Last Supper!

We went up to the local pub last night for our ''final supper'!!The steak and chips was delicious-and we just had to finish of with one of the Squirrels beautiful Caribbean sundaes!
We are both being hypnotised this afternoon to try and help us lose some weight!
I'm really looking forward to the experience -and it will be interesting to see how it works--we have tryed a few times (half heatedly to be honest) to do it on our own-and have ended up staying the same after a few weeks.
At least we have never put the weight we lost back on as can happen sometimes!
Karl has been highly recommended by a friend who has been to him and is doing very well-so fingers crossed it will work as well for us too!
The fridge is full of healthy stuff-the fruit bowl is groaning so think about us at 3pm when we will be going 'under'!

Market 12th August

The weather turned a bit miserable yesterday on the market-after the hot sunny day the day before! We managed to get set up without getting everything wet though.
Considering the weather was so wet there was lots of people around- lots of my leafets went to people from all over the country--they all seemed very impressed with out town and want to come back to paint and see some more of it!
We took some different paintings to usual, for a change , so the layout of the display looked different again.
It was good fun to see the look on peoples faces when they asked how much the big green painting was( as happens 50 times a day when its displayed) to get the answer £30,000--- we wait a minute before bursting out laughing and telling them its £300 !
We are having new stalls on the market in November-we attended a meeting about it on Monday evening-it all sounds very pretty on paper-whether or not it works in reality is another matter!
The council have gone against the wishes of the traders and ordered pvc covers which will hold the condensation which will drip everywhere onto goods.Im sure the blue and white stripes will look smart but not much good if our stuff gets spoiled!Time will tell!

All Worth It.

Ive just had the most lovely message from one of today's students-thanking me for my patience with her and helping her to produce another masterpiece for her collection---
Many thanks Sally-its great to get feed back like that but Hun-you didnt try my patience anyway!
You can have another try when we see you next month for The Waterfall! ;-)

Todays Class-Winter Wonderland

Class of today--Francesca,Alice, Jenny,Tony,June, Jean and Sally (seated) (Mrs Fiddler)
They came from far and wide today to paint Winter Wonderland-Hereford, Telford,Ludlow, Clee Hill and the caravan park at Shobdon!
We had all had lots of fun and laughter throughout the day--Jenny had to travel from the other side Hereford and her babysitters turned up an hour late-which meant we had a later start than normal-10.30 am--we had to get finished in the same time as Francesca was catching a plane to Ireland at 5pm this evening!
We still had a couple of breaks and finished at 2pm though.
Jean and June came from the caravan park at Shobdon--Jean is quite disabled and didn't think she would be able to get any decent results-mind you every first timer that comes through the door thinks the same!
June asked if we would go over to the club on the site and do some classes there-so we will wait and see what happens about that--I explained it would have to be on a Tuesday or Thursday as every Saturday between now and Christmas was taken!
Sally now has the nickname of Mrs Fiddler-she kept sneaking back to her canvas and fiddling with it when we were having a break.Jennys painting was lovely and soft looking, very subtle.Her tree was quite dramatic which was a lovely contrast to the rest of her painting.
Alison had a gift voucher for today as a present, she painted really naturally and didn't really find any of it a struggle.Tony is getting quite an old hand at this painting business-he told me that after the last class -''Serenity '' he went home and painted 4 more versions of it for his sisters--they were amazed!
You can see from the finished results that the results are all different-everyone interprets what they are shown different to the next person.The classes are about learning to use the brushes and paints-to learn the Painting My Way technique, not to produce a carbon copy of my painting!

We are seeing Tony next week in Mellow Moods-Ive got a very full class next Saturday--Ive managed to book in 12 people -I had a post-it note stuck on the page--over the namesof 3 people! Luckily its a staright forward painting and we have enough easels and brushes etc so it wont be a problem!
Bill has worked out the plan of the room and thats sorted-it will work very well I think!

Today--Jamies Funeral.

Well as expected today was a very sad day.
Jamies funeral was held in Ludlow at 12.30pm.
Jamie was well known for his brightly coloured hairstyles-often bright pink! In tribute of this all the men wore bright shocking pink ties and the ladies bright pink accessories.
St Laurences church was packed to the seams with people.
His friends were bearers -his grandad Bob commented that the coffin was twice as heavy as it should be with the gifts that everyone had put in with him.He had a can of beer and a ciggy in his top pocket too!
His friends got up and spoke beautifuly about him, as did his cousins and sister.
Then his mum Heather got up in the pulpit and gave the most moving speech about her son-how she kept her composure I do not know.
She said afterwards she had promised him she would -bless her.
Well she certainly did him proud.
The music was so moving ---we went into church to the sound of R. Kelly--''If I could Turn Back Time'' ,then Jamies favorite song by R. Kelly--''The Worlds Greatest.''
When it was time to leave the church the music bought a smile to everyones faces--''Bat Out Of Hell'' by Meatloaf.
It was the music Jamie used to go to sleep by when he was a baby-he was a bad sleeper but he would always drop off to the song in his dads arms.
He is buried not far from Heathers Mum-my aunty Barbra-and its only a short walk from his home, so they will be able to visit him easily--its a lovely spot.
I dont know how anyone can ever recover from losing a child-we can only imagine what his parents and sister are going through--but I do know that they are surrounded by lots of love from the family and Jamies friends--and I hope that time will help to heal the pain they are all feeling.
There was a beautiful sunset tonight-lots of bright pink in the sky-a fitting end to the day--

Sad Day

Tomorrow (Thursday) is going to be a very sad day. We have the funeral of 19 year old Jamie Teale.
Jamie is the son of Heather and Michael, and the brother of Zoe.
A fun loving , caring , sensitive lad who will never be forgotten by his many family and friends-----
RIP Jamie

Paintings For Exhibition

Ive been busy painting a new picture for the Ludlow Art Society Exhibition which is coming up soon.
This version of my Summer Day painting is a massive 36in x 36in and already looks different to this!
Ive left it up on the easel and went I went into the kitchen earlier to get a drink I decided I didn't like the clouds on the right hand side! So I tickled them out. I'm much happier with it now!
Ive just got one more painting to paint and Its all ready to go.

Strawberry Fields

This is one of my latest works-- it measures 36in x 14in and has been created in acrylic paint.
I have used a special metallic shimmery paint on the water-its really effective and changes as the light changes.
Its been varnished with 3 coats to protect it.
The price is £140 including P+P in the UK--If you are outside the UK please get in touch for details

Happy Birthday Becki

I cant belive my daughter Becki is 25 today!
Where have the years gone?
We are all going out for a slap up meal tonight to celebrate!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKI XXXXX

Tenbury Show--or was it Glastonbury?

Glastonbury eat your heart out! When we went to set up the stand at Tenbury show on Friday ready for the show on Saturday-it was bone dry in there--it was a different story on Saturday when we arrived at 8am to finish setting up!
While we were there setting up a cow got loose and was running wild all around the marquee with men chasing her-she dragged 2 of them for a long way too!
It had rained heavy during the night and everywhere was soaking underfoot.
I had my old sandals on so it didn't matter about them getting muddy-good job really I suppose!
Anyway the weather didn't stop the crowds arriving in droves and we had a very busy day--we are looking forward to meeting some of them in classes in the near future.
After a big storm midday-Bill went off to find the organisers to bring some wood chips to put down in the puddles of mud that were starting to appear in the marquee.
My new cards that Lin did for me this week just flew off the stands--the foxgloves went in the first few minutes-the new seascape ones all went very quickly too.Ive got a few left for the market on Wednesday-by then my new big revolving stand should be here which will free up some table space.
I didn't get to see any of the show as I was too busy to get out-but Bill managed to get to see some of it-the birds of prey were beautiful--even the vultures!
It was lovely to see one of my students Rhada who called by with her hubby-they were over from Birmingham for the day.
We didn't get from there very easy because of all the mud--we had a tow by one of the tractors which made life easier-didn't get home til turned 8pm-I was certainly not going to start cooking then so after unloading the car quickly it was off up to The Squirrel for a steak with all the trimmings!
I was completely knackered by the time we returned home and was asleep almost before my head hit the pillow!

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.