My Art Forum - Sue's Arty Party

Some clever bod has found out how to put avatars on their forum posts. It certainly makes the forum look a little more colourful. If you're familiar with my forum you'll know it has a wall image and that's my 'tribute' to one of Roger Water's (Pink Floyd) most splendid pieces of work 'The Wall'. So thanks Steve, you've brightened it up and I hope others follow suit. To jump over to my forum 'Sue's Arty Party' CLICK HERE It's not the busiest in the world, but it's friendly and a fun place to find out things.

Rain.....(or snow) stopped play

With treacherous road (and path) conditions and the forecast of more snow on the way we have to be sensible about private class appointments. I've been contacting students since the snow came in December, giving them the option to cancel and re-book. So for anyone with up-coming classes scheduled, don't worry about last minute cancellations. I'd rather we are all safe than sorry. Although the main road through the village is clear, the pavements are thick ice. My heart was in my mouth several times yesterday as I walked to the Post Office. Quite often, walking in the road was the easiest option. And the few yards I have to walk to my studio, storage unit and chicken run are just as bad. We know it's bad when the chickens won't come out. The amount of times I venture out to crack the ice off their water.............

Pop Art Classes coming soon

As promised, I've added a few more classes to the Class Timetable page (CLICK HERE). As the groups will be smaller, I'll be able to manage to hold a Pop Art Portrait Class. These have really been popular and students have been painting both celebrities and family members alike. The choice of painting subject is entirely up to you. The feedback from students on their portraits has been incredible and I know many of my students are keeping busy making commissions for family and friends. It's addictive and because it's done in acylics it drys quickly - plus, when you paint for yourself at home, you can choose to either set aside a day to complete one or spend just 15 minutes a day working on your pop art until it's finished. Either way, it's a very rewarding painting project to do and you'll never be lost for gift ideas once you know how to do this properly. I'll leave you with this snap of one of my students having fun with their Pop Art Portrait - LOL

New Classes

Unfortunately I am unable to hold classes at the Green Room in Stowmarket until late Spring. So it seems a really good opportunity to introduce some smaller classes to be held at my home in Capel St Mary. The classes will be a maximum of 4 students so it will be quite cosy. It also gives me a chance to bring to you some of the older, yet popular painting subjects. These are subjects that I will not be painting in the main Capel Classes, held at weekends, purely because many of my students are regular and have painted them already. Do have a look at the new additions to the Class Timetable HERE and if you'd like to come along to one of these lessons then drop me a line or give me a call on 07950032557. I'll be adding a few more painting subjects over the next few days.

Your first Bamburgh Castle Painting - just by following the DVD

The first 'Bamburgh' of the year has just been received....... Kim e-mailed me this finished piece earlier today. I really like the very rich reds and I like the addition of the birds in several different groups. I think it works really well. I will pop a larger image in Sue's Forum so you can see better. Well done Kim. I know Kim won't mind me telling you she painted this at an ungodly time in the morning. 'Duty' called at 5.30am and instead of returning to bed afterwards, Kim decided to take brush to hand and paint her readily prepared canvas. If anyone else would like to have a go at this step by step tuitional DVD project, you can find the shopping cart by clicking HERE.

Happy New Year - some words of inspiration

I'm sure on this New Year's Eve you are all looking forward to seeing the old one out and the new one in. As I think of a final note to make on the last entry of 2009, I think Christine Pulsifer puts it all rather well in her inspirational prose:

H appiness depends upon your outlook on life.

A ttitude is just as important as ability.

P assion find yours this year!

P ositive thoughts make everything easier.

Y ou are unique, with special gifts, use them.

N ew beginnings with a new year.

E nthusiasm a true secret of success.

W ishes may they turn into goals.

Y ears go by to quickly, enjoy them.

E nergy may you have lots of it.

A ppreciation of life, don't take it for granted.

R elax take the time to relax in this coming year.

Happy New Year to you all and I hope 2010 exceeds your expectations - Sue xxxx

DVD Number 2 - Bamburgh Castle

I'm pleased to have been in some of your Christmas stockings this year. The Bamburgh Castle DVD, despite being a very British landmark, has proven to be as popular overseas as it is here in the UK. I haven't received any photos of finished paintings just yet, but I'm sure they will start to filter through quite soon. One customer, Irene, writes: I have just sat and watched the dvd and found it excellent, you explain everything in a way that is easy to grasp and found all your tips and method of working very informative.I have learnt loads in the 100 min. it took to view the dvd.
I am new to oil painting and have just started using water mixable oils and I am sure I will be able to follow your instructions using this other type of oils........ If you'd like to add Bamburgh Castle to your tuitional DVD collection you can find the shopping basket for it here. At just £11.75 delivered to your door you can paint this in your own time in the comfort of your own home.