August Newsletter
News, Exhibitions and Events...
🌞 August
Watercolour classes wrapped up at the end of July, though many learners still have projects to finish — and of course there’s the Summer Project to keep everyone busy. I’ve been preparing tutorials to share throughout the break, so there is absolutely no excuse for idle hands! Creativity doesn’t take holidays.
Even though it is only the beginning of August it feels like the end of summer here. Weeks of brutally hot, dry weather have left the landscape parched; water shortages are now a serious concern, and folks are saving sink and shower water for their vegetable gardens. The daytime world has fallen quiet — birdsong reduced, harvest finished, colours bleached by the sun.
But at night, the countryside comes alive. The barn owls in our disused chimney are training their young, their eerie screeches cut through the velvety darkness. A fox often crosses the stubble field in front of the house, barking loudly and setting off the village dogs, who howl like wolves at the moon. I go out to chase him away from the hen houses, though he always returns. So far, the birds have stayed safe thank goodness.
July gifted us a beautiful Buck Moon, and August promises its own celestial drama: an eclipse, a rare planetary alignment, and the familiar meteor showers that streak across warm summer nights. The sun, however, shows no sign of mercy. I know I shouldn’t complain, but there is no grass left, crop yields are suffering, and still the heat presses on.
Inspired by the sun and moon, the Saatchi Gallery in London is hosting The Sun and The Moon: Art Inspired by the Celestial, featuring work from a wide range of artists. It reminded me of seeing Olafur Eliasson’s The Weather Project in 2003 — that vast artificial sun glowing in the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern. I remember standing there, feeling as though we were waiting to board the last spaceship off the planet. Utterly atmospheric.
As you may have gathered, I am not a Summer person — never have been. So while many of you are enjoying BBQs and sunbathing, I shall be hiding under a (creative) rock somewhere, paintbrush in hand.
🌞July in Review - what we’ve been creating.
🌞Class availability.
🌞Summer Project.
🌞Upcoming Expos & Creative Gatherings.
🌞July in Review — What We’ve Been Creating
Fish, parrots, elephants, mice, bird’s nests and landscape heroes have been our subjects throughout July. Individual projects were inspired by Maxfield Parrish and research into the summer project has begun.
🌞 Class availability
Autumn term starts week beginning 7th September for weekly classes.
If you haven’t already booked, there are a few spaces here.
🪨 Summer Project: Standing Stones
The long summer project has already been launched; it’s an opportunity to get outside and engage with some ancient standing stones. You can access the project here. Do join in and post your work for us all to enjoy.
🌞 Upcoming Expos & Creative Gatherings
🌞 Le Voyage à Nantes (until late August)
Although technically just outside Brittany, this major contemporary art trail is one of the region’s biggest summer draws. The city becomes an open‑air gallery filled with installations, sculptures, architectural interventions, and guided artistic routes.
🌞L’homme en blanc- Rennes (until 15 September 2026)
The urban street art of Jerome Mesnager is on display at Couvent des Jacobins, Rennes.
🌞Des Couleurs & du Vent - Rennes (until 30 August 2026)
Creator of the Kite Lab, designer Victor Guérithault imagines Colours and Wind for the East Orangery of the Thabor. Accompanied by ilta studio, Victor Guérithault offers a unique creation: colourful structures reminiscent of kites are suspended and displayed in the East Orangery.
🌞PHAKT - Sous le Gazon Viennent les Decombres - Rennes (until 19 September 2026)
An exhibition on landscapes in transformation. Through videos, sculptures, a video game and printed works, Sous le gazon viennent les décombres explores the ways we inhabit, transform and represent territories.
🌞 Rencontres - Parc du Thabor, Rennes (until 28 August 2026)
Created in 2016, the ViaSilva Photographic Encounters shed light on the transformations of a neighbourhood undergoing rapid change, on the outskirts of Rennes, between Cesson-Sévigné and Thorigné-Fouillard.
Do let me know if you attend any of these — I’d love to hear your thoughts.
🌙 Wherever you find yourself this month — under the blazing sun or beneath the cooler, more forgiving moon — I hope you carve out time for making, imagining, and noticing the small details that survive the heat.
Don’t forget to join in with the Summer Project: Standing Stones.
Stay cool, stay creative, and may your nights be filled with owls rather than foxes.
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Elizabeth
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