A November Thursday of inspirations

So, it’s Thursday, the studio / shop is closed and we have a free day PY on our agenda and an artist we admire has an exhibition on in Bournemouth. The weather forecast is very breezy and some very heavy showers possible, but we go anyway.

First stop was Wareham to see the River Frome which at high tide has flooded the banks on either side. In the quay car park the river has made the benches inaccessible.

When I worked for WBH between 2017 and 2019 seasons we had occasional spring tide floods and would stand outside the office ankle deep in water – launching customers from wherever we could keep them dry.

I have drawn the river a lot, especially for sketches when I worked there and when I exhibited my work at the Purbeck Artisan Yard between 2018 and 2020. So today’s photos may well inspire some new pieces.

Then it was on to Bournemouth. We parked by the Pavilion and walked into the town centre via The Lower Gardens. We visited the tunnel / underpass that leads to Bobbys (department store that used to be Debenhams). Here there are six drawings by LucanArt of several Bournemouth landmarks, all drawn with Posca markers which I use in my canvas, wood and hat pieces now. The detail of these drawings are fantastic to see.

We then did some shopping in ‘Tiger’ which included a light box sign for me to use in my shop window. Then into The Avenue centre (I admit to geographers I got confused initially by the layout of central Bournemouth) and the exhibition – Miroslav was there, I had messaged him yesterday to check as we have spoken previously online and in person. He took the time to chat a lot with Anne and I and we found out more about the pieces included and plans going forwards.

I bought several items and we found a print which matches my own approach to art.

Then into ‘The Works’ and I bought some wooden boxes and items to try some new pieces on and see if they worked for customers.

We then made our way back down Commercial Road /same name as studio, different town) to Bobbys. A drink and lunch was our first priority – so the cafe in ‘The South Coast Makers Market’ on the first floor – run by Ashley who we know from ‘Down the Beach’ cafe at Burlington Chine, Swanage in the summer. Very nice vegan sausage rolls, I did a sketch of the large cable reel that Ashley was using as a desk. And left it for him, unlike previous sketches I have done of him I didn’t include a sketch of him this time.

We looked around the makers market which I am sure will have more stalls as Christmas approaches and at weekends. Then we went up to the GIANT gallery on he second floor and looked at the exhibition by Michael Simpson – this space would work so well for our friend Josh Hollingsworth where his pieces are in proportion to.

Then down to the sea for more photos of The Lower Gardens where it was too early for the main lit Christmas tree to be switched on. Down by the pier it was very breezy and again photos to inspire possible future pieces.

Then back via Poole Harbour and on the A35 through the autumnal tree colours and back to Swanage.

We had managed somehow to avoid the showers mainly and kept dry. Already this evening I have sat and drawn some ideas and reflections down based on what I saw today – it’s lovely to see others work and not something I always make enough time for these days – note to self.

Tomorrow, back for two days in the studio , more drawing, hopefully visitors, customers and participants for ‘Art for fun’.

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