March 2025

March 2025

Read on for news from some of the creatives at FaMAS. Perhaps you visited us for the first time for the Bolton Gala celebrations? We look forwards to seeing you at our upcoming Open Studios on 9-10th May!

Photos: visit to Samye Ling Tibetan Monastery, Eskdalemuir. Julia Preston

Ted Warburton - Oil and Cold Wax Demo

It was back in November last year when Eric Bromley approached me to do a painting demonstration for Bolton Art Circle. He was intrigued by my cold wax paintings and thought it would be an interesting subject matter for the artists. The date was set at 13th March 2025, which at the time seemed an age away but now it's been and gone.

Gone but definitely not forgotten. I received a lovely welcome from all the members who were genuinely interested in the virtues of cold wax. Tips, techniques, materials and effects were all covered in two interactive demo's. The set up at Bolton Art Circle was excellent, the demonstration was filmed and projected onto a large screen so all the members could clearly see the techniques being applied and materials being used. This was especially useful as I was using a flat/desk surface.

At the interval I was asked to judge a competition. It was a difficult task due to the standard of the artworks, I must add at this point I was totally unaware of the artists who submitted the entries. I selected the winner only to find out the lady in question was a fellow Warburton.... Joan Warburton (no relation). Congratulations Joan and well done to all the other artists.

The demonstration concluded with another big reveal (painting No. 2). It was lovely to speak to man of the Art Circles members after the event and I even met a fan who used to follow me on my old You Tube Channel.

I was sad to find out the future of Bolton Art Circle at its current location is rather uncertain and they are potentially on the look out for a new venue. This is a wonderful group of artists and I wish everyone success in their artistic endeavours. Thank you for being so welcoming and I look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

See Ted's profile on our artists' page

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Pete Marsh

Following my participation in November 2024 at ING Discerning Eye 2024
Exhibition, at the Mall Galleries, London I am delighted to report that
my work has been accepted for Printfest 2025 which takes place at the
beginning of May 2025, please see here

Inbetween these events I spent four weeks in Australia visiting family
where most of my work was in watercolour and I have been busy working on
new monotypes, a commission in oils and preparation for my move to a
new studio within FaMAS. I hope to be settled into Studio Newry in time
for the May Open Studio event...come along to see my new workplace!

Artists exhibit at the Turnpike Gallery, Leigh.

Studio-holder Mike and associate artist Penny are exhibiting in an exciting group show at The Turnpike Gallery in Leigh. Details of the exhibition here

Mike: " I AM"

I have a painting and poem on display which relate to the trials and tribulations of being a refugee. I wrote the poem after seeing a female journalist interviewing a young Syrian girl refugee in a camp after fleeing there, and the journalist was asking really banal and stupid questions  like “are you cold? When there was snow on the tents and “Are you hungry“ when it was obvious the kid was malnourished and the most stupid question was “are you looking forward to seeing your parents again” after she’d not had contact with them for months - Lack of empathy was incredible. The young girls reply to most questions was “I am” which I think she’d been prepared to say as English obviously wasn’t her first language. I was so angry and frustrated I wrote the poem and painted the picture. It’s titled “I AM”

Penny: "The Sleeping Indian"

A former  studio holder at Falcon Mill and still an associate member of Famas, Penny is now based Creative Spin Studios , Spinners Mill, Leigh which is closer to her home,  Penny’s work is inspired by nature and natural forms. This particular painting is one of a series of paintings based on the human recognition of faces in natural landforms, known as Mimetoliths. The title of the “Sleeping Indian” is taken from the local name for the rock face/mimetolith which can be seen from Walden, Colorado Rockies, America.

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