Spotlight, this December, glows across lands like a fire in a mountain cave, the eye of Sauron, or a beam from a wizard's staff. We look at the art of JRR Tolkein, creator of 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit', and other worlds. And this one.
Many of his drawings for The Hobbit were found in 2011, and have been exhibited and published over the past few years.
There are also many recently discover illustrations that do not relate to his books, but simply show his artistic proclivities and skills.
So much has arisen through those thoughts and forms. Whole visions that have shaped our world as well as the worlds on paper and page.
If the past few weeks have seemed like a mixture of 'Downton Abbey' meets 'Zombie Apocalypse', we can take comfort in the Palaces and orc hordes of 'Lord of the Rings', the contested strongholds and personal journeys, shared directions, and heavy burdens, and the onward journeys.
It's all there in metaphor and tale.
I hope this continues to show us all, if needed, what culture means and does, and the part it plays in everything we are, and we become. These creations are part of the real world as well as fantasy worlds - and also the areas in between, where life and fantasy intermix.
Merry Christmas and happy tales to all LAS members, and everyone near you.
See you at a LAS social, or a LAS talk. It's part of what we're all about!
References
Themes of Lord of the Rings: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Themes_of_The_Lord_of_the_Rings
Town of Culture: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/dec/29/yvette-cooper-leads-call-for-town-of-culture-award-regeneration
Friday, 13 December 2019
Thursday, 5 December 2019
New Gallery Opening In Ludlow.
Stone House Gallery opens on Friday December 6th. Located on Corve Street James and Gabrielle Service aim to provide a space for a variety of artists to show their work.
A new venture so please pop in and show your support.
James and Gabrielle said: “Our ambition has been to create a pioneering gallery space promoting artists whose specific talents inspire us.
Tel no. 01584 873644
E-mail stonehousegalleryludlow@gmail.com
A new venture so please pop in and show your support.
Tel no. 01584 873644
E-mail stonehousegalleryludlow@gmail.com
Sunday, 1 December 2019
Village Art Clubs
Sunday, 1 December 2019

Learn To Paint And Draw.
Whether you are an experienced artist or a complete beginner you are promised a warm welcome. Classes are held at various venues across Herefordshire and at:
St Peters Church Parish Centre Club times: Mondays 2-4pm
Henley Road Tutor Linzi Whitting
LUDLOW
Shropshire
SY8 1QZ
Spring Term Dates:13th January, 20th January, 27th January, 3rd February, 10th February, 17th February, 24th February, 2nd March, 9th March, 16th March
Whether you are an experienced artist or a complete beginner you are promised a warm welcome. Classes are held at various venues across Herefordshire and at:
St Peters Church Parish Centre Club times: Mondays 2-4pm
Henley Road Tutor Linzi Whitting
LUDLOW
Shropshire
SY8 1QZ
Spring Term Dates:13th January, 20th January, 27th January, 3rd February, 10th February, 17th February, 24th February, 2nd March, 9th March, 16th March
Contact: Liz on 07938 563716 or email elizabethpl@hotmail.com
Website: villageartclubs.co.ukTuesday, 26 November 2019
Saturday, 16 November 2019
Spotlight: Vitruvian Light
Have you ever wondered about the sensations you get when you stand in a tall church or the huge entrance of a museum?
This month’s spotlight shines down from above, from the high, patterned windows and vaulted ceilings of sacred buildings. It is as if there is something greater than we can see.
In some places of worship, and in grand museums and halls, we feel transcendence, as if in the presence of something greater. Many people with no beliefs in god or gods, feel a sense of awe when in these places. This month’s spotlight looks at the heritage of these sensations, in paint and stone, glass and light.
Exeter Cathedral
Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Vitruvian Man’ was inspired by the principles of a Roman engineer and architect, Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, commonly known as Vitruvius. Vitruvius practiced, and wrote of mathematical forms. 
He wrote about how to select materials to honour a building’s purpose, and he described three fundamental principles for design: firmitas (strength), utilitas (functionality), and venustas (beauty). Some of our experience of awe-inspiring buildings is probably thanks to these background approaches and principles, which presumably must work because “sacred geometry” has been practiced quite consistently for many centuries, though many faiths, with noticeable effects.
Curves of a shell, described geometrically with the Fibonacci sequence
Sacred buildings usually have curved ceilings, not just because the arch was the only way to achieve great height, but in order to spread light evenly inside the heights of the building. Just as the acoustics are intended to avoid echoes, and show the one-ness of the divine, similarly the curved ceilings are intended to spread evenly the light from above, that comes in through tall windows. In the religious sense, divine light has no dead-end corners or delimiting edges. It is even and omnipresent. These ideas have formed how art and architecture draw people together, in the acoustics and light of sacred buildings and music venues and theatres, to convey euphoria, and embrace unity and greatness.
JMW Turner, Ludlow Castle, watercolour, 1829-1830
The Ludlow Art Society has many practitioners of classical and traditional art techniques, such as watercolours and oils. These manifestations of curves and shading sometimes seem like a personal version of those grand enduring principles of how light and sound swirl in harmony.
If we are trying to create art which is concerned with sensations beyond the visual communication of two-dimensional drawings and paintings, we could look to the Vitruvian principles, and sacred geometry, as Leonardo da Vinci did. Indeed, many of us use these principles without being aware, simply because their effect is ingrained in our experience and culture.
Fibonacci sequence and golden ratio in nature
It is sobering to reflect that our own homes show none of these principles and geometries. We dwell, in modern times, under low ceilings with rectangular walls, flat surfaces, and sharp corners. The design of our own homes is the antithesis of the ideas of Vitruvius, the aesthetics of da Vinci, and vaulted places of wonder. It is as if houses and flats are designed to reduce such sensations. Or, as Corbusier described, in what is still the best selling book ever about architecture, "A house is a machine for living in".Art is crucial, when our dwellings and technologies can seem to negate a sense of greater purpose or humanitarian unity.
Image: Covisioning zem design michael rice architect
consciousdesign com michael rice architect
When you take some rough, white cartridge paper, or a curling watercolour sheet with stone-like texture, and you place on it the curves of brush, you are manifesting more than an image.
---

Jenny Trotman, Home Study Courses in Watercolour and Drawing
----------------------------------------------
“Light, God’s eldest daughter, is a principal beauty in a building.” Thomas Fuller, 17th century historian and author of The Worthies of England.
Norwich Cathedral with 55 foot tall Helter Skelter, August 2019
God would be "revelling" in the joy a "glorious" helter-skelter has brought to Norwich Cathedral, its bishop has told his congregation from its slide. - BBC News
EPILOGUE : how this topic arose for Spotlight
The phrase “20-20 Vision” is cropping up as a theme for next year’s arts festivals.
In art history, new concepts grow in times of uncertainty and turmoil. Remembrance Day has reminded us of such times. 2020 is waving challenges about the environment, government and cohesion.
The theme of “2020 Vision” is making festival organisers think about what “Vision” means today.
Inclusivity, particularly for arts funding bids, pushes festival organisers to interpret “Vision” around accessibility, and art for people who do not have vision, literally: people who cannot see. There are sound based art forms, and installations we can touch, so art without sight could be a theme. But that is somewhat extraneous, and it is more about removing parts of art, rather than building on wonders that have been achieved – including by visual artists who worked to reconcile wars as well as wonder. Remembrance Day is not only about soldiers, and the role of artistic culture in “battles of hearts and minds” seem a valid alternative to bloodshed. So another way of thinking about “2020 Vision” is how the arts shape and respond to local, national and global visions. For a single artist this can seem like a grandiose expectation, but festivals work beyond the level of individual artistic interests. They are about community.
Some of the Vitruvian principles have formed how art and architecture have drawn people together, in the acoustics and light of sacred buildings and theatres, to convey a sense of wonder.
Considering this from the perspective of what “Vision” can mean as we move through the aspirations of 2019 to 2020, sensations can be conveyed through form in ways which are more than visual. It struck me that the blends of colours and light in watercolours, and the expanding curve drawn when you keep your hand on a page, are akin to the principles and curves of sacred geometry, and the blend of light in great buildings. Bringing people together through awe is part of art's role, and vision, at personal and collective scales.
- Matt Smart, Ludlow Art Society, November 2019
Vitruvis
Tuesday, 29 October 2019
The Artists Gallery Ludlow Farm Shop
The Exhibition runs from Saturday October 5th until the end of December and showcases the work of a range of local artists.
www.ludlowfarmshop.co.uk/other-info/the-artists-gallery
Friday, 18 October 2019
International Watercolour Masters 2020
A Celebration Of Master Artists And Inspirational Watercolour At It's Best
5th - 15th May 2020. Lilleshall. Shropshire.
Exhibiting artists include: Tianya Zhou
Exhibiting artists include: Tianya Zhou
Tickets £5.00 SAA members. Non members £8.00
Thursday, 10 October 2019
Spotlight: Sticking tape
This month’s
brief Spotlight is about sticking tape. It
holds things together. Or it masks
edges, if you want to paint some gloss over a window frame. Tape art.
Max Zorn creates
images with sticking tape.
He started
by putting tape on street lights.
It evolved.
Max is now well
sought-after, with about 18 months’ wait for commissions.
Ok, the
stuff is tacky, but lots of people love it.
And it probably says something, if that matters.
Max Zorn is
based in Amsterdam. He has exhibited in
the UK, in 2017 and 2016, at The Old Truman Brewery in East London (I had a
piece up in a record store round the corner from there last year!). Mainly he exhibits in Germany and USA.
Many artists,
particularly from the Netherlands, have been reticent about UK appearances
since 2016. Around June 23rd,
2016.
It might be
nice to stick together.
Tape.
Monday, 7 October 2019
Aberystwyth University’s Lifelong Learning Programme now at Ludlow Mascall Centre
Stella Stilwell is running the following courses at Ludlow Mascall Centre on behalf of Aberystwyth University’s Lifelong Learning Programme this term. If you can't read the phone number it's 01970 621580.
Sunday, 15 September 2019
Spotlight: the Coastal watercolous of William Toplis


'The Venus Bath' (This painting took Toplis a decade to complete. The area is now more usually known as "The Venus Pool", and is still as depicted here.)
William was born in Sheffield. He taught himself to paint and sold his first painting at the age of 10. In Sheffield he attended Bowlings School and the People's College, then studied at the Sheffield School of Art, graduating at the age of 15. He married in 1878, and he an Eleanor had, over the years, 8 children. They stayed in Scotland and at Betws-y-coed, where William produced many landscapes. His painting "Sermon in Stones" was accepted by the Royal Academy in 1880, and the Royal Academy remained a reliable promoter of his work.
In 1881 the Toplis family moved to Jersey in the Channel Islands. Two years later, following a holiday in the neighbouring small island of Sark, they moved to Sark, where William continued to paint the details of its rugged coastline and landscape. He had many works exhibited on the mainland, including large scale Sark paintings accepted for both the 1885 and 1887 Royal Academy exhibitions. Toplis was a dedicated painter with a determined eye and hand, and went to great lengths to capture impressions of the island...
"...he built a wooden platform and fixed it to the side of the cliff with the use of ropes. Christmas lowered him to the platform by rope and he was then able to obtain the view he required for the painting."
There are always painters on Sark, as everywhere. Rocks on waves.
William upheld the beauty and nature of Sark, during a transition from a wonderful and advanced island of freedom and peace, through the early changes of the times. In the nineteenth century, ahead of his time, Helier de Carteret had created a somewhat Utopian democracy in Sark under the guise of a feudal state. By the end of the nineteenth century, Sark was still ahead of the times, in that it had degenerated into the first of Europe's fascist dictatorships. This was under the control of one extended family, which was under the control of one man.
Sark remains a troubled island today, through the political and economic interference of the wealthy Barclay Brothers who have had a castle built for themselves on a neighbouring island.
Waves over rocks.
In the summer of 1993 I lived on Sark for 9 weeks. On the neighbouring island of Brecqhou, a castle was being built. From Sark’s cliff tops we saw crates delivered by helicopter.
The rocks and waves and colours of Sark are still as William Toplis painted. If you holiday on Sark, you may also wish to stay there.
William Toplis' paintings are mostly in private collections, and rarely seen. Some remain in the Channel Islands as part of the collection of the Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery, along with many of his sketches, and works by some of the other Channel Islands artists. The Gallery is at St Peter's Port, which is also where one can take the small foot-ferry from Guernsey to Creux Harbour on Sark.

"...he built a wooden platform and fixed it to the side of the cliff with the use of ropes. Christmas lowered him to the platform by rope and he was then able to obtain the view he required for the painting."
There are always painters on Sark, as everywhere. Rocks on waves.


'The Causeway, Sark'
This pattern of control, though the periods of industrialisation and wealth generation, became a more dominant feature of the island, and one which William riled against. The island’s ruler sought to evict Toplis and his family, however William resisted keenly, his sense of decency and rightfulness aided by always having, at any time, several unfinished landscape paintings to complete on the island. The dominant family was itself over-ruled when Sark was captured and occupied by German forces during the second World War. Toplis’ troubles, such as "Last night at 11.30pm another shot was fired at the same bedroom window..." were then at the hands of the new oppressor. Sark remains a troubled island today, through the political and economic interference of the wealthy Barclay Brothers who have had a castle built for themselves on a neighbouring island.
Waves over rocks.

'Creux Harbour, Sark'. Watercolour
William passed away on Sark in 1942, during the German occupation, and Eleanor followed in 1944.
In the summer of 1993 I lived on Sark for 9 weeks. On the neighbouring island of Brecqhou, a castle was being built. From Sark’s cliff tops we saw crates delivered by helicopter.
The rocks and waves and colours of Sark are still as William Toplis painted. If you holiday on Sark, you may also wish to stay there.

William Toplis' paintings are mostly in private collections, and rarely seen. Some remain in the Channel Islands as part of the collection of the Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery, along with many of his sketches, and works by some of the other Channel Islands artists. The Gallery is at St Peter's Port, which is also where one can take the small foot-ferry from Guernsey to Creux Harbour on Sark.
Monday, 2 September 2019
Call-out for artists to talk to children at Busy Bodies Child Care
We have received the following request from James Boddey, director of Busy Bodies Child Care Centre in Ludlow.
For two weeks (16th - 26th Sept) our nursery theme is Art and we are going to be exploring a range of famous artists and their processes. This will all lead to our first ever Art Show on the 27th September 2pm - 4pm. The Art Show will be open to all and an opportunity to show off the Artwork the children have created.
We are looking for local artists, sculptors and designers to come in to talk to the children about how they create their work. This is an opportunity to inspire the children, share their work and get a shout out on our website and Facebook page.
If you need any more information please email jjarvis.las@gmail.com and I will forward your email to James.
For two weeks (16th - 26th Sept) our nursery theme is Art and we are going to be exploring a range of famous artists and their processes. This will all lead to our first ever Art Show on the 27th September 2pm - 4pm. The Art Show will be open to all and an opportunity to show off the Artwork the children have created.
We are looking for local artists, sculptors and designers to come in to talk to the children about how they create their work. This is an opportunity to inspire the children, share their work and get a shout out on our website and Facebook page.
If you need any more information please email jjarvis.las@gmail.com and I will forward your email to James.
Friday, 30 August 2019
Summer Exhibition Highlights
Sales are going well and we will update this post with full information as soon as we have accurate figures. The following paintings have been chosen as winners by our various prize sponsors to whom we are extremely thankful. We also thank Ludlow Spar and Blakemore Foundation for the generous donation of £60 towards the preview evening which enabled us to open the doors to the general public as well as invited guests. The results of the public vote are listed underneath.
Results of the public vote
Twenty Twenty Gallery Prize (£50 cash)
"Beehives, Kefalonia" by Samuel Bebb
Castle Bookshop Prize (£25 voucher)
"Tasteful Nude" by Martin Crowdy
The Mayor of Ludlow's Choice
"Dance of Conflict" by Alicia Lothian
LAS President's Choice (£25 cash)
"Isolation, Glencoe, Scotland" by Carl Niblett
Chang Thai Bar & Restaurant Prize (£20 voucher)
"Promenade on the Pier, 1905" by Peter Ramage
Ludlow Brewery Prize (beer gift pack)
"Vistas" by David Tedham
Results of the public vote
Artist | Title | Votes | |
Carl | Niblett | Isolation, Glencoe, Scotland | 73 |
Li Ly | Wang | Pipe Smoker | 37 |
Li Ly | Wang | Ludlow Road in Winter | 29 |
Shelley X | Chan | Pablo Picasso | 29 |
Rowanne | Cowley | "A Mile in Yours" | 24 |
Lesley | Connolly | Ladies That Lunch | 23 |
Carl | Niblett | Loch Ness, Scotland | 23 |
Rob | Leckey | Barmouth Beach | 23 |
Li Ly | Wang | One Man and His Dog | 21 |
Val | Littlehales | Untitled I | 20 |
Carl | Niblett | Gone Swimming', Nefyn Beach, North Wales | 19 |
Lesley | Connolly | Cat in a Box | 17 |
Samuel | Bebb | Torso | 17 |
Ghislaine | Beeson | The Will be Rockpools | 16 |
Li Ly | Wang | Rain Alley Shrewsbury | 16 |
Lena | Jarl-Churm | Going Out | 15 |
Georgina | Feather | Alicante Tom's | 15 |
Sue | Green | Hedgehog | 14 |
Li Ly | Wang | Van Gogh's Ludlow | 12 |
Martin | Crowdy | Puffin Family | 11 |
George | Loades | Towards Tor Cross - Devon | 11 |
Valerie | Alexander | The Sunhat, Skiathos | 11 |
Matt | Jenneson | Winter Hues | 10 |
Li Ly | Wang | Ascetics From North India | 10 |
John | Willetts | Snow at English Bridge, Shrewsbury | 9 |
Ghislaine | Beeson | Magical Light | 9 |
Wilfred | Langford | Stiperstones from Gleanings | 9 |
Richard | Olsen | Boxing Day Hunt | 9 |
Matt | Jenneson | Winter Reflections | 9 |
Carl | Niblett | Poppies, Bewdley | 9 |
Rob | Leckey | Winter at Stokesay Castle | 9 |
Frank | Hilton | Rainy Dales Day | 8 |
Ghislaine | Beeson | Feel the Colour | 8 |
Alexandra | Adams | You and Whose Army | 8 |
Alexandra | Adams | Ewe Follow Me | 8 |
Peter | Ramage | Homeward Bound | 8 |
Samuel | Bebb | Hands | 8 |
George | Loades | In The Langdale Valley | 7 |
George | Loades | At the Dartmouth Ferry | 7 |
Lesley | Connolly | Ram | 7 |
Carl | Niblett | Camusdarach Sunset, Mallaig, Scotland | 7 |
David | Tedham | Vistas | 6 |
Lena | Jarl-Churm | Poppies | 6 |
Wilfred | Langford | Manstone Rock, Stiperstones | 6 |
Anne E | Priest | She's Keeping Watch | 6 |
Richard | Olsen | Three White Horses | 6 |
Richard | Olsen | Windmill at Lley | 6 |
Peter | Ramage | Cornish Farm | 6 |
Valerie | Alexander | Fantasia 11 | 6 |
Valerie | Alexander | Back Water, Venice | 6 |
Li Ly | Wang | Van Gogh with Cigarette | 6 |
Martin | Crowdy | Beached | 5 |
Martin | Crowdy | Semur-en-Auxois | 5 |
Alexandra | Adams | Sunlight and Shadow | 5 |
Sue | Green | Hare Brained | 5 |
Val | Littlehales | Summer Evening | 5 |
Li Ly | Wang | Wild Duck in Flight | 5 |
Mary | Phillips West | Echinaceas | 5 |
Gretchen | Ind | A Road Less Travelled | 5 |
John | Willetts | Great Western Roundhouse | 4 |
Ros | Kingston | Sly | 4 |
Lesley | Connolly | Heavy Horses | 4 |
Ghislaine | Beeson | Across the Estuary | 4 |
Ghislaine | Beeson | Marsh Wet | 4 |
Larry | Turner | Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, Brecon | 4 |
Larry | Turner | Towards the Chancel, St Laurence's Church | 4 |
Richard | Olsen | Lone Cowboy at Sunset | 4 |
Val | Littlehales | Owl Over The Mynd | 4 |
Li Ly | Wang | "I will be good to you" | 4 |
Samuel | Bebb | Beehives, Kefalonia | 4 |
Gretchen | Ind | Contemplation | 4 |
Frank | Hilton | Jessie's Blue Jug | 3 |
Frank | Hilton | Jack Scout Cove | 3 |
Martin | Crowdy | Burford Churchyard | 3 |
Martin | Crowdy | Fetch to Windward | 3 |
Martin | Crowdy | Tasteful Nude | 3 |
Ghislaine | Beeson | The Wind Touches Clouds and Grass | 3 |
Wilfred | Langford | Criccieth | 3 |
Margaret | Booker | Toward the Wells, Cleobury Mortimer | 3 |
Richard | Olsen | Coming Down the Back Straight | 3 |
Peter | Bishop | Clee Hill, Shropshire | 3 |
Matt | Jenneson | Life's a Birch | 3 |
Val | Davies | Keeping Watch | 3 |
Val | Davies | Grandad's Shed | 3 |
Val | Davies | Looking For Mischief | 3 |
Val | Littlehales | Twilight | 3 |
Val | Littlehales | In the Harvest Field | 3 |
Val | Turner | Worcester Cathedral & Severn | 3 |
Val | Turner | Iona | 3 |
Tom | Crowe | The New Creation | 3 |
Margaret | Rowson | Pontesbury Hill | 3 |
Frank | Hilton | High Force | 2 |
Lena | Jarl-Churm | The Calling | 2 |
Martin | Crowdy | Burford Trees | 2 |
Ros | Kingston | Mother and Cub | 2 |
Ghislaine | Beeson | The Sky Changes so Quickly | 2 |
Alexandra | Adams | Poppy Seed Heads | 2 |
Alexandra | Adams | Stokesay Castle | 2 |
Sue | Green | Bad Hair Day | 2 |
Sue | Green | Swanning Around | 2 |
Peter | Bishop | Mortimer Forest, Shropshire | 2 |
Peter | Ramage | Promenade on the Pier - 1905 | 2 |
Matt | Jenneson | The Angel | 2 |
Valerie | Alexander | Market Stalls, Ludlow | 2 |
Val | Littlehales | Untitled II | 2 |
Thelma | Ayre | Winter Farm | 2 |
Thelma | Ayre | Summer Landscape | 2 |
Li Ly | Wang | Wood Carving in Ludlow | 2 |
Li Ly | Wang | The Portcullis in Ludlow | 2 |
Tresi | Hall | The Old Mill | 2 |
Alicia | Lothian | Dance of Conflict | 2 |
Gretchen | Ind | Old Street, Ludlow | 2 |
Georgina | Feather | White Feathers | 2 |
Margaret | Rowson | Cranberry Rock | 2 |
John | Willetts | Poldark Country | 1 |
John | Willetts | Lords Hill Farm, Stiperstones | 1 |
John | Willetts | Earl's Hill, Shropshire Hills | 1 |
David | Tedham | Fire Wire | 1 |
David | Tedham | Ziggertrix | 1 |
David | Tedham | Ziggatrix | 1 |
David | Tedham | Attack | 1 |
David | Tedham | Slide Lights | 1 |
Lena | Jarl-Churm | Birch Trees | 1 |
Ros | Kingston | Dinham Bridge, Ludlow | 1 |
George | Loades | On The Beach at Tenby | 1 |
Ghislaine | Beeson | The Tide Goes Out So Far | 1 |
Alexandra | Adams | Honeysuckle | 1 |
Anne E | Priest | Charlie | 1 |
Anne E | Priest | Kes | 1 |
Ruth | Tune | Staint Bernard "Troy" | 1 |
Ruth | Tune | Red Kite | 1 |
Margaret | Booker | From the Dining Room Window | 1 |
Margaret | Booker | A Quiet Moment on a Walk by the Thames | 1 |
Richard | Olsen | Farmyard at Onibury | 1 |
Val | Davies | Gentle Waters | 1 |
Val | Littlehales | Dawn | 1 |
Val | Littlehales | Trees | 1 |
Thelma | Ayre | Evening Light | 1 |
Val | Turner | Pears on a Blue Plate | 1 |
Val | Turner | Fete at Brampton Bryan | 1 |
Tom | Crowe | A Genuine Fake Picasso | 1 |
Georgina | Feather | Moth Orchid with the Blues | 1 |
Margaret | Rowson | April Showers | 1 |
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