Friday, April 22, 2011

Daily doodle plus

Each day as I get into my studio for work I sit at my desk by the window and choose from an array of art materials. These days I've moved back towards a 6B and graphite pencil.
I keep a packet of A5 sturdy paper to draw and doodle on. But I have to come clean about the doodle I'm working on a deck of cards the idea is to have them to use when doing 1:1 sessions.
The first doodle my pencil hesitated, I had the sense of resistance lack of flow - not knowing... I centred myself and allowed myself to express freely what I was sensing.
I had n't intended to share this but after a twitter conversation with Leia Cantor @mscator I thought it might shed some light in the darkness for others. After all that is what the essence of the cards are about.
Daily doodle (i) 22 April 2011. Roisin Markham
I started writing this blog with the intention of sharing the image following. But it seemed that it would make more sense if you knew what preceded it. There was a second page that explored 'what is my art about for me'. If I had four hours to paint in the studio that is where you would find me today. But I don't it's a religious holiday in Ireland today my family is around and I have other things that require my attention.
I have this morning to work... so here it is the darkness
Daily doodle (iii) 22 April 2011
This is an anti version of my experiences in the last couple of weeks and my life in general, so don't be concerned. It is just a sense of feelings and was good to express them. Obviously it was pencil on white paper but as an illustration  it is better reversed.
How freely do express yourself? is it an easy thing to do?

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Daily doodle

Daily Doodle, 20 April 2011. Roisin Markham
Doodle? do you? paint, colour, scribble, draw....
I remember being at a Monica Auch workshop some years ago she talked about keeping a weaving diary. Everyday she would go to her studio and weave a line just in the sense of the day. She suggested writers, artists, makers should keep a daily practice of doing their craft like a journal.
For the last while I have started drawing again as a daily practice. Yesterday painting was declared after this was written
journalling is often my in to painting. Roisin Markham 
Do you have a daily creative practice?

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Art NOT chocolate for Easter 2011

Art NOT chocolate for Easter 2010 Campaign Year 3


Roisin Markham, Ballygarrett Art Studio is continuing the 'Art not Chocolate for Easter!' campaign in 2011. Now in it's third year we suggest the following reasons why everyone should be supporting this campaign:

1. Art has no calories.
2. Art lasts much longer then flowers and out lasts some relationships, it adds something to memories... 

3. Original art is affordable. Prices at Ballygarrett Art Studio start at €25 for small original paintings, prints and textiles,  Whatever the budget or occasion a piece of art is the solution you will find something to suit and take away.
4. Support and patron me as an artist, purchase a piece of my creative work  
5. Patron your local artist 

What you can do;
Instead of buying chocolate view and purchase a piece of Roisin Markham’s art work other options include commission work, gift vouchers for art and creativity coaching are also available. 
Forward this to all the people you know and ask them to forward it so that this campaign can gain support 
If you are an artist steal the idea and start your own campaign

In 2009 I started and shared this campaign with others. 2010 saw me deliver the idea through social media and some galleries and creative craft spaces in Ireland. This year  I hope this year to extend it's reach and get other artists and galleries to steal this idea, share it and garner support from their communities. 
All I ask is that you share with me how you used the idea and how it went for you. Let me know how it goes at ballygarrettartstudio[at]gmail.com or tweet me @creativedynamix follow and support the campaign progress on Facebook.

Children's art classes, Gorey

The after school art program in Gorey Educate Together National School drew to a close this week with a small exhibition of the children art. I was really please with how they went and especially with that age group junior and senior infants (ages five - six years). Along with teaching the children art I got to know them a little bit and watch the younger ones emerging creativity several of the senior infants already full own their creativity which is great to see. Typically I was too busy on the last day to take any photo's. But it was commented on that it was great to see all the work up on the walls and displayed for everyone to see. It was also nice to give parents feedback.

I've started to get phone calls and emails about art classes at the studio again. So I've decided that due to demand I will run classes in the studio again.
STARTING NEXT WEEK
Children’s weekly Art Classes
Wednesday 3.30 – 4.30pm
@ Ballygarrett Art Studio.
START: Wednesday 13 April running for 6 weeks.

Growing skills and building on ability in each class. 
Classes are €12 per child per class, €60 for a block of six classes paid up front. The classes will run through the Easter holidays.

EASTER ART & CRAFT Exploration sessions @ Ballygarrett Art Studio also more information on Classes & 1:1.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Daily doodle

I've started to draw as a daily morning practice... thanks to doodling and drawing becoming more important for some of the 1:1 sessions I am working on.
Daily doodle, 5 April 2011. Roisin Markham
Do you draw? do you doodle?

Friday, April 1, 2011

Gems from five and six year old's

Sometimes I wonder if it would be enough to show up places with some paper, a couple of pencils, glue sticks and glitter. You know do a version of gorilla art but it would be gorilla glitterarty. Adults, children no matter the age they all gravitate towards it. So much so that normally when I produce glitter I set up a glitter station to try and contain it and conserve some of the waste. But I did n't on Thursday in the seventh of eight after schools art class in Gorey Educate Together National School. The children were so into the freedom of using it I did n't want to cramp their style. I only introduced the glitter last week.
The theme this week was decorating their names, how to make typefaces (try explaining what a typeface is to a five year old!) bubble writing was as far as we got. Love showing the two pencils & an elastic band trick plus three ways to draw different size name with a crayon. We explored small tiny lettering and letters to fill A3 pages. The large one I decorated it with patterns plus took the opportunity to cut it out introducing positive and negative shapes to the artists - I just did n't use that terminology with them.
Happy 'H' and decorated names + fairies, artist, aged 5. 

How confident these letters are now, artist aged 5.

Fabulous 'F', artist aged 5. 
If children in arts education environments rely so much on particular materials what happens when you remove them? or what happens when you offer an interesting array of diverse and different materials?
Curiously uniform in layout, artist aged 6.

Trying it all, artist aged 6.
Some of the class were not seduced by glitter or the variety of art materials on display. But look at the different colour background and the fact that the letters are cut out, fantastic.
So what this is my way, artist aged 5.
Next week is the last class I've promised to put on a little exhibition for the artists and their parents. Should be a nice way to finish off the term.
This week I've had several enquiries about art classes so I'm thinking of running them from the studio again. Easter holidays are coming along I'm considering offering a couple of sessions like Fantastic Choco-tastic. Might be fun to have a dedicated studio day to teaching again. Adults in the morning, children and youths in the afternoons. I've some consultancy work to schedule in and then I'll figure that out. Let me know if you or your children are interested.
Note: I do not publish photographs of children's faces in my classes, workshops or events. This is part of Ballygarrett Art Studio and Creative Dynamix Child Protection Policy which is available on request.

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