Llandudno Break

We are away for a couple of nights at Llandudno....my friend Jeannie is looking after Sparky and Paddy and Jake has gone on his hols to my sisters......I need the break after spring cleaning  ready for Jeannie to come and house sit! I love Wales---the scenery is so beautiful....lots of inspiration for  paintings when we get home..

We have a huge bedroom here at The Broardway Hotel, a double, single and sofa bed in our room....a lovely desk and chair and also a table and 2 chairs in the bay window--ideal for people watching... we are right in the centre of town right close to the shops, so we will leave the car where it is tomorrow and have a mooch about on foot.. My tinnitus has been great for a few days again...had nothing at all   Saturday  and Sunday, woke up with it this morning really loud and it went within the hour so I think its going away gradually...We will have to take it steady tomorrow when walking around--the steroids make my muscles weak and my legs can go to jelly if I try and do to much to quickly..its really annoying but something I have to put up with...Ive managed to come down to 11mg of steroids now but will have to stay on that for a month..I was a bit up and down for a while and wasn't sure if I would have to go up again because I had some stiffness and pain at first but that seems to have sorted itself out---I did to much to quickly as usual and have to learn to pace myself more.....anyway I will take things easy now we away, looking forward to going down to the seafront tomorrow...weather forecast is good!

we have a lovely big bathroom with a bath and shower so may find myself in the bath with a book and glass of wine later :-)

Artist Of The Week

Im Artist Of The Week on the Affordable British Art website this week,,,http://www.affordablebritishart.co.uk/gallery.php?artist=DianeJennings&aid=12  a briiliant website that Ive sold lots of paintings off--its easy to use both  for the artists and their customers.... Many thanks to Ros Callander who runs the website!

Emerald Woods class--July 10th-acrylic and oils

One of my most popular subjects--painted in acrylic and oils--suitable for all ages and abilities including first timers-
there is as a choice of colours for the class
check out the website for more details

www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Rye

We are in Rye until Friday-we have a lovely large wooden lodge next to a nature reserve. The scenery is just beautiful around here!
We had a lovely long drive from Bournemouth on Monday, around 150 miles--we came as always via the scenic route so have lots of photos to put on when we get back next week.
We have been all round the cobbled streets in Rye and seen where the hovis advert was made!
Its a really beautiful part of the country.
Then we went on to Hastings for a mooch!
The weather has broken a bit today and there is a bit drizzle so we are having a nice rest, tomorrow we are off to Camber Sands and Folkstone.

Wifi is only in the club room so its a good excuse to come over and have a drink!

New Cards

While we were at Shobdon we met a lovely lady called Lin who was working on the National Trust stall selling cards to help raise money for the trust.
She came over to admire my paintings and we got chatting-- it turns out she is an expert photographer and she offered to take some photos of some of my paintings to make into cards.
She explained that she hadn't got her ''proper'' camera with her just a normal bog standard one, but she quickly took some snaps of the pics anyway.
The postman came today with this beautiful array of cards -all made up with my copyright, website , phone numbers etc on the back of them.
To say I was gobsmacked would be an understatement-they are just beautiful-Thanks Lin.
Lin is going to come over one of the days soon and bring her best camera to take some more shots and make me some more cards--I'm sure they will go down well with the students and on the craft markets. And wont it be nice to be able to put the receipts for painting purchases inside one when I post the painting off!

New Tattoo

Ive been toying with the idea of a new tattoo for some time now.
I foolishly ,when a youngster had a small home done one which Ive hated ever since then-
While on holiday I decided to bite the bullet and go for it.
I decided I wanted an artists palette as that is most apt for me-being an artist!
We checked out the Internet this morning for tattooists in Weston and came up with The Dark Arts Studio in Orchard Place , Weston Super Mare.
I had a chat with Ady who was going to do the tattoo for me.I showed him one of my artist palette brooches as an idea for the design.He went off with his paper and pen and came back with the end result.
A palette design was a first for the studio-there must have been thousands of designs there to choose from but no artist palettes!
I must admit being completly suprised at how less painful it was compared to over 20 years ago when I had my bird of paradise tattoo done!
It took Ady around 30 mins to complete-and Im chuffed to bits with it-you cant see the original one through it either!
I love the way he even made it look like the paint had mixed together on the palette!
Im going back at some point to have my bird of paradise redone as its faded over time--I think its 23 years since I had it done-Ady said he will make it brighter for me. The colours are much better these days then they were!

Lots Going On!

Had a busy day today with one thing and another--lots of phone calls -- took some paintings to swap round at Alltogther Unique Gallery in town.

Had a call from a new gallery in Shrewsbury wanting some of my work, so will be sorting that out over the weekend--Its a new venture for Nikki who already has a photographic studio-I'm really looking forward to being involved in his journey into the art world as well.

The class for this Saturday is now full-had a call off my 'manager' Pauline this morning to ask if I could fit in her friend.
Pauline is always referred to as my manager now , every time she calls up to see us on the market with hubby Chris there is someone at the stall considering doing a class-within 2 minutes of Pauline and Chris chatting to them they have booked up for a class-

We are off to Dilwyn show on Bank holiday Monday-really looking forward to it-sounds a lovely one to do. Lots going on there for all to see.

I have a demo to do next month for the Vintage club at Leominster--its a big group of around 80 members-so that will be great fun--they sound a lovely group of people-we will be meeting some of them at Dilwyn show, that will be nice!

Fungi

I just love this wooden mushroom we have by the pond--just recently it has started to grow its own fungi-the colours and shapes are beautiful--I must get round to painting it!

Todays Class

Had a lovely time again as usual-had 3 newbies in class-Tara who is Roses daughter and Margret and Jen.
All three were very nervous and convinced they wouldn't be able to paint a picture.
Rose , Hilda and Sara had all been once before while Jack was an old hand at it, having been too many times to remember!
Rose and Hilda decided to use different coloured paint to the usual grey-Hilda wanted Brown to match her other painting and Rose fancied Prussian Blue.
All of the colours worked well!
We had a great laugh all through the class, nerves were soon forgotten, and some beautiful paintings produced.
Everyone wants to come again-Ive got to sort out some dates for the Poppy painting on the black canvas as Jack wants to join that class.
Ive got some experimenting to do first though-may try it in all acrylic rather than oil!

NEW DATE FOR CRAFT MARKET

We have been asked to attend a new craft fair next Sunday 22nd March on Ludlows Castle Square.
There is a big wedding fair being held in the Ludlow Castle grounds on that day and the craft fair will be running along side it.
All of the crafts that will displayed will be suitable for wedding gifts.

If you are in the area please call by and say hello! I will be demonstating both the oil, acrylic and encaustic mediums while I am there.

Website Change Over

well todays the day-hopefully-the new website will be on air!
If you have bookmarked a page rather than the whole website you will have to bookmark it again-so fingers crossed it goes according to plan! Take a look at it . Ive still got some titivating to do to it but its coming along nicely!

http://www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Im Artist In Residence today at the Alltogether Unique gallery in Ludlow, so will have to rely on Bill to give me a ring to say its done!

Updated Class Dates

After being ill for what feels like weeks, Ive finally got round to sorting out some more class dates. They follow in further posts.
Ive got the virus that is doing the rounds in the area and its really knocked me for six.
Coughing, nose running ,sweating and aching everywhere, and to top it all a cold sore.

Ive a feeling this Saturdays class might be cancelled as I'm far from right yet.I am going to see what I'm like tomorrow-if I'm no better I will cancel it-- -the last thing I want is to pass it on to students.Looks like Bill is coming down with it as well now.

Class of Jan 17th--Winters Walk

Winters Walk is painted using acrylic and oils,we have had a lot of fun doing this painting in the past in classes.
You will learn composition,perspective,colour and how to use several different brushes and what they will do, as well as a painting knife.


The painting is suitable for all ages and abilities from 6 years upwards
If you would like to join us for this workshop please get in touch via the website
www.paintingmyway.co.uk
or ringing me on 01584 872013

Class of Jan 31st-Serenity In Green

Serenity in Green is a new class subject.
This will be an interesting painting as it uses a very limited colour palette. Most people will be doing it in the green shades but at least one will be doing it in other
colours.


You will learn composition,perspective,colour and how to use several different brushes and what they will do, as well as a painting knife.

THIS CLASS IS FULL
The painting is suitable for all ages and abilities from 6 years upwards
If you would like to join us for this workshop please get in touch via the website
www.paintingmyway.co.uk
or ringing me on 01584 872013

Class of Feb 7th--Birch Trees

Birch Trees has had some of the most remarkable results of all the classes I teach.Its painted in acylic paint so its dry enough for you to take home.
You also have the choice of colour and canvas.
You can choose from the monochrome black and white version or the sepia tones which is fast becoming the most popular choice.You can also choose from the 16in x 20in canvas or a hexegon shaped one-the choice is up to you! Making the choices is the hardest part of this painting!

The painting is suitable for all ages and abilities from 6 years upwards
If you would like to join us for this workshop please get in touch via the website
www.paintingmyway.co.uk
or ringing me on 01584 872013

Class of March 7th--Perfect Evening

A beautiful bright vibrant scene which could be anywhere -- -Scotland, Wales or abroad!
Painted using acrylic paint so it will be dry to take home .You will learn compostion,perspective,colour and how to use several different brushes and what they will do.


The painting is suitable for all ages and abilities from 6 years upwards
If you would like to join us for this workshop please get in touch via the website
http://paintingmyway.co.uk/
or ringing me on 01584 872013

3 PLACES LEFT

Class of March 28th--Frosty Reflections

Frosty Reflections is a simple but very effective painting, created using acrylic paint.It can be painted ina variety of colours,shown are just 2 of them.It could also be done in blues or greens.
You will learn composition,perspective,colour and how to use several different brushes and what they will do, as well as a painting knife.


The painting is suitable for all ages and abilities from 6 years upwards
If you would like to join us for this workshop please get in touch via the website
http://paintingmyway.co.uk/
or ringing me on 01584 872013

Michael Jordan

I mentioned the other day that one of my students had a blog on which he has his paintings-well he has gone one step further now and has his own website on the brilliant website http://www.affordablebritishart.co.uk

He has started to put his work on there already-take a look-there is some lovely work on there, Im sure Michael will do very well.

http://www.affordablebritishart.co.uk/gallery.php?artist=MichaelJordan&aid=386
CONGRATULATIONS MICHAEL!

Laryngitis-tomorrows class cancelled

Ive got a bad case of laryngitis's at the moment and have completely lost my voice except for a little squeak--I think Bill is enjoying the peace and quiet but its not much good if you have students to teach.
I have had to cancel tomorrows class because it will be impossible to teach the 3 students that were attending. I am sorting out another date for the class and will be posting it on here asap. Sorry Ladies!

At least the soreness has gone now-plenty of organic honey and lemon will hopefully get me back to normal soon.

Michael Jordan

One of my students who came over from Germany for a class a while back has been in touch with me for a chat, he has been busy painting since we met last time and Im soooo impressed with his work.He works in watercolour a lot, and his work is stunning. He has a big range of styles-landscapes, floral and cartoons.
Im looking forward to seeing his gallery on Affordable British Art website soon!
Take a look for yourself at www.michaeljordanart.blogspot.com