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Evie Cleans Up Her Act / (New) Parc Life

Gwen Owen painting in the Creu suntrap
It's all change at Parc Glynllifon at the moment. Our shared Creu studio has seen been transformed by Gwen Owen's efforts to ready the workshop for the current exhibition (hopefully the start of an occasional series), 'Tranquility'. Now, 'Tranquility' is a concept I've rarely experienced and don't particularly expect or strive for. However, I'm glad it evidently exists and it certainly sounds like a desirable state. Chiefly, this bijou exhibition showcases the paintings of Gwen Owen and Barbara Larkin (most of the rest of the Creu collective are on the poster because Gwen is inclusive and kindhearted). I particularly like Gwen Owen's large square canvases with vibrant, almost abstracted, floral landscapes bursting with colour and texture. Based in her coastal studio, Barbara paints mostly in oils but also employs water colours and encaustics (hot wax) and she's a very warmly welcomed guest artist.

Evie, restyled for Summer, Creu studio
Meanwhile, the rest of us have concentrated on efforts on not shaming the hard work Gwen & Barbara have put in getting the workshop ready. Until recently the workshop had a mildly chaotic post-Christmas look about it with too much ugly furniture (mine) and a big metal bin (also mine) which is a work in progress but with little sign of much progressing, except a confident sign proclaiming it so. I duly removed  these offending items. Evie (the crochet headed manniquin lady) was also delighted to finally shrug off her Autumnal wear, to emerge as a Summer Strumpet in a delicate green toga, festooned with little crochet flowers (thanks to her official Wardrobe Mistress, Mamma Cameron). She even bristled with pleasure at receiving her own little sign/ introduction at last, after a frenzy of label printing and mount board cutting (thanks to long suffering hubby, I can't cut anything in a straight line). The exhibition is open for one more weekend, 27-28th June, 11-4.30pm, so factor in a visit if you're in the area.

Irene and Edith, lovely new addition to Parc Glynllifon workshops
Also, excitingly, the newly renovated units have recently welcomed new residents who look to be injecting renewed life into the beautiful courtyard. An instant favourite for me is Irene & Edith. Named after Nichola Naylon's grandmothers, it's a lovely touch and a fun game to play yourself. Mine would have been Violet & Jenny which I kinda wish I'd thought of! More importantly, her pottery & ceramics are gorgeous with just the right kind of contemporary-vintage colours and textures. I've made a little film of the pretty studio which once I've got to grips with a new editing app, I'll hopefully share. I'm aiming to make little films of all of the new residents (if they let me, you may see a discernible improvement in my filming & editing skills by the last one!). Also injecting new vigour into the courtyard is
Llyr Erddyn Davies, a recently graduated multidisciplinary artist who looks to be doing intriguing things with man size sculptures, if you get to peak inside his arty workshop. Beth Jarvis of Fingerprint Jewellery Studio creates bespoke silver jewellery with a personalised flavour in one of the most adorable units, while the welcoming Helen (& hubby) of  Snowdonia Blue Slate Pottery are based in a gloriously light and airy top floor workshop. Acw is a collective of interesting homely crafts under a glass fronted archway.

Alas, the crochet Dragonfly pattern promised in the last blog post will have to wait. Too, too much to concentrate on right now! Next time...

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