Dear Member

Recent Club Events 

Sunday Painting

The overcast and rather damp weather didn’t put off our intrepid artists for the last outdoor painting of the year, when we gathered at Cookham Moor. We were enjoying painting near Moor Hall when who should come along on his electric bike and stop for a while to look at all our paintings and have a chat but Timmy Mallet.

Although we all sat in the same spot, we each painted views in different directions. We started by 10.30 so had all finished our pictures by 1.30, when we began to feel a little cold, although we were dressed for the occasion and I do believe the sun shone for a few minutes. Several families and children stopped to talk to us and horse riders added to the charm of Cookham. (No one was brave enough to paint them in). The Crown pub nearby were very pleased to let us use their facilities during the morning, even asking to see our finished paintings. We decided, therefore, to retire there afterwards instead of a café. We enjoyed a warming cup of tea or coffee with cake which Ann had kindly brought along – many thanks Ann. Although we finished painting about 1.30, we stayed talking in the pub until nearly 4pm!!

All four of us had a lovely day in the familiar surroundings of Cookham where there is always something interesting to paint.

Monthly Meeting

Stewart Beckett gave us an interesting and informative demonstration of a portrait painting in oils, in September. One of the most helpful aspects of the demo was the way he had fixed his palette next to the painting so that we could more clearly see his colour mixing. Very many thanks go to Marsha, who volunteered to be the model and to Stewart for the good demonstration. Marsha was very pleased to be to be given her portrait to keep.

Cookham Dean Village Fete

Members of our Tuesday Painting group put on a lovely exhibition at Cookham Dean Village Fete this year.

Aiko and Lyn had a busy day demonstrating their skills in the craft tent. Many thanks to all who took part and helped to assemble the exhibition.

Events in November

Workshop

Watercolour workshop coming soon. Frank Walters is coming to run the day on the theme of a landscape with buildings, in Cookham Dean Village Hall from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 10th November. If water colour landscape painting is your thing, get your booking in soon!

To join the workshop, please contact us requesting how many places you will require by Thursday 31st October. Numbers will be limited to about 16.

We will then email your confirmation and outline your payment options. No payment will be required until Sue has emailed you and confirmed your place. Cost: £40/person.

AGM

Our AGM is on Thursday 21st November in The Parish Centre (Church Gate, Cookham, SL6 9SP) from 2 to 4pm. Please contact us with any questions for the committee or points you would like to raise at the meeting by 7th November. Come along to hear our annual report on the club activities followed by a talk by Karen French: ‘Putting Power into Your Art’.

Now that sounds intriguing! Karen says “The background is geometry, in composition and as a subject matter. Its roots go back to the first geometric art on rock faces, then into sacred artwork and buildings across the globe, into ‘modern’ art”.

You will have to come along to find out more.

Coming Soon

Christmas Party

Put the date in your diary: December 19th 12.45 – 3pm in the Parish Centre. More details will be in the next Newsletter.

Other Events

Cookham Arts Club Holiday 2025

A reminder about the Cookham Arts Club Holiday 2025 – if you have booked a place and have yet to pay your deposit, please do so as soon as possible.

Many new members have joined us since we first advertised this. There are still a few places available. If anyone would like to go on the holiday, please read all about  The CAC Holiday

Stations of the Cross – new coordinator needed

Our member Michael Johnson has for some years been responsible for organising each year’s traditional display of art work for the Stations of the Cross at Easter time. He would now like to find someone to take over this ‘not very onerous’ task.

The hard practical work of setting up the display cases has been done by John and Lorna Sykes, and they are willing to continue to do this. The organisers are just looking for someone to coordinate the artists, and Michael will be willing to explain what has to be done.

Please consider whether this is a small responsibility you could undertake to keep this annual event going. For further details, please use our Contact link and we will pass on your query to Michael.

Tuesday Painting Workshops

At Cookham Dean Village Hall, Church Road, Cookham Dean, Berks SL6 9PY, from 1.40 to 5pm.

TIP OF THE MONTH

When you run out of inspiration, it is often fun to explore some of the art technique videos on YouTube. Here’s a couple of things to search for in YouTube (click on this link: YouTube):

• The easy way to draw whiskers by Grace Murry-Rowney Art using a Jelly roll pen.
• How to draw whiskers by Jamie Boots.

Obituaries

It is with regret we have to tell you that Beryl Taylor passed away recently at the age of 96. Beryl had been in the club since the mid-1980s and regularly exhibited with us until 2021 when she and Colin moved to be near their daughter. She originally trained as a cartographer. Beryl painted in all different media and different subjects but liked painting flowers and particularly loved patterns. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Some of you will also remember Beryl Tilley, a well-known local artist. She died in August at the age of 95. Much loved Mum, Granny, sister, friend, primary teacher and artist, Beryl was a member from at least the mid-1970s to the 1990s when she exhibited with us. She painted in a variety of media and a wide range of subjects. Our condolences to friends and family.

Yours sincerely
Robert Jones
Newsletter Editor