Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden

No artist can go to Cornwall without a visit to St.Ives and we headed for The Barbara Hepworth Museum. Her studios containing unfinished works and lots of tools and sketches have been preserved providing an insight into the artists creative processes. The garden is an incredible combination of sculpture and planting creating a space which feels far bigger than it is.

'Finding Trewyn Studio was a sort of magic', wrote Barbara Hepworth; 'here was a studio, a yard and garden where I could work in open air and space'.

The Eden Project

The Eden Project is full of plants from around the world and offers plenty of inspiration from their forms and colours. The Rainforest Biome is particularly impressive, its sheer size and intense humidity transporting you to exotic countries - we thought a few parrots and monkeys in the trees would complete the experience! It's fascinating to see the plants that provide all the eastern spices we cook with a lot such as turmeric, ginger and cinnamon.

Perfect weather for camping in Cornwall

We have been on holiday in Cornwall and were lucky to have hot, sunny weather to appreciate this beautiful part of England. We stayed at the friendly and rather eccentric Henry's campsite right down at the end of the Lizard Peninsula.

The site has a tropical feel with palms and Gunnera plants and chickens so free range they will move into your tent if you let them. From here we could walk along the coastal path to Kynance Cove, a spectacular setting of turquoise sea, pristine sand and towering granite cliffs.

In the evenings we walked to the most southerly point of England at Lizard Point lighthouse. Here the cliff path requires a good head for heights but its worth it for the sense of unspoilt wildness and unusual plants not seen elsewhere on this island.

Macclesfield Barnaby Festival

This weekend sees the revival of Macclesfield's Barnaby Fair as a festival of arts, culture and entertainment, with visual arts, music, film, workshops and a parade on Saturday. We have paintings an sculpture on display at Ten Eight Photographic Studios and other Victoria Mill Artists, Di Harding and Bruce Lyons are also exhibiting with the Moving Clay group at Dukes Court Art Studios. 

REVEAL: Rossendale Open Studios

This weekend 12 & 13 June it's REVEAL Rossendale Open Studios. Local studios will be opening their doors including Valley Artists where I had my first space. Also open will be Prospect Studios, Globe Arts, Slipper Studios, Dave Pearson Studio, The Horse and Bamboo Theatre, The Whitaker Museum and the See Gallery. Its a great opportunity to see all the creativity in the Rossendale Valley.

Secondnature @ Urban Upholstery

Urban Upholstery, run by upholsterer Andrea Simonutti and designer Patrizia Sotile, make beautiful bespoke furniture from found or existing frames and fabrics. In their Hackney shop they also show the work of artists and designers who use reclaimed and recycled materials. From May to 30th September we are delighted that they will be showcasing our reclaimed steel wall sculptures.
Urban Upholstery are at 21 De Beauvoir Road, Hackney, London. Open Monday - Friday 9 - 6pm, Saturday 10.30 - 2.30pm.

Spindrift sculpture catches the light

Spindrift looks good reflecting light in contrast to the bothy wall at One House Gardens Sculpture Trail near Macclesfield. The trail is open until Sunday 23 May showing a variety of work by local and national artists.