Events

A is for Antarctica

18 October 2024
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog, Events

This morning I happened to read that on this day in 1959, a final conference on the Antarctic Treaty convened in Washington, D.C. After six weeks of negotiations the treaty was signed by 12 countries, demilitarising the continent and preserving it for free scientific study.
Hannah Lawson: Wildlife of Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica, Illustrated seachart.

Which neatly ties in to my next Shelf Portrait painting on an Antarctica theme. Last month I spent a lovely morning with the Antarctic expedition guide, wildlife artist and photographer, Hannah Lawson. We had fun selecting which books should be included in the composition, and looking through her map artworks to choose a possible background for the painting. I’m so looking forward to starting (though I have several bespoke paintings to finish for Christmas before that can happen!)
‘Rainbow of Reads’ Limited edition Print

Of course, I can’t mention the Antarctic without introducing some Penguins, albeit the tattered paperback variety rather than the aquatic flightless birds from the family Spheniscidae of the order Sphenisciformes. !!

The Limited Edition print of Rainbow of Reads is my absolute favourite, and also the most popular, having now sold over half the prints of it’s edition!
Some of the Penguin goodies!

There will be plenty of other Penguin goodies on sale in the run up to (dare I say it…?) the festive season.
You can find them on my website, or see me at:

Derby Book Fair:
Saturday 16th November
at The Museum of Making

Hebden Bridge Open Studios Winter Weekend:
Saturday 30th November & Sunday 1st December
in my studio at Northlight

Northlight Winter Fair:
Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th December downstairs in the Artspace at Northlight Art Studios

Best Autumnal Wishes,
Roo

Currently Reading: ‘The Bay of Angels’ by Anita Brooker 
Roo’s Shop Here 🙂

F is for Family Portrait

27 September 2024
Roo Waterhouse
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F is for Family Portrait

‘For Your Delight’ RWA2024

Last autumn I spent a lovely afternoon at the home of Russell and his family. They had each selected their favourite books, alongside books that had meaning and memories for them as a family.

It was such a pleasure to paint their Shelf Portrait, especially having got to know the stories behind the choices. The William Morris Thistle wallpaper in the background took the longest time, but was such fun!

One of the quotes I try and live by is Morris’s
“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

The finished painting was delivered last week:

“We’re loving it, thank you SO much – it is already hanging in our hall way at the bottom of the stairs.

It’s been a pleasure being part of the whole process, and the wait has been well worth it.

Rest assured our ‘family portrait’ will bring us many memories for the rest of our lives.”

Thank you Russell and family 🙂
Bespoke Shelf portraits
W is for Wanderlust

‘Pathways’ Limited edition Print

I’ve been busy wrapping more prints this week, as the ‘Pathways’ Limited Edition has been a popular one this month.
With the season turning and signs of autumn beginning to show, what better than to stride out across the moors or wander into the woods, map in hand, to explore the wonders of Autumn.

Find some outdoor inspiration in this Shelf Portrait print. Indulge your Wanderlust from Christopher Goddard’s The West Yorkshire Moors to Wainwright’s Coast to Coast, via The Old Ways and The Living Mountain….
Pathways Limited Edition

D is for Dates for your Diary

Over the next couple of months, on the rare occassions that I’m not busy painting in my studio, here’s where you’ll find me:

Derby Book Fair:
Saturday 16th November
at The Museum of Making

Hebden Bridge Open Studios Winter Weekend:
Saturday 30th November & Sunday 1st December
in my studio at Northlight

Northlight Winter Fair:
Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th December downstairs in the Artspace at Northlight Art Studios
First signs of Autumn

Best Autumnal Wishes,
Roo

Currently Reading: ’10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World’ by Elif Shafak
Roo’s Shop Here 🙂

A is for Agatha Christie

16 September 2024
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog, Events
A is for Agatha Christie
‘Agatha Christie’ A4 fine art print and art card

Newly added to my Agatha Christie Bookshelf Art range,
this A4 Fine Art Print and square Art Card
now join the Limited Edition print, Notebook and Mug.
Shop Agatha Christie Book Art
The York National Book Fair
Y is For York

I’m really looking forward to returning to the
YORK NATIONAL BOOK FAIR
this
Friday 13th September 12 noon to 7pm
and
Saturday 14th September 10 am to 5pm

There will be three floors  packed full of rare books to explore, along with a little bit of Bookshelf Art, of course 🙂

A great excuse for a day out in the wonderful city of York!
Get your Complimentary Ticket for York National Book Fair Here!
Sketching the Tuscan countryside (towards Dudda)

H is for Holiday Memories

As summer draws to a close, I hope you have all had some enjoyable times, and maybe even some inspiring travels?
I’m just back from Tuscany, where I was blown away by the depth of colour, the clarity and variety of design and the shapes of the internal architecture in the Palazzos and Duomos of  San Giminiano and Siena.
It’s been 40 years since I was last wondering in the Tuscan hills and it felt like going home…

Best Wishes for a mild September,
Roo

Currently Reading: ‘The Love Object’ by Edna O’Brien
Roo’s Shop Here 🙂

Open Studios This Weekend!!

2 July 2024
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Art Events, Blog, Events

Open Studios Special: Part Two
‘Beside The Seaside’: New Release Limited Edition Print

U is for Unveil!

This weekend, especially for summer OPEN STUDIOS, I will be unveiling a new
Limited Edition Print release: ‘Beside The Seaside‘.

Let your mind drift off to the sun, sand and sea with this collection of seaside themed works of fiction, fact and adventure!

As subscribers I am releasing it to you today, with a special 10% discount through my online shop (use code SEASIDE at the checkout)
on ALL Limited Edition prints until the end of July!!

Here’s hoping for some seaside weather soon!!
Buy Beside The Seaside 🙂
Shelf Portrait in Progress Image by John Linney

N is for Northlight

I love having my studio space at Northlight Art Studios! It is so nourishing to be surrounded by a cooperative of lovely artists and makers… This weekend you can come and meet:
Martha Breeze (Kelletur); Kate Boyce (Painting); Juliet Blackman (Ceramics); Don Myers (Painting); Rach Red (Print & Design); Annie Harrison (Ceramics & Print);Toby Cotterill (Jewellery) and, of course ME!
Studios Open this weekend
10.30am – 5pm
Friday 5th, Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th JulyYou will find my studio on the first floor at Northlight Art Studios, and to show my appreciation for all your lovely support, you will be given a free Book Art Card of your choice! (you’ll just need to ask!)
AND there will be 10% off ALL Limited Edition prints!!
More About Open Studios
Hello! Image by John Linney

I hope to see you over the weekend 🙂

Best Welcoming Wishes,
Roo

Still Reading: ‘H is for Hawk’ by Helen MacDonald
Roo’s Shop Here 🙂

C is for Childhood Favourites….

3 June 2024
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog, Events
‘When We Were Very Young’ Limited Edition print

The worlds of imagination that we find in books as children can expand our universe and expand our minds, helping us to see that there is a big wide world of opportunities and adventure out there…

One of my favourites to dip in and out of was A. A. Milnes ‘When We Were Very Young’, which brought such delight and thrills to everyday life: there was a man that wasn’t there half way down the stairs! There were bears hiding around the corner! …and the simple happiness of John with his Great Big Waterproof Boots on…

I included this wonderful book in my painting of the same title, which is available to buy as a Limited Edition print in an edition of 100.
When We Were Very Young
‘Sarah’s Room’ the next Childhood themed Limited Edition print?

M is for Milly Molly Mandy

The copy of Milly Molly Mandy pictured in  ‘Sarah’s Room’ belonged to my mother as a child. The first of Joyce Lankester Brisley’s MIlly Molly Mandy stories were published in 1928, the year my mother was born, and they are still being republished today.

When she passed this copy on to my youngest, we were delighted to discover that Granjay had been a naughty child and scribbled on the illustrations with crayons! Very reassuring to discover that one’s parents are actually fallible human beings!

I was thinking of bringing this second childhood themed painting out as a new Limited Edition print – what do you reckon?
Which of these books takes you back to your childhood? I’d love to know!
‘Hug’ – a bespoke painting

H is for Hug

For one more glance back to childhood, this painting ‘Hug’ was a bespoke present for my youngest, Theo. He chose  his most treasured books on his 18th birthday, and I painted this Shelf Portrait ready for his 21st.

As you can see from the tape (barely) holding it together, Jez Alborough’s ‘Hug’ , was a favourite toddler book!

“I liked the idea that the smallest hug has the power to fill up even the largest animal” says Jez.

If you are looking for that illusive unique gift for a special someone in your life, what about a bespoke Shelf Portrait?

You can find out more on my website, or reply to this email with your enquiry 🙂
Bespoke paintings

Yes, it’s that fabulous time of year again!
Hebden Bridge artists and makers will be opening their doors and welcoming you into their studios over the weekend of

July 5th-7th from 10.30am to 5pm 🙂

More details to follow……

Best nostalgic childhood wishes,
Roo

Currently Reading: ‘Joan Eardley’ by Christopher Andreae
Roo’s Shop Here 🙂

New Book Art Notebook Range…

12 March 2024
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog, Events

Notebooks are back!
(Well, you kept asking, so what could I do!!)

With three new designs:
By The River; Vintage Penguins and Agatha Christie,
alongside the ever popular Jane Austen and Science Fiction.
Shop Notebooks Here
You can take a look at the notebooks in person if you happen to be in Harrogate this weekend.
I’ll be exhibiting at the PBFA Harrogate Premier Book Fair
on Friday 15th March 12noon to 6pm
and Saturday 16th from 10am to 4pm.
You can even download a free ticket for two here 🙂
…and there’s a new Agatha Christie mug too!! The perfect vessel for a cosy cuppa with your whodunnit reading 🙂

Best Mystery Wishes

Roo

Currently Reading: ‘Lights, Planets, People’ by Molly Naylor and Lizzy Stewart
Roo’s Shop Here 🙂

Northlight Winter Fair This Weekend!

28 November 2023
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog, Events

Here at Northlight Art Studios we will be opening the Art Space for our annual festive treat that is the Winter Fair 🙂

Come and meet my lovely fellow artists and makers, with gift inspiration galore, along with the festive aroma of mulled wine and delicious cakes…YUM!

We’ll be open from 10.30am to 5pm, Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd. I might even wear a festive(ish) jumper!
Do come along 🙂
Northlight Art Studios, Valley Road (and Hangingroyd Lane), Hebden Bridge HX77BZ

Here follows a selection of goodies from Northlighters.. click on each image to find out more.
Happy Browsing 🙂
Toby Cotterill
Katch Skinner
Rachel Red
Jane Revitt
Kate Boyce
Martha Breeze
Don Myers
Northlight Winter Fair
My new What The Dickens! and Science Fiction mugs and Tote bags are now available in my online shop 🙂

Don’t forget to use your code: EARLYXMAS23 for 10% off throughout the shop until December 4th
(or ask me for a mailing list discount at the Northlight Fair).

17 November 2023
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Blog, Events

Derby Book Fair Tomorrow!!

If you are in or around Derby tomorrow, Saturday 18th November, do pop in to The Derby Book Fair at The Wardwick to see my latest prints, cards, mugs and tote bags.
Get all your bookish gifts sorted!

I’ll be there from 10.30am to 5pm. I promise to have an impressive array of tinsel and baubles to bring some festive cheer!!

Christmas Special!

To accompany my new What The Dickens! Limited Edition print, I have produced a small batch of What The Dickens! mugs and tote bags.
Currently only available in person – so come and find me at Derby Book Fair or Northlight Winter Fair!!
Prepare yourself for an atmospheric Dickensian Christmas this year!

Getting Christmas sorted early….

To encourage you to get Christmas sorted early, I am offering you an exclusive 10% off throughout my website shop from now until the 4th December 🙂

Simply add the code: EARLYXMAS23 to your basket…

Northlight Winter Fair

3 November 2023
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Events

Northlight Art Studios will be opening up the ground floor Art Space for their annual Winter Fair

on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December 10.30am to 5pm

There will be over a dozen Northlight Artists taking part, including:

Roo Waterhouse Art

Rachel Red

Emma Hutchinson

Jane Revitt

Kate Boyce Art

Toby Cotterill Jewellery

Rachel Heny

Martha Breeze

Pete & Carol Leonard

Don Myers

Katch Skinner

Bambi

as well as cakes, mulled wine, a raffle with lots of lovely prizes, and an art activity for kids young and old!

 

This is just one of the events going on as a part of Hebden Bridge Open Studios Winter Weekend 🙂

Follow #hebdenmakeschristmas to find more artists involved.

Let’s get Christmas sorted!!

Spine[less]: Rebinding The Portico

21 August 2023
Roo Waterhouse
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Categories: Art Events, Blog, Events

I’d like to tell you about an exciting project I am working on in collaboration with the Portico Library in Manchester. When I first walked into the Portico Library I was immediately drawn to the most damaged books: the ‘spineless’ books in the collection, with their scuffed

leather tones and fascinating array of under-papers, held together with cotton ribbons.  These hidden under-layers, of the centenarian books standing exposed along the shelves: hand-written accounts ledgers; scraps from newspapers; advertisement flyers; lines of script; all assumed by the original book-binders to never see the light of day. Looking along the library shelves we get a glimpse into hidden histories…

I had gone in to the library originally to see if they might like to stock some of my art cards in their shop, but they were SO enthusiastic about my work and I was SO enthusiastic about their books, that our ideas grew into a painting project 🙂 

This collaboration celebrates the importance of the Portico library as a home of

literature, history and learning.

In September this year the paintings will be displayed in the library, and on September 14th there will be an evening event ‘Spine[less]: Rebinding The Portico’ where there will be presentations from the Portico’s Collections Manager and from myself 🙂

You can book tickets for the event here: https://www.theportico.org.uk/event-calendar/spineless-rebinding-event

From Thursday 12th October 2023 – Friday 26th January 2024, the paintings will be part of an exhibition in the library promoting the Portico’s Adopt-a-Book scheme, highlighting the importance of preservation, restoration and the need for rebinding books. Members of the library are invited to Adopt-a-Book and pay for it to be rebound: to be brought back into use: to be reborn! The finished paintings will be for sale,with 25% of the sale price going to the Portico Library 🙂 

In progress in my studio at the moment are the two Portico paintings: one of a shelfful of the exposed ‘spineless’ books, and another of a collection of ornately bound books from the Portico’s collection. It is such a joy to delicately translate these ornate and battered spines into paint across the canvas, relishing all the little handwritten details and worn edges. 

I can’t wait to unveil the finished, framed paintings at the library when we set up the display next week!!

You can find out more about the Portico Library and their Adopt-a-Book scheme:

https://www.theportico.org.uk/

https://www.theportico.org.uk/adoptabook

…and more about me here: https://roowaterhouse.art/about-roo-waterhouse-shelf-portrait-artist/