If my art had a travel journal, July would have filled a whole book!

I thought after Bucks Art Weeks it was going to be quiet... and it was in a way, but my art had other ideas! I’m usually tired and plan in a break from commissions and tend to relax on social media… Nope not this year! It didn’t happen.

From Ballet in Australia, to Antigua and Barbuda breakfast TV, via London Pride, Urban Sketching, Opera de Bauge in France and a trip to America! oh and moving to a studio!

The last weekend of Bucks Art Weeks I had an enquiry from a wonderful Australian

composer. I had spoken to his aunt a year or so ago and followed him. Stan Lee had written a ballet which was in rehearsals with Brisbane ballet, Aquila. I have always loved ballet, I think its that combination of visual art and music combined, there is nothing better. I absolutely loved being asked to paint a picture of a stunning ballerina which was then set to the music from the ballet into a video. I would love to see this Ballet one day, hoping that it makes its way to Europe! Do go and follow Stan, his music is amazing.

During Bucks Art Weeks we had a visit all the way from France by the wonderful Su Melville. She was on her way north to run a sketching workshop. While she was sat with us she talked about Urban Sketching . Not this completely grabbed our attention! …. Fast forward to the end of July and we have run 2 events in Milton Keynes. This is such a lovely and free way to meet other artists. We meet, sketch for an hour and then usually end with a coffee in a café. Our first meet was at Milton Keynes Gallery and the second at a building called The Point. This was the UK’s first multiplex cinema and unfortunately now at risk of disappearing. Many thanks to Su Melville for inspiring us to start this group. Lesley Keck and myself have planned ones right into the Autumn so do get in touch if you'd like to come along.

I also planned a Summer Sketchbook Scavenger Hunt for anyone to join in with. This is downloadable from my website and is a list of things to look out for and sketch over the summer. I have realised over the past few years, just how important being creative is for mental well being but also physical health! When stress levels are reduced healing can be so much easier. Taking time to slow down and look around more is so important.

July was also a time for me to reveal a little bit of a different direction in my art! I love combining vintage music and art together so have worked on a way to combine this into wearable art. Within just a month of unveiling my “Art for your Ears”, earrings they have appeared at London Pride, have travelled to the US and France and also appeared on Antigua and Barbuda TV, on their breakfast programme with 3 people all wearing them!

I have pretty much sold out of the first batch with people telling me how much others have stopped them to comment on the fact they are so unique. Not only unique but they are more environmentally friendly than others that use resin, mine use a natural combination of wax and damar resin or glass to seal them. I am already working on new ideas, so watch this space!

July was also a successful month for paintings, with 3 finding new homes homes in America. The US has always been a place my art has been popular, but this was the first time through a gallery (Obsidian in Swanbourne)

Enjoying art couldn’t have been better either! Milton Keynes International Festival took place again this summer with two of the best art/sound installations I think I have ever seen. Mark Anderson’s Warning Notes when viewed between dusk and night was incredible, Michale Pendrys “Les Colombes equally breaktaking and Luke Jerams “Mars” was impressive to see. Milton Keynes Gallery’s exhibition of Andy Warhol’s work came to an end and a new photography one begins (that’s something to see in August!)

My daughters have been busy with playing music across the world! … one playing violin for Opera de Bauge in France for most of July … and the other helping with Go Compose on Antigua for a week. My husband and I had a much smaller local event with the orchestra we play in. Our orchestra has paid for a chamber music group through the local music service this summer and they came along to share what they have been doing and perform with us. A wonderful collaboration of community music in each place… Music, like art restores us all.

Finally, I have big news… after a long wait I have moved into a studio at York House in Stony Stratford. It gives me space to upscale what I do as well as look to offer workshops potentially in the future, facilitating others to embrace art as part of their wellbeing, which is so important to me.

August looms ahead and I’m starting to think of Christmas… (sorry, yes, I mentioned it) I already have commissions for birthdays later in the year as well as Christmas so if its something you are thinking about, get in touch soon. I have the Christmas Card design for The Northern King Charles Spaniel Club to do ready for September and I’m also working on items for the Pop-Up showcase in November.

Want to join in withs some sketching? Follow the Milton Keynes Urban Sketchers page on FB or download the Summer Sketchbook Scavenger Hunt.

If there is anything I can help you with, or you have any questions, do get in touch. I'd love to hear from you.

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