Hidden Treasure.

 

Being an artist and a hoarder you can probably imagine what my house is like! I can see potential in most things, things that could be useful, made into something or just odd and beautiful. These things that fill up our house makes my husband shake his head and moan in despair. It is a part of our lives and my creative process so in the end my family understand.

 

I was searching around in my old shed/studio and I was delighted to find this one of the first 'proper' paintings I ever did. I thought it was long gone, thrown out in one of my culls which painfully happens every once in a while. I was painting this when I was working as an illustrator and probably should have been making something else. The painting is dated 2006 and knowing how I work I probably started it 6 months - 1 year before it was finished. I had just returned to life drawing, had got the bug and worked tirelessly to get the figure right and make it look convincing. I painted it before I even thought about being an artist and didn't really know what to do with it when I finished it. The painting does need a bit of love and to be cleaned up after being in a shed for years but  hope to exhibit it in the future and treat my hidden treasure as a real piece of art.



Inside the Artist's Sketchbook - Hopes and Fears.

This is an old project I finished years ago but I felt like breathing some new life into it and presenting it differently. A lot of emotions have been stirred up by examining old thoughts and processes. It is very strange to deal with your own history but I am very proud of the work I created and some of the issues dealt with in the sketchbook are things that don't really get dealt with in today's society. This is just a sneak peek of the work I created but the sketchbook details my journey through lost pregnancy, the birth of my 7 year old daughter and postnatal depression. I discovered my visual language and developed a way of working which informs all the artwork I have made since and has changed my life forever.

Doodle Me at Reading Arts Week 2015!

 

This chance to part of a piece of art is being exhibited at Reading Arts Week in the 3B's inside Reading Town Hall.

 

The exhibition is on from Tuesday 30th June  - Sunday 5th July. The exhibition is open 10am - 4pm Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 2pm Sunday.

 



Launchpad at Reading Arts Week 2015.

A handmade dress made from second hand material.

For the first time Launchpad Art and Craft/Needlework groups have collaborated for this years Reading Arts Week. The main focus for these groups was to recycle everyday rubbish, old clothes or unused objects. The result is a varied display of 2D and 3D work craft and textiles all displayed on mannequins that have been kindly donated to us from Harrods. As always the artists have out done themselves, creating amazing drawings and paintings

Reading Arts Week is in the 3B's inside Reading's Town Hall. The exhibition is on from Tuesday 30th June until Sunday 5th July. Open from 10am  - 4pm Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 2pm Sunday.

Hand crafted clothes made from second-hand material and wool.

Sculpture features parts from broken computers.

A skirt made from woven Bags for Life and a top made from crisp packets.

These photo features a sculpture made out of a broken computer, an Easter chick, recycled jewellery and a tiger's head made from clay.

The Mayor of Reading Visits Launchpad Exhibition at Battle Library.

 

 

On Thursday 18th June The Mayor of Reading, Sarah Hacker came to visit the Launchpad Exhibition at Battle Library. It was great to talk about the artwork created and the different skills Launchpad clients had built up over time.

'Come and Doodle with Me' at The Rising Sun's Skill Sharing Day!

 

 

Come relax and enjoy creative company at The Rising Sun's Skill Share day. Lot's of fun workshops creating lovely things for reasonable prices. Also be part of a piece of art by joining the communal doodling project taking place all day. Hope to see you there!

 

For more info go to www.risingsun-artscentre.co.uk

 

Keep watching the Launchpad Wall!

 

Keep an eye out for our Launchpad wall just off Friar Street as it will be slowly changing over the next few weeks. It's that time of year again when the clients freshen up the wall and think of new and exciting things they want the public to see!