enthusiasm and even brought their parents along later.

Why do you do it? 
I'm approaching an age where I should consider retiring but that's never going to happen. What with the gallery the art classes, and helping Lynn with the upcoming festival I've no time to retire. Besides I love painting watercolours, its my passion and I'm still learning.

 Further info:
http://www.ukwatercolours.com/

Meet the Exhibitors - ARTventurers

Who are you?
I'm Fiona, I own and run ARTventurers. We run art and craft classes, parties and events for children of all ages, starting from as young as 18 months!

What do you do?
I run weekly art and craft classes for pre school age children (age 18 months - 4 years) - a chance for the children to explore and create with different mediums, materials and techniques in an environment where they and their parents/carers don't need to worry about the mess! I run weekend sessions and holiday classes for older children and also host creative birthday parties!

What's the most exciting thing you've done recently?
This month ARTventurers has been nominated for a national award which is great news and very exciting, especially as the nominations have come from the parents/carers and children who attend my sessions! We're nominated for Best Local Activity for Under 5s in the What's On 4 Little Ones Awards 2012. I was also recently asked to write a guest blog post about one of my childrens art projects for the Tate Kids website (a Hirst-inspired spin painting activity using salad spinners!)

Why do you do it?
Why do I do it? The ARTventurers "tagline" is "Laugh, Explore, Create" and that sums it up really - I love working with children and encouraging them to explore, create and use their imaginations while having lots and lots of fun and simply enjoying the whole creative process. It's also very rewarding to see the pride on the childrens faces when they show off their creations at the end of a session and to hear that they've then extended the creative process back at home. Plus playing with paint, glue and glitter is great fun!

Further info:
I have a website  http://www.artventurers.co.uk/  which has a lot more information about what we do, where we run our classes and some lovely colourful pictures of the sessions and artwork!
There's also a Facebook page where you can keep up to date with where we are and what we're doing  http://www.facebook.com/ARTventurers.
Finally you can follow me on Twitter @artventurers.

Meet the Exhibitors - Sarah Jane Oates

Who are you?
Sarah Jane Oates

What do you do?

Hello my name is Sarah Jane Oates (B/A Hons).  I am an established local Artist, living in the small town of Crook, gateway to The Dales.  I graduated several years ago from Leeds Metropolitan University, with a Fine Art degree.  I am also a care assistant, working in a nursing home, a job which I adore which influences my work daily.

I specialise in ink, sketching a wide variety of material.  Partially I enjoy creating people, with their emotions and feelings coming through the paper.  I am famous for my cartoons, inspired by Jim Davis’ Garfield, a character I began drawing at a very young age.  My Art also includes street scenes, cars, trains and motorbikes.

What's the most exciting thing you've done recently?

Current exhibition is The Royal Family, celebrating The Diamond Jubilee this year.  It includes a pencil portrait of the Majesty herself, along with cartoon portraits of the family.  Exhibition is on location, and is next to be moved to a permanent location in a Royal Tea Room, a new venture that is to open soon in The Dales.  Exhibition has been recently in local tabloids, along with my photo with local MP.

Furthermore, another Exhibition of my latest collection, Tribal, is to go on display in a gift shop in The Galleries in Washington.

Why do you do it?
I create simply because I love it.  An existence without creation does not bare thinking about!  Drawing makes me happy, content and realigns my inner charka's.  It makes the world a happier place, with it’s visual aesthetics, colour and dimension.  I love creating, and I believe it makes everyone happier too.  A room without Art and colour is a room without love.


Further info: 
http://www.sarahjaneoates.co.uk/

Meet the Exhibitors - Neil Bage

Who are you?
Neil Bage

What do you do?
Neil was born in County Durham, spending most of his childhood and youth outdoors, where he developed an interest in drawing. Photography was a natural progression, and Neil quickly established a preference for black and white landscapes and seascapes, taking inspiration from the beautiful scenery of the local area.  


Neil is self-taught and is not confined by the established 'rules' of photography, which has allowed him the freedom to explore and develop his own style. 


Neil is a perfectionist, with an artistic eye for a photograph, keeping only images that he feels are of exhibition / sufficient quality. All prints are processed in a professional photo lab using state-of-the-art equipment. He has worked closely with the lab to ensure that they fully understand his exact requirements, ensuring that they always achieve the very best results. 


Why do you do it?
Neil explains, "Photography enables me to capture those special moments that I only experience once in a while. I enjoy visiting an area and establishing a 'feel' for the place. I might go back several times before I encounter the perfect conditions to capture the essence of the place. I invest time wandering around the area until I feel that I know it really well, seeking out an alternative perspective to make my images unique."

Further Info:
http://neilbagephotography.com/

Meet the Exhibitors - Kevin McGonnell

Who are you?
Kevin McGonnell

What do you do?
I am a digital photographer who works with a mix of photography and digital manipulation.

What's the most exciting thing you've done recently?
The most exciting thing that has happened recently is being asked (alongside other photographers) to submit my favourite portraiture shot, for a touring exhibition. The photograph will be printed on a 2X2 metre canvas and will be taken to various cities in the UK, and exhibited as part of the tour.

Why do you do it?
Well, I love photography and viewing the world through another persons eyes, it's actually like magic when you think about it. Almost like living for a moment in someone elses shoes. I think that for me, it's that opportunity to share how I see or imagine things, evoking emotions or thought processes which you may not have previously had. Of course that goes back to the magic that is, living the moment in someone elses shoes. 

Further info: 
http://www.blackeyespecialist.co.uk - creative works
http://kevinmcgonnell.com - event, music, promo and product photography

Meet the Exhibitors - Janet Rogers (Crushed Chilli Gallery)

Who are you? 
Janet Rogers

What do you do?
An artist working mainly in stained, leaded and kiln fused glass to commission. Her designs combine traditional craftsmen’s techniques with bold, modern designs to produce vibrant works with a contemporary feel. Born in Gateshead, Janet now lives and has a Gallery and Studio in South Street, Durham where she produces her own fused glass, Stained glass and etched glass pieces that are often incorporated into leaded stained glass panels. She works full time designing and producing commissions for domestic and commercial projects around the UK.

‘My work consists of many visual forms with references from landscape, geometry and colour. The majority of designs involve bright, vivid, bold colour and texture to make my pieces stand out against the minimalist colour palette of today’.

What's the most exciting thing you've done recently? 
Sunday 15th April a new font was dedicated during the morning Communion Service at St John's Church, Neville's Cross by Revd. Barnaby Huish. St John's was able to commission the font after being left a bequest for a work of art by Margaret Rodgers. The font was designed and made in glass by Janet Rogers who is based in the Crushed Chilli Gallery, South Street, Durham. Janet, who joined the congregation for the service of dedication, said, "I am so pleased to have been given the commission to design and manufacture this Font. It is unlike anything I have ever done before, the design incorporates the holy trinity three crosses and fishes; bright vibrant and colourful to express the bold style in which I work."

In November 2011, I refurbished Spennymoor Town Hall Clock Tower face, removed all Perspex and replaced with traditional white opal glass and lead panels. Also renovated their 16 panel stained glass dome and encapsulated in triple glazing to last another 100 years.

 Further info:

http://www.crushedchilli.co.uk/ 

http://crushedchilli.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.durham.anglican.org/news-and-events/news.aspx

Meet the Exhibitors - Ray Bradshaw

Who are you? 
Ray Bradshaw


What do you do? 
Born, bred and went to school in Sunderland. Art was my subject and I was expecting to follow a career path in it. I was studying 'A' level art but had a disagreement with the senior mistress having failed an English subject I was expected to pass. This resulted in a quick exit from school and into the nursing profession for which I remained for 38 years. On my 50th birthday I picked up an artist’s paint brush again for the first time since leaving school. I have not stopped painting since. In 2010 at the age of 55 I retired from the NHS and now paint full time. I love walking in the lake District and the Dales and my early work reflected this in landscapes. This developed into the inclusion of people into my paintings which to me added a story line and the opportunity of humour through these figures. I take my observations from Cities, Towns and the Countryside. Capturing events and the activities of people within those places. I try to portray the interaction of groups partaking in their pastimes and attendance at events, grasping the mood and moment, the individual, the crowd. My main style is simplistic, colourful with a splash of humour thrown in for good measure. Recently however, I have returned to landscape but kept the vibrant colours and simplistic style of art that I enjoy.


What's the most exciting thing you've done recently?
I have just had some Limited Edition Prints done, a Derbyshire Gallery have shown an interest and requested 6 individual prints initially. I have also just completed two new paintings which are a very different style to what I've been doing, they have received very good feedback.


Why do you do it?
After 38 years working in a very demanding occupation in the NHS I do not class my art as 'hard work' anything but! When I am painting I become lost in that world and lose track of time. The hardest part of this business is the marketing side of things which takes you away from the creative side of your work. That can be frustrating.



Further info:
http://www.artbyraybradshaw.com/ 

www.ArtWanted.com/artbyraybradshaw

Art by Ray Bradshaw on Facebook

Twitter @theraybradshaw

This is where it's Art! - The Blog

Hello folks. We've been busy bees the last few weeks, we've set up a website, got loads of people involved and are starting to tell the world about our fantastic arts festival. 

So first up, what are we? 
An exciting new project which will bring together artists, crafters and performers from the North East into one amazing weekend of exhibitions, talks, discussions, productions and hands on workshops for all the family. 
The event will be held over three days, the 8th, 9th and 10th of June 2012. With events across Spennymoor's town centre. 


For more information you can check out our website http://thisiswhereitsart.co.uk/ or email thisiswhereitsart@gmail.com. 


If you're a Facebook we have a presence there too. 
This is where it's Art on Facebook - please drop by and like us.
This is where it's Art Facebook Event - let us know you're coming, there's enough room for everyone. 


Or you can follow us on Twitter, we're Thisiswhereits.


Keep an eye on this blog over the next few weeks for info about our exhibitors, events and things to do in Spennymoor.