Last year, as one of my fifty things to achieve before hitting the big five oh, I decided to join an art group/class. I opted for a class run by Aberystwyth University – Drawing from the Imagination run by our lovely tutor, June Forster.
Sketch book page – yellow iris
I really enjoyed the class, met a wonderful group of artists, and was quite pleased with my endeavours. It was challenging at times – life drawing (eek) to name but one!
Life drawing
I enjoyed it so much that I’ve signed up for another class with June starting in October.
Self portrait
My main reason for wanting to improve my drawing/art skills is that I hope it will encourage me to get my backside into gear capture ideas and aid the design process for working with textiles. June keeps telling us to practise drawing every day to improve skills (tsk, guess who’s not opening her sketch book every day – sometimes weeks pass by).
Now, back to the point – ah yes, as a result of the class we’ve started an art group called Solstice Painters, and we’ve been meeting every month since the class finished. June has very kindly uploaded some of our work on an online gallery – Red Tree Gallery. And we’re having an exhibition next month, so I really have got to get my backside into gear. We’re supposed to have three pieces of work each framed up and ready to exhibit.
At the moment I don’t feel very confident in my art skills, but I shall do my best, get dabbling and daubing, enjoy it, and have a laugh along the way. What more can I do – as far as I’m concerned it’s supposed to be fun.
Now where’s my little mate, about time she had her portrait painted, don’t you think?
Zzzzzzzz
Ah yes, snoozing in her favourite place, as usual!
A portrait, of me?
Jane & Daisy xx
Aw you’re a dog person too?
I love painting, and I love dogs. And I’m loving it (with some envy) that you’re having such fun with art.
Are you kidding me? You’re GREAT! You have real talent!
aloha Jane and Daisy – fun. the way i see it, fun is the key. if it’s fun i’ll want to do it. that includes painting and any other endeavor i choose of course. so cool on that fun part of the equation.
i particularly like the yellow iris. THAT looks like fun (to me). especially if i could find a way (like photographing and printing in a permanent way) the newspaper-like background (altho i know that would change the texture and feel of what you are painting on – that would be a part of the fun challenge for me too). aloha.
That dog SO needs a portrait!
Love you work. I peeped at the art gallery too. You all inspire me. Sigh, I too have to get my butt in gear. I stop and start so much it’s ridiculous! Very good work – all of you.
These are great.. It’s wonderful to try new things and then find out we actually love it!!
Congrats on being FP!!!
I enjoyed seeing your artwork, and yes, your mate definitely deserves a portrait
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
I think, as artists, we are often our worst critics. My husband can tell me a sketch or painting is lovely, but I see every flaw, every line that is out of place, every margin that is too wide, every color that was too deep or too light or ran into the next box. As artists, we expect our work to come out the way we envision it and when it doesn’t, when something is slightly off from our vision, we criticize the entire piece much too harshly. Creativity is a gift and a curse :
ah wow! i love the first one of the yellow iris! the mixed media is really cool.
Good luck with your classes. Art is one of the best anti-stress relaxing pastimes you can take up.
You can disappear into your own world of peace, tranquility and creativity for hours on end. There are no worries and any stress just disappears out the window.
I don’t do group sessions any more, but I wish i did.
My days are now taken up with cartooning (see my blog) which is an outlet for my quirky sense of humor.
You westie is so adorable, I really enjoyed the last 2 photos, I am crazy about dogs myself:)
Drawing every day is definitely the way to improve – I’ve been doing it since Jan 1st this year and it has been really worthwhile. It’s especially useful to put your drawings on your blog, it keeps you accountable and the wordpress community is really encouraging and supportive – so win win! Good luck
i LOVE the self portrait! i am contemplating taking an art class, myself. i worry that with my fitness routine, full time job, family and evening swims i may be spreading myself too thin. can’t wait to see more of your work! i sometimes paint and will likely post on my blog – check it out if you can! (blog is: http://www.thelifeandvibesof.com)
I did the same thing before I turned 50. I started with watercolour and then moved on to mono prints and acrylic. I love it but I’m having a hard time finding ‘time’ to create. Taking classes certainly kept me motivated. I’m about to turn 60. I think it’s time to take more classes.
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed. Nice to meet you. Thanks and Love, nia
You have talent! Surge forward!!!
The art all has good vibes (including the pedigree pooch, of course). No wonder, I see a little Picasso inspiration. Very good stuff!
I really love the last pieces you posted with the figure and lines running through it like a grid… very nice. I to am an artist, but I’ve ever thought of creating a blog to show case my work… good idea. Thanks for sharing.
I love the flower <3
Keep it up ! I think you’re great!
This reminds me of my college years taking studio classes. I majored in art history but minored in studio arts. And though I got the art history down very well, the studio classes for me were like chinese water torture…no worse, American waterboarding. I love to come up with the artistic concepts but I have trouble with the application. Nevertheless, I applaud your bravery to forge on and try all sorts of techniques. As for me, I ended up settling on just cut and pasting from magazines a la macaroni gluer.
Hey. I just stumbled across this post from the Freshly Pressed deal on WordPress. I *loved* the pieces you put on here. Especially the self portrait and the sketch book page. Awesome, awesome stuff. Good luck on your endeavors! I would love to see more of your work in the future.