News & Events 

This project is on the schedule for both Budock and Lanner weekly classes (see 'Our Courses' page for dates) as I would like as many people to participate in this as possible. The work produced would be exhibited locally as a group project. Initially, at the Coast Colour Canvas Gallery at Roskilly's in April.  I would also approach places such as Fal River Cornwall,  Kresen Kernow, KHF website, Local libraries, Local newspapers etc, etc. Any other ideas are very welcome! 

The idea is to visually explore the different elements of the Ferry: its history, location, current and previous designs, mechanisms, the people who work on the Ferry and what it means to local people and tourists alike. 

There will be dedicated space at my own forthcoming exhibition, this April, in the Gallery at Roskilly's on the Lizard,for the group’s work on the KHF project. I would also hope to get cards and prints made of the work, with a view to selling them , and originals, for charity with proceeds going to the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust (which the KHF already supports). 

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CREATIVE IDEAS FOR STUDENTS

I have put together some ideas and suggestions for anyone wishing to participate in this exciting and rewarding project. It would be great to get a real variety of approaches, mediums and styles.......

You could zoom right in on a section of the ferry, from either on board or from another perspective - this would suit an abstract style, you could represent the whole ferry and have it very much as the central subject in your composition, you could make your piece more about the beautiful landscape and / or architecture, around the ferry, and have the ferry as a small part of the piece, or you could simply create a landscape based on the view from the ferry. Alternatively, you could focus on portraits of the men (or women?) who work on the ferry - past or present. You could always visit Kresen Kernow in Redruth, where the Cornish archives are held, do some research and look for old, vintage photos and news stories about the ferry - perhaps right back to its origins. This is an exciting project that you can get as involved in as you like, depending on your time constraints and interest levels. 

Here are a few ideas to get you thinking…..

- Find a vintage photo of the ferry and replicate in watercolour, using sepia tones

- A Cubist rendition of the ferry in its environment, oil pastels or acrylics

- Abstract or figurative collage

- Traditional drawing 

- Abstract geometric painting of close ups of parts of the structure of the ferry

- Portrait of the ‘ferryman’ model leaning against the high railings on the ferry

- Portrait of any of the men working on the ferry, going about their day to day work

- Anything based around the chain mechanism or the gates

- Replicate an old family photo taken on the ferry

- A colourful, Naive art interpretation of the ferry

- Reflections of the ferry in the water

- Take an illustrative approach as if illustrating a story about the ferry - idea : the KHF website in the ‘how it works’ section, says “Each chain weighs the same as a humpback whale and their combined strength is enough to lift ten double decker buses”

- Create a vintage travel poster for the ferry

- Abstract painting or drawing of the grid patterns on the deck

- A conceptual painting of the ferry from the side, where everything above water is bright, sunny and ‘happy’, then below the waterline is dark and ominous looking, showing the chains, mechanisms etc, amongst the weeds. 

- An abstract collage using acrylic paint and acrylic mediums to encapsulate found objects around the ferry.

The possibilities are endless, and I will add more ideas as I think of them. I do think though, that if you are interested in participating, it would be a very good idea to go on an outing to the ferry and take lots of photos on your phone. Have a good look through your ‘artist eyes’ and think about ideas, styles, compositions, mediums etc. Sounds like a group outing to me!! Of course, I will help anyone with ideas and techniques which will play to their strengths. 

I would be delighted to discuss, advise, and support anyone with their ideas. Please note, this is not really a ‘turn up and paint’ class, I would really like everyone to think about it in advance and plan what they would like to do. 

IMPORTANT: If you sign up for two KHF Project classes at either Lanner or Buddock, then you would be welcome to come to all four sessions over those two weeks, at no extra cost! 

Let's get creating!