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I'm a huge fan of period properties and sympathetic restoration. I was so pleased to see that Penpont has been lovingly restored with authentic materials using skilled craftspeople.
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As I arrived, I was immediately struck by the intensity of colour on the lime-washed renders.
The place was buzzing with people preparing for a Xmas fair on the weekend.
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I was ushered into a large and beautifully restored stable that was a warm dining space with a huge roaring log burner.
As it was a creative workshop, we were sent off to explore the outbuildings and extensive gardens and grounds.
I was inspired by the trees; in particular, a 200 year old larch that was host to a stunning variety of flora and fauna.
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We brought in bits and pieces of fallen twigs, leaves and cones and did some drawing. As ever when I'm drawing, I was astounded at how quickly the time passed.
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There just wasn't enough time to do more than a few brief sketches, but the reason I went on the workshop was to kick-start the drawing process so I can concentrate on filling my hand-made books for an Book Arts exhibition I'm curating at Cardiff Central Library. It's going to be a satellite exhibition coinciding with International Women's Day in March 2011 and promoted by the Women's Arts Association.
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Mission accomplished, we gathered our drawings up and met in the stable for mince pies and mulled wine before we made the return journey.
Those vividly translucent lime-washed oranges, reds and yellows are going to stay with me for a good long while methinks.