New Paintings for Staithes Gallery Exhibition

Posted on 24 March, 2011 by Susan Isaac
I’ve been working on new paintings of Staithes to be part of an exhibition at the Staithes Gallery in April (Lifeboat Show 2011, 8-25 April). There is a rich source of compositional possibilities near the mouth of the river around the footbridge, which springs dynamically across the view, connecting the banks and reflecting in the water. I especially enjoy viewing the town houses and harbour through this device. It also has great personal resonance as my first and strongest impression of Staithes was from this footbridge looking onto a becalmed and moonlit harbour at midnight. 
Susan Isaac - Staithes Beck & Footbridge

Susan Isaac - Staithes Beck & Footbridge (oil on canvas, 51 x 51cm)

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Southwell Minster Spring Fair

Posted on 27 February, 2011 by Susan Isaac

I’m going to be at the Southwell Minster Spring Fair on Saturday (5th March 2011) and have just started gathering things together for this. I will be displaying prints and art cards of my work alongside several new paintings, particularly of the Minster itself.  I’ve also been developing work on the ‘Great Houses’ of Nottinghamshire – including Rufford Abbey, Thoresby Hall, Wollation Hall and Newstead. The paintings are part of a range of works I have been working on over the last year and during the winter months.

Susan Isaac - Southwell Minster in Spring

Southwell Minster in Spring, oil on canvas (40 x 40cm)

 

Susan Isaac - Newstead Abbey

West Front of the Priory Church, Newstead Abbey, oil on canvas (40 x 40cm)

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Christmas Open Studio

Posted on 10 December, 2010 by Susan Isaac

In spite of the weather, I’m going to run a  Christmas Open Studio this Saturday, 11th Dec and again on 18th Dec.  I’ll be open from 10am to 4pm and, nearby, Lizzyz Coffee House will be open from 10am to 1pm and the Cross Keys pub will be serving lunches from 12 noon to 2pm. 

The West Front of Southwell Minster (oil on canvas, 51 x 51cm)

As well as my own paintings, prints, cards and ceramic sculptures, I will have some work on display by the potter Carl Gray and woodworker Mark Greene, who share a philosophy of sustainability.

Carl Gray owns and manages his own woodland and makes wood-fired utilitarian ceramic wares.

Carl Gray - 'shot cups'

Mark Greene creates individual hand-built furniture and woodcraft pieces using reclaimed timbers.

Mark Greene - small oak boxes

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Last Day in Whitby

Posted on 9 July, 2010 by Susan Isaac

Our last day in Whitby. Spent it walking around the town, looking in shops and drinking tea in the cottage, looking out over the harbour.

Sandgate, Whitby

Sandgate, Whitby

We ate a picnic evening meal on the beach before we drove home. Feeling very inspired with what we have seen – texture, colour, light, space.

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Visiting Staithes and Staithes Gallery

Posted on 8 July, 2010 by Susan Isaac

Drove to Staithes this morning, where we met up with Al Milnes at the Staithes Gallery. She took all my latest work – seemed very pleased with them. Walked around Staithes through the afternoon. So quiet – very much a place to be still for a while.

Staithes

Staithes

In the early evening we sat on the front and ate ice cream before returning to Whitby.

At Whitby, we went to the ‘The Board Inn’ for our evening meal, looking out over the harbour – followed by a ‘ghost’ walk. Finally, we walked out onto the east pier – dramatic reds of the setting sun reflecting on the cliffs.  

Whitby in the evening

Whitby in the evening

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Walking in Whitby and Visiting Robin Hood’s Bay

Posted on 7 July, 2010 by Susan Isaac

Our first full day here on the North Yorkshire coast. I woke at 5am and walked out onto Whitby’s 199 steps for stunning views – the sun was very strong and warm and very low in the sky.  Heavy cloud overhead made for dramatic skies and warm colouring on the western side of the harbour.

Whitby in the early morning

Whitby in the early morning

After lunch we drove to Robin Hood’s Bay where the tide was going out, giving dramatic views of the slipway from the beach. Beautiful sky at the end of the afternoon.

Robin Hood's Bay

Robin Hood's Bay

Back in Whitby in the evening, we walked to the end of the pier. The twin lighthouses and breakwaters with their whalebone shapes, silhouetted – I loved the colour and textures of the massive stone pier in the foreground, with its very cool colours.

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Visiting Whitby

Posted on 6 July, 2010 by Susan Isaac

Drove to Whitby with my daughters, Elsa and Mair. Stopped for lunch at Pickering and ate huge bowls of tomato soup at the Cafe Cocoa. The cottage in Whitby is lovely – on Sandgate, overlooking the harbour, with a large sailing boat just outside the window.

Whitby - the view from our cottage

Whitby - the view from our cottage

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Southwell Minster series – 7

Posted on 9 June, 2010 by Susan Isaac

Some time ago, I started a picture of Southwell Minster from a garden off Westgate – spent the day reworking it. I really liked the luxuriant cascading foliage hanging down in front of the Minster facade.

Susan Isaac - Southwell Minster from Westgate

Susan Isaac - Southwell Minster from Westgate (oil on canvas, 40 x 40cm)

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Southwell Minster series – 6

Posted on 8 June, 2010 by Susan Isaac

Spent a short time finishing off the Minster painting (wanted to clarify some window and architectural details on the cathedral) before taking my Dad in for his cateract operation (right eye).  The op went fine.

Susan Isaac - Southwell Minster in Spring

Susan Isaac - Southwell Minster in Spring (oil on canvas, 40 x 40cm)

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Southwell Minster series – 5

Posted on 7 June, 2010 by Susan Isaac

New canvas of the Minster – a view from Hill House field. The image is vibrant with a lemon light on the field and glows through the large chestnut leaves that frame the view of the Minster, itself dissolving in muted mauves. One thick dark branch holds the painting in place – aubergine darks contrast well with the yellows. The painting felt very spontaneous.

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