Join us at The Serge Hill Project For Gardening, Creativity and Health in the height of Spring for an inspiring day of art, creativity and gardens, as esteemed professional artist Anne-Marie Butlin guides participants of all abilities in how to best capture nature in paint.
Taking inspiration from two neighbouring country gardens, the Plant Library of over 2000 perennials and bulbs and Tom and Sue Stuart-Smith’s Barn Garden, participants will spend the day learning how to capture the essence of a garden in an acrylic painting.
With over 30 years of professional experience, Anne-Marie’s work, which is created in her garden studio in Crouch End, has been shown at numerous group exhibitions including the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, in solo exhibitions at galleries including Thackeray Gallery, Kensington, and widely published as greeting cards and prints.
Further Workshop Information
Following a short talk about the garden as important subject matter for painters in art history, for contemporary artists, as well as the influence it has had on her own work, Anne-Marie will share different painting approaches, including compositional possibilities, the use of colour and how to collect and source reference material from the garden. After an exploration of the gardens, participants will practice use of a coloured ground, mark making and colour-mixing before planning the main piece for the day, taking in decisions about scale, composition and shape.
The group will then put their ideas into practice in the creation of a substantial painting, with Anne-Marie on hand to support and tutor them as the work progresses. With reference to art history, and her own work, this workshop is very much about a painterly approach to gardens, with considered mark-making and exuberant use of colour.
Participants will end the day with a finished painting, a small number of studies and the skills and inspiration to continue experimentation with this subject matter at home. The workshop is open to all skill levels – from beginners to those looking to refine their skills in a relaxed, nurturing environment, along with all the materials needed to bring ideas to fruition.
Tickets for this workshop include all materials, access to the gardens, refreshments and a home-cooked vegetarian lunch, using many ingredients sourced from the garden.
Profits from this workshop go to fund the work of our not-for-profit, The Serge Hill Project for Gardening Creativity and Health, which provides therapeutic and educational programmes to local schools, charities and community groups most in need.
About Anne-Marie Butlin
I have been painting professionally for more than 30 years and work from my garden studio in Crouch End. I am primarily represented by Thackeray Gallery in Kensington and also have work on an on-going basis at Brian Sinfield Gallery in Burford, and Cambridge Contemporary Art. Linda Blackstone showed my work at Affordable Art Fairs in Battersea and Hampstead, New York and Hong Kong for many years.
I have shown in numerous group exhibitions including The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, and annual exhibitions at The Royal Society of Portrait Painters, The Royal Watercolour Society, The Royal Society of British Artists, and ING Discerning Eye.
I am a regular contributor to Artists and Illustrators Magazine and my work has been widely published as greetings cards and prints, most recently with Dry Red Press and Bridgeman Images. I have many years of teaching experience with children and adults.
Information For Visitors
Accessibility
Accessible parking for those who require it is available at the entry to The Apple House. There is step-free access to the building and all areas. However, there are many potential trip hazards and uneven surfaces that may be encountered whilst visiting the gardens, along with gravel paths that aren’t suitable for walking frames with wheels. Please be aware that due to the ongoing building works around the Apple House, there may be additional hazards to look out for.
Further Information
With the exception of registered support dogs, no dogs are permitted in the gardens.
Please note that this is a no smoking, no vaping site.