A Whitstable Retreat

I clawed a few days entirely to myself and took myself off to Whitstable to relax.  I had no concrete plans and wanted to stay free from pressure to 'create', but still I took a rucksack full of supplies and a couple of inspirational books, just in case. I felt as though I wanted to come home knowing what my next project was, that was all.  In the midst of work and family, I find I need to know what I'm working on to stand any chance of grabbing the spare half hour that appears a couple of evenings each week and letting art win out over TV. It was blissful.  There was no TV or Wifi in the flat, so I was nudged out of my lazy moments, and I found myself happily pootling with tea staining, collage and book forms.  I returned to my black sketchbook - which I'll share at a later date - and I have settled on my next, slow project ... to make a book of my wedding diaries, which I began long ago and abandoned.

But for now, for this trip, I was every bit as playful as I'd hoped!  

Easter Decorations

I've never been keen on the abundance of egg decorations at easter, since it seems to me more absorbed by chocolate than the original 'new life' thinking.  But this year, I've been completely converted. The simplicity of the egg shape gave us a framework for a day of painterly experimentation, for Feets, Bean and a schoolfriend.  And results which made lovely bunting.  I admit, I wandered around Pinterest looking for things that would pique not only the children's interest, but mine too. We tried:
- PVA and salt painting ... MAGICAL!  What a discovery!  The colours faded a little as they dried, but the texture of the painting and magic of watching the colour run through the salt crystals was wonderful.

- Painting doilies with watercolours, and mounting them onto coloured paper.  Also wonderful in being absolutely effective for all three children, even two year old Bean.

- Wax resist.  Again, five-year old Feets and her friend were thrilled to draw 'invisible' lines with a white candle, and reveal them afterwards with paint.  Less successful for Bean, but she was so happy to be painting that she didn't even realise she was missing anything.

Four happy ladies!  

Dior at the V&A

It was a spontaneous visit, one in company, and at a fraught time mentally. So I didn't take my sketchbook, nor did I linger, but it was fun to explore the V&A's Dior exhibition in a social capacity - something I rarely do.

As much as the dresses were spectacular, varied, abundant and awe-inspiring, the setting reflected this luxury just as much.  And so, ironically, the strongest memory for me was one mystical room which overflowed with white, paper-cut flowers.  What a gorgeous luxury of exhibition interpretation!  Every room had a very distinct atmosphere, theatrical to say the least.