How to get your artwork exhibition ready
This week’s blog is a reworking of one I wrote a couple of years ago. As we prepare to go back out into the world and show our artwork in … Continue reading How to get your artwork exhibition ready
This week’s blog is a reworking of one I wrote a couple of years ago. As we prepare to go back out into the world and show our artwork in … Continue reading How to get your artwork exhibition ready
Mono-printing with gel plates Printmaking is probably my favourite artform, although there are a couple of very close seconds. As I embark on a 12 month-long printmaking course, I plan … Continue reading How to make monoprints using gel plates
Your name? Elaine Almond What’s your background? I was born in London and now live in West Kent. I am an abstract artist, painting mainly in oils and acrylics, and … Continue reading February’s Featured Artist – Elaine Almond
Thinking about 2021 and dreaming big. What do you want? Because of Covid, life as we know it is unlikely to ever feel the same again, or certainly not for … Continue reading Think big for 2021
Your name? Miriam Brady Where do you live? I currently live in Kent, England, but I am originally from Dublin in Ireland. What is your background? With a background in … Continue reading Featured Artist – This month it is Miriam Brady
Christmas is coming I have really battled this week to come up with a topic to write about which a) you will find interesting to read and b) could be … Continue reading Making a Christmas art list.
Let’s be honest, this Covid-19 crisis has had a huge effect on all of us. Trying to stay positive is difficult but believe me when I say that being negative … Continue reading Being positive about your art and life
Sadly, there still exists in the UK, a huge amount of snobbery around being an artist versus crafter or craftsperson. It is a snobbery I have never understood and, having … Continue reading Arts v Crafts
What I have learned making my first few videos of my art demos and classes Whilst Covid-19 has caused huge problems and great sadness there are always good things which … Continue reading Getting started with making video lessons
Selling your work through galleries – the pros and cons I am regularly asked why I do not approach galleries to show my artwork and I have many artist friends … Continue reading Art Galleries
Or trying to understand the anti-art education movement This week, I am sounding off on a topic I feel very strongly about: the anti-art education movement. What do I mean … Continue reading Art Education and the Funding Argument
A new online exhibition group born out of Covid 19
70th blog should an artist listen to the “get yourself a proper job” advice. Chatting to an old friend last weekend about how she is coping with the lock down … Continue reading How to become an artist
This months featured artist is Anna Clarke. I have known Anna for a few years now and we have exhibited at the same locations on numerous occasions. I hope you … Continue reading Featured Artist Anna Clarke
How to cope with artists block. I know that many of you during this Covid crisis are suffering from the inability to create any artwork at all. If you are, … Continue reading How to cope with artists block.
Collage adventures. Someone sent me this photo and I just had to share it with you all. It is beginning to get tough now but this is the most crucial … Continue reading Finding inspiration in Covid times through trying collage.
I am re-posting this months featured artists blog with a huge apology to Sue Roberts as I had used the wrong photos. Please take a look at her fabulous artwork … Continue reading Featured Artist Sue Roberts
Mono-printing at home during the covid 19 lock down. If you have never tried printmaking before this is a great project to do yourself and this is a really easy … Continue reading Printing at home during covid 19
looking for art projects for yourself, your children or grandchildren?
This months featured artist is the wonderfully talented Carol Gillan. Your name?Carol Gillan Where do you live? Ashtead, Surrey What is your background? When I was growing up my parents … Continue reading Featured Artist Carol Gillan
As I’m sure you are all aware, here in the UK we are now on hard lock-down. Don’t let this frighten you. This is the perfect time to try … Continue reading How to learn how to start sketching
How to make to most of the time Coronavirus Covid-19 will give us. I know; you are being inundated with emails from a plethora of companies telling you how they … Continue reading Covid – 19 How will you let it affect you?
This months featured artist is a wonderful lady who I have only recently had the pleasure of meeting. Her story is really interesting as is her work. Your name? Gwynne … Continue reading March Featured Artist
I know I have written about putting on an exhibition before, but bear with me, this is different. In the past I have exhibited with large organisations where you pay … Continue reading 5 important lessons I learned from organising a professional group art exhibition.
As many of you already know, I set up a group last year called the Exhibition Collective. This group consists of over 60 artists throughout the UK who are either … Continue reading The benefits from connecting with other artists.
Being part of an art community will help you achieve more than trying out on your own.
This week’s blog is about Keith Coomber, who I met through the Dorking Group of Artists. Keith is a lovely man, generous of spirit and always happy to help others, … Continue reading Featured Artist – Keith Coomber
Celebrating your wins both in art and life. Why is it we tend to let the negative overrule or dominate over the positive? Generally, we are quick to take on … Continue reading Celebrating your wins
54th blog How to start making artwork after a break . Last week I wrote about the importance of stepping away from your work to produce better results. This is … Continue reading How to restart your art production
By stepping away from the painting. This week I wanted to talk about the need to remove oneself in order to see things in a different light. When I lived … Continue reading How to improve your artwork
This months featured artist is my wonderful friend Denise Slattery. Through her amazing knowledge I have learnt so much about colour. She has shared her scenic artist knowledge with me … Continue reading Featured Artist Denise Slattery
Record keeping A number of my artist friends are due to file their tax returns to HMRC by the end of this month. I am sitting here with … Continue reading What Records should an Artist keep
Investing in your art education. For those of you who follow my blog, it should be clear that I am aiming these posts at people who are trying to get … Continue reading Investing in your art education.
10 Ways to Cope with Artist’s Block It happens to all creatives at some point in time. We just hit a brick wall, we don’t know what to do next. … Continue reading Artists Block
Following on from last weeks blog post about change. This week I am looking at loss and letting go of your unsold artwork. Just moments after I had posted last … Continue reading Clearing out your art studio
Change – how to cope with it and embrace it. It is that time of year when it is all change. Here in England, the children are going back to … Continue reading Change and how to cope with it
This months featured artist is Louise Collins. Louise is another of the artists I know based in Surrey, England and shares her art journey and her beautiful artwork. Please tell me … Continue reading Louise Collins Featured Artist
I don’t teach in a school and I don’t teach regular classes either, but I do teach groups of people, young and old to use mono-printmaking as a fun … Continue reading Teaching mono-printing classes.
Last week I visited the Dulwich Picture Gallery in South London to see the ‘Modernist British Printmaking’ Exhibition, which showcases pioneers of British lino-cut printmaking in a fine display of … Continue reading Dulwich Gallery Print Exhibition
Design. Why design is so important in your artwork? I have had the luxury of being on an amazing painting course which started in May and which deals predominantly with … Continue reading How to improve your artwork
This months featured artist is Frances Jordan. Frances is based in Surrey, England and provided me with this enlightening interview about her life as an artist. Please tell me a … Continue reading Frances Jordan Featured Artist
An Artist Statement and Bio, what are they, why do you need one and how to go about writing them. An artist’s statement is a short, written piece about your … Continue reading How to write an Artists Statement and Bio
In last week’s blog, I talked about coming up with the designs for the hearts. This week I want to show you how I went about turning these designs into … Continue reading How to paint a heart – Part 2
Painting the hearts for St Catherine’s Hospice charity event. Well, the 4th of July might have been a big day for all Americans, but it is also a big day … Continue reading How to paint a heart!
Putting your work up for sale the first time is a scary business. You are putting your soul on show for other people to comment on. You need to applaud … Continue reading How to price your artwork for sale
This month it is my great pleasure to introduce you to Thomas Stimpson MBE. Thomas has been honoured by the Queen for services to the nation as a member … Continue reading PTSD Recovery of Thomas Stimpson MBE
Planning ahead! A friend came to visit me this week and was telling me of her frustrations. She is new to art and through lack of planning had caused herself … Continue reading 5 Steps to getting your artwork hanging-ready.
A very knowledgeable and talented master watercolourist friend of mine reminded me this past weekend of the mistakes I have made in the past when signing my work: more about … Continue reading 7 ‘need to knows’ when signing your artwork
What’s your background? I have been an artist per se since I was a little girl and have dabbled in lots of different types of creative crafts and art for … Continue reading Interview with Dee Kirkham
This week’s blog is mainly aimed at those of you who will be exhibiting in some form of Open Studio event in the next few months. Hopefully those of you … Continue reading Getting ready for Open Studios.