Dawn Falls workshop March 17th

  I have left my list of names behind, we are away on holiday---so apologies for not remembering  all the names!!!!!!             I had 15 students in on Saturday, a mix of new ones and ones who had been before and it was lovely to see Gill, Sally ,Maureen ,Trina and little 7 year old Ebony again..the new ones came from far and wide again---from as far as Derby after seeing their friends results from a previous workshop!

I gave the students a choice of natural colours or more vibrant fantasy colours and they all worked well....as always it was amazing to see just how different the paintings turned out--everyone was amazed by it--and it was great fun watching everyone going up and down the line seeing how everyone had tackled the stages...

Little 5 years old Emma came along with her big sister Ebony age 7 ...the apron was a little long for her---- bless, so I'm going to order some child size ones for the future!

You can see Ebony's painting here in the foreground-she did some really spectacular waterfalls on it afterwards, she chose the vibrant colours and it looked really fairy tale like in the end..the girls are having a spoi of lunch here..

wonderful results everyone!

LOL,someones hiding behind their canvas here!

Well done everyone--see you all again soon!

Demos and Stuff!

We have an hours journey this evening to do a demo for Wellington WI. Will get car packed this morning so we are not rushing round before we go!

The demos always go down well with everyone-they find it amazing just how quickly the paintings happen-they see it all from start to finish!

Had a call this morning from Sue who was at the demo I did last week at Whitton-she has booked 2 places on the Forest Pool class for herself and her daughter as a birthday present.

I had a text from Justina who came for a private one to one a couple of weeks ago, she wants me to get a whole set of brushes, paints and mediums together for her when she comes back to Ludlow tomorrow.
Ive also got to get her booked in for another one to one!
She wanted to come next Tuesday but I'm already booked up to do a demo at Four Rivers In Ludlow, so we will have to sort out another date!

I'm on the craft market this Sunday for the first time this year-hope the weather is a bit warmer by then!

Its going to be a busy time by sound of it--we have the granddaughters Hollie and Lucie coming down on Saturday to stay the night as well while their mum and dad go to a wedding in town.
Haven't seen them for a while-bet they have grown a bit!

Ive got a commission to do for a lady who wants one of my Poppy paintings that I do in acrylic and wax-she likes the one on 4 canvas but wants the same thing on a 3ft canvas instead.

Ive ordered it and will make a start when it arrives-I love doing these paintings--lots of layers of paint built up over and over and then the touchy feely wax goes on before having 4 layers of varnish to protect it all.

Well I'm off to start getting paintings etc ready for tonight--

Whitton WI Demo

We had a late night tonight after travelling over to Whitton WI to do a demo for the ladies there.It is only a small group so they had invited a few visitors as well.
We got there for 7pm and set up the display stands and table with the cards of my paintings for sale etc.

I started my demo with The Waterfall painting on a black canvas and I was soon getting lots of questions about the technique I was using from the ladies!
They were astonished at how quickly the painting was done before their eyes, and when I took the painting round for them to see at close range they couldn't believe the detail I had got in there !
Bill cleared away the dirty brushes and put out my clean ones ready to paint the second painting while I was chatting to the ladies.
I painted Serenity in Green on the white canvas--but forgot to take a picture of it-will ask the secretary to take one and email it to me!
The winner of the raffle Maureen was one of the visitors and she was thrilled to bits to win-she chose The waterfall as her prize and I donated the Serenity painting to the WI.
Lots and lots of my leaflets went and several of the ladies want to come to join us in class-we will look forward to seeing them again!
We stayed for some delicious sandwiches and cake before loading up the car and heading for home at 10.15pm--it was a late one getting home but dont mind that when we have met such a lovely bunch of ladies!

Alfrick WI Encaustic Demo

We had a thoroughly enjoyable evening last night at Alfrick WI. It was a cold night and its quite a distance from home-so we were keeping our fingers crossed it didnt snow any more while we were there!
I had met one of the ladies on Ludlow market a few months ago and she said she was sure the ladies would love an encaustic demo soI was booked to do one!

There were a few puzzeled faces as we unpacked the irons and hot pens aong with extension cables--Im not sure what they were expecting to see -but what they didi see really seemed to blow them away!
After showing how to load the iron with the wax and producing some abstract pictures-all of which had the usual little faces and creatures appearing in the melted wax, I was asked if I could do a landcape with it.

There were audible gasps as within seconds I had painted a sky, mountains, a lake, bushes,flowers and folliage! I even popped in a few birds for good measure!
The ladies couldnt wait to have a go--they were astonished to find that they could produce great pictures in seconds as well--although they had never had a go before--
luckily I had taken along some stock in case anyone wanted to buy some to have a go at home because I sold a complete set and other bits and bobs in no time.
I also took along some of my oil paintings with details of my classes, there was a lot of interest for that as well.
All in all a great night--no doubt I shall see some of them again soon in the classes!

Busy Times

Ive been busy getting a new commission done for Samantha who wanted a Version of a Squirrels Eye View.
I'm nearly finished working on it now, just a few more layers of trees to go in and then it can be varnished.

Then I have another commission to do for Samantha which will prove more of a challenge as its to be a copy of ''Fantasia'' an encaustic painting that has already been sold.
The new one will also be much larger and rectangle in size. It has proved hard to get the necessary backing surface to work on in the size required--but Freecycle came up trumps for me with a lovely chap having something suitable and just the job!
I had been hoping to start Lins commission last weekend but when I opened the new canvas that had been delivered I found it had a big tear right through it so had to wait until today for the new one to arrive.
Im hoping to crack on with that later today as well.

Tomorrow we will be down on the market trying out the new stalls-we will hav to get finished early though because we are doing show at Stourbridge tomorrow evening!
We will be pretty knackered on Thursday I would think!

Pip The Parrot

Well Pip has settled into her new home beautifully.She has been chatting away all evening , and calling the cat! When she hears the song'' pop goes the weasel'' she says Pop at the right time!

We have taken them some of the food that we have our two on, so they can introduce it into her diet gradually.

Ours have a mixture of complete granule's which is basically a pelleted complete food, like you get for dogs and cats-and to stop them getting bored with that, they have Tidy Mix which is a human quality mixed diet of fruit ,nuts and seed-excluding the usual sunflower seeds that is found in many parrot foods
Sunflower seeds are said to have little nutritional value and are supposed to be not very good for parrots-though as Pip as reached the age of 30 and looks as fit as a flea it makes you wonder!

I'm sure she has had loads of fresh fruit and veg which would have made up for it anyway!

We also have sprouting seeds,pulses that are soaked in water for them until they start to grow-they love picking the green bits off them-so we have sent some of those round as well.

Also included in the bits and pieces we sent round are some calcium drops to help keep her bones nice and strong and some hard strawberry treats especially made for parrots! Ours don't care for them so maybe Pip will enjoy them!
For a treat ours love a quarter piece of toast with either marmite or lemon curd on it--and if they hear the one cupboard open where the crisps are kept they go mad until they have one.Its quite funny to see how they both savour each tiny bit of it and don't drop a crumb!
The birds live better than we do!

Bills going to cut a piece of our curly hazel bush to take round and put in her cage-ours love to pick the bark of it, keeps them occupied for ages.
I know Pip is already love to bits by them and us-she is a little darling!

YUMMMMMMMMMM

The smell in our house on Monday night was to die for!
Bill has started making the Christmas cakes-this yea he is trying a new recipe which involved lots of booze!
A dark Caribbean cake.
Rum, port, brandy and cherry brandy were poured over the fruit and simmered for 15 mins-its the being left in the fridge for a week before being finished into the cake!
There were loads of spices in it too-it will be just gorgeous.
He is making the traditional sort as well and even has an order for one as well!
So we are going to be very busy over next few days by the sound of it.
I like to give them as pressies at Christmas!

Todays Class-Forest Pool

We had a great time in class as usual today--the students came from far and wide--Patrick came over from Hereford, Sandy from Ditton Priors,Rhada and her friend Gayatri from Birmingham, and Joanna and Robert from Welshpool!
Sandy and Rhada had been to me before but everyone else were complete newbies to it!
I had spoken to Patrick via email a few times-after he had been bought a gift voucher for his birthday--he was completely convinced he would be unable to do it--and in his email to night he likened the feeling he had this morning like that to a visit to the dentist!!
As he says in his email -he was proved completely wrong and he thoroughly enjoyed his day--his wife Linda went into town and came back early to see what went on in class-she liked what she saw and now wants to join a class at some point--she likes Mystical Moon.
He also said that Linda wants the painting hung in their front room so that should say a lot about my teaching!

Rhadas friend Gatatri is expecting a baby in March, so I was a bit worried about her standing for so long, but she was fine and really enjoyed herself.
We had a few laughs when they arrived and Gayatri introduced herself--I have a job remembering names like John and Anne-let alone unusual ones like Gayatri-however after she wrote it down we all soon remembered it!
Rhada and Gayatri came by train so had an early start from Birmingham, we had a bit of a rush to get the back to the station on time to catch the 2.45 pm train but made it in time!
Bill picked them up from the train this morning and bought them up to the room, and took them back again-all part of the service-if we can do anything to help we will.
We had met Joanne and Robert a few weeks ago on the market in town-they really enjoyed the day-produced some lovely results-neither were scared to put paint on the canvas.
Sandy had been to me a few months go for a one to one in which she painted Serenity in Blue-she told us about how when she took the painting home her hubby asked how much she had paid for it--when she said she had painted it -he didn't believe her and what he actually said couldn't be repeated in the class!!!!!! He was pretty well stunned to say the least!Joanne and Robert have been to other classes before mine-acrylic and watercolours-they both loved the techniques we used and want to bring one of their neighbours, and maybe buy her a gift voucher for her birthday.
All in all a bunch of happy bunnys.
We will see Rhada again next week for Summer Day!

Bigger Classes

As classes are getting more and more popular I have had to come to a decision about how many students I can take in classes.
Some classes are more intensive than others such as the ''Summer Day'' one where students have to master the palette knife-that can take some time and it wouldn't be fair to everyone if I didn't have time to spend with individual students -so in that class I will only have 9 while in something like the ''Yesterday'' which is coming up in Dec I can take 14 as its more straight forward-although it is big painting! I already have 13 booked in for Yesterday so Ive had to order 3 new easels to make sure Ive enough, while I was at it another 40 canvas were ordered from another supplier--both ordered yesterday afternoon and both orders were here first thing this morning!
Now we just have to find a space for all the canvas's!
I'm trying to track down a special size one at the moment or a commission Ive got--its proving a little difficult-got another couple of websites to try-will have a look while I'm on the market tomorrow.

Lin and Dave want an acrylic and melted wax poppy in quite neutral shades of beige's,creams , yellow and gold to go over their fireplace-cant wait to get started on it --when I can find a canvas to match their requirements!

Lazy Summer Days

Lazy Summer Days has been sold, and is going to live in Bishops Castle- so its gone hone in a way-as I realised today that I painted that picture while I was at Bishops Castle Michaelmas Fair recently.
The lady who bought it on Sunday from me at the Book and Craft market is quite a collector of my work-having commissioned 2 paintings and also bought 4 others.
Karen and her hubby have become great friends of ours as a result!

Strange!!

I had a phone call tonight from one of my students Noreen.
She said--" Ive just come back off holiday to find a message for YOU on MY answering machine!-- "Mrs Mills wants you to do a demo for her WI in March 2010"'
when I asked her how come?-she said her phone number was just one digit out to mine-and of course she recognised my name which was mentioned in the message--
but how weird is that-if it had been anyone else other than my student Noreen , I may not have got the message!
Mrs Mills said she thought I was on holiday when she heard nothing back and would have tryed again to book me, so as long as she dialed the right number I would have been booked !

February 6th 2010 -''Birch Trees''

One of my most popular classes to date-you have the choice of monochrome,sepia or the new sage green shades to paint in and also a choice of canvas size.
The standard is 16in x 20in or the bigger version is 36in x 14in for which the class is £10 extra at £45
both are still great value for money-the price of the classes has not gone up since the very first class over 5 years ago!
For more details please check out the website www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Unexpected Break Away!

We are having a very unexpected break away at the moment--my friend gave us the keys to her static caravan in Aberystwyth yesterday , so we loaded up the car this morning and we are now relaxing after a lovely drive here over the mountain road round Rhaydar dams. bills got his feet up watching Harry Potter on the dvd while I catch up with some compter work. Then we are off for a walk round and have a drink/ food at the club.
Ive got some beautiful photos of the scenes as we drove up.The sun is shining and the forcast is good!

new dates---Winters Walk-oct 17th

We will be painting Winters Walk on Saturday Oct 17th-- it is suitable for all ages and abilities from children upwards--
we will use oil and acrylic and its great fun to do-you will learn to use a variety of brushes and techniques during this workshop.
if you would like to join this workshop please get in touch-
www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Bonnie

We have been to take our friend Jan to fetch a new doggie. This is Bonnie -she is a 7 year old wire haired fox terrier and shes lovely!
We went to see her in her home and she took to Jan straight away-she has a lovely nature, very playful and bouncy, but let us take her ball off her with no nastiness.
She is used to a crate and jumped straight into the back of the car into the crate when it was time to go.After a quick wonder round her new garden, she is now curled up asleep in her bed-- Jan has just let me know.
Sounds like she has settled in already bless her!
I'm sure they will all be very happy together!

Class of July 18th-- Serenity In Green

The hardest part of this painting is going to be which colour you choose to do it in!
You will have the choice of green,blue, brown or grey.
Its always a popular subject and its suitable for all ages and abilities even first time students.

If you would like to join us please get in touch via the website
www.paintingmyway.co.uk

September 26th--Birch Trees

Back again by popular demand--Birch Trees is one of my most popular subjects to date.
There is a choice of monochrome, sepia tones and the new green version, which Im sure will prove to be popular.
The class is suitable for all ages and abilities from children as young as 7 upwards.
if you would like to join this class please get in touch--but it does get full very quickly!
please get in touch via the website
www.paintingmyway.co.uk
THERE ARE 3 PLACES LEFT FOR THIS CLASS

Mystical Moon class June 13th--FULL

Next Saturdays class is now full with 8 students booked to come along.I will be setting new class dates later today--

Models

After doing the class today, we went out with my friend Jane to take some photos of our little great niece and nephew in the clothes Jane is selling for her flyers and advertising etc. We had a lovely few hours-Hariette and George loved trying the clothes on and Hariette proved to be a right little poser as you can see, her little friend joined in at the end too.
Its not as easy as you would think getting little ones to look natural in photos. I was trying to get some at the same time as Jane was taking some too!
Bill came in handy hanging everything off the bars in the conservatory that none of us could reach!
Everyone was taken with the quality of the clothes and there is even a first clothes party sorted out already.
We wish Jane all the best with her new venture!