Basildon-Eastgate Art and Well House Gallery

Following our recent move to Wickford in readiness to become Team Rector for Wickford and Runwell from 19 May, I have begun checking out the arts scene locally.

Last week I visited Basildon-Eastgate Art, which has a diverse range of artworks from skilled local artists, and Well House Gallery, a family-run art gallery located in the historic village of Horndon-on-the-Hill.

The current exhibition at Well House is a celebration of flowers and what they represent to each artist. This is a combined exhibition featuring the following artists:

• Anna Wojciechowska: Anna graduated with honours from the School of Applied Arts in Poland, and is a Master in fine arts painting with an M.A. specialisation in stained glass. Now living locally in the UK she paints mainly in oils and has a particular interest in portraiture and the human subject.
• Bronwyn Oldham: As an avid flower photographer, her recent work has been influenced by the floral works of the late, American, female modernist painter, Georgia O’Keefe. Her bold paintings mirror the techniques of tight cropping and abstract composition found in photography. Tulips are her favourite flower and she loves to capture them in her work at various stages of their life. She is also a keen gardener and sees this as having a deeper connection with her subject matter.
• Deb Price - A Worthy Tide: As a passionate creative, Deb Price started to recycle materials into works of art. Wherever possible she uses all manner of throwaway items. A vintage book for example has endless recycling possibilities! Waste not want not is her motto.
• Susan Blamey: Susan Blamey has been making cards for 25 years and blogged about paper crafts for the past 10 years. Flowers are a favourite subject of hers, reflecting her love of gardening and nature. She has used mono printing, lino printing and watercolour for these cards. Each card is a one off and won’t be reproduced.
• Jackie Burns: Jackie Burns is a Fellow of the International Association for Astronomical Artists, a science communicator, and a multi-disciplined artist. Her media includes, but is not exclusive to, acrylic on canvas, drawing, digital, fibre, glass, metal, and jewellery. She lives and works as a professional artist in Essex. 
• Lisa Anderson: Lisa Anderson trained at Thurrock College and Ipswich College (now Suffolk University). She works in a variety of styles and media, but will often return to impressionist paintings in oils, ink, or watercolour.

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Ben Harper - With My Own Two Hands.