Bromley Art Society bringing artists together since 1947

Our newsletter is well on its way but I need more pics for the cover. Do I need to beg?

The Jack Hill Cup is awarded to the member who has done most for Bromley Art Society in the previous year.
Previous winners are

I have been tidying my studio and getting ready for all the BAS exhibitions arranged for this year (there is a lot of them). So far, I have prepared four new canvases. They look wonderful with the white gesso still pristine clean. More stretchers arrived today. They were ordered on Monday this week and today is Thursday - a super service. Tomorrow, I will stretch another four or five canvases, all larger than those I worked on last week. Then, I will be ready for some weeks devoted to creating works to make me smile in the doing and to bring joy in the viewing.

Reading my previous blog on Creative Bromley I have had a re-think. I am not convinced that Creative Bromley is really worth keeping. After all, the Bromley Arts Council is already doing the business. Why set up another organisation in competition?

It is already well into January and the deadline for copy for the next issue of our newsletter is the end of this month. So far, I have nothing other than tributes to our former secretary. Where are the exhibition critics? Are there any members exhibiting from March and haven't advertised yet? Where are the new members with their bios, photo., and example of their work? It is GEE UP TIME - chop chop...

Stretching canvas is easy. Buy the right size stretchers for the canvas you have. They come in pairs and wedges are provided. I get mine from GreatArt. Tap the stretchers together and make sure that the corners are square. Don't use a hammer. Use a mallet; mine is rubber to avoid damaging the stretchers with dents. Place the assembled stretchers face down on the canvas making sure that there is plenty to stretch around to the back. I always staple the back and not the edge.

I have replenished my stock of staples for the trusty staple gun and have prepared myself for a day of canvas stretching. The canvas is ready for cutting to size and the stretchers have been bought, delivered and stored for almost a year... The time has come... (That reminds me of something to do with a fantasy world; is that where I am?) It's a new year and time for fresh canvases for fresh work. I recently read that artists are happy people. Keep smiling.

This was Ann Holdway's brainchild and she produced something wonderful last year. Those previously involved with the project, as do I, believe that Creative Bromley should not die with her. Ann had already booked a couple of weeks in 2012 at the Central Library. Therefore, every visual art group in the borough is being encouraged to exhibit together again. Who is up for it? Let's hear from you soon.

Our Art Society begins the year without one of our most active members and long-time secretary. She suddenly died just before Christmas - a great shock to all who knew her. Many of us, who were able, attended her funeral yesterday and fully appreciated the tributes made. We move on, grieving the loss of a friend and rejoicing in the memory of one who lived life to the full.