The Cornwall Blog

From the 15th to 30th November 2013, Lighthouse Gallery present an exhibition of new works by two exceptional painters whose works draw inspiration from the landscape and its wildlife. Catherine Hyde trained in Fine Art Painting at Central School of Art, London. She is well known for her symbolic and richly atmospheric paintings of hares, stags, owls and fish whose journeys through her broad, glowing canvases bind the elements, seasons and beauty of the landscape together. Catherine recently illustrated Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy's original fairytale ‘The Princess’ Blankets’ and Saviour Pirotta’s ‘Firebird’ which were both nominated for the Kate Greenaway Award for distinguished illustration. Ingebjorg Smith is a Masters graduate of the Glasgow School of Art and has worked as an illustrator for BBC Scotland, Gaelic Children's TV, Canongate Press and designed posters, sets and costumes for theatre productions Wildcat and Halaballoo. Painting from her studio amid the...

The Courtyard Deli When visiting Cornwall there are so many fine places to eat but so many of them are hidden away and often locals hot spots. I wanted to share my favourite hidden places to eat in Cornwall, local ingredients cooked beautifully and once found you will also be going back for more. The Courtyard Deli Falmouth. This is a true hidden gem and when I say hidden unless you know about the small alleyway leading up to the Deli you wouldn’t know it was there. Nestled in the heart of the beautiful coastal town of Falmouth this Deli is definitely worth hunting down. With all the usual food you expect to find in a deli from beautiful breads to local cheeses they also serve amazing homemade cakes with delicious coffee. But the best thing about the Deli is when the Deli transforms into a tapas bar in the evening. My favourite is their Cornish mackerel fillets. Jon's Bistro Jon’s Bistro at The Bre Pen farm Mawgan Porth. When looking for hidden spots you can’t get mor...

From 19th October to 15th November 2013 New Craftsman Gallery are presenting an exhibition of paintings by Colin Orchard, member of the Royal Society of British Artists, along with sculpture by Joanna Wason. Born in Surrey in 1935, Orchard had no formal art training and began his career as a messenger in the art department of The Times and then as a typographer and layout artist. He also went on to produce humorous illustrations for The Times, Shell, ICI, WH Smith, Sony and other major companies. From 1963 to 1973 he was Art Director for Letraset International, then freelanced as a graphic designer until 1983 when he moved to St Ives and became a full time painter. He has exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions and galleries including David Messum, Medici, Walker Galleries, Ainscough and New Grafton. In 2007 he was elected a member of the RBA upon winning the Artist award at their exhibition that same year. Orchard’s work is strongly influenced by Impressionist pain...

Painter Mark Preston has been drawn to the rugged, dramatic coastline between St Ives and Lands End since he was a fine art student in the 1990s. For the past year, Mark’s work has focused on capturing the beauty of the land and sea of West Cornwall throughout the four seasons. This exhibition of forty works, showing from the 6th to 21st September 2013, explores the Duchy in all its glory; sun, rain, storms, spring flowers, winter seas, enticing beaches and wild landscapes. Although based in Derbyshire, Preston is a devoted painter of the Cornish land, coast and sea, fascinated by the way in which the changing seasons affect these spectacular places. Inspired to become a landscape painter through many painting trips to the Peak District, Cornwall and Scotland with his artist father, Rex Preston, Mark paints outdoors using acrylics, with relatively little time spent in the studio. Direct contact with the landscape and natural elements are essential for his painting. Working wi...

First Ever Cornwall Ceramics Trail Launches to coincide with the St Ives September Festival 2013. The history of ceramics in Cornwall is of great importance to the art history of both this region and the wider world, and attracts students, academics and cultural visitors from across the UK and internationally. Alongside established public venues such as the Leach Pottery St Ives and a wealth of private ceramics galleries, the county supports a broad community of independent ceramicists working from private studios. Timed to coincide with the St Ives September Festival 2013, from Saturday 14th to Saturday 28th September this year the first ever Ceramics Trail Cornwall will see potters and ceramicists opening up their working studios to the public. Throughout the event fans of contemporary Cornish pottery will have a unique opportunity to meet and engage with ceramicists, see them at work in their pottery studios and purchase works direct. French born potter Michel François, who...

North Cornwall has a great variety of accommodation types which mean that it meets the needs of visitors from all over the world and country. A burgeoning form is the boutique bed and breakfast, offering luxuriously appointed rooms in spectacular locations. The region around Padstow lends itself very well to this form of tourism, especially along the banks of the Camel Estuary. The many inlets and coves are full of beautiful scenery and mystery. Heading towards the estuary from St. Issey, halfway between Padstow and Wadebridge, the road ames many turns through the tightly packed hills and little woods. In this farmland you will come across the recently restored Tredore House, a farmhouse bed and breakfast dating back past the middle ages, with a striking Victorian wing. All of their guest rooms have been refurbished to a high standard giving a modern and contemporary feel. Their breakfast room is spacious and well furnished, a great place to eat the delicious food served. ...

The National Maritime Museum Falmouth has been shortlisted for the Telegraph Family Friendly Museum Award – by far the biggest museum award in Britain and the only one judged by families. The winner is picked by undercover family judges visiting the museum anonymously and reporting back on what they find. Kids In Museums are now recruiting families who would like to be judges. All a family needs to do is email award@kidsinmuseums.org.uk and they will be supported through the judging process. It’s free and fun, and gives another reason to spend time at a fabulous local museum! You are, of course, welcome to visit more than one venue too if it coincides with family holidays etc. We will pay reasonable travel costs for any judging families as well as covering your entry fees, if applicable. A few days after your visit, a volunteer would contact you to discuss how things went. It’s great The National Maritime Museum has got this far – and hopefully will get further! The winner...