Fair in lucan

The last weekend in April was a busy one for me.I was exhibiting some of my crafts at "Art Attacks" in Balgaddy ,Lucan. An Art and Crafts fair helping to support the local senior school.Altogether about 45 artists and crafters were there and what a great bunch they were !So enjoyable and helpful and of course I spent most of my earnings on lovely goodies for my home.Don't you think it's great to treat yourself once in a while from your own earnings ?
A little taster of my crafts.

Two of my Quilts along with my Baby Flannel Blankets and of course my lovely booties.

Although not too much footfall those who were there bought quite a few paintings and crafts. Most enjoyable.

http://www.facebook.com/valeries.crafts

Angel Art

Hi all ,sorry for not posting sooner but I have been busy with some commissions for my "Angel Art"






This one is for a ladies granddaughter called "Grace", a new born baby girl,so pretty in pink.

Next is "Butterfly Angel",as you can see the name has to be inserted on the scroll,another lucky
girl.

Finally A beautiful Angel called "New Beginnings"
to be given by a friend to a brave lady who has

come through a very long illness.

True friends are wonderful!

Like to give you a tip about keeping your brushes soft.


After you have finished painting,wash your brushes in warm "sudsey" water and then put a little of your hair conditioner on ,leave for a few minutes and then wash off,you will find your brushes are so much better to work with.

Beginners Art,Brushes

As you can see these are some of my (well worn) brushes,my favourites!


When I give my Art Classes I advise to use good brushes.


Sizes I recommend to start with are ,

1ins Flat, 1/2ins Flat, no. 1 or no.2 Round

also a "rigger"brush is great for the likes of tree branches and grass.








Cheap brushes are fine to practice with, but as you progress you will find the hair is coarse and leaves brush strokes on your painting and you will find it hard to get definition . Samples of these brushes are in the photo below.

As you see here, you can pick up sets quite cheaply and good value in your art shop.
I prefer Daler Rowney acrylic brushes but that's just my choice.

Keeping Acrylics Wet.

Stay-Wet pallets are great for this.They come similar to a plastic container with a sheet of blotting paper on the base and a sheet of greaseproof paper on top,you wet this and it keeps your paints very use able for a week or more and it means you don't waist any paint.

I hope this has been helpful to you,if you have any questions please get in touch.

Lemons and Limes

At this moment in time I'm working on a textile piece relating to the poem " Thread Softly " by William Butler Yeats. I have to finish it by Friday so all systems go!

Thought I might show you a couple of my paintings which are hanging on my kitchen wall.

As you can see these were painted in 2005.

If your interested ,I will be giving some tips on "Beginners Art"shortly so hope you'll join me

Valerie

Art

Yes, I also have a passion for Art.I have been painting for the past 15yrs or more.

Anyone can paint,did you ever hear that and think "no way" well it's true.

What do you think of this painting done by a lady in my Beginners class ? Did'nt she do well. Her daughter has it hanging in her house, proudly!

Why not try,get some paints, Acrylics are great as they dry quickly, good for beginners.

Oil's take a lot longer to dry but the colours are more vibrant.

You can start painting on almost anything, a piece of board, paper, canvas. You can buy some Acrylic paper from art shops which is good to start with. Some brushes and away you go, let your imagination go wild, after all no one is looking.

Let me know what you think or if you would like some more advice on painting.