Hello everybody!

Its a bit cold out there, I hope you are making the most of the weather by making art somewhere cosy. 

Our meeting this Thursday at Gilbert Inglefield is one you don't want to miss. We have the amazing Laura Boswell , master printer , coming to talk and demonstrate Japanese Woodblock Printing. Don't miss this, you may not be a printer but be assured that this will be an informative evening and a chance to see some really great work. You can bring friends and family along - visitors pay £6 on the door.

Can I remind everyone that your membership subscription for 2022 was due on the 1st January (unless you joined LBAS at the exhibition under the deal where as a new member you paid £35 and had paid for 2022 and the tail end of 2021)
Membership information is here You can pay by bacs or cheque, please contact Neil our membership secretary, nfreeman49@btinternet.com . You may also pay at the meeting on Thursday, but it is much easier for the treasurer if you pay by bacs (ensure you put your name as a reference.)

The Life Drawing on 28th January is organised. Everyone attending should have had emails from me and have paid their money - please let me know when you have paid,thanks. I shall send out a reminder email just before. threadsandpatches@gmail or 07398298783

The Art Together Day is 'Resolutions', you will receive a Zoom invite on Friday prior to Saturdays event you can find more information here

At the most recent committee meeting we also began to plan our social event that should have taken place in December. We have decided to hold a party, probably in one of the local hostelries on a Friday or Saturday evening in March or April. More information to follow soon!

We have several things coming up so check out the Events Calendar 

At our recent committee meeting we welcomed Sarah Cripps as a new member. We knew she would be a great asset and this is already confirmed as Sarah has put a survey together  for the members to say what they would like from the society. The survey will be circulated soon.

February Alphabet Challenge

Gallery Trips

Please book your own tickets for these trips 

PISSARRO

FATHER OF IMPRESSIONISM

Our Next Meeting will be on
Thursday 20th January
7.45 - 10.00pm  Art Demonstration - Laura Boswell Demonstrates Japanese Woodblock Printing

Laura’s work often references a traditional Japanese aesthetic in its use of white space, her colour choices and minimal approach. She shares the Japanese appreciation of rigorous training; her work often displays impulsive line and brushwork, requiring meticulous cutting and printing to give the impression of fluid spontaneity. In addition to her printmaking, Laura teaches, writes a monthly column for Artists and Illustrators Magazine and works on the occasional public art project. She also co-hosts the weekly podcast ‘Ask an Artist’ with fellow artist Peter Keegan. Her book ‘Making Japanese Woodblock Prints’ is published by Crowood Press and she is writing a book on linocut printing for the same publisher to be published in 2022

In this session Laura will be talking about the history of Japanese woodblock printing, explaining the process and tools, and about her work in this area.  In the second half  of the talk Laura will make a print for everybody to see the process and explain as she goes along.  Laura will complete one image during this session and will engage with everybody as she is working, so it is a combination of talk and demo. Laura will also bring along examples of her amazing work.

Large Dining Hall, Gilbert Inglefield School, Leighton Buzzard

Please note, the school has a policy of keeping windows open for air flow in order to reduce Covid transmission, 
.The windows will be closed for us, but they will have been open during the day. Hopefully the hall will have warmed up by the time we get in there, but I suggest you wear layers!


You can read more about the event here

LBAS Art Classes and Workshops

LBAS has just been awarded a substantial grant by the Council. The aim is to provide art classes to the over 55 age group who are beginners and returners to art who live in the Leighton Linslade area.A big thank you to all those people who have offered to teach / support If you are interested in helping with tutoring then please get in touch with me - threadsandpatches@gmail.com  or 07398298783. The courses should run between March and the end of the year. From the grant we also pay for premises, advertising and any materials. Members of LBAS will be able to attend if they are learning something new to them, but we  want to encourage new members and new retirees to join the sessions. The classes will be offered to the general public at a low cost in order to encourage participation.

Discounted Workshops for Members of LBAS

Alongside this the committee aim to provide some workshops specifically for members. We have already got 4 workshops booked in 
April - Lino Print with Jill Dunn of Riverbird Studios (Heath and Reach)
May - Chinese Brush Painting with Jean Turton ( - Leighton Buzzard - venue not yet sorted)
September - Watercolour with Ian Mcmanus  - (Westbury Arts Centre MK)
November - Watercolour flowers with Nicky Hunter - (Westbury Arts Centre MK)

LBAS will be subsidising the prices of these workshops to members, but we have not yet  sorted out the pricing (Note the price for the linocutting on the website will be reduced) Watch this space!.  At the meeting on Thursday there will be sign up sheets as expressions of interest in these workshops. If you would like to attend any of these workshops please reply to this email.

 

 Zoom Art Together Day

Date -  Saturday 22nd January 2022

Time - 10:00 - 16:00

Topic - 'Resolutions'

Join us on Zoom, the invitation will be sent to members on the day before the event. All welcome, even if you don't want to join in with the art, come and join us for a coffee and chat. If you are new to our Art Together days, we meet 3 times 10am, 1pm amd 3,30. We also have a Whatsapp group where we share images of what we are working on. It is a fun day, suitable for all levelas and styles of work. If you don't wish to stick to this months theme, you don't have to. It is there as a bit of inspiration should you need it.
Tricia has put an inspiration sheet together you can find it here

Sketchbook Pen Pal Group
We are ready to start the next round of sketchbooks. Many of you will have seen them at the exhibition. So now is the time! Message Tricia (email below) and join the next one. They are good fun, it is lovely having this little art gem drop through your door every 4 weeks or so. Be part of it!

This is well under way with several sketchbooks on their travels or completed. The completed sketchbooks are available to view on our website here. If you would like to join this project, or have already been involved and would like to be in another sketchbook, please let Tricia know, the next group can then be prepared (you may well be mixed with different artists). There are many new members who have not yet joined a sketchbook - do get in touch if you would like to have a go!

Contact Tricia at the email address below, if you would like to join the project.

Interested? - 
Email ‘I’m in’ to Tricia at magpie_wing@outlook.com

The Theme for the Competition in January is 'Resolutions' 
The Logo Competition will be sorted out when we can meet again - announcemnt to follow

Next months competition is 'Resolutions'  Submissions to threadsandpatches@gmail.com by the 31st  January 

 WhatsApp Social Group -this is working well, and those involved are enjoying keeping in touch and sharing work, events and a few jokes. If you would like to join this group please reply to this email confirming your name and mobile phone number. You must have the WhatsApp App on your 'phone. Please note this is only suitable for those with Smartphones.

Art Competitions and Exhibitions
If you know of any competitions/exhibitions that our mambers may be interested in entering, please send details and I shall include them in future emails

Moma weblist of current exhibitions and competitions in UK

“To be an artist you have to give up everything, including the desire to be a good artist' Jasper Johns