I cannot believe it has been soooooooooooo long since l wrote this blog! So much has happened. artyfizz my Art School and Studio is doing very well and l have some wonderful students.

 My husband has had some heart problems and we have had some very scary momements but..touch wood....things are getting better. The other news is my son and daughter-in-law are off to Australia (Sdyney as a photographer ) to work and live! A tiny bit of me is sad but MOST of me is HAPPY!!!!!! It is such a great oppurtunity for them both.

Now onto my Art.

Look what l found in the second-hand shop......a copper pot! Dyeing water-colour paper, leaves and a few tea-bags.

This is the copper pot filled with water and tea-bags. I am also experimenting with putting the bundle in a plastic bag, before steaming or boiling.

This is other saucepan l found in the secondhand shop, at the same time l bought the copper pot. Have not used it yet but there is plenty of time!

Been experimenting also with papier mache and masks, as the children always want to make them. I want to find a "smoother" way of using the paper, getting there slowly!

My jeans today!

I have also been  "Playing" with materials and mediums, in preperation for teaching my "Yes you can"Art Experimental class, that is starting soon.

Nov 2nd was my 60th birthday and my daughter came to my studio....to celebrate!

Look what l found today..isn't it gorgeous!?

When out walking the other day, look what l found in one of our flower beds.....almost heart shaped and l love the purple edging!

This is one of the young ladies who came to take part in my experimental art class.

She was a bit hesitant but after a while she was laughing and throwing paint around and really enjoying herself.

Well there is loads more but l won't overload you.  Happy New Year to you all and have loads of art and crafting sessions. xx

Just do it!

I learnt a lesson for myself today....."Just do it". By that l meant l had been worrying what others thought about my work. It had stopped me working on my journals. As l sat and looked at this page, l sort of went into a trance and it just sort of happened. So .....just go for it!

Really pleased with how this page is going......more to do yet.

Had a fun time making dancing dolls with some of my young after school children. Reminded me of when my own children were young. 

Just things!

Sorry l haven't been here for ages..my art school "artyfizz"has been taking up most of my time. The next few images are of the beautiful trees and plants around my home.

This is a mask that l am working on.

An eco-dyeing experiment.

We are having the tennis court on the Estate where l live refurbished. I found the material around the tennis court fasinating.

I was up in the Center of London the other day and l was reminded how lucky l am living in such a free country. You wouldn't see this image below if you lived in France!

These patterns are in front of Cashpoint machines, I think they are very cheerful.

Just to raise the tone! 

My day in the studio.

Today l carried on where l left off yesterday! More bookmaking, more painting and loads of fun! Lots of experiments, some mistakes but some really good outcomes. Today l practiced making concertina books and tag books. This is the first long concertina l made from cream, watercolour paper.

A long concertina book in white, watercolour paper.

The next two images are of one of the books painted and with a cloth cover attached. Still experimenting but pleased so far at what l have created!

I made these two different example concertina books for my Book Making Classes. These are just created with thin paper; the "proper" ones will be made of watercolour paper!

I also started to make a booklet for tags and ended up making 3, while l had coffee in Artisan Coffee Shop! Then, when l came back to the studio, I couldn't wait to paint them!

 Drying!

As you can see... l am not a tidy artist!

........... and, l love using my hands whenever possible.

After washing my hands, l stared to sew the tag books... experimenting again! 

I now feel as if l really "own" my studio space. I hope you can understand what l mean!