Happy New Year toyou all!

As promised I am back with my latest on Haddon Galleries. You may have noticed from my previous blog that much of my attention went to Fiona, to make it fair and even I have turned my attention towards Paul (I don't want him to feel negleted!) who keeps the gallery ticking over from behind the scenes.........

Paul is the man in the know as far where framing is concerned, being a Guild Commended framer you know! Bespoke framing is the name of the game and to quote Paul "If you can carry it through the door we can frame it!" There is far too much to tell you all about framing but I have witnessed Paul work his magic with his experience and knowlegde about how to finish and enhancea work of art,whether it be a tapestry, a childs firstpicture or a work of fine art, the choice of mounts,frames and colours are so vital. "What a difference a frame makes"!! (Pauls top catchphrase!)...(actually Paul has quite a few catchphrases such as "mine's a coffee!!")

I have been told (or according to legend) however you may wish to look at it, when Paul first took up framing (whilst still running the restaurant.....) as the lengths of mouldings were so long in order to accommodate them in their lounge Paul cut a hole in the wall!!!! Now that's what I call passion and determination, 9fiona has just been upgraded to saint!!)

How far Paul has come from those hazy heady days of old! Now he can languish in mouldings of all shapes colours and designs!

Oh! should you ever require a picture to be hung at height, Paul used to be a scaffolder!!

What more can I say about Paul apart from he IS a man of many talents!

Please keep a watchful eye for my further introductions to our "family" and events from Haddon Galleries.


Deborah.

I have been asked by Paul to write a few words for our new blog. Well, where do I start? "Keep it light and funny" says my Gallery Manageress, Theresa. The art industry can be very intimidating and stuffyand we are anything but....we like to encourage everyone to explore our new gallery and find art that they can enjoy. In fact every two weeks form Easster we will have artists in the gallery to exhibit and talk about their work, giving customers the opportunity to interact more personally with the art we display


What have I learnt in 15 years?  Our artists paint an eclectic mix of subjects, styles and mediums: sailing music and motorsport to name a few and I have to take up an interest in all the sujects, as well as learn about the techniques and materials used. I have held hands with a gorilla, visited a burlesque club and I am about to visit the Moorcroft factory to learn about the making of one of the latest editions to our gallery.


Many artists go the extra mile for their art. Pip McGarry one of the countrys' leading wildlife artists, loves to see his subjects in the flesh and has many a tale to tell of his travels in Africa. I am hoping to travel with him in the near future and experience for myself the magic of wildlife upclose and personal.

I recently had to brush up on my music knowledge, when the latest artists work to appear in our gallery was Ronnie Wood from the Rolling Stones. I quicly learnt what a huge following the man has and that his talent stretches far beyond music. People would never think of buying art, have found great pleasure in taking home a work of art they truely identify with and will appreciate for years to come.

Neil Buchanan, creator, artist and presenter of the BAFTA award winning TV programme Art Attack, officially opened our new gallery on Saturday 3rd December and I found myself learning about this icon of childrens' TV. What a lolovely man and what a great day we had!

The framing department offers another chance to learn. I love seeing all the items people bring for framing. I see the places people have visited and get a great heads on the best places to visit. Prague features top of the recommendations with Egypt and Venice coming a close second. We recently had photos and paw-prints to frame from the Bear Sanctuary in China. Their story was both sad and heart warming and we now have a charity box for the Bear Sanctuary next to our till.

There is always something new to learn or beautiful to discover and I never tire of life in our gallery.


Fiona Haddon

It was late November, the sun was glimmering on the water at the harbour, the seagulls were making their very distintive calls! I walk through the door of Haddon Galleries to report for my first day as a member of the team in this beautiful art gallery! WOW! was my reaction, I now live in abeautiful part of England, having just moved from Buckinghamshire and work surrounded by stunning works of art inside and stunning works of nature on the outside, who could possibly ask for more?

I was greeted by both Fiona and Paul Haddon who welcomed me into their gallery and family, as that is what this gallery is all about! Fiona began by walking me through the gallery introducing me to the works of each artist and their styles with little snippets of each artists life, whether they are localhow long they have been painting, what media they use, totally fascinating and so interesting! Fionas' passion for art, artists and wanting to spread her love for these amazing creations is inspirational and infectious, one can't help but enjoy the easy friendly enviroment that oozes from every nook and cranny of this beautiful space!

I have been welcomed by the other members of the Haddon team ( of whom I shall introduce you to in my future blogs!), who are all warm and friendly and all sport wicked senses of humour!! We are all of different ages but gel as a united team with our love and passion for art and admiration for those who create it! We even had an evening out together last week which was fabulous fun! there was plenty of raucous laughter with tales not to be disclosed to those not present that made us sound like a pack of hyienas!!! There were some delicate heads the next morning and to follow the family feel the sharing of paracetomol, tea and coffee was plenty! I was chief tea and coffee maker!!! It didn't diminish the sound of laughter though!!

I will unfold more of my experiences from Haddon Galleries as time unfolds so please watch this space!!! Which leaves me to declare, I am so lucky to work in and with such amazing people!!! Thank you!!


Oh I would also like to make a little request, that some of the customers from Subway, eat their salad!!!!!! It IS good for you!!!

Hi All


We wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosprous New Year.

from

Fiona, Paul, Aaron, Debra, Laura & Janita.

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Motor sport artist Tony Smith signs with Haddon Fine Art Editions.