| Group |
Contact |
Tel |
Email |
|
| Windsor/London |
Kristine Nason |
|
kristinenason 'at' btinternet.com |
|
(Input from Kristine Nason)
Society of Equestrian Artists - Windsor Group - 2007
CONTACT Kristine Nason, 1 Savory Walk, Foxley Fields,
Binfield, Berkshire RG42 4LP 01344 360560 kristinenason 'at'
btinternet.com
Please note: my email address @equestrianartists is no
longer active. You can contact me at the email address above, and please
prefix your communication with SEA in the subject field.
In the coming months I have lined up some rare and
exciting opportunities to visit places where inspiration, motivation and
material for equestrian artwork is in abundance. The first event of the
year’s programme is fast-approaching - and this is one not to be missed!
Thursday 10th May is the first date for
your diaries, with a visit to Park House Stables in Kingsclere.
Originally built in the late 1860’s and now in the hands of the famous
Balding family, ‘Kingsclere’ is situated in Watership Down country. It
is undoubtedly one of the best-equipped and most beautiful private
training establishments in the world. Andrew Balding, the present
custodian, has some very impressive horses in training, and this is a
fantastic opportunity for us to observe a day in the life of a top
racing yard. There will also be mares and foals to inspire our artistic
endeavours and if you need any further convincing to book your place
just visit www.kingsclere.com. I can only take 14 people. The cost for
the day, 11am – 4.30pm, is £20 and we will be making a donation from
this to the stable lads’ Christmas box.
Wednesday 27th June is our date with
Kingwood Stud. Set in fabulous countryside above Lambourn and run by
Fiona Marner, this is one of the most prestigious and respected
Thoroughbred studs in the country, and home to numerous top-class
broodmares who will by then have foals at foot. It is also a rest and
rehabilitation centre for racehorses out of training, and again boasts
excellent facilities. Don’t miss this chance of a privileged view into
the early days of some potential Classic winners. The cost for the day,
10am – 4pm, is £20, and our donation will be to the Thoroughbred
Breeders’ Association.
Friday 13th July offers us a welcome
return to Flemish Farm in Windsor Great Park where the Honourable
Artillery Company Light Cavalry are stabled, and where many polo ponies
have their summer quarters. As one of our regular haunts we are allowed
generous use of staff and facilities, and the day will follow a pattern
established successfully in previous years: the morning will be spent
studying anatomy, the afternoon having a uniformed soldier model for 2
hours on horseback, with the period in-between devoted to lunch and polo
ponies.
After a lot of arm-twisting I’m delighted to tell you
that Pennie Hooper JMI SMT, who impressed us last year with her
informative and accessible talk on equestrian anatomy – illustrated by
drawing the underlying muscle structures onto the coat of a horse – has
agreed to come and do the same thing for us this year. This is a
fantastic coup as Pennie’s services as an equestrian sports massage
therapist are always in great demand. For equestrian artists a sound
knowledge of horse anatomy is obviously vital, and I know that Pennie’s
session will be very popular again. Book early to avoid disappointment!
This workshop is far more expensive to set up than the
others - sorry - but I’m keeping the charge as low as I can. Cost for
the day 10am – 4pm is £40.
Saturday11th August, and we are back at
Wokingham Spanish Stud for a lazy day with my friend Jane and her lovely
Andalucians. A variety of mares, foals and stallions, as well as
dressage horses, in lush paddocks with shady oak trees – what more could
we ask for! These horses are more chilled and people-friendly than many,
so the opportunity exists for some hands-on experience for anyone who
wants to get up close and feel a fetlock for example (essential in my
view if you want to be able to draw it convincingly). We will try to
have some additional interest on the day - lunging the stallions in the
ménage perhaps, or a dressage demonstration to music. Cost for the day
10am – 4pm is £15 and we will make a donation to the Anaphylactic
Society.
I have been trying to set up a workshop for the
sculptors / would-be sculptors, but as yet no news. This is quite a
difficult one but there may be something on the cards later this summer.
Cheques for all the events should be made payable to
Society of Equestrian Artists – Windsor Group, and sent to me at my home
address, but phone or email first to check the availability of the one(s)
you’re interested in. Please book as soon as you can as there are limits
on the numbers I can take to each venue. I will issue receipts and any
further information when payment has been made.
I look forward to seeing many old friends and new
faces at the events, from Windsor Group and beyond. Complete beginners
are just as welcome as established equestrian artists with years of
experience, and help and advice is there if you want it. We aim to be
friendly and helpful – never judgemental!
Kristine
All workshops will begin with a health & safety
briefing. |
