The impetus for my recent trip to England was a simple and rather offhand comment from an artist friend back last summer . . . “we should go to an art workshop in England!” She did have a specific artist and a specific workshop in mind at the time, but alas . . . that artist was moving to a new studio and wouldn’t be offering any in-person workshops for quite some time. Undaunted, my friend kept looking . . . but, ultimately, it was me who found the Bullclough Art School, located in the Peak District right in the middle of England.
Bullclough . . . is the brainchild of artist Nellie Shepherd and her husband, Andy. They purchased an old farmhouse and out-buildings on 8 acres of land near Leek and lovingly renovated them in gorgeous, stunning fashion. There is a main house (which is also Nellie and Andy’s home), a teaching studio, and a gallery on the property (complete with a collection of rescue sheep, alpacas, chickens, dogs and cats). It is an art school, a retreat center, and well . . . just a beautiful, amazing place.
The 3-day workshop we enrolled in was called Creating Contemporary Still-Life . . . and it was wonderful. It was truly a mixed-media extravaganza. While we mostly used acrylic paints on prepared MDF boards, we were also encouraged to try collage and various marking tools (or anything that interested us, for that matter). I won’t go into too much more detail or the specifics (I know most of you are not that into painting, and I don’t want to be a bore here), but our days were absolutely packed. I have not been so exhausted (in that good, inspired-but-brain-dead kind of way) for a really, really long time.
There were 14 of us in the workshop. My friend and I were the only Americans; all the other students were Brits (although some had traveled quite far for the workshop). We felt welcome by the group, although . . . they did have quite a few questions for us. It was interesting to hear perspectives on (ahem) current events from real people who aren’t American, y’know?
Our first day was mostly . . . learning about what makes an interesting still-life, with emphasis on sketching (lots and lots of sketching) and composition. (Everything you do at Bullclough gets “put up” . . . on windows, walls, easels. It was so fun to see everyone’s work as the days unfolded.)
The second day was all about . . . choosing color palettes and mixing colors. (Messiest day ever.)
And on the last day . . . it was all about the painting! In these photos, you can see how some of my sketches turned into full-blown paintings.
It was just great fun . . . AND a fabulous learning experience. (I’m still waiting for my paintings to show up here at home. Patiently and hopefully.)
5 stars. Highly recommend.
(I’m in the process of setting up photo galleries in my Field Notes section. Eventually, you’ll be able to pop in and see lots of photos from my trip . . . should you be interested. I’ll let you know when it’s ready for viewing.)
Now this sounds just so fun Kym! Just so fun!! I love seeing the progression from your sketches to finished painting! And it sounds like the most delightful place to spend a bit of time! I am keeping my fingers crossed your artwork arrives soon!
It sounds like just a perfect time! The setting, “doing” art, experimenting, etc., etc. Love all your pictures and I will look forward to strolling through your gallery when it is up and open!
This is the kind of story/experience – adventure, determination, travel, creativity, community – that I could eat up with a spoon. Thanks so much, Kym!
I really like that idea of “putting up” everyone’s work, and artwork really pops when its backlit on the windows. I’m drawn to that cup of tea and English muffin (?) at the top, but maybe just because I’m getting hungry. I admire the Shepherds. It would be quite a leap for me to even consider attending a workshop like you did but they must have taken a giant leap to purchase the property and turn it into the amazing place it is today. I hope your paintings arrive soon!
This looks and sounds wonderful! And how adventurous to just do it!
Really lovely. Looking forward to seeing that photo gallery!
Thank you for sharing! It looks amazing.
Thank you for the peek into your art and art class … all of it looks amazing! I’m curious how your pieces will look in Michigan? I’m sure it’s (mostly?) the context in which I’m seeing them, but they look like they belong in the Peak District … what a wonderful way to bring home your trip!
It really sounds amazing. It makes me miss my days in high school in the studio (I was the entirety of the AP Studio Art class my senior year, so when I wasn’t in class, I was either in the library or in the studio). I can’t wait to see all the photos!
This looks like so much fun, Kym. Glad you went, even though you were doubtful it was the right thing to do at the time. And I am very glad that as Americans you were welcomed. “Regular” people are so often much kinder than their leaders, ya know? Hope your paintings show up soon.
The whole experience sounds lovely! The atmosphere, the space and the countryside would be something new. Something that put your brain in a whole other place and changes the way you look at your art. Stretching yourself. It must have been a journey (and I hope it feels betters than it did while immersed in it).
That sounds like a really fabulous workshop and I’m sure it was the highlight of your trip. I think it’s a very brave thing to take an art class and to take one ABROAD is truly fearless! (See what I did there? LOL)
What a wonderful experience. Thank you for writing about it.
P. S. I’m reading all the back posts but probably not commenting on all of them. We are doing great but caretaking does take time and energy and I’m not as young as I used to be.