ARTY WORKSHOPS
During COVID, my extremely creative sister-in-law Rachel, myself and several other 'lapsed' artists, were given the gift of re-kindling our passion for creativity...
As soon as it was allowed, 6 of us would get together on a Tuesday and paint, draw, collage, stitch, etch, carve - whatever we could get our hands on. We would take turns in each other's houses, teaching each other what we knew, and for us it was an absolute lifesaver.
I vowed at that time, never to let anything compromise my love of painting ever again ...and I haven't stopped since!
(pictured) This is my lovely friend Sue Cullen, a fabulous watercolour artist, in her kitchen teaching us how to pint a bluebell woodland scene
ART WITH HEART
I've always been of the opinion that being creative is incredibly important for your well-being. I've been extremely fortunate in my life to have studied with some of the best artists and I am happy to share what I have learned.
It's not about producing an amazing work of art (although some of the group have actually achieved that) - it's the act of being creative: it's absorbing, it gives you focus, you are learning (constantly), using your brain/hands/body together and in a different way. Using your hands (and opposable thumbs) to make something is fundamental to being human - it's grounding.
Although I thoroughly enjoy lino-printing and ceramics, apart from my beloved family, painting is my dearest love in life.
When the COVID restrictions were lifted I decided to start running a Life Drawing class at the local Bridgwater Arts Centre. Figurative work and portraits has always been a favourite subject for me.
Click here for Life Drawing page
I managed to find four life models locally and booked the Studio at the Arts Centre - which, as point of interest, was the very first Arts Centre to come into being in England back in 1946
The life drawing session was really popular to start with, but what with holidays and work commitments, it was difficult to keep a paid venue event going over the summer period, so I decided to move the art sessions to the farm where I lived.
There were 2 large rooms that could be utilised as art 'studios' during the week and I had amassed enough art materials to virtually open my own shop (...no exaggeration!) and the Arty Workshop Tuesday Drop-in was born!
Over the last four years, through word of mouth, lots of like-minded souls have come along to the drop-in to paint, draw, print, make clay pots - whatever their fancy - and the group is still going from strength to strength!
Occasionally we get together and pay a 'proper' artist to either come to the farm and teach us a new skill, or we de-camp and go to their studio - we've had some fun and learnt a lot!
Below: Wonderful hands-on monoprint workshop with Jackie Curtis
- it was BRILLIANT and they all loved it (even Pete - who looks a bit glum here but was 'concentrating'!)
I thoroughly recommend Jackie, she's a great teacher
