Painter JOHN HANSON was one of the 'originals' who took part in the first Cranbrook Art Shows over twenty years ago.

We are very sorry to announce that John passed away unexpectedly at home on Sunday the 29th October.

John spent his working life as an Architect, specialising in detailed perspective 'Artist Impressions'. A major injury to his 'painting hand' in 1984 forced his retirement and was the start of his second career, as a watercolour artist and defined the style of his artwork which he described as painting in a 'free style'.
He also took up painting in Pastels as a second string to his bow.

When I first got to know him he was already retired and an accomplished and prolific watercolour painter however he was always willing to challenge and stretch himself as an artist and enjoyed learning new hints and tips while on painting holidays especially those spent with Barry Watkin who became a close friend. He also enjoyed many happy shared painting excursions with his fellow artist and friend David Aspinall.

John was an extremely generous and friendly man with a sunny character and a permanent smile on his face, he always had time for a chat. He will be greatly missed by his family and all of us who knew him.

Flic Flutter

Change someones life forever
The Cranbrook Art Show choose two charities each year which will benefit from Raffle donations made during the event at the Vestry Hall in Cranbrook.

We are proud to be supporting Hospice in the Weald. Their representatives will also be selling tea and cakes throughout the event.

Guide Dogs for the Blind will be our second chosen Charity for 2013.
Donated money will help Sponsor a Puppy through its training – from those tentative first days with a puppy walker through to more advanced training at guide dog school and eventually matching them with the right owner. This means that donations will play a vital part in giving independence and freedom and 'change someones life forever'.
Every hour, another person in the UK goes blind. We feel that this is a relevant and worthy cause for us as artists to be supporting.
On Thursday 7th November representatives of Guide Dogs for the Blind will be present at the Art Show with a Guide Dog, please join us and meet our canine visitor!

We would like to thank:

• The Participating Artists for their donations to provide a Prize Voucher to be spent on artwork from the Show.
• Kalmora Spa have donated a voucher for a hydroflotation and hot stones back massage treatment. This is a lovely treatment which would suit men and women lasting around 2 hours, an ideal way to escape the stresses of the season.
• The Great House have donated a voucher for Afternoon Tea for 2 at their pub in Gills Green, Hawkhurst.
• Ruth Saunders for organising a Hamper.