Monday, October 01, 2012

Serenity Sold!

We went to take down the exhibition at Teme Leisure ,Church Stretton, Shropshire this morning and I had a call as I was leaving the house from someone who wanted to buy the Serenity painting on display there....I was able to meet his wife there and hand over the painting to her! I will be holding another solo exhibition there from Dec 1st --all new paintings to those I had on display this time.. 

Birch Tree Workshop Sept 29th


The Birches workshop has always been one of my favourites! Ive introduced a new colour- a soft green and cream combination to go with the monochrome and sepia tones we have always done. Nobody did the monochrome version last Saturday--the first time ever!   Deborah chose the new version..
Kaitlin adding some detail..
Kaitlin made this little horse and rider at lunchtime using the silver paper from her chocolate! Very artistic Kaitlin!
Bridgett was painting for the 2nd time...we had lots of laughs with everyone through the day, something had tickled her here good and proper!
Karen and her lovely Mum  Sandra come from a long way away--Mansfield--so they came the day before and stayed at a lovely hotel overnight and made a real treat of their weekend...Karen-bless her--has the same sense of humour as me and we were both creased throughout the day.... she also happened to paint a lovely picture!
Sandra really enjoyed her day---she has the same sense of humour as her daughter--and with all the "harder harder" "faster faster" that goes on during the special effects brush work we do it was wonder that all the class were in hysterics for most of the day!
Ive been teaching art for over 8 years now and I managed to get my sister to come along and do a picture at last! I think she was one of my most nervous students ever..but what a brilliant painting she did!
As I have to leave my painting each stage to supervise the students , mine very often doesn't get finished---my Bill carried on painting for me on Saturday and got each stage finished ready for me to show the next bit...he made a beautiful job of it--thanks Bill x
Dave's painting--he made a grand job-again using the new  green and cream combo...
Lovely work!
well done!
Well done everyone---a couple of camera shy ones---Bills holding up Dave's for him and Karen is hiding behind hers as well!

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Mellow Moods Workshop Sept 22nd

It was lovely to see Barry again--3rd time for him--he said he was really ready for a session with me! Poor Barry is waiting for an operation and was in quite a lot of pain bless him...hope its all over and done with next time we see him...
Keith was painting for the 2nd time...
Paul had no idea what he was going to be doing until Judith bought him along...
They both created lovely paintings...its something they have wanted to do for a long time...
It was lovely to see Kaitlin again--she hasn't been for a couple of years but she obviously hasn't lost the knack...cant believe she is now 12 years old!
Looking good...lovely colours..
First time -and just look at those trees--wow!
Taylor came along with Rhianna...and what lovely results they achieved...
Rhianna hard at work...
Jenny has painted with me many times-she painted this one for a friend of hers...
Its amazing to see how each tree the first timers paint gets better each time--it really is practise makes perfect!
Irene was with me for the 8th time...she loves to come and have her fix-- she stays over night on the Friday as its quite a distance for her...we will join her for a meal next time shes over as she usually stay at the Travel Lodge up the road from us....
the colour wash is starting to go on here...amazing how it transforms the paintings..
Angela loved her day and wants us to go to Worcester and take a workshop thereat some point...will be more than happy to !
just starting to add some colour with the oils on top of the acrylic

well done everyone...
beautiful results...
well done,,looks like Ive missed 4 or 5 of the students out of these pics--ooops.
here are the 14 happy artists...we had a great day and look forward to seeing you again!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

1 stone Off

Im back on track again now...holidays and christenings out of the way and Ive lost 3 lb this week,,.making a stone since I started at slimming world and 23lb since I started losing weight at home... so well pleased with it--steady wight loss should stay off easier as well!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Food Glorious Food!

Its lovely to go out into the garden and pick fresh fruit and veg...they taste so much better than shop bought--and we know there are no horrible sprays been near them as well....The blackberries are ripening quickly now..and the apples-what few there are -cookers and eating-- will be ready soon. Apple and blackberry crumble is springing to mind--is there a Slimming World recipe I wonder?
Didn't have much of a crop of tomatoes this year--the wet weather earlier on spoiled them...but the new 'yellow stuffers' are looking good. Never tried these before..and there was a nice lot of 'sungold' mini tomatoes as well.
I have never tryed the 'yellow stuffers' before so it was a bit of an experiment really...I used the tiniest of the sungold tomatoes and some of our favourite ''Low Low'' cheese spread ,with  a sprinkle of rainbow pepper and garlic flakes to fill them with before putting them into a hottish oven
yummmm
Bill spatcocks and skins a chicken several times a week, then I cover it in dried onion or garlic and some paprika and dry roast until cooked.Its delish..and the dry onion etc forms a skin so it doesn't feel as if you are missing out -if like me you cant resist the skin off a roast chicken! And Its all free on SW plan....as much as you like as often as you like...
with a huge salad and a jacket spud-topped with more Low Low cheese spread it was to die for...and we were both too stuffed to eat pudding......

Tommy's Christening Sept 16th

Poor little Tommy had to be woken up when he got to the church....
proud Mummy and Daddy outside the church
getting everyone organised around the font!
Anne Barge the vicar taking the service always involves the children ..
she certainly knew she had Tommy in her arms..

Shell, Graham, Kirsty, Nicky and Richard--all of the godparents.
He looked lovely in his suit...proper bobby dazzler bless him....he was good as gold-as usual.
beautiful cake...
my beautiful niece Nat and  Mum holding Tommy
he went back to sleep after being changed out of his suit...
My lovely nephew Charlie --he is very good with little Tommy-loves him to bits !
love this pic of Nat
With Uncle Rich who is also his godfather
always laughing--never known such a happy baby..
with Nicky-one of his 3 godmothers!
well my hair started off down but ended up being put up before the day was out......we all had as lovely day.. and it was over too quickly...