So I’ve been going to an art class on Thursday nights for about 7 weeks or so now. And it’s been an absolute hoot. You may wonder why someone with a degree in fine arts wants to go to an art class in a shed at Kilaben Bay on a week night. And I can’t really answer that question, so get back in your box.
I started looking for a life drawing class to attend, but had trouble finding one in winter that is close by. Perhaps it’s because the models get cold {have you not heard of heaters, people?!} or maybe it’s just always been a summer thing. Who knows. Regardless, I stumbled upon these art classes instead, and thought Why Not?
To be honest, I feel like Nicole and I are disrupting the class most nights. When we stop for a break and a cup of tea, we get a chance to talk. M, the PE teacher, is hilarious – I love her stories about her stinky nephew who is staying with her, and how she has to hide the cookies or he eats the whole packet. And how her grandma would always tell her to take the spoon out of her cup of tea before she poked her eye out. I kid you not, we had to ask our lovely Instructor Artist Type Person if there was a no talking policy because we felt like we were creating a ruckus by whispering. The shed is on a lovely rural property {at least I think it’s lovely, but we’re always there at night, so it’s hard to tell}. In fact, there’s a rather bright spotlight that comes on when you approach the gate. Honestly, each week I fight the urge to throw my hands up in surrender when the spotlight flicks on as I approach the gate.
Well, it’s motivated me to put some regular time into my art again, and that is REALLY awesome. They’re having a student exhibition in 2 weeks and I’m putting 3 pieces in. I’d forgotten how much fun it was to get it all finished and framed. Here is a sneak peek of part of one of my pieces (pencil, gouache, charcoal). They are all cityscapes of the Newcastle area.
So now I’m on a mission to organise an exhibition later in the year or early next year. Also Secret Squirrel, I’ve been working on illustrations for a children’s book that a friend has written. It’s been accepted but they wanted to see some artwork. So I’ve completed all the preliminary sketches and we’ll send the draft off for final approval very soon. Then if it’s Full Steam Ahead, I’ll get stuck into completing them. Here is a sneak peek of a piece of one of the completed, sample illustrations.
And finally, the Popstar’s birthday is quickly approaching. She wants a desk in her room with drawers to {and I quote} “keep my very own art supplies in that no one can touch”, and a Barbie Car. And by ‘no one’, I assume she means DaisyBaby. Yep, those are the desires of her heart at 5 turning 6.
