Are you sick of being ill and in on your own? Then read on...

I'm Alli, and I've been running the group for the last couple of years.  Not easy with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (M.E.) and it's meant that I've dropped (and continue to drop!) the ball occasionally.  However, I count my blessings that when I am well enough, I can use my car - puchased through the Motability Scheme (it's brilliant!) - and there's a team now to run the group together, as well as being a member of our wonderful art group.  I know there are some of you out there that are unable to leave your homes at all, if not your bed!  I understand your suffering (been there), and wish there was a way to help you too - maybe through this blog?  Here's hoping you can find inspiration here.


If you are able to get out once in a while, then come and share the company of like-minded people in a comfy, friendly environment like ours at New Beginnings Art Group.  We understand what it feels like to be the "newbie", to not know anyone before we begin, to be anxious to get out, and to return home!  We've likely experienced panic attacks, and negative thoughts, anxiety and a feeling of inability to achieve anything.  These are some of the grotty parts of being chronically ill/disabled.  Our self-confidence may have been eroded, our self-belief may have hit the road, and our self-reliance may be hanging on by a fingernail.

Here's some good news though...  Community groups like ours (NBAG - oooh! may have to work on that Lol!) are set up and designed for people like us; we have excellent tuition; diversity of styles; a plethora of material and resources; a fabulous disabled-friendly environment in the heart of Beeston; and a warm, welcoming membership.  What great plus points!

I've been checking out the new craze on adult colouring books.  The magazines are expensive, more expensive than, say, a gardening or lifestyle magazine, in the shops.  They are very "busy" too - it can be off-putting if your eyes wander about the page like mine do!  But there is a kind of therapy to just finding the right colours to adapt a picture to your own style.  Colour is therapy itself, and can help us adjust our mood.  So they might be a good idea to try.  I picked some up at The Works (online) and while some of them might seem a little "young", they come equipped with either coloured pens/pencils so you get the whole kit.  The hardback versions with the pen/cils are likely to set you back £10 on their website, but I think it's cheaper than a lot of others.  If you just want the magazine style ones, they are quite cheap on Amazon, eg, The Mindfulness Colouring Book: Anti-stress art therapy for busy people (Paperback) starts at £3.38, a big saving on supermarket prices.  There's also a big gap in the market, and if you are interested in design, then maybe there's an opportunity for you to create your own.

I've ordered some fairly large canvases for the group which I'm hoping will inspire our members (new and long-standing) to create something wonderful for our exhibition in the Summer 2016 (still a bit miffed that ours finished on a whimper!).  I've also ordered in some new sketch books for our new members, which you'll receive when you've been with us a few weeks :)

We are looking forward to starting back THIS WEDNESDAY!  And hope you'll be joining us, even if just for a little while.

Kindest regards

Alli x

Start Back Date for 2015/16

Hi folks

It's that time of year again when we issue term dates and time-tables.  We start back on 16TH SEPTEMBER 2015.

The usual place - The Oasis Centre, Union Street, Beeston, Nottingham - and at the usual time - 1.30-3.30.  

We really look forward to seeing old and new members for what is a bumper-packed schedule of events, hopefully culminating in an exhibition of works and a party at a venue nearby.  

So remember, keep your work in good condition, work at finishing your projects and even consider having them framed.  In fact, consider whether or not you'd want to sell them at the end of year event.  The venue owner usually takes 30%, so do factor that in when costing them up.  I know it seems like madness to start to think about the end of the year, and about framing currently non-existant paintings, but the sooner you begin to think about it the better.  You have this in mind then when you commence each new project, and hopefully it will give you a push towards finishing it and keeping it safe.  Many of us have large porfolios that you can easily buy online or in a stationary shop.  These keep your work flat and clean.

So come and join us for creative workshops with great tutors and a lovely, warm and welcoming membership.  We look forward to meeting you!

Kind regards

Alli x