Bruce Wollheim (film maker) observed David Hockney working in A Bigger Picture (a Coluga Pictures production), and speaks of two paradoxical dictums that he associates with his time with Hockney - one is 'the moment rules everything' and the other is 'You must plan to be spontaneous'. We will be exploring those two approaches in our time together. Most of the work will be made outside in the delightful environment around and in Brynaport but some time will be spent in the studio working in response to work made en plein air. The weather may well 'participate' generously in the paintings. Frances is an experienced tutor and endeavours to discern the unique 'voice' of each student and thereby encourages the individual to flourish within the supportive context of the group. She deilghts in the fast changing weather and light in the Highlands and has herself travelled to the area to work. Students will be encouraged to work economically to obtain lively and immediate images. there will be regular opportunities to reflect on the experiences back in the studio as artists can gain so much by sharing insights and sharing work methods. Frances will offer an opportunity to work alongside her at dawn or dusk as it is at these times of day the most change takes place. This is of course optional! Frances trained in Aberystwyth University College of Wales, L’ Ecole des Beaux Arts, Nantes, (Auditrice Libre), Goldsmiths' College (a post graduate year), and later as a mature student completed her MA in Printmaking at Wimbledon College of Art. She is represented in a publication 50 WESSEX ARTISTS (published Nov 06) and in the Bournemouth University Art Loan Collection 2006/2007. Frances was artist in residence at West Dean College, Chichester in November 2005 where she is a senior tutor. Her teaching is informed by her own creative journey and springs out of that engagement. Frances exhibits and lectures regularly.
To see Frances’ full exhibition programme and find out more about the artist go to her website.
www.franceshatch.co.uk The Fenland of East Anglia with its black earth, big skies and keen east wind is the landscape of Frances’ formative years. There she learned to relish open spaces and to respond to their subtle shifts of light and seasonal rhythms. Over the years she has travelled to seek her subject matter in Scandinavia, along shorelines, over open moor land and more recently in Antarctica.
She tries to communicate not only what is visible but also her emotional response to the particular place and time. The weather and all the other sensations experienced become active participants in the creativity and readily leave traces in the work.
No assumptions are made about working methods. Frances tries to approach each encounter afresh. At its heart, her work is celebratory. | 
