New ''Painting My Way''

Wishing all my very lovely ,loyal students a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy
 2017.... and thank you so much for all your support over the past 13 years...

There has been a little U-turn in the plans to retire from teaching due to my ill-health ...
 
I am taking time off until May to rest and try and get my medications down to a more reasonable level-which I can only do by resting..and after the huge response from everyone, which was really humbling, I have decided to try and do some private, personal one to one workshops and small groups of up to 4 people..
The small numbers mean no walking for me, so I will be able to sit and teach!

These workshops will take place once or twice a month..from middle of May onwards.. contact me for more details please...

Of course any workshops will be dependant on the state of my health on the date and could be cancelled-- but hopfully that wont happen...

But I have realised I couldn't walk away from what I love doing most in the world--teaching you lovely people how to paint! 

groups of up to 4 people will be £40 each and a one to one will be £50 for the usual 16" x 20" canvas.. bigger canvas will obviously be more..

So if you want to do a particular painting with any friends or family--up to 4 people please have a look at the website http://paintingmyway.co.uk/a1-gallery2.asp?roomID=10286  for the subjects available or if you have any ideas on what you would like to paint please get in touch with me..

Cancelled--BIRCHES WORKSHOP

I had to cancel the Birches workshop again today--I had spoken to everyone last night and we all knew it was on the cards with the forecast--however when we got up at 7.30am and opened the curtains we knew there was no chance of it going ahead!
Hopefully it will go ahead on January 8th--weather permitting -again-we will wait and see!
I did talk Lyndsey through the painting this afternoon as she wanted to do it for her sisters Christmas present--she is adding some bluebells to it as well--Im sure she will manage it ok--she has been to a birches class before--she just needed some reminders on how to do it!

Serenity Feb 27th

There is a choice of colour and canvas size for this popular class.Serenity has been done in green,brown,blue, mauve, dusky rose and grey in previous classes.You will also have a choice of the standard 16in x 20in canvas or an oval one.There is several different changes of scenery you can make as well-from snow to fences-plenty to ring the changes!
Painted in oils you will learn a variety of techniques-suitable for all ages and abilities.
check out the website for more details.
www.paintingmyway.co.uk

TODAYS CLASS-PERFECT EVENING

After a couple of last minute cancellations due to illness we were down to just 3 students today! Bill and Tony had been before , and today Tony had bought along his 10 year old grandson George.
The class went very well-George was very attentive and asked all the right questions about the method! The hairdryer came in handy to dry each stage of the painting before going on.
As expected we finished before time although we had several tea breaks,sit downs and chats during the class!
Bill and Tony will be receiving their artists badges next time they come (long service awards my Bill calls them!)
The painting were bright and vibrant in reds, oranges and yellow.The meatallic paint we used on the water works so well, as the light changes so does the painting.
We added a couple more trees to the right hand side of the painting today which worked really well.

Ludlows Latest Gallery

We had a lovely afternoon today -we were invited to Ludlows latest contemporary gallery for afternoon tea with the owners/artists Pauline and Chris.
After a guided tour of the beautiful landscaped gardens we were shown through the great hall where the display of paintings began-there were some stunning works of art by the two artists.
As we moved on through the house the paintings lined the walls on the stairways and walls.We stopped on the second level in beautiful ,comfortable surroundings for some beautiful coffee and cakes and a chat with Pauline and Chris-very interesting too-we covered lots of subjects-from art to boot sales!
Afterwards we were shown the rest of the gallery on the 3 rd level-again some stunning pieces of art on display,the owners have made a lovely job of hanging the artwork. The time just flew by and in no time it was time to come home and do some more of the tedious stuff on the computer!
We had a lovely time with them-and cant wait til saturday when Pauline and Chris will be coming to class again to complete another painting to add to their extensive collection!
We saw lots of works that they have done at home on their own-one that stood out was the owl painting that Chris has done-though it didnt sound as if it was a relaxing one to do!

Latest Painting

Hazy Days has been painted in acrylic onto a 36in x 14in staple free box canvas.
The water shimmers as the light changes-very atmospheric painting that will look good in any room!
Price is £200 including P+P in the UK.
Contact me via the website www.paintingmyway.co.uk

WOOOOO HOOO!!!!!!

The Boob-tiful painting on ebay has 11 bids and is already up to £102 nearly 9 days to go yet!

I Stand Alone

I had a phone call last night from Gemma, asking if I still had one of the paintings that had been on display at Shobdon Food and Drink Festival--I stand Alone.

I said it was still available and we arranged for her to come and pick it up earlier this evening.
She arrived with her Mum who hadnt seen the painting before.Her Mum happened to mention that this time last year they were running round like headless chickens as it was the eve of her wedding!
Gemma then explained that the painting was to be her present to her hubby for their first wedding anniversary. They had both seen it at Shobdon and her hubby mentioned that he loved it!
Hes in for a big surprise on Sunday when he opens it.
I also made up a goodie bag as I do for all purchasers of my paintings--Gemma loved it-
The painting is going to be hung in the front room I believe!
I also gave Gemmas and her Mum some advise about websites and how to do them, as her sister wants to do one for her flowers.

May 9th- Poppy Fields

Poppy Fields

is suitable for all ages and abilities-it is painted using a variety of brushes and oil paints.

If you are interested in joining this class please get in touch with me via the website
4 places left
www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Well Done Jimbo!!!!!!

Big Congratulations to my son Jim--he has come third in class(over2 litre) in the big Woodpecker Rally held near Ludlow today.

Its the first time he has driven a front wheel drive car on gravel, and he said he drove like an old woman for the first few stages--especially after coming to a stop(Just) over an 80 foot drop in the first stage!

A real bum tightener!!!

He has always rallied Skodas, but has previously built Estelles and Favorites-this is his new Felicia with a 2 litre Vauxhall engine in--he didn't even bend a panel this time!

I'm always relived to hear he has got back in one piece, well done Jim--no doubt there will be some sore heads in the morning though!!!

Shobdon Food And Drink Festival

We are busy getting everything prepared for Shobdon Food And Drink Festival at the weekend.

Its one of our favorite venues-set in beautiful surroundings. This year they are incorporating a garden festival with it so it should be interesting.

There will be lots of exciting foods and drinks to try, and all sorts of things going on. On Saturday night there willbe a rock and roll band playing, a bar and hot food available. There is also an acution of promises, with a Manchester United shirt signed by the Euopean Cup winning team!

We will be setting up on Friday so we can take things easy on Saturday! I shall be demonstrating both the oil painting and the encaustic art , and there will be chance to have a go at the encaustic art too.

I shall have around 50 paintings on display.

We have got one of Bills famous Christmas cakes to take along to share with the other exhibitors as we did last year, it will be nicely matured by now--it went down a treat with everyone last year!

The website ishttp://www.shobdonfestival.co.uk/

Ludlow Festival

Its that time of year again---Ludlow Festival--this year its Shakespeare's Richard III.
As usual the weather has changed from bright and sunny to wet and windy--as is traditional for the festival!
It wont stop the show no doubt--they will battle on the stage in Ludlows famous castle.

The weather usualy changes for the last night of the festival-there is a fantastic open air pop concert with a firework display as a finale.

This year the line up is

The Manfreds with Paul Jones,Mike d'Abo, Mike Hugg, Tom Guiness and Rob Townsend,

PJ PRoby--'Somewhere' 'Maria' 'Hold Me'

Chris Farlow---- 'Out Of Time' Handbags and 'Gladrags'

Brian Poole---- 'Twist and Shout' 'Do You Love Me?'

Mike Pender---'Sweets For My Sweet' 'Needles And Pins' 'Dont Throw Your Love Away'

Vanity Fare---'Hitching a Ride' 'Early in the Morning'

As usual we will be outside (weather permitting) on our patio listening to it all going on in the castle, having a bbq and a glass or 3 of wine!

For more details go to http://www.ludlowfestival.co.uk

Forest Pool--Class Full

The Forest Pool class on Sat 5th July is now full.
I will be setting another date later in the year for this popular subject.

Wellesbourne Art Society Demo

We had a lovely time in Wellesbourne over the past few days. We stayed at The Stag-a thatched roof pub, in Wellesbourne.

We went to the room at the fire station to do the demo.

Its a lovely big room, I had space to put up my stands with paintings on both sides, as well as some spaced around the walls.

There was a good crowd-many we had met before last November when we were there last time.

They also had some visitors from nearby art societies.

One of the members from last time bought along a painting that she did after being inspired by the demo the last time--she had made a lovely job of it!

I decided to paint a new picture that I had never tryed before in a demo.

Using just sap green and a touch of black I created a version of Serenity in Green- a landscape with water and trees.

It worked very well, everyone was amazed at the speed at which I managed to paint it!

I also painted a version of the waterfall on a black canvas.

There were lots of interesting questions asked!

Again, it was finished very quickly, I passed the paintings round to everyone to see just how much detail is in them.

Pictured are Sue (serenity) and Julie (waterfall) with the paintings they won in the raffle.

After a quick break for a chat and a coffee , I plugged in my encaustic iron and showed them the addictive craft of encaustic art.

Everyone was intrigued with it and soon the imagination of some of the members was working overtime as they had a go with the iron and waxes!

The club bought the complete set of encaustic equipment for the members to share, Im sure they will have a lot of fun with it all.

It also sounds like we will be having a group or two coming over to Ludlow to do a workshop in the near future.

While we were sat in the lounge of the pub this morning having breakfast, several very dressed up --- complete with fancy hats, ladies trooped in for a champagne breakfast before going off to Ascot in the very stretched limo that turned up outside! Great Fun!

Class of 30th Aug --Tropical Sunset

Tropical Sunset will give you the chance to be as colourful or subtle as you like!

A beautiful sunset going down behind the palm trees-its a scene familiar to many people who have holidayed abroad!

We had a great variety of colour combinations the last time we did this painting in class.

We use acrylic and oil paint to create it.

You will learn to use several techniques, brushes and other materials .

This painting is suitable for all abilities from first timers to more experienced artists.
If you would like to join this class please get in touch via the website http://www.paintingmyway.co.uk/

Class for 6th Sept--Oriental Dawn

Oriental Dawn was a popular subject with fantastic results the last time we did it in class.

Painted entirely in oil paint, the shades of grey and the brightness of the yellow sun setting across the water make a beautiful statement together.

You will learn to use several techniques, brushes and other materials .

This painting is suitable for all abilities from first timers to more experienced artists.

If you would like to join this class please get in touch via the website http://www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Class for 20th Sept

Emerald Woods has been a popular class subject over the past year.

Its suitable for all abilities including first timers and more experienced artists.

We will use acrylic and oil paint to create this painting and you will learn to use lots of different techniques and materials.

If you are interested in joining in this class please get in touch with me via the website http://www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Clive and Grinshill WI

We had a long journey last night to the Wi talk and demo at Clive and Grinshill.The normal room at Clive wasn't being used so we had to travel a couple of miles on to the village hall at Grinshill.

There was a full house of almost 40 members.

We set up early and sat back and listened to the Jerusalem anthem being sung and played on the organ--one of the better versions we have heard on our travels on the WI circuit!!

The members were amazed to see 2 complete oil paintings being produced in such a short time--I had quite a few questions fired at me while I was painting-and I'm always aware of the time--people need to be out of the village hall at a certain time usually so its a fine line between talking and painting! Bill keeps a close eye on the time as well, and hurries me on if need be!

Lots of the members were interested in doing a class in the future and I was asked if we would travel to the Grinshill to do a class----I explained that it would be better if they travelled to Ludlow---

By the time we get the car loaded and drive for over an hour to the location----set up the class with the easels, palettes,paint -- etc------do the class-----pack up --- drive home, unload----clean upwards of 100 brushes--I would have to charge more than I am at the moment. It would add at least 2 hours to what is already a long day ,and I don't think that would be a good thing for Bill or me!

I have kept my prices for the classes down to what they were when I first started up over 4 years ago--just £35 and that includes the canvas, paint, refreshments etc. I have absorbed the price increases of the canvas and paint etc without passing it on to my students.

I'm sure the people that were interested in coming to classes wont mind making the journey-the scenery is beautiful on route!

The raffle prize was won by Janet who chose the Summer Day painting.

Field Of Poppies

I have some places left for next Saturdays class ''Field Of Poppies''.

This is a painting suitable for all abilities-even first timers.

Its a great painting to bring out every ones individuality-we have fantastic results in previous classes wth this subject.

You will be shown each step by me in the small classes, no need to worry about going wrong because you wont get chance to--I can keep my eye on everyone because of how we set up the class. We always have a laugh in class and many friendships have been forged in the classes!!

If you are interested in coming to this class please get in touch with me via the website http://www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Helen and Jack

Michelle couldn't come to class last Saturday, she has had a nasty flu bug and hadn't got over it, so Helen and Jack came home to do their painting. Its over 2 years since Helen has been to me , but she soon got the hang of it again!

Jack had some competition for the messiest palette--Helen easily beat him this time!There wasn't a spare inch left on her palette--ended up using mine towards the end.

The mornings painting was constantly interrupted by comments from our latest baby--Jake the african grey parrot. Both of the students couldn't help but laugh at the wolf whistles, coughing and Hello Jake etc that were coming from the patio where both Jake and Paddy were .