Still standing, just!

Business Design Centre, Islington 25th - 27th July 2013

All clean and ready at 9.15am on Thursday

Guess what my friends? I've nothing much to show you from the "it's all about art' event as these are the only two photos I had a chance to take!
I can tell you though that I had more than 300 people take my mini workshops over the course of the three days and everyone seemed to be having a great time in spite of the heat.
It was especially lovely to meet some of you there, thank you for coming to introduce yourself! If any of you have any photos of the workshop I'd really appreciate seeing them.

Now I'm back home, the weather has cooled a little and I've a list of to-do's to get through before heading to the île de Bréhat on Saturday to kick back and paint on the beach :-)

Early doors!

Day one at Brunel's old station Bristol - a very busy one! I'm here with the SAA at their 'It's all about Art' event. Here's a photo I took right at the beginning of the day- getting ready to rumble!
After that, I didn't have time to take photos (of course!). I have painted that scene with the beach huts seven times today, to give lots of lovely people the chance to have a try with Winsor & Newton Artist's acrylics.
By the way, the people from Bristol have wonderful accents! I didn't know that before, and it's a pleasure hearing them speak. Although mostly it was the sound of my own voice coming through the speaker behind me that I could hear I'm afraid.
It was especially nice to see you there Joy and thank you for the Friday cake- so sweet of you!
Bit tired but I enjoyed the day, and am looking forward to a lovely dinner tonight :-)

SAA Manchester event

Here are some photos from the SAA's Manchester event last Friday and Saturday. It was a very busy and packed two days and I met a lot of lovely people and between us we used a lot of lovely Winsor & Newton Artist's acrylic paints, and my helpers cleaned up a lot of mess and washed a lot of brushes!

All new and ready to go! Friday at 9am

Seven 45 minute workshops throughout the day

Friday and Saturday -lots of lovely people

My name on a bucket! 64 dirty brushes, seven times a day.  Thank goodness for Colin!

Now I'm in the middle of birthday week - three birthdays in our house within six days! Today I've been varnishing paintings ready to frame and send off to galleries. Managed to get the smell out of the kitchen before my daughter's birthday tea! 

Artist of the year!!!!

Much giddy excitement!!

                                             

 Oh my word, I'm so excited!!!
 I don't know how to say this but I really wanted you to be the first to know.... I've only just found out myself this morning and I've been in a state of giddy excitement ever since!

 The SAA have awarded me their Artist of the Year award 2012!!!!

 I'm so so thrilled about it all!!
 The results won't actually be published for a while but I'm sure they won't mind me telling you, I really can't keep it to myself!
 Apart from the sheer thrill and honour I have also won fabulous prizes... £1000 plus £1000's worth of art materials, an engraved crystal goblet (which I will show you when I receive it!) and £500's worth of art materials to give to a school or art club of my choice, which I think I've already decided about!
 It hasn't really sunk in yet!
 Thank you so much for your ongoing support and encouragement, it means a great deal to me!

 Big smiles all round! And now I'm going out with my friends to celebrate!