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Alt text, a new approach, and my upcoming retreat

Well, here I am again. It’s been 9 months since my first Letter from Tansy. More than once, have I thought of Theo van Doesburg’s magazine Art Concret. Issue One was the first and only.

What’s held me back then? Apart from being one of those people that think a week has 8 days, one of the problems I had was my original concept: I wanted to create a newsletter that had the immediacy, in thought and voice, of my real-life letters.

When I was in my twenties, living in London and Ireland, in a fairly regular fashion, I would write a letter, either by hand or on my typewriter, and take it to the post office to be photocopied. I’d then send the same letter to my parents, granny, brothers, and close friends, perhaps with illuminated letters and extra notes tailored to the different recipients. It was like I was sharing the journal aspect of my sketchbooks with my nearest and dearest, and that was what I thought would be nice here for subscribers.

Viewing text-heavy images on different-sized screens might be fine for appreciating the overall effect of graphic quirkiness, but it doesn’t work in terms of imparting information. You can’t add links, or adjust text qualities on a typewriter. And images that are readable on a PC are lost on the screen of a smartphone. Most importantly, it is simply not inclusive to communicate via static photos alone. Alt text helps (please click the link and read about it), but I’ve heard that many assistive technologies stop reading it at 25 words or so.

I am already well aware that I need to do better in providing alt text for the photos I put online. Creating a newsletter where I make something in tangible form, by typing on paper or cloth with a typewriter, and uploading a photo of it, just felt like the wrong direction.

My solution is what you see above, a typewritten post title, plus relevant definition, on a scrap of repurposed painted fabric, and add that, with alt text of course.

And now the (news)letter:

I can’t possibly fit nine month’s news here, so I’ll focus on the two most exciting stories.

First, I have a new studio.

And it is wonderful!

Since I started making paint and running my shop, room in the studio for making art had been squeezed to the point that sketching on trains and painting in books became my predominant method. Neither the watercolours nor online shop are done solely by me either, so as well as stock and equipment, there are two extra bodies taking up room. I’d been looking for a larger space for a couple of years, then this place came up quite suddenly, so I took the plunge. It has two rooms, so art studio and paint/shop are separate, and the most incredible soundscape of the River Don tipping constantly over Ball Street Weir (I’ll do a separate post on exactly what this means and why it exists).

It’s just heavenly. I feel like I’ve been on sabbatical and have returned, refreshed and vigorous.

There isn’t an alt text tab for the video, so I’ll tell you here that this is a short video which starts by looking through a window at the view across an urban river towards a collection of Victorian factories. The footage then swings slowly round to show a 360 degree view of my new studio, with the door to the workshop and shop beyond.

The second news story is that I am running an

All-inclusive Immersive Art Retreat

at a beautiful, fully wheelchair-accessible, country house, set in 26 acres of parkland and gardens, in the tranquil and inspiring Shropshire Hills.

When: Monday 10th - Saturday 15th June 2024 (yes, that’s JUNE this year!)

Where: The Hurst, Clunton, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 0JA, UK.

How do I book? click HERE

What’s the cost? £1350. This covers everything, except your transport to and from the venue. A deposit of one third is required on booking. An invoice for the balance will be emailed to you after booking, and may be paid in instalments, in either GBP or euros.

Is there a concessionary price? No, but a limited number of hardship bursaries are available (subject to application and selection). Email tansy@tansyhargan.com for eligibility and application details.

We will be joined on the Wednesday by a very special guest Nigel Dunnett, who will chat over aperitifs, enjoy supper with us, and then present Planting Design as an Art Form, followed by an informal Q&A session.

I sent out paper invitations to some of you a couple of weeks ago, and have half filled the retreat as a result of that. I am only just managing to announce it more widely now, because the studio move took over. I am hoping that some of you out there are spontaneous types who fancy coming along….

I will give readers of Letters from Tansy a few days to act, before Nigel and I talk about it publicly and on social media. So don’t take too long to think about it, if you don’t want to miss out!

Who is this retreat suitable for? Anyone with the desire to spend a week immersed in "wraparound art", from mindful painting before breakfast, through to an "arty social" every evening after supper. In terms of art experience, you could be a complete beginner or a professional artist, or any level between. Workshops are devised to allow a high degree of self direction and experimentation, while having clear objectives and processes. Tansy will demonstrate and support as necessary throughout the week.

The retreat will focus on the dual idea of "gathering" and "developing". We will repeatedly move from location to studio, focusing on observation and experience (largely outdoors), then on ideation and visual experimentation (mainly indoors). Workshops will be process-based, using varied materials and methods, including (but not be limited to) drawing (ink, graphite, mixed media), conceptual model making, painting (watercolour, gouache, and soluble pencils), collage, textile manipulation, monoprint, frottage, surrealist writing, thumbnails sketching, and assemblage.

What's included:

- 9 intensive (two hours each) art workshops (five on location, and four in the studio), inc. all materials and tools needed.

- A 50-minute one-to-one tutorial/mentoring session (topic of your choice, to be discussed via email prior to the retreat) with Tansy.

- 5 meditative "morning marks" watercolour painting sessions. These will be an optional (6:30am) start to each day, with only the sound of brush washing and bird song breaking the companionable silence.

- An evening with Nigel Dunnett, starting with aperitifs and supper, followed by his presentation: Planting Design as an Art Form, and rounded off with time for Qs&As.

-"Make your own watercolour paint", two-hour session inc. talk on pigment, demo of process, and everything you need to make a half-pan of a colour of your own.

- "Train sketching" demo and session, en route to Shrewsbury.

- Free use of the art studio outside of workshops, includes use of tools, media, paper and textiles, typewriters, sewing machines, computers and printer.

- 5 nights accommodation in a single en suite study bedroom.

- 5 buffet breakfasts, 4 ploughman's lunches, and 5 two-course evening meals, freshly prepared in The Hurst kitchen using local seasonal produce and served in the dining room. All dietary requirements accommodated (a questionnaire will be emailed to you after booking, to allow the catering team to devise a menu that suits everyone).

- Tea, coffee, fruit and snacks will be available for self service.

- Welcome pack, inc. two sketchbooks and a printed zine to accompany each workshop.

- All coach and rail travel within the retreat.

- Car parking at the Hurst (directions will be provided after booking). If you are coming by train, collection from Craven Arms Station can be arranged.

- Lunch at Stokesey Castle tea rooms.

- Cost of entry to Stokesey Castle, English Heritage site.

Any questions? Please email tansy@tansyhargan.com