Workshop and exhibition news plus a teaser for a surprise guest on the way...
- debratracey
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Fastyr mie!
Hello my lovely creative friends. How are you all doing?
I have so many exciting new workshops planned for you. Some may surprise you!
Speaking of surprises, I have a very special guest joining me for a day dedicated to giving all you aspiring writers out there, space and time to write. With guidance from myself and 'SPECIAL GUEST AUTHOR'.
Details of the day will be shared soon, as will the booking link online.
It's been a busy time, too with exhibitions - check out the amazing exhibitions at Hodgson Loom Gallery and the House of Manannan.
I may just have a piece in each.
Service Spotlight
A workshop on cyanotype printing is probably my most requested, of late, so I have finally got around to popping a couple of dates on the website.
Cyanotype printing is such a delightful way to create stunning images, using a very simple (but with specific methods) technique. The biggest issue I have is that we are reliant on the sunshine, as it is the UV light that makes the magic happen.
I cannot guarantee sunshine so I have invested in a specialist UV lamp so that if the weather lets us down, at least participants can still go home with completed prints.
There are two sessions available - they are the same session so if you booked on both, you would be repeating what you had learned from the previous one but, obviously you would be able to create different designs.
I could waffle on and on about cyanotype but let's wait until the workshop.
As always, places are limited to 8 but I may cut this session down to 6 to ensure there is time for everyone's work to access the lamp.
The Wednesday session, I thought I would open up as a family friendly one so if you have creative children (age 12+) who would love to learn this technique too, it would be a perfect way to create memories together.
Please note that the above image was of prints created by members of the Creative Minds Group at the Memory Clinic with OPMHS.
Creative Writing Workshops
I hadn't planned for my creative writing course to morph into a regular creative writing group, but here we are! And it is wonderful!
If the word 'course' is off-putting to you, please don't let it. These 2 hour sessions on a Thursday morning are a delight. We drink tea, eat biscuits (or some sweet treat that one of the ladies very kindly bakes, quite regularly - not to put any pressure on you Jane) write, usually with prompts provided by me, and listen to each other before offering gentle, constructive feedback.
Held at my Grenaby studio, we sometimes meet elsewhere.
The sessions are designed to offer some time out in our very busy schedules.
I have changed the format to 4 weekly sessions, which helps with holiday planning for members.
There are 3 sessions remaining on the current course so if you wanted to book a single session at £30, as a taster, please contact me direct to organise. We will be meeting in Douglas on 16th July.
Maximum group size, 8.
Price: £120
Only 2 places available!
Mosaic a Mini Bird Bath
A light change from my full day beginner workshop, but equally fun
and full of mosaic techniques and learning.
During this full day workshop, you will learn the basic skills required to create a beautiful mosaic. You will create a simple design on a terracotta plant pot and saucer, suitable for using as a bird bath in your garden.
Of course, once you have completed this session, you would be eligible to join our fabulous mosaic club, which meets monthly.
All materials are included in this full day workshop, as are refreshments but you will need to bring your own packed lunch.
(I'm risking including a terrible old image of a partially decorated birdbath to at least give you an indication of the kind of mosaic I'm talking about. IF I get time to do another sample, I'll pop that on social media)
Full Day Workshop: £125 GBP
New 4 Week Painting and Drawing Course
Have you ever wanted to draw and paint but thought 'I can't draw a straight line'?
I can't draw a straight line either but I can teach you observational skills and how to use drawing and painting materials to get the best out of them. More importantly, not to be frightened of them. Yes, I once had a pack of acrylic paints, unopened in a cupboard because I was too scared to use them because I thought I would ruin them.
When I eventually opened them, I, of course, didn't ruin them. I made mistakes and had fun on the way. That was many years ago, before I decided to attend University as a mature (ahem - I was only 30!) student.
There are 3 places left on this new course so why not treat yourself and join other total beginners, to find which painting medium suits you.
Join our Mosaic Club
Loved your experience? Once you have attended our beginner workshop, you can join our monthly Mosaic Club for just £30 per session to keep your creative momentum going. Debs will be on hand to support you work on your individual project for home or garden.
During the summer months, there are two sessions to choose from (or don't choose, attend both! Just bring a packed lunch)
Mosaic club is getting busy now, and as places are limited, it really is first come, first served.
If you can handle lots of tea/coffee and belly laughs as you work on your individual creations, this really is the place for you. My tummy still aches from the laughter from last session!
Introduction to Folk Art Painting
It was a chance conversation with one of my mosaic club members that prompted me to put a folk art workshop on. Previously working from a glorious studio overlooking Bollington Canal, I learned how to paint traditional inspired techniques, commonly seen on narrow boats and everyday items.
I delivered many workshops at my canalside studio plus a gorgeous project with High Peak Community Arts, where one of their groups painted pots, jugs and various other items to sell for fundraising.
So, here I am on the beautiful Isle of Man, surrounded by water but without a narrowboat in sight. But I am VERY excited that people are interested in learning how to create these gorgeous roses and daisies.
This full day workshop will start off with a demonstration of the different brush strokes required to create the signature 'roses and castles' and I will have lots of MDF shapes on hand for you to decorate. There will be handouts to take home too.
I have a box of traditional enamel paints that I have been shifting around the studio for a while now, not quite ready to let them go so hopefully they will be still good enough to use but, quite frankly, the smell is rather overpowering, particularly if the weather isn't playing nice, so we may use acrylics to get the techniques learned, with information about the proper materials.
Limited spaces - book quickly, now...
If you would like me to send you a pdf of the above information (it is tiny and difficult to read on here) please email me and I'll send it over.
Exhibitions
The brainchild of the tour de force that is Leanne of Pink Seaweed Gallery in Parliament Street, Ramsey,
Mitchoorys (Manx for Mischief) is an eclectic exuberance of art, for the not feint hearted.
With the magnificent eye of connoisseur curator, Julia Ashby-Smyth, they have put together - with work created by many of the artists who sell through the 'chocolate box of delights' for art lovers - a feast for the eyes.
The Creative Network has done it again! This curated exhibition, currently showing at House of Mannanan, is another triumph and I am delighted to have a piece in this exhibition also.
The added bonus of attending the opening of an exhibition is bumping into friends!
Emma and I managed to get a selfie before getting too distracted with looking at all the gorgeous and thought provoking artwork on show.
Comments