Welcome to BEANS's blog — a place to share thoughts and ideas about what's going on at BEANS, or what isn't going on...... but maybe could be.
by Karen on April 16, 2012 at 2:40 pm
I managed to just scrape in and see David Hockney’s work at the Royal Academy of Arts before the exhibition closed. I won’t pretend I know what I’m talking about on any professional level, but I did like the bigness and the colours and the fact that he has managed to grab so many people. Lots of people sat looking at his ipad work while having a go themselves on their own ipads…. young and not so young alike. That was nice to see.
And yesterday I made it to Saltaire to see the Hockney exhibition at Salts Mill. It’s called 25 Trees, though most of it is made up of portraits of family and friends. I preferred the landscapes and trees at the Royal Academy. However, there was a very good DVD playing at Salts Mill that showed how the large landscapes were painted. Hockney does actually stand in the middle of the countryside and paint. And the 6 canvas pictures – well, those 6 canvases are set up side by side, on easels that are positioned on top of the dirt and leaves, in front of the trees and paths and plants. He paints fast because it’s cold. Hockney does go on to add colour and general Hockneyness to his work in his studio, but the actual recording of the scene is done in situ. Amazing. Oh to be driving in the Yorkshire countryside and see David Hockney filling his massive canvases by the side of the road.
Karen
by Karen on March 9, 2012 at 12:19 am
I am very behind with updates…. what we’ve done…. what we’re going to do……
So far this year, there have been 3 Sunday workshops – Stained Glass Hearts with Cynthia Else, Collaged Landscapes with Helen Hallows (Helen is currently exhibiting at the Sock Gallery in Loughborough) and Pendants and Earrings with Jessica Noonan. To see the full range of photos, go to our Facebook page. Here’s a sample to keep you going:
And what’s coming…
Look out for our Easter Holiday Paper Making Workshops and Flower Making Workshops…. and our musical evening on the 21st of April. Details will be available soon.
Oh, and if anyone likes David Hockney, you can see an exhibition of his work at Salts Mill in Saltaire until the end of April. It’s a wonderful place with lots to look at and some very nice food too. Not sure if it’s still the same, but we had American Root Beer the last time we went. That alone was worth the visit.
Karen
by Karen on January 18, 2012 at 12:58 am
BEANS would like to welcome Hayley Griffin. Hayley is currently exhibiting 3 of her photograph canvases at BEANS. Hayley prefers to work using traditional techniques ( the darkroom approach rather than digital photography) and has been experimenting with shots taken from the hip and off the ground as opposed to looking through the camera’s view finder. The 3 works on display will give you something to think about while you sup your coffee.
We’re hosting a Creative Greenhouse morning on Tuesday, 24th January from 10 – 11.30 at BEANS. Come and meet fellow artists over coffee and cake.
by Karen on November 29, 2011 at 12:07 am
What a weekend. We had our own version of Thanksgiving on Saturday night – and in true Thanksgiving tradition, it took a week to get ready. There were sweet potatoes to cook, pies to make, vegetables to chop and a turkey to buy…. but, somehow, it all came together in the end. 19 people sat down to Thanksgiving dinner a la BEANS and 19 people were actually fed and everything. Sort of a mini miracle – although, if you’d seen how hard the staff worked, you wouldn’t say it was a miracle at all. Just the accumulation of everyone’s hard work. Thank you all!!
And we didn’t stop there. On Sunday, it was the Stained Glass Christmas course. There were angels, stars and Christmas trees springing up all over the place. Cynthia (our specialist stained glass tutor) sure does know how to get production going!
For more pictures, go to our Facebook page, but here are a couple to get you started:
by Karen on November 3, 2011 at 9:54 pm
It’s official…. we’re taking the leap and offering our first ever evening meal event at BEANS…. Thanksgiving Dinner. Thought I’d pick something I’ve had some practice with. Since moving to England… 30 odd years ago….. Thanksgiving has been a tradition shared between 4 families. The beauty is that you only have to clean your house once every 4 years. We all help to bring some food, but the host has the added responsibility of finding seats for everyone. Now that the kids have partners and kids of their own… well, let’s just say that the plan is to start hiring a hall from next year.
Our 4 family Thanksgiving Dinner is going to be a bit late this year, as someone is traveling around America as we speak (details chronicled in the BEANS restroom). The real Thanksgiving is the 4th Thursday of November. And then, as you would expect, the holiday goes on through Friday and the weekend. Well, you can’t just go back to work after a meal like that. Recovery time needs to be factored in. The BEANS version of Thanksgiving will be on Saturday, 26th November, starting at 7pm. It is a ticket only event.
The story goes that Thanksgiving is about the Pilgrims (you know, the ones from Scrooby, England) sharing their first harvest with the Native Americans who supplied the seeds and the know-how for growing food in American soil. The pilgrims arrived ready to plant and grow vegetables in their new homeland, but they had seeds better suited to the English climate. Out with brussel sprouts and cabbage. In with corn, pumpkins and sweet potatoes (or something like that). Parades (with Santa bringing up the rear) and American football matches now help to round out the day. We won’t be able to offer you those at BEANS, but we should be able to manage to give you that too full feeling that is a key part of the day.
If you’re interested in joining us, details are below. You can get your tickets from BEANS.
Thanksgiving Dinner
Saturday, 26th November 2011. 7pm start.
Starter
Pumpkin soup
Main
Turkey or Mushroom and Lentil Loaf (V)
Sage and Marjoram Stuffing
Roast and Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes with Apple and Brown Sugar
Orange, Walnut, Date and Cream Cheese ‘Jello’ Salad (V option available)
Vegetables
Pudding
Sweet Potato Pie served with Whipped Cream
This event is ticket only. Price: £15 per person.
Tickets may be purchased from BEANS coffee shop gallery.
BEANS is not licensed to sell alcohol, but feel free to bring along a bottle of your own.
Fruit juices, soft drinks, bottled water, coffee and tea will be available to purchase.
by Karen on October 21, 2011 at 11:44 pm
It has been a fun filled few weeks. First we made a Scandinavian Toothbrush Rug with Rachael. I joined in for this one. A good way to put those old curtains, duvet covers and worn out clothes to use. I forgot my camera, but I do have a very titchy bit of rug to photograph. Think I may wait til it grows a bit though. My excuse is that I was making lunch.
Then it was batik. To see even more pictures, go to our Facebook page. Batik on silk, batik on cotton, painted on dyes, scrunched and dyed, with salt, without salt. Pretty amazing stuff.
And finally, a second bread class. BEANS was approached by a small group who asked for a Monday bread making day. There was seed covered bread, fruit bread, croissants and I don’t know what all else… but in the end, it seemed to be everywhere. I have it on good authority, that when you arrive home with a bag full of homemade bread, your family welcome you with open arms!
