Ronnie Cruwys in conversation with Tina Paramore – Paper sculpture artist October 2017

Ronnie Cruwys in conversation with Tina Paramore – Paper sculpture artist   October 2017

Tell me a little about your childhood Tina - where were you born?

‘I was born in Andernach, Germany. My mum was a potter and Dad was a stone mason. Dad used to take me around his stone mason’s yard and Mum would make little clay things with me – she was full of creative ideas.’

So, what brought you to the UK?

My husband! First to Bromsgrove where we lived for about ten years or so. 

Now I know that you live on a narrow boat, but what prompted you make the move from land to water? 

We had been on a few narrow boat holidays and we both really liked the canals. When we moved house, we went to live by a canal and a boat came with the house! We did give it a lot of thought that we might enjoy living on a boat but I was working in a software company at the time so this wouldn’t have been practical. Then I was made redundant and it was a few years later that we moved into a narrow boat. 

From here I made a career change down a more artistic path. I began sign writing and narrow boat painting. 

What made you turn toward the creative papier mache figures that you make now?

It was after my Mum died in 2008. She was a papier mache artist and left all her materials and kit to me so I stepped into her shoes. 

What figures are you working on at the moment Tina?

As our canal moorings are in the forest, I’m creating lots of magical woodland fairies, tree spirits, elves and nature spirits. 

Look out for plenty of new creations coming to the gallery very soon!

Thanks Tina! 

In conversation with…. Artist Tom Hackney

In conversation with….                            Artist Tom Hackney

A new series where members of the cooperative have a natter and get to know a little about what sparks our creative spirits as artists and makers.

Ronnie chats to Tom to discover that he lived in the mountain village of Denia, Costa Blanca, where the sun is said to shine 320 days a year and the town celebrates more fiestas and carnivals than any other in Spain. Looking at the vitality of Tom’s abstract work, it embodies the spirit of celebration being full of colour and energetic movement.

So Tom, what drew you to Staffordshire after Spain?

"On returning to England after living in Spain for 10 years, I had to find a place to live. On a recommendation from a friend I decided to checkout Stone. I was pleasantly surprised to find a delightful market town with friendly people and great links to Staffordshire's beautiful countryside, I was sold.

Staffordshire Artist Cooperative members living in Stone

Left to right: Noel Bennett, Jo Hill, Tina Paramore, Craig Sumner, Jo Hearn, Tom Hackney

“It wasn’t long before I found Gallery at12 in Eccleshall displaying an interesting array of talents. I loved the concept of like-minded people sharing thoughts and ideas as a friendly co-operative. I joined as a member and have enjoyed nearly 5 years of treasured moments.”

I understand you took to art as a youngster Tom. How did you start out?

“My passion for artistic expression started at an early age. The enjoyment I got from creating crazy cartoon characters and wacky alien worlds encouraged me to explore all of the mediums and subject matter. From the delicate washes of watercolour, on to using bold oil and acrylic and mixed media.”

I love painting vibrant abstract pieces onto large canvases or board. I totally lose myself in the moment. I am a very happy chappy!" 

Where else can we see your work Tom?
“Three of my pieces have been selected for the Three Counties 2017 exhibition, currently on show in Burslem School of Art until 31^st August.”
https://www.stoke.gov.uk/events/event/1587/three_counties_art_exhibition
“There’s always some of my art on display in Gallery at 12, Eccleshall and some up on the walls of Tylmans in Stone. There are more examples on the gallery website.”
 http://www.galleryat12.co.uk/profile18.html

RonnieCruwys/TH/Gallery at 12/Aug 2017

 Denia, Costa Blanca art, Abstract Spanish Art, Stone Artists, Staffordshire Artists Cooperative, Tom Hackney artist

"A Winter Gathering"

As today was such a momentous day for members of the Staffordshire Artists Co-operative I felt it needed to be documented, so after a long time of no posts on here we have returned!
We have been busy in my absence with a few members leaving and more arriving - we are now 17 in number, exhibitions have been going on monthly in our Gallery as well as charity days and we are generally very happy with the way things are progressing.
We have work of our 2D artists on display in the Artisan - in Eccleshall and also most members have a few pieces of work now hanging in Tylmans of Stone - but today we set up an full exhibition of our work in the Foxlowe Arts Centre in Leek. This is the first time we have had an exhibition as the co-operative and I think it safe to say we are all very excited about this and hopeful that it is something we can repeat in other places too!
Our exhibition is entitled "A Winter Gathering" and will be opening Saturday 19th November.

The first members arrived at Foxlowe around 10am today and most of the other members arrived sometime during the morning or early afternoon to help with the setting up. It is now all set up ready for our preview evening Friday 18th 7-9pm.

This is how today went in pictures!

First things first - get the room organised

Pom Fuller and her watercolour paintings

Helen Cartlidge and her watercolour paintings

Ronnie Cruwys hanging her streets of Leek and icon paintings

Tina Paramore and her papier mache art 

Sally Hadley with her photography and handmade paper and pressed flower pieces

Noel Bennett and his photography

Craig Sumner and his oil paintings

Mike Wheeley and his abstract paintings

Louise Spencer and her felt and silk scarves

Jo Hearn setting up her ceramics with her daughter

Charis Jones with her metal work art

Jo Hill and Ronnie, finding time to chat

Tom Hackneys paintings and table

Jo Hill and her textiles

Vance Lupton and his wood turning

Wayne Tomlinson (#thelighthouseman) mixed media paintings

Jewellery by Angela Smith

Jewellery by Angela Smith

Silver jewellery by Lyn Cook

Almost finished

Almost finished

just one scarf left to price

This exhibition will remain in Foxlowe Arts Centre until December 24th, If you are in the area please pop in to take a look

Exhibition by member Tom Hackney

For the rest of this year every month a different member of The Staffordshire Artists Co-operative will be exhibiting their work in Gallery at 12, these exhibitions will be in addition to their work normally on show in the gallery. Many of the members have been accepted into the co-operative with the understanding that they only display work in a certain style or discipline in the gallery but as artists work and styles move on so it was decided that each member would be given the opportunity to have an exhibition to show the full range of their work or to try out new ideas - this month Tom Hackney is exhibiting his work, normally Tom would just have his abstract pieces in the gallery so this is a great opportunity to view a full range of his work - so if you would like to see more of Tom's art work you have until the end of March - so please pop in to take a look

Happy Fifth Birthday to Gallery at 12

To celebrate Gallery at 12 first five years in Eccleshall, Staffordshire Artists Co-operative hosted another 'Art with a heart' charity day, in aid of C.A.S.S Carers Association Southern Staffordshire.
 A large card cake was made and Fred was brought down from the first floor gallery; the arcade was decked out with ribbons, musicians came and performed for the members and visitors, who were also offered drinks and nibbles as they joined in with the celebrations.

the front of the arcade when the sun shone with the cake and Fred

The cake

Fred

It rained!!!

                                     

Inside the gallery looking out to arcade

Four of the members

Inside

Inside

Inside

three members

musical accompaniment 

More musical accompaniment 

looking down arcade to the gallery

 

Michael Wheeley

Michael with his creations Fred and cake

Good friends

 Despite the very heavy showers, the gallery still enjoyed a fabulous day, Thank you to everyone who made the day such a great success!!!
If you missed this event - Gallery at 12 will continue to host 'Art With a Heart' days in the future so please do look out for the date of the next one.