Sue and Richards Workshop

After having 6 months rest I decided I would try a small workshop at home.. I had my perching stool to sit on  and lowered my easel to try and help my arms.. Extra steroids, Tramadol and a liberal coating of Volterol on arms and legs and I thought I was well prepared for it..!   Sue had never painted before and hubby Richard had painted with me once a few years ago..

Although Sue insisted she wasn't in the slightest 'artistic' she followed my instructions and soon had a lovely painting.. Richard had used acrylic last time so this was completely different for him.He too soon had a lovely painting on his easel.. The time went very quickly...but I soon realised that I wasn't yet well enough to teach.

Richard adding the finishing touches to his painting here..

Well done both of you! Lovely results!   It was lovely to be teaching again ,but there is no way I can carry on teaching this year anyway..           I was in agony   afterwards and could hardly move the next day--even with taking extra tablets. The specialist has tried me on Amitriptyline and now Pregabalin, neither of them have done much at all, except knock me out cold which is not good..so I am now looking at going back to teaching perhaps next year-- fingers crossed... In the mean time I will continue to put my work on my websites, and I will be starting some new works soon-- completely different to what I have been doing but will be easier on my arms,, watch this space..

Fundraising Art Sale

Well its been ages since my last post on the blog..hopefully I will get some more done on here in the near future!

I have been busy getting paintings ready for my sale next month,,,
So much to do and the time is flying by so quick...

I will have lots of paintings on canvas ready to hang,, some done on canvas paper that can be framed behind glass,,and miniature paintings on their own easels.

Paintings will start from just £6 for the miniatures ,,,lots of bargains to be had in all sizes and subjects,

I will also have my shabby chic quote slates on sale as well as my greetings cards.

We will be putting up our Gala Marquee outside the front of our house to house everything...

It starts the weekend of the Spring Ludlow Food and Drink Festival ,so hopefully there will be a lot of people around!!

 The slates are £4.50 each or 2 for £8.00 
A good sense of humour is required!!!

I have already raised enough money --£880 in the past year to buy 4 Dyson fans for the O'Connor Haematology /Cancer unit at the RSH where my son Jim is being treated.

Holiday In Blackpool

We are back from a 5 night  holiday in Blackpool with our friends... huge big comfy bed ! Celebrating my 56th birthday and me and Bills 16th wedding anniversary... where has the time gone? The hotel was just a few yards from everywhere we wanted to be.. good job as my mobility was bloody crap to be honest..add to that side effects  from the new tablets,that were prescribed for the side effects of the steroids LOL....but never mind we still had a good time!

We had a visit to Madam Tussuad's.... Bill took a real shine to Hilda!!!

And a great night in Ma Kelly's...... THE place to go when in Blackpool.....always a good night in there!

Had a mix of weather-- some sunny spells and some showers...

and you don't need champagne flutes to enjoy champagne either LOL....

The Funny Girls were great--but it isn't the usual full show on a Tuesday so be warned if you intend going ...any other night but Tuesday..

Then on Wed night we had a taxi up to The Curry Queen at nearby Bishpham, we had been there once before--last year, and couldn't wait to go again... £10.95 for a 4 course meal...amazing value ,amazing food and amazing host in Kam.... we were laughing all night at his quips.. The lentil soup was lovely and another diner suggested we put a teaspoon of the hot sauce from the pickle tray into it... just beautiful..

Tandoori chicken was to die for...

The nan bread actually looks small on the photo, but nearly filled the table when it came out--never seen one so big before!!  The main courses were all very good too..no complaints from any of us..  We will def be back there again next time we are in Blackpool

As it was St Patricks day the day before we went to Blackpool , Ma Kelly's was covered in decorations everywhere.... and this little chap caught my eye hanging over the stage.. one of the bouncers who I had nicknamed Big Steve kindly fetched him for me! The Guinness hat was given  to me by one of the group of firemen who were in the bar.. it reminded me of my dear Dad who had a hat like it  on at my wedding reception 16 years before..happy times...

Sale-- Grab Yourself A Bargain !!!!

Please take a look at the links for my paintings that have been reduced in price-- oils, acrylics and mixed media.

There are a lot of bargains to be had !!!!

Lots at half price or even better!

I will be donating 25% of all sales to a cause close to my heart--  Dr O'Connor's Haematology Cancer Unit at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital where my son is being treated..

I have raised enough money to buy 4 Dyson Fans for the ward (£880) in the past year.. These really help the patients comfort when having their chemotherapy.

I have a lot more paintings to add to the website over the next few weeks-- and I will be happy to discount a little more for multiple purchases, but for now take a look at this page http://paintingmyway.co.uk/a1-gallery2.asp?roomID=10344   

and also this page  http://paintingmyway.co.uk/a1-gallery2.asp?roomID=10346

There are also more paintings on the Affordable  British Art website http://www.affordablebritishart.co.uk/gallery.php?artist=DianeJennings&aid=12

I will also be holding a Mega Flash Sale at my home 52 Greenacres , Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 1LY from Friday 12th May until Sunday 28th May in a small marquee ..and paintings will start from just £5 ...I will look forward to seeing you!

Oriental Dawn

Better late than never! All the students hard at work..Not the easiest of subjects to do but good results from everyone..

Well done everyone..

Facing Up To Kidney Cancer

I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely lady last autumn, who got in touch about coming to some of my workshops..Sarah went on to explain that she may have to cancel some of the workshops because her husband Jon had been diagnosed with terminal kidney cancer and had to make visits to the hospital sometimes at short notice...

She has gone on to be a very good friend to me and we have had many long late night chats / emails together because as you probably  know my dear son is fighting Hodgkins Lymphona and Haemophagocytic Syndrome .

Sarah has a lot of knowledge about chemo,scans and lots of other things that means I don't have to bother my son or his specialist for answers.

Sarah and another dear friend Jan who also has much knowledge about cancer have been my rocks in the darkest hours I can tell you... I am forever grateful for that.

Now Sarah's hubby Jon  has decided that he wants to raise awareness and money for the James Whale Facing Up To Cancer charity--- it is one of the hardest cancers to diagnose and its often too late for the patient by the time it is--which is what sadly has happened to Jon..more people die of it than are killed on Britons roads every year.

Jon is planning a 5,000 mile trip around Britain for the cause on his motorbike...starting at Blackpool Tower in June -- if you can spare a little for the cause all the details are on the website  a link here with more info here http://www.gaj.org.uk/news/5000-mile-ride-raises-kidney-cancer-awareness --- also here is a link in which Jon explains more about it https://www.facebook.com/midlandstoday/videos/vb.21263239760/10153256906484761/?type=2&theater

I hope the trip goes according to plan --and the weather is kind to him!
 If you have a motorbike I'm sure Jon would like you to join him for some of the trip-- Sarah is also organising other fund raising events including a auction to raise money--I have donated an oil painting and there is also a beautiful hand crocheted blanket made by Sarah herself--its really stunning,,

We wish Jon and Sarah all the best for the trip-- its an amazing thing you are doing!

It has made me think about raising some money for the unit that is looking after my Jim..they really are wonderful   - Dr Nigel O'Connor is a very ,very special man along with all his hard working staff...watch this space--

Class of Aug 9th "Stormy Skies"

I had 2 last minute cancellations at 11pm on Friday night because of illness..so I was down to 12 students for Saturdays workshop..and they came from far and wide again---Claire's sat nav bought her the long way from Birmingham--we are not quite sure where she came but it involved a lot of country lanes so she was going back via Kidderminster! First time painting for her--we will also see her at the end of the month to paint The Waterfall!

Christine came along with another of her granddaughters-Alex for the second time... Christine's hubby stayed to watch the proceedings too,,and showed me his great camera--I liked it so much I came home and ordered one for myself! Been promising myself a new one for a bit...

Alex made a beautiful job of her painting..

Ann enjoyed working with the oils and got a really dramatic sky going on very quickly!

Looking good!

We had a good mix of subtle skies and more dramatic ones....

Jackie was starting to wish she hadn't put in quite so many waves  when it came time to drag the wave out with a brush after!

First time for Jackie who was supposed to come in March with her daughter and group of friends--unfortunately she had a fall and broke her ankle and had to put off coming until yesterday...

her daughter Michelle who was also painting for the first time had a call to say her hubby had had an accident just before we started the class...and had been rushed to hospital with suspected broken ribs--so they dashed off as soon as we finished--will be in touch with her to see how he is..

Steve was with us for the 3rd time..he and wife Sylvia chose to do the 12in x 24in canvas..he did a dramatic bold version and Sylvia went more subtle!

Here is Sylvia adding the final details to her picture!

Beautiful results from everyone as usual..

Well done ladies x

Lucy's Hen Party

We travelled over to Wolverhampton yesterday to do Lucy's hen party...18 lovely ladies met at the room--most of them came armed with bottles of bubbly and wine! Lucy and her Mum had attended one of my workshops here in Ludlow and decided on the day she would like a painting hen party! All the other ladies were new to painting and as usual they doubted that they could create anything like the ones put up as examples!

Everyone soon settled down to paint-glasses of wine to hand,   lots of giggles about using bashing and tickling brushes---but they all used them easily-as if they had done so for years!

all hard at work..

Rekha arrived in high heels thinking she would be painting sitting down, so off came the shoes-only for her feet to get really cold---so she wrapped them up in a tartan rug! How she didn't fall over I do not know!

There were loads of lovely goodies to eat--I was very good and didn't have a cake ,,though I couldn't resist some cheese and biscuits! Someone had worked really hard making these beautiful cupcakes!

YUMMY...

Lucy -stood on the left of the photo said that they all enjoyed the day very much,,and they will be coming over to do some workshops maybe!

Didn't they do well?

Wonderful results..

18 very happy ladies...

It was pretty amazing but we actually finished earlier than expected so I got Bill to fetch the encaustic kits off the van so we could have a little play with it...the girls loved it...

It wouldn't a hen party without the appearance of some willies would it? I showed them how to do some in the wax using the special tool ;-) the finished picture was for her MUM!!! I hope she liked it lol... well the day went by so quickly it was unreal..we didn't stop laughing all day.. we have another hen party to do in Stourbridge next month and also a birthday party too...so busy times coming up..We are over in Kidderminster tomorrow evening doing a demo for the Young At Art group-some of the members have been over to Ludlow to do a couple of workshops already-so it will be lovely to meet the rest of the group..