opening night of 'The Art of Moodling' exhibition

I'd like to say a huge THaNKYou to everyone who attended the opening night of my exhibition, and a very special thankyou to Carol and Danielle for providing the wonderful cheese and wine.  It was a fabulous evening and everyone got stuck in to making their own mark on a huge canvas, even those who thought they weren't creative :)

I made my first video!  It's just from my phone so no sound or anything but hopefully it'll give you a feel for the exhibition  :)

I was back at The Cubby Hole again today teaching a workshop.  We made boxes of 'Curiosities'.  I particularly liked the tiny felted pebbles!  Will post pics tomorrow, before I go to the Take That concert ...so, so, so excited! :)

eeek...a radio broadcast and an art exhibition launch

I'm nervously looking forward to being on local radio later!  Chorlton FM is broadcasting daily from the 16th-29th May across South Manchester and online.  They include coverage of the 2011 Chorlton Arts Festival, for which I did a workshop last Sunday.  I'm being interviewed at about 6pm, which I'm sure will involve lots of giggling on my part ;)

I'm also busy prepping for my first solo art exhibition at The Cubby Hole, Crewe in June.  

I've been really enjoying 'moodling' with some paint and canvases!

With the odd bit of paper and glue thrown in ;)

Still lots of pieces to get finished ...  I'm always on the last minute with these things - just the way I work best I guess!

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 :)

letters, letters and more letters

but as you can see, Walter doesn't appear to like wearing his yellow woollen waistcoat - he is definitely NoT happy!  I spent yesterday immersed in letters, fonts and illustration as I ran my lettering workshop at The Cubby Hole, Crewe...a wonderful day!!!

We started with some loosening up exercises on a large scale, trying different pencils and crayons.

I think almost everyone fell in love with the watersoluble oil pastels that my Mum brought back from the US last year.

The lettering patterns kept us all so quite and relaxed that you could have heard a pin drop!

I love the lettering that Nigel used on this page following an activity creating different line patterns.

This is Nigel's too [he was sitting next to me so I managed to get more pics] and I just love the way the letters in the largest heart come to a point.

Little Sue counted 30 journals at home (how fab is that!) and brought some along to add writing in.  

I had anticipated this being a 'less messy than usual' workshop, but no!  Although I did have to tidy up before I could continue working on this page...

Ah, that's better!

I am repeating this workshop this coming Thursday and Saturday at Paddy's Stamping Place, Prestwich - no need to book, we'll squeeze you in!!!

I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay...

Not the most flattering of photos (I've got Malc's old coat on to prevent myself being covered from head to toe in sawdust!) but after being brave enough to have a go with a chainsaw I just had to share this pic with pride ;)  I successfully chopped the log in half, but I think carving toadstools will require some practice lol

That was yesterday though.  Today (well, this evening) I was over at The Cubby Hole, Crewe for CR8@204, our monthly art class.  This week we had to select parts of images from our image board and replicate the lines, texture and tone with our graphite pencils.

We put these in a little accordion book, which is now secured in my sketchbook.  

We then had to work on a bigger scale in our sketchbooks, and added white emulsion and coloured pencil.  I focused on some cobblestones.  I really enjoyed the process, and it still has some way to go so it doesn't look much yet!

It's getting my brain thinking around the project title though - mine is Urban Landscape!  And it meant I actually did some drawing today :)

I'm so excited :)

I teach lots of classes, and enjoy it tremendously, but it really is a great treat when I get to go on one for me.

I've been looking forward to this one at The Cubby Hole for ages.  I did 'O' and 'A' level art but in those days it was very much about drawing and painting.  I'm very envious of my own children being able to do mixed media, and now I get the chance to do it to!  I'm looking forward to working through an idea from sketches and photographs through to a final  piece.

Suzi B

Talking of workshops, I was only at The Cubby Hole on Saturday doing my embossed metal book workshop.  Of all the classes to have blokes on (three!), this had to be the one didn't it!  The one that involves using the humungous ball tool etc, honestly, the conversation around the table was not for the shy amongst us. I always have a fantastic time with the crewe from The Cubby Hole so I know there'll be more laughter tonight.

[note: apologies for lack of pics, nicked this one from Sue, hope she doesn't mind!!]