Tern Valley Show

We had a great weekend at Tern Valley Show--there was lots going on there for all the family. There was some beautiful sights-the gypsy caravan was stunning.

The dogs gave a fantastic show-walking along parallel bars and jumping through rings of fire!

The blue macaw was in a cage outside one of the stalls around the main arena-poor thing didnt have any toys or water and he was just going form perch to perch bored out of his mind-we enquired how much they wanted for him but it was way too much--£1600 , I just hope some kind person came along and bought him.He was really friendly and let us stroke his head.

We were kept very busy on our stall both selling and giving demonstrations.

I sold my Emerald Forest painting on Saturday so I got stuck in and painted another one as it is a class subject!

I also got one of my Brown Birch Trees paintings finished that I took with me. I also started some new monochrome birches that I want to get finished this week to take to Onslow Park next weekend.

The weather wasnt as bad as forcast on Saturday during the day but that night it emptied down-all night long.But there is nothing like being snugged up in a caravan having a nice drink and a game of scrabble whilst listening to it raining! We both slept like logs, and of course we had the traditional cooked breakfast to start the day

Of course in the morning with al the heavy lorries etc moving round the grounds it all got very muddy and churned up.When we loaded up the caravan to leave last night we got stuck in the one gateway-as did most people-so we had a tow out with one of the tractors that were standing by for the purpose!

Now just got to unload the caravan of the washing etc and start getting ready for next weekend!

Your Age

A bit of trivia sent to me by one of my regular readers Tom-

YOUR AGE BY EATING OUT
Don't tell me your age;
your waiter may know!
YOUR AGE BY DINER & RESTAURANT MATHS
DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST!
It takes less than a minute. Work this out as you read .
Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!
This is not one of those waste of time things, it's fun.
1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to
go out to eat.
(more than once but less than 10)
2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)
3. Add 5
4. Multiply it by 50
5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1758...
If you haven't, add 1757.
6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.
You should have a three digit number
The first digit of this was your original number. (I.e., How many times
you want to go out to restaurants in a week.)
The next two numbers are
YOUR AGE ! ------ (Oh YES, it is!)
THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2008) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS

Nearly Ready !!

After Carole left yesterday after her one to one class, I set to and gave the new caravan a good spring clean.

Sparky cat decided to jump in and check it out as well--he likes the seats at the back of the van by the dining table best!
He did try out the bed after we had put it down, and started playing with the string to the awning that Bill had started to get sorted!!

We haven't really looked at everything propley since we bought her months ago, so today as the weather was fine, Bill got the awning out and made sure everything was there.

Its massive-doubles the size of the space we have.We will be able to leave the bed down instead of putting it back as seats each morning as we have a lovely dining space with seats at the other end of the van.

We have got everything packed ready to go tomorrow, just got to sort out which paintings we are taking, and load those in the morning.

We have been shopping for a few essentuals that can be left in the van instead of having to remember to pack each time,there is loads of storage space in the bathroom for all the toiletries so they can be left in there.

The shower is quite powerful and the heater works well, so we have all the things we need.

The fridge works on gas as well as electric so we can have some ice in our drinks while we are there too!

We are looking forward to meeting up with some of the people from various forums I belong to-cant wait!

One last thing to do is to get the paintings packed up for the exhibition tomorrow and dropped off before we go.

Its a shame we cant make it to the private viewing on Saturday, but some of my students and friends will be there.

Caroles Class

Carole came for a one to one yesterday-she wanted to learn how to be loosen up in her painting technique.

Carole has always liked to have a photo in front of her when painting at home to work from, and said she couldn't use her imagination to paint anything.

I just put out some acrylic colours on a plate and we just got on and played with the paint.

It took her a while to 'free up'' but when she did , she produced a beautiful abstract painting-shown above in its stages..

Its bright and vibrant, and Carole was really pleased with the effect--we moved into the garage to do some splattering effects-which was great fun!

When we were finished I put the pan on and we all had some bacon sandwiches and a cuppa!

Carole's friend John who had bought her here had a great time with Jake the parrot while we were painting.

They are going to the private viewing on Saturday at the Ludlow Art Society Exhibition, John has just started up framing paintings so Im sure he will pick up a few customers there!

Places left in Classes

I updated the numbers a couple of days ago, which are seen lower down the page--these have changed a bit with new bookings-new places left are as follows

6th sep -Oriental Dawn--2 places left
20th Sep--Emerald Woods--4 places left
27 th Sep --Summer Day--3 places left
11th Oct--- serenity in green--3 places left
I am awaiting a couple of calls back soon about classes so these numbers will be changing soon, I will update asap I know anything.

Craft market

We have been on the Book And Craft fair today on the Castle Square in Ludlow-the weather was a real mixture-pouring down one minute and sun burning bright the next.

It was unusually busy for a change, despite the weather! I didn't even get chance to take any photos, as Bill pointed out as we were packing up at 5pm!

It was a constant stream of people most of the day. Jill a lady Ive been talking to on the Internet for a while came by, she wanted to try out the encaustic art and had ordered the complete set off me.
I gave her a demo of how to do it, and then she had a go, so I could be sure that she knew exactly how much pressure to apply to the iron. She did a lovely pink and purple pic in just a few seconds!
She is a really keen artist and I had to send Bill home to collect some black and white blank canvas as I had forgotten she had told me she wanted some!
Good job we are only 1 mile away!
I managed to get 2 paintings done--2 class subjects that I wanted to get done on the size canvas we use in class.
At the moment they are on much bigger canvas and it was confusing people when I said they were class subjects-the size put them off!!

Anyway I managed to finish them, in between all the chatting and demonstrating, I hope they dry before the weekend so I can take them to the Tern Valley Vintage show .

Sat Aug 9th-Winter Wonderland

We had a really fun class yesterday.

Jack is on his 12th/13th painting (will have to check!).

Chris and Pauline are on no 6 each and received their artists badges-Chris had his speech ready and was disappointed that the press didn't turn up for photos etc!!!

Oliver aged 12 was here for the third time-joined by his grandad Don who was painting for the first time.

So real mixed lot !

Everyone was surprised by how little paint was on their palettes to start with.

I explained that there is no point in putting out lots of white paint in the beginning as it will just get contaminated by the blue, so we add that as we need it!

Right from the start everyone's painting was completely different-as is the norm.

I had explained to Don who was attending for the first time that the idea of the classes is not to produce a carbon copy of the painting we are using as an example but to show everyone how to use the tools of the trade!

Its lovely to see how everyone interprets everything I show them differently.Don couldn't believe all the different skies we had in at the start.

The same went for all the different stages.Trees, snow and water!

The class was a little different to the normal one after 11am--my friend Ros arrived with hubby Lincoln and son at the venue.

We were expecting them after a lovely holiday spent with them near Glastonbury earlier in the week.

Ros is a very talented artist, and runs the website www.affordablebritishart.co.uk

of which I am a member.

Its a brilliant site, easy to use for both buyers and artists alike.

The students really enjoyed having Ros there, she handed out some valuable tips to the students. It was interesting for me to to see how Ros does things.

Ros and family found it all very interesting to see the end results, which the students were all chuffed to bits with!

The students had two for the price of one according to Jack in the comments book!!

After we cleared away, we all went home to introduce the menagerie to them. Jake of course did his usual and didn't say a word until we all went out of the room-then he proceeded to say something very rude !!!

Bill had put a couple of chickens in the slow cooker to do while we were out,and had prepared a mountain of vegetables to roast, as well as the normal boiled veg.

I made some bread sauce, got the cranberry sauce out and we all had a lovely Christmas Dinner complete with Christmas crackers-which Ros's son managed to win most of the prizes!

Ros thought it was great as she is working Christmas Day!

They say never work with children or animals and I can see why!

Jake proceeded to make farting noises all evening-making everyone crack up with laughter!

All in all a great day, it was great to meet up again, and we are already making arrangements to go up to Scotland to see them again-cant wait!

Tropical Sunset Class Full-August 30th

This class is now fully booked.

Yesterday morning Bill looked through my appointment book and said "there is nobody booked for the 'Tropical Sunset' class on Aug 30th.
I replied "there is plenty of time yet" An hour later the phone rings and a lady who lives just around the corner from us phoned to book the class for her and a friend after seeing the article about me in the Ludlow Lifestyle magazine.
The other 4 places were filled by students of todays class "Winter Wonderland"


I will upload the pics of the class tomorrow.

Class date for Stormy Skies--Nov 8th

This is another of my class subjects that has proved popular over the past year in my Painting My Way classes.

Stormy Skies is always popular as it always gives great results every time.

You will use a variety of brushes as well as the painting knife-something that when mastered will lead you to many fantastic results!

If you would like to join this class please get in touch via the website

www.paintingmyway.co.uk

it is suitable for all abilities form very first time onwards.

date for "Birch Trees" Sat Nov 1st

Again back by popular demand--"Birch Trees" can be done in the usual monochrome or the latest sepia variation.

In the last class just one did the black and white version and the rest did the sepia--made a refreshing change! You will always get amazing results with this one.

Even if you have never held a brush in your hand before you will take home a painting that one-one will belive you have painted!

Suitable for all abilities-even first time students!

Please get in touch with me via my website to book for this workshop-places go very quickly

www.paintingmyway.co.uk

date for "Serenity In Green" Oct 11th

This is a new painting for the Painting My Way Workshops.

"Serenity In Green" is a very interesting painting to do.

Although this example is painted in shades of green and I have already got 2 ladies booked for the workshop to do it in green, I have had enquiries about whether it can be painted in other shades/colours during the workshop.

Of course the answer is yes-you can do the painting in any colour of your choice.

I understand that while the classes are about learning to "Paint MY Way" if the finished painting doesn't fit in with your decor at home you wouldn't be so happy to paint it. Im happy to teach this painting in what ever colour you would like.

"Serenity In Green " is the perfect opportunity to see just how pressure on the brush and how much paint you put on can produce very different results.

This painting is suitable for all abilities-even first time artists.

I will as usual go through the painting step by step-showing you how to load the brush, how to apply it to the canvas, and because my classes are all small--7 people at most you can be sure of plenty of attention.

Please get in touch with me if you would like to join this class via my website.

http://www.paintingmyway.co.uk/

Date for Poppy Fields--Oct 4th

Poppy Fields has had some fantastic results whenever we have done this in a workshop.

Its a beautiful ,bright,vibrant painting that is suitable for all abilities -even first timers.

You will learn how to use a range of brushes in this class,and you will be amazed at just how different everyones paintings turn out!

If you would like to join this class please get in touch with me via my website www.paintingmyway.co.uk

This class tends to get booked up quite quickly, but will be held again next year.

New Date For ----Summer Day -Sep 27th

Back again by popular demand "Summer Day" will be the workshop subject for Sat Sep 27th.

There are 4 places left for this popular subject.

This one will definatley be booked up quickly-its one of my most popular paintings in Painting My Way workshops--easy to see why though!

If you want to join this class-please get in touch with me via the website http://www.paintingmyway.co.uk/

Places Left In Classes

There are just 4 places left on the "Tropical Sunset" workshop being held on Sat 30th August. This has proved to be a popular subject in the past and is suited to both first-timers and more experienced artists.

There are 3 places left for the "Oriental Dawn" painting workshop on Saturday 6th September

The results last time were really beautiful and everyone was amazed when they had finished the picture!

Again this is suitable for all abilities.

PLease get in touch via the website if you wish to book-these are popular subjects and they do get filled very quickly.

www.paintingmyway.co.uk

Path Through The Birch Tree Woods.

When Jane saw my Birch Tree paintings today she explained how she has a little copse of birch trees that she planted herself in her back garden., She said my paintings reminded her of them.

She bought them and we offered to drop them off for her after she said it would be difficult for her to get them home with her not being able to walk very well.

We offered to drop them off for her after we had packed up and taken everything back home.

She told us she would show us her trees and her chickens that live at the bottom of her trees.

We were met at her door by a big bouncy Labrador called Maude and a little 19 year old ginger cat called Sweeney.

We had a lovely chat with Jane about lots of things, she showed us a poem that a friend of hers Seamus Hearey had written about her birch tree garden, and was published in one of his books.It was beautiful.Very tranquil.

Jane then showed us the most beautiful garden at the back of her home.

An old brick pathway led us up to the end with old fashioned shrubs and flowers either side-you could here the sound of the river and the water going over the weirs.

So peaceful.

Then at the bottom, in a beautiful stone walled enclosure with the most beautiful birch trees Ive ever seen ,we met her 3 chickens!

They are lovely birds-clucking around in the bark mulch there.They are quite big birds with ginger feathers all the way down to their feet-they look quite funny with their feathery legs.

After taking some photos of the birch trees-the name of the type escapes me at the moment-except I know Jane said they are not the bog standard ones we normally get over here! They peel and reveal the bark underneath-pure white, while the bark that is on the top is white on top and golden underneath. It feels like velvet.

Jane peeled some off for me to take home.

We also had some free range eggs to take with us-courtesy of her 3 chucks!

All in all a lovely day.

Todays Craft Fair

The weather forcast was completly wrong today--instead of the wet day forcast it was warm bright and sunny--until time to start packing away! At 4pm it went black, even had a rumble of thunder-then the heavens opened.Everyone else was running around like headless chickens trying to pack their stuff away! We sat tight and waited for it to give over--goood job we did--a lovely lady came by-admired the Birch Tree Triptych and bought it!

Ive got to re-order all of the encaustic art stuff as I sold out today-have got a new customer caling by for a complete set this Sunday.

No Peace For The Wicked!

We got back at 5pm tonight from a wonderful holiday with some good friends----unpacked, did some of the washing-then realised I had the brushes to clean that me and Ros used yesterday while painting! So did that at 10pm tonight!

Then thought about getting everything ready for the craft market tomorrow--and thought otherwise of it!

We will get up early and load the car--we also have a nearly full class on Saturday and we are back on the craft market again on Sunday!

We are also looking forward to seeing Ros and family again on Saturday-they are stopping in Ludlow until Sunday, looking forward to meeting up again and having a lovely meal together.
Im sure Jake will be on his best behaviour for everyone!

Big Thanks To Jean

I want to thank my friend Jean for pet sitting all the menagerie while we were away. It was her first time and everyone loved it!
Jake is talking like her-and trying to whistle Col Bogey!
Paddy has been trying to talk to her in his own little way and Sparkycat has behaved him-self and not bitten her feet during the night!

Smokey And Gizmo

We had a sad job to do when we returned from our holiday this evening. The vets had called home to say the remains of my two old girls were ready to pick up.

There were a few tears, as I collected the beautiful solid oak casket they had been placed in.

Im very impressed with the service though, they were very caring and compassionate-my old girls had a good send off.

Minehead and Weston -Super-Mare

We had some interesting photos from our holiday-as usual I got loads that I intend using as painting subjects-when I find the time to do them!

We went into Minehead the day before yesterday, it was beautiful weather,we had a mooch along the beach and around some of our old favorite shops! Its changed a bit since we were there last year, they are building up the beach-I presume to stop it being washed away..

Bill took some of the burned out pier today at Weston -Super-Mare on our way home. They are asking for donations to help re-build it-some of the damage wasnt insured.

He also took some of the seagulls in flight--I love how hes captured the one in the photo!

Fantastic Holiday

We have had a great holiday in Somerset, we joined my friend Ros , her hubby Lincoln and son at a lovely holiday cottage site.We were next door neighbours but one in a delightful little cottage.

The photos show the outside of the cottage and also the view fron the kitchen table out through the stable door.

There was a couple of walnut trees outside, also a beautiful lilac tree, with beautiful lilac flowers on.

Each cottage had its own picnic table outside , so you could sit out in the evening chatting.

We had the pleasure of Winston the owners labradoodle dog dropping in for tit-bits regularly,he demolished a nearly whole chicken quiche last night! Its a good job we didn't have any spare room in the car or I think he would have been dog-napped and ended up back here in Ludlow-he really was gorgeous.

It was so quiet and peaceful there--we had the advantage of having a cooked breakfast as we booked B+B, but as the cottage was self contained we had the option of eating out in the evening or cooking--of course we ate out--we were on holiday of course!

It was lovely to meet up with Ros and family , we had such a great time!

Of course with us both being artists we had lots to talk about and we even managed to do some painting yesterday-the only day it rained. We had great fun together.The time just flew by, and before we knew it we were on our way home.

Todays Class

What a brilliant class we had today---Jack ( who lives in Bambury, Oxfordshire) had no idea where he was going when he set out this morning-his daughter Claire who I met on one of the craft markets in Ludlow, had bought him a gift voucher for his birthday.She didn't give it him until he was outside the venue today! Audrey and Catherine had also travelled a long way -we met them at Wellsbourne art society when I did a demo there earlier this year.

Jan is a regular and a close friend.

Everyone had a choice today-the subject could be painted in the usual monochrome or in my latest style of sepia. The students also had a choice of canvas.They could have the usual 40 cm x 50 cm box canvas or the more unusual revelled edge one--slightly shorter, but lends itself to this style of painting beautifully.

Audrey decided she was going to paint in black and white and everyone else chose the more recent sepia option. Claire chose the bevelled edge option.

Audrey got the hang of the encaustic pen very quickly-the foxgloves appeared very quickly on her canvas, and everyone was amazed at how it transformed her painting.

We had great fun--Claire found some potential customers within the group for her Silver fingerprints service--she can take a fingerprint of a child's finger (or adult) and turn it into a beautiful pendant in a short time.She can also do the same with a painting--what a brilliant gift that would be! I will get her website address and put it on here.

Catherine was more used to working very detailed and using coloured pencils and agreed the class was great for learning to 'loosening up' her style of art.

Well I'm off to bed now-got to finish packing in the morning for our holiday-will get that done while Bill fetches Jean , my friend who is pet sitting!

Also got a painting to pack to post while we are away---Heat is going to Hertfordshire, will have to take it with us to post cos we are not back until Wednesday evening, don't like to keep customers waiting so have emailed the new owner to explain when it will be with her.As usual, I will send it special delivery--insured, track able and next day signed for delivery!

If It Should Be

I had this poem sent me yesterday--it made me cry-its so true.

IF IT SHOULD BE

If it should be that I grow weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.
You will be sad, I understand.
Don't let your grief then stay your hand.
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.
We've had so many happy years.
What is to come can hold no fears.
You'd not want me to suffer so;
The time has come -- please let me go.
Take me where my need they'll tend,
And please stay with me till the end.
Hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time that you will see the kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Please do not grieve -- it must be you who had this painful thing to do.
We've been so close, we two, these years;
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.