Welcome April! I am sure you will bring warmth and sunshine and a garden in bloom. Even as winter gripped throughout March, I still hope and wait for the first blooms of the season. I know they will arrive!
Despite the crazy weather patterns in my part of the world, I find myself bouncing into the studio and overflowing with ideas. It can be difficult to balance teaching, commissions and working on new projects but it is so important to pursue the ideas that are calling you. I have seen the most wonderful work from students who get a spark of an idea and then make the time to work on the project. As a teacher, seeing growth and confidence in my students brings me so much joy and inspiration. It constantly spurs me on to continue to develop classes.
I mentioned in my last blog post, that Once Upon a Garden will be starting later this month through The Gentle Penman online. If you enjoyed The Alphabet Garden classes and want to continue your studies in Illuminated Letter Design, this class will have a special focus on the intriguing style of Walter Crane. If you really study the details of Crane's work, you will see creative moves that he includes in his letters and cascades that we can glean and use in our work. Although I love to study the styles and techniques of my favourite artists, I want to be able to give voice to my own ideas. There are hidden keys that we can search for and learn to add into our work. The hope of this special class is that you will be able to draw their own letters and add beautiful vine work to the borders rather than copy existing historic letters. These skills will make you a much more versatile artist and allow you to create the letters you envision.
This year as we build on skills, I want to share a style of watercolour dry brushing in my
Rabbit Season, Study Day In May. Years ago, I developed The Enchanted Meadow class which taught students how to incorporate a small animal into an acanthus setting. I return the Enchanted Meadow constantly. Spending time with delicate watercolour and sweet little animals is so charming and addictive. I have spent hours upon hours trying to find the painting techniques that work the best for me and this year, our Study Days will be spent learning how to further our painting and design skills. Rabbits are my most beloved motif and we will begin with Rabbit Season.
Registration is now open on my website and I would be thrilled if you would join the class. These are not like the usual online class experience. We truly honour this time that we set aside to nurture our creativity. We work together on Zoom and create our own miniature masterpieces together. Glazed Dry Brush will be explored this time and I hope it will be a technique that you will find useful in your upcoming projects. It can dramatically soften the look of dry brush as well give the animals a form that builds up a bit more quickly on the paper. Many have gained so much from this experience. Although I love it when you are able to be with me in real time during the Zoom session, it will be recorded for those who are unable to attend the session.
Flourishing Club will be hosted at Ardington School Online for April, May and June. We have some very sweet projects to work on! I have been enjoying the challenge of creating the content for these ongoing sessions.
June's Ardington class will revisit
Fascinating Floral Rinceau. We will look at intricate border designs and the tiny flower patterns that make them so inspiring. . This is truly a happy and peaceful technique. I know several of my blog readers have taken this class already and the work they have produced is astounding. I learn something new every time I work on Rinceau and the technique is accessible to all skill levels.
I will share more about upcoming classes in the next blog post. I have several new courses in the creation process. Thankfully the ideas keep coming and I love the opportunity to study and to share! As each new season brings its own rhythm to us, I encourage you to bloom wherever you are. We all have different tasks that fill up our day and different interests to pursue. My sincere hope is that as you put ink, gold leaf or watercolour to paper, you will be overflowing with joy and confidence in your work. Just as the spring builds up slowly, blossom by blossom, our skills come into bloom in their own runique time. I will be cheering you on every step of the way. May you flourish dear friends!
PS....Happy International Tat Day! Find joy with the work of your hands!
