Three book immersion

Edward Bawden: Snowstorm at Brighton (image from here)
This is a reading weekend.  Coincidentally three art exhibition catalogues arrived at once and have absorbed my attention.  At first glance they might appear to be too disparate to consume together; but far from having indigestion, I feel well nourished.

Edward Bawden: Autumn Print (image from here)
I chose to read them chronologically, starting with Edward Bawden and the exhibition of his work that is on at present at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London.   The catalogue is an excellent overview of his career, with many illustrated examples of his varied work, including watercolours and portraits where so many other publications concentrate on his graphic work.  My own particular favourite is shown immediately above: an image which I have up on the pinboard in my printing workroom.

Victoria Crowe: Thea Musgrave (image from here)
The second catalogue is from Victoria Crowe: Beyond Likeness, an exhibition at present on in Edinburgh at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.  I have been an admirer of Victoria Crowe's work ever since I encountered a tapestry woven by Dovecote Tapestry Studios from one of her paintings.  It was in an exhibition at Compton Verney in 2012.

Victoria Crowe: Interrupting the dialogue (image from here)
In the portraits I particularly enjoy so many conventionally still life elements combined with the figure to present/represent a whole life - as well as creating an interesting picture no matter if one has a particular interest in the individual person portrayed.  I also find that her compositions please me greatly, drawing me in, providing a calm, but without suppressing curiosity to look closely, more, and again.

Katherine Jones: The Wheat Barn (image from here)
The third catalogue is from an exhibition this Spring at Rabley Drawing Centre: The Precious Hours by Katherine Jones. I first saw a print by Katherine Jones at a Royal Academy Summer Exhibition years ago when I was on a printmaking course myself.  

Katherine Jones: Jurassic Glass House (image from here)
I have been interested to see how her work is developing, and am delighted that the linear qualities which first attracted me seem still fundamental to her work.  It can be disappointing to fall in love with an artist's current work only to find that they develop into something one does not understand or like - even after trying.