Bucks Mills Artists’ Cabin, North Devon.
Judith Ackland, a Bideford girl, and Mary Stella Edwards formed a great artistic partnership after meeting as students. They travelled from London and spent months every year in The Cabin, Bucks Mills, hanging on the spectacular North Devon coast south of Clovelly. In 1948 they eventually managed to buy it, for £625.
Judith Ackland (L) and Mary Stella Edwards at Bucks Mills.
The National Trust gained ownership of The Cabin in 2008 and began a series inviting artists to take up residency for a short period of time. This to include ‘Open Days’ (17-18th: 10.00-14.00) on which the public can gain access to The Cabin’s interior. I feel very honoured to be selected as ‘Artist in Residence’ this year, and from June 12 to the 23rd and most days will be there or in the surrounding countryside, depending on the weather. Please come on the Open Days if you can and feel free to disturb me at any other time (if you are able to find me!).
This collection is held at The Burton Art Gallery and Museum, Bideford from where you can buy a superb booklet about it.
As The National Trust say A rare opportunity to see inside this tiny artists retreat which has been left largely untouched since the 1970’s. Last used by renowned artists Judith Ackland and Mary Stella Edwards, the cabin is exactly as they left it over 40 years ago and remains a hidden gem in the pretty coastal village of Bucks Mills. Meet with the current artist in residence, and learn about how they’ve been inspired by this artistic heritage.
Inspired by these two ladies, I plan to be drawing mostly with oil pastels in black but also colour on the special silk paper I love to use. I’m sure mine will be nothing like their delicate work but I hope the spirit and history of the area will somehow transmute to me. I also hope to be able to post some results of this tenure after the residency is over. If nothing appears you’ll know I’ve failed abysmally.
The Burton Gallery is a marvellous venue in Bideford, doing important conservation work with this collection. The gallery is currently hosting the annual Westward Ho! and Bideford Art Society summer show in which I have these two paintings: Almond grove in Andalucia and Study of anemones (after Vassyl Khmeluk).
Richard Meyer: Of Art: Painting & Writing 