Ad hoc photographic course from Glen Tillyard!

Lizzy by Glen Tillyard

My award-winning photographer friend, Glen Tillyard, and I went to a photographic exhibition last week.
The weather was so good that we walked from my home to the exhibition in the centre of Leicester and as you can see, Glen brought his camera along.
Glen, who used to work as a photographer for the Leicester Mercury, is one of the best technically skilled photographers I know, so much so that he now runs popular courses in photography, manipulating and managing pictures.
Find details of his courses here: www.glentillyard.co.uk

Glen uses available resources for unusual images

An arty holiday on the Isles of Scilly

A kingdom in a lens: Lizzy gets creative.

Max and I are just back from a short holiday break on the Isles of Scilly, off Cornwall's south western-most tip.
The Islands weren't somewhere I particularly fancied going until I discovered they are hugely popular with artists: many live there and lots more visit as tourists to paint the sea views and the bird-life which proliferates.
So to my surprise, as well as soaking up the rays (getting my poor feet burned in the process!) I found lots to do and plenty of interesting things to see.

Great views everywhere!

Here's just a sample of the artwork and artists I found; it was inspiring to meet and see so many painting in such a small geographical area. If you'd like to know more about holidaying on the Scilly Isles visit simplyscilly.co.uk or scillyonline.co.uk

Prices vary but can be low

 

Fairies inspired by nature

Always plenty of sea views

In a range of painting styles

The coastal essence distilled

Meet the distiller!

Leicester Art House review & pictures

Leicester Art House went incredibly well! The artist exhibitors were surprised by the number of visitors across the weekend and in the interest they displayed in all the types of work available, some of which was of genuinely excellent quality.
The interest in my own work was gratifying and the number of posters and prints sold (plus an original!) far exceeded my hopes or expectations.
So with thanks to the art-loving home owners who make Art House possible, and to everyone who expressed interest or parted with their cash, here are a few of the photos taken at Art House last weekend.

Exhibitor Tim Fowler with some of his artworks

Visitors enjoy the craft works

Paul Griffiths & Alan Christopher

Lizzy with Tim & Carolyn who purchased a ''A Right Royal Street Party' poster

More visitors

Kehas Singh finds amusement in Lizzy's painting

 

Bev Hart admires 'Sidewalk Sweetie'

Dave Shelley & Aditee bought a signed limited edition print

Hilary Thompson &  Phoebe

Lizzy with Jem Coady & his purchase, 'Sidewalk Sweetie'

Helen Moore: some artists hide behind their work :)

Art House attracts visitors from Spain

Sophie Quinn with cutie Max

Lizzy & 'Sidewalk Sweetie' (with red dot!)

Sophie Hardwicke & Gareth Edwards with Lizzy: studied graphic design together at Derby Uni!

Art House! Leicester! This weekend! Come along! IT'S FREE!!

Art House takes place on 8, 9 & 10 June

Part of Open House Art, a great organisation that invites the public into people's homes to see all forms of art and craft work, Art House is taking place in Leicester this weekend and alongside lots of other great artists, my work is being featured!
LOTS of house owners in and around the Clarendon Park area are throwing open their doors to art lovers FREE OF CHARGE!
And as all Open House Art events, Art House in Leicester includes all types of craft and art, from ceramics and glass, fine art, sculpture, jewellery, film and photography, textiles and printmaking.
So come along and meet some of the artists, myself included! Houses taking part are on the map list under.
To find your particular interest, or me and my work, go to the Art House website and check out the artists page. 
See you this weekend :)

We've been adopted!

She who owns the sofa rules the house!

Max and I have been adopted. 
We believe this little brown cat belongs to a neighbour but she spends almost all day every day with us. Perhaps because she likes company and Max and I are nearly always at home, or it may be all our lovely soft, cosy surfaces!
And doesn't she look at home among the cushions?
That cute wink says it all; "these fools are my kind of people" :)

The dying duck & fabulous sculptures of Florentijn Hofman

There's something oddly poignant about the death of this big rubber duck by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman: as air leaked out in Hong Kong harbour this week, one has to ask if Hofman's Rubber Duck Project has perished.. rubber duck.. perished.. got it?!

Check out Florentijn Hofman's many sculptural projects - he's a man with a mission and someone who has succeeded not only in delighting people (especially children, as you'll see from his website) with his artworks but in making a name for himself around the world with large scale sculptures of animals and everyday objects. 

I for one hope Big Rubber Ducky lives to float another day :)

Hofman's Big Yellow Rabbit appeared at Sweden's Orebro OpenART expo in 2011. From www.florentijnhofman.nl

Aardman's Gromit in multi-dog Bristol Art Trail this summer!

Superlambanana, Liverpool 2008

Anything that takes art to the masses is alright with me, however dumbed-down some among us may claim that art to be. 
I've particularly enjoyed the global outbreaks of model animals painted by designers or corporations and even by schoolchildren.  

Seattle Pig Art, 2009

Cow Parade, Peru 2009

The more widely a herd of brightly painted cows or sheep or pigs or polar bears are seen and appreciated, and hopefully raise money for good causes, the more I like it :)
Today I discovered my favourite British animated character, Gromit, of Aardman Animations' Wallace & Gromit fame, has got in on the act.

Wallace & Gromit

Socially conscious Aardman launched 'Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal' after a public charity appeal to build a new children's hospital in Bristol, 17 years ago.
Following a successful display and auction of model zoo gorillas in 2011, there's to be a trail of 70 of the 1.5mtr high, Oscar-winning Gromits around Aardman's home city from July.
In September the statues will be sold off to raise funds for Bristol Children's Hospital.

A few of the 70 Gromits being displayed in Bristol from July, by Brit designers Sir Paul Smith & Cath Kidston, illustrator Simon Tofield & animator Richard Williams

Don't they look fabulous?! Can't wait to see the rest of the pack!
Read more about Bristol's Gromit Art Trail here or here for the full story by Aardman and Gromit creator Nick Park.
Don't forget to take your (extra large!) poo-bags :)