Giant giraffes gracefully looming, metallic hares boxing and children singing, it's the 2015 Doddiscombsleigh Art Show!
Above: Hand-embellished giclee prints on canvas ready for the show.
Doddiscombsleigh is a small village in amongst the picturesque hills and winding hedge-lined lanes on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, UK. Every two years an art show is held, exhibiting work by 80 artists (mostly, but not exclusively, from the Southwest of England), to raise funds for the local primary school. Typically, tens of thousands of pounds are raised during the 2 and a half days of the show.
This was my first year exhibiting at this show and I was really impressed by the range and quality of art work there. Even more impressive was the number of people in attendance. It is notoriously difficult to get large numbers to attend local art shows, especially at out-of-the-way locations, but somehow the 'Doddi' team achieved excellent attendance at their show and I'm talking 'shoulder-to-shoulder, excuse me, sorry, excuse me, can I just get through?, turn sideways, wiggle-your-hips-to-get-close-to-a-painting' levels of attendance! It may be the widespread publicising they do, it may be the quality and range of the art, it may be the fact the show raises money for the local school, it may be the fact this is a long-running (~16 years) show and something of a fixture on the local art calendar, it may be all those combined, but whatever it is, it's pretty cool to see up close!
Above: Standing room only at this very popular art show!
Top Left: 'Storm's Coming'; Top Right: 'Out of the Stormy Sky'; Bottom Left: 'A Purple Patch'; Bottom Right: 'Strike A Pose!'
Speaking of seeing up close, I had to get up close and personal with the work of Brett Humphries at the show. I've seen many many paintings over the years but the acrylic painting technique on show here was amazing. I took my glasses off, stood about an inch from the wall and peered carefully at the painting from the side, I couldn't see a single brush stroke. (A friend of mine reported she had done the same thing). Beautifully crafted and composed still life and landscape paintings from this expert in brush work. Check his website
here.
Above: You have to see this one in the flesh to believe the level of detail. Photo-realistic style from Brett Humphries, this is 'Polruan'
Another highlight for me was Erica Sturla's work, packed with inventive ideas and charm, her painting / scultpure combos sit in deep, pristine white frames and provide the viewer with a window to a world that reflects our own but with the reflection having turned the charm, wit and fun dials to 11! Check out her work
here.
Above: Step into a world of wonder with the work of Erica Sturla
Organisation of the show was really good, I felt really well informed during the entire process. Every step was clearly explained through detailed emails i.e. how to apply, requirements for originals and prints, delivery / collection arrangements etc. Teign Valley Community Hall in Christow is the current venue. The show was originally held in Doddiscombsleigh Primary School itself but outgrew that space some years ago. The current building that houses the exhibition is great, there is ample parking, plenty of space indoors and the team behind the show do an amazing job of transforming the bare hall into a beautiful and vibrant art show. Like many things in this neck of the woods, the venue is a little out of the way and if you don't have satnav or are unfamiliar with the area, finding the exhibition could provide you with a bit of an adventure, but you do get to travel through some of the most beautiful countryside in the world (IMHO :-)) and the excellent pub, The Nobody Inn is just a few minutes drive away, so you can reward yourself post-show with one of their delicious meals.
On the whole, the show was a totally positive experience for me and I'd happily exhibit again in a couple of years time given the opportunity. Check out some of the other work from the show (see below)
