Thinking Ahead

watercolours from last Saturday's life class session

Nobody actually seems to have noticed, or at least not commented, on the fact that I stopped writing my weekly blogs quite a while ago. I originally started them as a New Year’s resolution, wondering if I could find something to write about drawing every week. I managed it for two years, which I think is quite an achievement really. I also agreed to re-publish them in 
b-c-ing-u , an online magazine too. Because of Google’s plagiarism regulations, I had to edit and rewrite each article too.

I was spending so much time writing and putting articles and blogs together that it was eating into my painting time. b-c-ing-u is republishing them all from the beginning (they are on number 9 at the moment). You can catch up with them there if you wish. I am thinking of making them all into a book, but I wonder if I have the patience to re edit them all over again. And does the world really need another book about drawing?

I like writing, I like teaching, but painting is what I love most of all. Teaching helps to pay my bills, so it’s the writing that has to go, at least for now.
I am planning a new series of classes next year, which will take place in my studio in Manikata.
On Saturday mornings I will run my popular six-week basic  drawing and watercolour techniques course interspersed with creativity workshops for those who would like to experiment and push their boundaries a little!
So here is the plan –

January 16th, 23rd, 30th – 10am to 12.30pm – a three week structured course in basic drawing techniques, covering everything I can think of to help you draw well and confidently. Total beginners always surprise themselves!

February 6th – Creativity Workshop - 10am to 1pm – come and have fun with some new and unusual approaches.

February 13th, 20th, 27th – 10am to 12.30pm – a three week structured course including a basic colour wheel, watercolour techniques and planning a painting.

March 5th – Creativity Workshop – 10am to 1pm – more fun!
On January 12th I will start the classes at Le Meridien Hotel in Balluta Bay, St Julians on Tuesday mornings from 10am to 12.30pm. These are drop in classes and help to put the basic techniques into practice.

Beginning on Thursday 14th January – 10.30 to 1pm - I will be back in Gozo, as long as the ferry is running! Classes have so far been running at the entertaining Ta’Mena Estate in Marsalforn, but I have an exciting new venue for the winter months. Watch this space!

From Friday 15th January – 9.30 to 12pm - I will be back in the wonderful gardens of Villa Bologna in Attard. If the weather is inclement we have plenty of indoor shelter.
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Each class normally costs 20 euro, but next year I am going to introduce ‘packets’ of classes; 6 sessions of your choice for 100 euro, to be used within 3 months.
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Here are some comments from students 

Meanwhile, I am recycling paper bags and a roll of brown paper I found in the studio into Christmas wrapping paper.......  and I have decided not to send Christmas cards this year to save a few trees from annihilation. If we all did that we could save FORESTS. We have so many free ways to send each other pictures and wishes on, why spend money and use trees?