The day we were wired up with wood

We have often used wire as part of our projects but wanted to do something a bit more sculptural. We had previously looked at the work of Barbara Hepworth and decided to try some ideas out. One thing we all felt was that by having a base it gave the piece more of a sculptural feel. We had lots of offcuts from a local joiner so these were used as the bases.

We tended towards more abstract forms, so bent and shaped wire constructions on various themes and ideas. We stapled them to the wooden bases and some of us were to paint them. One person added a small shard of blue and white pottery found in a local river to a shape of a cup which was effective so you could incorporate found items to ad to the sculptures.

The day we went to pots!

We came across some ceramic paint at the back of a shelf and wondered what we could do with it. We had some plain tiles we had been breaking for mosiac so we decided to paint these with it as well as buying some really cheap white plain dinner plates. The paint is easy to use and after applying just needs half an hour in an oven at 170 c. This sets the paint and makes it wash proof.

The day we drew cats in the style of Louis Wain

Louis Wain creates wonderful vibrant and at times psychedelic images involving cats. As we have a number of cat lovers among the group we thought we would give it a go and used pens and pastels to create our own versions.

The day we carved plaster and pumpkin

We started by casting some plaster of paris into plastic cups or meat trays. When this had hardened and set we then set about carving it. The plaster is very easy and soft to carve. We used clay tools or knives and even a screwdriver to do this. The cast where only small so it did not take long. We may cast some larger blocks to have a go at in the future. Be warned it is very very messy as the dusty plaster spreads easily and you end up covered if your not careful.

 

One of our members had also brought a small pumpkin which they carved using the clay tools.

 

The day we leapt into action



 

This activity came from the Olympics really. We wanted to get a sense of movement so we drew people as filled out stick figures then split them up into their parts. For example a runner we split into head, bent arms and different legs. We then used these as templates to draw round creating repeating patterns which we then coloured using pastels or pens in different shades to suggest change or movement by banding the colours. They looked quite effective in the end.

 

 

 

New home for WellArt at Space2Create

After the closure of Workbase, a Kendal based mental health charity, the some of the volunteers involved in the arts and crafts as well as WellArt, have formed a new charitable voluntary group called Space2Create.

 

Space2Create aims to improve the well-being of individuals suffering mood difficulties for whatever reason through creative activity. It will be running creative sessions around Kendal as well as working on a local mental health ward to run art sessions.

 

From Friday 4th January WellArt will be based at the Abbot Hall Gallery's Learning Art Barn (LAB) from 10.30 to 1.30 costing £3.00 a session. We will carry on our usual creative quirky art based activity, also making use of the excellent gallery, Abbot Hall. Links to Abbot Hall and how to get there on on the right.