Next meeting—Wednesday 28th January, 7.30 at Westcroft Meeting Place
Martin Smith on Perspective in Paintings

Martin considers the early understanding of perspective and its eventual application to buildings, to people in the built and natural environments, and to skies. He is a professionally trained art tutor and is an experienced teacher specialising in traditional skills of drawing and painting.  .

Offering a range of slide lectures, from an artist’s viewpoint on how paintings are made and how better to explore them— this is one not to be missed.

There will be a minuscule EGM at the beginning to ratify the committee elect and say a big thank you to outgoing committee members.  New look raffle and prize giving to the crossword winner.  It could be you!!  
You will also be able to see the winning painting first hand.  It is a beauty.  

You can also pick up your membership card and join if you haven’t already done so. Visitors welcome.

Wednesday 25th February - hands on demo of Cara D’ Ache products - bring sketch books

November 08—AGM.  

First the good news.  We have a new Chair, a practically new committee and a lot of enthusiasm and optimism for the future of MKSA.  
The bad news was the AGM.  Well, put in a nutshell, it was a bit of a fiasco.  First of all there weren't enough people to form a quorum (even though we voted last year to reduce the percentage) and secondly due to lack of communication, the beautiful framed painting which was the ‘free raffle’ prize hadn’t been collected from Theresa, the framer, even though it has been ready for weeks.  As a result the committee are actively looking to make future AGMs more interesting and enticing!!!


I can only apologise on behalf of the committee and hope that you come to the first meeting in order to officially verify the new committee and meet them.     Don’t worry—there is no chance you will be co-opted.  .Your opinions matter, still though, at any time during the year.  Some already being activated as I squeak!!

The committee is looking at new venues and throwing ideas around for a possible Anniversary exhibition at a major location. I’ve been looking at one of the early exhibition catalogues (1981)  
Take a close look at the name, which shows, probably, the first  true MKSA exhibition. The price of paintings ranged from £15 to £200.  

Interesting!  I also think there is one current member who exhibited then. The late Bill Billings was also a participant. Could’ve picked up one of his very cheaply!

For the next exhibition we are reverting to the labelling system.  Although there are for and against the catalogue system, not least being easier on administration and handing in.  Please let us have your thoughts on this.  It still means that you cannot change your choices once the labels have been printed but we are giving a tighter deadline to make life easier.  We want to keep our standards up.

By all accounts it was very successful according to Des and Jackie.  This was at York House, Stony Stratford just before Christmas.

AIM gallery (Art in Milton Keynes) are still looking for volunteers.   (Please call 674069)  MKSA may well be using this venue in some form very shortly.  Watch this space.

Bedford Art Centre and Gallery sale (7 Howard Street,   Bedford nr Lidl) started on 10 January.  10% discount to MKSA members.  Need to take your membership card.

This is one of my favourite art shops and they know what they are talking about - may even let you try out some products.

PAUL MILLICHIP
Buckinghamshire County Museum
24 January – 16 May 2009
This exhibition celebrates Paul Millichip’s 80th birthday and shows examples of his vibrant and
imaginative recent works, notably those based on interiors with figures, together with landscapes
inspired by his travels at home and abroad.
(From 13 February open until 5pm)

Wednesday 4 February, 12.30 – 1pm: Paul Millichip will talk and answer questions about his work in the exhibition

Buckinghamshire County Museum
Church Street, Aylesbury HP20 2QP
Telephone: 01296 331441
Email: museum@buckscc.gov.uk
We welcome calls via
RNID Typetalk 18001 01296 331441
www.buckscc.gov.uk/museum

Enjoyed reading Waldemar Januszcak’s take on the recession (Sunday Times 11.Jan).  He thinks it is a good thing for the art world! “British art needs a recession for the same sorts of reasons that forests in South Africa need the occasional fire” he says. He also adds the  “whole tottering art-world edifice has grown soft, blubbery, arrogant, self congratulatory and decadent”.  He hasn’t been to one of our exhibitions then!!  He thinks ” The Tate Modern is an oversized amusement cavern doubling as a crèche!  It’s a different world isn’t it?  Any views?? Ed

The diary of events now available, click here to see whats new and planned for the 2009 season.

Despite this we only sold 5 paintings, but some were very highly priced.  Next exhibition is a favourite in       Woburn Sands (see back page). Lovely town with passing trade. easy access, good parking and highly visible!!