Thank you whole heartedly to the wonderful team at Access Art for this absolute Gem from Lisa Smith.

For my Artypops after-school art class last week I will still at a bit of a loss as to what to do with the babes considering we had done a drawing session the week before.   It was really good giggle as I got the children to draw in pencil masking taped to the end of 50cm garden canes, they loved it naturally.

This week I wanted to do something makey-decoratey as they LOVE to take things home and I had had some new beady-jewellery things delivered this week too.

What to decorate?  Well, thanks to the wonderful treasure chest full of art ideas and inspiration for both children and adults I came across these.

Newspaper Bowls.

Newspaper, large sheets are good.

Garden bamboo cane or a 

Lashings of glue

Tissue paper

Gems & Beads

1.

Take something to roll the newspaper around, I used a garden bamboo cane.  Having laid the newspaper flat out, roll up with the bamboo cane inside LOOSELY as you need it to slip out at the end.  Lay the newspaper out flatly and squish down.  You may need to double it over so its proper thick, I had to.  Tape with making tape in the middle and at the ends.  peasey.

2.  

Next..roll up the newspaper so its tight as can be..am going to borrow a picture or two here from Access Art..

Tightly coil up the newspaper until it looks a bit like this:

3.  When you have your flat coil of newspaper, begin to push the bottom of the bowl out.  Do so gently and feel free to reinforce with masking tape, I did.

4.

& then...decorate away!  Lashings of glue and paste over with tissue paper.  Add more glue to 'varnish' it all and then stick on a piece of paper and pop on the radiator or in the airing cupboard overnight.  Perfecto!

We had such a good day today - my only criticism is that it went WAY too fast.  Mum thoroughly enjoyed herself and was very very happy to be surrounded by family in a relaxed, creative atmosphere.  And no one argued! In fact, everyone seemed really happy and they all said they'd had a lovely day.  I guess you'd have to be dead and buried not to be caught up in your enthusiasm - and wasn't it interesting to see how competitive the men got?!  (And how chuffed they were with their work, despite the outward protestations of crapness.)  And I just love the animals that the children produced - pride of place on the mantelpiece.

Thank you thank you thank you for such a wonderful day - I can't have hoped for it have gone any better.

Caroline Barbour.  

27th December 2012.  A surprise watercolour artworkshop for a very big birthday.  We had a ball.  8 adults & 6 children.

I know I said that this blog was closing down but I can't actually do it.   I have way too much to say, too many thoughts to express and MUCH more fodder to share!

Also, by looking at my (rather wonderful) stats for this blog, I have concluded that I would have to be nuts to close it down...so..am back!

Actually what re-started it for me was my urge to tell you, about our 'Muffin-top Bed'...  it could only happen to an extreme creative...

I got in a mood with our bed.  It was a lovely bed, big warm and snuggly but to my mind, it was old, might well be full of scary creepy bug-things that apparently no-one can be rid off...so chop chop chop and off to the dump...not even recyclable...vamoose...gone.

Off we went, under a bit of a panic as we had no bed to sleep on to the MIL recommended establishment to purchase new beds.  Gorgeous, preciously sprung ones for the babes, shite one for us - cheap as cheap can be, because of course, within a year we will be on multi-money and purchasing uber luxurious custom-made chais for us grown-ups...of course that's going to happen I expressly informed the husband.

Three years later our shite bed is still proper shite and we are not quite as minted as I had planned for.    I hated this bed even more than the other and with even more gusto.  Wood?  Sticky-uppy feet bit?   WTF?  It was cheap, it was cheap.

Bed became firewood, the mattress has survived thus far.  Mattress on the floor...this is fine, we both went to art school, no really...its....fine....grrr.  (still skint so no new bed yet)

We motored along remarkably well, apart from when we needed to get up at all.  The babes loved it..an instant party....er...yay for that then.

And then it happened, I found a divan bed in the second hand furniture store - OFF with the mattress my good man and burn it, bugs and all...I will have the base, deliver it here and once again...we will have a decent nights rest...bliss.

Ha ha... up the stairs with the base bits, gosh that was a laugh (not) and onto the bed...we luxuriated  on it, until we fell off either side far too promptly... dimensions have never really been my strong point.  Darling husband, head in hands, arse on the bed, exclaimed words of love really...that is why did I expect anything else?

So as the nights draw in now...we are a little bit closer together for fear of falling off...  it's working wonders for our marriage.

Much love

x

Good morning the world

Ah yes, the morning after Christmas party number one...ouchy heads all round.

No pinchy craniums for the babes of course and off they are with their lovely (loud) voices and excitable babbles about our installing a Christmas tree today... time for emergency bacon and eggs me thinks.

Back in 20.

Much better, yum and groan.

My post today is in celebration of the Christmas print out.  Very very simply...we're talking about these at cbeebies among others (you'll find some more listed below at the end of this post.)  The only downside to these is that your printer has to have both ink and paper in... if you're luck is in and you have both, print away dear hearts and occupy little minds for as long as it lasts.

Below is a quick screen-shot of some of the many gazillions on offer. Invest in good felt-tips and have them on stand by at all times.  I bought dd some Crayola tips nearly a month ago now and they have survived a bashing twice to three times a day and are still going strong.

I wanted to find some really gorgeous ones but alas I can't find any that really stand out from the crowd...hmmm, perhaps next year I will make some of my own as I love to produce line-drawings.  Here are two that are consistently in my best-sellers list 'Polar Bear' & 'Goosey Goo'.  Hope you enjoy!

Other places to find Christmas printables.  (will be adding to the list)

http://www.mumsnet.com/christmas/printables

Ah yes, it's all getting proper snuggly, cosy and baltic.  Yesterday, as much of the family as possible was summoned to my aunt's house, who lives deep, deep in the countryside to help stack the huge pile of logs from pile to 'dry-log-room-in-shed' (all very rural.)  We worked like little elfs, loading up the wheelbarrow (flat-tyred wheelbarrow of course) tipping out, stacking and bending over and over again..and again...singing merrily as we worked.  

And then there was the real version.  Summoned to my aunts house in the freezing freezingness with teenagers and toddlers to move a gazillion logs...marvellous, yay...no really.   Our part of the family swung in to our local bakery to purchase hot pasties, sausage rolls and mince pies for the whole team to scoff once our work was done.  They tasted goooood and we ate them next to the real fire with the (really) big dog looking lovingly at us/our pasties.    After nosh, we walked said massive lab dog in beautiful countryside.   Our bellies full and thoroughly exercised, we waved, laughed and jollied ourselves into our cars to reverse through the garden and back onto the lane to be off our our merry ways...Oh such fun, tra la la.  

The car didn't start.  Nice.

Butting up to two cars to try and jumpstart said motor, no avail.  Rush into nearest town to purchase new battery..an hour with the babes in the cold..nice.  Hurray they are back, battery in...no start.  Bugger it.  Left car in the village and went home driven by aunt.  Grrr.  

Home, hot baths all round.  Hot choc all round.  Bed by 8pm for all apart from Daddy to watch two lots of The Killing (apparently brilliant but bit too gruesome for me in places).  Woken at 10 for two lots of puke from darling son and then back to bed, via a quick dip into twitter after loading wash 1 of 20 in the w. machine.  

Hurray for rescue services.  Fresh-faced and jolly once more (it being the next day) we all arrived at the broken down car at the same time...  The nice man started our car and instructed us not to stop or stall until we get to our local garage (no pressure there then).  Once there, dump the car.  We did as told.

Back into the maroon Corsa that we purchased last week for 450nicker to be runabout for me, allowing me to get to art classes, etc etc.  We jammed ourselves in, along with a big big box that my mum had given me sheepishly and told us to open when we get home.

Back at home, babes (one very white one) jammed in the back of tiny Corsa with massive box, out we spilled..or planned to but snap - the handbrake on the Corsa snapped, amazingly this time...I didn't and neither did Darling husband.

Once untangled from the far-too-bigger-bodies being in a far-too-smaller-car for us...home home home.  Sofa day for wee boy, wee gal on and off it too all day in sympathy.

So where is the art in this post then eh?  Well, dearest readers. the art is in the everydayness of life. The beautiful countryside that we walked the dog in.  The fire that we scoffed our pasties by...from every situation we have to find the  good bits...

My best bit was seeing my teenage nieces pushing the car, along with my mum, aunt, massive dog, Darling husband and babes!  It felt distinctly 70's!

A new post coming about what was in the box...its very very special.

Merry December everyone...no really!

x

In our house, during school holidays and on weekend mornings (when mum and dad get the chance for an extra hour in snooze land) our babes are allowed telly in the mornings.   It's called 'Saturday morning telly' whatever the day...much easier this way.

Darling son hauls himself and his duvet downstairs on the the massive snuggly sofa to burn his brains out on whatever he fancies from the children's channel, Darling Daughter comes down about 20 later and they snuggle on the sofa until our day begins.

This morning however I have work to do so leaving a snoozing daddy, I am in the office doing exactly NOT what am supposed to be doing, blogging.     I am however, stupidly inspired artistically from watching 'Deadly Art' a children's telly programme that I sat glued to with both my babes under the duvet on said snuggly sofa.

Now then...in my day we had 'Take Hart' 'Why Don't You' and 'Magpie' along with 'Blue Peter' for creative inspiration.  All of which were wonderful, basic but wonderful and I think I actually owe my artistic career to Tony Hart, who, sniff died last year.

Today my babes are 8 and 4 so we have (endured) 'Mister Maker' (queue the theme tune in my head...NOOOOOOooo!) and I think thats about it really.

This morning though I watched the afore mentioned 'Deadly Art' and it made me really happy to be doing so.

Mixing up footage of 'deadly animals' (this morning was the lion) and then taking that back to the art studio where two (very young...why?) Artists where ready to 'make art' from the link.  Nice.  In one programme we had a 3d model of a lion's head, a large 2m x2m squared canvas painting (that was the BIG reveal at the end of the programme) and during the programme, lots of drawing of a lions head.

During the filming of this programme, the crew had set up camp somewhere to call an event of lion-drawing to film...queues of children waiting patiently with less patient parents lining up to get drawing...I found the whole thing ace in fact.

Children create naturally.  This programme was all about getting them inspired to draw and get arty around the subject that they had chosen and were enthusing massively about...and...proof of the pudding...8 year old Darling Son is now all inspired to draw (albeit still on the sofa) so today, we are going out for a walk in the countryside to find some lions...oh alright..some ducks.

Hope they strike the same cord...may have to do some creative imagining with them...

Will report back later, well done 'Deadly Art'.

Sam x

It's been a big week.

I went to Hong Kong last Sunday with two of my lovely girlfriends to visit the 'fourth wall of the room' that is our lovely girl that is very very poorly, gravely ill.  The four of us go back a very long way.

The news came as a shock and am not here to dwell or share precious memories, make you cry or make you laugh...just to remind ourselves that Artists are Artists through and through, even if working in the foul place with the Golden Arches, once you have had your training on some level you will always be an Artist.

Proof of this has come twice now in my life big style.  Once when I was in my gallery one day.  An elderly dishevelled lady came in.  It was a daily thing to have Artists coming in with their work, some arranged but most unannounced, sometimes up to 10 a day.  This lady came in and I thought..look busy quick.

She came to the desk and informed me that she was on her way back to the hospital where she had been sectioned to.   From her bag she produced two small frames and in them were two drawings.  Loose,in biro and postcard size.  'Man at Burger King' and the other 'Man at Bus-stop'  The frames were beautiful and on the back was a sticker from the RCA, this lady had put her framed drawings in for selection to the Summer Exhibition.  Both were refused.

The drawings were unpretentiously naive, innocent and in biro.  No bigger than postcard size.  They made me cry as they struck me as drawings made just for drawing sake.  I was in my gallery, surrounded by perfectly tweaked and finished artworks selling for a grand a time, and here this lady had come in with two simple drawings to remind me what drawing/art was all about.  Doing it for doing sake.

I bought the two drawings from her there and then, I have them now and think of them often.  Drawing just for drawings sake, recording, documenting, experimenting, learning and doing just because I/we can...its so easy to work for the end reason only, thinking framing, exhibiting and of course selling.  All normal but every once in a while I think about that old lady and her drawings and in an instant I am reminded to bring it all back from the fluff and get to the heart of the matter, doing art for art's sake.

My second experience in this was last week with my best friend.  She drew for us.  Unable to speak, Three hearts appeared on the paper, one for each of us holding her hand and massaging her feet, cooing to her about how much we love her and its all going to be ok, we promised her.

Am sure I will be writing more about this over time.  For now thats enough for me.  I started this post calling it 'Once and Artist, always and Artist'  and take it from me that's absolutely true.

Sam x

Ah yes, Children's Art Workshops have landed and we are coming together nicely.

I had a great meeting today with Peagreen Studios it was proper inspiring.  They are fantastic textile designers with an established history behind them of mega-clients including Nike, Gap, Boden &  more.  I am in no way surprised as their work is very very inventive.   Further to this they have also completed some wonderful public art projects,  such as this one at The Winchester Discovery Centre - its SO drawing based am in seventh heaven...delish.  (See a sample of their work below).

My visit to their studio was to see if their space was suitable to run the art classes in, well it is a fantastic space and a real find.  Here's hoping.

I have also just finalised two other proposals for 'Artypops' projects too.  One is to run an after school art class at my own school (well, that is the wonderful school my babies are at) and the other is to run an art workshop to keep 280 children amused and busy during a 'Christmas Winter Fair' at a school in central London.  Ah yes, am fast becoming the 'Mrs Tumble' of the art world...not particularly what my life plan set out for me to do but nice work if you can get it my darlings.

Off to collect the babes now, then to the pub for lunch..am 41 today.

Sam x

Its been a week of soul searching and trying to hone down my offerings.  (new prints below too)

Speaking with my wonderful pals, Annabel Mckillop and  Julianne Lavery who are both accomplished 'Visual Merchandisers'  (that is someone that helps defines both mentally and visually, your offerings as a business.  The Visual Merchandiser helps you to display and arrange your offerings in the most beneficial manner to aid sales...its brilliant stuff).  Sorry, I meandered...ah yes...my own offerings.

I am an Artist, true we know that.  I have things that I sell from my website and occasionally solo shows, a couple of other well chosen galleries and once in a while shops.  Thats me.

Next to this I have my adult art workshops and thirdly, my children's art classes and workshops.  That makes 3 things that I am and I offer.

Simple I know it sounds but...when it comes down to marketing myself I get all confused.  Aunty Julianne & Aunty Annie have helped me no end.  They explained that although it may be confusing psychologically to offer the three things, from an outsiders (visitor to website, potential customer) point of view its absolutely fine as long as your website, promotional material is clear and concise.  

Ahhh, now I get it.

Since our inspiring conversation I am off.  DDaughter has started school, I have found a fab new space to put all my art materials in for lessons (this can't be understated...no more boxes falling on me in the crappy old garage - oh no, lovely shelves with lovely stickers on the boxes, lists of activities...bliss)  and am off to look at a space next Tuesday in which to offer Saturday morning Art Classes in Winchester.

Magic.

Sam x

New work this week:  New drypoint prints.  Elephant, Two doggies and some Gaggling Geese too. 

We had a great weekend away with mates at a beautiful house in Hampshire, complete with gazillions of children, a swimming pool, a huge garden and a jumpaline with no net....no over-fretting there then!

Much food and wine were consumed, much being with close mates and much love was in the room for all.

I made it my mission to record as much as possible with only my pen and pencil.  Now then, I am proper rubbish at drawing people but if there is one thing I know, its the importance of doing.  Repeating the process and getting better with practise.

Complete with my 'How to draw People' book...here are some of the results.  Funny, its a bit like speaking french...gets much easier after the second glass.

Enjoy x

Katie

Ju & Carlo

Andrew Edmund

Isobel

The babes watching a movie with popcorn

Chocolate & Banana Cake made by me, ace for picnics, bribing and instructing breakfast for the babes to have in front of the telly whilst being crap-mum and staying in bed!)

Hello and welcome to throw-yourself-into- summer-mum.

Am proper shattered and never has recipe junkies blog ever been so in demand by me.  I very much hope that she is going to be impressed with my google-inspired recipe with what to do with some old banana's - do have a dip into her site, its fantastic.   

Giving me much much needed inspiration to cook and cater for my 24hour children (that is no respite when they are at school) and my darling husband who is working from home too.  We are eating as a family 24/7 on a budget so there is only one way.... planning - grrrr arrrggghhh rubbish at it so, groaningly I have downloaded a meal plan from the wonderful Mumsnet website and off I go.  

Brilliant Summer so far...picnics, swimming, beach, cycling, seeing pals, seeing family, Summer Reading Challenge from the local library, back to see family again, back to the petrol station to fill  up again, off to the river with the blow up boat.  Bit of sleeping, more paddling, not nearly enough working, another meal, another picnic and another tank of petrol - can you see where am going with this?

Now, then...being self-employed is tough at times.   This year has been full of celebrations, jubilations and nationwide events (I myself organised our village Queenie Jubilee event which was a blast) and all those holidays mean time-off...time-off means delayed payments, delayed payments mean cash-flow problems, cash-flow problems mean tough tough times for families, trust me we know.

But, we have happy healthy children that need to know that we know how to enjoy ourselves together and whilst its proper challenging not to be in control of ones finances, am trying like mad not to let it ruin our family time off together.  The sun is out, the water is warm and we are all together.

Now then...where is that tent?

Happy Summer everyone x

Now, there is nothing I love more than a good wedding, truly I LOVE them.

I get way too excited, look ridiculous (but thats ok I am an Artist, Darling) and inevitably end up on the dance floor looking far too unglamorous than a girl should do...brilliant!

My lovely friend Janie Lawson has a wonderful company called 'Glam-Hatters' and I will be blogging about her next week or so...in the lead up though have a dip into her website, its just divine.

Have often wondered if there is such a thing as a 'Professional Wedding Guest' and more importantly how I would become it?  I have visions of me going to gazillions, choosing outfits and healing family rifts on the dance floor to 'Now I've had the time of my life''...tra la la la la al al al al al al...nice.

Happy weddings everyone!

Sam x

'Marvellous Wedding Dear'

Our Big Day

The Wedding Breakfast

I am trying I promise...I loved the opening, LOVED seeing all the signs up in and around London last week as I went into Waterloo - love seeing all the visitors and how excited we as a nation are to be playing host to a gazillion international visitors...its just when the starter pistol goes of for each and every game I feel a very real...erm...nothing. (am so so so so sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry sooo sorry)

There.  I have said it.  I can't get excited about sport, I am trying, I try and nothing.  Now then...give me a mega game of rugby or football even (along with pizza maybe and a glass of summat fizzy) and I can do...watch through wincing eyes...I am caught up in it - not often but it happens.

Sat with lovely husband this eve to watch the 200meters mens freestyle and loved watching the beautiful sight of such elegance, the twists at the end and the entrance of each competitor (although they might have smiled) but then...nothing.  4 lengths...erm...have I missed something?

The synchronised double diving - what?!  the what?!  I tried, I watched - they were utterly beautiful - but too splashy?  wtf?

So there you have it my darling readers...my dirty little secret is out...I don't get it.

Will be continuing to try - am thinking about taking darling son into London Town next week to soak up some of the atmosphere - Hyde Park maybe, its once in a lifetime I know...i will do my bit.

As for spare tickets?  Erm...no thanks pet, thanks anyway.

Sam...my kind of swimming event below x

Every business has them, twisty turney bits - look forward, take the actual numbers from looking back, recent back, long term back, predict the future, go long term - oh no, short actually.  I feel dizzy.

Its interesting times here at Samantha Barnes Arthouse.

Time to realise with excitement that I have gotten where I wanted to go!  Funny that isn't it, I am where I planned to be - I actually am where I dreamt of being the last time I properly laid down plans - that was when Martha my second baby was born, exactly 4 years, 6 months, and 2 days ago when I became a mum for the second time.

Champagne popping?  Self-congratulations?  Er no...first stop, a cup of tea and a bit of 'Well done gal' from the inside first, be with that for a few days.

Then, part two of new action plan is to have a good think about all the things I have done to this point and write them down, things I have loved doing and those that I have loathed  (that way I won't forget them as am a perfect sieve head) thats a good start.

Then...its off to our wonderful business coach (that husband Carl has been working with for his FilmsForWebsites.com business) to do some further planning and the setting of all new goals...freaky!    Somethings are just too big for us to work out alone.
Perhaps a cheeky sniff of champs though...just to keep up the morale!
Happy weekend everyone
Sam x

THE VILLAGE HALL ART SCHOOL is delighted to bring you:

‘The Sheep Fair ART STOP!’   This coming Weekend, 14th & 15th July.

£3 per child for 30 minutes of making & doing for children.   We have all sorts of wonderful things planned; mask-making, hand-sheep making & 3D sheep model making too  (see all sheepy things…nice eh?)  

Two tables…one for under 7’s & one for over.   8 children on each table.  Half-hourly slots bookable from Saturday Morning.  

Hours open are:  10am – 5pm, both Saturday & Sunday.  See you there!

All queries to:  Samantha Barnes  07891 698 847 or 01256 773 552 info@samanthabarnes.co.uk 

THE VILLAGE HALL ART SCHOOL provides fab Art Events, Family Days, Wedding Activities, Children’s Art Workshops & Adult Day Workshops too.  Contact Samantha for more details.  

Do you know, I had always envisaged this to be Carl and I one day.

On a cruise somewhere (yes, we will have given in and booked onto the 'big-shop hell on the sea' holiday by then as Saga will probably be paying us to go on them!  Carl still argues that he will go on a cruise over his dead body but am not sure this will be much fun for me, and anyway I hate being on ships...happier on a plane funnily enough ...but I digress, apologies.

This weekend we were in our old stomping ground to visit our old long term pals that we so sadly  moved away from living next door to.   Ok so its only 2.5hrs away but it sometimes feels like the other side of the planet.  There is a funny thing that happens to couples before they turn into families...your mates that you go through childbirth with and the early days of being a mum/dad/family, rather become your family within those amazingly bonding years.  Its beautiful really.

Well, those were the teams of bally good mates that we spent the weekend with..each of us turning new directions, the babes growing, all of us happily and slightly (muchly) less tired than we have seen each other in the past!

Nothing really changes, the only thing that I am lucky enough to know is that, should Carl suddenly not be here (bit morbid I know, but he could run off with a 20 year old Russian model if he had enough money) then I bet my last dollar that I would be at the table above with one of my most preciousist, most beautiful girlfriends.

Sam x

Comment away please x x x

Hi Samantha

I received the picture today. Thank you.

Unfortunately, my husband took delivery of it and because of the stickers on the exterior of the parcel, he now knows what his present is for Fathers Day!

In answer to your question, my husband and I first saw your work 'The good life' in 1999 in a shop in Rochester high street. We also regularly search for your work on line, to see whats available. 

Over the years, we have purchased 6 of your limited edition prints and attended one of your exhibitions. These pictures appeal to our sense of humour as my husband and I are the same build as the characters.

We are hoping to own an original painting in the future but are very content at present with our collection, which are positioned in focal points around our home.

I purchased this print as my husband has just started learning to use a telescope and 'Star gazers'.

The pictures bring a smile to our face every time we look at them.

Many Thanks

Amanda

Loyal fan!

Speedy, splodgy, hap-hazardy, not quite right Animal drawings that happen to work, (again).  

Am going to let the pictures do the talking this eve as am shatteroonied.  Just to say however that its been a great week, I worked on a painting that I really didn't think I could do and it went v well.  Was 'jimmied' out of my comfort zone very well...

To break up working on the mega-painting, I worked on animal drawings alongside...enjoyed drawing them v much.

More soon

Sam

We organised, we rocked, we had a ball, we enjoyed, we tidied up, at fish & chips and then we slept.  (I might even tweet that!)

Lordy, what a party.  We did our village proud, everyone did their bit.  I believe the youngest there was 2 weeks of age and the oldest in her 90's.  Just the ticket.  

The whole nation went back to work today, weird sensation.  My babes are still off school for half-term and into the mix we have the worlds biggest labrador that has come to stay for a few days, Max.

The children and I are in love with him...Daddy falling bit by bit.   A great big dopey dog.  He is so well behaved and has completed our family over the past 24 hours.  Today we have walked for Britain (well, that is Farley Mount in Winchester) pee'd in the countryside (even me) and run in and out of rivers in our wellies, trying to convince the dog that its ok to enjoy water.  He LOVED it of course!  

I don't normally share photo's of my little ones, but this tells such a story I can't resist...its just perfect.

Work is going guns too.  

My 60 Edition Prints of 'A Right Royal Knees-up' are selling really well and doing the rounds virally.  The Princes Trust are delighted with their money and they rather like the painting too!

More soon

Sam

It's Friday evening and am watching two pigeons (or are they watching me?) that insist on shagging in our garden everyday, at the same place and pretty much at the same time, on my garden fence - like bang outside of our patio doors so in mega full view of our dining table - I mean really, am currently 'disgusted of Hampshire' as you might say in the local rag.   Still, I can't bring myself to shoo them away though, and its raining.  Might get them a box next year, positioned behind my cloudy shed (garden shed with big clouds that I painted all over it) so we can't see them day in and day out!

Enough about the pigeons..hang on..am thinking a photo...uh oh...one's nicked off..phew, she's back.

All told it's been a great week, firstly I am an award winner, Oh yes!    Have never won and award and often am found looking lovingly at them.  The Award is for my website (all hail David Livingston of Park Corner Design Agency in Winchester they are fantastic designers) and have been awarded (check me using that word again and again) bronze from the wonderful outfit that is Mumpreneur UK   will let them do the talking...Mumpreneur UK is the UK's leading support network for mums in business, offering advice, resources, articles and events to parents who run their own business.  Am actually chuffed to nuts that I have won summit, I do work hard on my website as of course it is my shopfront and...once you get your chops around that, the rest is plain sailing in this business thing...ahem. x x 

Pigeon update...husband going out into garden for crafty fag put swift end to their post-coital nap, feel a bit sorry for them now.

The finished design for our Jubilee Poster what I made...bring on the pink fizz.

I have decided to run a special offer.  This is very new for me and a first for doing the 'come and buy some and get something else too' with my artwork...am excited about it.  

May News...New Vegetable Prints, buy 3 get a 4th one FREE*

My NEW PRINTS are now up and ready for sale.  Am delighted to bring you my collection of Vegetable drypoint prints, I have loved making.  Each print is 14 x 14cm and comes mounted and flat-packed, p&p is free within the UK.     These prints hang beautifully together and because of that I am running a very special offer this month..buy 3 prints and get a 4th print FREE.    Each print is £39.95 so keep 3 for yourself and give a 4th to that special foodie in your life.    When selecting, choose and pay for 3, then email me direct to say which choice of print for your freebie.

There is a wonderful saying that most women's businesses' begin on the dining room table/kitchen table.  

Have always loved this thought - it evokes wonderful thoughts of a mum/woman working at her business around all the other commitments of family life, or perhaps another job and the general comings and goings of daily life - forever warm. loving and probably smiling at her lot..a very clever savvy lady.  

Love it, I love the multi-tasking, juggling, keeping the balls up in the air, the hopping from one thing to another...these are true anecdotes of a self-employed working mum.

We are a blessed breed, truly we are.  We can work all night if we want to (not such a good idea for me as am uber RUBBISH without sleep..horrid to husband and babes and crap at producing any decent artwork...me thinks you have the picture) where was I?  

Ah yes..we lucky peeps can work at stupid-o'clock in the morning (am good at that one - early to rise etc) or during the day for a stolen 10 mins having set the babes up watch The Nightgarden on a loop and very probably sucking lollies, faces just an inch away from the telly screen...yes...comrades its important to do things that are legal but probably not quite ethically 'mumsy' to make it all work sometimes...lose the guilt...c'mon!   Its not every day...honest...ahem.

Today though,  thinking invoices (ugh..have to be done) I began to clear that family table to set to work on.  Clearing away half-dressed dolly's, homework packs, unused cutlery from the last meal (how did that get there?) oodles and oodles of odd bits of paperwork (make another stack, its ok) and of course, dirty cups to the kitchen (quick wash them up - won't take 2 mins and will feel SO much better with them done)  I set to work...

Oh look here come the children and Daddy back from the park...bugger!

Terribly excited about our village Jubilee Picnic which is on Sunday 3rd June.  I think I only volunteered to organise it so that I could make the poster!  Not quite finished yet but 90% there now...

Just spend a good 40 minutes absorbed in your beautiful artwork... What an amazing talent you have,  I particularly loved the 'Wedding Guests' and the 'Lovely Mummy Bus', such colour!  Also really charmed by the simplicity of your animal prints and the way you have summed up their characteristics in a few clever lines.  I was totally drawn in, a real pleasure to look through your website, so glad to know about you.

Emma 

3 Plumps, Aparagus and Purple-Headed Broccoli.

Am feeling very excited about a whole new subject matter, I can see it now, lemons, cherries (life is a bowl of, etc etc) strawbs and wait for it....an artichoke heart - Oh yes.

Sometimes its hard to find summat new to work from.  Don't get me wrong, I love to paint flowers and every time am lucky enough to be given a rip-roaring bunch they go straight into my studio and come out in 2dimensions...

This is my last bunch that I was given last month.   (I hope you like, may have tweaked the bottom picture a bit too heartily with the old brightening switch)   Am still not sure what to call this painting yet, I really enjoyed painting it as it happen fairly fast and furiously.    Its now currently having a simple white wooden frame added to it and am uber looking forward  to collecting it.

The veg idea came from a very dear Artist friend of our family (will bring you some of her work soon).  Sometimes its really hard to get input from another artist but she came up trumps on a recent trip to my studio and I clung to her ideas tightly.

Had never ever thought about drawing veg but of course...it makes perfect sense non?  Veg, kitchens, kitchen-art?  Dur?!  It can take a while to hit a big idea and sometimes there is no pushing it, just comes along when it does.

Am going to squirrel away with Christmas in mind, Vegetables and my 'Londonisms' collection which is coming along nicely.   September is going to be launch time for that one.  The prints are coming together really well.  Have just been speaking to the very talented Annabel Mckillop (a fantastic stylist) regarding the photo-stills of it.  Delighted that she is entertaining the idea with me.

Onward with the menial chores of the day now...but first a quick dip into Recipe Junkies blog to see what I can be motivated in cooking up for supps!

Sam x 

Am sitting here at the family table, the heating is on as its cold but the sun is shining in (hate that as its very confusing) and am trying to persuade my lazy arse to get up the stairs to turn it down/off as am conscious about wasting energies etc etc.  Have just finished off a mushroom omelette and am looking at a finished plate, complete with sauce from the fag end of the tin of baked beans from some recent children's meal. 

The smell is gross (can't stand the smell of anything tomatoey when its gone cold - that is processed tomatoey sauce smell, sweet and cold...heebies as I speak)  and, like the heating am thinking that I should get my afore mentioned arse into the kitchen to clear it up.

Problem is though that there are so many other (and better) things to get on with.  So for now, am trying out how I feel about cracking on with one job before finishing another..(that is writing my blog before clearing up after breakfast/lunch/brunch type thing ...UGH  UGH UGH.

I feel sick and can stand the tomatoey smell no longer... back in ten x

Righto, tea on the brew and children's mini easter eggs that they don't know about on the go (well probably finished actually...erm finished) and am ready to give you my undivided attention.
Although its a funny look at getting jobs done, being a self-employed working mum is full of contradictions. 

Blessed with having a job that I adore and never do I take for granted not having a boss that I can't stand or has expectations of me (that would just about scare me to death).  My job of being an artist is bliss, I do what I love.  Then..during my being mum time which I love just as much as working, I do all the things willingly that make our family life go round.  

The problem comes when it becomes apparent that I haven't done the parenty thing with quite as much concentration to detail that it probably demands. 

Swimming kit on this day, pe on that , cooking classes that day, school trip this day, birthday card this day, lunch for daddy and I tomorrow as we're both in studio...I do love it all, don't get me wrong...its just it feels a little bit like a roller coaster as I go through life remembering things at the 11th hour.

Our house is full of memo pad yellow stickers everywhere...on the back of the front door and yippee it works (sort of).
My attitude?  Well probably one of does it really matter?  The babes know that mummy is a bit of a spagetti head sometimes (all the time) and they have expectations in line with delivery...result.

Dear reader, am trying to impart to you, especially if you are a self-employed creative parent that its ok to be crapmum sometimes, it happens to us all.

Off now to collect number two from nursery...oh bugger am late...
Sam x

Realising the importance of creating a nice website for my visitors...I have been spring cleaning, puffing up the cushions and lobbing out old chintz!.  (scroll down for more)

 www.samanthabarnes.co.uk

Spring has sprung, Easter is now over and its day one thousand of the Easter Hols.  

Bugger and bottoms that I finished off two of the children's Easter Bunnies today...(who else partakes in this evil behaviour...this is the very reason that I hold no rubbish food in the house...the children really have naff all chance of getting at it over me and my irrational behaviour at hoffing it all).  Am I protecting them from themselves?  Er no...just a piggie me thinks.

So...today it rained and then the sun shone.  One of those days that you pack up ready to leave the capsule only to be rained off at the last moment..we were in and out of the door like yo-yos today.  At 2pm I insisted we go.  It shedded down instantly but hey it was fun.  We did our chores one by one and then back to the capsule for more erm...nothing really.  

Thus is was a day of snuggling.  Cooking, mumming, movie watching (teeny weeny bit of reading but nothing to feel proud of) whilst enjoying myself immensely on the computer...it was a bit like being at work...yay...I miss my studio muchly today.

So..instead of hoovering the stairs, doing the washing (boring) I gave my lovely old website a right royal going over.  Its a truly gorgeous site.  Hard to view it as a potential customer would but important to try.  Am concerned that there is way too much in it and on it.  A menagerie of artworks for sale in no particular order.  Mindburps, testimonials and daily musings.

Out went some rubbish today and it was as cleansing as doing out my airing cupboard...towards the very end of the day the tinglings of satisfaction and a tiny sense of achievement came about... Lordy it felt good.

Visit my website (puhleeze) and comment comments... Much love from a needy and very chocolatey www.samanthabarnes.co.uk

Have been really enjoying myself in the studio, finally finished a canvas that I started 4 YEARS ago!  It began as pink, then orange, then taupe and now finally greeny blue.

Hope you like it

Sam 

Have been having a gorgeous time at the press recently, herewith the fruits!

Am still finding my feet with this gorgeous method of printmaking, am truly amazed at how different one print to another can be.  

The technique this this...work on a piece of zinc scoring my drawing into it with a 'scratchy pen'.  (Oh my technical talk is very complicated non? !)  Once said drawing in the metal is finished, I  then smother it skilfully with ink (this is very much like painting on its own...darker here, lighter there etc etc) until I have my ink exactly where I want it.

The plate is then placed face up onto the bed of the press.  Soaked watercolour paper (300g waterford is the best I find) is then placed on top of the plate, tissue paper on top of that then the three printing blankets on top.  (This whole process is JUST delicious).

Two runs of the roller over the blankets and bob's your uncle, well that said its probably not as in my experience for every one print that works well, there are another two that end up on the NGE pile...that is the 'Not Good Enough' stash.

Placed under boards for a good two days to get flattened good and proper..into the daylight to dryout fully and there we have one uber gorgeous process with hopefully something rather special at the end of it!

To a virgo such as myself change doesn't come that easily.  


On the other hand I can get stupidly excited about all the pen-pushing and organisational things that have to be done in order to get ones house in order to move on - a strange mix I agree.


The situation we are in (that is being self-employed) allows no guarantees that a:  we may hit it mega-big and one day soon I may have my own gallery/shop again,  complete with Samantha Barnes uber lovely carrier bags (organic tote ones of course) or that b: we could end up living with parents or in-laws,  sharing cars with elderly folk that like listening to Elkie Brookes, whist getting a lift to the job-centre to sign on week after week...I think we are agreed that nothing is certain when two parents are self-employed.  


So in the nature of going with the flow our river is now turning a corner.  


Both DH (that is Darling Husband for all you non-Mumsnetters...got to go there -  its just flaming wonderful for each stage of your life as a parent) and I are on our way to creating something solid.  


I never in a gazillion years thought that we would or could end up working together - kiss of death to a marriage yahdeyahde, but..everso slowly its creeping up on us that this is very probably the answer.


Pool our skills.  He's telly, she's an Artist.  


Now I know that this is going to sound disgustingly sickly but its true, I am stronger when we are together.  Carl is my friend, he makes me laugh, annoys "@@@££$ out of me true at times, but never for even one minute have I not been a huge fan of his work and (sometimes willow..I know sickly but again true) at his solid confidence in making good work, because that's exactly what he does.


I'm organised.  I'm brassy (even when I don't feel like being I can be) I'm uber creative too, we together make a party.  


And so dear readers, Mr and Mrs Media are born.

Monday Mumpreneur with Samantha Barnes 

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Heather

Every Monday we feature a mumpreneur who’s ready and willing to open up their lives and their business to us. 

They share with us their motivation, their challenges and their proudest moments in business and they also tell us how they take time to nurture themselves.  

If you’re looking for inspiration, then our featured business mums show you what’s possible.  Our message is “If we can do it ~ then so can you!”

I so loved reading about this week’s featured mumpreneur.  She is so inspiring in that she is doing something she loves and knows it’s the best job in the whole world.  I think I need to meet her – I can just tell we’d have a wonderful time   She just looks so much fun too x

Your name: Samantha Barnes

Your website: www.samanthabarnes.co.uk

Brief description: I am an Artist that produces drawings, paintings and prints. Am in love with making people laugh and producing artworks that lift spirits immediately.

How many children do you have? Two. Hugo 7 and Martha 4. Gorgeous, delicious, my sun my moon and stars but that’s plenty for me!

Where do you live? In a large village in beautiful North Hampshire, on the River Test.

PC or Mac? PC for years and years and years but as of last Monday – a Mac…finally.

Tell us about your business. I am an Artist that is passionate about drawing. I make works that sell all over the country in galleries and exhibitions. More recently I am spending time printmaking which is enormously inspiring as it allows me to supply my work further afield and produce my own multiples in my studio – bliss. My drawings are laced with humour, its been said that I was blessed with a large sense of humour at birth…I tend to agree. The second part of my business is get people drawing and painting themselves. I dream up and run workshops, family art events, business art do’s, and painting weekends to get others creating too. I adore doing these workshops as am quite naturally bossy and fizzing with energy and passion about my subject.

What motivated you to become a mumpreneur?
I believe that I am a much better and balanced mum for doing something that I love doing. I also think that it’s good for my children to see me up and doing. We are all going to have to work into a ripe old age, so it’s important for them to see my business working and fitting around us. Also money…I love making money from something that I’m nuts about.

What’s been your biggest challenge in business?
Carving out proper time in which to do my job. My children are getting older now so I get a bit more independence, but for years I worked on the kitchen table or anywhere with an inch of floor space to grab 10 minutes as the babes watched Nightgarden or engaged in something else… it was hard. It was impossible to take my business seriously until 2 years ago and it was very liberating when I got there.

How have you overcome it?
Social media has really helped as you get instant feedback which is fantastic for a visual business. Also, I would say that taking myself seriously as a viable business counted for much. My family have been fantastic with lots of support and a willingness to see me get back to what I was put on this earth to do. Most importantly, I now have a studio space to work in. (bliss).

What’s been your proudest business moment?
Truthfully, its when people pay me money for work that I made. It’s the best feeling.

What’s your catchphrase or favourite quote?
‘Good, better, best, never let it rest, until the good is better and the better is the best’.

What do you do to relax or nurture yourself?
To relax I go to work and paint everyday – it’s the best job in the world for that. I love to listen to audio books as I work. The other tip I have is to go to bed ridiculously early when I know that I’m tired… as in 7.30, bang after putting the babes to bed. Sleep restores everything for me.

What was the last treat you bought for yourself? My gorgeous new Mac.

Favourite colour: Probably a fuchsia pink.

Favourite flowers: Freesia’s as they smell divine and are bliss to paint in big white splodges.

What one piece of advice would you like to give to a new mumpreneur?
If you are a self-starter you are laughing. Keep passionate about what you’re doing. Make full use of the free gift that is social media…tell the world.

Fancy featuring as one of our amazing mumpreneurs? Drop me an email over on the contact page - and I’ll be in touch.   Or let me know in a comment below.  And remember to drop by every Monday to welcome our latest profiled mum.

Posted in Monday Mumpreneurs | Tagged art classes, art workshops, monday mumpreneur, Samantha Barnes, wahms | Leave a comment

Thanks, you gave me confidence that I could draw with ease if I was looking at the subject. You treated each individual as able, and brought out our skills with your enthusiasm, helping us see how to make our pictures interesting and beautiful, love Gillian

To a virgo such as myself change doesn't come that easily.  

On the other hand I can get stupidly excited about all the pen-pushing and organisational things that have to be done in order to get ones house in order to move on - a strange mix I agree.

The situation we are in (that is being self-employed) allows no guarantees that a:  we may hit it mega-big and one day soon I may have my own gallery/shop again,  complete with Samantha Barnes uber lovely carrier bags (organic tote ones of course) or that b: we could end up living with parents or in-laws,  sharing cars with elderly folk that like listening to Elkie Brookes, whist getting a lift to the job-centre to sign on week after week...I think we are agreed that nothing is certain when two parents are self-employed.  

So in the nature of going with the flow our river is now turning a corner.  

Both DH (that is Darling Husband for all you non-Mumsnetters...got to go there -  its just flaming wonderful for each stage of your life as a parent) and I are on our way to creating something solid.  

I never in a gazillion years thought that we would or could end up working together - kiss of death to a marriage yahdeyahde, but..everso slowly its creeping up on us that this is very probably the answer.

Pool our skills.  He's telly, she's an Artist.  

Now I know that this is going to sound disgustingly sickly but its true, I am stronger when we are together.  Carl is my friend, he makes me laugh, annoys "@@@££$ out of me true at times, but never for even one minute have I not been a huge fan of his work and (sometimes willow..I know sickly but again true) at his solid confidence in making good work, because that's exactly what he does.

I'm organised.  I'm brassy (even when I don't feel like being I can be) I'm uber creative too, we together make a party.  

And so dear readers, Mr and Mrs Media are born.

More soon

Today was my wee boys school assembly.

He was the Sun and of the play it was all about Space and the planets.  They had worked really hard and it was a joy from start to finish...impossibly sweet too.

Without doubt the crescendo was 3 children cased in silver foil standing on the gym equipment (also silver-foiled up) being the first men on the moon...utterly delicious and probably worth having children for on its own.

The reason that I bring this into my musings is because of play and allowing ourselves to be just not quite on that top form...all the time.

As an Artist that creates the type of work that I do...I realise that I need to lap all these do's and events up and store them not on my camera, laptop or on my phone, but deep inside of my brain...to bring into the picture or drawing when its least expected...perhaps this way the artwork will bring the most joy?

So...dear readers...loosen up...get it all wrong a bit...make that drawing much more squiggly that you might normally do...stop being quite so hard on yourself..its really is ok.

Below...Mothers Day is coming...better get breakfast in bed..again x

Our Saturday saw us painting in the sunshine, listening to the King and noshing biscuits as we drew and painted together in our perfectly formed group.

We worked in a new space for me which is 'Longparish Community Hall' that is inside of Longparish school.  I had been there a long time ago and remembered it to be a great space to create in.  I hadn't bargained in it having the most amazing view out of the massive slide doors that are the back wall.  In fact I can feel a landscape workshop coming on their in the dead of winter next year...it would be a stunning view to paint, especially early early in the morning.  Am thinking of running a weekend painting class that could start at 6.30am to truly paint that utterly divine time in the morning - anyway...I digress.

It was bliss.  Peaceful, supportive and inspirational.    We began by arranging our items in the still life set up.  I had suggested to everyone that they bought along something glass (am currently decanter nuts for drawing..they are so decorative).  We had our height (very important when organising the set up) colour (my green and red scarf) and fruit (big round happy apples).  Ready to go.

We began with the all important exercises.  When learning to paint or draw, its so important to rank up the confidence.  I believe that a great way to do this is by upping the production level, working quickly and not thinking too much....switching our brains off!  Drowning out that 'I can't draw' thing that I hear much too often (its bliss when they realise that in fact EVERYONE can draw).

On into our still life painting in the afternoon.  We worked in acrylic paint on canvas and in watercolour paint too.

Closely guided by me the group produced some beautiful artwork by the end of the day.   Bonded, happy and relaxed we finished up and took our wares home to show the rest of the families.

My next Drawing and Painting Days are:

Friday March 16th at The Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Park, London at 3pm.  This is on a first come first saved basis and is for 20 people only.  Family Friendly and all about doggies...woof!!

'Everyone Can Draw'  Thursday March 22nd at the absolutely beautiful 'Riverside House' in Bransbury, Hampshire.  This is a full day workshop with all the extra bits.  Lunch, refreshments, and accommodation available if needed.  £95 for the day.  

Spring has nearly sprung and I'm busy.  Proper busy and its the way I like to be.

This morning, my babes were late for school and nursery as I had to make a choice.  Scream, yell, throw shoes about trying to get them on, get book bags on  with only half of the required content or...go late.  The latter won.

Sometimes its important I think to read the room.  Digest what can be done and what could cause mega headaches...swerve the situation.

I'm getting ready for two workshops and two shows.  The first of which is March 10th  'Artex' and in a beautiful village near to Newbury.    I nearly 'swerved' the whole thing as I didn't think I could manage it but now am back on course and looking forward to it very much.  My work will be there and am planning on adding in some dry points, open editions and a couple of originals framed too.

Workshops include:  tomorrow at Longparish Primary School and now confirmed, Friday March 16th at the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea Park at 3pm.

I have a new place for you all...its called  'Mumsgotabusiness' and is one of four supportive websites run by and inspirational lady called Heather Bestel who as she writes herself is a  mum, therapist, author and award winning business mentor.

Her website is chocker-full of advice, links and most importantly support for those of us running a business around a family, its great to know that there are so many of us.

 
Each Monday, Heather features a 'Monday Mumpreneur'  and I am that mummy on Monday March 5th.  Will give you a nudge to remind you all.

As am sure you are aware, this week is half-term.  The babes are home, the house a bomb-site and still the business needs to be attended to.  How?  Erm..here are my hints...

Work in 5 minute chunks (ahem..lets me honest and call them chunkettes eh?)  Do not and I repeat Do not keep your house as a homage to cleanliness like during term-time when its just about manageable.  Its not going to happen...therefore, relieve yourself of your own self-imposed standards of tidying-upness and leave the capsule...go out.

On your return, continue to leave the house a state.  Babes are happy doing a game/dvd/any activity that works and get your butt back on your computer..not in the kitchen...get that work done.  

On the slide down to tea, bath and bed thats your time to do the whizzing about...in other words and am sure you have sussed it now..my advice is to devote those precious moments to work instead of trying to remain in any sort of control of the house during the holidays..frankly I find it amazing how much one can get done in chunkettes of time...

Happy holidays team 

Sam x

I quite literally have no idea where this week has gone - I mean really...Friday?  How on earth did we get to this end of the week already?

Monday, Tues and now Weds too,  I am in the studio squirrelling away, happy as can be - packed lunch in the fridge - lost in making new works until about 2.30 when I leave for home, via the nosh shop to get the odds and ends I need for supps - also perhaps via the framers to collect or drop off summat - absolutely love it, and quite frankly who wouldn't?!

My best part of the day is when packing the studio at the end of the day and getting ready for the next session that I'm there, I begin to think about the children and being home when they get back from school - what to make for tea, etc etc - what after school snacks, what veg can I hide in the evening meal and what pudding follows...(pudding?  this is a new addition to our evening meal, given that my bionic boy is hungry constantly from about 4-7pm..pudding is my way of saying "kitchen is now closed' good eh?)  I digress.

Ah yes...that feeling of having gone out and done something, anything to get my creative brain used - even for 5 minutes.  I have always been a doer, a get up in the am and get going.  In fact I believe that in order to be a sucessful sole-trader/self-employed person/freelancer/mumpreneur type person the golden rule is this......you have to learn to self-start.

Self-starting is tough, but self-starting on an hourly basis is even tougher.  The good news is that it can be learnt and the brain can be switched to 'I am now going to switch off that Mrs Minus in my head and get on with the next bit, and then the next bit, etc etc'  until a feeling of achievement creeps in and hey presto...you feel bloody marvellous as there are actually some marks on the paper.  The actual artwork might be crap but you feel on top of the world.  Tidy the studio, leave the artwork on top of the desk and LEAVE THE ROOM!    On entering the next day you are pretty much guaranteed to walk in fresh as a daisy and think - 'Gosh that's not half-bad actually' and off we go again...nice.

My week this week has been filled with workshop offers.  The Affordable Art Fair, Battersea have asked me to run one at the Spring Fair...its looking pretty good to go.

More soon...

Pressing Stuff and other printmakings

Ever since the darling husband and I installed the very-heavy etching press in my studio on the biggest, most cracking hangover last Sunday, I have been eating, thinking and sleeping drypoint printmaking as am stupidly inspired.

My printmaking mentor and great friend, Jo de Pear very kindly lent me her press to make my own prints in my studio.  This for a printmaker of Jo's stature is a bit like your most best cook ever lending someone her oven to make thier own roast in - you get the picture.

I know this is a small image but if you click on Jo's name it will take you bang into this page on her website.  This work is called 'Button Hooks and Brushes' and is an ode to an Aunt of hers, representing things she loved on and about her dressing table.  So touching.  We sold many of these in the gallery when I had it.  Unsurprisingly too, they are divine works.    Its a big print at 60 x 115cm and each print is  editioned and made by Jo herself.    They are priced at £460 each and in fact, I think I may need one myself.  Photo Etching with Silver Leaf...I wouldn't have a clue.

So...my own prints, ah yes.  Blissful.

The process is the the thing for me.  Drawing is immediate and sometimes I work with my eyes on my left hand, not on the paper in order for 'happy accidents' to occur.  When making prints my hand is forced not to rush, the process is the king.


Images of new works coming soon...


Sam

A party Galore with bessie mates and a new press...does it actually get any better?

We had the best weekend ever....another one. 

Not only have the babes gotten to an age where I don't feel like the most evil mother in the world to leave them for a night, but they are gracious enough to get excited about going to Grannies for a 'sleepover'.   Result.

All hail the Grannies.  Not wanting to take the Michael ever, its bliss to see them getting all organised to have the children.  Planning is done a few days before (by Granny) - this time it was 'going to the cinema at home' (little one isn't big on the movies as its a bit dark - dur?!)  Anyway.. 'Dumbo' and popcorn was a winner all round - the husband and I were free for 24hrs...Yay!

Our mission was to get into London, have a ball, collect an etching press (not a massive thing at all..honest guv) take it back to my studio on a massive hangover and install it - easy.


We had a ball, saw lots of great pals we haven't seen for a long time, danced like loons and mingled with lots of new faces - bliss.  Bed by 3.30am.


The next morning with our tongues stuck to the top of our mouths we breakfasted in style, drowned ourselves in coffee, waved our cheerios and jumped on the M3 to get to studio in Andover by 1'ish.  


2hrs later its up to me and the husband to get said press out of the car without actually maiming ourselves horribly.  Its truly heavy.  Two stainless steel rollers and one bed...on our raving hangovers we did it.  Not only did we get it in and set it up without an argument - (quite something for this type of venture) but on the way home we hit Sainsbury's to buy pie and mash - the only cure.


Proper lovely to see the babes and we had a love-in for the rest of the evening.  A family movie, pie, mash and peas and everyone in bed by 8.30pm.


Woke with lots of inspiration to get up and in the studio to use the press.  Borrowed some cleaner and gave it a really good going over - shining and new I began work.

The babes and I have just got in. 

DD is doing the washing up  (Oh Lordy the water everywhere but being an encouraging mum have decided to leave the kitchen) and ds is on the telly doing games and having the life independance and general brains sucked out of him for a good hour or so.  I rather love this hour from 4-5pm when we all get in.

Life is good.  Am officially now a Mumsnet blogger which am really pleased about as I utterly believe in the good that Mumsnet spreads and allows- in terms of connection to other human beings.  Having babies and being a parent is sometimes freaking complicated and Mumset allows you to get 12 pieces of advice on practically any subject matter at any time of the clock - much needed occasionally.

Gutted gutted to be missing this do this evening   http://www.timeout.com/london/around-town/event/251285/celebrity-come-draw-with-me   boo its going to be fantastic fun but hey...it wasnt meant to be this time.

On the v positive side though, I am working with a pal of mine whose blog am in love with.  Its called 'Recipe Junkie and the attack of the Custard Creams' and is by a lady called Sally Sellwood.  Her tales of daily recipes, two babes and three-legged dog are just brilliant, do dip in. 

Also on the agenda has been my doing an Art workshop for 'The Clatford Art Society'  I LOVE doing these as I shake up the contents of the 20 or so, mainly elderly members, although not entirely of course.  Anyway, you would absolutely not think it as all the participants are willing and gung-ho to give my drawing exercises (which lets face it are utterly bonkers...but they work!) a go.

Its my thrill to see the whole class buzz with fun as the hours produce some ace works - jazzing up the sizes and dimensions of our work.  Its great fun and roll on March 7th when am doing the next workshop there called 'Outside in'. 

Marvellous stuff indeed.

Boo am sad and gutted to be missing this event, double triple gutted as its my favourite activity in my favourite gallery in the whole wide world - still - big sniff in and off to the positives we go. 

Perhaps it wasn't meant to be for me but I strongly suggest to you dear reader that you keep an eye on this lot - they are working wonders.

http://www.campaignfordrawing.org/bigdraw/comedrawwithme.aspx

I spent the nicest morning in my studio working on some drawings that I am hoping will compliment a friend of mines blog. 

It was lovely to get drawing again, I came out of the studio with a great big ink mark across my face - to which my darling daughter asked me why I had painted a black moustache on my face - you couldn't make it up sometimes!

Sometimes its the most simple simple simple drawings that work the best.  These are tiny drawings in pen and ink but when up on the screen they take on a whole new dimension - its nice to see a drawing come alive - for want of not sound too arty!

Anway, the big news is that this coming Thursday,  I am going to an event that I am so excited about.  Its called 'Come Draw with me' and is a 'Big Draw' event at The National Portrait museum - imagine that?   My favourite thing to do in the whole world (draw) in my most favourite ever museum (NPG) wowzers.  There are going to be celebs there too - but I have always been utterly crap and knowing whose who so I have no ideas of becoming anyones new best mate!

Pencils out everyone!

Sam

This year and we are in with a bang. 

Darling Husband is working his socks off back in tellyland where he belongs and I am betwixt home and studio running about like a looney trying to make all ends meet - don't be fooled, I am in my element and loving it.

It was darling daughters birthday this week and all had to be as magical possible on a shoe-string for time and funds dedicated to this very important cause.  Delighted with her new scooter  (my toes are flattened now from her zooming up and down the hallway) nice to see her so excited about going out though - just as long as the scooter comes too of course!

'The Londonisms' are going guns and have had some fantastic feedback from those that have seen them.  My favourite comments have been  from pals and clients that say they have pulled up the names at work, and then sat giggling at the names all day - this is music to my ears.

Have added some more to them this week, including my personal favourite which is 'Cockatiel Wharf'  (this works on so many levels!)  More to follow next week and then the week after and so on until I run out of ideas - am not really anticipating this is going to happen though as they just keep flooding out.

First meeting next week regarding some products using the names too...and...dearest pals...some t-shirts especially made to wear with my website on the back - free to all those that promise to wear them day in and day out...no washing now!

Sam x

Its delicious getting my hands dirty!  Not maybe delicious as in yum let me eat it - but oh so nearly!

Its been a really interested beginning to the year. 

Firstly the printmaking equipment that I borrowed from my very wonderful pal Jo de Pear (amazing printmaker) has led to all sorts of wonderful new directions as she absolutely new it would.

Further to Jo inspiring me to get printing, my wonderful old 6th form college Peter Symmonds in Winchester allowed me to go in and use thier press in the printmaking studio.  I spent a wonderful day there yesterday, (the first of many I hope!) it was utter bliss.  Me, a printmaking studio, radio 4 and tea!  The two ladies that run the studio were just wonderful and gave me all sorts of hints and tip that I had forgotten.

I came out of my blissful experience with lots of good work that am really excited to follow!  Will attach a couple of my spoils here for you to see.

Finally, its been such a great week as I have met another really wonderful Artist that lives locally to me, really locally, like in the next village, Micheldever.  Her name is Ester Coombes and her work is forward thinking, light, joyful and quite simply ace.  She makes wonderful 'upcycled' works which means bringing new life into old things.  Drawing onto old teapots and making them into something new is such a wonderful idea - you have to see some of her work - its divine. 

I found her on the fab website 'This is Your Kingdom'  which hails all things local by getting ace and interesting people to write about local places that they love.   She had written about her village, hence the connection being just up the road.

Ester and I met for lunch and we enjoyed a thoroughly inspiring couple of hours together - how amazing to meet such a kindred spirit just down the road?  Mind you it is just outstanding where we live so I shouldnt really be surprised - just happy!

A really great start to the year.

Sam

Aaargh, I need to get back to my drawing board!

I get inspiration from working and making things and when am feeling a bit glum the best thing for me to do is get my hands busy.

Am finding really hard to get going! 

Perhaps I need to commit to some dates.  Number 1 rule for an Artist is to give yourself something to work towards...

Introducing....my collection of Londidioms. 

Having lived in the big city for a large chunk of my life, we both love and miss it muchly.     Priced out, recession affected and ready to move to the warm hug that the countryside offered, we left London some 3 years ago and now live in the lovelyness of Hampshire.

So this is my parting gift...our terms and tickles of London places...40 in total so far...

Enjoy x

Wowzers it was so good to get into a museum again...its been so busy recently I have missed going out and gawping at some of the wonderful things in our museums again. 

Today, after a full and happy Christmas holiday we spent the day in Oxford.  Am on a mission to get into towns more and see what they have to offer by way of culture!  Living rurally now I forget just how much I need imput as does any artist and today I got some in spades.

We did the old park and ride, catching the bus into Oxford town centre - bonza as I really have no idea of where to head at all.  The children LOVED the bus (and actually so did we)  We met our pals in the Pitt Rivers Museum..and sucked in all the items and thier stories.  Loved it all.  Reminded me a little of The Horniman Museum but am guessing the similarities are such that two kindly world collectors shared their collections at around the same time, they probably would. 

The Horniman Museum in South London was a Godsend on those horrid rainy days where you desperatly need something to do with bionic toddlers - it was our regular date place to see mates and hang out in the coffee shop.  Full to the brim with stuffed animals, I loved it and so did my babes.  During the last year or two of my plodding around with overstuffed  buggies they added an aquarium in the basement, all hail The Horniman, I miss it muchly.

Anyway, onward with today.  I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it.  Also thoroughly enjoyable was seeing it all through my children's eyes too.  Leaving the Pitt Rivers Museum feeling slightly spooked out by the shrunken heads (eugh!) we headed off to Wagamamas for noodles...nice.  Full and feeling internally smug at the huge queues waiting to get in..off to the shops for some retail therapy with a teenager that needed a new handbag.  Two tops later and one nice dress I spotted we met up with the boys at Shakespears, where they were feeding the children hot chocolates...phew we only just got to them in time for a near-last slug. 

Next up off to The Ashmoleon.  Beautiful, Beautiful.   We took a  wonderful look at the Dutch painters of the early 18th Century.  The gallery was full and busy which is great to see.     

Gawping lovingly at the masterpieces on offer (too many to list) came to a sharp end as my daughter (4 yrs) announced to the gallery that she needed a poo (nice) and we whizzed off like lightning.

A fab day all round and excellant to suck in some culture...

Its been ages as have been busy sending out all my NotonthehighSt orders - people seem to be print crazy which am delighted about.

The Winchester Discovery Centre show was good...apart from the Winchester Hospital going up in flames on the same night - (no one was hurt thank goodness) so sadly this rather put the kaibosh on a packed evening as noone could get in or out of Winchester - boo.

That said those that did make it were very complementary about the works and a good few sales came about too - yay.

Then came the pre-Christmas family sickness bug - ugh.  Darling Daughter first, me second..(apart from feeling poorly it was rather nice to stay in bed for two days).  Am now feeling better...a good half stone lighter and raring to go for the Christmas week...well sort of!

Getting very excited about printmaking too now.  Have bought my waterbased inks (Akua) its called and my 'scrim' arrived today too.  Very very exciting!

Only another day to go until I get to wear my new dress especially purchased for my show!  (am very excited - its a lovely dress!)

The wine is bought and I can't begin to list the gazillion things that i have to do tomorrow...eek!  Mum arrives tomorrow...phew!

Looking forward to it very much.

AND...I have the beginnings of a whole new collection and idea...am wriggling with tension in my tummy when I think of it as I know its going to be a biggie.....its all to do with   Signs....that the only clue for now!

yay

I am humbled, truly.

My darling husband is full to the brim of passion for the arts and culture.  On every trip out he is taking photos or telling us the potted history of this (usually music related) something or that band.

Today, while sitting at my computer WILFING (that is 'what was I looking for') I ended up on his flickr page and website.

There is so much beautiful work on there.  His collections of things like 'London by Mobile Phone' is just so touching.  He talks about lo-fi images (only because his mobile phone camera is crap!) but only because its what has at his fingertips - it bothers him nuffin though - he is not a geeky got-to-have-the-new-techy-toy sort of man... much more of a show-me-a -second-hand-store-and-I'll-show-you-the-treasures kind of man.    I am blessed.

More to follow but his website is www.carlstickley.com

Absolutely chuffed to bits with our new film which tells the story of one of our family art days.

It was a great day with wonderful creativity oozing from everyone. 

Our day began at 1oam and we worked until lunch with a run-about break in between (for a good few rounds of 'Whats the Time Mr Wolf' with myself...I love it!)

Lots of coffee, teas and snackettes in between our making at the tables.

The children loved it all...tired, happy children at the end of the day...result!

If you are interested in our running an event for you...get in touch and lets chat it over...call me on 01256 773 552.  There is an art event for everyone.

FAMILY ART DAY FILM  (Click on)

Hello...

This is the link to my new film FAMILY ART WORKSHOPS  enjoy!

I am delighted to introduce you to Gloria.  She is a highly talented artist that works in Acrylic and on canvas.

Enjoy her work! 

We had the best day.

I think this was my most successful workshop of all.  Starting out with a slightly ouvre name of the day - we began with drawing exercises to loosen up...I forget which ones exactly now but short 15minute exercises to get us going.

We had a great team of people for the day.   Some experienced and some absolutely not.  The most scary part for anyone beginning is the first few drawings.  I have been known to hold the hand of this person and quite literally draw along with them, enough to fill the page - get the page filled and off we go onto the next drawing.

About 2 hours in, I sprang a surprise on my workshopee's when I informed them that we were going to do a new drawing - in gardening wire!  No joke!

Lots of gasps and 'no-ways' but with some oh-so-gentle persuading, they were off.

This exercise truly surprised me.  The two people that joined the group only that morning, having not done any artwork at all for years and years excelled in this. 

The works produced were just fantastic.  Framable.

As an outcome of this exercise I have one lady now going onto into jewellery and silversmithing...she just doesn't know it yet!

The afternoon was spent collaging.

Paper collage and mixed media is a marvellous way around drawing, or rather into drawing.

I respond very well to this medium and enjoy it hugely.  Its very forgiving and you can arrange things in a way that you can't with paint.  I find it hard to explain but this attached work 'Pooches Parlour' is perhaps a good example.

Light, joyful fun.  Detailed in some places but not others and easy easy to amend, lovely.

We all agreed that our drawing workshop had been enormously successful.   Happy clients left, which in turn made me joyous.

Am really looking forward to today.  I have asked each attendee to bring something to add to the still life so we are going to spend the first 15 mins putting together the items..marvellous stuff.

I am taking some zinc to draw on too...am really really excited about getting back into the print room...bring it on!  Some still life drawings on old bits of zinc should warm the cockles nicely.

More later..

I am delighted to show you some of the artwork from my great friend Justine Smith and some of the works from her forthcoming show with Waterhouse & Dodd in London. 

Am very proud to say that Justine and I go back a long way.  We shared studio buildings from 1996 until about 2000 when I left to open my gallery.  As you can imagine we have been through alot together and of course I am always interested to see the changes and directions in her work.  I mega-applaud Justine.  She has the unique ability to work unassisted for months and months in her studio, working through an idea - to emerge at the end of it with a gob-smacking piece of work equally as beautiful as it is charged with political message - an unusual mixture.

All my girls (as I call them.) I adore and admire.  They include, Katie Turner, Jo de Pear, Melanie Bowles, Emma Vere Hodge, Sophie Goldstraw and Julianne Lavery.  Will be bringing news of each of them as we go but for now Congratulations Justine, we are all very proud.

Justine Smith, London-Gallery Exhibition

From 26 October to 18 November 2011

Thank you for a fab day on the farm. Well done to you and all your wonderful helpers - I've been raving it about all week!  The kids had lots of fun and its inspired them to get making for Christmas!    Amanda

On the road again and off with our next event...I love it!

I have a small solo show at The Winchester Discovery Centre, outside the workrooms.  Am really chuffed to be showing at such a great place.  Especially as Winchester is the city that I grew up in..the library was a big part of my childhood. 

The WDC is now a completely different place.  Its busy!  The times that I have been there each desk has been busy as...children enjoy events galore there and there is a cafe too.  Next to the cafe is this wonderful theatre and two workrooms that said workshops take place in.  My own children love to visit the libary now...I find it very inspiring, if only to stand in front of all the postcards laid out on the tables showing the gazillions of things to do, en famille or on your own.

My exhibition is going to have a mix of my works in.  Some suitable for Christmas gift but am not going into this show with that intention.  The reason being is that a:  by the time December comes most people have thier pressies bought and wrapped (yeah right in our house!)  and b:  artwork isn't really the type of thing that one buys folk for pressies...its a quite a decision.

More to follow...

Free money anyone?  "I like money!" says Mr Crabs (Spongebob)

I think that money is ethereal, its like the sea washing in and washing out...nothing confirmed or in one place for more than a day or two it seems.

We have all enjoyed money too much apparently, spent away on the good things that built up into massive debt, which apparently (again) is all our fault..not the banks that forcefeed us debt as the norm.  In fact to continue my rant I absolutely hate it when I call my bank to find out my balance only to be told that I have £....available... available?  No...I want to know how much of my own money -my own I have in my account - debt was/is for everyone and readily accessible...spend money that you haven't yet earnt...go on...store up some s£%** for the near to medium future and if you are really unlucky...for aeons to come...horrid.

We like every other family have been effected by the recession.  Job losses, chasing payments, long periods of naff-all work and extreme nail biting at how on earth we are going to meet all the montly bills.  But then... we enjoyed all the good bits too.  Before the crash when we had a regular wage going into the bank we used it to the very enth...we had a fab house in a fab part of London.  Long boozy Sunday lunches after Sunday walks around the fabulous park that we lived next too.  We loved it, all of it yet we knew it wasnt really us..not really truly....a bit like living in the telly now I think about it.

A sharp turn out of London came when we ran out of cash.  We sold our fab house in a fab part of London by merely putting an advert in our local fab postoffice..we could have sold it 5 times over privately.  Our only happiness was that a really nice man moved in.  A widower whom we knew would be very happy in our fab house, with our fab view.

We bounced out of London to our chosen place.  Dealing with removing every item we own to a smaller house.  Our stresses became less frequent but more intense I think.   The work for DH became dry, which of course made for long periods of us both in said smaller house.  The summers were the hardest I think.  6 weeks of us all being here, 4 very large characters in largish bodies trying to get on with something productive to make ourselves feel better and like we have achieved something with our day.  One thing that I will give us is that DH and I are never, ever short of something to be getting on with...workwise that is...you should see our airing cupboard, and as for the bathroom...really.

So what did I have in mind when I drew 'Free Money'?  I think its just that - anyone want some free money?  Its the antidote to whats going on now, the downturn, the stress, the dull toothache that  most of us are feeling on a daily basis - I wanted to turn it on its head - come on, pitch in, help yourself - its there for the taking.

Its 2. 5 years now since we moved from our fab house in our fab part of London to where we are now and now I love it.  I dearly love our small house with the 4 large characters in it.  I love where we live and the people that are in our lives daily now.  Of course my daily heartache is missing all my girls that I spent the past 20 years with day in and day out, but we are making it work - our friendships are still as strong and no we didn't shrivell up and die because we moved out of the M25! 

'Free Money' is about the delicious blips that come to us unexpectedly.  The £2o you find in your jeans, the act of kindness that just turns up.  We are all well.  This is the real money..the health of our 4 beings in our little unit.

We are lucky, really lucky.  Hurray for families.  Hurray for friends, Hurray for marrying the right person, Hurray for lovely children.  You can keep the money...we don't need it.

Sam

Aw we had such fun, it was a super day for all.

We had 68 children and 40 adults making, gluing, sticking, painting, beading, looking, interacting and working together.

Eri (Eri Urishidami, a wonderful stained glass-maker) and I set up the barn on the Tuesday so come Saturday morning we were all ready to go. 

We had 6 tables of activities:

Monster-Making

Beading & Jewellery

A big farm collage

Mask-making

Model making with Pipe cleaners

Tractor Drawing

I chose these activities so that they were suitable for all ages (with adult imput & guidance, hence the working together bit).  These activities really got the creative juices flowing from the little ones, it was lovely to see.

All arrived promptly at 10am and we got to work pronto.  Tea & Coffee, juices and biscuits were there for the taking on paper cups that we wrote our names onto so as not to keep using new ones. 

The hours flew.  Lunch was arranged for 12.30pm .  At about 11 I took all the children out to the field for a guided game of 'Whats the time Mr Wolf' and 'Hot chocolate'  (this is when someone at the front looks away as the line up of children try to get to said person as quickly as possible - however said person can turn around at any time...when they do you have to freeze..if you are seen to move you have to go back to the beginning line)  I loved it!   Am often to be seen playing with babes...my own children need anti-bionic-ing on a regular basis so am used to getting them to shake it all off and move it move it for a bit! 

Back to the barn for more making. 

Treasures were beginning to get finished now so we had a moving gallery.  This is when I took said item, held it high with the artist (child) in the other hand with me as we showed the entire barn to lots of 'Ooohs & Ahhhs'.  This is really important as it not only makes the child feel extremely proud and good about what they have made, but it allows the others to see what items can be made.  All the parents played along beautifully whilst busily making and gluing with their own little ones.

Lunch was served at 12.30 and Parsonage Farm had really worked hard.  Home-made (& home-reared) burgers ensued along with all the pickles and yummys that go with it.    Home-made cakes followed which were just delicious and we were ready to go again.

1.15pm saw us having another runabout with all the babes and back to our tables for 1.30.  More beautiful objects were made and our day was beginning to draw to a close come 3pm.  All of the babes at this point were shatteroonied at three...decamp, de-art material, pack up and homeward bound for us all.

A bit more to follow about how we can arrange a similar day for you.

Marvellous stuff!

Sam

'Hi Sam.  Thank you so much for an amazing day!  You worked so hard my girls and I loved it - especially 'Whats the time Mr Wolf'!    Nicky.

'Thank you Sam we really enjoyed it, as did the children and my mum!!  Well done you!"      Sophy

We are now fully booked and I am very much looking forward to our day.  My car is jam-packed full of art materials and my husbands study (or homage to all things rock - as I like to call it!) is also full to the brim of monster-making stuff, paints, papers, beads, etc etc.

I have had such a great response.  Its now time to turn my attention to the next 3 workshops.  My plan is to offer things that my wonderful clients have expressed interest in.

So far am thinking: 

A drawing trip into Winchester, perhaps to The City Museum to draw some of the amazing medieval pots, coins etc...its a lovely place to visit.

A 'Dads & Daughters' Art Workshop.  Now, when I say 'Dads & Daughters' its probably going to read something like this:    'A DAD'S & DAUGHTERS (& sons too but it sounded lovely) DAY ART WORKSHOP.  How's that? 

Other workshops that am in the middle of composing:   'Drawing into Design'  A 2 day workshop consisting of taking our drawing studies into Abstract paintings or textile designs - love the idea of this one.

Righto...enough for now!

Roll on Thursday..

Dear Samantha

I just wanted to write to thank you, on behalf of the Longparish Playgroup Committee, for your extremely kind donation for our auction which took place last week.  In total, we auctioned off 40 Lots and had an extremely successful evening, raising a massive £2230 for our village preschool.

Thank you so much for your generous contribution

With best wishes from Nicky

We had a great time yesterday.  There were 10 of us in total and much was learnt...by my students and by me!

We were painting in acrylic onto canvas, both on the easels and on the table.  Our still life was simple and we concentrated on taking what we saw in front of us and playing around with it. 

Composition was a big part of the day, and to come in from the other angle totally.  Artists we looked at were Mary Feddon RA and Elizabeth Blackadder both breathtaking artists.

By the end of the day we has some great paintings.  Acrylic is a tricky medium to get going with, its immediate and not nearly as forgiving as Watercolour.  That said it does have the wonderful advantage of being able to paint over a trouble-spot immediatly.  Acrylic paint is a form of plastic so once its dry its a non-permeable surface on which to begin again, a massive advantage.

I was really pleased (wearing my tutor hat) to see the increase in confidence in the room by the end of our workshop.  All seemed to be pleased with what they had produced either in drawing form or paint. 

Next up...'Getting to Grips with Drawing' on November 15th.  I have 5 spaces left for this day.  Please email me or see my 'art classes' page for more details.

This coming Thursday sees our 'Drawing & Painting for Everyone' Art workshop day which I am really looking forward to.

We are going to be doing short drawing exercises which are fun and get us to limber up without being too precious.  Then (after coffee and cake) we will get onto slightly longer exercises to get us ready for an afternoon of painting our still life.

The afternoon session sees us full from lunch, freshly reared and cooked on the farm.  I believe we are having a stew for lunch, now that we are in proper Autumn)   So then, its straight into Painting our still life on canvas.  I am taking Acrylic paints as I think they are delicious to work in.

Our workshop times are 10-4pm and I currently have two spaces left to join us.

Artists that we will be looking at will be:

Elizabeth Blackadder  (See below picture, just beautiul)

Mary Feddon

Alfred Wallis & The St Ives Painters.

Yum x

Hello everyone!    All events are held at the very very beautiful Parsonage Farm in Upton, North Hampshire.

Many thanks to everyone that came along to our 'Free Art Taster Sessions'  we had a ball, met some lovely people and have another Free taster day scheduled  for   19th January 2012.  (bookings are being taken now)

Herewith our next events that I hope you will come along to.  All events are suitable for all levels, beginners & advanced too.    Firstly we have our 'DRAWING & PAINTING FOR EVERYONE' day on Thursday October    6th.      This art workshop is going to be a blast.  Working from a still-life, we will be both working on paper and canvas.  Come & have a go, closely guided by Artist Samantha Barnes.  10-4pm, £45.  All art materials are provided.    5 places left

Next up we have:

our 'FAMILY DAY ON THE FARM' on Thursday 27th October Half-term activity day.  We are very excited about it too.     Arty Activities include sculpting animals      mask-making & drawing farm equipment         (beloved tractors too!)  & visits from the farm animals too.   All art materials provided.  £12 per family.   A home-reared Farm cooked lunch is  available too at  £5 per adult, £3 for little ones.  (Vegetarian options are also available)

All events are bookable by contacting Samantha Barnes on

www.samanthabarnes.co.uk
01256 773 552 or 07891 698 847

Thats enough for now...will be back to inform you of more events planned for December.  Many thanks, Samantha Barnes

hursday 27th October Half-term activity day.  We are very excited about it too.     Arty Activities include sculpting animals      mask-making & drawing farm equipment         (beloved tractors too!)  & visits from the farm animals too.   All art materials provided.  £12 per family.   A home-reared Farm cooked lunch is  available too at  £5 per adult, £3 for little ones.  (Vegetarian options are also available)

Wowzers - we had a fantastic day!

Thank you to everyone that came for our first taster session day at the farm.  It was a real success. 

Our day began with coffee on arrival (of course) and soon we were down to it.  Working from a still life, everyone there was nervous of the blank white paper to begin with.   I wanted everyone to get drawing immediatly so we started with a 'free drawing' exercise, closely followed by a series of short 10 minute drawings to find our feet. 

By the end of the 2 hours, we had some great drawings in pencil and charcoal.  Lunch was cooked in the barn as we worked and all were disappointed that we had come to the end of the session.

The afternoon session followed the same format and some lovely drawings were made. 

Our next session is a week today, Thursday 22nd September.  I have a couple of spaces left for the afternoon, email me to book in.

Well done everyone!  Raring to go now on our first day proper which is October 6th.  Its a one-day workshop called 'Drawing & Painting for Everyone'.  Spaces are filling up already and we are on our way.

This is my favourite bit - waiting to see if it works as a print.  As often happens, I work on the original, feel less than heartened about it - negative negative negative!  I make myself give my work to my wonderful printer and he works his magic by scanning them and printing them out on his wonderful printer on wonderful paper.  They come back on a disk and i have some printed...I whizz home, set them all out on the table and be with them for a while. 

Particually delighted with the piggiwinkles - hurray for 'Finckley Down Farm' here in Hampshire.

More to follow...

Its all go for the Village Hall Art School.

The first taster session day is a week tomorrow and its looking busy!  Final meeting this coming Thursday to plan the day and the lunch!

Its going to be enormous fun!  I have a few spaces left for the afternoon session, please email me for booking a place.

A major success. 

Am tired out, highly motivated and considerably richer from Opening my studio for 7 days over two weekend. 

I had over 60 visitors which am delighted about (considering we are pretty rural) and had over 25 works sold.

My art workshops are going guns too.  The days are getting booked up really well.   I think we are about three quarters full now.

Am also considering running some Corporate Art Workshops too...merging my love of art and love of business.   Food for thought and some good research to be done there.

Will keep you in the loop.

Saturday I was ready, ready to be busy.  The gazebo was up, the children's paints were out, the balloons were up and then...came the rain.  Buckets and buckets of it...boo. 

My heart was nearing my boots but it needn't have been.  Clients you are wonderful, thank you so much for coming out to see my new work.   It was wonderful to meet you all and wonderful to see so much work going onto new homes.  Saturday I was happy at closing time.

Sunday I was elated though!!  From 10am sharp I had a wonderful stream of visitors and my feet didn't touch the ground until 5.30 when I had sold lots of paintings, had a swift change into my party dress en route to my nieces 16th birthday party...happily sozzled in the wee hours, it was a tough start to today.

More of the same next weekend.  I am open Thursday to Monday...can't wait to see what happens - anything it seems!

Its happening and fast!  Am so looking forward to my classes, the first of which is 13th September and the spaces are getting booked up fast.

The children and I have been putting up our posters all over the place (have been swelling with pride at seeing them all up too!)  We have so many workshop ideas to offer, including decoupage, glass applique and perhaps papermaking too.  These will be with a wonderful Artist called  Eri Urishidani whose main identity is stained glass.  Do drop into her website.

Still on the poster mission as am so proud of them and the are so pretty!  The bottom of the page sees lots of tags that one can rip off to take the number home.  This is an old art school trick when other students were looking to fill rooms, lost sausages, etc etc!  Takes me back big time! 

We had a fab day on wednesday at 'The Art Barn' in Whitchurch.  I took two workshops for children, both 2.5hrs each.  The title was 'The Great British Summer' and we chose 3 different themes to work on.  1.  A Day at the Races.  2.  A Summer Fete.  3.  A Summer Picnic.

We worked in acrylic paint with some collaging too.  The children each had an A2 (and some A3) canvas art boards and they loved it.  I too even did some painting myself!

A fab day all round and lots of happy parents and children at our results...here are some of the results...lovely. 

Well done everyone!

Its been busy as, just as we like it.  Summer has begun big time and along with daily trips to Finckley Down Farm to wear out the babies, I am getting very excited about my 'Artists Open Studio' in a couple of weeks, its promising to be great fun with lots of visitors.  If we can book a sunny weekend that would be great.

My Art workshops are filling up nicely too.  Am so looking forward to them.  Am most excited about doing them at a farm.  All those wonderful animals to draw.  Don't forget my free taster sessions on the 13th & 22nd September.

Wow I have so much to tell you, other than to say that its busy as can be and just the way I like it.  Opening a programme of Art Workshops at a wonderful farm here in Hampshire under the name of 'The Village Hall Art School'  more to follow!

Out today x

We had a fantastic day today at Parsonage Farm in Upton, Hampshire where I was selling my work as part of their 'Farm Fest' Summer Event. 

It was a great show, busy with lovely people.  I think the lovely clients were a reflection of Parsonage Farm itself and all that it stands for.    Below is the entire front page of their website which I have copied for you as it says all that you need to know about this very special place.  This is the place where Carl and I are going to get our meat from now, just lovely.

Enjoy reading below and do dip in to their website.

Much love Samantha

Welcome to Parsonage Farm

We are John and Sarah Mills, and we are based in Upton in a beautiful North West Corner of Hampshire. We've been here since 2000, when we inherited it from John's Aunt, Grace, but it's been in the Mills family since 1935. The farm has changed a good deal since then, the cows are no longer fed with hay hurled from the back of Grace's old mini as she drove around the field every morning, and what was home to calves collected in an old Metro is now a workshop and a butchery. John feeds the cows now, who are always so eager to pull the bales off the tractor that he can barely get the string cut first! We still collect a few calves from local farms, just in slightly more suitable transport. We now have our own breeding herd and eventually hope to fully breed ourselves, currently we have Grandmother, Mother and daughter cows grazing here. 

The farm house is a little different since we took over too. We were terrified of taking over the beautiful listed house, complete with a flock of chickens roaming free and wild cats living under the granary. It's only marginally less busy now, having replaced the chickens and cats with our two dogs and two grown-up children, who when they're not travelling and working help out on the farm and make nearly as much noise as the cats.  The kitchen's always busy with people coming and going, drinking tea, or with Sarah preparing fresh herbs for our sausages, or just cooking the sausages for hungry hoards. We're really pleased with our new quarterly food and craft markets, we held the first one last Autumn and had a fantastic turn out of people and businesses. John was so busy preparing for it that he had his jumper on back-to-front! We were really into the swing of it by the Christmas market and we can't wait for the next one in the spring followed by the Farm Fest in the summer with live music and lots more local businesses joining in.

 

The nice thing about being a fairly small farm is that we have complete control over what we do. Ethics, environment and quality are extremely important to us. Everything apart from the slaughter of our animals is done here, John takes the animals to slaughter locally so there's less stress for them, but all the jobs are done at the farm from rearing calves, feeding, breeding and packing to butchering. There's never been any chemicals used on the soil here, we keep calves with their mothers, and our Gloucester Old Spot cross Saddleback pigs are grown slowly, so that they can enjoy a diet supplemented with all sorts of kitchen scraps or fallen apples from our ancient orchards, tossed in by visiting children!

For more information on our meat, farm and methods please click on the other links or pop by the Farm Shop on a Saturday morning. If you're lucky you might even get a cup of tea!

Sarah and John

"Just to say that scruffpuss has arrived safely and is really lovely thank you very much. I can not wait to hang him on the wall and he really makes me smile".

June 2011.

http://tinyurl.com/6zy6jzq

I am often being asked to show a short film of my studio.  Herewith the first of a few, rough and ready!  Am not going down the line of shooting and reshooting a gazillion times so here it is...enjoy and please comment!

Am working on some new works, paintings that are much smaller in scale than my usual.   I'm trying to reduce the size to increase the impact. 

Am bringing the size down and seeing where this takes me.  This new collection is all about family.  The celebrations and rituals that are so important to us all.

Working on a smaller scale is going to be a mega challenge for me but here is some immediate inspirations...ah Mattisse...

I had a wonderful trip to deliver some paintings to ' The Mackenzie Gallery' yesterday in Teddington.  This gallery sold my first ever painting some 20 years ago now and I will always have a soft spot for it.   The Mackenzie Gallery have a wonderful stable of artists featuring some beautiful works.

I took my daughter with me (3) so it was to be a limited stay in the gallery!  Its sometime since I have been into a gallery what with Carl normally doing the runs in and out of London these days so it was a real pleasure for me to be there myself.

Normally time is of the essence, especially if the gallery is busy - you drop and run (or I do anyway) but I had some new works to show that are in the beginning stages so I asked to show them.  I really enjoyed getting some feedback and left feeling inspired to carry on this new idea and try out lots of new ideas with it.

On the way home we dropped into the heated open air swimming pool (its warm as toast 365 days of the year) to pretend that we were on the Med somewhere.

A snooze on the way home (for wee gal) and a lovely day was had.

'Two Dogs Set Sail' is a really interesting point for me.  Its an original painting in Acrylic and on a small canvas of 20 x 32cm (about A4).  I bought it home as I do most of my paintings to hang in one of my children's bedrooms for a while...(to make sure am happy with them - or perhaps more importantly, they are!)  and my son (nearly 7 now) will not be parted from it.

I like the way its a night scene, working well for the above the bed thing.  Its nudging towards a new departure of story-making paintings...where are they going to?  How did they get there...am excited about where these paintings will go from here.

I have in mind that I need to work on some more girlyish themes..am thinking about 'Little Red Riding Hood'  hmmmm.

Its June already.  We lost broadband for a couple of weeks and are due to come back on at the end of this week - I can't believe what an impact this has had on us.  Carl (lovely husband) and I have been bereft!  No web updates, etc etc..emails on blackberry only..just about kept al the balls in the air but its been a fight.  Thank you all my lovely clients for your understanding and patients.

We did the 'Surrey County Fair' this week which was great fun.  What a day!  Our stall looked fabulous, I even had some clients asking if they could by my cloud bunting...might be for sale soon!

It was great fun and is the danger with many of these shows, I can come back laden with goodies from all the other wonderful stalls.  Working these events is such fun and you always make pals of your next door neighbours.

We made good sales and I said a fond farewell to some of my originals paintings that were sold - am finding it harder and harder to part with them!

Into full time mummyhood now for the half term...will be back online in a few days and have some great images of the show for you.

Tada!!  Arrived today and looking fabulous, much better than even I had expected.  The Pantones of the colours have worked beautifully and am so excited about getting them out on sale. 

I have 'Wedding' fever!   I guess its the big one recently that has got me going - I mean...that kiss!  Very sweet.

Am considering doing a couple of Wedding Fairs this winter and perhaps doing a couple of wedding commissions.  Could be very sweet having a painting of your own special day...could also be reused as Thank you cards too...

We had a fab day on Monday at Hurstbourne Priors May Day Fair.  Darling Husband and I had stands next to each other, his selling books & my selling my artwork...I was not prepared for the intense feeling of competition I would feel when his stand was full and mine not!   

We had a ball, pals, family and lots and lots of clients came to see us.  Lots of sales and lots of smiles...bliss!

Roll on the next event... The Surrey County Show, May 30th at Stoke Park in Guildford.

Gosh I am so happy with these! 

Bless my Dad for working so hard and making them for me.  These make up my kit for getting out to all the shows this summer which I have been booking up readily.

I have been working hard on visualising my stand ( SO hard for me, I have no idea how interior designers/set designers do it) to make the maximum impact.  I knew my clouds would feature big time but had no idea how.    I wanted some  gorgous arty bonkers stand that the likes of me would perform an elbow-fight to get into and...I think I am almost there with it.

Making artwork for suitable for childrens bedrooms for me is a double whammy, its work that work for my own children but also work for me - do I like it?  Would I have it in my own living room...these are my guidelines and values..very important...

I had a fantastic day yesterday teaching at 'The Art Barn' in Whitchurch. 

The Art Barn is an inspirational place based just off the A34 at Whitchurch.  Run by the partners that own 'Quiddity Fine Art' and run various Art Fairs, The Art Barn is a beautiful studio, in beautiful countryside in which you can produce beautiful artworks!

They offer all sorts of courses for Adults and Children and is definatly worth a look in at thier programme as there is absolutely something for everyone.  Well done them!

See my 'shows' page for thier link.

Its holiday time...wahey!    The babes are off school & nursery and its time to play. 

Its so hard to switch off from work and I ofen end up with scrambled brain syndrome...you know the type of thing..packing a picnic (we LOVE our picnics), making sure the children are hydrated in the hot weather, cutting cheese, finding blankets and camping chairs, stopping ww2 going on in the sitting room whilst automatically finding 'Super Trouper' again from Mamma Mia for DD to dance to on the coffee table...and where is the football?

WHILST...

thinking if those chickens I was working on last week worked, does the Farm piece need more green grass?   Must phone that client that was interested in the such & Such piece...how about the next workshop...did I get enough yellow card!!   AAAgh!

Would I change a single second of it...not a chance!

Happy Easter Holidays!!

So sad to miss the Parsonage Farm event, thanks to a nasty bug that swept through our entire family...apparently it was a fantastic day.

Will absolutely be there for the July Event!

This weekend sees the 'Parsonage Farm'  Mothering Sunday Show here in Sunny (lets hope!) Hampshire.

Am very much looking forward to it and have some ace new prints to show along side my all new collection of greeting cards.

My 'Uber Lovely Mummy' greeting cards have been selling like hotcakes, especially from my NOTHS page.

Am also working with my wonderful web-designer, tinkering with my website to allow purchases to be made via Merchant banking.  Am very much hoping to be offering payment by Visa, Mastercard, etc etc soon...bring it on.

Other news is that my work is now selling in a gorgeous wee gallery called 'A little Bird told me' in Buckinghamshire...web link to come soon.

We had such fun! 

Saturday just gone saw us making, gluing, colouring in, cutting and sticking!   Lots of great stuff was made and the children went home with their bags stuffed to the brim of arts and crafts made for thier Mummies!

Well done the Dads!

Fresh from the shops...

I have been having a wonderful time clearing out my studio - a proper Spring Clean! 

Having taken oodles of stuff to the dump ( no paintings I have to say!) I am feeling much renewed and ready to get going on some new work.

Signed up to do 'The Hampshire Artists Open Studio' in August - I really have to make it half way decent...got lots of 'planning' time before I have to clean again now!

Phew!

Oh yes..thats me! 

As from 22nd of March I will be working two days a week at BCOT and am very much looking forward to it. 

Its a busy full wonderfully creative place and am so looking forward to getting back into the print room with the students.

More to follow as I learn it! 

I found these in a shop in Andover...how exciting!!

Its been crazy busy - just the way we like it. 

Seems like ages since I have been into my studio getting on with what I was put on this planet to do!  Ah yes, half term.

Am knuckling down to the planning of this years shows and events that we will be attending to show at.  Not an easy feat but one that is coming together nicely.

Watch out for the listing which will be posted soon.

Happy Monday everyone!

My work has been accepted to take part in the Christmas 'Country Living Show' at Islington Business Design Centre, 9th-13th November.

Am most excited to have been accepted and am cooking up all sorts of wonderful things to take with me and sell...

Will keep you informed along the way.

Sam

OMG...Vogue, April issue... I am in Vogue!!!

Very excited to say that I have an animal going into this issue of 'Vogue'.  Its an advertorial for children called 'Playtime' and lists all things wonderful for children.  Covering children's garden toys, fancy clothes and I think...I may be the only artist - Gosh how lovely.

Coming out soon

OMG...Vogue, April issue... I am in Vogue!!!

Very excited to say that I have an animal going into this issue of 'Vogue'.  Its an advertorial for children called 'Playtime' and lists all things wonderful for children.  Covering children's garden toys, fancy clothes and I think...I may be the only artist - Gosh how lovely.

Coming out soon

Am now signing up to all the shows to take my wares to!  From village fetes, to NEC Spring Fair next February 2012. 

Thus far I am doing the Hurstbourne Tarrant Fete in May, I have also applied to take part in The Country Living Fair...be lovely to take part in this show I very much hope to get into it.

Life is great.  Am working hard on the new collection of greeting cards, aprons and teatowels.  Am really looking forward to commissioning them.

Am very proud to be selling my cards in my first Waterstones Branch.  Carl delivered the order on Friday and next week I shall be sauntering in undercover to see them - its a wonderful moment for an artist! 

Basingstoke branch next, then Winchester & Salisbury...and then the world!!!!

My acrylic on canvas paintings are being used in a new two-part drama, 'Point of Rescue' based on the highly acclaimed novel by Sophie Hannah.

Point of Rescue stars Olivia Williams  in the lead role of DS Charlie Zailer and Darren Boyd as DC Simon Waterhouse.  Point of Rescue is made for ITV by Hat Trick Productions. 

The story goes...when Geraldine Bretherick (the Artist)  and her five-year-old daughter Lucy are found dead in the bathroom of their luxury home, the case divides new DS Charlie Zailer and her DC Simon Waterhouse.  Is it murder, suicide or something even more sinister, and how watertight is the alibi of the husband Mark?    Most exciting edge of seat stuff!

Artwork by Samantha Barnes is featured as Geraldines..To mention few...herewith a taste...all are acrylic on Canvas and not all are yet sold.  If you are interested in purchasing a painting have a look in the 'Paintings and Prints' section of my website.  Alternatively call Samantha on 01256 773 552.

Am utterly delighted to report that my greeting cards are soon going to be donning the shelves of Waterstones the booksellers.  The Andover Branch are the first with hopefully Basingstoke next, Salisbury and then Winchester...I have always loved Waterstones!

I have been having such a lovely time working on some designs for boys party tablewear.  Its been lovely thinking up and researching new ideas. 

What a lovely combination - working in my own studio and running my art classes and workshops too - I should have begun these years ago!

It was the first class in my Childrens Art Classes on Saturday and am delighted to report that they were wonderful.  We had such fun.  The drawings that the children made were outstanding - we also broke our concentration every 20 minutes or so to runaround in the hall, make like paint brushes (that is freeze with arms above our heads)  and yomp around the garden looking for things to draw - we had a ball.  This coming week:  Cut & Collage!

How wonderful!

Well who knew?  Its been the most inspiring Christmas lead up, feeling cracking due to all the orders that have come through...its been fabulous and very affirming that I am producing the right artworks!

Really looking forward to our 'Family Christmas Art Workshop' being held here in Overton on Wednesday - I made a sign to put outside of my house...(see below) and its been a hit!!

Now I must get on with making those crowns but the children to adorn with stickers and sparklies!

On the 9th December we did our 'Come & Make Christmas Stuff' craft workshop in The Community Centre in Overton.  We had such fun.  A big massive thank you to Marion Sweet who prepared all the craft materials and made such beautiful things for us to follow - she is so talented! Also a lovely thank you to those that came along to the workshop itself - we had a lovely time.

Everyone had a fab time and took home a bag full of goodies to use year after year...the pub afterwards was good too!

'Family Christmas Drop in' next on Wed 22nd...marvellous!

Feeling inspired to make some more work for my 'Writing Collection' coming out with Peartree Heybridge Ltd at Spring Fair next year.  I have been having such fun in the studio getting in a right old mess!  You should see the studio floor!

I have been delighted that ITV have recently hired over 18 of my acrylic on canvas paintings to use in one of their two part dramas.

Coming out in the Spring, 2011.

Its been a few busy months.  Family life and work life have had us on our toes.  I was really very sorry to pull out of last weekends 'Lainston House' CLIS Christmas event, enormously sorry to any of my clients that came along to see me.  Events beyond my control.

Have been working hard though on some new work.  Am currently working on a large 1 x 1m painting all about the Village Summer Fetes - events close to my heart!  I love them and they are so much fun.

Am booking up courses too - or rather they are getting booked up fast!  My one-day workshop in Stockbridge is looking good and only last week we have decided to offer a 'Come and Make Christmas Stuff'' do which is going to be so much fun!  I am working with a wonderful Lady called Marion that is brilliant at making 3D things and am really excited about the courses we are offering - thankfully, it seems..so are you!

All the best - Samantha Barnes

I am delighted to announce my next Art Workshop. 

On Saturday 19th February, at Stockbridge Town Hall in Hampshire,    My course is entitled, 'Bring Out Your Brushes!'   and is a  one day workshop aimed at those that have enjoyed Painting and Drawing in the past but haven't had the pleasure of doing any artwork for some time.    Could be years, could be days...all are welcome.  Dig out those brushes and bring any materials you may have lurking about in your cupboards!  (Perhaps not oil paints on this occasion though).  Novices and Advanced are welcome for a fun day of rediscovery.

This course runs from  9.30 - 4.30pm.  To book  please call me on 07891 698 847 or email me on info@samanthabarnes.co.uk.  The cost for this day workshop is £35.00 which includes light refreshments.   Full workshop details are available. 

Saddened that my CRB check is still not back, my course at Peter Symmonds has been handed over to another tutor - a real shame, I was so looking forward to cracking on.

Well, in light of this I have some new dates in the diary to look forward to.  These are: 

All at Peter Symmonds College in the Art Department.  To book, please call ACE (Adult Continued Education at Peter Symmonds College) on 01962 886166.

Am also planning to offer some of my own dates for teaching Art Workshops.  The first of which is Saturday 19th February, at Stockbridge Town Hall.   It's entitled, 'Bring Out Your Brushes!'   This one day workshop is aimed at those people that have enjoyed Painting and Drawing in the past but haven't had the pleasure of doing any artwork for some time - could be years, could be days...all are welcome.  Dig out those brushes and bring any materials you may have lurking about in your cupboards!  (Perhaps not oil paints on this occasion though).  Novices and Advanced are welcome for a fun day of rediscovery.

This course runs from  9.30 - 4.30pm.  To book  please call me on 07891 698 847 or email me on info@samanthabarnes.co.uk.  The cost for this day workshop is £35.00 which includes light refreshments.   Full workshop details are available. 

These are my new greeting cards ready and waiting for the Christmas Fairs.  £2 each or 6 for £10.

All the acrylic on canvas prints that I had in my studio have gone to part of a two-part of drama for ITV.

Coming in the Spring...featuring 18 artworks in total.  Marvellous!

Its been ages since I have written anything down.  Have been too busy in my wonderful new studio , settling in and moving things from one space to another - and then back again!  I love it!

Am very excited about this piece.  Its been ages and ages since I worked in cut and collage but have really enjoyed it.  This is 'Doggies Day Out' and am about to start work on 'Pooches Parlour' which is going to be its sister work!  What fun!

'Dinner?'  Drypoint Print by Samantha Barnes

Here are a collection of new works freshly back from the framers and ready to go onto various shows throughout the Autumn...enjoy!  First up..'The Shopping Parade'.

What a brilliant Summer.  Have had a ball this summer in the English Countryside with the children.  Have been allover and visited some outstanding places.

Things happening?  Well, my new collection of preserve labels are due to be out in early November and are looking very pretty.  The kitchen textiles are hotting up and am very much looking forward to seeing the first batch. 

Shows this Autumn include at least six events..a list to appear shortly...

I am delighted to offer some workshop art days which I will be posting up shortly.

Over the years I have been asked if I run any courses, particually in drawing and painting and until now it has not been possible.

Come this Autumn I am going to be teaching a 'Watercolour for Beginners' Class in Winchester, ACE at Peter Symmonds.  This is a 12 week course which covers the basics of watercolour painting - we will be having lots of fun!  It begins on 20th September and I believe there are still a couple of spaces left on it...quick!

Further to this I am interested in running a one-day workshop in Stockbridge, Hampshire in October.   Once again we will be having fun and working to improve our drawing techniques - I will be advertising this course soon.

Please email me if you are interested and I will forward you details of courses as they are confirmed.

My what a wonderful place suffolk is. 

Visiting family and having my breath taken away by the seascapes.  Thorpness, Aldeburgh, Woodbridge.  Love it.  Photos and inspiration are being gathered.  Who knows...one day there may be some nautical themed work...

Hurray for Ingo Fincke, a lovely gallery on Battersea Rise in South London.  Today my lovely husband has delivered 6 new works to them to be included in their summer show...very exciting.

I have had such fun revisiting 'The School Run' on number of occassions this past week or two.  Its the end of term for schools all over the country and apparently teachers up and down the country are receiving one of my cards as an end of term Thank you = Wonderful!!

You can buy 'The School Run' Greeting Card from my Products section, they are £2 each.

I spent a fantastic day yesterday with Jenny Muncaster and Jill Maguire at 'The Colour Factory' in Winchester.

This is the most inspiring place.  Its a converted park-keepers lodge that now houses five artists making and selling their work.  The shop is situated in one of the rooms and the public simply tap on the door to come in and have a look at thier goods - brilliant.

Further to this it has a wonderful studio ('The Light Box') in the garden where they do one-day workshops, life drawing classes, corporate art days and childrens art parties.

Wonderful.

I had an excellant meeting today with 'The Hampshire Art Fair' people and most excited to be showing with them this coming year.

The exhibition dates are Sunday 7th October to the 17th - the details are on www.hampshireartfair.co.uk   (please visit my link page to click direct).  Am delighted to be showing my work at this show - there are some outstanding artists exhibiting (its quite something to be showing with them).

Delighted.  Please email me for invites...quick!

http://makeitdigital.blogspot.com/2010/07/painted-floor-skirt.html

This is the most gentle design from the outstanding textile designer and researcher Melanie Bowles.  To bid farewell to her students she has made a skirt out of the canvas left from the year, complete with paint stains and marks all over it.  

These are her own words about it:  

Inspired by my friend Sarah's blog Postcards from Battersea on 'Paint Shadows,' a series of photographs she took around the studio's at Chelsea one day. I decided to make myself a skirt, a kind of memory of this years left over paintmarks.

Have a look its fantastic.

Its so nearly there.  I have been working really hard on my new collection of preserve labels for launch in late Autumn of this year.  

Its a lovely project to do.  The first six that we made are doing very well, better than either myself or Henri (lovely business partner and fountain of all retail knowlege) dared hope.

Our wholesaler is very happy (hurray) and the orders are flowing in...brilliant.

For this new collection I am thinking bold and bright, cut & collage and jolly happy thoughts.  I have 12 designs for Henri and I to choose 6 from...fisticuffs stuff!  What fun...

Home-made is back and I am made up!

How lovely are these drawings?  Completed by Year 1 of my sons primary school...I LOVE THEM!!!  Creative juices are flowing - what a lovely table cloth...mmmm oil cloth.

How much would I love to create a collection of Samantha Barnes Tiles?!  

Watch this space!

Brilliant news from those wonderful people at Peartree Heybridge Ltd.  They are happy to make greeting cards from my 'writing' collection.  I am delighted.  

So simple it hurts this collection, but one I am very very proud of all the same.  The words are ones that I use muchly...not a darling in sight either...honest!

Everything about textile designing gets me bubbling with excitement.  I trained in Textile print at Edinburgh which I believe is evident in many many ways.

These designs were primarily produced for our preserve labels which are selling really well - having launched in February of this year.

Am working on a new collection and will bring you the results as they happen.

Its time to talk Mugs.

We were delighted to hear yesterday that sales of my preserve labels are going really well and off the back of this its time to think Mugs.

Off to Stoke we go (have always wanted to go and look around Stoke) and off we are going next week to talk mugs...

How exciting

I am delighted to report that my greeting card designs are now also being sold as postcards in Finland!!  How fantastic is that?  

In conjunction with my wonderful greeting card publishers (Peartree Heybridge Ltd) we now have a Samantha Barnes postcard range in most post offices throughout Finland - am chuffed to bits!

Here are a couple of samples...erm not too sure what they say though...any ideas anyone?!

'Project Workshops' Quarley May 2010.  

The past three days have seen me at a group show along with my best pal and wonderful artist Katie Turner (see links) We had a ball.  

I also had the wonderful experience of bumping into two of my oldest (and loveliest clients!)  Both from about 10-12 years ago and both have at least 3 works each.  I love meeting up with clients from my starter-years...may they be able to retire on their purchases!

I sold three pieces this weekend, including my scottie-dog drypoint prints - a lovely time was had by all.

Today I sold these through 'The Overton Gallery'.  Brilliant to see them both going to the same home.