Arty Farty fun

I was running art work shops at the John Gray Centre as part of the Luminate festival ... we were making sun catchers, using glass paints on acetate...

Every time I run a workshop there will be someone who starts by telling me they can't 'do art' and I always say the same thing, no one's good at it straight away. Lots of practice, and lots of trying out different techniques and materials is how you get 'good at it' The first bit is to stop worrying about making mistakes and have fun, enjoy the sensations and the escapism.

The next thing is that it's alright to copy. If you're trying to make an image, or you have an idea then you don't have to draw it by hand from your imagination...you can trace, cut and stick, paint over the top of a picture, take photo's, stitch it in fabric, shape it in dough and cake, project a shadow on the wall and draw around it... Anything that helps you communicate and demonstrate your ideas...

So today was about letting people try something, and enjoy a crafternoon, it was great to see the concentration and the sense of satisfaction... More fun planned for next week :-)