Burwarton and Tenbury Shows

We have a busy few days coming up this week,,, we are on the market tomorrow-  then straight from there to Burwarton show where we will get the stall set up ready for the show on Thursday.. its always a busy one for us and most enjoyable as I always get to see loads of my students there! Lots of stuff going on for all the family..

Then on Friday we will set off for Tenbury  where we will set the stall up ready for the show on Saturday-- another great show where I will see loads more of my students and meet new ones! If you are going to Tenbury show--please remember that dogs are not allowed on the showground--so please leave them at home and not in the car..

We will be bloody knackered on Sunday--thats for sure LOL....

Busy Times...

Well what a week--so busy its unreal! We started off with Tenbury show on Saturday-the weather was bloody awful until about 1pm...poured with rain...but we were quite busy and met lots of lovely folk who wanted to learn to paint!

We had plenty of space to place everything...

After getting home past 7pm we had a few hours rest before getting loaded up for the next day--Churchstoke Fun Day-first time we have done this one-and it was a lovely venue and we met some lovely folk there...we had a good space -enough to put up our two gazebos...the sun shone on us all day-although we did get a few black clouds now and again-they drifted off past us and we stayed dry..

They had stuff for the kids on all day--and it was fun watching the clowns entertaining the kids just across the way from us..

Talking of kids -we had our lovely Tommy on Tuesday while his mummy went to work...he is a joy to look after--so happy all the time...

he thought the shoe rack needed sorting out....so it all got reorganised....

in between all of that--I had to create a scarecrow for the Burwarton Show tomorrow.....I decided to make an alter ego..so meet Diane The Artist--also known as Dolly! 

Its amazing what you can make from an old quilt, some tights  and some straw!

She has been busy painting and got covered in paint...

You can come and meet her tomorrow at Burwarton...she is part of the scarecrow trail-it looks like there is at least 50 taking part! I have a full workshop on Saturday with 14 folk coming to paint Stormy Skies..then we are on the market again on Sunday.and Wednesday..we are looking forward to a break away in Llandudno the weekend after!!

Tenbury Show,Churchstoke Funday and Burwarton Show...

This year Tenbury show is before Burwarton show,,we have been over today to set up the stall ready for tomorrow..hopefully the rain wont be as bad as it was today--it really hammered it down! The pictures shown are from last year--will have some new ones from this year to add after the weekend! On Sunday we are doing a new venue-Churchstoke Fun-Day-lets hope the rain keeps off for us--its a charity event and it raises a lot of money every year! Then we have Ludlow market on Wednesday as usual followed by Burwarton Show on Thursday--always a great venue for us..am looking forward to all of them very much!

Busy Busy Times Coming Up...

Its the start of our busiest time coming up now...We are on the market on Wednesday 11th June--and the weather looks like it will be good for a change!

 Thursday 12th will see us dropping in some paintings to be on display as part of the Ludlow Art Trail, which is a part of the Ludlow Fesival.. mine will be on show on the first floor of The Wine Bar , in Quality Square, Ludlow.

Saturday 14th June I have a large workshop painting "In The Breeze" one of my most popular workshops--and one I never get fed up of teaching either!

Sunday 15th June we are at our first big show of the year--Kinver Show-Worcestershire-its a lovely show--and we always do very well there too! It will be an early start for us-as we have to be there for around 6.30am...so the brushes will have to be cleaned as soon as we get home on Saturday...

Monday 16th June we are at a new venue for the workshops--Severn Valley County Park,Alverly, nr Bridgnorth .I am teaching "Summer Day" again..its a beautiful setting and we will be able to look out at the views while we are painting! We are really looking forward to it very much.

Wednesday  18th will see us on the market again....lots of lovely stalls there on a Wednesday, a real mix of things..

Saturday 21st--the longest day--the nights will start drawing in after tonight! What a thought--haven't had many days warm enough to sit out at night yet!
I will be teaching The Birches to a wide range of people--this one is so much fun to do-a wide range of colours and canvas size-so something to suit everyone!

Sunday 22nd June we will be up bright and early to be on the market again this time its a  Craft and Garden market so should be lots of plants etc as well as lots of lovely crafts for sale..

Wed 25th will see us at the market yet again..

Thursday we are having yet another early start as I'm heading to a school in Birmingham to teach 10 children how to paint--not sure what subject we are doing yet-am waiting for the Headmaster to get back to me about that...I love teaching children-they dont have the inhibitions that many adults have!

Friday will see us loading the van and setting off to Shobdon airfield so we can get set up for the lovely Food, Drink and Flying Festival..the show is on  Saturday28th  and Sunday 29th but we always get set up the day before so the Saturday is more relaxed! Its a great show and we have supported it for 9 years now since it was a very small affair--its been great to watch it grow each year...

Wed 3rd July will see us at the market again.,,

Friday 5th July we will be setting off with the caravan to Bromyard  Steam Gala --its quite a way from home so it will be a good chance to try out the new caravan and check its all working ok...
The show is a huge one and runs over the weekend 5th and 6th July..

Wed 9th July market again...

Saturday 12th July we are doing another Hen Party-this time in Stourbridge...what brilliant fun we have at these do's....its a great idea for a hen party..and lovely to have a beautiful painting to keep as a memory of the day..

Sun 13th July you will find us on Ludlow market again for the Craft and Country market..

Monday 14th July we are off overnight for Bills birthday pressie off me to him..staying overnight at a lovely hotel before going Segway-ing the next day...I am joining him as well-we have seen it a few times on TV and it looks great fun..

Wed 16th Ludlow market..

Friday 18th,Sat 19th and Sunday 20th July will see us at a fab new venue---Festival At The Edge...we will be taking the caravan again and meeting up with good friends there who are also doing it! We will be able to set up the caravan and van behind our stalls,,there will be campfires,storytelling and plenty of wine flowing over the course of the festival--am really looking forward to it!

Tuesday 22nd July we are doing a birthday painting party on Clee Hill...

Wed 23rd Ludlow market

Sat 26th July is the Poppies workshop oils on black canvas--great fun and still a few places left in that one ..Bill will have to get me set up in class before heading over to hand in the paintings for the Church Stretton Arts Festival before 12pm!

Sunday 27th is the Book and Craft market in Ludlow.

Wed 30th is Ludlow Market

Friday we will head over to Tenbury show to get set up ready for Tenbury Show on Sat 2nd Aug..a fantastic show--lots going on for all the family---one thing to remember though is that dogs are banned from the showground..

Sunday 3rd Aug we will be up very early to get over to Churchstoke Fun Day..never done this one before but we were invited so will go and see whats its like--it promises to be a good one with 8,000 folk through the gates....will be bloody tired after doing Tenbury though!

Mon 4th Aug we are stewarding on the door at Church Stretton

Wed 6th Aug is the market...before packing the van and heading over to Burwarton Show to set up ready for the show the next day--

Thursday 7th  Aug---Burwarton--another early start--but worth it-I will be in the demonstration building...we have decided to take part in the new Scarecrow trail too---so have to find time somehow to make one!

Sat 9th Aug is the Stormy Skies workshop-which is nearly full already..another of my favourites..

Sun 10th Aug you will find us on Ludlow market again -this time for the Craft and Country market..

Wed 13th Aug is Ludlow market

Sat 16th August is the Tropical Sunset workshop in acrylic and oils--great fun to do..

Sunday 17th---A Day Off!!!! Hooray!

Wed 20th Ludlow market

Sat 23rd Aug we will be heading to Onslow Park Steam Rally nr Shrewsbury with the caravan ready for 2 days of fun on the bank holiday weekend....Sun 24th, Mon 25th Aug are 2 of our busiest days of the year at this show--and its lovely to go for a mooch at night and see and hear all the smells and sights of the old steamers..

Wed 27th is the market again..

Sat 30th Aug is The Waterfall workshop--always great fun to do..

Sun 31st Aug is the Book and Craft market in Ludlow..

Wed 3rd Sept Ludlow market

Sat 6th Sept is the Cats in the Tree workshop---wonderful results in this one last time--acrylic on a chunky 12in x 24in canvas...lots of scope to be very different in this one!

Sun 7th Sept is another new venue for us--near to home this time..Brimfield Vintage club show..

Wed 10th Sept is Ludlow Market

Sat 13th September is Summer Day workshop..

Sunday 14th we are off to Blackpool for a well earned 3 night break...

The rest of the workshop dates/markets  are on the website until Christmas ..

I'm bloody knackered just typing this lot!

Its a bit of a joke that I'm supposed to take it easy with the condition I have--Polymyalgia Rheumatica....I have seen the specialist today and he thinks I may also have another condition as well...rheumatoid arthritis--that will be a bit of a bugger ..but if I have there is nothing I can do about it and will still keep on working ..he wants to try me on a new drug in the near future..not sure I fancy it after googling it--the side effects are not good but will cross that bridge when we come to it..

If you are round and about at any of the shows please call by and say hello...

Shows Coming Up....

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 We have a busy time this week...no doubt I will have to increase the steroids as any extra being busy/stress really effects me and I will seize up if I'm not careful!  The polymyalgia is getting better quietly I think but I still have good days and bad days.. I will be on the door of the Church Stretton Art exhibition on Tuesday 11am-2pm which I always look forward to..I meet so many interesting people there!       I have the very busy Burwarton Show on Thursday-I will have to leave the market on Wednesday early to go over and set up...and on Saturday I will be at Tenbury show so will have to go over on Friday to set up the stall there..ready for the show on Saturday. I'm busy doing new paintings,and hoping they will dry in time! My lovely daughter Becky will be 29 on Saturday ..but by the time we get home it will be too late to do much so we are having a BBQ on the Sunday for everyone...will be looking forward to having a rest then on the Monday and Tuesday!!!!

Its always lovely to meet up with old friends at the shows...and great to meet new people and potential students ...you never know what will happen at these shows---never a dull moment that's for sure!

Tenbury Show

Well the weather held the week before Tenbury Show--so it went ahead--YIPPEEEE after so many disappointments with 6 shows being cancelled due to the awful weather it felt a little strange to be actually setting up on Friday afternoon! We were given our usual space--in the corner where we can set up easily and display the pictures well.!  As you can see--we got a lot of paintings hung, lots of my small paintings and my new prints out on the tables.

We put a huge tarpaulin down on the ground before we start setting up and it stops any damp coming up from the ground..makes a huge difference to me--I find I  don't get stiffness in my body as much from the polymyalgia since we use that..and it keeps everything from getting muddy as well as we extend it out beyond the stall..The 2nd painting from the left of the photo  sold--Stormy Poppies--so will have to paint another one as its one we paint in the workshops and I like to have one as an example when I do the shows/markets.

Sales went well, with prints going and Stormy Poppies going as well..

Scott had a go at the encaustic art and managed to do a beautiful picture--lots going on in there-including the most perfect feather in the middle of it!...many thanks to Rose for organising such a good craft tent!

Michaels Private Workshop

9 year old Rose was painting alongside  Dad Michael today. Michael's wife had booked me to go to their home in Church Stretton for a private workshop for his birthday. Rose was a natural bless her...she followed my instructions perfectly and quickly had a brilliant background going on...

Dad Michael was pretty good at following instructions as well...lovely atmospheric sky developed very quickly, with sea , beach and bushes following swiftly afterwards..

Well done both of you...beautiful results!

Birch Tree Workshop July 28th

Alice came along for the first time with her mum Vikki who received her artist brooch for attending 6 workshops.

Vikki used a lovely colour combination-- silver and metallic green on the birch trees...it looked quite stunning...

Katherine called by at 11am on the off chance she could join in the workshop! She has been twice before and luckily she was able to catch up with the others while they were drying off their paintings, so all was well.

Cath came along with her hubby Tim and Mum in Law Bev. Tim and Cath wanted to do a diptych they could hang on the wall together...they made a brilliant job of it too!

Tim making a start on his half of the painting!

Bev had a 36in canvas..and had decided to have a cross roads path in her picture--it worked really well.

Jenny was painting for the 5th time...so she gets her brooch next time.She really loved doing this picture!

Dawn has a 200 mile round trip to come and paint with me--and says its worth every minute bless her! She went home with all the leftover paint which was lovely as I hate wasting it at the end of a class...Brilliant painting Dawn!

Ali is mates with Dawn but doesn't have as far to come---Shrewsbury! We were cracked up at times during the class--tears rolling down cheeks!

Kim had a gift voucher and came along with her friend Cynthia--who we had met through the shows we do....first time for them though you would never know it to see their finished paintings!

Cynthia at work...

Tim checking if they had their paths lined up right --don't they look great?

Derek hard at work..He received his gift for attending 6 workshops --he chose a keyring rather than a badge but managed to leave it behind-Will keep it safe til next time!

Bev added this lovely sign post to her painting--at the cross roads--a lovely detail!

Alice and Vikki had to leave early as they were off to see Status Quo and 10CC in concert that evening--lucky things!

Derek also had to leave early-he made a cracking job of his painting....he doesn't let his Parkinson's disease hold him back bless him. Hes always cheerful and we have a good laugh with him-he has a brilliant sense of humour! Hes coming again soon with his wife Liz---looking forward to it very much!

Well Done Everyone!

Love the results!

Well Done !

Beautiful Paintings Girls!

Painting Holidays--Longmynd Hotel Church Stretton

I have been asked by Christina of The Longmynd Hotel, Church Stretton if I would do some painting holidays--we are going over tomorrow (Thursday)  to sort out some dates for later this year. The hotel stands on top of the hills and has wonderful views over the vally's .Obviously I will add details to my website when I know exactly what we will be doing and when but it sounds like there will be an option to paint 2 paintings during your stay, one oil and one acrylic  check out the hotels website  and watch this space too! http://www.longmynd.co.uk/about-us.php

Bits and Pieces ...

Well there has been lots going on..shows cancelled,,paintings exhibited,babies growing up fast where do I start?

Well hopefully Tenbury show on Aug 4th looks like being on--fingers crossed we dont get any bad rain before then....

We have been on the door stewarding all afternoon at Church Stretton Arts Festival.....lots of lovely art works on display at the school to suit all tastes! Open 11am -8pm --the best £1 you will spend!

Little Tommy is growing up so fast.-nearly 9 weeks old now ..his little arms and legs are filling out lovely and I could munch him to pieces. He is a very good little baby, sleeping well at nights.....hope he remembers this next Saturday when we are babysitiing him!

 

 

Burwarton Show Cancelled

Well as expected Burwarton Show Thursday Aug 2nd  has been cancelled  due to the bad weather we have been having.Such a shame -its one of the nearest shows we do and its always a great show. Must be gutting for the organisers-so much work goes on behind the scenes all year round to get the show together....the forecast isn't great for this week either which must mean the Tenbury Show Sat August 4th must be in jeopardy as well. Lets hope it all starts to improve soon.....I shall spend the time painting intead of attending the shows.....got some new stuff lined up to go onto canvas!

Doddington Friendship Club Demo

I spent an enjoyable afternoon at Doddington Friendship club.Organised by the mum of an old friend of mine I went to Grammar school with-it was over 35 years since I had seen Alison-her daughter Catherine and I had spent many happy hours at her home! We had a coffee and a lovely bowl of strawberries and cream before I got started on the painting.There were 50 people there and the noise when they were chatting beforehand was quite loud---but when I made a start you could have heard a pin drop! Lots of chuckles when I explained about the bashing brush and tickling brush, and several audible gasps were heard as the trees, bushes and waterfall appeared before their eyes in minutes.I passed the painting round so everyone could have a closer look and then made a start on the Reeds in the Breeze painting on the white canvas.Again the painting happened very quickly and I had both done in an hour.Lots of interest in coming and painting with me in the workshops and I will look forward to seeing them soon!There were several comments from members that it was the quietest they had ever been as well which made us laugh! Certainly when they were watching me paint there wasnt a sound from them!

The finished Waterfall painting--its a great one to do for demos--as its quick and shows  the use of several different brushes and techniques......

The Reeds In The Breeze painting is another easy one for me to do as a demonstration piece--its a popular choice of workshop to oas there are so many colour combinations to choose from.Winners of the draw were Hilda who chose the Waterfall and Mary who won the Seascape.

Tenbury Show

We set up at Tenbury show last night--so didn't have to much to do when we arrived early this morning-just adding the labels and uncovering everything...

there were some beautiful animals on show there--again Bill went off with the camera and got some great photos

as it was getting on for 8pm by the time we had set up last night we ended up in the food marquee for a meal instead of heading home--we had a beautiful steak pie ,new spuds and peas and to follow the most beautiful local strawberry flan and cream--it was delicious!

we had a friend of ours from the market in Ludlow next to us--Edmund who makes the most gorgeous dragonflies and baskets woven from his own willow...we had loads of laughs all day

Bill managed to watch the Big Foot trucks doing their display in the main arena...

look out or you will get squashed!

we had the most gorgeous miniature teddies on the stall the other side of us--just a couple of inches high-each one hand made..

gentle giant

-I love this pic of these piggies!

Jack made a lovely encaustic painting......I completely sold out of the encaustic kits over the 2 shows...must get some more before the next big show--Onslow Park at the end of the month.

I had a quick mooch round as soon as we arrived there this morning--and on the produce stall found this--the most beautiful lemon drizzle cake..the best we have ever had--light fluffy and moist! Tangy lemon taste to die for. I don't think it will be lasting for long!