The Clwydian Creatives Art Trail 2024 starts this week! I'm open for two weekends, and would love it if you could visit me.
Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September
Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September
This year the trail has 25 studios hosting 75 artists and crafters across Flintshire & Denbighshire. There are a large variety of mediums and styles for you to see. Some of us, like me will be opening our studios, some are getting together in village or church halls. I'm sure there will be something for everyone and you'll be guaranteed a warm welcome wherever you choose to visit.
Use the bi-lingual leaflet to plan your route around the counties. Details of each studio's address and opening hours are on the leaflet.
You can find leaflets across the counties in galleries, garden centres, shops, hairdressers ...... they could pop up anywhere, so look out for them wherever you go or click HERE to download a leaflet
Hope you can make it to visit me......I'll have the kettle on ready!
After all that snow of a couple of weeks ago, it actually feels like spring is on its way especially with the clocks going forward this weekend. April will also bring our Clwydian Creatives Exhibition in the
Gallery, 22 Bridge Street, Chester, CH1 1NQ.
The Clwydian Creatives are a group of artists who take part in the September Art Trail every year. This year 20 of us have got together to arrange a mid-season exhibition.
As a reader of my Blog, I’d like to invite you to our special event. I’ll be delighted if you could join us for a relaxed afternoon preview on Sunday 2nd April, drop in anytime between 1pm and 4pm for a glass of wine or juice. There will also be 10% discount on any purchases during this time.
If you can’t make that, the Exhibition will be open every day through April 10am - 5pm, when one or more of us will be available to guide you through the art work, or just come and have a quiet browse. (I’m there on the 11th and 21st all day, and the afternoon of the 28th.)
If you miss the Chester Exhibition but would like to see my work in "real life", then pop along to:
A great selection of art works from lots of talented artists!
The Craft Centre, at Bodnant Gardens
Lots more talented artists as well as the beautiful gardens and cafe!
A warm welcome and great gift ideas!
Llanbenwch Caravan Park, Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, Ruthin
Lovely place to enjoy coffee, cake, or a bacon butty(!) by the fire, and take in the views of the Clwydian Range.
If you've got any queries, about anything in this newsletter, or just want to say hello then don't hesitate to get in touch however you feel comfortable, through social media, email or the contact form on my website
info@melaniebaugh.com https://melaniebaugh.com/contact
Don’t forget you can follow me on Instagram or Facebook to keep up to date with my new work, news, courses and offers... and #workshopwednesday by clicking the links below and liking my page.
Hope to see you some time over the next month
Take care
Mel
Is it too late for me to wish you all a Happy New Year? I hope not, because I do; I wish you all the best for 2023. It looks like it could be another tricky one for many of us, but I hope art, whether mine, yours or someone else’s, brings you some joy and relief from all the difficult news we keep hearing.
2022 was a year full of discovery for me. I’ve discovered more about who I am as an artist and why I like to do what I do. I’ve discovered that I do really need to get out in those hills and enjoy the rhythmic movement of walking and running. And I discovered that putting these together, and sharing the results with people, makes me happy.
My last finished piece of work for 2022, was a commissioned piece, done for a lovely couple who called in to see me on their walk passed my studio. They aren’t able to get into the hills, the same as they always used to, so wanted something to put over their new log burner as a focal point. They explained what they liked about my work, the view of the hills which meant the most to them, and specified a few features they would like me to include, together with the finished size . The result was the below.
As always when I put new work out there, and even though I had shown them a watercolour sketch first, I was worried how it would be received, and in the case of any commissions, whether it would meet the brief. I needn’t have been concerned, they were delighted when they picked it up. I checked that after having it on the wall for a month, they were still happy with it and they sent me the following comments.
“We are more than happy, it’s bringing a great deal of pleasure. We haven’t thought of a name yet!!”
I gave them the task of choosing a naming, as it was so special to them. But as they still haven’t thought of one, if you have any ideas to help them, let me know and I’ll pass it on! It needs the word “peace” or “peaceful” in it.
Click HERE to name the commission
Just in case you’re curious, below is the watercolour sketch I did before I converted it to stitch, along side the photo of it
What a lovely start to the new year!
Since the beginning of the year I’ve been working on an another piece, this one is for my daughter and son-in-law who were married last July. They want a piece to celebrate their wedding and chose to use the flower arch in front of which they were married. However the Cheshire landscape behind this didn’t have quite the interest I was looking for. Tom proposed to Charlotte on Moel Famau so I decided to incorporate this in the picture.
Below is the watercolour sketch I did for them, to demonstrate the idea. They loved it! I’m about half way through the making of it, I’ve just got to lay down the colours for the flower ring and then do all the stitch sketching.
Commissions based on a brief from a client are a new way of working for me, but I’m really enjoying the challenge of producing a unique piece of work to celebrate special memories.
Do you have a special memory you’d like capturing in a unique and timeless piece of art, using my “Paint With Fabric, Draw With Stitch” technique?
I’m more than happy to talk to you about your idea. I don’t charge special prices for a commissioned piece, they are priced according to size using the same formula as all my work. You can see some prices and sizes in my web-shop.
Click HERE to see prices in my webshop
Get in touch however you feel comfortable, through social media, email or the contact form on my website, absolutely no obligation until you’ve either accepted my sketch idea.
info@melaniebaugh.com https://melaniebaugh.com/contact
New Collection!!
Until I started landscape stitch sketching in lockdown, I’ve always considered myself an abstract artist. I know that you can argue that all my landscapes are semi-abstract, as they don’t portray an accurate representation of the views I see. However I’ve had a hankering to investigate a more simple abstract way of working. I’ve developed these mine abstracts, focusing on colour and line, and less about detail.
The first 12 mini abstracts will be on my website soon and will be available for a special introductory price. Future abstracts will be priced more in line with my usual size formula
Keep your eye on my Social Media for updates!
Workshops
Yes I know……. I’ve been going on about starting something up again for ages, and I’ve done nothing about it. This time I’ve got more of an idea.
It’s been such a long time that I don’t know how many of you will be available to join in again, so I want to do a workshop to gauge the interest.
- Would you like to learn how I do the mini abstracts?
- With the background fabric I use?
- Audition and layer up the fabrics to achieve a watercolour affect?
- Stitch sketch with a sewing machine?
Click HERE to let me know if you’re interested. Let me know whether you'd be interested in a weekend or week day workshop.
AND IN THE MEANTIME…….
Need some inspiration? Got a query or want some advice on a piece you’re working on?
Then turn to“WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY”
Every Wednesday I’ll post on my Facebook and Instagram pages inviting you to comment and I’ll do my best to help. If I can’t, then I’ll try and signpost you to who or where you’ll find some information.
Click on either of the icons below to like and follow my pages and join in
Don't forget if you’re looking for ideas for presents or cards, whether you're treating yourself or others, my originals and prints are available on my webshop. Or celebrate a special occasion with a unique piece with special meaning just for you.
Click HERE to pop over and have a look!
If you want to see it in "real life", my work can also be seen at:
where there's a great selection of art works from lots of talented artists!
The Craft Centre, at Bodnant Gardens
lots more talented artists as well as the beautiful gardens and cafe!
a warm welcome and great gift ideas!
Llanbenwch Caravan Park, Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, Ruthin
the caravan park is closed at the moment but the shop and cafe are open! Lovely place to enjoy coffee, cake, or bacon butty(!) by the fire
If you've got any queries, about anything in this newsletter, or just want to say hello then don't hesitate to get in touch however you feel comfortable, through social media, email or the contact form on my website
info@melaniebaugh.com https://melaniebaugh.com/contact
And don't forget to follow me on social media to keep up to date with my new work, news, courses and offers... and "Workshop Wednesday"!
Take care
Mel
Finally I’ve got round to sharing a new blog! And the past four months have, again, been busy.
August was family holiday time, where we had a lovely beach holiday with our two grandsons and their parents, while our other daughter and new husband went off to Kenya on their honeymoon. Needless to say we looked after our grand-dog while they were away. And all during some of the hottest weeks of the summer!
September was Art Trail month. The first weekend, I exhibited with Chimera Textile Group in Trelawnyd. Eight of the group had a great couple of days with a steady stream of people calling into see us. The following two weekends, I welcomed visitors to my garden studio. Once again the weather was kind to us and stayed mostly dry, thankfully because of the two gazebos I used to exhibit my work! I’m very grateful for all the sales and to all of you who came, whether you bought or not. Thank you for taking the time to support me.
October is always a special month for me, my eldest daughter has her birthday and we have our wedding anniversary. This year it was our 30th ……. really?!? Where has all that time gone?
I know, we’ve hardly changed a bit! Mind you I wish the hotel Maitre D’ had told us about the shadows and my “cat ears” when he took the photo on our way to the restaurant for our anniversary meal.
As soon as we got back from our celebratory week in the Lake District, my Christmas preparations began in earnest, well at least the cards and calendars did.
This year I have three designs of art print Christmas cards available, each containing seasonal greetings, £3.50 each or 3 for £8.00 including p&p.
The three originals, are also available, postcard sized, 20cm x 12cm presented mounted and classic black A4 frame for £95 each.
My 2023 calendar features12 of my most popular images. It’s spiral bound A4 and there’s space to save your important dates and reminders each month, and once you’ve finished with it the prints would look good framed. £8 plus p&p (or free collection near Ruthin)
All are available here, on my website
https://melaniebaugh.com/product-category/christmas/
But please contact me direct to take advantage of the card bundle, or if you have any queries
And if you’re looking for ideas for presents, have look at the other originals and prints on my website
https://melaniebaugh.com/shop/
| If you want to see it in "real life", my work can also be seen at: ArtWorks2, Betws-y-Coed where there's a great selection of art works from lots of talented artists! The Craft Centre, at Bodnant Gardens lots more talented artists as well as the beautiful gardens and cafe! Beauty On The Square, Ruthin a warm welcome and great gift ideas! Llanbenwch Caravan Park, Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd, Ruthin the caravan park is closed at the moment but the shop and cafe are open! Lovely place to enjoy coffee and cake by the fire. And there's a Christmas Fair on Sunday 27th November, 10am - 4pm!! |
To keep up today with my news, offers and courses, click on the below links and follow me on my social media pages.
Thanks for reading and take care!
Mel
What a busy few months! I can’t believe how quickly the year is flying by, and now the summer seems to have arrived, just in time for our daughter’s wedding! The last month has seen me concentrating on wedding preparations. I was tasked with preparing the table plan, not who’s sitting where, just the display. I’m now thinking you shouldn’t give jobs like this to me, I’ve spent far too long experimenting, painting and shaping paper and card for something that most people will only look at briefly to find where they are sitting! Still…. “I am an artist” (as we’ve all been told to practice saying on the United Art Space development programme!!) and it had to be as perfect as I could make it. But it all went to plan and it was the most fabulous day, smiling faces, lots of laughter, dancing, singing and love.
In between all the wedding prep, I’ve continued to work on my landscape collection and develop my “painting with fabric, drawing with stitch” technique. Lately, I’ve been working on some postcard sized pieces of different areas, in series of three. They look good hung together or individually.
My next three are in the planning stage, but I’ve had a little break from working on them until after the wedding. They are all based on my favourite hill, Penycloddiau. So far I’ve explored the views with watercolour, pen and ink drawings and have them sketched, even more loosely, on to my background fabric with a Frixion, heat erasable pen. Now I’m back in the studio I’ll start adding colour with sheer fabrics and the detail with free motion machine stitching.
Once I've finished these I think I'll explore the Betws-y-Coed area. We’ve been walking around there with our grandog, and….OH MY!!!……. the views are spectacular. So close to us and so different from those around our home. I’ve completed one piece from a photo taken on the road into the town; it’s one of my larger pieces which is roughly A3 size framed. I absolutely loved doing the wall, watch out for more of them in my work!!
Cards and prints of all my pieces are available. If they aren’t already listed on my web-shop, then please contact me for details.
https://melaniebaugh.com/shop info@melaniebaugh.com
Last month also saw my work being shared in another new venue. On the outskirts of Ruthin, on the Wrexham road, there’s a lovely place, called Llanbenwch Caravan Park. It’s so much more than a caravan park though; with a lovely area for coffee and cakes, or a bacon butty; a shop with local produce; beautiful views and friendly faces. Well worth a visit for a cuppa if you’re local, and a great place to stay if you’re moho or caravan aficionados, and of course you could also pick up one of my prints or cards while you’re there!
Don’t forget you can also see my work in:
The rest of the summer will see me concentrating on preparations for this year’s Clwydian Creatives Art Trail. Last year was amazing, with 126 people visiting me in my garden studio over 6 days. Everyone was so complimentary and supportive I can’t wait to do it again. This time I’m going for 3 weekends, 2 in my garden as last year, and 1 with Chimera Textile Group in Trelawnyd Memorial Hall where there will be 10 artists sharing their work and giving demos. Although our work is all textile based, we are all so different, I’m sure there will be something for everyone to appreciate.
Full details of the Art Trail can be seen below:
Follow the Art Trail on Social Media:
Save the dates in your diary, I’d love to see you!!!
Take care everyone
Mel
Hello!
I hope this finds you well and looking forward to the spring.
The first three months of 2022 have gone by really quickly! I’ve been so busy working on new pieces and getting my website populated with all my work that I’ve only just realised how late I am with this second blog post. Still better late than never, so here's what I've been up to since last time.
The North Wales Open Art Exhibition finished successfully and I was very glad to get my work back from there. One of them is still my favourite piece from my ever growing collection “Exercising My Social Distance”.
As much as I love this abstract image of “The Road To Hirwaen”, I’ve been working a lot more on my “sense of place” landscape views. These are inspired by the skies, the sunsets and my experiences on the hills. I still love the calm the hills bring to me as I run and walk mindfully, and I continue to experience these feelings as I create. My hope is that you are also able to experience some of this peace when viewing my work.
The New Horizons Exhibition in Llanover Hall, Cardiff was affected by the post Christmas lockdown and no visitors were allowed in to the site for the whole of January. However we agreed to extend it, and it’s now there until Easter. I’ve been really lucky and have sold three pieces already. Two of which I had returned by the first closure deadline; the buyers thought they were getting them at the end of February so I didn’t think it was fair for them to wait until April. I did send two new ones down to replace them, and one of those has now sold, though that will be there with the rest of the work, until the end of the Exhibition. These are the five that are showing there now.
My latest exciting development is that I’ve been accepted by ArtWorks2 Celf in Betws-y-Coed! It is a lovely gallery, David and Mark have it very well organised, with work from a variety of artists. Check out their website for a preview http://artworks2.co.uk/index.html but the gallery itself is definitely worth an in-person visit. I’ll have originals, prints and cards to view and purchase there from the beginning of April.
My website https://melaniebaugh.com is looking more as I want it to now, with my new works added as they are completed, both in my portfolio and the shop, with gicleé prints and originals. “Gicleé” is a fairly new addition to my vocabulary, basically they are normal prints but using archival quality inks to extend their lifetime. However as with all art, whatever the medium used, they should be kept out of direct sunlight to prevent the natural fading. My most recent addition are greetings cards, with an offer on at the moment, £3.50 each or £12 for 4 including UK postage and packing. These aren't all of the cards added, and if there's an image you want that isn't added as a card then just get in touch. They look great framed up too! https://melaniebaugh.com/shop
For those of you interested in workshops and courses I am getting closer to it! I think I’d like to do something around my current “paint with fabric, draw with stitch” style. Would you be interested in this? Would you want it in-person or online?
I’d be really grateful if you could let me know what you think:
I can’t end this update without acknowledging that sometimes it seems that all this work on my art is just a frivolous extravagance, and compared with the horror of the war in Ukraine I know it is, but now more than ever I need the comfort my art brings. My heart and prayers go out to all the people suffering, but I want to do more than just stand by them with my thoughts, so for the next month I will donate an amount equivalent to what I’d pay, on average, as gallery commission, that is 20%, on any purchases from my website or made directly with me. So if you have your eye on anything, don't miss this opportunity to help out. My donation will go to https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
Thank you for continuing to subscribe to my newsletter, and please don’t hesitate to contact me if you want any more information about my work or anything in this blog. I’ll be happy to hear from you
Take care
Mel
Happy New Year!
The past 22 months have been a surprisingly busy time for me, bearing in mind the constraints we've all been. living under! Our second grandson arrived safe and well at the beginning of March 2020 and of course we haven’t been able to see as much of the two little ones (or our grown-up family) as much as we’d have liked. I have however been able to spend much of the time beavering away in my studio on my collection “Exercising My Social Distance”, which is based on my running, both around our lanes and our local hills in the Vale of Clwyd, North Wales.
In March 2020, with the pandemic threatening us all, my textile art courses, had to finish. However my creative impetus also seemed to be adhering to the lockdown regulations, and I found it very hard to work! The only thing I wanted to do, (apart from cleaning the house, a previously unknown desire!!!) was to run. I began running longer and longer distances, and decided to complete a half marathon before my BIG birthday that year. I don’t race, so this was on my own terms and on my own route; one Saturday morning I set off and succeeded! The mindful nature of my running and the peace I found from being out in the countryside freed my creative block, and after writing a poem to express how I felt during this time, my art began to flow.
September 2021 brought an opportunity to share my work on the Clwydian Creatives Art Trail. What an amazing and wonderful surprise this was for me! Over the six days I was open, I had 106 visitors to my garden and studio, all Covid compliant of course! I was blown away by the support from those who bought, commissioned or just came and appreciated my work. The majority of my collection was sold, and I just managed to finish all the commissions before Christmas!
In October 2021, a friend sent me the link to enter the North Wales Art Open Exhibition. I deliberated over this for quite a while, and then almost at the close of the deadline, I pressed send on my entry of my remaining four large pieces, the rest having being sold on the Art Trail. I was once again blown away when all four were accepted! These are on show in Theatr Clwyd, Mold, Flintshire until the 15th of January 2022. There were entries from 250+ artists and 70 were chosen. I feel so honoured to have been included. The standard of work is amazing, with a great variety of art and different mediums used. It’s definitely worth a visit!
Over the past 12 months I’ve been working on an art/business programme online through United Art Space, I have found the help and support given both to my art practice and business development invaluable. I’ve “met” other artists from all over the world who support each other in their development. A few of us realised we were all living and working in Wales, two of us are in the North, the others are down South. Through these friendships made online, six of us have collaborated in putting together an exhibition called "New Horizons". This is being held in Llanover Hall, Cardiff, so with great trepidation I sent my five remaining original pieces down to be displayed. It opens on Friday 6th January with a virtual tour and “meet the artists” broadcast live on Instagram at 6pm. You can find it by searching for and following @welshhub2022.
This year holds the promise to be an exciting year for me both personally and professionally. Our youngest daughter is getting married and I think we are all hoping for a more “normal” life by then! I have more ideas for developing my art work and a new collection planned.
The launch of this website is a new venture for me. All my “Exercising My Social Distance” collection can be viewed here and I’ll be sharing my new work, blogs and other news on the site as well. There is a shop, which is still in development, but will have originals, prints, greetings cards and other items available all year round, not just at my open studios later in the year.
Those of you who know me may well be wondering what I’m going to do regarding courses. I still don’t feel the time is right to deliver “face-to-face” events, and working on my art practice has kept me from putting together something online. However this is still something I want to do. My website will have any up to date information, and I hope this is where I'll share online courses and workshops when I do “get my act together”.
My intention is to publish a blog on my website, and send a newsletter out approximately every six weeks, depending on how much news I have to share. Please fill in the contact form if you want to receive the newsletter, and to help ensure they do come through to your inbox and not end up in your junk mail, please add my email to your contact address book, info@melaniebaugh.com
Stay safe and I do hope that 2022 is good to us all
Mel