Classes and Workshops

Workshops and classes in Mixed Media and Painting in 2019
All my workshops and classes are designed to build on confidence and allow the creative juices to flow. I am a qualified teacher and have been supporting budding artists of all ages for over four years now in East Lothian.
This year I am opening my garden studio up to those wishing to attend small, informal and fun classes. That way, all can receive a good level of support in a relaxed environment.

Some of the Feedback received from previous workshops/classes:

''Wonderful tuition from Carol' JW

'I have thoroughly enjoyed this afternoon and am pleased with my efforts.' FE

'Lots of different ideas to inspire and get us started.' TS

'Really enjoyable and improved confidence...' CS

'Perfect and more than we were looking for.' JC

Why not book a workshop as a fun event in the New Year? This is an ideal shared activity for family or a group of friends. Children over 13 years of age very welcome.

You can also buy a workshop as a present by buying a Gift Voucher.

Workshops in action

Environmental Art with Student Teachers

Over the past few years I have spent a morning at Redheugh beach in East Lothian with Postgraduate Students studying on Edinburgh Univeristy's Outdoor Environmental and Sustainability Education MSc. Having an interest in creating art from beach fragments and writing object biographies as part of visual culture, I have an affinity with their interest in using the beach environment as an educational tool.

The focus of interest is usually what does or does not belong in the environment. We consider what may be percieved as natural over un-natural or natural versus man-made. Time is also addressed - the tide marks the passage of time - this allows for further considerations to be made as to how some man-made impositions on the landscape such as footprints are eradicated quickly whilst others take longer to disappear. This activity is a precursor to the students delivering related topics to Primary school pupils.

Suggested activities includes making sound maps; colour charts/maps; collecting samples from the foreshore, high tide mark and woodland and finally recording the contour lines found naturally occurring on the beach and the geometric lines of man-made objects in the area. All lines of enquiry follow the remit of belonging/not belonging. The idea of object biography is also introduced - the what/where/why/who line of enquiry or 'back story' of found objects. Evidence gathered in this way allows for further research conducted in the classroom in addition to being transferred to narratives for creative writing. They are also introduced to the practice of using viewfinders. These are readily made with strips of paper/card and staples and are easily prepared by pupils too. These are simple but effective tools to focus attention.