Stephanie Wilkinson's Open House

We were lucky enough to be invited along to Stephanie Wilkinson's Open House Event in Hampton on Sunday. 

On arrival we were treated to a glass of gently warming mulled wine, just the job after a walk in the first of the settling snows outside.

A number of folk were already there 

I was on the hunt for some original Christmas presents for friends - and found them!

The below are folded up versions of above so to speak

I couldn't believe the scope of Stephanie's work. So much to choose from. Apart from her amazing artwork, we saw cushions, aprons, plates, coasters all created by her, using her images. Needless to say, we left with arms full of treasures to kick start our Christmas shopping.

So thank you Stephanie for providing the perfect shopping experience at a hectic time of year. 

New Window New Inspiration

 We chose LEM LEM the Colour of Hope

Launched recently by Annie Sloan in her collaborative work with OXFAM. 

It is an ongoing project and over the next three years proceeds from the sale of this colour will be donated to OXFAM .

Also some fresh work by local artist Doina Moss, as a follow up from  what we showed before.recently.

Many of these are inspired by local scenes, Bushy Park and Richmond Park, and so have been attracting a lot of interest (this month being December and all !)

Photography by London photographer, Cristina Schek

Third Gilding Workshop

We had yet another great evening on this workshop, exploring the effects that can be achieved over a gilded surface to create some gorgeous results..

 

Some quite abstract designs spring from nowhere when you discover this medium.        Here we used Graphite over Gilding Wax.

I particularly like this one using Provence over Gilding Wax.

Afterwards we looked at what you can do with Chalk Paint behind glass as a nod to Verre Eglomise (a French term used to describe the technique of applying a design and gilding to the rear side of a piece of glass)

The pattern on the glass above was achieved by adding layers of Amsterdam Green and Giverny in between some randomly applied stripes of Copper Leaf and Silver Leaf

As for this glass effect, we applied Spirit Dyes to the surface before covering them with Silver Leaf.

Sadly we were pressed for time so settled for an introduction to the basics of these techniques so that once grasped they could be worked in greater detail and with more intricate patterns at a later date at home.

I am looking forward to seeing my students finished pieces.