Looking back at 2019 - what a year!

Its the natural thing to do - look back on the year that has just gone. And that is what I am doing today. Its been a jammed packed year! One that started with much sadness as it was a year since my sister's death and her fight with her mental illness that ended in such tragedy. And the start of the year marked the first six months of living here in Bottesford. It would be an understatement to say that I had a whole load on my plate. I am very much a proactive person though. To battle those difficult things, I leapt into getting to know people around here and pushing my work much further than its been before. Moving from the Letchworth area has been really tough. I feel I belong at the most there and so the be in exile has meant I have to start the process of seeing where I fit now. 

However..............

......there is always two ways to look at things. I can either look at this area at what its not, or look at what it has to offer and there is a huge amount around here that is stunning! There isn't the traffic, the village I live in is really sustainable as there is so much I day to day need, and I have started to explore what is on my doorstep. And there are amazing places to visit. With global warming I want to make every effort to appreciate what is near me, and encourage others too with exploring what is nearby. In England we have so many extra ordinary buildings, just architectural and cultural heritage to appreciate and visit. We are very lucky. And all we need to do is go visit and share with others. If I can do that with some art based on it and getting some social ideas done too, then that will be part of my plan for 2020.

Below is a few of the real highlights of 2019......as I say, an amazing year.

Discover Letchworth home wares commission

Collaboration with The English Winemaker

Shop Zero Conscious Christmas market

Devonshire Dome discovery!

Back in the Spring we had the chance to book a week away and visit Derbyshire again. It was soooo good to be back. We visited a couple of years ago and I badly twisted my ankle and so the holiday was rather ruined as I was feet up and stuck in a car to do sight seeing. So my husband and I both felt a bit cheated by circumstance. So a week booked staying in the village of Elton was magical and just what we had hoped. Long walks, exploring local areas, climbing Mam Tor and other meant for a busy week but utterly fab. And we found the Devonshire Dome - now the home to the University of Derby. It was such a find, all down to my sister mentioning it was a hospital way back that she had been for an interview for. Its all changes now, but a very notable building for its huge span dome. There is a cafe and refectory there so we had great jacket potatoes at about £3.50 each and enjoyed a leisurely coffee people watching too. Do visit - its a stunning space!

A watercolour drawing of a small segment! 

Its a fabulous dome!! 

Paper Poppies & landscapes at Norfolk Creative Arts!

Just last Sunday I had the chance to run a workshop at Norfolk Creative Arts at Grimston. It had been in the pipeline for quit a few months. there had been a delay running it as my sister had died unexpectedly and I loved too - so a few things had to be postponed at the beginning of the year. It was great to get to the date and run the course. A day's workshop is always lovely as there is mych more time to relax into the learning. Its always a very social day too - lots of chattering and laughter. I hadn't been to Norfolk Creative Arts before. Its a fantastic settling - only 40 miles to Cromer so I was aching to head there afterwards but thought that will have to wait til next time! There is a wonderful dining room with hanging wall space, along with a huge, brightly lit classroom with two large tables. Its such a difference when there is a good space and light to work in. Papercutting can be very concentrated so plenty of light is essential.

You can see below the pieces that were made on the day. We started with the poppies and then started to work on more complex pieces. The poppies looked so beautiful. I'd love to do another poppies workshop in the future - celebrating the two wars but also as a personal piece of art for any remembrance or loss. 

The workshop was a real treat for me to do too. I look forward to being able to visit again and run some more paper-y cutting workshops again in the near future. A great place to visit and make and create.

There was collage on the day too - I love it when people come on the workshops and the creative juices flow into making pieces that develop on from paper cutting. Just look at this iridescent butterfly collage! 

Simpler pieces were made that were lovely in their elegance and blockier shapes.......

And other more complex pieces were emerging from the paper on the day too.....