CaFA 2019 in Full Swing

Caribbean Fine Art Fair (CaFA) is in full swing and there is amazing work from around the Caribbean and wider.  Yesterday was the Gala and it was opened by Minister John King and a special award (Caribbean Luminary of the Arts Award) was given to the family of the late Winston Jordan

Friday's Tour Available to Book

Call - (246) 822 3694

Visit www.bajanart.com

If you are not able to join us I will be sharing the highlights of the exhibition, you can also see the parts of the Gala Live

HERE.

I will also be speaking with The Money Mob Host Paul Muhammad and co-hosts today on Urban Jazz Radio 

It will be great if you could catch the show We will be talking all things Creative, the Arts, International Art Shows and Urban Gardening!!

Also on the show - FRANK ADOM, Managing Director Of PROSTACURE the award winning herbal tea. Talking about Prostate health and well-being.

On every THURSDAY from 6pm - 8pm on Urban Jazz Radio 

With a repeat on Saturday between 10.00am - 12.00pm

News, interviews, debates.

With your host - Paul Muhammad and co hosts Glenys Russell, Sister Barbara, Rosalyn Reid

How to listen:

Urban Jazz Radio Player: http://urbanjazz.org/ujr_popup_2.htm

📻 Via UJR Talk Radio on Tune In App: http://tun.in/sfz4K 🌍 

Via the UJR Talk Radio website: http://umojaradio.co.uk or

Urban Jazz Radio: www.urbanjazzradio.net

I do hope you can join me, your presence is always a blessing!!

We've come a long way baby! How have you grown? In the Studio

Well I can't quite believe it myself but I have moved studio spaces yet again.  I reflect on how far I have come and I would have never have dreamed that I would be here.  I struggled in the early days when I kept complaining about not having enough time to create, I worked, had a young son and no space.

Humble beginnings on a small table

Here I am using one of the small tables I would use in the kitchen. I would go from this table to the end of my kitchen table and it all had to be cleared away by the end of the session.  I would stack my supplies in the bins that you can see and on the shelving below.

Using what space you have

Nothing was accessible, but I worked round things and stayed up late when everyone had gone to bed and was able to spread my supplies out a bit more.  I realized that it wasn't about how much space you had but how you used it.  I have seen other artists work in much smaller spaces and when I thought about it I had the space that I needed to create.

Box Room

When my stepdaughter moved out, my son got her room and so I decided to move into the box room and have a space I could call my own.  I dismantled the bed and took the carpet out before anyone could change their minds lol..

The bed was coming out to make way for the studio

I put down flooring

Chose the flooring without having to compromise

I took everything out redecorated and shared HERE   It was magical, my very first studio space and I didn't have to put everything away.  Being in a space that I could call my own I felt the growth

Many classes were videoed on this table

It was my creative heaven

And I worked it, it was packed to the brim, but it was a space that I could call mine and really get down to work.  After working on the end of a table this was 5 times bigger than I was used and it fit my needs at the time.  

Bigger Space - Time for more growth

When we moved a couple of years ago I didn't imagine that I would be getting a creative space 5 times the size of my previous space but I did.  I was able to have different work areas, one for sewing, crafting, office space all in the same room.  I was able to start working on sculptures and more mixed media pieces and so much more

Different work stations helped with the growth

I worked on many courses and exhibitions in this space and really appreciated being able to grow.  The hardest thing was to pack up and get my head around having a new space.  This has been the biggest hurdle, as I don't think I have quite caught up being in this space.  Getting my head around packing and unpacking the whole house and not having a ready made studio space wasn't something I looked forward to and I neglected myself and started to feel sorry for myself which I share HERE, but I knew that the new space would enable further growth. 

Saying goodbye to my old space

The Creativity Centre

Room with a view

Before we moved we agreed that this would be my space, initially temporary but it has now become a permanent thing, and there are three parts to the space that allows me to broaden my thinking and I have been calling it The Creativity Centre, and you will get to see it over time.  I couldn't get my head around how I would fit everything in the previous space into this and needed to think creatively.

I knew that I couldn't get every thing in and so Alan graciously suggested that I move my art books in one of the wardrobe spaces that we were to share (temporarily of course)!  That said and done meant that I didn't have to worry about my books for the time being, they are at hand and I could focus on what really needed to be in my space.

Wardrobe space houses some my art books 

It has been over 6 weeks now, so many things has happened to share with you both in London and Barbados, it feels like only yesterday, but strangely it feels has if we have always been in our current location.  I appreciate all the spaces that I have been able to occupy.  One of the things that I did to begin with was to paint the walls and I was able to design a pattern on the floor, which was the first time, bar putting lino in my first space that I had full control of.  I will share the process in another post.

Here is a glimpse for now

  

The long and short of it is that growth comes in many ways, whether the changes are big or small.  I have for the past 2 years said that I am on an adventure.  Life's adventure that can hold so many surprises, gifts, learning experiences - both good and bad and so much more!  What kind of adventure are you on?

Pantone Color of the Year 2017 - Greenery - Around the studio

I have been inspired in my studio by the Pantone Color of the Year for 2017 which is Greenery.

What is the PANTONE Color of the Year?

"A symbolic color selection; a color snapshot of what we see taking place in our global culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude."

Who is the Pantone Color Institute

"The Pantone Color Institute is a color research and information center that shares its color expertise with professionals in a variety of industries including fashion, commercial/industrial, contract and interior design, graphic arts, advertising, film and education.

Pantone studies how color influences human thought processes, emotions and physical reactions, furthering its commitment to providing professionals with a greater understanding of color and to help them utilize color more effectively. Leatrice Eiseman, America's leading color expert, is the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute."

I am really interested in the way that color can impact on our health and well being.  I ran Art and Creativity workshops for a 4 year period with the elderly living with dementia, and encouraged my mother now 93 years old who has lived with dementia for the past 18 years and whom I was caring for to take part in creative activities. I saw the value of using color in an art activity, and the impact it made whether you were a participant or a viewer.  Check out my Arts In Health site and the resources of other organisations working in the field.

Creativity really touches parts of the brain that we just cannot truly understand and I found after the Arts and Creative activity the participants in my group became more focused during the rest of the day and they engaged with other activities, were more relaxed and they would talk about the activity that they took part in with others.  

Mum at the Art Session I ran at the day care centre

The work was displayed around the center and they were very proud of their efforts.

Mum liked patterns and lots of color - especially red

I was able to talk about my work in the Barbados magazine Better Health and shared my passion for the Arts and Health and the connection to our well-being.

Since hearing about Greenery as the Color of the Year, I thought I would see how much in our everyday the colors are being used.  It is amazing how once a particular color is highlighted you begin to notice it more.  I went round my studio to see examples of 'Greenery' and there was more than I thought. 

Can you identify any of the items?

After I began focusing on on the color I saw it everywhere, and obviously looking out the window it is all around.  

Some of the items are more obvious than others....

A lot of my supplies and tools have elements or shades of the color...

Some you may have seen....

I also use the color quite a bit in my paintings, and over the coming week will be sharing more about my creative process and where the color has featured in my work.

Some you may even own!

I will also be sharing more over the next week or so a trip I made to St Nicholas Abbey which is set in very lush surroundings and I took lots of photographs where the color greenery is evident and how it is used in the setting, from around the home to out in nature. 

St Nicholas Abbey - set in 350 acres!

I will also be sharing a video on my YouTube Channel - Realityart of 3 pieces of art work where the color and shades have featured quite a bit.  I hope you can join me, and perhaps it will encourage your creative adventure.

Sign up for my mailing list (on the side bar) and check out some of my other links listed.  It would be great to have you on board.  

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Week 82 - Hot, Hot, Hot!

Gratitude's and celebration Journal

Well, we are finally here, in sunny Barbados!  We have been here for 2 weeks so far and it feels like months already.  I have promised to keep another blog going with the transition, but I have been distracted, with all the newness of everything, and by the time I think about getting round to it another day has passed!

I still do want to share for those who are interested in the journey and so will have to set aside time to start writing and it might be a daily post until I have caught up, so bear with me!

We have been in the throws of unpacking and putting things where we feel they should go, there has been some negotiation needed when we decide on the shared areas.

All my art supplies so far have turned up and I have been arranging my new studio, I have more space than I dreamed of and it will take a while for it to operate exactly how I want it to with all my supplies to hand.

My new studio taking shape

 I am grateful, so very grateful.  I take stock on the journey that we have made so far and have yet to make, one full of adventure, risks, uncertainty, new environments, tastes, smells, creepy crawlies every now and then, friendships, and hot sun to top up my vitamin D deficiency and a new flavor to my art and creativity.

I also think about my family and friends and celebrate the deeper connections that we can make even if we are a plane ride away:)

Gratitude and Celebration Journal - Mixed media art

I am on a creative journey in my journal and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Reflections - Painting with limited supplies

Playing with limited supplies

With most of my stuff making its way around the world I look around my home at the moment and it feels as if we have just de-cluttered.  The reality of the move hasn't yet sunk in.  I had created another blog that I wanted to share the adventure, and I will after I get this weekend out of the way I will be updating it some what and sharing some of the images that I have taken. 

With limited equipment now in my studio - which is looking very bare, (I'll share where I am working at the moment next week) I have limited supplies to work with, some ink-tense pencils, a few tubes of acrylic, a bit of clay - that I can travel with and not take up too much space.  I did this painting first creating a background then bringing the image out.  Every now and again I think it is a useful exercise to limit your supplies and see how you get on.  Pull out some of those least used supplies and give them a new lease of life.

It has been a break from working with the clay, which I love and a reminder that we all need to take stock some times.  To look back on our journey as we plan new ones going forward.  I hope you can join me next week and see how we have been getting on with our plans and all the ups and downs of the decision

For today we think about where we want to go, what we want to do, our journey, our destination and the events along the way that contribute to who we are.  Have a blessed weekend and take time to reflect on your journey!

Clean - Memories of Home

Memories of Home - Clean

Welcome to Memories of Home, if you would like to find out more information about the series, Click here

Being in a supportive environment is important to our growth as individuals, not everyone has had that opportunity and as adults we try and create an environment that will nurture and bless our children and indeed ourselves.

As children we were given chores to do, and each weekend we had to do our bit. Out would come all the cleaning materials and we would have to get on with the hoovering, dusting and carrying out the rubbish. It wasn't something we looked forward to, but led by my big sister, me and my little brother were kept in check. My sister even drew up a rota for us all to follow and tried to rope my dad into it, but as far as he was concerned the cleaning was our job cause he went out to work every day!

Mothers helping hand

By the time my sister left home to go to university I was able to have a room all to myself and I think I rebelled within the confines of my room and on more than one occasion the messiness became overwhelming and my mother would save the day. I would come back from school and my room would be all tidy and clean. She would say "a place for everything and everything in its place", and I would be more than grateful that I had a my tidy room back.

Organising my space in my bedroom

And right she was! In my studio space that measures approx 6ft by 7ft, I have tried to cram as many things as I can whilst trying to create a sense of space, it can be difficult and making use of wall space and storage ideas is necessary.

Studio space, compact but everything has it's place!

I have had to be really strict with myself about clearing up at the end of the day and enabling me to allow the creativity to flow. Whilst I am not a minimalist, mums example set all those years ago provided the example that in my life now and at home with my family we have systems in place that enables us to appreciate the space that we do have.

I would love to hear what you have put in place in your own home environment that allows you to be organised. I hope you continue to join me on my journey over the weeks, as I share my mixed media houses and look back to the memories of home. I look forward to hearing about some some of your own memories. Blessings and peace to you!

Making time for Art

I have been busy in my studio space of 8 months, and doing a happy dance every time I remember how far I have come from the edge of my kitchen table.  With that aside I have neglected sharing some of the larger pieces art work I have done.  I have been working regularly in my Art journal, not really doing much writing in the journal which I leave to my 'morning pages', but using the journal to explore techniques and smaller pieces of work.

I am also working on submitting work for an exhibition entitled: Art and Healing The deadline for sending in your applications is 15th February, so you will need to get a move on!  I have been wanting more and more for my work to tell a story and be encouraging, whether it has the words of encouragement weaved within the paint layers or open to interpretation by the viewer.  The work I'm working on for submission combines some of the writing that I share about my role as a carer last year.

Here are snippets of some of my most recent pieces to see the full image check out my mixed media art site

Getting your wings

In thought

Working through the midst

Home from home

I hope you are able to spend time being creative this weekend!  Blessings

Studio unveiling!

Finally....., drum roll, banners flying, bring on the trumpets and after a couple of weeks of organising, painting the walls laying the flooring, my studio is READY.  I’ve been busy I and still can’t believe its all mine.

I cleared the room and painted the walls.  There is lots of cupboard space which is great.   I also went out and got some flooring for the room, the carpet had been down for 13 years so was well due to be changed - laying it was easier than I thought.

On taking the bed apart and flipping it looked like it could have made some storage and surface space to have the separate work area, but it didn't quite work out so I got 2 smaller desks which as you know for Ikea furniture came flat packed.  Once I had assembled the first one the second was quite easy.  I really enjoyed getting all the parts to fit together and see the end result.

Just being in the space make me excited about all the things I will create.  I have been working through the containers and using the fitted storage cupboards to stack equipment.  The studio is beginning to feel like home and now I’m just doing the final nestling in.  It’s been great to be reunited with materials that were packed away and I’ve been busy experimenting.  

I want my studio to inspire creativity and be a space that I enjoy working in.  There is so much light that comes in the room.....here are some images

 Some of the fitted cupboards, came in real handy for storage

letting the light in!

My desk with some of the paints and brushes

my studio is ready and open for business!.  

There are a couple of tweaks here and there as I get used to where things and see if the work in the space. At some point I will do a mini video tour of the studio, blessings!