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No Limits News

August 2008

Everyone at No Limits Art Gallery would like to say a warm thank you to all the lovely people that sponsored Gemma for her 10 K London run. Personally she has raised £346-00 to date & people are still adding to this –bless you all. The weather was lousy rain & wind for most of the run but the support was fantastic and quite overwhelming. It was terrific to see so many generous people running their hearts out, not just for M. S but other charities too. Everyone was cheering them on & as always it is lovely to see so many individuals coming together for a common cause. So ‘WELL DONE’ to all involved!

British 10K London Run

Thank you to all our runners! MS Trust was the Official Charity for the race on Sunday 6th July 2008 and what a fantastic day it was! 1,250 people braved the wind and rain to run 10km through the streets of London in support of the same cause, looking great in their MS Trust running vests and headbands. This event has already raised over £93,000 in sponsorship and we're expecting that total to rise significantly. Huge thanks go to all our runners and to everyone who supported them.

July 2008

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported Gemma my daughter, who is running in this years British 10K London Run on 6th July. Gemma is running for the Multiple Sclerosis Trust to help with their funding& research. Many of you know I suffer from primary progressive M.S so any research into finding a cure for M.S is very close to my heart. I think Gemma is a star and doing the run is her way of helping the M.S trust and her mum at the same time.

There will be 20,00 runners on the day and 1,250 will be running specifically for M.S. I am so proud that my daughter is one of them – doing her bit!

So good luck Gemma we will be cheering you on. We’ll be at the finishing line with refreshments & goodies!!

For anyone who would like to find out more information about M.S and how to donate please click the link...

www.justgiving.com/gemmaphillips1

June 9th 2008

The Ayot preview evening was a tremendous success and the turn out was fantastic, the weather held out for us and it was a most enjoyable evening with the jazz band playing and the buzz of artist exchanging opinions & tips and guests exchanging compliments. Nice to see so many happy faces! –Don’t forget the exhibition is still open until close of Monday so if you missed out there is still a chance to get a glimpse of the stunning works submitted.

Here are a few shots of the preview evening:

June 8th 2008

Yesterday was the hand in day for all paintings to be entered into the Ayot St Lawrence exhibition June 08 and from the sneak previews I saw the standard is incredibly high with some stunning pieces of art produced. So don’t forget Friday (6th June) is the preview night and it’s free entry no tickets required, just turn up between 7Pm – 9Pm – follow the signs from the church, and enjoy yourselves. There may also be a jazz band playing-weather permitting, nibbles & drinks …all welcome.

June 6th 2008

Here we have the finished painting for our competition winner Elvi……

After much discussion and many preliminary sketches the finished result incorporates many of Elvi’s favourite things. Elvi wanted a graveyard setting to include herself wearing one of her most treasured jackets. Having visited Highgate Cemetery on her last visit to England she also wanted to include a part of this somehow, so after much deliberation she opted for one of the main gate entrances with its imposing pillars. Placing a few gravestones, some trees, another of her loves and all other requests we finally arrived at the painting you now see.

I am delighted to say that Elvi has received and is very pleased with her ‘Competition winning’ finished painting. It has been an interesting journey and the research into Highgate Cemetery amongst other aspects has been a challenge and a most enjoyable experience. Thank you Elvi for the endless e-mails we have exchanged during this process and for posting me your treasured jacket, which I’m glad to know is now safely back in your hands.

We have not seen the last of Elvi’s beautiful jacket and don’t be surprised if you see it again in the gallery at a later date, discussions are underway for a separate commission!

May 2008

I thought March was known as the month of madness but here at No Limits Art Gallery it appears to be ‘May madness’ as everything seems a little manic this month. Business picks up a pace and more exciting challenges reach the studio doorstep!

The winner of our recent competition Elvi will be seeing the results of her painting soon as this is in its final stage. Elvi has chosen an unusual setting for her painting incorporating many of her favourite places and themes so watch this space for the final result!

Preparations are well under way for the 34th annual exhibition at Ayot St Lawrence in June. The exhibition has a preview evening to be held on Friday June 6th (for more info/times etc see exhibition page, or call for a chat.) Expected to be a fun event. A great opportunity to meet organisers, artists and friends alike. So we are looking forward seeing you all on the evening and hoping the weather stays on our side. The exhibition officially starts Saturday June 7th – well worth a note in your diaries and 25% of all sales go towards the upkeep of the Ayot St Lawrence church, a beautiful building and very worthy cause!

April 2008

Summer is upon us and we would like to thank all our customers past present and future for celebrating with us the 1st anniversary of the studio being opened. It was lovely to catch up with old friends and we hope you all enjoyed your day and goody bags!.....Thanks for being patient and creeping around certain areas of the gardens where we have nesting birds, they are in abundance this year- must be feeding them too much!!

We were asked about a late summer get together & possible BBQ – work and time permitting we may well organize such an event so look out for dates and news.

Elvi our February competition winner has decided on the painting she would like so we should be able to show you all the finished result in a few months time….watch this space.

Please remember summer is probably our busiest time for visitors, if you are thinking of booking a studio visit or free consultation be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Back to basics... What is narrative painting?

A narrative painting depicts a story, be that an ongoing story, a part of an episode from your life or just a single moment remembered in time.

We all have our own special stories and it is often difficult to recall & explain exactly what is wanted on canvas. The example shown 'breakfast tuition' is of a relationship between Father and daughter and how Fathers knowledge is passed down through the generations as they sit together at an outdoor summer’s breakfast table sharing an important lesson on the ins & out's of cameras.

Scenes such as this happen all over the world depicting the various complexities of human behaviour. They are often taken for granted or not really noted as having any particular importance; and yet in my opinion it is such scenes that need to be treasured, along with all their subtleties holding true meaning for those personally involved and to whom they 'belong'.

The faded parasol holds its own stories & memories of many a summers use, it tilts slightly to one side... only the family know why – did someone try to swing from it once? The cat in the painting belongs to a particular passage of time. The surrounding plants lovingly grown and cared for by whom?.....Many of this family’s life’s little workings and subtleties are combined here in this one painting. Seemingly just an image of two people to the unknowing eye and yet so much more to those for whom it was painted...

If you would like to capture some of your story & precious memories on canvas, simply contact us for a free no obligation consultation enquiries@nolimits.uk.com

29th February 2008 Competition Winner

Competition winner in association with ‘The Flower Hut’ & ‘Mystic Gardens’.

We would like to thank everyone that entered our competition... the winner drawn by Mystic Gardens is...

ELVI FJELLVANG

Congratulations ELVI!! We will contact you soon and arrange a consultation for you to have the bespoke painting of your choice!

3rd February 2008 - CCP Winter 2008 Exhibition Entry

The subject for this exhibition is ‘treasures’. Coloured pencils on Bristol board. The ‘Button box’ was created from an early childhood memory. I remember being allowed to play with my grandmother’s button box while she sat sewing.

I have strong memories of hours of enjoyment and excitement at the sight of all the tiny ‘treasures’ it contained. Beautiful colours of the rainbow, pearl drops and shiny trinkets; and there always seemed to be at least one that I had not discovered before!

21st January 2008 - Art Classes

We are very pleased to say that our first art class was a blast! We altered the original design and added a deer. As we often have them wandering outside the studio it seemed rather fitting. Here are a few finished masterpieces:

And for all you sceptics out there who believe you have to have painted previously, please take a look 'Debbie's painting' -

Debbie was brave enough to let as take a photo for the web site and I feel she should be very proud of her results indeed. Especially as she proclaimed to not be able to paint at all!!!..............To say that Debbie was nervous when she entered the studio would be an understatement, she said she was frightened of making a fool of herself. She certainly didn't do that. In fact Debbie is so pleased with her final result that she has decided to put it on her kitchen wall for all to see. Well done Debbie and happy painting!

We may well be changing our class days and times to be more flexible and fit with our participants other commitments - so rather than post every change we have decided it's better to contact us at the studio prior to booking and we can inform you of all times dates and subjects as we go. For further inforrmation contact: (e-mail ad) or telephone the studio 01582 882085.

7th January 2008 Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all and may 2008 be everything you wish it to be.

As a brief update, we are still running our competition to win a painting – draw date February 29th. In association with The Flower Hut and The Mystic garden www.themysticgarden.co.uk .

Our first ‘new’ art classes are now fully booked and we are very excited about this new venture, looking forward to seeing many a masterpiece as aspiring artists realising their potential. We will endeavour to update our timetable but if in doubt or we do fall behind, please just give us a call or e-mail for future dates and subjects.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support and look forward to our New and exciting year ahead. As always if you need any assistance with choosing a painting, booking an appointment for a commission, or more general information regarding our site please don’t hesitate to contact – we will be happy to help.

12th December 2007 Merry Christmas

Everyone at No Limits Art Gallery would like to wish all customers, past, present and future a truly wonderful Christmas.

We would like to thank you all for your tremendous encouragement, kind words and thoughts and continued support throughout the year. We love meeting you on studio visits and during exhibitions/events. We look forward to extending our friendships old and new with our up and coming art classes starting Jan 2008.

Many of you have volunteered for our trial art classes as willing guinea pigs and we are ever grateful for your bravery along the way. You have all proved what we believed- everyone can paint!-The looks on your faces as you have left at the end of the day with your very own masterpiece has been precious! Many of you have booked for classes already and we anticipate more giggles and fun days out ahead!

We have some exciting new projects in the pipeline for next year and are always eager to hear feedback and ideas from you our customers. We endeavour to improve our business for you all on an ongoing basis and hope we are hitting the spot. Be sure to check in for updates of events and forthcoming projects. If any of you are holding vouchers there is still time to redeem them for xmas- if you are quick!

Christmas greetings to you all and lets hope Santa received your lists!

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Art Classes…..and a good time was had by all!

Click here to find out more about the Art Classes for beginners.

5th October 2007 A Gift of Art

From... No Limits Art Gallery and the Flower Hut

As a thank you for having made a purchase from The Flower Hut, you are cordially invited to enter our free competition!!!!!!!

In association with No Limits Art Gallery you have the chance of winning you're very own commissioned painting, value up to £400.00 - a narrative painting depicting your personal story. What would be in yours?

Simply click here, enter your details and your code (on the slip in your envelope) and we will confirm your entry by e-mail.

Terms and conditions
One entry only per household, with the authorized code. Competition winner to win: Commissioned Painting – oils on canvas - maximum size 36” x 24” - painted by ‘Frips’. Close of competition and draw date - Friday 29th February 2008 - winner to be notified by E- Mail. If you wish to enter this competition but have no code go to www.the-flower-hut.co.uk to see and purchase beautiful flowers for any occasion.

2nd October 2007 No Limits Art Classes

No Limits is thrilled to offer a new series of art classes for beginners. Click here to find out more.

24th August 2007 Before the Grey

This is my submission for the CCP online summer art show, which I am delighted to say was accepted! – The standard of entries is very high (some entries are truly amazing!) and I feel honoured to have my painting included.

7th July 2007 Hitchin Art trail

Wir Leben! - Current submission to the Hitchin Festival 2007 - to view please visit the Hitchin Art Trail .... June 30th - July 22nd

7th July 2007 ‘A Sputnik Story’……

….belongs to a truly wonderful lady, to whom I personally owe many thanks.

I first met Candace Johnson at a conference for Women in Business at a local University Campus. Candace was the main speaker and without a doubt the most inspirational speaker I have ever had the pleasure of listening to.

Candace told her story of how she got through thick and thin, to where she is today – an international telecommunications expert and entrepreneur and one of the 50 most powerful businesswomen in Europe.

Whilst listening to her words of wisdom, encouragement and enthusiasm I felt an overwhelming desire to paint Candace’s story, and one particular part of it…. The beginning; dream stage if you like, starting one Christmas with a Sputnik hanging from a Christmas tree.

I can’t thank Candace enough for giving me her permissions and taking precious time out of her busy schedule to impart her story to me, sending me photographs and e-mails and communicating via telephone in order for me to put paint to canvas.

I hope by painting ‘A Sputnik Story’ I have captured some of the dreamlike qualities Candace displays and the amazing vision she had then and continues to show and share with others today.

1st July 2007 Our new studio

Why not come along for a studio visit. Would you like to have a painting commissioned for yourself/ the family or someone special? But are not sure of what exactly - then why not book a FREE no obligation consultation at No Limits Art Gallery.

Come and see our working studio, relax with a cuppa in pleasant surroundings while discussing your story, which can then be translated onto canvas as a bespoke painting of your choice.

Chrissie specialises in narrative paintings and has a knack of capturing those individualisms and quirks that are specific to you. That are then created into the story you want to be portrayed onto canvas with the finest oils, for you to treasure.

If you would like to have a real focal point for your home and a great talking topic! - Or are not quite sure, but like the idea then simply contact us on 07870 612675 or via e-mail enquiries@nolimits.uk.com and we can arrange an appointment and FREE consultation for you now.

* Studio appointments are by prior arrangement only*

28th June 2007 Win a painting with Country Properties

Have a house valuation with Country Properties and win an original painting of your choice