For the last few years, people have said to me that I should apply to Sky Arts Landscape Artist Of The Year. The problem has always been that I didn’t really have the confidence or headspace to do it but, this year, I went for it and popped in one of my paintings. The application process was really easy, even for someone with dyslexia, like me! I also saw that, Storyvault, the production company for the programme was looking for locations so I wrote to them and suggested the stunning Herstmonceux Castle in Sussex. (http://www.herstmonceux-castle.com/). As it turned out, they had already chosen this location but they very kindly sent me a book to say thank you for my suggestion.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get picked for one of the pods :( but my talented friend, Tony Parsons, did – whoop! Look out for him on the 19th Nov (https://www.tonyparsonsartist.co.uk/). I was, however, invited to apply for a wild card place on a first come first served basis. The next morning I submitted my application and uploaded a photo of myself and, hooray, I received an email confirming that I had one of the 50 much sought after places. Later that day, the production company called me to talk through what to expect when the day comes, ask me some questions and lay down the ground rules regarding confidentiality. That was the toughest bit because I talk a lot and I’m not great at keeping secrets (especially exciting ones like this).
I started to do my research on the castle and I also set up a secret Pinterest board (https://www.pinterest.co.uk/FayeBridgwater/1laoty/ ), where I pinned photos, painting and styles of work that I liked. I learned that, interestingly, Turner produced some lovely pencil sketches of the castle. I also binge-watched older episodes of LAOTY, including the one won by Jon Ball http://beware-the-void.com/ , someone that I had a stand next to at The Talented Art Fair in Brick Lane, last year. Watching old episodes was really great because it gave me an idea of what to expect and got me thinking about other things that artists think about, such as the medium that I would paint on and the growing shopping list for my visit to the local Cass Art shop (https://www.cassart.co.uk/ ). In the end, I decided to buy a massive roll of paper (to cut down to the maximum size permitted in the competition) and a canvas too. I looked a right wally trying to get these onto the bus but the driver was very patient! It also gave lots of the passengers a good reason to chat with me.
Waiting for the bus
As the big day approached, I was keeping a close eye on the weather, which wasn’t looking very cheery to say the least. I kept looking at different websites hoping that one of them would provide some better news. Unfortunately, all of them were equally bleak so I prepared for heavy rain. I bought a massive waterproof orange poncho and a great big umbrella. I also had a new bunk bed delivered the week before and had kept the massive plastic sheets it was delivered in. Given the weather prospects, I abandoned the paper and decided to take the large canvas (with a smaller one too, just in case the large one didn’t fit under the umbrella). By the way - just so you know, LAOTY enforce strict umbrella rules - Only single spike, no gazebos, no exceptions!
The night before, I prepared my list of things to take:
1. Print out of emails and directions; 2. Large Canvas; 3. Small Canvas; 4. Pencils; 5. Pencil sharpener (I annoying forgot that); 6. Charcoal; 7. Spray paint; 8. Brushes; 9. Paint; 10. Water; 11. Pastels; 12. Pens; 13. Washing up bowl; 14. Mark making tool; 15. Broom; 16. Mop; 17. Car ice scraper; 18. Shells; 19. Fisherman’s knots; 20. Stencils; 21. Ruler; 22. Phone; 23. Spare battery; 24. Food; 25. Coffee in a flask (This was great); 26. More Water; 27. Poncho; 28. Jumper (in June ☹); 29. Umbrella; 30. Large piece of plastic; 31. Easel; 32. Chair; 33. Wellies; 34. Shoes; 35. Hat; 36. Cloths.
Well, after I gathered everything together I realised that I had rather a lot! Luckily, my buddy up the road had a camping trailer/trolley thing and she let me borrow it. Of course, you can’t tell anyone what you up to (I had managed to keep the secret!) so I just told her that I was off to paint a field (in the pouring rain!).
All packed and ready to go. Look at that stream of water in the gutter!
Phew - all packed up and child care arranged. My lovely neighbours took the kids in from 6.30am and we set off in the heavy rain as you have to be at the location from 7.30am! I can’t drive so my husband has to be chauffer. On the drive from Brighton to Herstmonceux, I thought I would be really nervous, having never been anywhere near a film crew in my life, but I actually just felt really excited.
On the Road - perfect painting weather!
When I got to the car park, the place was buzzing with artists, all with their canvases, easels, cagoules and umbrellas. I queued up to sign a release form (not sure what for!) and get a wristband and also have my canvas measured to ensure it met strict LAOTY size requirements. It is at this point that I realise that no one else has a canvas as big as mine and I think eeeek!! I also have much more kit than anyone else. Luckily for me, I have my trailer and my big plastic sheets.
All of the production staff are lovely and chatty. They thank us all for coming in the rain and then provide a quick introduction for the day and explain filming will finish at 3pm. Many of the artists have been wild cards before and they loved the experience, which is comforting and keeps the nerves under control. We all make our way to the castle and helpers are asked to leave (my husband had already gone to work) so they could get a shot of the artists walking toward the castle with their kit. Luckily, they get everything they need from the first take so we don’t get too wet. They then show us where to set up. Some of the artists are slightly cheeky and set up away from the lawn that we have been told to use but I don’t because I don’t like breaking rules. I find my spot quickly because I wanted to be as far back as possible - I wanted to paint a castle in the landscape not just the castle.
All ready to start
As I am setting up judge, Tai Shan Schierenberg http://www.taishanschierenberg.com/, walks past. I’m so thrilled to see him. He gives me a lovely smile from under the umbrella, we exchange a few words and, as you can imagine, he is not at all intimidating. The rain is heavy now so I come up with a genius idea of sellotaping my umbrella to my easel and it works a treat; thank goodness. I then have a chat to a few of the artists that are pitched near to me. Mark, the man in front of me is painting on wallpaper with emulsion and there is a lady to the right of me who has a huge umbrella resting on the floor and has made a den underneath it with all her kit. She is the driest person here!
There is then a big announcement that we can start painting (bang on 9am). I start by taking photos and working out my composition. I think today is mainly about the weather so I want to capture this and the sea of umbrellas before me. I have this big white canvas before me so I begin with writing all over it. I learnt this from a workshop I had with my friend and artist Moyra Scott (https://www.moyrascott.com/), and it’s a great way to start off. I write “rain, rain go away, come again another day” and then I look up Herstmonceux on Wikipedia and copy out the first few paragraphs about the castle.
At one point, it actually stops raining (still very grey but no rain). This is great because I want to start painting on the floor. I want to make some great, massive movements with the paint and capture the weather. I start mixing a grey, blue colour in my washing up bowl and dipping my broom in it and making some really exciting bold brush marks on the canvas. At this point, one of the production team comes over and asks if they can film it. Now I am thinking, oh god!!! Well they come and film and with them to my horror is Stephen Mangan. He’s the presenter and he talks to me. I was very nervous. I could feel the words weren’t coming out right so I’m sure if that will all end on the cutting room floor! He was very smiley and kind. I was just a little overwhelmed having the camera crew there.
They move on and I grid up my canvas and draw out my castle. Ooo so far it’s going well so I stop and visit the café and pick up some lunch. If you ever visit the castle, you must have a cuppa and some cake there. It was yummy. I then have a wander around all the other artist and realise I am much more expressive and abstract than everyone else. Hmmm, don’t know if that’s good or not.
Half way through. About to add all my big scribbles!
As I was near the back, by the road, lots of people chatted to me and I loved meeting everyone and having my photo taken. It turned out that one artist (and a reserve to go in the pod) grew up in the same area and went to the same school as me. We even had the same art teacher! Mr Skinner, art teacher of Rickmansworth School (http://www.rickmansworth.herts.sch.uk/), if you read this, we were singing your praises. Small world indeed!!
I get some spray paint on. Thank goodness that dries super quick because I can hear the pitter patter of rain getting closer and closer. Then the rain comes and, it is not just a light shower, it’s a deluge, with rolling thunder and lighting too. I’m a bit worried that I might be hit by lighting because it is so close by. My kit is totally soaked, with the tool boxes filled with water. The paint is just washing off my palette - AAArrrggghhhh!!!!!! Nevertheless, people are still walking around talking to the artists and other artists come and have a look and the feedback I am getting is positive. I decide to work more in pencil, pastel and charcoal, making large marks across the canvas. Judge Kathleen Soriano (https://www.instagram.com/kathleen.soriano/) has a look and a chat “Lovely and loose she says”– Thank you Kathleen I will take that! Then judge Kate Bryant (https://www.katebryanart.com/about/) walks by and a look too and comments on the size. She, as you can imagine, is lovely too and is pregnant, which is a wonderful surprise as I didn’t know.
Drenched…
We get told we have an hour to go. I really want to get some value in to this work but the weather is against me. It is so wet that I am standing in the gutter and there is a stream of water running across my wellies. Then, the most uplifting thing happens. Some of the staff from the castle come and look at everyone’s work and they pay me some huge compliments…..boom!!!!
The hour is up and of course the rain is now passing (FFS). The judges come and have a look. Kathleen tells me that I am now known as the “broom lady”, which makes me laugh; at least they have noticed my work. Tai talks about some of the interesting marks I’ve made. Booo! I can see the film crew is a long way away from me and this means I probably haven’t won but I am curious to see who they go towards. I trot over to have a look and it is Sue England (https://www.sueengland.co.uk/) from Chichester. We all give Sue a clap. She has mainly painted the moat of water and reflection. I really like the painting and it has great brush work. I am happy to lose to it but of course I am slightly jealous that it wasn’t me!
The finished painting for Landscape Artist of the Year Wild Card Entry 2019
Original Painting on Box Canvas, 91cm x 122cm.
I slowly pack up my drenched kit, whip my poncho off and popped on my jumper. Now the painting has finished I realised I was absolutely freezing and my hands looked like I had been in the bath for too long.
I had to wait for my husband to collect me so I leave my painting on the easel to dry a little. I was last to go but it was great talking to all the other artists as they passed by. I even got to congratulate Sue - she said they took her painting from her straight away. We also had an opportunity to go and see who won from the main pod painters up at Herstmonceux Observatory but instead we decided to go home to dry off and warm up!
All home and it’s time to warm up in the bath.
I really, really loved the whole experience and would definitely do it again. The day was so well organised and ran really smoothly. On top of that, everyone has been so kind and supportive. I have just put my painting on instragram and it’s getting so many positive comments 😊
My painting is now available in my Shop - click here!
If you have any questions about the day from a wild card point of view please drop me a message so I can give you some advice and wish you good luck. The applications are now open in the link below!
https://www.skyartsartistoftheyear.tv/
Lots of love,
Faye
xxx
faye@fayebridgwater.com
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UPDATE: After I wrote this blog, Herstmonceux contacted me and my painting is currently in display in their Castle Suite!