Sophie Ploeg

The time since my Open Studio I have filled with a trip to London and more research into the history of fashion and lace. I went to see the new exhibition at the Queens Gallery at Buckingham Palace called 'In Fine Style' which explores Tudor and Stuart fashion in art. It brings together some real highlights of the royal collection including Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Bronzino, Marcus Gheeraerts and many others combined with some real historic pieces of clothing that have miraculously survived the ages. Embroidered waistcoat, 1610-20, Fashion Museum Bath  The detail in the paintings from this era is astounding and enough to make you gush over the sheer richness and indulgence of colour, detail, jewels and luxurious fabrics. I doubt any (wo)man can resist. Besides just enjoying the stunning paintings and glorious royal clothes and lace it is fascinating to see how the artists excelled themselves in painting every detail of the clothes, the jewels and the lace.

For those who missed out during my Open Studio I have now new stock of greeting cards. Let me know if you're interested. Not all designs available. £1.50 each

Happy to report that my Snow Flake Children will hang at the Society of Women Artists 152nd Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London from 27 June - 6 July This is my third year showing with them. Really pleased and look forward to seeing the exhibition. The Mall Galleries, The Mall, London SW1 www.society-women-artists.org.uk

2 Days of Open Studio done and dusted. I am pretty tired but they were great days! The sun was shining and there were plenty of visitors! I sold lots, and lots, of greeting cards and received endless compliments. All very lovely. Here are some pictures of the Open Studio. I am doing one more day ....Sunday 12th May, 10am - 5pm. Let me know if you'd like to come and I'll send you details of where and how to get there. Thank you so much to all the visitors who visited - you all made the Open Studio a success this year, and it has not even ended yet. Update and final thanks on my Open Studio page

Finally I can show you my latest -very large- painting Eurydice enters the Underworld, oil on canvas, 71x121cm/28x48"

I finally decided how to finish this painting! Wings, oil, 60x50cm This is a work in progress, currently on the easel and being slightly ignored as I am too busy preparing for the Open Studio Days! detail of work in progress And the local newspaper, the Gazette, wrote a lovely piece about my inclusion in the BP Portrait Award: http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/10387278.Thornbury_artist_s_self_portrait_to_be_exhibited_at_the_National_Portrait_Gallery/ I hope to see lots of visitors this Bank-Holiday weekend during my Open Studio Days! photo: S. Portal