Above the large fireplace where is a large painting again by Harvey Daniels. The other paintings are Susanna's including another of her 'Journal de Vacances', this time made in On the mantelpieces are a collection of family photos and icons (in reproduction). Susanna has a large and close-knit family of three children and nine grandchildren who all mean much to her and some of the grandchildren are turning out to be talented artists. Susanna collects Greek icons and reproductions of Russian icons. They are a great source of inspiration - because they, like the family photos are intimately connected with the experience of love. Susanna says, "They keep my vision centred where I want it to be centred - not on the visual images that daily confront us as entertainment and distraction, posters, television, shopping malls which can seem like a kind of visual assault. Instead, I choose to strengthen my sense of the spiritual and safeguard my inner space and the icons convey a deep radiance and calm and comfort. I am a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) and so I value silence and I sometimes wonder if my paintings are beginning to attempt to paint silence." The other objects in the living room are books, mainly poetry and the collection of CD,s - both Tim (Susanna's husband) and Susanna are deeply fond of music both playing the piano and singing in local choirs. She tries to create something of that feel e.g. some trees and bamboos in raised beds and a palm tree and lots of plants in pots. Susanna is attracted to plants with strong colours: eg/ orange and dark red tulips in flower. She says, "They give me much joy and make my heart sing, which is always good for painting. I have many paintings of tulips in the house, although I no longer paint them".
The artist Susanna Lobb moved to her home in Brighton in 1987 and says "I consider myself lucky to live here - near to dear friends and family, a stimulating city and not too conventional. I have always loved being abroad and I think we are as near being 'abroad' here as we can. It always seems to me that Brighton has one foot 'out' of - and that suits me well".
Susanna was immediately attracted to the house's unusual qualities, especially the existence of the coach house at the end of the garden. She saw its potential both as a consulting room for her day job as a psychotherapist - and as a wonderful, light, studio space in which to paint. It gives complete privacy for both these activities. In addition, Susanna feels that it gives her a sense that she is living in the country (even though in reality the house is in a densely populated urban area). The lower storey of the coach house takes all the gardening equipment and all the pots and paints used in DIY - and even doubles as extra food storage. It gives the whole property a relaxed, rural feel, unusual in a town house.
In terms of decorating style Susanna has no care for elegance or sophistication or minimalism. Most important for her is colour. She painted the living room yellow many years ago when she first saw Monet's yellow dining room in his house in Giverney.
In Susanna's studio are acrylic paints, brushes and painting paraphernalia - boxes of latex gloves, uncompleted boards ready for painting; heaters for the winter and a few cherished objects on shelves such a kaleidoscope, some ceramic fishes and apples made by Susanna many years ago. Also Susanna's painting apron and the plastic covering on the floor which becomes a kind of painting of its own and some photos on the wall that Susanna took of Mogul architecture when she visited 
The garden links the house and the studio in much the same way as the entrance building and the inner sanctum are linked in the many Greek monasteries that Susanna has visited and loved.
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Through the Keyhole - Susanna Lobb
Monday, 4 May 2009
Midcentury Modern Show at De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill on Sea
Coming up next week on Sunday 10th May is the annual visit to the South coast of the Midcentury Modern Show.
This is a one day exhibition curated by Modern Shows in association with Elle Decoration. The show is full of the best in mid century glass, art, ceramics, textiles, furniture and design. There are over 35 dealers and lots to see all set in the superb De La Warr Pavilion.
We have exhibited at the show both in London and in Bexhill on Sea last year. We set up shop for the day with a mix of tables and easles and take along original prints from the post war period. It is always a great day with lots to see. Come and see us and others at the show. Details of our prints can be seen on http://www.emmamason.co.uk/
The Midcentury Modern Show on Sunday 10th May 2009
De la Warr Pavilion, Seafront, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, TN40 1DP
Tickets £5, children free, disabled access.
For Full information:
http://www.modernshows.com/
http://www.dlwp.com/
Sunday, 3 May 2009
The House Of Newts
One of Brighton's most popular open houses - the House of Newts reopened this year with a fantastic collection of makers and artists from Brighton and beyond. The house is in South Avenue, fronting Queens Park in Kemptown. Sarah serves home made tea and cake in aid of the Martletts Hospice in the sunny garden, where if you're lucky you can glimpse the numerous newts int he pond.
Angela Charles' abstract landscapes of her adopted Somerset look fantastic in the light filled studio.
Anna Tilson's Mosaic pots, mirrors and trays.
The Garden with Phil Duncan's garden sculptures and Jane Muirs birds hanging in the tree.
Jane Muir's ceramic figures and one of Sarah Youngs Screenprints.
Jeff Soan's 'Wobblywood' Fish, seals and chickens. Julia Mills' stained glass hangings.
In all there are 16 fantastic artists and makers exhibiting throughout the house and garden.
Angela Charles New Paintings
Rhoda K Baker Complex Intriguing Paper Structures
Rob Demel Garden Sculptures
Phil Duncan Garden Ceramics
Ken Eardley Handmade Functional Ceramics
Rachel Eardley Original Paintings, Prints and Jewellery
Janice Farrer Contemporary Glass
Ali Hastilow Papercuts
Phil Lyddon Porcelain and Stoneware
Julia Mills Contemporary Glass Panels
Jane Muir Ceramic Sculptures for indoors and out
Jeff Soan Wooden Creatures
Anna Tilson Vintage crockery mosaic
Sarah Young Paintings and prints
Syann Van Niftric Jewellery
Annabet Wyndham Enamel Jewellery and Silver Smithing
The House of Newts is open 12-6pm Saturday and Sunday 2nd-24th May
There is Free and Easy Parking on Sundays round Queens Park
The Old Forge Newhaven
After a rather stressful week, proofing, printing, framing and hanging work in two Open Houses it was lovely to finally stop and get along to the 'Private View Breakfast' at the Old Forge in South Heighton near Newhaven. The sun was out most visitors were still at the childrens parade and so we could relax for a while in the garden and talk with friends, artists and customers.
Especially when the sun is out (which it will be throughout May I'm sure) The Old Forge is a gorgeous house and garden to visit, the informal garden has Christians sculptures dotted throughout and shady spots to sit, look over the Ouse Valley and eat on of Rhoda's cream teas. If you've had enough of the bustle of Brighton in the Festival head out to the Old Forge.
The house garden and studio is packed with at least 30 artists and makers but doesn't seem crowded. The work goes together beautifully and there is a touch of the Bloomsbury era about the feel of the house.
Chickens and Christian Funnell's sculpture.
A shady spot for a cream tea
Sarah Lock's lamp bases and Jo Lambs paintings.
Sarah Young's paintings, Carys Davies ceramics etc
Sarah Young's paintings,
The Old Forge is open May 2/3, 9/10, 16/17, 23/24, and the fifth weekend in May 30/31.
11.00 - 6.00pm
www.christianfunnell.com
Friday, 1 May 2009
Garden Photography - Paul Debois
Many congratulations to Paul Debois who has won first prize in the International Garden Photographer of the Year - People in the Garden Category.
Paul's '43 Gardeners' Hands ' photograph is a series of portraits of some of the UK’s best known gardeners, as seen through their hands. The competition received about 20,000 entries.
Paul is exhibiting with us at the Brighton Art Fair in October.
Online Shop of the Week - Glimpse
Glimpseonline.com was born with the intention of connecting artists and designers with both trade and private buyers. It enables talented designers, most of whom are fresh out of university to have not only an online presence but to run their own shop to sell directly to the public.
The company believes that design led products are equally as collectable as fine art so provides buyers with a range of original products including furniture, fashion, jewellery, art, ceramics and glassware.
We particularly like the oddities set amongst the 'more functional' like Leandra Holder's brooch and Linda Styles' 'Fight Freak' (shown at the start of this blog).
Glimpse Online: Tel: 020 8981 1180
Modern Toss - speaks for all artists
Potty mouthed cartoonist, filmaker and social commentator - Modern Toss has a show starting today at the Ink'd Gallery in Brighton. The show is honestly titled "Buy More Shit or We're All Fucked" a sentiment most artists and makers and probably the chancellor would agree with.
Amongst the prints and books on sale is this inspiration cloth bag or poster, to remind us of our patriotic duty to support artists and makers through this difficult time.
We're also hoping to find time to get along to one of Modern Toss's multimedia chamber music concerts "An Evening of Edwardian Chamber Filth". In Hove's exquisite regency St Andrew's Church. As the poster promises "Unfuckingmissable".
