TANIA BEAUMONT

For once there are events happening in Ramadan, even though half the population flees abroad. I have just returned from 2 weeks in London, which was rather good. Enjoyed the RA summer show,  usual mix of 30% great stuff and.... the rest...... one wonders why they bothered.

I have 6 pieces in the Ramadan Affordable Art fair, Ghaf Gallery 23rd Aug-7th Sept - all etchings.

1-5th September I have made the decision, perhaps foolishly, to do 5 nights at the Meridien Hotel Art and Craft Fair.They are holding the event in the empty Turkish Restaurant room, with its lovely painted vaulted ceiling. Must remember to take a book, incase it's quiet. People may end up just eating in the surrounding restaurants instead of buying our wares !

Well, we are sweltering away here, and it's not even August. Temperatures have been up to 45C so far. Phew !

I'm trying to get on with work for two up-coming shows later in the year - Fanaan's themed show, 'Foreign', and a joint exhibition I'm doing with Judy Roberts (from Dubai). They are both to be held at the Gwynfa Gallery - in someone's villa, in Khalidiya Village. Fabulous space, with room for up to 40 pieces.

I have also booked a space at the Swisslinx Christmas Fair again, at the Beach Rotana Hotel - 3 days in a shed again (oh sorry, chalet !) It was surprisingly successful last year, with tourists and local residents mingling , buying......and partying basically. Quite bizarre to see people wandering around outside, in the garden, with glasses of wine from Spinneys drinks stand. It helped keep people there browsing I must admit.

Re. the 'Foreign' theme for Fanaan group, it's turning out to be more interesting than I'd anticipated and I am doing mixed media paintings, also incorporating etchings, lettering, photos etc. I'm having great fun. One of the collages, 'Stranger in a Strange land', is particularly autobiographical. It was wierd that although I knew of the Robert Heinlen book of that  title (and Leon Russel's song of course) it was only yesterday that I saw it, unread, on our bookshelf. WHAT ??!! goosebumps. We dont know how it got there.

Whether anyone else will like them is anyone's guess !

I have also started doing things to do with 'birds' and birdcages - kicked off by a dried, flat, quashed bird I found in the carpark (and some of the 'Foreign' ideas) - I'm just finishing a painting of it. well, each to his own eh ?

Talk about extreme forward planning - I have booked a stand at the Untitled Artists' Fair, Chelsea Town Hall London, beginning of June 2010. Decided it's about time I started to think about making contacts in the UK for when we finally go back to 'real' life, whenever that might be. Escalating gallery fees in Abu Dhabi make it almost prohibitive to show here - all to do with escalating property rentals of course. Sooner or later the whole silly system will grind to a halt when everyone says 'ENOUGH' .

I continue to have open studio shows twice year, which are quite successful.

After several months of winter hibernation Abu Dhabi's best gallery is set to reopen, with a collective show - 7.30pm 26th April. The newly refurbished space is lighter and us artists are definitely pleased to have the opportunity to show there once more. We have missed you !!

Exciting, innovative, affordable  Art in all media - definitely a space to watch.

     Home Sale.  Wed. 5th & 6th May 

 Studio sale of  paintings and original prints  Plus  silver jewellery, antique engravings & calligraphy, decorated boxes etc  etc ...........................and NEW CARDS !!

JUDY ROBERTS from Dubai will also have her vast range of goodies -New soft teddies wearing UAE T shirts, and darling tiny little ones with jumpers or skirts. Bottle stoppers and Keyrings inset with coins, screen-printed aprons and carrier bags, hand-painted 'Shake & Shaker' salt and peppers.......... if you need gifts to take home for the summer....this is the place.

COME AND BROWSE , OVER A CUP OF COFFEE AND A BROWNIE !!