< Previous30 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIREHaving worked in various roles overthe years, Michael has recently returnedto Grimsby with his family and hassettled down into starting out as a fulltime illustrator and designer.His prints caught our eye via Twitterrecently and you can see why. Simple, yetbold and striking, their seaside, art decostyle is both retro and contemporary rightnow and Michael seems bowled over bythe reaction online, having sold out of aninitial run very quickly indeed. “I wanted to create something thatmeant something to me, so for exampleLincoln is where I had my first date withmy wife, Boston is where I’m originallyfrom and the other places hold similarmemories too,” says Michael.The prints include landmarks likeGrimsby’s dock tower, Lincoln Castle,Cleethorpes Pier, Boston Stump andSkegness’s clock tower.Michael explains that inspiration isnever far away: “I’m always thinking ofwhat landmark to do next, I think thenext one on my list is The Deep in Hullas it’s quite distinctive and almost artdeco in style.”His skills are not limited to thismedium however, a keen comic bookand graphic novel fan, he has drawn hisown comics and has even showcased atLeeds’ comic book fair Thought Bubbleand plans on attending this year too.As far as influences are concerned,Quentin Blake is Michael’s first answerand you can see his influence within theliterary invasion art he is also trying out,whereby he draws in simple inks overpages of books to create an artwork witha bit of background. However Michael’sinitial inspiration came in the form ofVictor Ambrose, the artist in residenceduring Channel 4’s Time Team’s intialseries, his often very detailed drawingsproviding a creative launch for Michael’sinterest in art as a whole.Michael also offers bespoke designservices for blogs and websites, offeringaffordable yet amazing headers and titlepages and has also been featured indesign magazines.To seek out moreof Michael’s art,check outwww.clumsypickle.co.ukAll signs point to artMichael Barnes, also known as Clumsy Pickle among other names,is a Grimsby illustrator who we noticed thanks to his bold, retro-styled prints of local landmarks. But as we find out, there’s moreto his art than you see on first glance.030-031:Layout 1 20/5/13 11:31 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY31ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIREExcavations and Estuaries is the first ofa major new series of exhibitionsexploring the coastal landscape of NorthEast Lincolnshire, which goes under thebanner of The Nature of Landscape, andis on display at the Gallery until 1st June.The ambitious project, masterminded byartist-curator Linda Ingham, shows workby some of the UK’s most experimentallandscape artists and includes works onloan from The Arts Council Collection –the first time these have been on displayin this county.Among the items on display are a jointvisual and verbal arts exhibition by artistJudith Tucker and poet Harriet Tarlo, whohave created a series of drawings,paintings and poetry which express theirresponses to a particular stretch ofcoastline between Cleethorpes andTetney. Meanwhile Cabinets of Curiosityby David Walker Barker contains artefactsand objects literally excavated from theearth, accompanied by rich and detailedmixed-media paintings.Linda tells us, “There are numerousways in which the exhibition reflects ourrelationship with the coast. Juliet andHarriet take a more academic approach,and it’s the beginning of the project sothe body of the work won’t be completeduntil next summer. We’re also bringing incanvases depicting the Thames Estuary byGeorge Rowlett who began his career atGrimsby Arts College before going on tothe Royal Academy, so it’s fascinating toGreat excavationsAs last month’s issue illustrated, Lincolnshire’s coastline continues to inspire –and a host of fantastic artists have illustrated their relationship with the coast ina major new exhibition at Grimsby’s Abbey Walk Gallery.see the two estuaries together.“One of the things we wanted to dowith the exhibition was illustrate howartists work and throughout you can seehow the work develops. It’s also nice tosee how different artists treat the samething, so you have three visual artists anda poet all working from the same sourcematerial yet it’s all vastly different.“The excavation theme, in the work ofDavid Walker Barker and David Ainley,can be taken as a metaphor for ourrelationship with the land and theestuary, but also they look at miningcommunities and the hard work that’srequired to bring up to the land thethings we take for granted. Of coursemany of the pigments we use to painthave their origins in the earth, and I don’tthink you can look at these withoutreflecting on the fact we forget therawness of a lot of the things we makeuse of.”Many of us have a nostalgicrelationship with the coast and thatcomes across in the exhibition, but asLinda points out, it also illustrates that,“the coast is changing all the timebecause of coastal erosion. We don’t havethe same problems they have in Whitbyand Scarborough but it is constantlychanging, even with just the way thesandbanks move. There’s a real sense ofthe passing of time throughout the wholeexhibition.”Excavations and Estuaries continues atthe Abbey Walk Gallery in Grimsby untilSaturday 1st June, while The Nature ofLandscape project will continue for thenext year with a number of otherexhibitions and events. Linda is alreadyselecting works for Excavations andEstuaries part 2, which will arrive inSummer 2014.Artist Judith Tucker and poet Harriet Tarlo have created a series of drawings, paintings and poetrywhich express their responses to a particular stretch of coastline between Cleethorpes and TetneyCabinets ofCuriosity byDavid WalkerBarkercontainsartefacts andobjectsliterallyexcavatedfrom the earth030-031:Layout 1 20/5/13 11:31 Page 232 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSHaving been at the property for 36 years,the couple have created what appears at firstto be a sea of green dotted with trees into oneof the most interesting gardens we’ve visitedrecently. On every level, there lie fascinatingalpine plants Mike has collected over the yearsand some you’ll never have seen before too.Starting off life as simply grass and a few appletrees, Mike has developed small areas piece bypiece and this gives the garden an almostpatchwork quilt look. Taking the time to simplyget down to ground level and taking a detailedlook reveals all sorts of colours, shapes andplant types. One striking feature is the cornucopia ofcrocuses which dot the whole garden. Ariotous display of colour is of course yourreward for visiting at the right time, but it alsoserves as a pleasant backdrop to the morehardy and unusual specimens Mike grows. Aswell as rockeries and bedding sections filledwith plants and several Acers standing proudgrown from seed, Mike’s two greenhouses arefull to the brim with alpines in seeding trays,pots and displays of gravel. Almost like a lunar landscape in places, it’slike a world in miniature where plants spring tolife alongside each other, spreading out as if byfree will at points. In fact, Mike tells me a seedfell down off a shelf last year without hisknowledge and as a result a surprise flower hasgrown directly below the shelf this year. It’sadventures like this that mean that Mike is outin the garden as many hours as he can and itreally shows.The real star of the show is Mike’s display ofrare alpines that sits on something manygardeners won’t have seen on such a scalebefore, tufa stone. A rock predominantly foundin Wales, it’s incredibly lightweight andresembles a tough sponge, in fact it can holdup to two and a half times its own weight inDetail inevery inchGreen gingered readers, Mike and Josie Ireland have created an alpine garden thatcommands attention down to the microscopic level in Humberstone. We pay them avisit to see some rare alpines and plants not normally found in our county’s climes.Asperula suberosaTrillium rivale 2013032-035:Layout 1 20/5/13 11:37 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY33GARDENSwater and is a haven for alpines. You simplypush seeds in or make small drill holes in thesurface of the rock and the plants thrive.Mike’s large collection came from a farmer’sfield in Southampton and stands proud inan area just behind one of his greenhouses.Able to hold up to 200 samples of alpines,Mike has some particularly interesting plantsset in the display including anchusacaespitose. a spiky, blue-flowered plant whichresembles a deep sea coral and countless other34 Corydalis solida George Baker & hybrids 2013Daphne x susannaeTichborneMike’s amazing display of Tufa stoneThe realstar of the show isMike’s display of rarealpines that sits onsomething manygardeners won’t have seenon such a scale before- tufa stone032-035:Layout 1 20/5/13 11:37 Page 234 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSplants all displaying colourful flowers evendespite the delayed start to spring wehave had.Mike grows a dizzying array of plants asyou can see from the accompanyingpictures, but one thing he is particularlyproud of is his trilliums, known for theirtriangular petal formations of three, Mikehas a good variety. Of particular interestto visiting gardeners will be thekurabayashii, a red, leafy variety of trilliumwhich has very dark red leaves and analmost maroon flower. Found in woodlandin northern California and Oregon it’scertainly a beautiful flower to behold. Mike’s garden is on the National GardenScheme under the name Lomond Road,visit www.ngs.org.uk to find out more.Hive for solitary beesTrilliumkurabayashiiAndrosace cylindrica x hirtellaClematismarmorariaSaxifraga x youngianumLilac Time032-035:Layout 1 20/5/13 11:37 Page 3CHARLES H. HILL LTD•Chainsaws•Strimmers•Brush cutters Shredders•Hedge Cutters•Disc Cutters•Cultivators•Post hole borers•Pressurewashers•Vacuums•Long Reach Hedgetrimmers &Pole Saws•Leaf Blow/Vacs(01526) 388281MOOR LANE, HORSINGTON,WOODHALL SPA, LINCS.www.charles-h-hill.co.ukRide-on mowers®The county’s largeststockists of Stihl machinesand all backed by 40 yearsexperience and dedicationto excellenceFORSALES &SERVICESee usat theLincolnshireShowLINCOLNSHIRETODAY35Astounding Value,Outstanding Qualitywww.jobearnshaw.co.ukWe have unique and exclusive ranges, displayed in accessible and tranquil settings, perfect for browsing, guaranteed to inspire!If you are planning your next piece of garden design - then look no further than Earnshaws Fencing Centres.LTBrigg Centre: 01652 653165Bridge Street, Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 8NQEverything you need for your Garden!Rattan Furniture lCast Aluminium FurnitureOak Furniture l Windows and Conservatories Landscaping l Patios/Drives l Artificial GrassSkip HireSandtoft Auction- Retro & Vintage- Home & Garden- Buy and Sell!- House clearances wanted!Check website for dates of auctions...sandtoftauction.co.ukDoncaster Landscape & Garden CentreSandtoft Road Belton DN9 1PN (Next to Sandtoft Airfield) Tel: 01427 872300 www.doncastergardencentre.co.ukQualityproductsat greatprices!Great rangeof Rattan and Oak Furniture032-035:Layout 1 20/5/13 11:37 Page 436 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSThe government can try and deal withthe pesticide issue but there is still a partto play for everyone, no matter howsmall your garden. One thing that islacking in this age of intensive farming isgood food for the bees all through theseason. Farm crops provide a lot of foodat one time, but because of the sprayingof native weeds there isn’t the consistentflowering needed to feed the bees for awhole season. There is a large selection of Perennialflowering plants that are a fantasticsource of nutrition to bees and with abit of planning, you can do your bit toprovide bees with food and have alovely looking border.At Mill Farm Nursery in Middle Rasen,we are currently putting together a “BeeBorder in a Box” with a perfectcombination of perennials that will begood for the bees and make an impact inyour garden; these will come with asimple planting plan showing spacingand position.If we can all do a little bit of bee friendlyplanting it is going to have a positive effect.There are some fantastic perennials andshrubs that can help the bees whileimproving the look and feel of your garden.Here are some bee friendly plants Irecommend…Primula Veris- An early springflowering semi-evergreen perennial with arosette of fragrant rich yellow flowers.Ceanothus ‘Concha’- An evergreenshrub that grows to around 3 metres inheight and width and bears narrow,glossy green leaves and clusters offragrant blue flowers in summer.Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Aglaia’-Bees need our helpAs you will have undoubtedly heard recently, the UK’s bee population has fallen toworrying levels. This could be due to farming practices or climate change, but acombination of threats are seriously affecting our most important pollinating friends. Ourgarden expert Rob Parry explains how you can plant to help the bees do their thing.Rob at Mill Farm Nurseryin Middle RasenAgastache Mexicana‘Red Fortune’Ceanothus ‘Concha’Primula VerisLeucanthemum xsuperbum ‘Aglaia’Sedum ‘Mr Goodbud’036-037:Layout 1 20/5/13 11:11 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY37A clump-forming perennial that grows to 60cm in height with semidouble-white daisy-like flowers that are 10cm in width.Agastache Mexicana ‘Red Fortune’- Deep pink flowers fromJuly to September that grow to around 65cm in height.Nepeta Walkers Low- A fantastic plant often used instead ofLavender which has a strong habit and a good show of blue flowersthrough summer to heights of 70cm.Sedum ‘Mr Goodbud’- Sedums are great for bees and thisvariety is a lovely upright type with broad heads of rich pink flowerswhich grow to around 45cm from August to October.Jobs to do this month• Put out summer bedding and baskets• Keep an eye on greenhouse temperatures and provide shade ifneeded• Check tall perennials for staking before they get too big• Prune spring flowering shrubs to keep in check• Pinch out the tops of herb plants to keep them freshNepeta Walkers LowFollow us on twitter for progressFor more information please contactRobert ParryMill Farm Nursery, Old Gallamore Lane,Market Rasen LN8 3USm 07940 302674e linclan@sky.comTwitter @mill_farmFace book Mill farm nurseryBritish grown perennials, grasses, herbsand shrubsSpecialists in new and unusual varieties15% trade discount on sales over £35Do your bit for our hungry bees byplanting bee friendly perennials andshrubs, We are now doing a bee border ina box with a simple planting and spacingplan that includes a selection of lovelyplants for an instant bee friendly border ata discounted rate.Great advice from knowledgeable staffFREE PLANTBritish grown plants thatfeel at home in yourgardenOpening times are Thursday toSunday 10-4 and Bank holidaysThe first 50 customers to bringthe token get a free 1 litreHemerocalis Pink Damask plant036-037:Layout 1 20/5/13 11:11 Page 238 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYSOCIAL SCENEThatFRIDAYfeelingAliceaFowlerandFrankyWarrinerJez Stanton and Claire LyonsAlan LyonsandRachaelTappThe Lincoln Business Friday Club brings togetherrepresentatives from many of the city’s leadingcompanies to talk, network and launch initiatives tobenefit Lincoln as a whole, with members includingPygott & Crone, Home Nightclub and DoubleTreeHilton. Recently several members took up thechallenge of running the Lincoln 10K race in aid ofseveral local charities.In total the club’s runners raised £3600 whichallowed them to donate £500 to their sevennominated charities – Alpha-1 Support Group, LincolnBABIES, Lincoln Breast Care Unit, Lincoln Cathedral,Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance,LIVES and St Barnabas Hospice – and, unexpectedly,make a further £100 donation to an eighth in LincolnSea Cadets. At their recent event at the DoubleTreeHilton in the city, club members were joined byrepresentatives of all the charities to receive the cash.Phil Scrafton, receiving the cheque on behalfof St Barnabas Hospice, with James Rodwell038-039:Layout 1 20/5/13 10:26 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY39SOCIAL SCENEPHOTOS BY STUART WILDE PHOTOGRAPHY LTDThis is just a selection of photographs from this event…Visit www.lincolnshiretoday.netto view and purchasecopies of the photographsLincolnshireTodayTHE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINEDavid Gouldingand Kay PurnellJill Goldsmith and Alyson MellorVic and Linda TappGabrielle and Vera Gaughan from Lincoln BABIESwith John O’Donoghue of Home NightclubFriday Club president Nigel Woolsey with Joe Lyons,Vera and Gabrielle Gaughan, Jo Divver, PhilHamlyn-Williams, Emily Dickinson, Fiona Curtis, WillDowning and Phil ScraftonFiona Curtis of Lincolnshire andNottinghamshire Air Ambulance with JimO’Leary of Studio ViewPhil Hamlyn-Williams, Chapter Clerk and ChiefExecutive of Lincoln Cathedral with Leigh Hall ofDoubleTree Hilton BrayfordBreast Care Nurse Specialist JoDivver with Marion IngleFriday Club presidentNigel Woolsey038-039:Layout 1 20/5/13 10:26 Page 2Next >