Life Drawing Classes!

[Michele Rushworth]

Congratulations on your successes, Ngaire. This determination you show even in the most challenging circumstances will take you far.

[Julie Deane]

Way to go, Ngaire!

[Linda Brandon]

Hi Ngaire,

I love how you are making things happen in your community. You are a person of drive, determination and energy. Please post photos of your setup when you find the time. I'm proud to have met you on this Forum.

[Ngaire Winwood]

Thanks Michelle and Julie.

Sometimes you have to make a start and see where it will lead.

I have opened the door and now hope that these small towns and their people will open up their hearts and minds to at least unite on a monthly basis for life drawing. Here's hoping.

[Ngaire Winwood]

Thanks Linda I wasn't sure if I should have gone in the direction that I did, but I feel it was the right thing to do.

Someone at the workshop had a digital camera, so I should have some photos for the forum soon. I got so excited about it all that it was actually happening, I forgot to take one, even though I had an old automatic camera.

My easel fell over a couple of times, I tripped over the heaters when I went around giving everyone a baby wipe to wipe their charcoal hands with (after warm up exercises) as most forgot to bring a rag and basically ended up being the class clown, without wanting to. It made for a more comfortable start anyway, and loosened every one up before we got into the 30 minute drawings.

Next time I will hopefully settle down and concentrate better.

[Ngaire Winwood]

Well I have just received the photos back for my first workshop. The first is the building, Abbey of the Roses. A little history:
Our Sisters of Mercy Convent - Our Lady of Assumption (now Abbey of the Roses) was built in 1893 from local freestone, cost approximately 12,000 pounds and was funded by the people of Warwick through an Art Union.

Photo 1: This building is now privately owned and is a Bed & Breakfast, Function Centre. The room that the workshop was in is the cathedral shaped leadlight windows on the far right, on the 1st floor. This room hasn't been renovated and is called the dormitory.

Photo 2: The workshop just starting. Artists came from all over the region as far as approx 130 miles away. That is me sitting down taking their particulars. (looking south) The Manager wouldn't let me shift their laundry and furniture as this is their storage room, so I had to share the space. I had the southern half and one side of the room.

Photo 3: Everyone getting ready for the warm up exercises. The model has the white sheet wrapped around him, ready to come into the middle to stand on the podium my 14 year old son, Jacob made me for Mother's Day. (Just the best present an artist mum could want) a 2x1.5 metres and 40cm high model stand. It was his first welding job and he made it over three weeks during his school Industrial tech class. (looking north)

It was a great day. We had two models, a couple (male and female).

I hope these photos come out in the right order. Here's hoping!

The next one is planned for 20 June.

[Linda Brandon]

I'm happy to see so many artists are involved in this, Ngaire, and your space is beautiful! These are interesting photos, and the convent is so lovely.

I've never drawn while sitting down in an Open Studio. I'm just wondering if you could push the podium up against the wall and let artists form a half-circle around the model. It would give everyone some room to stand back while drawing.

I'm very impressed that your young son can weld. Your comment is reminding me that I want to start a thread about podiums here on the Forum, and when I do I would like to see more information about how he made yours.

[Ngaire Winwood]

Yes Linda I was very lucky to talk the Abbey of the Roses into allowing us to use the room as it is a community project. If I asked them as a commercial operation say a studio, I doubt if I would have even got a hearing. The other choices of course weren't as nice as this, just old dance halls. This building is one of only a couple of sandstone buidings in our whole region. Believe me, there wasn't much to choose from. I was overwhelmed when they said yes, as I only asked out of a long shot and curiosity.

My son did a great job on my mother's day present. The wood platform is in two and comes out for ease of mobillity from the steel frame. Being 2 metres long it was awkward getting it up the stairs. The best part is it doubles as a double bed if even I need an extra one.

As we had a lot of first timers at the workshop, they preferred to use the tables with drawing boards. I think I had 8 at easels and 8 at tables. A few beginners used an easel for the first time.