Something To Consider

Something to consider

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar...and the beer.A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed."Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognise that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--your family, your children, your health, your friends, your favorite passions--things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car.
The sand is everything else--the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house, and fix the disposal. "Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the beer represented.The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers."

Some Naked Figures-dont look if easily offended!

I expect everyone has had a look after seeing the title of this post!

What a lovely day! After going over to Stoke on Trent to collect some paintings from the gallery, we went on up to Stockport see my dear friend Lindi Kirwin-a fellow artist.
She is the most amazing artist-apart from her beautiful landscapes she does the most amazing nude work-both male and female forms.
I find her work quite beautiful and gentle-not at all offensive and I admire her skills.
She has her studio at Vernon Mill, Mersy Street , Stockport , where there are over 40 artists under one roof.
Lindi showed us round some of the ones that were open--the lady opposite her studio had a wonderful display of very original work on display-but it was her floor that took my eye the most--what I wouldn't give to have a room where it didn't matter if you spilled a bit of paint!
There was every sort of art you could imagine there--the sculpted scary heads were just that--scary! Very well done though.
The time just flew by so quick-it was turned 7pm before we left-its a good 100 miles from home , we had a good run home though- called at the new chippy in Craven Arms and we shared a lovely bag of chips covered in vinegar!
To see more of Lindi's work check out http://www.lindi-kirwin.co.uk/

Chuffed!

I was chuffed to bits with my new watch that came from the USA.The strap is made up of little artist palettes,brushes tubes of paints and easles! Just the thing to wear in class and for the shows!
Also got my new aprons for class-Id had 6 embroidered with the company logo previously but as I have increased the size of the classes to 9 I had to get some more!
Very pleased with them--but they wont look quite right until they have a few splashes of paint on them!

No Market Today

With the weather forcast being for heavy rain and high winds we decided not to venture out of the house this morning to do the regular Wednesday market.
There is no point in risking the paintings getting damaged by rain-besides there will be no customers wandering round Ludlow on a day like today.
Just hope it clears up a bit before Saturday when we have Tenbury show.

NEW DATE SEPT 12TH

I have decided (due to demand) to put in the Birch Tree painting on Sept 12th.
You will have the option of doing the larger canvas shown -36in x 12in
There will be an extra charge of £10 for this size.
You will still have the option of the normal 16in x 20in canvas and the usual colours of monochrome or sepia tones at the normal price of £35.
There are 5 places left in this class.
If you would liketo join us please contact me though the website
www.paintingmyway.co.uk

More Cards

Ive had a lovely morning with my friend Lin and her hubby Dave.
Lin creates cards for me using my paintings.
They have been selling like hot cakes at the craft markets and I had sold out of several of the designs at Welland.
Lin bought her camera to take some new pictures-it was so hard to decide which ones to use! There were paintings everywhere when they arrived, in the hall, the kitchen and front room!
Luckily Lin has a good eye as to which ones will work as cards and which wont!
I cant wait to see the new ones-I have got to get a new stand to display them on now-- ebay here I come!

Merry Christmas!

No I haven't gone mad!Me and Bill have just opened Christmas pressies from my mate Ros and Family!

We all went on holiday together in July last year and then they all came down to Ludlow after.
I decided to do a Christmas Dinner for them-so the table was laid with Christmas crackers , we had a dinner with all the trimmings and we all had a lovely time!
We went up to see them later in the year in Scotland and left their pressies with them.
Poor Ros got laid up with a bad back and our pressies from them didn't get posted---then I think Ros decided to set a tradition after them having Christmas dinner in July-we get Christmas pressies in July!
The postman bought them the other day and we loved it all!
Bills mug with a picture of Jake saying ''I luvs Bill'' was just brilliant! I loved my perfume,little artist palette charm and a pen that is just too rude to show on here!
Very clever how it works though-when you press the top the mans underpants disappear leaving him very naked!
One to take along to the classes I think! Thanks Hun xx

Good Write Up!

I had a great surprise when we got home from Gloucester last week-opened the Shropshire Star to find a small article about me!
After doing the demo the Leighton and Eaton Constantine WI Cecily Butler the clubs press secretary had got in touch with the paper with the write up!
I have 2 of their members coming to class to paint Poppy Field later in the year.

Catching Up With Everything!

Things are starting to slow up a little now after the hectic weekend.
Ive got some new paintings to put on the various websites--

The oval one is called ''Serenity in Dusky Rose'' and measures 16in x 20in.
It has been painted in high quality oil paints onto a staple free oval canvas.
The sides have not been painted.The price including P+P in UK is £120
It can be framed at an extra cost of £20

''Sunny Sunflowers'' has been created using high quality oil paints onto a staple free box canvas measuring 24in x 24in.
The background is a soft blurry mix of yellows and greens, the bold sunflowers in the foreground are painted in very thick textured paint that stand out against the softness behind.
A bright and cheerful picture to brighten any room.The sides have not been painted.
Price is £145 including P+P in Uk

''Yesterday'' is a atmospheric sunset painted in high quality acrylic paint onto a 36in x 14in staple free box canvas.
I painted this picture while at Welland and a lady asked me the title of it--I replied that I had only painted it yesterday and hadn't thought of one yet!
She replied ''that's a great title--Yesterday''
So Yesterday it is--its now been finished and varnished to bring out the colours.
The lady in question had her eye on it for her bedroom, I couldn't sell it on the day because it wasn't quite finished and varnished--Ive told her to look out for it on my website so fingers crossed she will buy it!
The price is £140 including P+P in the UK
If you are outside the uk and would like to buy any of my paintings please get in touch for cost of postage.
You can see more of my work on www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Welland--some photos!

We are Back!

We are back from Welland Steam Rally-its been a hectic 4 days and we are completly knackered! We have had brilliant fun, met some fantastic people, and made friends with some very special people--you know who you are!
I will be posting pictures and news over the next couple of days on here-so much has happened.

Changes To Classes

I have had to come to a decision about the classes!
I am going to increase the size of the classes to 9 students due to popular demand.
I have taught 9 students in the last 3 classes and everyone is still getting plenty of individual attention and the quality and detail of the paintings being created in class has not been compromised at all!

I have also decided that I will not be doing the Ludlow Food and Drink Festival craft market this year on Saturday 12th September-the reason is that Im doing a lot of big shows this year which will generate a lot more students-and Ive already found that there isnt enough Saturdays left in the year to keep up with the demand as it is-
so Im going to decide soon which painting will be done on that date and hopefully get rid of some of the backlog!
The subject will be on the website and here as soon as Ive decided which one Im doing!

Gloucester Arts and Crafts School-day 2

We stayed overnight in a lovely guest house nearby --Lulworth House in Midland road-,had a walk around the fair that was set up nearby then on into Gloucester for a meal.
We didn't have to rush to get to the school as it was all set up ready for the days painting!
Everyone was eager to learn the technique and were surprised at how easy it was.
We got on really quickly and were nearly finished before lunchtime!
Just as well as Sue had to be somewhere else and disapeared before I had chance to get a photo of her painting!

Dereks wife came by to have a look at his work and told me she was astounded by what he was doing-and loved his birch trees from the day before-she also asked me to go and do a demo for their art club in the future.

Everyone mastered the knife very quickly when it came to doing the waves , and we had some lovely poppies and daisies from everyone.

We had a lovely time with Rita,Joan,Sandra,Liz,Beryl,Derek,Ann, Cynthia, derek and Sue and we are looking forward to seeing them again!