Art in Action 2010

“Each year it is always a dilemma as to what to leave out of our review of this wonderful festival — there must be over four hundred artists to consider at Art in Action and it is an absolute must for anyone interested in the arts...”

VISITORS CAN BROWSE, LEARN OR BUY from around one hundred and fifty of the craftsmen who have brought their tools to use in one of the many marquees. These craftsmen demonstrate their expertise in painting, sculpture, drawing and printmaking, ceramics, calligraphy and illustration, glass, metalwork and jewellery, textiles and woodwork… Not only that but in addition, you can also learn new creative skills for just Ł6 or Ł8 at practical classes organised for children and adults alike.

However that is not all; there are performing artists, the ancient art of storytelling and wine tasting together with fine music to enjoy whilst perhaps sipping a glass of Pimms or enjoying a delicious cream tea.

For the 24,000 people who visit this brilliantly organised annual event it is a truly wonderful and very full day out, a celebration of creativity set in the beautiful surroundings of Waterperry gardens near Oxford. We know it sounds just like a press release but this is for real and you will be blown away by the quality and selection on offer.

Textiles

One of the most exciting mediums this year was the textiles created by Anne Selby. We were absolutely bowled over by her very beautiful and ethereal pleated silk stole creation last year in the Best of the Best tent — and she appears to be going from strength to strength. This is an exhibition presenting a cross-section of the demonstrating artists' work from the entire show. During the festival, the demonstrating artists vote for the piece they consider is the 'Best of the Best' in the marquee.

Anne Selby is an award winning textile artist who specialises in textural effects on pleated silk, based on a Japanese technique called shibori that uses plastic pipes, string, dyes and steam to create pleated and double-pleated pieces. This time-consuming process has now been further developed by Anne, who has patented the 'Compleat Arashi Shibori Wrapping Machine'. In addition to making arashi shibori pleating commercially viable, but has also opened up many new creative possibilities. The resulting scarves and stoles constructed of many layers and metres of silk are extraordinarily light and incredibly beautiful. Any woman would kill for one of her pieces to wear to a wedding or smart event — anneselby.com.

Ceramics

The Japanese again appear to be influencing many of our British artists, this time with their traditional simple and flowing lines that lend themselves to current Western modern trends in interior design.

Penny Fowler is a potter whose work — characterised by clean, precise urbane lines and forms drawn with a strong palette — reflects 21st century living. Her deceptively simple bone china and porcelain 'vessels' are layered and carved with very contrasting, dramatic coloured clays, creating strong, simple abstract designs. Their subtlety and delicacy are best seen in her 'lamps' which also have a beauty, simplicity and translucency that would fit well into an art deco, modern or even cottage environment. Has anyone taken it on board that someone would very much like one — perhaps for her birthday or even Christmas? — pennyfowlerceramics.co.uk.

Another highly talented craftsman is Sasha Wardell whose delightful pieces in pastel are delicate and beautiful. Her take on a porcelain tea set would appeal to any age group: there is a white teapot together with six differently decorated blue-and-white tea bowls for just Ł285. What a wonderful wedding, anniversary or christening present. — sashawardell.com.

Bookbinding

Lounging next to a 1930's Al Capone-style car, the body of which was entirely covered and trimmed in leather, we came across a long-haired, leather-clad character who we swear had just stepped straight from the pages of the book Inkheart. Wearing the actual leather boots worn by John Mills in the film Ryan's Daughter, Gavin Rookledge of Rook's Books is one of the few remaining British leather workers and bookbinders.

Gavin's commissions range from finely tooled books from about Ł50 to fabulously expensive, beautiful bespoke furniture and leather lined rooms for Russian oligarchs' megayachts. In between are personal bespoke items in leather, vellum and suede for royalty and ageing rock stars. He has many illustrious and infamous names in his portfolio which discretion prevents us from mentioning. Do take a look at his inspired website. It really is great fun. — rooksbooks.com.

Ironwork

There are blacksmiths and there are blacksmiths but Joff Hopper is what one should probably call an artistic metalworker. The team at the forge in Devon design works of art that are both functional and works of outstanding quality. Joff has just completed a truly unique and amazing staircase for the South Sands Beach Hotel (pic) — another heirloom; and who said craft was dying out? — metalpigforge.co.uk.

Printmaking

Barbara Jackson creates stunning atmospheric and evocative etchings, using figures and cityscapes as a vehicle to capture light, movement and atmosphere in her work. Her black-and-white works, with just a hint of colour, are extremely emotive and modern but with a period feel. — southbank-printmakers.com.

Jewellery and Silver

Always a very popular category and one that every woman (and secretly many a discerning man) is interested in and so, of course, must be mentioned. There was such a variety that it really is worth checking out Art in Action's excellent website. However, just to give you a taster, here are four very different designers worthy of note.

We have all heard of Faberge and many lust after one of their beautiful enamels. Well, have I got news for you: you too can have a beautiful enamel heirloom. Rachel Gogerly is one of the leading designer makers of fine enamel work, combining contemporary design with classic techniques. The clarity and vibrancy of the transparent enamel colour, with its silk-like finish, makes every item appealing to the eye and a pleasure to hold.

Rachel Gogerly (Bracelet)

Rachel makes jewellery ranges for both men and women and her range of small enamel pill boxes and mirrors or tea caddy spoons possess a compelling tactile quality. — rachelgogerly.co.uk.

Becky Crow is an innovative designer and maker and sells a range of contemporary jewellery at very attractive prices. Her silver, gold and copper jewellery — for both men and women — is great fun, delicate and has a humorous or romantic appeal. Do check out her website and I am pretty sure you will find it an inspired source for presents. — beckycrow.co.uk.

Victoria Kershaw is an established silversmith producing beautiful, witty but functional tableware. Some of the pieces we have seen before have combined silver with re-constituted stone using techniques such as forging, spinning, soldering, etching and hand-finishing. She is highly accomplished and the delightful silver, concrete and wool tea set at Art in Action last year was coveted by many of us. This year she was demonstrating casting techniques using pewter for her new collection. — victoriakershaw.com.

Daniela Dobesova's silver and gold jewellery is created by innovative wire forming and coiling techniques. Her jewellery explores the properties of forms and material, such as the tension and elasticity of the spiral, to create elegant pieces. The pieces have a strong, three-dimensional feel and have movement and flexibility: all very wearable; and ranging from only Ł145 for a silver necklace to Ł1,500 for one in gold. — danieladobesova.com.

Someone who was missing this year — she has just had a baby — is someone that we and many others think is very special: Kayo Saito. Kayo creates an unusual delicateness in her work with a strong influence from plants and the organic world. Her delightful but very affordable 'brooches' made with silver stems and delicate polyester petals were a real statement last year and she always has something new to add class to any girl's outfit. — kayosaito.com.

We look forward to seeing Kayo, Rachel and Daniela again when they all will be exhibiting at the fantastic Goldsmiths' Hall Fair from 27th September-10th October, 2010. Check it out at thegoldsmiths.co.uk.

Come rain or shine, Art in Action spans four days in July every year. The piano duets played by Noel Skinner and David Ward are both accomplished and entertaining — the audience loved the recital. We made sure we were at the front of the music tent but imagine our surprise when we turned around to see half the people from the nearby food stalls had drawn up their chairs to join us!

I still have my notes for so many other exhibitors that I wanted to cover, but I will finish with a great toy maker — Jeff Soan — who makes enchanting, articulating wooden creatures. Check out the website at wobblywood.demon.co.uk.

So make a note for next year in your diaries to join us: 21st to 24th July, 2010. — artinaction.org.uk.

We stayed in the Four Pillars Oxford Thames hotel (oxford-thames-hotel.four-pillars.co.uk). It enjoys a stunning location on the river on the outskirts of Oxford. Before next year's event they will have refurbished their historic beamed bedrooms that overlook both the formal gardens and the river. Choose one of these but, please, leave a room for us! — Bonnie and Tim Stevens

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