Coffee at Fusion and meeting old friends
I had a lovely afternoon in Fusion Cafe, at Chilwell's Creative Corner - and if you haven't been to this lovely little enclave of shops, you really ought to try it: from super kids toys, to card crafting supplies, to jewellery, art work, gifts, courses, coffee, lunches, finished with a massage, or yoga for those with ME, and a bunch of flowers! I met three smashing folks who'd been involved with NB before but had dropped off our radar.Clearly they've been living their lives, it's just that I'd not had any contact with any of them until yesterday. So great to catch up with them and find that they were feeling a lot better than I'd last seen them, but also to hear their news which is always of interest to me. I do hope our paths will cross again, especially at NB.
Diversity of art styles at NB & what the tutors get up to in their other lives
I managed to hand out some of our fliers - do get in touch if you'd like some - and share the news of our more diverse art sessions: from painting and sketching, to glass painting and copper foil embossing, to, hopefully, mosaic making (watch this space!). I've learnt a valuable lesson about making sure I have enough fliers without it making my handbag - Kipling, of course! - weigh a ton. Goodness only knows what makes it so heavy anyway - it sure ain't the spondoolies!What do our tutors do when they're not with us? Well, the lovely Stephanie Glenn Morris can be found demonstrating her fabulous Chinese painting style at Attenborough Nature Centre, or running day workshops through Created By Hand (at Chilwell's Creative Corner) to name just two things she does; Oliver Lovley is not only a talented artist who makes his own paint out of beetroot, coffee and grass, but he's also an open mic singer at a pub in the city centre. He's also added another string to his bow and was recently seen taking on four or five parts in a play about King John at the Lace Market Theatre! Dawn Feeney, our latest addition to our gorgeous band of tutors, is seen demonstrating at craft fairs throughout Notts, especially at the Open Studios events, and many others. Her work, as well as Steph's and Ollie's, can be found at Chilwell's Creative Corner - how brilliant is that! OK, enough prompting about CCC?? Lol Never! I love it there! Emma Owen runs sessions on glass painting and design. As well as selling her work on her website and through a variety of craft shops, she also sells her jewellery and glassware, and knitware, at local craft fairs.
New members
It's been marvellous to welcome two new members to our group in recent weeks too. We come from such different walks of life and yet mingle so well at NB. I'm so thankful for the air of ease and companionship we share over refreshments and new art experiences. We want to spread the word about our group and admittedly, I will talk to anyone, as will many members of the group, anywhere, anytime, about our fab group; not because we're low on members, because we're doing fine, but because we love it so much and want to share how much it helps those of us who regularly attend.Health difficulties
I myself suffer from M.E./C.F.S., with fibromyalgia, depression, a heart condition and a number of other conditions. I know, I sound like I'm falling apart! But these illnesses are real and life inhibiting. I understand what it's like to live with pain, exhaustion and frustration; with isolation, loneliness and anxiety. One of the ways I manage to address some of these is by coming along to the group when I can, and I do try my best to come every week (during term-time, *natch*). It's actually where I've learnt about pain treatment, how to prepare benefit forms, and find out about a variety of other groups, and suggestions to make life easier, have enabled me to make real progress in my everyday life.Knowing that NB is in a safe, disabled friendly venue, with others who can understand what it's like to be unable to work before we're meant to retire, has been a total God-send. I sometimes don't actually feel well enough to do anything when I get there, but just being with my friends is enough to brighten my day, or even my week. We meet up during the term breaks for coffee or lunch, and may get together to support one of our art tutors at whatever they're doing.
We have cushions for comfort, but are looking to get about 15 comfy chairs for our members - ones with arms, although if you've only got one arm, or no arms, you can come too. Sorry, I get a little silly at times!
Motability car
I recently got my second Motability car, which again, I learnt about through other members of NB, and I love it. It's a Ford C-Max, an upgrade on my last one, and I'm still struggling with what some of the knobs and switches are for - I'm sure I'll get the speed limiter thingy sorted soon, but what some of the letters stand for is beyond me. Read the manual! I hear you say. Unfortunately, one of the side effects for me is a dyslexia type difficulty, so it's difficult to read the words which are dancing all over the page.I got my little Lucy (I know, such a girly thing to do) from Sandicliffe, but there are other equally excellent centres for Motability cars around Nottingham and further afield of course. It pays to book well in advance if you're thinking of using your higher rate mobility allowance to access this fabulous resource because there are many decisions to make, and if you're also going to have adaptations, then they'll need to ready the car for your needs. The staff are very friendly and explain all this of course, so don't be alarmed by the amount of work it seems like it takes - it won't be you doing it for a start! Motability is a wonderful charity and while I had to pay a little bit extra to get the car I wanted - I needed one that was easy to get into, but also tall enough for me, which is all super-easy to sort out on the Motability website - but it was a lot less this time than last time, even with an upgrade, because Motability really strive to keep costs down for us.
Art resources and tricks of the trade
That's one of the reasons that I love our art group though... Some of our tutors use worksheets, but they're like picture diagrams really, and I can work with that. We do have resources, like books and magazines, and other group members who are happy to share their talents with those of us a little (or a lot!) in the dark about all things "arty".One of the main difficulties to many people is page blindness, for want of a better phrase - that moment when you're faced with a blank page and have no idea whatsoever how you're going to start, or even WHAT you're going to start! One way to overcome that is to simply put some paint on the paper/canvas, in the form of a wash; another is to begin drawing your chosen subject as soon as you've got your sizing right (that's a whole different story! I can't tell you the number of times I've started a piece of work then had to add, eg, the top of a models head on another sheet of paper!); when you're struggling for a focus, try going back to something you tried before which didn't quite work out, or something that you loved doing. Perhaps try drawing/painting something with alternative shades or colours.
Art is very forgiving, even if we aren't about our own work. One of my favourite parts of the session is "Show and Tell" - or for the grown-ups: "Crit" - at the end: even though I'm nervous because I always think mine looks dreadful, I love the way we find positive ways to focus on each others' work. Never negative, sometimes informative, always full of admiration for everyone's efforts - and always genuine.
Have a great bank holiday weekend, and do join us on Wednesday when the gorgeous Emma Owen will be with us looking at another artist and how we can paint in their style.
Bless you!
Alli x
