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 The Stained glass flower Baron by Louise Luton. Sponsored by I N Newmann. Number 16, sited in the grounds of Salisbury Arts Centre. 800 years ago today, the Magna Carta was signed at Runnymede. In Salisbury (and in Lincoln) there is a Barons trail. 25 individually designed and painted Barons have been placed around the city, and what a magnificent sight it is. Salisbury proudly boasts that is has the best preserved copy of the only four Magna Carta left in existence. The Barons Charter trail is the brainchild of the Trussell trust. - "The discontented Barons of medieval England created a charter that attempted to impose laws on King John to limit his power, greed and authority. The Great Charter of 1215 is the most celebrated document in English history and forms the foundation of liberty and the heart of the process that led to the rule of constitutional law" The 25 Barons around Salisbury not only celebrate the 25 Barons responsible for the Magna Carta, but also celebrate the city itself, it's a celebration of Art and it gives people an opportunity to walk around this beautiful little city, and reflect on what the Magna Carta means to us today. It's fantastic to celebrate our heritage and history in such a positive, accessible way. Every single Baron is in a public place and can be seen for free. How marvellous. My journey began along with the other artists in November last year, when we submitted our designs. In March I was delighted to discover that my design had been accepted and I met my Baron for the first time.
My design is based on the concept of a stained glass window. My dissertation was on the Prisoners of conscience window in the Cathedral, and the main piece of my degree show (over 20 years ago now) was a modern stained glass window. I'm now an oil painter, but there was something pleasing about going back to stained glass design when creating a piece of public art for Salisbury. The most extraordinary thing about the Baron's is their size and shape, you can be told something is 160cm high all you like, but until you see them you don't realise how chunky these fellows are! Incidently they are made from a mixture of Class II fire-retardant laminating resin and chopped roving fibreglass over an initial brushed-on layer of polyester gel coat. Some artists started with underpainting and gradually became more detailed. I began at the top, with various shade of blue.
Each panel of blue needed more layers than I originally thought. I had the extra issue of working in acrylic paint. Acrylic is a wonderfully versatile medium, hard wearing and fast drying, but I'm used to working in oil paint and it took some getting used to. As I started adding more colour and creating my "glass" I then began painting the black lines representing the lead in a stained glass window. Again, I had enormously underestimated the task. The mouldings of the Baron, which meant is was very difficult to get a "clean line". After a time I got used to it and the Baron started to take on the stand glass form I wanted.
I was working in a public space in the Cross keys, with fellow artists Tom Ridout and James Kent. It was great having company to work with, and we all helped each other along, whenever one of us doubted ourselves. we also had the privilege of seeing the other Barons arrive from artists studios elsewhere as they were completed. .
 Once the Baron was complete and dry there was the serious job of varnishing. Each baron required at least three coats of outdoor, weatherproof, UV protective varnish. I loved watching my baron become a glossy as glass. My completed Baron has: 479 leaves, 461 flowers, blooms and blossoms, 3 butterflies, 2 birds and 1 bumble bee  Me and my Baron, in situ on 12th June 2015! www.louiselutonart.com So go and do the trail. Go and see all 25 Barons. They are all so different that there is bound to be something that you like. Take the whole family, debate your favourite, and learn about the Magna Carta along the way! As you make your way round you can tweet pictures with #BaronSelfie You can download a map - http://www.thebaronscharter.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/barons-charter-trail-map-web.pdf Or you can get an app for your iPhone http://www.thebaronscharter.org.uk/trail/ Or you can get a paper copy from Tourist Information Centre, Salisbury Cathedral, Arts Centre, Fisherton Mill, Waitrose, Guildhall and many others. The trail runs from 12th June - September 6th so it's great day out during the Summer holidays and there are plenty of places for a picnic along the way, or you could stop off at one of Salisbury's many pubs, cafes or restaurants. Your trail could begin (or end) with a visit to the Magna Carta itself in Salisbury Cathedral. The Barons will be in Salisbury Cathedral all together for just one week at end of September. On October 1st they will be auctioned off to raise money for the Trussell trust. Find your favourite and save up to bid for it in October. I've been guest blogging again!
This week I've been talking about the ideas behind the design for my Baron, the challenge of painting in public and the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carter! Check it out at http://www.thebaronscharter.org.uk/news/louise-lutons-stained-glass-flower-baron/  There have been some nice developments during March which I'm delighted to tell you about. I have had work accepted into the ArtCare Annual open exhibition. It is open today in Salisbury district hospital. We had the Private View and presentation evening last night which was great fun. Work is for sale and there is a great variety of subjects and themes. The quality of work is excellent. My work is on level 3, on the plastic surgery corridor. I am also thrilled to be working with Salisbury museum this year delivering a workshop based on the their new exhibition on JWM Turner. Turner is a huge influence on me. I remember so clearly haunting the Turner wing of the Tate in London when I was an art student. Many art students dismissed him, favouring the more edgy work of Bacon and Rothko. However, I used to slope off to see Turner, and quietly filled my sketchbooks observing his work.  At the end of the last year the Tate mounted the hugely popular exhibition "Late Turner". It was stunning. As I wondered though the exhibition, I found that I understood so much more, now that most of my days are spent painting. His processes no longer mystified me. I recognised every colour from my own palette and every sketch as if from my own sketchbook! I came away inspired and ready to paint. Little did I know that I was preparing myself for a workshop that didn't yet exist! Salisbury Museum are curating an exhibition on Turner that begins on 22nd May. It will focus on drawings and paintings of Salisbury Cathedral, the city and its surroundings. Salisbury museum is directly opposite the Cathedral's west front, and is ideally placed to explore Turner’s relationship with Salisbury and the Cathedral. The Museum states "Working with the Turner scholar Ian Warrell, the museum will explore Turner's work throughout Wessex. It promises to be a unique and exciting exhibition, which will be supported by a programme of events including lectures by Turner scholars, artist workshops, trails around the Close." I'm one of the artists delivering a workshop. Mine will be an all day workshop on 1st September, entitled "Looking Through" Why “Looking through”? I wanted to create a drawing workshop that embraced the complexity of the Architecture surrounding the cathedral close in addition to Turner’s own approach. Based on the premise that Turner builds up layers of paint to create mood and atmosphere, I discovered that looking through the layers of architecture around the Cathedral can help us understand the same approach.I drew this from the south transept. The yellow shape marks the first shape I drew.  Whilst drawing; a number of visitors to the cathedral stopped to have a look. The most common statement I heard all through the day was “I’d love to do something like that, but I wouldn't know where to start”. This comment has informed my entire workshop; we will find out where to begin. I have some alternative plans if all this complex architecture is too intimidating. We'll also be creating watercolour postcards in Turner's style too. It promises to be a great day  I've got a Baron!Let me explain... My most recent piece of exciting news came yesterday evening.To celebrate the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carter, Salisbury is hosting The Baron's Charter. Twenty five life size Baron sculptures will be placed around the city, each hand painted by an artist. I am delighted to discover that I'm one of the artists. Artists were invited to submit their designs last year, which had to be short listed and then in turn selected by one of the sponsors. My Baron is the Stained glass Baron! He will be painted in the style of a stained glass window, depicting various plants and flowers which hold significance in British folklore. Some of us have elected to paint in a public space so that people can come and have a look at what we're up to and generate a buzz about the project. We will be based in Cross Keys Mall from Easter. The Baron's trail goes on display in the Summer, when I'll give you more updates.  |
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May 2023
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