I just wanna feel.......

The ladies of the WI gave me a very warm welcome indeed last night - even helped me carry my bits to and from the car to set up for their talk and live demo. I was explaining the importance and relevance of the initial white medium base. I found myself coming up with the most bizarre clarification.

I told the ladies; 'If Robbie Williams were to ring me right now and say 'Sue, down tools, get your bag, I'm taking you to Paris for 2 days', I could walk away from this demo painting and return 2 days later to finish it off.' It's my rather fanciful way of illustrating how the white medium will stay wet enough to work with over a period of days.

A little later I uncovered a variety of paintings to illustrate what can be easily achieved using this technique, one of the subjects being my Robbie Williams portrait.

Combined with the fact I was humming 'Feel' by Robbie Williams as I was setting up....... mmmmmm a pattern forming here.

As I was in the final stages of my demo my phone went off and of course I ignored it.......but not without telling the ladies 'If that's Robbie wanting to whisk me away he'll just have to wait.'

Anyway ladies, just to let you know, it was me muvva......

Oh well, we can dream.

Demonstration / Talks to groups

Last week I had a last minute demo to do for an Art Group. Another demonstrator, due to ill health, was unable to make the appointment. Luckily I was free and enjoyed giving another talk to this lovely lot of ladies. They are becoming very familiar faces to me indeed as I've given them 2 exclusive classes. I've taught some in my own classes, some have come for private tuition and some keep popping up in other local art groups too. Although I pretty much have a demo kit always at the ready I somehow spent an amazing 3 hours getting a wide range of bits and bobs together and loading my car. So...............that was the morning gone. Mind you, it only takes me 15 minutes to un load and put everything back again. Because these ladies have seen me so many times before I really do have to think of new and inventive things to show them each time. Plus, as it's an art group they like me to bring along my mobile art shop so they can perhaps invest in some art supplies.

If anyone / group / association has had me demo before , rest assured, if you have me back I can always show you something new. From August I will be demo-ing portraiture too, so that may be of interest. And if ever I run out of things to show you with a paint brush, you could always have me over to demonstrate how to play a saxaphone (badly) - or - if you really want to be entertained, I'm known for some of my magic tricks. Do call me on 01473 311938 or drop me a line if you are interested in a live painting demo.

You plonka, Rodney......

What a plonka. I loaded up my motor with my demo gear and various bits and bobs ready to set off to give a talk to the ladies of the Women's Institute. I'm pleased Alan offered to drive as it was a really foggy night. The venue was out in the sticks and the road conditions were sometimes a little hairy. We hit a flood that had my hands covering my eyes. We took 2 wrong turns (thanks to an ill-informed sat nav) but eventually arrived at our destination in one piece. Thing is..................we were 2 weeks early!!! Oh well, it gave the car a good run now it's finally back on the road.

A suprise at the WI

The ladies of the Stowmarket WI had a little suprise at last night's oil painting demonstration - so did Alan and I - and so did a lady called Colleen. As my sister and mother live close to the venue and as neither of them had ever seen me give a 'talk' I asked them along as guests. The WI welcomed them into their group and they were already sat down and settled before Alan and I even arrived. I recognised several familiar faces within the audience and was delighted to re-unite with a workmate, Colleen, from my office days, going back a good 10 years or more. Colleen knows me only as a Credit Manager, totally unaware of my artist alter ego. So, Colleen's suprise was to see the new me enjoying a very, very different career. Our suprise was the fact that it was the Stowmarket WI's 25th Anniversary. Instead of the usual tea and cakes we had champagne and celebration cake (much to the delight of Alan who somehow managed to find himself with 2 glasses of champers.) But I think the best suprise of all was the one I gave the ladies, and hopefully my family too. During the talk I referred to several of my paintings which were on display. I explained how they had come about, the inspiration behind some of them, the simple technique behind others. I was explaining how we would make falling snow and asked the audience if they would like to see a painting with this effect. 'Yes', they enthused......and as I pulled out a painting from behind the table there was a loud 'Ahhhhhhhh'. 'What do you think of this?', I asked. 'Lovely, beautiful....' and several other very positive comments were passed. 'Well', I said, 'This painting isn't mine. This painting is from one of my students. This painting is from someone who defied me to get a decent picture out of her, determined to be my first failure and she's sitting right among you all - my mum!'. I hope the audience reaction confirmed to mum just how far she'd travelled and how well she had done on her art journey.

News Travels Fast

News travels quick......thankfully. Yesterday I received an e-mail from the secretary of another Art Group located just a couple of miles from Holland-On-Sea. I'd been recommended as a guest speaker/demonstrator. Within seconds we'd arranged a demo evening. So, big thanks to John for the mention. I'll be seeing you again sooner than we thought. These Art Group demo's are quite interesting as I always ask if anyone has ever heard of Bob Ross. Of course, a few hands go up. When I ask if anyone has ever heard of Bill Alexander, the show of hands is even less. I enjoy letting people know how Bob's painting adventure started and where he learned his craft. Now, thanks to my website, I'm lucky enough to have some really lovely readers. One regular reader sent me quite a birthday package last year. Among the much treasured goodies was the Bill Alexander biography, signed by Bill himself. At these talks and demos I display this book right beside my framed certificate. I leave the page wide open showing a classic shot of Bill Alexander with his better known student.......Bob Ross.

Live Demonstrations

It was lovely to meet with the Holland-On-Sea Art Group last night. They had booked an oil painting demonstration and talk. When I arrived, they had set out about 8 large tables. Me, being a bit of a 'spreader' used each and every one of them. Alan even managed to set up an art store in the corner of the room which proved really popular before, after and during the tea break. Several members of the group are already active oil painters, probably the highest percentage that I have come across in an art group to date. This group are really lucky to have a facility where they can run an ongoing exhibition along the sea front from March right through to September, being manned by volunteers from within the group. The group are always looking for new members and to be honest, with this exhibition facility on a plate for you, I'd highly recommend anyone within the area to consider joining up. E-mail me for contact details if you're interested. If you'd like me to come along to give your group a demo, you can find the details HERE At the end of the evening, just as I was putting the final brush strokes on the mountain and lake painting, I told the audience 'If anyone can read this next bit, you can have the painting'. I started to put in my Arabic signature, pausing between letters. One cheeky lady asked 'Is it the Loch Ness Monster?' So I explained about my Sue's News page and told her 'you're gonna be on it...........' (The painting was given to the Chairman of the group, who very kindly helped us to set up and clear away).

Talks, Guest Speaker, Live Demonstrations and Art Groups

I'm having an office day today. It started with a trip to the stationers to buy new files, binders, a couple of diaries (you don't even want to know how many diaries I have on the go!) and other bits and bobs. It feels great to get on top of the paperwork, having it all processed and filed away. I've been scheduling my demonstrations too. I give talks and live demonstrations to all manner of groups and societies, not necessary art orientated. If you'd like a quote on a 90 minute demonstration for your group or society, my prices start at just £45 for a 10 mile radius. I also give painting workshops to Art Groups. this evening I've booked in my first one for the year. As the group are covering the cost of the venue and the refreshments and can guarantee a minimum number of students, we can negotiate a mutual discount. I can teach up to 15 people, ensuring all students receive adequate individual attention. Feel free to contact me on 01473 311938 or info@ayoubart.co.uk if you think this might be something of interest to you/your group.