Child Okeford (Dorset) Artists

I have been holidaying in the delightful Dorset village of Child Okeford. Don't you just love the name. Apparently, my research tells me, the village was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Acford. It had 39 households and a total taxable value of 10 geld units. By 1227 the village was known as Childacford. The village's name derives from the Old English cild, meaning a noble-born son, plus ac and ford, also Old English, meaning an oak-tree ford. The noble-born son likely referred to an early owner. (Wikipedia)

I love the way the weather changes the views around this beautiful county.

A pretty village and beautiful county such as Dorset must surely breed a plethora of brilliant artists. And I have not been disappointed. Today we will meet Mary Tambini and Robert Adams, local Child Okeford artists.

If we are going to appreciate art works we need to gain an understanding of the perspective the artist has and how this is represented in the creative works. Mary Tambini has been very generous in explaining her creative quest to seek artistic fulfilment.

In the past I have worked in a range of styles and different media which have included systemic painting, ie. painting based on number systems, searching for optical effects and painted in a very exacting and hard-edged style. I also spent a number of years focussing on sculpture and ceramics. (marytambini.co.uk)

Today we will concentrate on Mary's landscape paintings.

Throughout my career as an artist, drawing has been, and continues to be, the underlying practice which informs my work. In the landscape drawings I use black and white media:- pencil, charcoal, conte inks, monotype. When working on the paintings in the studio I give myself considerable licence with colour. I like the emotive power of colour and am not afraid of it. (marytambini.co.uk)

Recently, I have become more interested in the paint surface and have been working into and onto it. Sometimes almost obliterating the underpainting by sanding or painting over, but leaving evidence of pentimento and palimpsest to reveal some of the history of the painting. Some of the painters I like include the following: Expressionists like Max Beckman and Alexei Jawlensky. I also admire Gillian Ayers, Malcolm Morley, Sigmar Polke and Anselm Kiefer. (marytambini.co.uk)

I hope to return to look at more works by Mary Tambini but in the meantime please check out her website to see more of her works and learn more about her style.

Another local artist to Child Okeford is Roberts Adams who also writes a blog. Here is a sample of his Country England starting with some pen and ink images.

And some of his paintings: both watercolour and oils.

And to conclude - a few more images from Dorset- one of the most beautiful counties in England.