Workshop Wanderings & Charming Collectors

Ann Crompton's garden, Menai Bridge

Yesterday I had an afternoon so enjoyable it prompted me to finally rouse myself to writing a new blog post (my previous weekly posting ambitions having gone astray almost immediately). As the last weekend in Anglesey Open Studios approached, I was feeling slightly ashamed of missing this fortnight every year and determined to visit at least somewhere this time! With my knowledgeable arty friend ready to whisper insightful things, we set off over the Menai Bridge to visit Ann Crompton in her idyllic looking workshop right on the banks of the Menai Straits. The workshop proved a treasure trove of intricate, astonishing miniatures with little vignettes ranging from a First World War trench, with rats and actual soil from the garden, to meticulously woven tiny rugs for more traditional dolls houses.

Ann Crompton (fab lady)

Ann Crompton's Bountiful Workshop

Much of the  work is infused with a wit and playfulness, such as a tiny hibernating mouse (tucked up in a four poster bed) revealed inside a nutshell; tiny scenes found nestled within a poppy seed head and a small pipe-cleaner cat who meows when firmly stroked. Ann was a delightfully enthusiastic curator of her miniatures, showing us the above fancies and explaining some of her inventive ways of creating effects, from casting tinfoil roses to realistic spades surprisingly made from cardboard. As well as the skill and patience clearly involved in her creations, Ann's curious mind and love of new techniques and tools (from tiny cocktail sticks to band-saws) was inspiring and charming, it was a real treat to be allowed inside this welcoming workshop.

Courtyard of a delightfully sprawling antique shop, Menai Bridge

Next we took a short and pleasant walk (via various pretty antique shops, included one where understandably, the owner would not be parted from his decorative fake french fancies tempting me from the window) to Oriel Tegfryn. This permanent gallery 'specialises in the most important Welsh and Wales-based artists, past and present'. Indeed, their current Spring exhibition has a wide breadth of impressive & interesting paintings/ prints. I was introduced to new artists I feel I should already have heard of as well as existing favourites such as Ann Lewis (her cat lino print is particularly desirable and affordable). It's also a beautiful building, infused with light, which made me glad such lovely small galleries exist and I resolved to visit far more often.

Our last stop on our mini arty road trip was to see the Calx Creo exhibition at Oriel Ynys Mon. A group of artists comprised of Sevan Nigogosian, Mick Brown, Chris Higson, Gethin Wavel & Sadie Williams, who 'like to express themselves through a variety of mediums, yet find common ground in aesthetics and style'.  Of the 5 artists, I enjoyed the work of Sadie Williams most of all with her use of luminous colours in a series of landscapes which appealed with their almost glimpsed-from-a-train viewpoints and hints of a 'Twin Peaks' atmosphere, even when depicting Patagonian scenes. There were several I adored and would love to look at every day. In addition, there were various fake, fantastical plants mounted on plinths which added a playful, joyfully colourful air. Chris Higson's intense geometric illustrations provided a precise, monochrome contrast on the other side of the large room. Their severity has been carefully softened with beautifully woodworm-speckled frames in warm caramel tones. An effective and intriguing series of works. Altogether, a bold and interesting exhibition well worth visiting (runs until 19th April).

Antique shop, Menai Bridge

On a subject vaguely related to our antique shop potterings, I've been enjoying the 'Collectaholics' TV series. While Game of Thrones (thrilling) and Poldark (yum) command most of my tv watching at the moment, this adorable programme sets out to shine a light into some of Britain's collectors. With it's non-sneering tone and enthusiastic presenters, what could be billed as a freak show is actually a charming and fascinating look at what, and why, people collect all manner of surprising things. For example, the likeable man who has seven flats full of CDs he doesn't listen to (episode 3), possibly demonstrates an obsessive personality which happened to fix on music, while the wonderful couple in episode 2 who collect all sorts of ephemera, and who I fell a bit in love with, just adore stuff and creating gorgeous displays.  Here's a link to Episode 2, the fab couple start about 15 mins in. Watching these programmes made me feel both far more normal & mainstream than I have in ages (a mild fake food obsession wouldn't even make the cut here) and also positively inspired to indulge my collecting instincts! During our Menai Bridge wanderings I went mad and bought a £1 glass bottle embossed with a Mancunian logo. It's a start.

I unrelated TV news, the funniest thing I've seen in ages was 'Travel Man: 48 Hours in Istanbul', a hurtle round Istanbul with the magnificent Richard Ayode and lovely Adam Hills. "Too Turkish" is a phrase I'll savour for a situation equivalent to their first experience of tripe soup. I highly recommend watching it & all four programmes in the series on on 4OD/ Channel 4!