Cats In The Tree Workshop

We had 11 in for Cats in the Tree on Saturday...everyone had a choice of colours,

Angela adding her cats,,,

looking good..

love the colours..

slightly different technique but lovely all the same..

bunnies coming up...

Add caption

Coming along nicely!

sorry-awful photo...

Love this colour--have not tried using just red shades myself--but will be giving it a try after seeing this one!

Wow...love this one..you cant see the twinkling stars in the photos--we used a lovely glitter paint to achieve them-they catch the light when hung up in the room...very pretty affect..

Well done ladies--what lovely paintings you all created..all so different to each other..

see you all again soon x

Serenity Workshop Sept 8th

Connie has been once before ,, her painting was very dramatic...

Carol was also painting for the second time..

Phil is one of my fellow market traders...he and his wife Pat were quite nervous...

Pat...was so tensed up her shoulders were hurting bless  her...both she and hubby Phil managed to create  great pictures despite the nerves!!

12 year old hope hard at work

Jane is a fellow artist and market trader...she does the most beautiful animal portrait's,,,and wanted to learn this technique in order to loosen up a bit..

Sylvia works at Church Stretton Leisure Centre and saw my work there on  display there...she couldn't wait to book in for today's workshop....hard to believe she hadn't painted before isn't it?

Karen was painting this for her Dads birthday....

lovely results by this 9 year old....

It was lovely to see my old Grammar School friend Karen-went for a great meal afterwards at The Bullring Tavern

Me and Karen..

Class of 16th May-African Dream

Diane drove from Liverpool to join us on Saturday!

We had a lovely time .Diane has been doing watercolours and found the freeness this method brings a refreshing change!
Sandra had never painted anything before and was looking forward to her first painting session.

Jan has been once before and was looking forward to trying acrylics after already trying the oils.She preferred the acrylics and is coming again to paint Mystical Moon.
As usual we had 3 completely different paintings as everyone personality's came out on the canvas!
As soon as the class was finished we rushed home to get ready for the next few days of our holiday at Weston Super Mare!

Lots Coming Up

We have lots of things coming up on the agenda soon! We are off to Wellsbourne Art Society for another demonstration on Tuesday. We were there in November and they enjoyed themselves so much they asked me back. Ive been working on some new paintings to show them in the demonstration, and Im sure they will find them inspirational!
We are booked into an olde worlde pub for a couple of nights, so we can take in some sightseeing as well!!

I am busy making more lists for the pet sitters---now we have Jake the new parrot there is a whole load of new stuff to add to the already long list of do's and do not's !!!!
Jake really is a darling, he learns new words and expressions so quickly its unreal!! You really do have to watch what you say in front of him!!
We cover him up with a black cover at night when we go to bed and we do not hear a peep out of him until we uncover him in the morning--then he docent stop talking! I don't think we have watched any TV program all the way through since we had him!
He is so amusing, he shouts Hello Bill, Wheres Bill?
Trying to get him to say Hiya Di at the moment!
Bill is having fun with him--he whistles a tune and Jake repeats it exactly note for note back to him-hes a really clever bird.
He will be spoiled rotton no doubt when we are away as are Paddy and Sparky and the fish whenever we go away.
As long as he has plenty of company and someone to talk to him, Jake will be happy.





We are using a clicker to train him and he is responding so well to it.

Hope Bagot

We had a great day at Hope Bagot yesterday-although it didnt stop raining all day!

There was a constant stream of people through the door of the vilage hall where we were.

The children all loved having a go at the encaustic art and some beautiful paintings were produced during the day.

Sundorne WI--- Wed 2nd April

After a busy start to the week getting work on a commission nearly finished, we had a trip to the other side of Shrewsbury to Sundorne WI.
The letter sent when booking stated that they met at "The Lantern"
Unusual I commented to Bill-they meet in a pub!
When we followed the directions to The Lantern we found it was not a pub but a community centre!!
It was packed when we arrived, and we set up at the back of the room while their meeting went on.
They turned their chairs around watched my demo -there were a few questions but mainly it was silent!!!.
I finished the first painting in record time-Winter Wonderland was finished in less than 15 mins-and I was stopping to talk as well as painting!
There were many comments when I carried the painting round after I had finished it, -a lot of people said "its the first time Ive seen an oil painting that looks fantastic close up as well as at a distance"
When I started the second painting "Summer Day" it was even quieter-again I finished in record time.
Joan won the 'Winter Wonderland' painting and I donated the 'Summer Day ' painting to the WI to use for raising funds for their chosen charity.
I am conscious that all of the WI and art groups that have booked me to demonstrate all have to pay for the room that they meet in by the hour, so if my demo goes on for too long they have to pay out more money for the room, so I have to keep it as short but imformative as possible.
So my demos range from 60 mins to 120 mins depending on their circumstances!
There are lots of interested ladies in Sundorne WI that will be coming to a class.
I have 3 ladies from Hadnall WI coming again to class tomorrow.
This will be their 3rd time.
I also have one of the WI members neighbours booked for a class at their home for 6 people! Its all go at the moment!

Easter Babysitting

We had our little grandaughter Hollie to stay on Sunday night.She just loves it in the kitchen sink as you can see! Its much easier to bath her in there than to empty the bath of the oil paintings that are drying in there! Good job we have 2 bathrooms though!
Once she settled at 10:30 pm we didnt hear her til 8am.But we both slept lightly,listening out for her!

Tranquility Falls

Tranquility Falls is my latest oil and acrylic painting.Its based on scenery around Devils Bridge.
Painted onto a box canvas measuring 40cm x 50 cm it will be dry enough to post after March 10th.Its a beautiful tranquil scene with the suns rays starting to burst through the trees early in the morning!
The cost is £120 including P+P in uk.

class of May 3rd --Emerald Woods

This painting has just 2 places left-its a very popular one and quite easy to do.A lot of scope for individual personalities to shine through!

Please get in touch via the website if you would like to join the class.
www.paintingmyway.co.uk
Check out my 'snaps' pages on my site to see all my happy students with their paintings---you will see that many of my students come back time after time--my classes get booked up very quickly and I have a waiting list for some subjects.

The classes are very friendly,laid back and informative at the same time- great fun and a beautiful painting to take home as well!
Take a look at the guest book to see what some of the students have said about the classes as well!

I have kept my prices the same for the past 4 years--£35 which includes all materials used in class. We paint on a high quality box canvas which does not need framing-although if you wish to do so we supply a lovely frame to match your painting for just £12. Great Value!

St Valentines Day

Well we have had a lovely day-- Bill had some fun trying out the new camera and printer--an amazing bargain off hot deals!! Just £55 for the 2!!! Its over £300 on Amazon.
Just the job to print off pics of the students on the day of the class if they want one!!
I had some beautiful red roses and a romantic CD for St Valentines Day. We went out for a lovely romantic 3 course meal tonight at the Bull Ring Tavern. Couldnt fault it--we have been there every week for their steak night special-so knew it would be good!!!
I bought my cheese home in a doggy bag as I couldnt manage to eat it all--very generous portions--it comes very highly recommended by us!
Back on the diet tomorrow!!!!!!

Classes full

The above 3 class subjects are all fully booked.
I have another date for the Birch Tree Walk on Sat March 29th but there are only 4 places left on there already.

African Dream and Oriental Dawn can also be painted in One to One sessions which cost just £40-please get in touch via www.paintingmyway.co.uk

New Bathroom

Its been a busy week for us-my son has had to get a new bathroom suite because the old plastic bath had started leaking.

Of course they had to call on Bill to help, so we have been round there most of the week-hence not much happening on the blog!

My 2 old girls -Smoky and Gizmo my 20 year old burmese cats have loved having us there-they have have bucket loads of fuss-and extra food treats! You would never belive they were 2o years old to see then running around.

Gizmo is at the front of this pic and Smoky behind her.

They are tiny little things compared to our Sparky and they are very vocal and talk a lot in their own way!

African Dream Class--Full

11year old Oliver who came to the Tropical Summer Day class on Saturday is coming to the African Dream class on Saturday March 8th.

This class is now full.

Trine

Well more congratulations to my dear artist friend in Norway--Trine.

She been asked to write a monthly piece for her local paper.
Her first one was published today.
You can view her daily blog here on this link
http://mtv65.blogspot.com/
She sells her work all over the world, it is much different to my style -she works in chinese inks and paper a lot, although she has started using her encaustic waxes again.
We had such fun when she came over in 2006 and stayed with us for week.I am sure that 2008 is going to be a fantastic year for her.

March 8th Class

"African Dream" Is the subject for Saturday 8th March.

This painting is done in acrylic paint rather than the usual oil paints that we use in the classes.

Its a very bright vibrant painting that really lights up a room.

Its suitable for all ages and abilities, including children and 1st timers.

The painting will also be dry to take home, with it being done in fast drying acrylic paint.I haver to get cracking and paint another version of this painting as it sold at the recent exhibition!

There are just 2 places left for this painting.

To book a place please contact me through www.paintingmyway.co.uk