Cara Gordon Masterclass

Members of the AADE  took part in a fantastic workshop at the Ulster Museum on Saturday with Cara Gordon, learning how to create a narrative through drawing.

Using collage techniques and adding texture, we drew bold charcoal images on top and I was amazed at the results we produced.

It is the opposite of the way I've been drawing recently - detailed pencil work and currently working on a drawing that has now taken hours and is still not finished.

It was a breath of fresh air to draw like this and I loved walking around the museum for inspiration.

My new favourite museum object is this boat with billowing sails on the ground floor. Cara directed us so well and I think got the best work out of each one of us.

Cara's book of collaged figures

Island Arts Centre, Lisburn

I'm exhibiting two of my still-life paintings at the AADE group exhibition at Island Arts Centre for the month of November.  Worth checking out the exhibition if you're in Lisburn this month.

Here are my paintings, complete with plastic wrapping, just back from being framed at Art and Home, Holywood.

Art and Design in Education Annual Exhibition

Holywood Library was packed last Saturday afternoon for the private view of the AADE art exhibition, opened by artist Brian Ballard.  It's open all week on the airy first floor of the library, the art is for sale and proceeds are in support of the charity PIPS. 

Great to meet all those amazing art teachers and see a fantastic range of work all in one space!

One of my 3 entries  - Puer Teacup

Craftswirl, Armagh August 2017

My jewellery and two series of drawings and paintings are being exhibited in Craftswirl, Armagh Visitors' Centre for the month of August. I'm excited to be exhibiting in N Ireland for the first time in a few years and looking forward to doing more shows locally now that I'm back in Belfast.

Camogli Stones

I'm working on my new series of drawings 'Camogli Stones'. We hung out at Camogli in Liguria, Italy this summer and I was mesmerised by these stones on the beach - in the water they sparkled and glistened, with the richest deep green and black colours. When dry, they revert back to their more subtle greys with white streaks and pale green markings
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I've spent hours at home drawing them in bright sunlight.

Cathy Hart Sculpture

My sister Cathy had her final Open Studios this summer at the legendary Arches Studios in Peckham. She'll soon be leaving London and will be Belfast-based, creating funky sculptures like this big bird which sold recently, so look out for her work! 

 I hope the Arches Studios stay standing for a long time, despite Peckham's gentrification - artists and locals keeping the heart and soul of Peckham alive and kicking. 

Belfast Print Workshop

I had a fantastic day being taught how to monoprint at the Belfast Print Workshop yesterday.

 Playing with gorgeous vibrant oils, collages and using a giant printing press. Great teaching and lovely group of students who like me wanted to brush up on their skills and try out new techniques.