Todays class

We had a great time today in class! It was laughs from the word go!

As you can see from the photos, we had one unruly student who kept playing up!!

Ron was the only first time student today and he soon settled down after reassurances from everyone else that he would be fine!

Jane managed to join us again-and was really happy with her pic until she put in the suns rays, I showed her how to get rid of them and all was well.

I stocked her up with painting materials when she had her one to one on Wednesday--the few things I didn't have I gave her a list to go shopping at The Range in Kidderminster,just a couple of brushes and an easel were what she was short of.

She phoned this afternoon while she was there at The Range to check she was getting the right things --all my students know that if they are in any doubt about anything they can ring me anytime and ask! Whether its about technique or materials I am always here to answer their queries.

Michelle had to leave a bit earlier than everyone else-she had a new grandchild to go and see in Northampton, so she is not in the final photograph.!

Bill from Shrewsbury was using his 3rd gift voucher that he received from his wife--he loves the different techniques that he has learnt in each class.

Kay recieved her advanced artists brooch for attending 6 classes-she was thrilled with it!

I will finish the update tomorrow because we have little Holly her for the weekend and she is fast asleep in the room I have the computer in!

Class Of April 5th

Well we had another great class yesterday-we welcomed Jane for the first time-everyone else had been several times before.She admitted to being a bit nervous but soon settled down and everyone put her at ease!
We had 7 in class so Bill had to bring up the easel he made for me a while back.I will have to go over to Kidderminster this week and get another easel the same as the others.
They are evry expensive but well worth the money,good and sturdy for all the bashing we do in class!
The time flew by as usual, although for once we didn't go over the 4 hours, we still had a couple of good breaks for tea, bickies and sandwiches.
Everyone was amazed to see how different the paintings all were again, some were quite subtle and some more bold, but its always interesting to see how everyone interprets what they are told and shown.
When it came towards the end there was a bit of reluctance from 2 of the students to paint in a large tree in the foreground-in Janes case it was the normal-''I'm really happy with what Ive already done and dont want to paint anything over it'' and in Kays case it was simply because her painting didnt really need a tree, she had enough going on in her painting to take it or leave it! In the end they decided to put one in, and they both looked brilliant.
Janes partner was gobsmacked when he came to collect her after the class had finished
We will be seeing everyone again soon!

Space in Class "Eternal Dawn"

There is one place left for the class of April 5th.
I have had an unexpected cancellation for "Eternal Dawn"
If you would like to join this class please get in touch via the website www.paintingmyway.co.uk
This painting is suitable for all students from 1st timers to more experienced artists.

Todays Class

Today we had Jan who was with me for the 5th

time and a first timer Samantha who had traveled from Albrighton, near Cosford.They both did a beautiful version of Snowy Day.

We didnt start painting til nearly an hour later than planed--I had a few things to show them on the computer that another of my students-Sharleen. had been sending me during the week!

One of the things gave us some ideas for a future painting class--if we can get a volunteer to model it!!!!!!!!!!

The whole day was a great laugh, as usual--it never fails to amuse me the conversations we have while painting tranquil scenes!

Its amazing how different the paintings turn out when doing a class, Sam's was a lot more 'hilly' than Jans with steeper sides down to the pond.Sam also turned out to be a natural at trees, and with the big tree up the top of the fields behind us as an example, she turned out the most beautiful tree!

Jan has got more confidence each time she comes to me and tackled her tree with far less nerves than normal.

Sam is coming back with some of her family to paint the birch tree painting early in the new year, I have set the date for 9th Feb for that one, I have some people waiting for me to set dates for the new year so will sit down and sort that out when I get a minute.

Fish

Its quite difficult to see propley but one of our golden orf in the big pond has become very twisted,he dosent seem to be in any distress but he cant seem to swim in the direction he want to when feeding!

He is becoming Z shaped, havent been able to sort out whats wrong with him yet but dont suppose there is much that can be done!

Todays Class

Today we had a really laid back class!

Everyone had met in my classes before--

Jack had been once before, Jan was doing her 4th painting and Sharleen was painting her 3rd one.

The painting was a different one to the one advertised, but that is nothing unusual-nothing is set in stone with me, I will chop and change the subjects to fit in with what people want to do!

Sharleen bought along Chip who is seen checking out the subject for the painting today! I think everyone was surprised at the way that the painting evolved today. We started off with a black canvas, added some white acrylic with some various sponges, then we painted in some trees in various colours of white, grey and black.

As soon as we put the linseed oil onto the dryed acrylic you could see it come to life,as soon as the linseed oil hit the canvas it just became more vibrant, the black and white paint took on a totally different look- the original painting had shades of blues,yellows and greens in it. I had decided that I was going to paint mine all green to replace the 'Emerald Wood ''painting that I sold a while ago.

After seeing how my painting had progressed, they all decided that there were some changes they would like to make to their original acrylic paintings-mainly a big branch on their main tree!! We has such a laugh in the class, everyone was ok putting in the background trees but as soon as I mentioned painting BIG trees it all went very quiet and no-one wanted to do it! There was a lot of breath holding going on!!!!

Everyone watched as the painting transformed from black and white to a magical green enchanted scene.

After seeing mine everyone decided to ''go green''

I set the paint out onto the palette and said'' right then whos going first then''--silence for a minute and then Jan-bless her said ''Ok then lets get it bloody over with!!!!!'' it cracked everyone up!!

Earlier in the class after we had to use the sponges to apply the background, we all had lots of weird things appear in the paintings. Sharleen and Jan and myself all had strange faces and some animals in theirs, but Jack beat everyone with his 'witch on a broomstick-complete with moon in background!''

All in all a great day-loads of laughs as usual, Jan came home with us to borrow some of my extensive range of art books, I am always happy to help any of my students in any way I can, and as I have built up quite a collection of various art books in one form or another, I am quite happy for them to use them to practise with at home! I have also told them all to ring me if they are not sure about anything--Id rather they do that than make a major mistake at home and be put off painting for good!!!!

All of the students will be joining the SAA, of which I am a PA-- (professional advisor)

The Society for All Artists --- www.saa.co.uk

is a very informative and helpful site -the bi-monthly magazine is full of helpful hints and tips about painting and the regular catalogue is full of bargains.The joining fee fee is soon recouperated when ordering their paints etc at discounted prices-anyone who is going to paint on a regular basis would be well advised to join this society--everything is P+P free too.

Class in Hadnall

We went to Hadnall today to do a class of WI ers who we met earlier in the year.

We set up in Christinas consevatory which was very good of her!!

From the left we have Barbra, Betty,Liz, Jean, Christina and Caroline.

We had such a laugh -they were all nervous and convinced that they wouldnt be able to paint the picture-and all over the moon with what they achieved.

There was quite a variety of different sky's , ponds and trees as always. It is quite fasinating to watch how each student interprets every thing I tell them and show them-although we all use the same materials, each painting is totaly individual to each student-

All todays students were keen to paint again and I look forward to meeting up with them all again-next time at Carolines place !!!!!!!

Jordan's Painting

You can see 10 year old Jordan concentrating really hard in the photo, he and his little 8 year old brother Kieron decided to put an owl in their painting, as well as some twigs on the ground, that had fallen off the tree! I love it when pupils decide to do things without being told,it shows that their imagination is working and that I have given them the confidence to express them selves!

The Childrens Class

As you can see from the photo we had some brilliant little artists in todays class!!! Jordan on the left has been to me twice before-all the others were new to it! Will post more later!!

Frames

I have been asked several times in classes lately about getting the paintings framed when they are dry.
I have been to see Dave The Frame-- the chap who does my mounts and frames and he has agreed to frame the box canvas at a special rate for my students.
The frames will cost just £10.
I have left 2 paintings with him today and Bill can pick them up in the morning while I am doing the class.
He will also give me some samples of the different frames that can be used on the canvas so people can see which they prefer.

The class is only a small one tomorrow because one of my ladies has gone into hospital and her friend usualy had a lift to the class with her, so we will see Pauline and Irene in the near future.
I wish Irene a speedy recovery.

Craft Fair

After a wet start to the day-fortunatly it stayed dry while we set up the stalls, we had a very good day.

We had 3 stalls today because some people didnt turn up, due to the weather forcast.

We had one good downpour at 10;30am and then it stayed fine.

I was busy with people doing encaustic paintings most of the day, although I did get some other paintings done as well, I have a lot of uploading to do to my websites.

I have booked 3 more dates for the craft fairs they are Sunday 22nd July, Sunday 29th July and Thursday 30th Aug. All are taking place on Ludlow's Castle Square.

Wild life In The Garden

We decided that the small pond that we had let go 'wild' had got a little too wild and the 4 fish that we had put in earlier in the year hadnt been seen since! So Bill started to pull some of the reeds that had taken over when the little frog appeared out of the water.!He seemed very quiet concidering what was happening and hung around til Bill had finished! You wouldnt belive how much stuff was in the pond-the fish will be much happier now they have room to swim more freely!

I was tempted to move the fish and put them into our big pond, but the fish in there are getting so big I think they had better stay where they are!

It was great to be home and take a look at the fish in the pond-they have only had a quick feed lately, havent had time to enjoy them!

The picture at the top shows the 'Fairies Fishing Rods' that I have growing in pots around the pond-we will have a good show of them this year-the flowers are covered in buds-they look so pretty bobbing around in the breeze.

The 2nd pic shows some of the fish in our pond-the big white one is my favorite one-he actualy comes right out of the water when its feeding time-as you can see!