Result !

Our Intuitive workshop was a great success and I think everyone, including me, learnt a little more about paint application and working with colour. What became very obvious was that one should try to work on a large canvas. Anything smaller than 50x50cm rather limits the possibilities and lines become restricted. The wildly colourful paintings were a cheery sight inspite of the torrential rain outside. I would have liked to have taken this course out of the studio and into the sunshine but the weather wouldn't allow....typical as we are back in tshirts again today.

It was very rewarding to see the results when some of my students had never painted before. After a wary start everyone soon got the hang of layering paint on the canvas in a bold and confident way. 

Mine

Petra's

Faith's

Gill's

Rob's

Laurie's

Eve's

Dance music on and away we go.

I think we will try and do these workshops once a month, Not only are they great fun but the donations go towards improving our studios and work spaces at The Mill Room. We have such a lovely atmoshpere in which to work and our little community of artists means we can constantly seek advise or bounce ideas off each other. It is a really energising place to work. 

Our next event is Winter Tales - our arty take on folk and fairy stories-starting on December 3rd. We will be open on Wednesday 3rd 6pm onwards for an evening viewing and to listen to the tales being read by Penny Evans. It will also be the start of our Christmas studio opening times. Everyone welcome.

There are no mistakes

 Expressive Painting Workshop

Wednesday 26^th November 10am – 3pm

One day workshop. For novice and experienced painters alike. A chance to spend a day painting in a spontaneous and fearless way, using basic painting techniques in an innovative and self-expressive way. Sarah Baird will facilitate throughout and give a short talk at the start on use of colour, mark making and encouragement on exploring the process. Sarah will also give a handout sheet with the basic principles so that you can continue with this exciting work at home.

Donation to The Mill Room

To book a place call into The Mill Room Studios. Or find us on facebook:  The Mill Room Studios

What you need

Bring a large canvas or board to work on. The bigger the better. 70cm is a good size to start ! No smaller than 50x50cm.

A good selection of acrylic paint colours.

A selection of cheap brushes inc a fine brush.

A sense of fun is essential and please leave all preconceived ideas of what a painting should look like at home !

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE PAINTS AND BRUSHES, FEAR NOT, WE CAN SUPPLY. PLEASE INQUIRE.

This is where it all began a few weeks ago. Faith and I spent a very lovely day painting intuitively. (There was some angst that needed exorcising!) People wandered through the Mill Room as we painted, some more interested than others at our mad workings. The general census of opinion was that we should hold regular workshops there and encourage painters and non painters alike to have a go. 
So here we are holding our first workshop of this kind, tomorrow. I will be facilitating and am looking forward to it. We already have 8 people signed up but can take a couple more. Alternatively wait for the next one in a month's time.

Our Mantra:    There are no mistakes.

After 5 hour's work we have propelled ourselves into a whole new way or working. Things will never be the same again.

We  will offering workshops once a month which will include mixed media and collage, paper making and much more. Keep an eye out for what's going on at our facebook page. If anyone is interested in learning wood turning techniques let us know. We may be able to offer this in the New Year.

As The crow flies

How time flies... back again into November and the weather is still warm. It feels like a blustery English summer and I am dressed as if I was holidaying in Cornwall. Big warm jumper, scarf and shorts !

The light is fab at this time of the year and I just can't help taking pics on my evening walks.

A very lovely footpath that leads from Mgarr Harbour and along the cliffs to Xatt l-ahmar.

Numbers are growing at The Mill Room Studios and we now have a proper little community of artists, dreamers and healers. The next exhibition we are working on is called 'Six Winter Tales' Our art works will be based on folk or fairy tales and how we interpret them. I shall be working on a triptych on canvas....any guesses as to the cautionary tale ?   The exhibition will begin on 3rd December @ 6pm everyone welcome. 

The usual building up of layers to give texture then a layer of gesso before I start to paint.

Not yet finished, a few cautionary words to be added and some more detailing to be done.

I am itching to do a big abstract piece and have been trawling through a couple of books sitting on my shelf for inspiration. Both these books inspire to get out of a creative rut and just let the paint flow. So that will be my next project and I can't wait to get started. My 'unlocking creativity' workshop I ran in UK was loosely based on these ideas and I think I may revamp that workshop to fit in with my studio at The Mill Room. If you are interested just msg me on my facebook page. 

Inside The Studio

I am always interested in how other artists work, or at least in the environment in which they work. It's a real insight into their psyche. That's why I love open studios and encourage people to come to mine. I tend to work in a fairly messy way and don't clean up until a project is finished, but after the work is done I have to have a purge on tidying up. I can't start a new work until the studio is immaculate and I can start afresh.
These are the studios I have been working in over the last 10 years. All lovely airy spaces with lots of light. My current one at the Mill Room needs a little storage space but the space has great vibes.

If you are interested in reading about my artistic life before Gozo click HERE

A mixed media workshop in my studio.

Some famous studios. For more pics click
Work spaces of famous artists

Can you hazard as guess as to who's they might be ?

.... and for a really sneaky peek take a look at this Facebook page where artists paste their own pictures of work spaces....fascinating ! Click  A peek inside artists studios

We have been experiencing what it is like to be in the eye of a cyclone for the last 24 hours..... mad is the answer. Sadly I didn't get any photos of life inside a washing machine !

This was what is was like this morning down at san Blas after the storm had passed....absolutely beautiful. Searching for driftwood !

Changeling

Another week of the current exhibition left to run. So if you haven't yet had a chance do go and have a look, We installed some great changing coloured lights. The works are completely transformed with the different colours, an interesting aspect. The Mill Room is open every week day and Saturday from 10am until 1pm. 

My work

Richard Bourne

Faith Vinal Pollina

Petra Le Clarc

I;m not posting very clear pictures on purpose, to encourage you go and see them for real !

We are now working on a new exhibition to be launched on December 3rd. Our take on a Winter Fairy Tale. We have two of our other artists joining in on this one, a Mad Hatter and a Wood Turner, so look out for some interesting work. Go to The Mill Room Studios facebook page for info on forthcoming events.