My return visit to Coombe Farm Studios in August marked the end of this year's painting holiday season and was therefore rather special. The week started with an invitation to dinner at the Riley's lovely Coombe Farm home.
Friends and colleagues had gathered round the dinner table and I met Sir Peter Blake, the famous English pop artist, best known for his design of the sleeve for the Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. His work is currently exhibited at the Riley's new Coombe Gallery in Dartmouth and also in the Gallery space at Coombe Farm Studios, where I had the pleasure to show some of my watercolours at the same time.
Fired and inspired by so much creative work and conversation I was more than eager to share my enthusiasm with my painting students the next day. Their was certainly a lot of fun and serious work going on during the five day's painting. The group of painters was again quite international and I had to move swiftly from one language to the other. Actually a real joy.
Despite the unreliable weather we spent time painting out doors around Coombe Farm, in the sculptress Jilly Sutton's garden facing the Dart Estuary and near the romantic Mill Creek. The dove-cotes at the back of the old farm buildings were a newly discovered subject and proofed an absolute success. Everybody enjoyed painting there while the doves where coming and going or simply sitting by their little entrances modelling for us.
Parting from everybody was as always hard. It was made slightly easier this time by the thought of a visit to my family in Germany and the prospect of exciting art projects in London.
All in all it was a highly enjoyable season and a great pleasure to meet up with previous students and making so many new friends.
I wish you all a mellow September with beautiful coulours and lots of painting time,
Bettina
"As a beginner I was nervous to come on the course, but I worried needlessly.
I enjoyed the week so much and learned a lot too."
"A fantastic week. Great teaching and great company."
"I can't wait to book another painting holiday with Bettina."