Bromley Art Society Bringing Artists Together since 1947

Arriving early and with extra seats put out an audience of 55 to 60 people eagerly awaited an evening with Charles Evans, only to be told a quarter of an hour before he was due to 
start that he was stuck on the M1 some 70 miles away and would get to us as soon as 
he could.

Into the breech stepped Allan Davies with some kindly “constructive criticism” on various pictures supplied of scenes near and afar. He expressed his opinions and observations and sought feedback from the floor, prompting us with such questions as “Where is the focal point?” “What about composition and technical ability?” The general consensus was lively and animated but seemed directed more at the frames and mounts rather than the pictures themselves. After discussing several paintings we stopped for tea!

Charles Evans arrived at 9.10 in a flurry, with blue streaked smock, tanned face and golden 
locks. He put down a rubber mat tripod easel, a lamp, board and bucket for water and 
brushes and had set up in 8 minutes flat. With a journey of 9 hours 25 mins from Teesdale 
behind him he began to paint...

He had his own particular narrative while painting, explaining as he went along why, where and what he was doing, punctuated by “Are there any questions?” He proceeded to produce with deft strokes a seascape of beach and headland with colours from his famous pallette, which rumour has it now qualifies as a Grade 2 listed building! He did clouds and cliffs, sand and waves, all in a matter of minutes in his flamboyant style and even added his P & Y people. Unfortunately time beat him and he promised, on his next visit, he would give us some extras. He rounded off by presenting his picture to Pat  Tucker, our chairlady.Is this man an artist or artiste? - or both?

All in all, with Allan and Charles, we had an extra special evening with our unexpected 
double-billing.

3 June 05 LS