AEDM day 6 - an autumnal walk in the countryside

I am very lucky to live really close to the Cheshire countryside so this afternoon saw us taking a walk in Tatton Park.  As it's 'Art Every Day Month' I dutifully took my sketchbook and drew some of the things I saw and liked,  as directed by Carla Sonheim in her book 'Drawing Lab'.

It still needs the colour adding to it, but I'm happy to have done some drawing!

I chickened out of drawing the deer though and just took photographs instead ;)

journaling on a plate

 Well, a stand for hot things in your kitchen to be precise but you get the idea!  I spent the last couple of days on a workshop provided by the suppliers of our ceramic paints for The Bean & Brush, and I got time to PLaY :)

I've been wanting to try some of the art journaling techniques I use on paper on ceramic pieces instead, and yesterday was my opportunity.   Especially as I learnt how to do this using lace (not a great photo I'm afraid):

This was another technique that was on my list to learn!  So after decorating this plate I had a go at journaling.  This went in the kiln last night so I should be able to share the final look of the piece in the next couple of days.

Things are mad busy around here still - I'm teaching my first workshop for The Bean & Brush tonight.  It's full but if anyone is interested in doing it, please let us know as I'm more than happy to run it again.

Meanwhile, I'm also prepping for my exhibition at The Cubby Hole, Crewe which starts on 4th June.  If you're interested in attending the preview night the evening before though, please drop me an email and I'll get an invite out to you :)

Big Day at The Bean & Brush...

...the kiln gets delivered and installed today!!!  How exciting is that :)  Unfortunately the building work is just in its final stages so we can't play with the kiln just yet.  I snuck in at the end of last week and took some pics.

Last time I was in this staircase wasn't there.  The kiln is going on the other side of the staircase, but the exciting bit is that the stairs lead to my new home :)  It's up on the mezzanine that we'll be doing all the creative, crafty things :)

It's really not easy to see from this pic but it's a good size space, with great light from two floor to ceiling windows.

This is next to the staircase and looks out onto the cafe, although this will be glazed for safety purposes very soon.   One of the things I really love about the building is the grey industrial brick.  It's GoRGeouS!

Each time I drive past the building has changed as the builders begin to work on the finishing touches. It's a really long, thin building and the mezzanine is right at the back at the end.  The whole building used to be the sorting office, with the Post Office on the main road at the front, until a larger PO was built across the road in the 1930s.  I'm really enjoying finding out the history of the building, especially as I grew up in Sale, and live only ten minutes walk from the Bean & Brush :)

finally, my exciting news!!!

I have a new job!!!  And a full time one at that :)

I am going to be the Art and Craft Supervisor at our new family art cafe, 'Bean & Brush' :)  Although it's not opening until the beginning of May '11 I've got lots to do...starting with some ceramic training yesterday and Monday as we'll be offering 'paint a pot' as well as other craft classes/parties.

This is my new boss, Michelle, she's lovely.  I forgot to take pictures on day 1 but got a few yesterday.  Here Michelle is removing the glaze from the inside of the vase very cleanly...

...mine, on the otherhand, went everywhere lol!  Apparently though, the thing with biscuitware/bisque is to let any mistakes dry first before fixing them-and this wiped off beautifully once it had dried!!!

The training was very much along the lines of producing a piece exactly the same as the tutor's, something I struggled with!  This was only supposed to have one flower on it ;)  

No, this isn't one of mine, but I can't wait to play with glazes to get this kind of effect :)  And how cool and Alice-like are these coffeepots?

And guess what?  You can even stamp on bisque - how cool is that!!! :)

new things

A friend and I are starting a new venture together next week, teaching half day workshops in our local church building.  They have a fantastic cafe each Tuesday and Thursday so we're running our workshops in a good sized room off the cafe so we'll all have easy access to the great coffee and cake ;)  

My first workshop is this little trinket box, and the following week Jo is teaching shaped cards.  We're situated in Sale, Cheshire, if anyone's interested in joining us.  

All the details are on my new website, The Art of Moodling.  I'm thrilled to have been able to use the artwork from my blog banner on my website, and on my business cards.  :)  The hardest thing was to describe what I do, but I'm pleased with the description I came up with in the end!

I play with paper, paint, inks and 

odds n ends to make beautiful things, 

and teach others to make lovely things too! 

I'm teaching a weekend long workshop at The Cubby Hole, Crewe from tonight, which I'm really looking forward too.  Our theme is 'Permission to Play' and we're focusing on some big ideas.  The Big Paint kicks off the weekend at 6pm tonight.  I'll share photos as soon as I can :)