Notice what you notice

Notice what you notice with Christine Chester started this week. I wasn't sure how it would work being on zoom with some of the participants whilst some others were in Christine's studio, but it worked really well.  There was a mix of Christine talking, small group interaction, whole group interaction and individual working.  The three hours zipped along.

After making notes on what I had observed in the photo above we had a small group discussion about what the other ladies saw in the photo.  We each had a turn at looking at the images or items the others in the group had chosen.

After this we were challenged to use only paper, scissors and paint to experiment with ideas inspired by our item.  I looked first at the roof tiles and cut a strip of paper and shaped it.  I wet the paper in order to make it curve.

I painted some strips of the paper using the pattern of the roof tiles in the brush strokes.  The paint wasn't quite the colour I meant it to be!  I made cylinders with the painted paper.  We were allowed to use glue!

 

 

I cut another strip of paper and after painting it I tried making a spiral - potentially a 'book form'.

I don't know where this experimentation will take me.

Watch this space!

Thanks for joining me today
Bernice

September - A new start?

To me, September 1st often feels more like a new start than January 1st.  I think it's probably because the UK school system conditions us to this, as the new school year starts in September.

I haven't had much motivation the last couple of months to be creative.  Left to my own devices I haven't worked on much.  I have kept my journal going and worked on ideas for a creative 6 week course at church.  But I need something to give me real impetus to make stuff.

So I've signed up for two online classes.

First Notice what you notice with Christine Chester.  I've done other classes with Christine so I'm really looking forward to seeing how this works with some of us on zoom and others in her studio.

Poetry of Decay (2016)

Secondly I've signed up for Hilary Beattie's Sketchbook Saturdays which sounds like fun.  I've also done classes with Hilary before.

Sense of Place (2018)

Plus there's a new theme Textile Explorations for the Art Textiles group at Littleheath Barn.  It will be great to do an in-person workshop at Littleheath Barn.

Wall hanging from the last group workshop

I feel there's some comfort in working with people I've worked with before.  I realise I need both the impetus for new plus the comfort from knowing the tutors.

What are you planning to do this term?

Thanks for joining me today
Bernice

Leicester

A week ago we went to Leicester to look at a new-to-me car.  After a test drive where we got lost - despite the copious directions the salesman had given us - we decided that I would buy the car.

We could have driven it home that afternoon but we didn't.  Instead we went into the centre of Leicester and had lunch at The Globe.  We were amazed to see how lovely the city centre is.  We had not expected it to be old.  The Lanes were lovely.

After lunch we went to the Richard III visitor centre.

Sadly the Cathedral was closed by the time we had done that so we didn't get to see inside.

We walked down to the river.  I rather liked this building's mix of old and new.

We walked through Castle Gardens past this imposing building.

Then back to the car and the drive home.

We went back to pick up the car this week.

Thanks for joining me today
Bernice