Thursday, 22 December 2016

Merry Christmas everyone....

The College decided to use one of my learners festive images as their Season's Greetings this year. 

There was a lot of great entries including all of the great works below but they settled on Deborah How's lovely snow scene above. I'm really proud of all the learners who submitted amazing work, well done everyone.



Mark, painted the beautiful deer above, and made it to second place in an online festive greetings image competition. Big congratulations especially as he's only been painting for just under a year now. It's amazing what you can achieve when you try. 











Have a very Merry Christmas everyone : )

Wednesday, 21 December 2016

Feeling festive.....

It's the first day of the Christmas holidays in our house and in true end of school term style we've had a lovely relaxing pyjama day making a few Christmas crafts and my first ever attempt at an arctic roll (fingers crossed it doesnt collapse into a gooey mess).

Just thought i'd share some of the festive images we worked on during the last few sessions of the watercolour class....

Firstly was a snow scene using salt for the snow effect in the sky. I love the dramatic contrast between the night sky and the bright snow landscape...

Then we painted some winter animals. I really wanted to paint a reindeer this year so here's my traditional take on a reindeer....
and a more contemporary one which was great fun to do...especially splashing some paint across....
Next course starts on 11th January, which I'm very excited about as I've been given some really good requests. If you're interested check out all the details here.

Merry Christmas everyone, hope you're all enjoying the holidays too x

Thursday, 15 December 2016

Whirlwind first term....

Phew what a whirlwind of a first term. 

Starting off with missy starting school for the very first time and looking like a giant, definitely has her father's long legs! The reception area of her school got revamped over the summer with the help of volunteers from the Parish and school and they've done an absolutely amazing job. They've introduced a mud kitchen, bug hotel, gardening area, sand pit, theatre, wood working table and outdoor craft area. Needless to say she loves it and who wouldn't? Here she is on her first day climbing one of the tellytubby hills.....


The next big news I recevied was getting into the London Marathon which left me gobsmacked. I never thought I would actually get in so soon. I'm not going to lie the running is hard, very hard but on the plus side I get to see some amazing sights along the way from the changing seasons to a mother swan teaching her signets life skills. I wasn't too keen on the little beige furry thing that ran across my path but he was probably thinking the same about me!







I wouldn't consider where I live to be in the countryside but the wildlife I've seen is amazing including rabbits, parakeets, jays, woodpeckers, white egrets to name a few. Most importantly it makes the running just that little bit easier : )

Tuesday, 9 August 2016

Exhibition at Hornchurch Country Park Visitors Centre.....

On Sunday we had our exhibition at Hornchurch Country Park Visitors Centre, Ingrebourne Valley. This was a chance for all the learners from my Drawing class, Watercolour class and Painting and Drawing class to display their work in their first exhibition. 

I have to say I was so proud of them all as it looked absolutely fantastic. They've all worked incredibly hard and the results were amazing. Most of the learners are all complete beginners and haven't picked up a paintbrush or pencil since leaving school, which make their achievements even more applaudible.  
 

Some close ups of all their pieces..... It was really nice seeing the learners develop their own style during the courses and I love the wide range which you can see here
.




It was always great to see their work in class but then to see the pieces framed or mounted for the exhibition was even more special.

My little section including the robin we did in one watercolour class....

It really was a lovely day especially as all the learners brought their friends and family to share the day too. The work is now going to be used for the Student Achievement night at Havering Adult College too, another great opportunity to celebrate their hard work. 

I cant wait for September to see their work develop further and meet some new students too. 

Friday, 22 July 2016

Ingrebourne Valley, Hornchurch Country Park......

I am very happy to say that I will be teaching again at Hornchurch Country Park come September. I first grew to love it through my kids, who love it here, I think because it's full of little nooks and crannies you can explore plus it has a giant concrete aeroplane in the playground area, what kid wouldn't love that. Over the past few months from teaching there I've grown to love it even more. Everybody there is incredibly friendly from the dog walkers to the visitor centre staff. Plus, like the kids, I love going off the beaten track to discover a few hidden gems like these......
 
 These cows gave much pleasure to one of my lessons as they kept running past the window : )

It is full of inspiration and I cant wait to start teaching there using a little colour this time rather than just drawing.

Thursday, 14 July 2016

A little art on location......

It was a little sad as all of my courses have finished now for the summer. But what better way to finish than with a little art on location. For the finale of the drawing class we did some life drawing within Hornchurch Country Park taking it in turns to draw each other and passers by. 

For my classes based at Bower Park Centre at Havering Adult College we went up the road to Bedford's Park. I've been coming here for years ever since I was a little girl so it holds strong memories for me but there's something about the view across London that make it extra special. There are so many views and different aspects to choose from around the Visitor Centre which has a terrace, seating, canopy and most importantly loos : ) which make it an ideal location to sit, draw and paint. The soundtrack of the birds and wind rustling through the leaves make it so calming and relaxing. 

A perfect way to end the art classes.......