Drawing in the Museum

These are drawings from the Museum in Cheltenham, The Wilson, in preparation for my workshop inspired by their Arts and Crafts collection. I like drawing in museums it is very quiet and peaceful. Most of the work is done afterwards in the studio using back up photographs but initial sketches are made there with colour notes. I am making a concertina sketchbook to use on the workshop day and some samples. This is why teaching is so time consuming-all the preparation and thought processes involved. It is the last workshop I am giving for a while!

Slow progress

Progress is slow but I have painted the leaves in. I have been working on other things as well! I hope it is interesting to see the work in stages.

Work in progress: Strawberry Thief

I am working on inspiration from the Arts and Crafts Movement for a workshop I am giving in November for the Glos. Guild of Craftsmen. I have been sketching in The Wilson in Cheltenham in preparation. This is my version of the William Morris Strawberry Thief. They sell that card at the Museum!This summer it was the blackbirds that got to my strawberries first, but I decided to  make the thief colourful as Morris did. In this damp weather it's good to have a quiet bit of stitching to get on with.

Tiny Sea memories sketchbook

I am working on a little sea memories book from my weekend away in Dorset. It is a concertina book 6cm x 8cm when closed up - the beginning for my next series of work. Initial ideas and experiments.

A few days away for inspiration.

Wonderful weekend - on the Jurassic coastline for a few days- lots of inspiration everywhere in the strata of these cliffs for example.

Also walked in the Holloways, the amazing drovers paths that cross Dorset. I'm a big fan of Robert Macfarlane's  books- these paths are featured in The Wild Places and The Old Ways. We found them last year whilst the BBs were exhibiting at Bridport and it was so wet and the paths so caved in we turned back. made it further this time, it's like walking in a tunnel with the trees arched high above you. Lots of inspiration to meditate on.

Down to the seaside this weekend, hope this glorious weather continues!

The Seas breath- a meditation on water. Not a new piece, it was shown last year at Bridport but something I was reminded about today, using water sounds to quiet the mind.