Watercolours With Life: Banstead Arts Festival 2012

Sunday, 13 May 2012

Banstead Arts Festival 2012

Owl from a gentle first wash

Last Friday I packed my car and drove to Banstead,Surrey as I had been booked as guest artist for the Banstead Arts Festival 2012. It took me only an hour to reach my destination where I was given a warm welcome by the organisers. Whilst setting up guests started to arrive and fill the venue to the point that when it was time for me to start the doors had to be locked as the hall was completely full.

I worked through the first part of my demonstration explaining my techniques almost as an invitation into my studio and it as wonderful to see so much interest from the sea of faces in front of me. During the break I mixed with and met some fabulous artists. I continued with my demonstration leading the evening to a close with a painting of a pheasant. There must have been sparks flying off my brushes as sheep, flowers, an owl and several exciting washes all formed part of my discussion on how I work in my favourite medium. I also shared landscape and portraits as I aimed to cover every subject during my talk.

All too soon the evening came to a close and I was overwhelmed by the round of applause from the audience and really touched by the closing speech given my a member of Banstead Arts Society who explained that I had given the best demonstration the society had ever seen. Nodding heads from the audience added to my sense of happiness. I always put so much into my demonstrations to share my passion for watercolour and its magical qualities so it was such a great feeling to know how well I had come across.

In the last two weeks I have been repeatedly told I am a breath of fresh air on the art scene in that I give so much, am enthusiastic and lead to everyone racing to pick up their brushes after having seen me in action which is exactly what I love to hear.

My warm thanks go to everyone in the audience ,to Heather for making the initial booking and my very special thanks go to Richard of Epsom Arts Society for organising the large screen and microphone adding to the events success.

My next demonstration will be at the Surrey Literary Festival at Camberley Theatre this weekend

I can't wait!

2 comments:

Unknown said...: This is a stunning image and your audience clearly had a first rate evening. Your openness and enthusiasm communicate themselves in everything you do. Keep it up.; 14 May 2012 at 05:10
Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...: Thank you so much Mike, it was a truly wonderful evening and well worth the drive there!; 15 May 2012 at 23:05

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The Artist Magazine : Book Review

Jean Haines' Atmospheric Watercolours

"The book is nothing less than a paean to the wet in wet technique. If that's your thing, prepare to be amazed. Jean Haines credits Jean Louis Morelle, and in many ways this book is the sequel to Morelle's remarkable, but very technical work, showing the wealth of creative possibilities the technique offers. A lot of the images are barely recognisable and yet you instinctively know what they are. I wish I knew how, because this is impressionism taken to its logical conclusion and reminiscent of some of the later work by JMW Turner. You will have to take it from me that "First signs of a face appearing magically from a first wash of watercolour" is pure alchemy. This is an extraordinary book."

"Amazing Ways With Watercolour:" Fastest Selling DVD!

"Amazing Ways With Watercolour" from Town House Films is the fastest selling DVD with the company to date! Record breaking pre-orders for this much awaited film saw requests for copies flooding in from all over the world. A wonderful introduction into working with watercolour minus the use of a preliminary sketch this DVD removes the fear, stress or pressure from worry about how to use watercolour. Instead the focus is on having fun, enjoying vibrant colour combinations and allowing the medium to create the subjects with just a little help from the artist. A really exciting new DVD to own. Whilst the DVD sold out in the first few months since its' release due to popularity it is now in stock and available directly from Town House Films.

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How To Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour

"How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour" Jeans first book was launched at the Mall Galleries in 2010 at the SWA Society for Women Artists Annual Exhibition. Many copies have been sold world wide. It is available on Amazon.com, Search Press, SAA Society for All Artists and Ken Bromley.

"This book is a wonderful introduction into Jeans' way of working and gives an insight into her way of thinking and approach to a large variety of subjects. All painted minus the use of a preliminary sketch."