Wishing You All A Very Cosy Christmas...

 

I just wanted to wish you all a very cosy Christmas and to thank you for all your support, lovely comments, encouragement and friendship.

I can feel new plans for 2021 starting to bubble up, but first it's time for a bit of a break.

(I have already watched waaaaay to many of those soppy romantic Christmas films...or have I?!?!)

Big hugs and best wishes chucks X

Babooshka was so tall and strong she could reach up and borrow a star or two to help her cast her healing spells.

To thank the stars for their help, she would warm them by the fire until they were glowing brightly again.

She would then pull on her woollen mittens and gently put the glowing stars back into the night sky.

 

Indie Roller Extravaganza!

Tomorrow (21/11/20)is the Indie Roller Extravaganza online Christmas market and Im very giddy indeed!

Hundreds of independent creative businesses will be taking part and it will be the prefect opportunity to find Christmas presents for friends, family (and yourself!)

All you have to do is follow the #IndieRollerExtravaganza hashtag on Instagram and you will see all the businesses taking part.                        

Everyone will have a stall displaying their wares that they have set up at home, you will also see lots of live films and other exciting happenings going on all day.

Then all you have to do is simply have a look on the maker's online shop if you would like to look at their work or make a purchase.

I really enjoyed setting up my stall (even though the rest of my house is now a proper state!)

Although I did get just a little bit over-excited with the fairy lights!

(I even had to have a look at it in the dark! Ha! Ha!)

Wishing you a very lovely weekend, pop over and have a look tomorrow if you fancy a bit of Christmas shopping!
 

St.Ives School Of Painting On A Saturday Morning...

 I have missed life drawing so much, and so I was really keen to try the two hour virtual life drawing class at the St.Ives School Of Painting.

 

This class was inspired by the work of Egon Schiele and was taught by the excellent artist Gary Long.

I definitely felt a bit rusty but the five minute warm-up poses helped ease me in a little!

I was so impressed, the class really inspired me and the tutor and model were excellent.

I'm going to try next week's class which is inspired by the work of Toulouse Lautrec and is taught by Hilary Jean Gibson.

Hope you've all had a creative and happy Saturday chucks X

Exciting News! Hope & Elvis Workshops 2021!

Mrs B's Mixed Media Weekender 2021:

22-23/5/21 and 6-7/11/21

Hope & Elvis

I'm so excited to be invited back to the very wonderful Hope & Elvis and I shall be teaching TWO mixed media workshop weekends in 2021!

Please take a look at the workshop description on the Hope & Elvis website if you're interested, and all the workshop and booking details can be found HERE.

Please contact Louise before the 13th November if you'd like a place on either of the weekends.

We shall be exploring a wide range of materials and techniques and all levels of experience are welcomed.

If you have never visited the beautiful Hope & Elvis studio before, I can promise you that you will be given such a warm welcome by the fabulous Louise, and it really is a friendly and creative place.

 In fact, it is more of a community of like-minded souls who love a good laugh and friendly company.

(And if you've never tasted the wonderful food cooked by the amazingly talented Magie, then you're in for a treat!)

There are also so many amazing workshops led by brilliant tutors and the programme for 2021 is amazing!

I'm having such a great time preparing for this workshop and I do hope to see you there chuck!

x
 

Hold The Front Page! Mrs B Has A Newsletter!

 

I hope that you don't mind me mentioning, but a couple of months ago I started a monthly email newsletter.

Each month I'll keep you up to date with any Mrs B news, shop updates and any other shenanigans that might pop up.

So if you fancy curling up with a brew and having a good old catch up, please go to the sign up form at the bottom of the home page on my website.

x

Thank You September...

 

I took this photo on the morning that I nervously waited for my new Art & Design Foundation group to arrive at the beginning of the month.

It's the same every time, those butterflies in the stomach, even after twenty-six years!

September is a really important month for me, probably because it's a New Year in many ways for us teachers.

I feel so lucky to work part time with students who are on the cusp of their creative careers and adventures, it's such a turning-point in the lives of these future artists and designers.

This is the month that makes me reflect, as I talk to them about some of the fundamental aspects of living a creative life. I need reminding of these things too, it's so easy to forget.

The first statements that I always write on the board before the students arrive are:

1. Make misteaks.

2. We cannot give you the answers but we can give you the questions.

I must admit that sometimes I feel more like the Riddler and not the tutor, these two statements are the fundamental corner stones of being a Creative.

And even after all these years, as a tutor and a painter-textile-artist-person I still have to remember that it's okay to make it up as I go along!

So thank you September for reminding me about these important lessons, I shall miss you until next year ...

X

Back In The Studio...

 

Things have been pretty busy around these parts of late, my teaching has started again and I've been organising new bits and bobs for my shop in time for the Christmas run-up (eep!)

But after a while that familiar twitchy feeling creeps up on me and I know that I have to get out the paints and do something that's creative.

I had no plans for this painting but I had primed a panel ready because I knew that I would have to splash some paint around soon or I would go 'pop'!

I really enjoy making little Instagram stories as I paint, which really surprises me because I'm not one for being in front of a camera.

I think that it feels different though because I'm just talking and the camera is pointing at the painting as it develops - it really seems to keep me company as I'm perched on my rickety stool for hours on end!

For the majority of the time this was a definite 'Papa Bear,' but the bear's expression and personality kept shifting all the time (which is another reason why I love Instagram stories so much, because you quickly forget how the painting used to look).

One head scarf later, and she's really a force to be reckoned with - a true Matriarch!

I've still got lots to do, but I have thoroughly enjoyed painting this bear and I'm having such fun experimenting with lots of different media.

Wishing you a very creative week chucks X

PS If you'd like to see some of my (rather rambling) Instagram stories, I've saved them as highlights here.

Hastings (Part Two):

Directly across the road from the wondrous Made In Hastings shop is A.G Hendy & Co. Home Store

Every inch of this shop is beautifully presented and curated, it's like walking into a museum, and it's much bigger inside than it seems on the out.

I literally didn't know where to look next!

 I really, really wanted that wooden egg crate!

Just look at the ostrich feather dusters!

Sorry that I haven't written much this time but I think the photographs speak for themselves!

I hope you enjoyed our little mooch around.

X

Hastings (Part One):

A couple of weeks ago we found ourselves in the beautiful seaside town of Hastings.

We have never been there before so we arrived nice and early to have an explore...

 

There is so much street art, I cannot resist photographing it all, much to the annoyance of my poor family!

Look at these adorable dogs painted on the fake windows!!!!!

I am a sucker for a grubby seaside shop sign!!!

And then we turned a corner and we happened upon Made In Hastings. 

You know when you walk into a shop and it has that magical feeling inside?

I had read about this amazing shop a few years ago and it was one of the main reasons that I had wanted to visit the town.

To say that I was excited is quite the understatement!

(I can't show you what I bought I'm afraid because I did a little bit of Christmas shopping!)

Every inch was filled with delight upon delight...

I hope that you have enjoyed our little pootle around, I'll be back soon so we can look around some more!

X