Another very busy and rewarding has passed, where does the time go? I am so fortunate that I am able to do a job which I love and, at the same time, encourage others to join me in the journey.  Just a few years ago I could not have realised what a privilege it is to teach. I usually concentrate on beginners because I love to watch their interest, and skill, grow. Art can bring so many different people together. Age, health, ability, are forgotten and we can all lose ourselves in the moment.

A certain amount of my time is spent working on a diverse range of commissions. I am often pushed well out of my comfort zone and that can lead me to acquire skills I didn’t know that I had!

Shows and exhibitions give me the opportunity to meet and work with so many talented people. Old friends and new, with a similar outlook on life, coming together.

As usual, at the end of each year, I think about retiring but happily, I’m offered so many new and interesting projects to work on  that I push those thoughts away for a bit longer. There are always so many new things to think about. none of us can ever hope to know everything. I particularly enjoy being able, occasionally, to become the student rather than the tutor. Apart from that, do artists ever retire, I rather hope not.

I look forward to the challenges and joys that 2025 will  bring.

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2023 turned out to be an even busier year than I expected. I met lots of people and made new friends, I tried new things and I thoroughly enjoyed it all. The brilliant event management teams that I work with have well and truly brought fresh ideas and energy in to play after the restrictions of the pandemic. It has also been good to see so many more people coming to our shows. I think we are all relishing  our freedom. Times are difficult for so many but there seems to be a determination not to let life drag us down. I took the opportunity, during various lockdowns, to try new ideas and mediums. Now is my chance to put  what I learned into practice. As far as teaching goes, there seems to be an extra incentive making more people want to find new skills, new hobbies.

As far as the coming year is concerned there is definitely no sign of things slowing down. I have classes, workshops and shows booked and am busy getting everything prepared. I have ideas which I would like to expand on and, hopefully, this will be a time to to  bring those to fruition. I look forward to a busy, productive  and, above all, enjoyable 2024.

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2022 proved to be a very busy, productive, and interesting year. I was happy to return to so many shows, and to teaching with groups that I hadn’t seen for a while. Perhaps we weren’t quite back to prepandemic life, but it definitely began to feel that things were moving in the right direction. I was lucky enough to  find ways of working during the various lockdowns but, it was so good to get out and about, and get back to seeing people face to face. Some shows have changed a bit, with old venues dropping out of events  but, new ones have opened up. Some exhibitors and tutors have decided to retire or change how they work. Happily, there are new people taking their places with exciting new ideas. I joined the Essex Craft Guild which is currently very busy looking for new venues and shows to take part in. It does  make life difficult at times but it’s always good to move forward rather than get stuck in a rut.

I have a very busy year coming up with lots of  new opportunities. New groups, new shows and, very enthusiastic new students. The time spent in lockdown certainly encouraged many more people to try new things. It’s lovely to be able to help them to move forward with their new skills.

One of the groups that I have recently become involved with is particularly rewarding. It’s LACE: Life After Cancer Essex (UK). A delightful gathering of people brought together in such difficult circumstances who are so cheerful and ready to try their hands at just about anything.

I’ve been taking  a break  for the last few weeks but that has given me a chance to try lots of new ideas, new materials and, new ways of doing things. Happily, quite a few new pictures have resulted and, many new workshops. So, I’ll be back by early March and eager to begin.

Spring is in the air bringing new vitality to us all.

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Well…that was another year of highs and lows wasn’t it! Some cancellations but, thankfully, a gradual return to teaching and to shows. It was so good to start seeing old friends and making new ones, even if it was from behind a mask. Let’s all hope that this new year will open up even more opportunities. The lockdowns have definitely had some positives.  We have all had to think about new ways of reaching out, not only in our work situation but also as a way to keep our friends and family close. There have been so many acts of kindness, often from very unexpected sources.  It would be good if we can continue in that vein when life does being to return to a  type of normal. I  already have workshops, classes and shows booked which is a big positive. Details will be available fairly soon once  current  uncertainty is past. One very definite positive to come out of the last couple of years is that I have had plenty of opportunity to work through the ‘when I’ve got a minute’ list. I’ve had an enormous amount of fun playing with all of those lovely materials that get bought but put away unused. I’ve tried techniques  which I certainly wouldn’t have tried before. I like to think that I’ve learnt a lot in the process which I will be able to pass on. 

I am looking forward, with hope, to this new year. See you all soon.

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I am very happy to, finally, be able to post news of the Craft & Design Show at RHS Hyde Hall on Thursday 24th June until Sunday 27th June. This will be run by Woodland Craft Events. Although they are new to me and to Hyde Hall they are a well respected Events organisation and I very much look forward to working with them. It’s been a very long wait but, hopefully, we will all be back with a bang.

I’ve had plenty of time to  work on new ideas and to experiment with new materials. I’m very grateful to  all of the clients and followers who have kept me going with commissions and orders throughout this difficult time. Artists are  a lucky bunch; we can lose ourselves in our art and block out so much.

There will also be news, fairly soon, about the Christmas gift fair at Hyde Hall and other events. I’ll post details as soon   as they become available.

As a member of the Essex Craft Guild I hope to be able to give news of events with them too.

I am so looking forward to catching up with colleagues and friends,  and to making new ones.

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There really is no polite way to describe 2020 is there!

All of my events and, almost all, of my workshops and classes were cancelled or postponed. Although I was fortunate enough to sell lots of work and concentrate on many more commissions than I normally have time for, I missed the interaction with pupils and customers. As did everyone! Nothing is ever all bad though. I had lots of time to get on with my ‘when I’ve got a minute’ list. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to  try new mediums and styles. Sitting in a sunny garden painting and drawing is definitely not a hardship.

I was also able to think about possible new products and even, to try the out on present customers. Watch this space when shows begin.

I did think about the possibility of online teaching but came to the conclusion that it wasn’t for me. I did follow some classes run by a very talented friend but, it does need both equipment and technical know how, neither of which are really available round here!  Also, I realised that it is the face to face contact which makes me enjoy teaching so much.

At present I have 3 shows, some workshops and, maybe, an exhibition planned. Who knows if they will be able to go ahead but…here’s hoping. If the past months have taught us anything that must surely be patience. As soon as I can give any definite news I will.

For now, be kind and stay well.  I’m so looking forward to meeting old friends and new in the, not too distant, future.

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As we all know, 2020 is sending us all sorts off challenges.

A lot of workshops and shows have been cancelled and nobody is certain when they can be resumed.

I still have my fingers firmly crossed for a workshop at RHS Hyde Hall in October, another in Marks Tey in November and 3 Christmas shows!

As soon as I have any definite information I will post it.

I really miss seeing everyone and look forward to better times.

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2020 looks like being a step into the unknown.

I’ll be exhibiting with new events organisers and in new places.  I’ll still be able appearing at RHS Hyde Hall from time to time. In fact, I can confirm that I will be taking part in the Craft and Design show https://www.woodlandcrafts.co.uk/ May 7th-10th. It will always be one of my favourite venues. Glorious and inspirational surroundings and lovely people too.

The list of events is now available and is being added to frequently.

I’ll also be running my usual workshops at Hyde Hall  this summer.

These are always a joy to do for me and, I hope, everyone who joins me. It would be very difficult not to find inspiration in such a lovely place. the new teaching facility makes it even better.

A new workshop opportunity is awaiting me in March. I’m  very much looking forward to making new friends.

My range at shows now includes some new items. We included printed canvases and cushions at the end of last year and they seem to have been well received. who knows what this year might bring.

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Details of my Christmas shows for 2019 and, also, for my workshops at RHS Hyde Hall for 2020. It’s been a very busy year so far and, is about to get even busier! Christmas will  see me giving the website an update and tidy I hope. If you are looking for any info that I haven’t found the time to put on here (or I’ve forgotten) please pop over to my Facebook page. I do keep that right up to date. Mind you, no complaints from me about being busy! I do love my job.

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I’ve definitely made use of the first  weeks of the year. A break  from shows has given me the time to play with new ideas and mediums.That, in turn, means that I can catch up with the ‘when I’ve got a minute’ list which I and most other  artists keep in their heads. I’ve had great fun and, I think, some exciting new pieces have materialised. The early sunshine and abundance of flowering bulbs means that Spring is very well represented.

I’m looking forward to the first of this years shows and I’ll be at the RHS Gardens, Hyde Hall 3rd-6th May. It’s always a great show and a time to catch up with fellow artisans and old friends. Here’s hoping for good weather but, no matter what, I know that I’ll meet lots of lovely people.

I will also be at RHS Hyde Hall in the Made in Essex marquee for the Annual Flower Show 31st July-4th August. A fabulous event and   a very busy one but…bring it on.

After that it’s exhibitions, workshops and shows pretty much non stop. It promises to be a busy and eventful year.

I’m already booked with a neww workshop venue for next year. Details will appear shortly.

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