It's the height of summer, the gardens are in full bloom, but if you still have a space in the border, or have a flower vase you want to fill, a trip to Fakenham market on a Thursday morning will find several stalls dedicated to plants and flowers. This watercolour was painted on Saunders Waterford quarter imperial 'not' paper. I was drawn to the subject by the hazy quality of the light and the way the display of flowers seemed to tumble and flow almost like a waterfall, from the table down to the pavement. Once upon a time Fakenham had a thriving cattle market and printing industry. But in the 1960s both railway stations closed, the cattle and the print works disappeared, and Fakenham became a sleepy backwater, bypassed by the rest of the world. But on Thursdays, Fakenham comes alive once more - the centre of town is choc-a-bloc with bright canopied stalls, selling everything from cheese, fish and vegetables to baskets, bric-a-brac and ironmongery. The tea wagon starts brewing, the smell of hot dogs fills the air, and tables fill up with people eating al fresco. On one street corner or another, buskers, displaying their talents on guitars, violins or accordions, attract a small, passing audience and welcome the tossing of coins into a hat. Occasionally, amid the crowd, an artist might be seen, beavering away, with sketchbook in hand. As people pass by there's no time for detailed study. I stand for some time, observing the scene, and among the crowds there will be certain characters that stand out. The three sketches that illustrate this month's blog show the universal appeal of taking home an attractive bouquet... Unlike the buskers, I don't seek an audience when I'm out on site. But the only problem with working in busy places is that I'm more likely to attract attention. Much as I try to hide away in a quiet corner, people still manage to seek me out and look over my shoulder as I work. I don't mind, as long as they don't break my concentration by trying to engage me in conversation. When I'm painting I find that the frequent splat of a paintbrush tends to make them step back and give me a bit of space. But when all I have is a sketchbook, my favoured piece of ammunition is missing... I can hardly poke them with the sharp end of a pencil if they get too close, so I tend to respond with an occasional distracted grunt, as they tell me how their grandfather exhibited at the Royal Academy, and how they had a go once, but couldn't draw a straight line. There is usually a pause, as they watch me work, during which I somehow manage to show that I can't draw a straight line either. They then step away, saying, 'It's a gift, isn't it?' Occasionally this remark is delivered in such a way as to imply that not only do they lack such a gift, but evidently so do I... ~ The one time I do welcome an audience is when I give painting demos and talks. On such occasions, you are guaranteed not to be treated to a string of inattentive grunts or splatted with paint water. But amid the selection of greetings cards for sale, you will find that I have taken a tip from the buskers, and there will be a strategically placed upturned hat for receipt of coins! ~
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Judith Key
Judith Key is a Norfolk based artist, working in watercolour and pastel. She has exhibited with the Society of Graphic Fine Artists and New English Art Club at the Mall Galleries, London. Her paintings are in collections worldwide. Categories
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May 2018
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