Geoff Christian came to Felixstowe via Preston as a young man already certified as a Chief Engineer with experience in maritime life. As a child he drew and painted shipping and his painting style typically includes land and seascapes, often with studies of boats still prevalent in his watercolour and ink paintings which are simple, skilful and always popular with patrons of the Group’s Bent Hill Gallery.

Geoff served for many years as Secretary of the Felixstowe Art Group, Manager of the weekly painting meetings that are held at the Conservative Club while he also assisted at the Gallery in setting up the regular exhibitions held there. These days he remains an active Member of the Group with more time to enjoy his art.

Members of the public interested in painting techniques are invited to join the Group at 7.30pm on Tuesday 12 April at Broadway House, Orwell Road, Felixstowe IP11 7DD at a cost of £2 when Jane Cochrane will be demonstrating ‘The Wonders of Negative Painting’.

The Group’s Annual General Meeting for all Members is on 26 April and will include the annual competition that is held to choose a winning poster and catalogue cover for the seventieth anniversary Annual Exhibition in August. Members should check with our regular newsletters available on the website for the outline of requirements for the competition.

Martello Tower from Bawdsey Beach in watercolour by Geoff Christian

HAPPY 70^TH BIRTHDAY FELIXSTOWE ART GROUP!

The Felixstowe Art Group was formed on 28 April 1952 by an invited group of local artists initially under the name of the Deben Art Group. On our 70^th birthday we have 150 Members who continue to develop the range and interests of local artists with our own Bent Hill Gallery, weekly painting sessions, fortnightly talks and art demonstrations, outings, and celebration get-togethers.

March 2022 began with the annual drawing competition, the topics this year were Pots, Playtime and Pets and will be followed on 22 March with a Members only life drawing evening. The fortnightly program will continue in April with a talk on the 12^th by Jane Cochrane on the Wonders of Negative Painting.

The Annual General Meeting will be held at 7.30pm on April 26. Members are encouraged to attend as it will be an opportunity to mark our 70^th birthday as well as incorporating the catalogue cover and poster competition: the winning entry will be used for the 70^th Annual Exhibition publications.

On May 10, Tania Harrington will speak on the History of Plants in Art and follow on 24 May with a demonstration on painting flowers. In June, there will be an illustrated talk on The Garden Museum and plans for Benton End which is to be revived as an inspiration to artists as was its original purpose.

Just as the founders of the Felixstowe Art Group intended to support and inspire artists working throughout the year, the Group is keeping the spirit of art alive and well in its 70^th anniversary year.

Ken Cuthbert, one of the original Members of the Group was still exhibiting his work in August 2021 at the Annual Exhibition.

High-flyer Ruby Moss landed in Felixstowe when her father’s RAF post brought the family back to the UK after serving in the Middle East. During her career as a businesswoman, Ruby also made it her business to learn how to fly and perhaps that is one reason why she so often depicts birdlife as well as animals in her pastel art works.

Ruby joined the Felixstowe Art Group ten years ago and often exhibits her work in the Bent Hill Gallery and the Annual Exhibition.

Thursday painting sessions continue weekly for members to work at social distance but enjoying the company of fellow artists. Twice monthly evening demonstrations and meetings will include a demonstration on “The Wonders of Negative Painting” given by Jane Cochrane on 12 April. Anyone interested in learning new painting techniques or to find out more about the Group’s activities is invited to join the meeting. Details can be found on the website.

Group Members are reminded that the Annual General Meeting will be held at Broadway House at 7.30pm on 26 April and will include the annual competition to find a design for the posters and catalogue cover for this year’s important 70^th Anniversary Annual Exhibition. Details of the competition will be included in your Membership Newsletter.

Golden Eagle in pastel by Ruby Moss will be available for sale at the Felixstowe Art Group’s Annual Exhibition in August.