The Best of the Rest

Welcome to our round-up of the last show of the year, The Best of the Rest, which showcases five of our established and new artists. Above on the left is Morag Hensleigh and right, Patricia Wilson who enjoyed their first ever exhibition with Gallery Tresco. To say the evening was a success is an understatement, as we were inundated with lovely guests staying on the island, all keen to see this diverse mixed collection. At one point we had clients queueing up outside the door as our helpers broke open box after box of glasses to pass wine around to those waiting in the evening sunshine. See the full spread of work here. Both Morag and Patricia sold two paintings each which was a wonderful start to their evening. International artist Hugo Grenville also kicked off his sales with one as did Sara Bor. Our end of the evening photo reflects the post-opening relaxed atmosphere as we raised a glass to a very successful party.

All set up and ready for the fray!

I make no apologies for this repeat outfit, well almost repeat, apart from swapping trousers for a skirt - see the first version here. I simply love this mermaid coat and couldn't let the opportunity pass me by to swoosh about to the shushing sound of this wonderful jacket once again. Steve bought me this from Topshop for my Christmas present. The beaded vest top was also from Topshop, but was a second hand find some time ago (£2.50). The metallic skirt adds to the completely over-the-top sparkliness of the ensemble. It was from Tu at Sainsburys ages ago and cost me all of £5. "I see you've gone for the understated look" quipped hubby as I dashed past him, sweeping by like some minor celeb.

Rose gold mirror sunglasses are by my fave brand, Quay Australia. Rings are pre-loved.

My pale gold satin kitten heels are from Wallis, and may be vintage by now.

One final swoosh!

I was definitely giddy with excitement as we drew a line under the show schedule for another year. The relief of finishing on such a high was a bonus for all involved. My back up team of girls have done me proud again, as did Jack the chef who supplied us with delicious canapes throughout the year. A final thank you goes to Fiona who stepped up as my blog photographer in the final stretch. Thanks to you all!

                                                                                             Anna x

Summer show 6

Hi, hello and welcome to the reprise of our final summer show at Gallery Tresco. The schedule of 6 exhibitions in 60 days is a huge undertaking, but a challenge I love none the less. Featured above is the attending artist Maggie O'Brien, who over the years has built herself a big following with our clients. Her painting above my right shoulder has been sold, but the star of the show had to be her large homage to the swallow, a lament at the decline of our bird population in general which is one of Maggie's passions. See the entire show here. 

Maggie and I are both putting our best foot forward in our frocks of the evening. Maggie is wearing her new dress by Whistles, not brown but snakeskin print she corrected. And me, I'm wearing a Monsoon gown (pre-loved) which of course, isn't beige, but vanilla. Whew, thank goodness we've got that all straight!

I bought the beautiful satin and chiffon dress from the Cancer Research shop in Truro when I was over there last month for my medical appointment. I'd walked past there in the evening when all the shops were closed and this was hanging against the door. I promised myself that I'd return the next morning and if it were less than £30 I'd buy it. It cost £18 and is worth every penny. The dry cleaning label was still stapled inside which itself had saved me about the same amount of money. Hurrah! You do know how I love a bargain.

It may not be the biggest swoosh factor of the summer, but this gorgeous gown certainly wins in the glamour stakes, don't you think?

I added my favourite oversized Debenhams pearls to the column dress for a bit of impact and two pre-loved rings in neutral tones. The sunglasses of the day are by Guess. 

The satin kitten heel shoes by Wallis must be vintage by now as I've had them for over 20 years. They've hardly been worn. The first outing they had was on a New Year's Eve party which nearly spoilt them for good. We walked home in the rain and it was only the next morning that I discovered that they were soiled with muddy splashes. Some gentle mopping and drying redeemed them and I wrapped them up in tissue in their box, put them into the top of the wardrobe and promptly forgot them. It was only earlier on this year that I rediscovered them. Their best feature has to be the pale green lozenge gemstone surrounded by smaller gems - another touch of glamour!

And here, as promised, is the dream team from that evening. From l to r, Duffy, yours truly, Polly and Hannah. The girls worked wonders on the Opening Night party, zipping back and forth with bottle after bottle, keeping the clients topped up with refreshments and canapes. Thank you ladies for the endless support this summer - I couldn't have done it without you!

As we say goodnight in the glow of the evening sun, I also had to say goodbye to Polly. My wonderful assistant of the past 5 years has moved to an office job on the island. Her admin skills will be put to very good use in Human Resources and she is looking forward to new challenges within this very different role. Her departure was sudden and without much notice; a complete surprise to me if the truth be known, but I don't begrudge her the new start and have wished her well on the next phase of her journey. In the meantime, I've been given part-time help to tide me over the last few months of the season (not quite enough to cover her full time support, but hey, such is life). I shall miss Polly's bright, enthusiastic input, her capacity for hard work, her ability to wrap a painting which defies all efforts by the courier service to trash it, and let's not forget her talents as my blog photographer. Thank you for everything and good luck Polly!

Anna x

Summer show 1

Hello and welcome our first summer exhibition evening at the gallery. Last night our artist in attendance was Flynn O'Reilly who basked in the glorious weather and revelled in his opening night party. To say that the gallery was busy is an understatement and we all worked hard like the ubiquitous swan, graceful on the surface and pedalling like billy-oh under the surface.

Before the masses descended. Flynn's artwork hangs proudly on the back wall and drew him lots of interest over the course of the evening. He spent a couple of hours chatting to clients, discussing the work which was produced as a result of his winter residency on the island. His reward was to sell his first piece on the night, setting him up for a good show. See the full collection of the July shows here.

The first show in the bag, we stepped outside for a few snapshots of the event.

I'll admit it: I've already peaked outfit-wise! I wish I could be of the mindset to save the best 'til last, but the glorious summer weather plus the siren's call of my mermaid coat clinched it. All I can say is that you'll surely see this fabulous coat on another exhibition evening. 

The evening sunshine bounced off the iridescent scales/sequins of the coat, causing it to shimmer and dazzle. It garnered lots of compliments too as I explained that Steve had given me it for Christmas - on land as in the water, I'm forever a mermaid I joked. The coat was from Topshop, but no longer available I'm afraid. I've slipped a beaded vest top underneath - a charity shop find (£2.50) again the brand is Topshop and the satin trousers were a gift from my daughter. I love to put a look together that looks unique but that hasn't cost the earth. Recycling clothes is one of my pet loves as you know.

My thanks to Harriet, a visiting friend who kindly donated these fantastic rosy-hued mirrored sunglasses to me. They're by my favourite brand Quay Australia  who have a 25% offer on at the moment, so hurry and grab yourself a bargain. (I link through to them because I love them, no other reason.)

Yet another outfit that delivers the wonderful swoosh factor! Not only that, but when I walk, the coat rustles making a noise like the sea receding across shells on the shore.

Both rings are pre-loved and ridiculous bargains from a Truro charity shop.

I've had these satin kitten heels for years. They were from Wallis. I love the pale mint green lozenge gemstones adding a bit of bling to what might have been too much classic understatement otherwise.

I'm so fortunate to have an excuse to dress up to the nines like this. With one exhibition every 10 days over July and August, Polly and I are constantly planning the next outfit. I'm, needless to say, in my element bringing out all of my sparkly over-the-top ensembles, but I also have a couple of new dresses that are much more the floaty look than awash with bling. You know me, ever the chameleon! 

So that's it, one exhibition down and five to go. I do hope you've enjoyed the first round up of our summer shows and that you'll join me for the next one. In the meantime I hope to see you again at the weekend!

Enjoy the rest of the week!

                                                                                      Anna x