I was commissioned to make a portrait of this former lodge house, built in 1888 by Sir Charles Ryder, one of the original partners of Tetley’s Brewery. I drew the house a few times before I painted it. In the middle of one drawing about 300 or 400 geese flew overhead, very high up. They flew and honked their way west in a giant V-formation that changed shape as they went – but they didn’t make it into the painting.
Thorn Lodge, Roundhay
Gledhow Valley Woods, horse chestnut trees marked for the axe
More trees spray-painted with fluorescent yellow dots in Gledhow Valley Woods. These three horse chestnuts are included in the proposed felling plan.
Links:
Site analysis – Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods
Save Gledhow Valley Woods
Gledhow Valley Woods, beech trees marked for the axe
Recently someone has been out spray-painting in the woods. The graffiti takes the form of yellow dots on about 100 trees. It is possible that these trees will be felled this year in a Leeds city council private finance initiative. Allegedly, the council will not benefit from the sale of the timber. The reasons for the axing seem unclear and there is some strong local debate.
This painting is of three beeches on the slope overlooking the lake.
Links:
Save Gledhow Valley Woods
Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods
Leeds Council reveals plans for 66,000 new homes
Plans for homes in Leeds woodland rejected
Animation for Winter Solstice
It has just gone dark – the longest night
But even in the dark – there is some light!
Happy Solstice to all ye pagans!
Poetry links:
November Night, Adelaide Crapsey
The Day grew small surrounded tight, Emily Dickinson
November, Thomas Hood
November, Ted Hughes
The Roundhay & Oakwood Festival 2014 is on!
Come and see 50 works of art by local artists on display this week at Preston and Stew & Oyster bars in Oakwood, Leeds 8.
No beer purchase necessary, just walk in during opening hours. All are welcome. Feel free to lean over the punters and admire the pictures – they are expecting you.
Official Opening Event – Saturday 1st November 2014, 6-8pm, in the bars. Meet the artists and have a chat. Map and location.
View from Barnhills window
Swallows in Dumfries and Galloway – last seen heading south at the end of September.
Seven Arts, Harrogate Road, Leeds 7
Seven Arts in Leeds is a social enterprise and famous for putting on exclusive and high calibre gigs – jazz, blues, world, comedy, indy and more. Every month there is a new exhibition of artwork in the space. I’m pleased to be showing here again with a special pick of my recent paintings.
My new exhibition at Seven runs from 1st-31st October 2014. The official opening is on Wednesday 15th October, 6-8pm. Everyone is welcome and refreshments will be provided.
See you there if you can make it!
Today is the opening of a new exhibition of my paintings at Bono Art Gallery in Otley. This is my largest show to date – 60 paintings – and I urge everyone who is able to come and see it.
Bono Art Gallery, 7a Courthouse Street, Otley, LS21 3AN
13th-23rd September 2014
Preview Saturday 13th September 2014, 6-9pm
Location and map
Reviews:
Jo Dunn – Biography – by David Veron, 2014
Bono Art Gallery is closing these premises at the end of the month. A new location is hopefully just around the corner. You are invited to come to this last preview – and visit in the next week – to show your support and thanks to Roberto Bono for all the great art that has passed through Otley in the last two years.
The show goes on…
Jo Dunn 