The clocks went back last weekend giving us long dark evenings and I am feeling a slower pace moving in. I hurt my back a couple of weeks ago which has forced me to change my routine, I couldn't sit down for a week! I now do household chores and cooking in the mornings to loosen up my muscles before going down to the studio at lunch time. I only stay down there for a couple of hours but I am surprised by what I get done. I bring things up to the house to dry overnight and ponder on them ready for the next step.
"Whiter Shade of Pale". First painting in my series "Desert Island Discs." See last paragraph.
The exhibition at Riverhill Himalayan Gardens was very successful for all concerned. My eco printing demonstrations were very popular particularly with the children, dozens of whom went home with their own leaf prints. I have been developing some ideas as to how to use the prints and am trying out different book constructions with pockets to make small journals. This is something I can do indoors by the fire now that winter is on its way. Eco prints on paper work best with young juicy leaves and plants, so I am planning my workshops for May, July and September next year. A 2 hour workshop in my studio will cost £35 per person including materials and refreshments. I can take 2 or 3 students at a time. The days and times are very flexible, morning or afternoon, weekday or weekend. Message me if you are interested to discuss dates and times. I can also offer an eco print voucher, if you want to give the workshop experience as gift. There will be more workshops on offer in my January newsletter.
Have you heard about November Sketchsquares? Faye Bridgwater is a bundle of energy and creates amazing colourful paintings, she lives in Brighton and has a high profile on instagram @faye_bridgwater. This month she is promoting her Sketchsquares with "a word a day" and hundreds of artists, beginners and professionals are taking part, including me. Today (day 4) is "Endless Possibilities". How would you interpret this? I don't have the stencil so have just drawn my own squares of 8cms and made 6 drawings by not taking (endless) my pen, brush or pencil off the paper. On working over the last 4 days I have decided I need a theme to pin down my ideas, so I shall be working with still life. Faye's #sketchsquares (15) fit on an A4 page. This is a good number to work with as it can take a while to relax into what you are doing. I found my first 4 to be rather stiff but by number 6 I start to relax. Here is my page, I shall continue with more in the small 5cm squares. If you want to join in, go to Faye's instagram or her website https://www.fayebridgwater.com
I have also been messing about with a new toy from www.preservationequipment.com it is called a Fineline Adhesive Applicator by Arcare and enables precise application of fluids - in my case acrylic ink. It has an anti-clogging airtight cap and can be held like a pen, a pack of 3 with 0.5mm tips is only £11.95. It is great for fine lining and combining with spraying techniques. Here is a portrait drawing I did with my eyes closed using the pen. I discovered PEL when purchasing specialist tapes for book binding, their catalogue is full of treasures that you never knew you needed, an Aladdin's cave for the creative soul including interesting papers, tools and studio equipment.
Once the children go back to school after half term it is inevitable that we start thinking about Christmas, do you plan early or leave everything to the last minute? I do remember my grandmother making preserves including mincemeat from windfall apples, cooking the Christmas cake and spiking it with brandy once a week until it was ready for marzipan and royal icing. The aroma of herbs and spices constantly in the kitchen from October onwards made the house welcoming and cosy with crumpets toasted on an open fire and coffee constantly perculating on the Rayburn - it was so strong you could stand a spoon up in it! I always have the urge to make cards this time of year and they always end up looking festive, they are all different and I only have a few available in my studio.
I shall be exhibiting some of my work over the Christmas period at our local cafe https://www.fourelmsgardencafe.co.uk and hope to hold a meet the artist day in December when I shall have cards and some of my books available for purchase. Check out my instagram posts for more news on that.
Art on a Card. "Dancing Trees" Vintage music collaged with ink drawing. Blank inside for your own message.
I still haven't found anyone to help me with my website and it does not run as smoothly as I would like but I have updated it with some new work. My current project is based on "Desert Island Discs". I have chosen 8 records that mean something to me and created a mix of paintings and sketchbook work for the first three. I am now on record number 4, the tune "Piano Man" by Billy Joel reminds me of happy times with my husband, we are still going strong after 50 years. I am in the very early stages at the moment, it is all a bit tight, I want to let loose with some pastel drawing and see what comes from that. I have discovered that I like partly gessoed water colour paper as a surface, it gives an unpredictability to water based mediums with some interesting textures where the gesso acts as a resist. I am not ready to show this yet but do watch my instagram stories and posts for a glimpse of what I am up to.
Hoping you get whatever you want for the remainder of the year: peace, happiness, good health and some sunshine. I look forward to chatting again after Christmas with a whole new year of news and events to look forward to.
Best wishes JaneS
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