Thanks to everyone for supporting our campaign to bring the Woodsman Sculpture back to where it belongs in St Martins square, in just a week we have managed to get not far off 670 supporters. our next move is to contact the Echo to make them aware of this and the level of public anger. If we can ask all our friends on facebook to join this group and push this figure to over 1000 I think that will send out a clear message to the councillors that made the decision to remove Daves Sculpture, many of there council seats are won and lost with fewer votes than 1000.

The Woodsman

Todays Echo, , Geoff Williams quite rightly states "When politicians try to determine public taste in matters artistic we are entering dangerous waters indeed"

This was in the Echo only a couple of weeks back.

When Basildon Councillor Kevin Blake paid his surprise unexpected, foot in the door, visit to Dave Chapelle's widow( Dave died very recently) to explain why Daves statue of the Woodsman Poacher would be moved from its home and the place where he sculpted it in St Martins Square, part of his 'spiel' was based on how much loved the sculpture was and how it would be lovingly looked after by Basildon Council at What(sic) Tyler Park. True to form Basildon Council and Kevin Blakes interpretation of 'lovingly looked after' is alot differant from our interpretation! The word DUMPED springs to mind.

Question. what is it?

The Who on a Lambretta side panel, as yet not finished.

Answer. The Incredible Hulk of course!

It was with utter dismay that I learnt that the council had torn down the sculpture of The Woodsmans Poacher that had been beautifully carved by the talented sculptor Dave Chapelle.

The councillors responsible should be ashamed of themselves! The art community in the district, of which they know little, has a tough time as it is dispelling the myth that Basildon has no culture without them getting rid of popular local sculpture.
There has been no proper consultation with the people of Basildon with whom the statue actually belongs to. They may think by putting the clock there or by offering to put Edgars head in the Towngate Theatre, that this token gesture may somehow appease the local community, well it doesn't. The clock should go back to its original site in the centre of the town, the Woodsmans Poacher should be repaired, returned and looked after, with information on the plinth about who, how and why it was carved and Edgars head also carved by Dave should be located nearby as a fitting tribute to an amazingly talented artist..

As elected representatives it is their responsibility to preserve and promote the culture of the district and its artists, to support and celebrate all of the district art and culture, if that is too difficult a thing for them to do then maybe by the time of the next local elections it will be the people of the district that decides it wants to do a bit of removing!

Please protest to your local councillor, Basildon Council and join our group on facebook to 'save the woodsman' http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=save+the+woodsman&init=quick#/group.php?gid=274143641248&ref=search&sid=645358766.792253933..1

The Statue of Eiffel

Here we have the (almost) finished painting, the spraying was completed Saturday afternoon amidst much coughing and choking and

all without the aid of make-up! and I dont think Debbie was wearing any either!

Great Fun. Great painting!

Twiggy

Teresa Alston, from Thursday morning class, painting of Twiggy. Excellent!!

Pat Forbes

Brian Haw,

the well known peace protestor who has been camped out in Parliament Square since 2nd June 2001, as drawn by Pat Forbes in the Thursday morning class.

It's the Thursday morning art class! well half of them.

Here is the latest update of Nicky's painting, sorry it's been so long.

unfortunately it's not being kept at the studio anymore, but will update as and when I can. Note for Nicky's Dad, the eye IS in the right place!

Friday class and Saturday classes are on! were open, hoorah!!!!

Hi All, all classes for Thursday 7th Jan have been cancelled, it's not good!

well, it's now 7.10 Wednesday night, at home nice and warm with a big glass of red wine! depending on how much snow falls overnight or how much wine gets drunk will depend on whether there is a thursday morning art class, it's not looking good I can tell yer!

Class Cancelation

Wednesday Night Class is Cancelled.

well folks, this is what Barleylands looks like at 11.15am on wednesday morning, with heavy snow still forecast for later today and tomorrow. so far no classes have been cancelled, but if your not sure just call the studio. 01268 522973

Happy New Year

Hi all, hmmm, new years resolutions, lose weight, try and make some money and..... blog at least once a week, well the first two are possible I guess! ok well were all back this week, unfortunately so it appears is the snow as well. It's supposed to be here late tuesday early wednesday, should the studio be closed, information will be available here and on the answer machine, yeah thats the one, the answer machine we never use.
thanks see you all soon