Well, here I am in the Shakespeare Barn, king’s Lynn Arts Centre. surrounded by eighty-two of my paintings, and there are still just a few left at home! This is the start of my celebratory exhibition, Stephen Martyn at 21, which opened on Friday evening and runs now until Saturday 21st June.
Already we’ve had quite a crowd of visitors. The Private view was a great evening, buzzy, with warm summer sunshine and some excellent jazz music from my friend Mike Smith and his trio. Lots of familiar faces but plenty of new ones too and yes, paintings were sold. The first full day, Saturday was also busy with a constant stream of visitors doing the rounds of the four galleries here. I’ll feature the other exhibitions in a future post, but they are all very varied and all well worth a visit.
Today Sunday, it’s quieter, perhaps because the weather is so good that people are out in their gardens or on the coast, but nonetheless we have had people in and there have been some nice comments.
Over the run of the exhibition I will endeavour to post on this blog most days, and to feature two or three pictures from the exhibition in each post. Do try and get along to see them for yourself! Margaret and I will be here most of the time, from around 10.15am until close at 5pm. The galleries are in the courtyard behind the Guildhall in King St. King’s Lynn, and you’ll spot my banners at the entrance to the complex. There’s lots of information about the Arts Centre on its website kingslynnarts.co.uk including maps and directions.
Dear Steve
I am so sorry not to have been able to attend this wonderful exhibition of 82 of your paintings, but I have been following progress on your blog and you really are displaying some outstanding works, both in oil and watercolour. No wonder the watercolour of the Ladder Stile near Ingleborough received such acclaim – I was tempted to climb over it! The depth of field and atmosphere conveyed was sheer magic. I just sensed that I was standing with you assessing this beautiful scene. I also greatly enjoyed looking at two of your oils:- Muddy Farmyard, Norfolk and the colours were so vibrant – I nearly put my wellies on! Rain Clouds over the Marsh, Burnham, truly captivated the drama we so often see in the Norfolk sky and the clouds just seemed to be moving across the canvass. Just beautiful pictures and so refreshing to generally see paintings which really stand out, and seek admiration. To achieve such perfection with your colour mixes, must be every artists dream.
Thank you again for showing these paintings and I am so pleased, and not at all surprised the exhibition has been so successfully received and offering art lovers an opportunity to make some fine investments.
With every good wish
Rodney