Author: artsandcraftsv

Hi, I’m an art teacher in the community teaching drawing, painting, and crafts in Birmingham, Solihull, and Warwickshire. I create my own paintings, collage, small clay work, felting and mixed media artwork and these are displayed with prints of my artwork at various galleries in Birmingham, Kenilworth, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick. I have also exhibited in the Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, and The Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry. I graduated with BA(Hons) from the University of Central England (formerly Birmingham Polytechnic) many years ago! I went on to complete PGCE(PCE) and have thoroughly enjoyed teaching art and craft ever since! I teach for several institutions and am also freelance. My private art classes began in Solihull January 2018. Please drop me a line using the Contact page if you would like further information and to make purchases of my art and craft artwork. Thank you for visiting my site and hope to see you soon!
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Beautiful Places

artsandcraftsv

Never underestimate the value of having a day out, a day off, a day of adventure as an artist!

You might feel a tiny bit bad for not working but it can bring so much to your artistic practice and it may only be in the later stages of planning that you realise the positive impact the day out has had. Like brushing away unknown cobwebs, breaking out of your daily routine, being allowed out from your studio into a world of beauty! It’s all out there!

Re-exploration of texture and colour, conversations about composition and new ways of seeing. For us in the UK, the changing of seasons, all help our mental colour palette, and mental health. Today is Mental Health Awareness Day and I encourage you to let yourself have free time and let go of feelings of guilt for not working! Wishing you good health and prosperity x

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The lead-up to an unusual exhibition space

artsandcraftsv

When the exhibition space is notable, although the space is difficult it calls for more creative thinking!

Tomorrow, some fellow artists and myself are assembling our artwork. We’ve received some internal shots but no dimensions with which to plan out the use of space. There are 10 of us who have been personally invited to exhibit in the Chapel at Compton Verney in Warwickshire, UK. We’d love you to come and visit us!

We have acrylic paintings, oil, textiles, 3D. Every artist creates her or his artwork in a unique and wonderful way and we’re happy to talk with you about it!

It could be a challenge to safely assemble our framed canvases in a way that is also pleasing to the visitors eye. The good news is we help each other, think of solutions and tend to be stalwarts! If you’re unable to visit us in the Chapel then I’ll update you how we went!

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En Plein Air!

artsandcraftsv

So, yesterday was a dry run! Only, it was a rather wet run! Here in the UK we’ve had wonderful sunny weather ever since the end of August! Finally, what we’d call summer! It started of yesterday as a beautiful Sunday morning which was perfect for delivering my new painting to the gallery.

Once we arrived at our Plein air site it drizzled, stopped so we got going with our art trolley loaded! Rain, sun, suncream, sun hat, heavy rain! What I’m trying to say is that anything and everything you can think of could be needed! It does add to the build up and anticipation!

I had time to enjoy mixing a myriad of greens for the stunning garden but adding the blooms became a battle between a balancing act of paint, brushes, paper and an umbrella over it all and the trolley and another over us! The band showed up though, and happily seemed to play away under their awning.

So, I learned that all things are possible and just enjoy the comedy of flapping paper, pallets and umbrellas. Se la vie!

artwork planning painting acrylics, painting

So much to do!

artsandcraftsv

The new academic year is gearing up, and the race to get everything done in time feels more pressurised this week!

I’ve been happily making examples of painting with oils for my new students coming into college this term. At the same time finishing off my own acrylic paintings, posting on social media and taking a few online courses for my continued professional practice. I’m feeling pulled in so many directions!

Working to a plan helps, keeping a calendar of events helps, but I need to plan more time “out”. It’s really important as an artist to allow yourself time away! And, during the time away… not to be looking for the next idea of a painting! Is that even possible 😃

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Planning for the new term!

artsandcraftsv

Hi and welcome!

If you would be interested in attending an Onlocation art session in Solihull, UK, 2nd September 2023 please complete the Contact sheet.

The art sessions are 2.5 hours in duration and always outside, drawing on the beauty of nature. It’s a great way of gaining new skills, ways of seeing and being with other like-minded people!

Drop me a line on the Contact sheet and I can provide more details 🖼️