I bought some cheap plastic organisers from the pound shop the other day but they did not serve my purpose of getting more admin efficiency going as I could not get enough papers in each one. Then I noticed that the butterfly and floral pattern on each cover was actually raised. Rather absentmindedly, I got […] Read more...
Our budding photographer
The other day I took a little leap of trust and placed my precious camera in the hands of my insistent 4 year old – strap carefully round her neck and firm instructions not to touch the lens. I took a deep breath and turned away (pretending not to supervise), leaving an excited Isabella […] Read more...
Listen while you work
What do you listen to while you work? Music? Silence? Talk Radio? Yesterday, I ventured into my studio to carry on the beautiful mosaic work (despite still feeling poorly – all healing vibes gratefully received) and I treated my ears and heart to the sounds from Jason Carter‘s In and Out of Time Album. Jason […] Read more...
For the Artist at the Start of Day
This piece of writing is from “Benedictus: a book of blessings”, by John O’Donohue (see Amazon widget on the right). John is a most beautiful Irish poet and philisopher who died a couple of years ago at the young age of 49. I often listen to recordings of John’s talks while I am making […] Read more...
The rough and the smooth
It’s bug city round here. Our home must have been put on the bug hotel map cos them little viruses just keep on coming. I have tried not to whinge on here about the amount of bugs we are getting but seeing as, right now, I am in bed instead of in my studio, I […] Read more...
A little visitor
Just popping in quickly to show you a new visitor to the neighbourhood. This little cat (who looks too well fed to be stray me thinks!) has decided she likes noisy, boisterous children. Whenever they are around, she appears and doesn’t seem to mind being chased by Toby. The children are just squealing with glee […] Read more...
South London mosaic workshops and top tips
I know I go one about this a lot, but beautifying our surroundings (homes, public places, workplaces) is a big motivation for me in my art. Well, the world just got more beautiful. My lovely mosaic workshop students are doing a fantastic job of becoming mosaic addicts and creating beauty. They are at various levels […] Read more...
Orange Peel Mosaics
My lovely friend, Freddie, suggested putting citrus fruit peel on top of a radiator to release the zingy smell and the end product, dried peel, gave me the idea for this children’s mosaic method. Smells great while you are making them too! You will need : Dried citrus peel. We used oranges, clementines, satsumas and […] Read more...
How to nurture creativity in children
I love lists. It is a matter of much amusement to those who know me well. I love them a lot, too much maybe. I would be lost without them. I have enjoyed reading my fellow local aritst, Amelia’s lists on her blog recently (see here and here) and I feel its time to indulge […] Read more...
Caught in the act of mosaic making!
Here are some works currently being made by me and three of my students – two more students are just getting going so will post them soon. My current work – just for fun! Julia’s Freddie’s Jane’s They are all beginners in mosic – aren’t people’s creative minds and hands so amazing? Read more...