The big welcome: artists to open doors for trail
After a year off for covid, the Wokingham Arts Trail returns this weekend. LAURA SCARDARELLA meets some of the artists taking part
THIS weekend, the Wokingham Arts Trail returns, and three artists can’t wait to welcome visitors again. Taking place at different venues across the borough, a range of artwork will be on display to the public.
Running from 10.30am until 5.30pm, the trail is free to visitors to roam and see what the artists have to offer.
For more details, and a map of venues, log on to www.wokinghamartstrail.co.uk
CHRISTINE MORGAN
Wokingham-based visual artist Christine Morgan is brushing up on her watercolour paints as she prepares for this year’s Arts Trail.
With a particular interest in the west coast of Ireland, she says her love for art has always been bubbling away inside.
“When I got the chance to explore my creative side, I decided to go to classes and had the time to play,” she says.
With an initial training in ceramics, Christine also enjoyed using acrylic paint and inks as a response to her love of colour, texture and line.
Christine went on to build her own studio in her garden and attended an art foundation course.
She explains: “Clay is a medium I use with paper or glass to express my reaction to the world around me and things that interest me.”
Christine says she enjoys taking in the landscapes around her as she works up quick watercolour sketches on the go.
Her main influencers are Scottish painter Barbara Rae, printmaker Norman Ackroyd, and John Piper.
Having read some of Norman Ackroyd’s books and seen his sketchbooks, Christine discovered the variety of watercolour and that it doesn’t have to follow the rules.
“Whenever I travel now, I always carry my sketchbooks and do loose watercolour sketches,” she says.
Christine doesn’t restrict herself to one particular style, wanting to explore colour, texture and lines.
Throughout lockdown, she used her time to work more on her concertina sketchbook and post her creations on social media.
Christine is encouraging visitors to come to the Wokingham Arts Trail this year, describing it as a “great community event”.
“People don’t realise the amount of artistic talent around here and from past trails I have found that visitors are surprised and enjoy looking at everyone’s work.”
“I think attendees could learn a lot from coming, and hopefully it might even encourage people to have a go themselves, especially children.”
She explained that art is for everyone. “You don’t have to make things to be displayed in a gallery, you can create art for your own enjoyment,” she adds.
Christine is looking forward to meeting people again after so long.
“I can’t wait to be able to share my enthusiasm with other people and it gives me a huge boost to see my work up on display.”
Christine will be based at Venue Seven, off Murdoch Road, with fellow artist Joy Frey on September 18 and 19.
PAUL WOOLLEY
Mixed media paintings and print artist Paul Woolley is also looking forward to displaying his work at the event.
Trained to be a sculptor, Paul gained a degree from Bristol Polytechnic, now the University of the West of England.
He then went on to work for a framing company for several artists, including Anthony Gross, Peter Blake and Bill
Jacklin.
Paul says that Toronto-based artist, Margaret Priest, has been motivational throughout his art career.
“She was my tutor, and she took an interest in me,” he explains.
“She was someone I looked up to, she really helped me with my art work and even got me a job as a framer.
“Although there are various painters I like, I wanted to take what I had learnt from Margaret and pass that on to students I teach at Reading College.”
Paul found lockdown gave him a chance to get on with his new work, and to explore.
“It took a while to get going, but after a while I decided to do a series of work which I’ve put together, and it was good to have that spare time to do so.”
Basing his work on trees, plant life and natural objects, Paul says his organics and geometric forms make his work unique.
It should be no surprise, but he is also looking forward to welcoming trail visitors.
“It’s great to talk to other artists and your their experiences with them,” he said.
“The Arts Trail also allows people who may be interested in art to come along and see what local artists are doing.”
Paul adds that members of the public should visit the trail, as they’ll see a choice of styles across the different venues.
“We’ve got lots of types of art and craft, from needle work to jewellers to fine artists, so you can decide what you like and what you don’t.”
Having exhibited his work for eight years, Paul says there is something there for everyone to enjoy.
“We’ve had a lot of new artists come, and it widens the scope of what you do and it’s nice to have a variety of work.”
Paul will be set up at Venue Three, WADE, on Reading Road.
RICHARD YOUNG
Contemporary realism artist Richard Young is excited about his first year exhibiting at the Wokingham Arts Trail.
Creating his oil paintings using only a knife, Richard will be displaying his fine art work from his new studio space at Southgate House, on Denmark Street.
He’ll receive a visit from the mayor on Saturday at 4pm.
Richard works with a limited colour palette, mixed only on the canvas.
After graduating in engineering in 1983 with a passion to travel, Richard initially pursued a career as an engineering and design consultant.
He returned to Commercial Art in 2003. After living in Saudi Arabia for several years, Richard came back to the UK in
2018 to look into selling his art work on more platforms, such as Etsy and eBay.
And he started looking into securing publishing contracts.
He was pleased to be able over lockdown to focus on planning for the opening of his gallery.
“It gave me a chance to focus on new directions in art as well as looking at ideas for the new space, and putting it all together,” he says.
Richard’s aim for the gallery is to open for art events such as workshops or for people to rent the space to display their work.
He also plans to host the Wokingham Arts Trail after-party at his new studio space to celebrate the event.
“The party will give us all a chance to meet one another, and I’m going to make a slideshow of all the Arts Trail pieces to display everyone’s work.
“With the Trail, we really want to increase awareness of local artists in Wokingham.”