Paper Weave II
Paper Weave II was to create the sea and beach through marbling and watercolour onto strips of paper. Despite the torrential rain with thunder and lightning participants still enjoyed it all as we huddled underneath the gazebo’s.
Dave Allen captured the day’s events underneath the archway to the beach and worked on nine different sketches from the creative workshops.
Materials
Waste Fishing Line - Anglers NLRS
Cotton Paper strips - Artist Sadie Tierney
Waste Bamboo - Artist Rebecca Robinson
Left over string from workshops - Artist Alice Hume
Artists
James Mouland - ebru marbling workshop
Ruth Lacey - beach comb watercolour workshop
Dave Allen - life drawing
Alice Hume - weaving
Incredible photographs by Alex Fountain.
“Thank you... such a lovely surprise... didn’t expect to be making art when I went on my Sunday walk”
“The rain did not dampen spirits as participants brand new to paper marbling embraced the opportunity to try something different. All ages really enjoyed the playful nature of swirling the sea green pigments and drew direct inspiration from the view of the solent through the sally port.
Everyone who took part said they were enthralled by the process and were looking forward to seeing the overall outcome of the weave. I was impressed with how enthusiastic participants were and how engaged they were with each other sharing a new creative experience and talking about their sense of achievement and community.”
“Thank you so much. These workshops are always fun - rain or shine”
“What a lovely way to spend a Sunday. By the sea, painting the sea”
“This workshop inspired me in a way that even a little same event could help to improve the community and wellbeing!”
“Thank you we really enjoyed making the swirly patterns”
“I discovered a new creative technique and felt inspired by how the project brought people together ”
“A lovely experience in using paper marbling (ebru) I felt creative and at ease - enjoyed the friendly experience. Thank you”
“It was such a great experience to undertake an art activity with my daughter and granddaughters. It was a wonderful opportunity to use the local environment to create textile art”
“I loved seeing the joy in the childrens face when they lift the paper from the tray. Thank you”
“It has been really good to try something new without having to first devote huge chunks of time and money, and a risk of choosing the wrong thing. Because of the previous workshops, I have now bought some gold leaf for my granddaughter to do more of this as she loved it so much.”
“It was inspiring learning a new skill and seeing it form part of a bigger installation. Seeing the paint take the shape of the sea and the strips layer together was amazing”
“A chance to learn a new skill and enjoy a new experience. Thank you”
“Lovely place. Takes me back to my childhood. Thanks”
“My Sunday of drawing at the weaving project was a damp one, so Alice suggested I might take my easel under the familiar arch that leads from the pavement to the beach. From there I was looking back across Broad Street at the activities under the protective roof of the gazebo as James Mouland led the first workshop session and I began drawing – mostly in chalk or charcoal, later a little in pencil.
Two women attending the workshop were accompanied by two men who stood in front of the gazebo, in my line of sight. After about half-an-hour one asked “are we in the way?” I replied that no, they were not, adding “you’re in the drawings” which elicited a light-hearted response. I was also taking photographs in case I needed to refer back in any subsequent work I might do – and they were prominent in those.
I had thought I might develop this ‘life’ drawing with some weaving, using an old wooden painting frame and the coloured ropes and fishing line that for years I have collected around the Camber which stands equidistant between my home and the Hotwalls. In the event, something very different has emerged – a kind of relief collage, a documentary of the day and my response to it.”
“A great workshop for the local community & raising the awareness for the environment and artists”
“enjoy drawing enjoy life”
“Loved finding and painting the sea glass”
“Being Creative is always important for all of us! ”
“I have depression and ptsd and have found each activity at these workshops so absorbing. There’s a lot of freedom in making things and it gently helps you to focus just on the here and now ”
“I listen to the rain and it feel peaceful ”
“It’s inspired me to be more childlike and creative. Have more fun and ease with everything!”
“Love that it was completely local. Creating a sense of community is so powerful and I love that art can transcend differences between people, allowing us to all come together”
“Absolutely lovely people. Despite the crazy weather, there was tons of laughter and it was amazing to connect with strangers so casually, especially with the pandemic”
“It’s inspired me to use different materials in a range of ways. It’s also really fun and a reminder of how joyful it can be to have time to make things ”
“Thank you for an inspiring workshop which has ignited my passion for arts and recycling. I enjoyed the experience of creating something amazing from recyclable material. The friendly and professional approach left me wanting to come back again and use arts as healing for my mental well-being. Thank you”
“For a person who isn’t arty - this was so relaxing and enjoyable. Well done everyone”
“Thank you for a wonderful opportunity to be creative”
“So much fun doing something quite unexpected on a Sunday morning. Thank you so much”
“I absolutely loved every minute of this workshop. I have delivered many painting workshops, mostly at The Hotwalls Studios, but this was something really quite unique. It was wonderful for the set up to be totally accessible to all and offer a chance to try something new for all ages. To have such cheerful creativity happening around the tables outdoors seemed to encourage people’s curiosity. It was great to be chatting to passers by about what we were doing, the studio’s and the benefits of actively creating artwork.
For this workshop the weather was just a little bit unpredictable which then meant some people could take the spare places and join in. With a sturdy waterproof set up our fantastic participants were able to carry on regardless. So a really memorable workshop, happy people creating beautiful responses to our much loved shoreline.
There were lots of special moments, some really lovely conversations happened around a table in a shared creative activity.”
“Thank you for bringing this to Portsmouth”
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