Looking Back, Going Forward... It's wet, it's cold and the golden floor of leaves outside is looking decidedly soggy. We are though warm and cosy here in the office with the dogs (Jumble and Amber) curled up at my feet. With memories of a busy year still fresh in mind, I thought here to give ourselves a slightly self-indulgent look back at the highlights of 2019, before going forward to 2020 and beyond….

London Art Fair Our year in shows started last January at the Business Design Centre Islington. Modern British Sculpture and Works on Paper by Sculptors presented to an engaged and informed audience. This show, in which we are booked and preparing again to participate in for 2020, is a fabulous showcase for all things Modern British.

The CADA Art & Antiques Fair at Blenheim Palace The Cotswold Art & Antique Dealers' Association (CADA) Antiques Fair has been a fixture at Blenheim Palace for some 8 years now, however, last February was the last to be held at Blenheim due to the roof coming off the Orangery! The event is now moving t o the magnificent setting of Compton Verney Art Gallery and Park in Warwickshire. As Chairman of the CADA, I am proud to be involved in getting this new venue off the ground and am very much looking forward to bringing our association membership to exhibit within this prestigious museum environment next October.

Architectural Digest Show New York

With our new catalogue printed and sent to all, it was time to get on a plane and promote our wares to our American Clients. As always, it was great to say Hi to our valued East Coast friends and meet new, interested potential clients. New York, the city that never sleeps and nor did I with jet lag! But it's always worth it...

Product Launch: The Sissinghurst Castle Garden Copper Planter It is with some pride that we accepted the approach from the National Trust to work with them to develop a replica of the famous copper planter in the Cottage Garden at Sissinghurst Castle, Kent. The planter has proved popular with clients with the commission given to the Trust being used to further the charity's great works across the country.

Chelsea Flower Show Looking back on these images I can feel the sun on my back. Another year of my life marked by my birthday at the Show, which I can now say I have done 25 times or more… The show never disappoints and is for me and all a highlight of the year.

Architectural Heritage Summer Exhibition - Opening of Our New Gallery Back to base and a Summer Exhibition here at Taddington of Modern British Sculpture and Drawings, in our newly converted barn gallery space. Open all year, it is so good to finally be able to show clients Sculpture and Drawings in an environment that showcases the works to their best advantage. The exhibition catalogue, with my accompanying text entitled 'Themes and Variations', a riff on the old text book by Gombrich, is below for your reference.

British Art Fair - The Saatchi Gallery Summer hols over and slightly later this year, a trip back to London with back-to-back shows in October. First up, the British Art Fair at the Saatchi Gallery - an elegant, modern space to exhibit and always a pleasure to show alongside the best dealers in the country specialising in Modern British Art and Sculpture.

Decorex International - Olympia Next, a return to Decorex but a change of venue to London Olympia helped our logistics and I think gave the event a lift - we met a good number of new clients and we look forward to working with them and our loyal following of interior designers throughout the year.

2019 Notable Sales O nly some of the works sold are featured here, however, I thought it would be a nice idea (a first) to highlight a few of the fine pieces that we have handled in 2019. The 2020 preview and latest stock update to follow in December... As always, thank you for your interest. With best regards Alex