Local artist helps others walk and sketch in Turner’s footsteps around Malmesbury

Local artist Anne Hayhoe will lead a free workshop and walk this weekend focused on the time spent in Malmesbury by famous landscape artist JM Turner.

“In the Footsteps of Turner” will begin with a talk at the Athelstan Museum in front of the artist’s painting of Malmesburys Abbey. Anne will then lead the participants on a walk around the Abbey, stopping at places where Turner was known to have made his exploratory sketches. 

While visiting the Abbey, participants will be encouraged to make their own sketches using their own materials. Finally, participants will have the chance to study those sketches and discuss contemporary artworks that can be created using them. The event is free but does need to be booked in advance with the museum. It will start at 10 am with an estimated 1 pm finish. 

“It is wonderful for the people of this rural community to have free access to an original watercolour of Malmesbury Abbey by renowned British artist JMW Turner.,” said Anne. “Participants will be inspired to use the materials that are available today to create their entirely new images of the Abbey as it is experienced in the 21st Century.”

JM Turner’s painting of Malmesbury Abbey, which was completed in 1827, is one of the highlights of the Athelstan Museum collection. The artist visited the town three times and made several sketches of the abbey from which he later painted the watercolour that went on to form part of his celebrated collection ‘Picturesque Views in England and Wales’ (1825-38). It is believed to be the only finished watercolour of that particular aspect of Malmesbury Abbey. 

“So much can be learned by studying an original painting. Turner was not just a highly-skilled painter, he was an innovator keen to experiment with new pigments as they became available and adept at pushing his work expressively beyond the boundaries of conventional watercolour painting at that time.”

It’s believed the artist first sketched the Abbey when he was 16, while the watercolour that now takes pride of place in the Athelstan Museum was completed 30 years later. 

Although now living in Pewsey, Anne has strong links to the town. She was educated at Malmesbury Grammar School and returned to practice art about ten years ago. Having studied fine art at Trowbridge College and Oxford Brookes, she now works across a wide range of media including painting, drawing, textiles, artist's books, and writes poetry. 

For those who miss out on the June event, the workshop will be repeated on August 13th. Once again, the event will be free but participants will need to book in advance with the museum. For more information visit https://www.athelstanmuseum.org.uk

Anne will also be opening her Pewsey home in July as part of the Marlborough Open Studios, see https://www.marlboroughopenstudios.co.uk/ for details.