April 2026 Newsletter

Gill Barrett • 1 April 2026

Book available for pre-order!

April 2026 Newsletter

Here is an update on my art journey….

This has been such a busy month for me - preparing for two exhibitions and updating and adding to my stock for my next craft fair! Plus promoting my shortly to be released craft book! See below for details.

Website news: On-line Gift shop

Did you know new giftware range featuring my art is available to purchase? This includes mugs, printed linen bags, coasters and placemats. In addition, I offer prints of some of my most popular paintings to make my wax and alcohol ink designs more affordable. These prints are available in a range of sizes and would be perfect to frame for your home or as a gift for that special person.

In the Studio - New products

I have really enjoyed making some concertina art books with hand decorated covers. I have taken my encaustic vessels to a new level by incorporating clay and other textured materials into them. A range of these new products will be available for sale at my upcoming craft fairs. (see photos below!)

The Encaustic Hive UK on-line Exhibition

I am delighted to be part of a newly formed group of artists in the UK who paint using encaustic wax. This is our first online group exhibition. You can see two of my encaustic landscapes which form part of this exhibition at: https://wax.artyheaven.com/art-of-place-exhibition The Exhibition showcases Encaustic Wax talent from around the UK and runs from 28th March to 11th April 2026. Vote for your favourite!

The theme was A Sense of Place and I have based my paintings on photographs I took on a journey through the Cotswolds. There is a fantastic range of entries all showing the beauty of using molten wax to create art. It is such a versatile medium to use.

TWASI (The Wildlife Art Society International) entries

I have entered several pieces of encaustic wax art to the TWASI Exhibition which is held at Nature in Art from Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 31st May 2026. Come along and view them in the TWASI marquee there! There are always some fantastic entries to see.at this Exhibition. For details see the Nature in Art website: https://natureinart.org.uk/

NEW DATES FOR YOUR DIARY!

Crafters Companion Store, The Valley Evesham

Saturday 9th May Demonstration in store of hand-dyeing tissue paper using techniques from my Craft book! Come and meet me there! Copies of my book should be available to buy.

Friday 22 May Workshops / Demos. Learn with me how to hand dye tissue paper and see what projects you could use it in. Contact store to book.

Mini Market at Nature in Art: 16th and 17th May

10:00 - 4.30 both days in the Education Centre. Free Entry.

I will be selling a range of my original wax paintings, encaustic bowls, concertina art books, bags, prints, cards, giftware and more at this craft fair. I love to meet people at the craft fairs I go to and really enjoy explaining my art to them. I hope to see you there!

See: https://natureinart.org.uk/whatson/action~agenda/page_offset~2/request_format~json/

Dare to Dabble mini art course - Nature in Art - APOLOGIES - THIS IS ALREADY FULLY BOOKED!

I am delighted to let you know that I will be teaching my second Dare to Dabble course at Nature in Art on Friday 24th April. I will be teaching how to create a collaged vase of flowers. I hope to meet you there!

My next Dare to Dabble is scheduled for 17th July and I will be teaching how to hand dye tissue paper. Contact NIA to book once the date is released.

Nature in Art is a fantastic place for a day out with its Museum and Art Gallery, Sculpture Garden and a really great Coffee Shop. They also run many art courses for adults and children. Well worth a visit! See https://natureinart.org.uk/

Artist in Residence - Nature in Art 15th-20th September 2026

I am very excited to have the opportunity to be an Artist in Residence at NIA - there I will be creating some of my artwork which will allow me to demonstrate some of my techniques, products and equipment used to create my encaustic wax art and my alcohol ink floral paintings. Paintings and other items featuring my art will be available to purchase. Add the date to your diary! I hope you are able to come and say hello!

Whispers of Nature Solo Exhibition - Gardens Gallery, Cheltenham 15th-19th December 2026

Another first for me - I will be hosting my first ever solo exhibition featuring my encaustic wax art, alcohol ink paintings and other artwork. Original paintings and other items featuring my art will be available to purchase. Add the date to your diary! I hope you are able to come and say hello! Just before Christmas so great for giving the gift of art.

Plus....more craft market dates are planned throughout 2026 - keep following to find out more!

Book update!

I received the first advance copy of my new craft book 'Hand-Dyeing Tissue Paper: techniques & creative projects'! I am very pleased with how it looks - it is very colourful! A visual feast! It is now available to preorder via Search Press and also on Amazon! It is not actually released until 19th May - so there is a little wait still until you can actually have the book! Pre-order links are on the book page of my website and if you click on Look Inside you can see the contents page and examples of some projects. Check out my Instagram for a recent flick though of this book. There is also a video on my website book page of me explaining what my craft book is about! See: https://www.gillbarrettart.co.uk/my-boo

I will shortly be receiving a few advance copies of my book which will be for sale at some of my up and coming events.

Thank you for being part of my artistic community - your support is much appreciated. Follow me on Instagram for updates on new work and upcoming events.

best wishes,