It was a busy session with 23 members attending so the hall was abuzz with chatter as we caught up with each other. It was super to see Doreen back on her feet and joining us again.

The suggested idea of hay bales in a landscape was expanded to include tractors and combine harvesters, fruit and vegetables, autumnal colours and the cutest little harvest mouse you’ve ever seen! When so many come to along to paint it’s great to see all the artwork produced. Some paintings are finished and some works in progress, to be finished at home or at another session.

Some members drew and painted to their own theme. There’s a view of Brimham Rocks in Yorkshire, fields in Lancashire, birds, a sketch of a collage about covid, set in an Egyptian tomb, colourful gardens in a stately home and portraits from western films.

It was a most enjoyable session, thank you all for coming along :o)

Our next session is on Wednesday 11th October from 7-9pm.

There were eleven members who came along for the first evening of Autumn including our new member Ann Carter

The main theme was Statues. Here are the images including 4 from Tracy who unable to attend gave me previously.

Some members did their own thing

Many of the the above are ‘work in progress’ so do please send your images of finished work or other projects to either Steve or Tracy.

Well done all

Our next meeting at Chalk Village Hall is on Saturday the 23rd September from 10 am till 3 pm

Tracy has been creative trying her hand at embroidery, having not done any since school over 40 years ago and not being very good at it back then. A lady on Etsy embroiders wedding photos, but when quoted £300 for a picture, Tracy decided to try it herself.

Photos of her daughter Elinor’s wedding to Rory were taken by professional photographer Matt Cook. Tracy chose a colour photo of Elinor and Rory, converted it to black and white on her iPad then printed out an 8″ x 10″ black and white photo at Boots.

Several colours of embroidery silks to match the colourful bouquet were bought from Hobbycraft and John Lewis, along with a sharp, pointed tool to make holes in the photographic paper. Tracy watched embroidery stitches videos on YouTube then started to embroider slowly. Twelve hours later, but only sewing for up to 2 hours at a time, the picture was completed, then mounted and framed. The back of the photo looks interesting too, with the coloured silks radiating outwards, held down by sticky tape. The stitches used were French knots, bullion knots, woven wheels, back stitch, lazy daisy, long stitch and fishbone stitch.

The happy couple love the picture and it’s now in pride of place in their lounge.

The third instalment of subs is due this month to take us up to the end of 2023. Please pay the £25 by bank transfer, cheque or cash, details of which Steve has emailed before. No cash by post please, only at a session or hand delivered to Steve’s address. If you paid the full £75 in January you don’t need to pay any more subs this year.

Here are ideas for this month, but you’re always welcome to come and paint anything you want to, whilst having a walk around and natter of course!

Wednesday 13th 7-9pm – Statues

Using any medium draw or paint a statue. A local one, one in the UK or anywhere in the world. It could be a person or people you admire, or if there isn’t one already then design your own.

There are many real animal sculptures like the lions in Trafalgar Square, the elephants in Bishops Square in London, or any equestrian statue. Or there are mythical creatures like the dragon boundary markers into the City of London.

Saturday 23rd 10am-3pm – Landscape with hay bales

Wherever you go in the UK there will be fields looking very scenic with haystacks or hay bales, either rectangular or round. Use any medium to draw an iconic scene with hay bales and include a combine harvester or tractor if you prefer drawing or painting machinery.

If you don’t fancy a landscape then paint people picking hops, apples or anything harvested, the choice is yours.