I love autumn! The colours, the warming food and drinks, the pumpkins, the crunchy leaves, etc. etc. So I was really pleased to add my ‘Autumn’ Powertex artwork (see picture) to my exhibition at Forge Coffee in Culworth. Lizzie Coulter and I have lots of lovely pieces to view and buy at the exhibition for the whole month of October.
Amid the craziness of this summer, I had a wonderful few days at my lovely Cornish Valley View cottage. I was joined by my friend Sara and we got stuck into a few challenges from my Adventure Challenge book (Friends Edition). I must say, we’ve got a bit addicted to revealing the next challenge and the mayhem that usually ensues!
Despite the typical British summer weather, I’ve had a fun, busy time this month, including a trip to Ardington School of Crafts to run a Highland Cow Powertex workshop and my first shift as a volunteer in the gift shop at Upton House.
The most enjoyable part of my summer was the three-day Curious Creatives Art Retreat in the Cotswolds. We stayed in the dormitories of Kingham Hill School, with cabin beds and common rooms to negotiate! I celebrated my birthday whilst there and my ‘dorm mates’ made it a lovely day.
I wholeheartedly agree that ‘laughter is the best medicine’! I didn’t know anybody at the retreat but the shared giggles and humour brought us together and turned into guffaws and hysterics by the end of the week. I don’t think I’ve laughed that much for years and it was such a wonderful feeling.
As well as holding some excellent Powertex workshops I’m taking on a new challenge this month as I’ll be volunteering in the gift shop and plant centre at Upton House, a National Trust property near me.
Stunning Upton House was the country retreat of Lord and Lady Bearsted in the 1930s. Lord Bearsted was a philanthropist and avid art collector so I’m really looking forward to getting to know more about the world-renowned artwork on display at the house.
I’m moving about more and recovering well from my hip operation – being a good patient (mostly!) and, with my physio exercises, teaching myself how to walk properly again. We had a fun and challenging trip to France for a family wedding last month, I must say that ‘extra assistance’ at the airport and on the plane was a godsend, we had a marvellous time.
I’m easing myself back into tutoring and workshops this month and I’ve also got a treat to look forward to – an art retreat to learn a new skill. I say ‘easing’, I’m actually getting booked up and need to do some preparatory work for the upcoming workshops so will be quite busy in the next few weeks.
