Happy 2013

Well as 2012 comes to an end and we welcome the new year 2013 in its a time to reflect whats gone on during the last 12 months.. We have met loads of new people who have attended the Painting My Way workshops--most of them walked into the room pretty much convinced they would be my first failure and that they would never be able to paint a picture that would be any good.  How lucky am I to be able to prove them wrong...nobody knows how I feel when the most nervous of folk settle down within minutes and start to relax , making decisions for themselves where to place a wave or a tree...to know they go home feeling so good about themselves is priceless to me..  To my students who are not in the best of health -we wish you well and hope you have a better year next year..(((HUGE HUGS))) to you all.  We hope that next year will bring some better weather and the big shows we normally attend will run as usual--we missed out on 5 shows and I think numbers will be down in the workshops due to that..I pick up quite a few students at the shows...but saying that I also get lots of students coming back and bringing new students with them, so may not be too bad!  Some of the workshops are almost full already....There will be a few new workshops coming up...and of course all the old favorites will be run several times..  Well Im off to have a lovely roast beef dinner with my lovely Bill...along with one or two drinks to welcome in the new year....so we will see you all next year--will look forward to it very much indeed...The website has been updated and you can see where we will be -markets/shows etc -weather permitting  through to next Christmas. Workshops dates are done until Sept-so take a look ! www.paintingmyway.co.uk    HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE XXX                                                                                                                                                                               

New Years Day Lunch

We went to our friends Jan and John for New Years Day lunch yesterday, and we had a lovely time!
They are both brilliant cooks and we want some of the recipes off them!
Started with marinated mushrooms, then there was a roasted leg of lamb AND a homemade chicken,ham and leek pie! for afters they had made a lemon meringue pie And a cheese cake! Then of course there was cheese and biscuit's and port-we were absolutely stuffed by the time we had finished.
Luckily we had a lift there and back so we were able to enjoy a drink or two as well.
The evening was crisp and clear and we were able to set off some of the Chinese floating lanterns into the sky-they went up like a dream, no near neighbours to worry about like there is here!
Little Teddy the puppy has grown so much its unreal-he is a lovely little dog who had us in fits of laughter pinching balls off the Christmas tree etc.
We really had a fantastic time-thanks both.

Happy New Year

We would like to wish everyone a very Happy Healthy New Year for 2009

Heres to a creative time in 2009 !!!

Diane and Bill xx

Bills Garden

We have had a a busy few days. We wanted something unusual for a little pathway through the newly laid out garden- we found just the thing in the form of these slabs with ammonites detail on them, they fit in the colour scheme beautifully.

Now that the plants have started going in ,its really taking shape.

We have got a new patio set to go on the stone circle-cant wait for it to be finished and sit out there with a glass of wine or two!

We saw the giant fish ornament yesterday when we went searching the various garden centres and just had to go back for it today. Its going to live next to the fish pond.

The top of the garden , the patio area next to the house is looking a bit tatty and neglected after the transformation on the other 2 levels of the garden-its going to be the last bit to be finished by the look of things-Bill has got his tomatoes and beans in containers and grow bags on the patio and also some of the plants waiting to go in down the bottom end.The project is nearing the end--its been a lot of work but so worth it.

It will be a minimum amount of work to keep it looking good because of the special membrane that was put down under the gravel.

The summer house is almost ready for the first BBQ to celebrate the new look garden--most of the things stored in there have gone onto Freecycle and have all been collected-all that needs to be done in there now is de-spidering (Defiantly Bills job!)and plugging in the fridge in Bills Bar!!

Highley WI

We had a lovely time on Tuesday evening with the ladies of Highley WI.
We got there in plenty of time and set up the display stands and table.
Im never sure what people are expecting when they are told they are going to see an oil painting demonstration-it always turns out that they are totaly amazed at how laid back the talk and demos are.The paintings take shape so quickly that people cant belive it!
The usual oohhhs and aaaahhhhs and amazing's came thick and fast when the finished paintings were handed round for closer inspection after I had finished!!!
The winner of the draw chose the waterfall painting and i donated the "Summer Day" painting to the WI. They support the "Fast Response" and will use the money raised fromthe painting to help this worthy cause.

class of April 26th --Encaustic class

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I am holding an encaustic wax class on Saturday April 26th.
You will be able to 'paint' using a special electric iron and special waxes- 2o postcard sized pics and 2 A4 size paintings with full instruction.
Its a fasinating way of producing art-its quite unpredictable to a certain extent--loading the special iron with wax and using it as you would a paint brush can produce some surprising results. The wax dries instantly amd its then polishe dwith some tissue.
Its going to be the most fun you will ever have ironing and polishing you will ever have!
You will see faces and animal's appear as if by magic in the melted wax, if you dont like what you see, its simple -just apply the iron to it and it changes in a flash!

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 beautiful painting's 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 also supply everything needed for this wonderful ,addictive way of creative art.

Update On Stormy Skies class

I have just one place left on this class. As you can see from this picture of a previous "Stormy Skies" class , we get fantastic results-even from first timers.

If you would like to join the class on April 19th please get in touch via the website
www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Ashford And Caynham WI

We had a lovely turn out on Wednesday night, the hall was packed with interested people.As you can see from the photo, there was an interesting backdrop on the stage, a painted scene of mountains!

I started the night with a demonstration on a black canvas--using transparent blue paint ,I started painting on the canvas--of course no one could see anything until I started putting on the white paint---then there were lots of oohhs and aaaahhhhs as it quickly developed into a snow scene.Using the same brushes but this time on a white canvas I painted the ever popular Summer Day painting.This is one of the most popular painting's that I do in class, and it always goes down well at the demos too.

Ann Tyler won the raffle and she chose" Summer Day"--she has just moved into the area from the seaside and she said it reminded her of where she had lived.

I donated "Winter Wonderland" to the WI to use for raising money for their chosen charity.

March 22nd Class

"Winter Wonderland"

This is the subject for the class on Saturday 22nd March.

This painting has proved very popular over the past couple of years.

Its painted in oil paint onto a black canvas which makes it less nerve racking for first time artists!

This painting is suitable for all ages and abilities including children and first timers.6 places left at this time.Please contact me via http://www.paintingmyway.co.uk/

for details and booking

Happy New Year

2008 is at the door,remember,life is short,break the rules,forgive quickly,kiss slowly,love
truly,laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that made you smile!!!!!!!!

I want to wish all our family friends and students a VERY ,VERY ,HAPPY HEALTHY ,NEW YEAR FOR 2008

We are looking forward to meeting up with all the wonderful people we have met through the classes and having more fun and laughter as well as the more serious side of producing some fantastic works of art with you all!!

And also the new people who are joining us to experience "Painting My Way" Its going to be a year to remember in 2008!!!!!

FANTASTIC DAY!!!!!!

Well I am so glad we braved the snow yesterday, we had a fantstic day.
I sold my Poppy Quartet painting and have been commissioned to paint it again for someone else!

I always demonstrate when I am doing shows, and my party trick is to paint a landscape from start to finish in just 4 minutes, there are gasps from people watching as the picture forms before their eyes ! I love to show people just how easy oil painting can be, and it pays dividends reallly because they book up to come to my classes after. It sounds as if I will have some demonstrations to do for an art club and another ladies group too, so all in all a great day, and a nice cheque for the Heart Foundation!