One of Our members is Missing!

Another year comes to a close and, despite my best efforts, painting and teaching commitments have kept
me away from many monthly meetings at Bromley. Having taken the final step to become a full-time professional artist some 18 months ago now, art has completely taken over my life.

This year saw me take on the role of Hon Secretary at the Maritime Art Group (a group of mainly professional artists, all Lay Members of the RSMA). Meeting twice each month to paint on location has helped everyone develop their outdoor painting skills – especially how to keep out of the rain and be first at the pub! Results can be seen this year at one of two exhibitions, at Cranleigh Art Centre and the Oxmarket Gallery, Chichester.

Back in September, eight artists joined me for a week-long painting break to Sorrento and the wonderfully scenic Amalfi Coast. Whilst the main town of Sorrento is a sophisticated Italian resort, our base was the Hotel Admiral on the waterfront of the “Marina Grande” an artist’s delight with traditional boats moored
along the waterfront and fishermen mending nets in the evening light. During the week there was plenty of time to sketch and paint around the Harbour as well as enjoy trips along the Amalfi Coast to Positano and Ravello plus a full day sketching on the beautiful (if popular) Isle of Capri. With such a small group,
everyone enjoyed as much group and one-to-one tuition as they wished. One intrepid student even joined me at 6.00am one morning to paint the sunrise over the Bay of Naples! Having enjoyed hosting my first painting tour to Italy, next year’s trip will be to Tuscany and Umbria, to explore Siena and the surrounding countryside and vineyards.

Given all these distractions, it is perhaps not surprising I have not been seen around Bromley during the past year. With the possible change of meeting day, and the
launch of an email newsletter, I am hoping to catch up with friends old and new during 2008.

Full details of all Melanie’s activities can be found on her website.