Back to school……

September has arrived and time for the new school year to begin. Children moving up the years groups are now old hands at the school but in contrast the ‘newbies’ in reception class and year 7’s enter with a mix of excitement and nervousness in equal amounts but before they reach the first half term holiday they will have settled and will be okay.

It has been 45 years since I started my first day at senior school and I still can remember it like yesterday. I was full of nerves but also excited at starting something new. Sadly for me school wasn’t the happiest time of my life but like millions of others I got through it and out the other side to really start living how I believed was right for me. But there was a saving grace at my school, the Art department. I lived most of my school life in those rooms where it was perfectly normal to work on your own, quietly and without having to work with others on assignments. Where I was seen as normal and not the weird one who doesn’t talk much. My art tutors were all lovely and encouraging, especially the head of department Mr Minter. He was so encouraging, full of knowledge and definitely had time for his students who wanted to learn, not just the talented ones, like many tutors.

It was his passion for his subject that kept me engaged with learning, for I knew that I had to work hard in all my other subjects to get the extra time in the art rooms during break times. Though I continued my studies to A’levels and got a place at Art school, (though I didn’t go in the end, but that is another story) my life took a different route away from the art world I thought would be mine.

From 1986 to 2017 art was not my focus but the love of it was ever present, whether drawing and painting for pleasure at home , going to galleries and exhibitions or buying artwork. I loved to learn about different styles of art and the artists who created these mesmerizing pieces. I continue to learn from other artists who are so generous with sharing their practice and processes with everyone. You will notice that there are lots of artists that are more than happy to share as they don’t feel threatened by those others who are learning, they are comfortable to share because they are confident within their own practice. There are some artists that keep their process under lock and key, they may be very good artists but there is an insecurity that they are obviously experiencing. For me the more I share about my art, the way I create the more pleasure I get as I believe art is to be shared and creating is a positive action to unlock many areas of the brain.

So if you are wanting to try your hand at an art project but don’t  know where to start, can I point you in the area of The Bloomz on Tour on their YouTube channel. There you will find SIX art challenges to have a go at. All in different mediums, from fibre sculpture to watercolours and all in between.

So with the children and young people all heading back to their places of learning why not get yourself in the learning zone too. Learning is never wasted.

Sammy xx

 

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