WelcomeWelcome to the Fairford Art Society (FAS)
We are a group of enthusiastic leisure painters who meet every month to share ideas, techniques and motivation. The society has been active now for over 35 years, so has many years of experience behind it. Besides our monthly meetings we have social occasions and annual exhibitions. Where do we meet? The Fairford Community Centre, High Street, Fairford, Gloucestershire. Membership The society has a membership of about 35 living in Fairford and the surrounding area. |
NewsJuly A.G.M
There was a good attendance at this years AGM. The chairman spoke of a very rewarding year with an increased membership now standing at 44 members.. She thanked her hard working and enthusiastic committee.
The new addition to the programme of open air painting sessions had proved very successful despite some indifferent weather. The moving of winter meetings to the afternoon proved to be a good idea and will continue this year in November, January and February. She expressed her thanks to treasurer Ros Flatman and to Sue O'Connell for planning the programme and to Angie Vaughan for the exhibition organisation. The treasurers report showed the society to be in a good financial condition. Thanks were due to Sallie Seymour for the income from the monthly raffle and from the painting sessions. Thanks to Wendy Robinson and Sue O'Connell for organising sales at the doctors surgery. A donation from the society to Farmors school allowed them to purchase an A3 lightbox. The exhibition secretary reported that the exhibition had received over 300 visitors over the two days. She congratulated the members saying they had much to be proud of. The reports were followed by the election of the committee. There being no further business the meeting was closed to be followed by refreshments. Myths and ImaginationIn June members enjoyed a talk and demonstration by artist Maureen Wilsker who paints on cloth and plaques and objects made of wood. The audience were delighted by the work she brought to show the breadth of her imaginative thinking
Summer exhibitionFarmors School Fairford showed some of their art work.
The Art Society has made a donation to the school's art department to allow them to purchase a light box for the students use
A general view of the exhibition at the Community Centre
SUMMER EXHIBITION THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
June 2nd and 3rd Pastels in MayGraham Cox gave an interesting demonstration on the use of pastels on May 3rd enjoyed by a large audience.
Members please check exhibition rules on Exhibitions page.
Exhibition poster for June exhibition, details of summer painting venues on events page
April meetingSadly the March meeting had to be cancelled because of snow. Luckily our speaker Jackie Garner was able to come to the April meeting instead.
So, instead of a working evening of life drawing Jackie spoke about the use of acrylics. Rather than paint a picture Jackie showed members a range of ideas about the process of using acrylic colours. Her aim was to encourage experimentation and"playing" with materials in order to extend and enliven ways of painting. She encouraged the keeping of a sketchbook of experiments with written notes about the results and their possible use. She suggested the use of a variety of mark making instruments and showed some different types of acrylic colours including inks and markers.
Hopefully no more snow and next months meeting on May 3rd, a demonstration of working with pastels by Graham Cox, will go ahead as planned
New Year for the society
February 1st saw the first meeting of the new year, an afternoon session, from now on meetings will be in the evening. A well attended working session exploring the use of oil pastels was led by Wendy and Liz.
The committee met on 30th January to plan for the year. Exhibitions were discussed and members are encouraged to suggest suitable venues as well as help by disseminating publicity material. Fairford Festival, 2nd-3rd June is definite and Bibury Festival in August was also discussed. More details later. Christmas lunchMembers enjoyed a great Christmas lunch on Thursday [7th] at the Railway Inn in Fairford
November meetingA very good and informative demonstration took place on November 2nd.
Paul Weaver showed us how to build up an image from a series of photographs. Beginning with a tonal sketch which allowed him to understand what he wanted to paint 
he talked about the unreliability of photographs for an accurate description.
He went on to complete a watercolour using a limited range of colour, raw sienna, Indian red and ultramarine. The afternoon was enjoyed by all and some lucky members went on to enjoy a day workshop with him. 
New seasonThe first meeting of the new season was a great success. A large audience of members new and old plus several visitors enjoyed an informative demonstration on the use of pen and ink by Graham Findlay
Outdoor paintingDue to the popularity of this summer's outdoor sessions, despite the weather, two more have been added. Sunhill and Buscot Weir. For images and more about what has happened see Events page.
A.G.M.At the July A.G.M, chairman Jill Skarda spoke of new projects during the year one of which was this summer's outdoor painting sessions which were going well despite variable weather.
She thanked Sallie Seymour for the organisation of the afternoon painting sessions which allowed members to develop their skills. She finished by thanking the committee for all their work saying that the support, enthusiasm and ideas of all the members were essential for the continuing development of the society.
The meeting ended with a drinks and light refreshments.
The winner of the most popular picture at the recent exhibition was announced as Colin Morse Jill Skarda won the A.G.M. competition of a picture of 'My Favourite Place' 
****** POP-UP******A pop-up exhibition to coincide with the Air Tattoo is taking place in the Market Place Fairford, venue next to the Co-op. It will be open daily from 11th to 17th July
June exhibition at Fairford Centre
Opened by the Mayor of Fairford, here talking with President Wendy Robinson and Chairman Jill Skarda
Summer Outdoor paintingThe first venue was Kempsford Manor with an excellent lunch provided by Ipek Williamson. Not the best day for outdoor work with early rain a very strong wind.
The gazebos did not last long in the gusty wind but everyone carried on regardless and a good day was had by all
See the events page for images of further venues 
Artist at work
Painting PeonysAt the beginning of May members enjoyed a demonstration of flower painting with Sue Pollard which fitted in well as those who attend the afternoon workshops had been painting Spring flowers the previous week.
A busy time in AprilMembers have been exploring the potential of watercolour this month, firstly at a well attended Thursday evening session trying out experimental methods of creating colour and texture.
followed by a Saturday workshop with Paul Arnott
as well as lively afternoon painting sessions led by Sallie and Wendy
Exploring Abstraction during an afternoon session in February
Take a few linesThe first meeting of 2017 took the form of a working afternoon.
We welcomed two new members. Sallie Seymour ran the session and there was much quiet concentration as members enjoyed interpreting a line drawing in their own choice of medium. 
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President
Wendy Robinson CommitteeChairperson
Gillian Skarda 01285740496 Members Secretary
Ros Flatman Treasurer
Ros Flatman 01285 712122 rosflatman@btinternet.com Exhibition Secretary
Angie Vaughan 
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