A Year of Inspiration from Nature

I've been busy getting my workshops planned for 2016 and they are all available to book in my shop and Eventbrite page.

I've planned seasonally inspired workshops throughout the year that will share the techniques and ideas behind my mixed media landscapes. Designed to fit together to give you creative confidence and help you develop your visual language, the days can stand alone or be booked as a set of four.

Book all four workshops together and receive a gift of my 'I am Nature - Working with Nature as Inspiration' CD and a mini print from my range (RRP £25)

Spring Sketchbooks - Saturday February 6th 2016

Mark Making - Saturday June 25th 2016

Evoking the Seasons - Saturday October 1st 2016

Stitch techniques with Paper - Saturday November 12th 2016

Helen Hallows Workshops 2015

Here is my workshop plan for 2015! I'll be running a Collaged Landscapes workshop every season, so four across the year. They'll be held in Long Eaton at the Long Eaton Art Room. The Long Eaton Art Room is a charity funded art centre/studio complex and after a few years of fundraising, the teaching room is fully fitted with sinks, toilets and disabled access. Long Eaton is just south of Nottingham, off junction 25 of the M1 so is accessible by car or train to Long Eaton station. There's plenty of off street parking at the Art Room.

Student work 2014

student work 2014

student work 2014

So, the dates I will be running my one day course are, February 28th, June 27th, October 3rd and November 7th (all Saturdays).

During the day I aim to introduce you to the techniques I use to create my landscape collages. There is an introductory talk about my work, creative development and inspirations. Then there is a  morning workshop creating papers to use for mixed media work, and an afternoon session creating and collaging a landscape piece. It's an intense day of ideas to invigorate and compliment your own creative practice, be that painting or textile based. Some experience of drawing is useful, but more than that is a willingness to try new processes.  Because of the time constraints of the day (10am - 4pm), there will not be time to try the stitch processes that I use in my work but I can give advice on that. You'll go home with papers to use and a small collaged landscape based on sketches and photos that you bring to the day.

Places are limited to eight. The day costs £65 and includes cake! There are cafes and shops near the venue to buy lunch. If you have any questions or would like to book, please contact me through my website www.helenhallows.com

If you would like to buy a place as a gift for someone else, gift vouchers are available.

One of the highlights of this year has been running Yoga & Creativity workshops with Lindsey Watson of Chandrayoga in Loughborough. Inspired by the seasons, we have offered one day retreats that are a mix of yoga, meditation, great food, and a creative collage workshop centring on imagery from the season and personal affirmation. Because of their success, we will be offering these special days in 2015. More details are on the Chandrayoga website. If you can't wait until next year we have a beautiful day planned to coincide with the Winter Solstice. "Stillness of Winter" day retreat will be held in Loughborough on Saturday December 20th 2014. We hope that it will be a day that gives sustenance and inspiration for the dark days of midwinter. Places are £60.

I really hope you'll join me in 2015 and share my creative journey!

Autumn Sunset

Dame Laura Knight 'The Cornish Coast' c 1917

A trip to the Lakeside Arts Centre at Nottingham University is a must in the Autumn.  The tree filled campus lights up with the glow of reds, yellows and oranges.  The children love the playground at Highfields Park.  We love the coffee (!) and the newly enlarged gallery at the Djanogoly centre has allowed for more dynamic exhibitions to be curated.  We always come home inspired, the Lakeside programme tucked in to a pocket, ready to book up theatre and music events to sustain us through the winter. 

Laura Knight

And so a sunny autumn day found us at the Dame Laura Knight exhibition.  I knew her to be a local artist, born in Long Eaton to lace workers, but I didn't know her to be such a talented and prolific artist.   Dissuaded at art college for painting in a masculine style she wasn't put off and went on to produce a lifetime of colourful, dynamic work that challenged the visual norms of her time.  She was a prolific war artist and the first woman elected to the Royal Academy. For her depictions of the Nuremberg Trials, she was also made the first Dame of the British Empire.

Dame Laura Knight 'Autumn Sunset'

I loved the beauty and atmosphere of this painting, 'Autumn Sunset'.  Rich and evocative of misty autumn days, I think this piece will keep me going through the winter months.

Memory Book Workshop

Yesterday I ran my first workshop from the comfort of my own studio. Nine lovely ladies joined me to make Memory Books. Some created books that celebrated children and family, another a combination of photos and drawings from a honeymoon in Vegas. Some were books about special places, another a book of affirmations to carry with you and provide emotional support when needed. I'd made my own memory book of houses that I've lived in. We collaged and printed, painted and inked.

If you'd like to join me for a creative day making a Memory Book, I'm running another on Saturday July 7th in Long Eaton near Nottingham.

Getting Ready

I'm getting excited about exhibiting as part of Derbyshire Open Arts this coming Bank Holiday weekend.  I'm putting these posters round and about and I've been painting signs to direct people to the Long Eaton Art Room.  I'll be on home territory for this event, so I'm shouting from the tree tops about it. Tell everyone you know....and see you there!