SWLA NEWS

‘THE NATURAL EYE’ - The 48th Annual SWLA Exhibition opened with the Preview at the Mall Galleries in London on Wednesday 26st  October, when Mark Cawardine, conservationist, broadcaster, writer and photographer opened the show and presented the various prizes and awards. Mark co-presented two BBC2 television series of 'Last Chance to See', with Stephen Fry and a 'The Great American Oil Spill', aslo with Stephen Fry. He has written over 50 books and his latest publication, Mark Cawardine's Ultimate Wildlife Experiences, featuring his own stunning photography has just arrived in the bookshops.  

Harriet Mead

Southern ground hornbill

The exhibition was as exciting and diverse in both style and subject matter as in previous years. The new 'Out of the Frame' display in the North Gallery, featuring field work of, amongst others, Bruce Pearson, Harriet Mead and Chris Rose, proved to be hugely popular. As in previous years, member artists were on hand in the gallery during most of the show to talk to visitors, give demonstrations or present guided tours of the show.

It is a great sadness that this year we lost the inspirational and charismatic artist David Measures. Always working from life, in the field, his work remained fresh, vibrant and exciting right to the end. He was a mentor to many and an inspiration to all. There was a display dedicated to him in the North Gallery that attracted many admirers. He will be sorely missed.

This year's Underwater Bursary artist was Esther Tyson who battled a fear of water to become a qualified diver. Diving off the Dorset coast near Poole,  Esther attempted to draw the elusive and endangered sea horses that inhabit the eel grass beds in these shallow waters. The display of her free and lively drawings and paintings were a great attraction in the Main Gallery. The 2010 SWLA Bursary winner David Lowther showed a lovely selection of sensitive coloured drawings of cranes from a visit to the International Crane Foundation in Wisconsin.

The winners of prizes and awards at the show were: Tim Wooton (Birdwatch Artist of the Year Award in association with Swarovski Optic); Bruce Pearson (Langford Press Award); Harriet Mead (the Wildlife Trusts' Underwater Award); Dan Cole (Hawk and Owl Trust’s Roger Clarke Award); Alison Ingram (RSPB award); Robert Gillmor ( a special award marking the 25th PJC Award); two prizes from the BIRDscapes Gallery were won by Fiona Clucas and Greg Poole and an SWLA bursary was given to Meg Buick who has won a place on the John Busby Seabird Drawing course at North Berwick.

NATURES POWERS AND SPELLS

Carry Akroyd’s characteristically colourful and organised landscape images examine the relationship between humans and wildlife. This book samples work from twenty years; Carry’s printmaking and painting over that time reflect various influences, not least a sense of history in the landscape. Her observations make connection with the nineteenth century poet John Clare, and illustrate how they both reacted to the sudden agricultural modernisations that transformed their local countryside. Some of her images are a lament, while others just express a sheer joy derived from the natural world. From direct drawing in the landscape to the interplay between deliberation and impulse in the studio, this book follows ideas from their inspiration to their expression.

Contact  www.carryakroyd.co.uk or www.langford-press.co.uk for details

ART OF THE NEW NATURALISTS

This book by Peter Marren and Robert Gillmor is a detailed illustrated account of all the jackets of the New Naturalist series since 1945. The first seventy covers were created by graphic artists and designers Clifford and Rosemary Ellis who succeeded in setting the design for the series and in doing so created an iconic brand. The last forty two jackets have been designed by Robert Gillmor who took over in 1985. The book will include all the published covers plus supporting sketches, roughs and abandoned ideas. Art of the New Naturalists will be launched at an exhibition of Robert’s covers at the Pinkfoot Gallery in Cley on 24th October. For more information contact the gallery www.pinkfootgallery.com

Michael Warren's new book Images from birding published in August 2007 and launched at the Birdfair, Rutland Water.

It will be available at the Mall Galleries, London and direct from the publisher. www.langford-press.co.uk

Chris Rose has published a book of his work.

In a Natural Light  features almost 60 full-colour reproductions of his paintings, each accompanied by his own light-hearted but informative commentary with anecdotes describing the inspirational background to the picture and details of the creative processes involved in painting it.

In a Natural Light: 305mm x 270mm, hard-back, 144pp in full colour.

£35  Langford Press ISBN1-904078-16-8 

See: www.chrisrose-artist.co.uk or www.langford-press.co.uk

The Wood is Sweet, published May 2005 in paperback by the John Clare Society with linocut illustrations by Carry Akroyd.  A bargain at £7.95, an order form for the book can be downloaded via the John Clare Society website or Carry’s website,  and will also be available at this year’s Birdfair.