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!
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 🖼️

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Art in the Park 2023

artsandcraftsv

The build up to a two day event is enormous but when the weather forecasters predict wind, heavy rain and possibly lightning it certainly ramps up the drama!

Happily this event, in the Jefferson Gardens, Royal Leamington Spa, UK, happens annually and so the main organisers are very attuned. This year I’m exhibiting with a number of fellow artists and I’m very glad of it! Everything is hopefully lashed down for the potentially horrid weather! We’re all in it together!

Here’s hoping the great British weather decides to lay off this weekend!

LSA Leamington Studio Artists
Summer Delphiniums, Vicky ArtsAndCraftsV
artwork planning painting acrylics

Inspiration

artsandcraftsv

Is it the sunlight, the colours or textures that ignite your fire to pick up another canvas to paint?

Last weekend we had a girls day out, it wasn’t the summer sunny day that we were expecting but the moody sky really added drama to the landscape! I took less photos than usual but the striking colours and contrasts really energised me to action! I’ve been painting several landscapes based on that trip ever since and they will be in the Leamington gallery soon.

The subject matter is a detour for me, and I’m grateful to it. I have grown in confidence in an area I really didn’t relish before. So much so, I’ve booked on to a Plein Air event in Charlcote Hall, Warwickshire in September. I hope it’s a dry day! I hope you can visit us!

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Pricing

artsandcraftsv

The difficult subject of pricing one’s artwork! I’m sighing already, it’s something that has to be done but is the least pleasant job of all!

There are various suggestions and ways of calculating this online and they are very helpful. I find that the gallery usually has the best idea of pricing but it doesn’t always represent how I might feel about the work. This can work both ways! I give myself my lecturer’s hourly pay x how many hour’s plus the cost of the materials. This is a good start and then add a percentage to this, or x it up. But, this is where it becomes messy and uncomfortable and unpleasant and I’d far rather walk away and the job is unfinished!

Having worked out the actual cost and my hourly rate I know the basic, plus how much the gallery charges so that has to go into the equation too. Ultimately, talking to the gallery who have a good insight on their clients, is currently my deciding factor. As you can tell by reading this – it is still my least pleasant task in producing an artwork!