Number 3
The Cold Moon: Full Moon in Gemini
December and the dark days are upon us. A time for candles, old films, Darkness to Light in Salisbury cathedral and general hibernation vibes along with being pulled over by the dog into deep muddy puddles in front of other walkers and having to laugh it off, dark wet drives on motorways you don’t know, punctures from potholes on dark wet motorways etc etc.. Luckily compensatory cake is compulsory in December so at this rate I’ll be as plump as plum pudding by January!
Salisbury Cathedral lit up for the ever awe-inspiring good for your soul Darkness to Light.
However magic occurred on the 10th of November with the birth of my beautiful Grandson. Luckily I can cuddle him every day as long as I do the washing up..a small price to pay! Like all Grannys do I want to write him a thousand stories and I’ve nearly written one already… a love letter to the tiny child and a love letter to the New Forest. Now for the drawings…might take a while cos of the cuddle thing!
Exquisite ear
The gorgeous Lucky Dip exhibition came to an end on Sunday and my Maidens Garland is now squeezed under the bed till its next outing. Meanwhile we are in the midst of our Jane Austen embroidery workshops taking place in libraries and community halls and theatres and art centres from Salisbury to Ringwood to Christchurch to Gosport. Here we gather people to embroider pieces which will eventually be stitched together to form the backdrop of a play that is going on tour in the New Year. So keep a lookout for The Jane Austen Fan Club!
One of the works in progress from the Jane Austen embroidery workshops we are running this November and December. Jane Austen is a Badass!
The Village Hall Draw Friday morning art workshops at Sherfield English Village Hall are running as ever and often quite full but if you are interested in joining this one do message me as we can spill over into the big hall if we need to!
This lovely embroidery is by Sue who comes to the Village Hall Draw art classes at Sherfield English Village Hall on Friday mornings. We do all sorts in these workshops ..such a wonderfully creative community!
In the New Year the Godshill Village Hall Draw art classes in the New Forest near Fordingbridge will change format slightly and will begin with a six week block of sessions that will run on Tuesday afternoons 2-4.30 beginning on the 6th January.
I haven’t finalised my plans (and they may very well go off piste!) but they will run something like this…
Week 1: Mark Making
Portraits and sketchbooks
As an introduction we will begin by drawing each other with the wrong hand with different materials.. pastel, charcoal, biro, sharpie etc then continue by rubbing large sheets of paper with charcoal (immediately removing fear of the white paper syndrome spilling coffee on it has the same effect) and drawing into that as well as beginning working in our sketchbooks ( supplied by me) Of course if you are drawing with the wrong hand you are very unlikely to be ably to make a ‘perfect’ drawing but you are very likely to draw something fun and lively which probably captures the essence of a person/thing more than something laboured over for longer can do.
Week 2 : Foliage and charcoal
Furthering our ventures into the world of charcoal this week we will draw a big jug of foliage by grating and rubbing charcoal into our paper, initially drawing with our wrong hands and then working into it for the rest of the session alongside studies in our sketchbooks.
Week 3: Introducing colour
Now we will build on what we know about charcoal and begin adding coloured soft pastel to our drawings working in our sketchbooks along the way.
Week 4: Still Life
This week we will set up our own tiny still life using a cardboard box painted black on the inside with a small hole in the side where the light source will shine (torch/phone torch) You will bring in some tiny treasures that you wish to draw and we will spend the session making studies in and out of the sketchbook with pencil, pen and watercolour.
Week 5: Outside/ inside
Depending on the weather and our supply of umbrella hats we will make the most of our position here at Godshill by wandering out on the Forest and drawing en plein air. When we return to the hall we will collate our materials and decide how we want to use them.
Week 6: Freestyle
This week you will be free to draw what you wish to draw! So you may want to finish something you have started in a previous session or start something new using the techniques we have learned so far..your choice.!
These classes are £120 for the six which works out at £20 each payable in advance with all materials and coffee (cafetiere!) tea and biscuits supplied by me.
I hope some of you will join us. We are very friendly!!
Meanwhile back in the studio here’s a glimpse of Pelt being strung up..It has taken me since February to push 7 kilos of pins into this cloth to make a pelt to fit me for when I go a roaming out on the heath at night! Inspired by Angela Carter’s, The Tiger’s Bride, her version of Beauty and the Beast where, rather than the Beast becoming a Prince, the woman becomes a Beast when he licks the skin from her to reveal her gleaming fur. I love that! However in my version her beautiful pelt has been removed from her as a prize by a huntsman. where it is no longer gleaming. I love that less…
May the darkness be a comfort.
Warm wishes and many mince pies to you,
Tracy
Yesterday morning from a garden in Whiteparish.
