Happy is the man who can brush aside the offending remarks of another and go on his way.

Gordon B Hinckley

Being free of our emotional straight jackets is the hardest thing in the world. Most people can’t shake off their little pecking voices and fall back into patterns which stop them being who they can really be. They are sometimes aware and sometimes they aren’t, self sabotage, self doubt, circles of trauma relived or pain held back. It is the worst thing about the human condition. What we do to each other and what we do to ourselves.

I can only know what I know, and you will have your wisdom for someone else which they might need when you least expect it.

You can read books and books on that stuff , some of it is wonderful, you can listen to hours of audio tapes, and some of them too are worthwhile. You can meet gurus and change your style of clothes, call yourself something else and sit on a mountain.

But as well as that. The one thing to manage, learn, understand, live, get and do all the time is ;

Listen.

• To your own voice. What you really really think /feel/need.
• To what people who love you are saying on repeat.
• To the signs and to the slow hum of the moment.

Because that’s all that matters.

Then breathe, and choose your next step.

Not everyone is gonna like it. But that’s half the fun !! xxxxx

 

Explore your creative beginning

 

Working as an art teacher with children for 18 years, was a privilege . As far as the provision of creativity for kids was concerned! They taught me as much as I taught them. Children of all ages and abilities and backgrounds , emotional needs and behavioral issues gave me a solid understanding of all areas of my subject, but also how scary it is for most people.  We all have this fear of drawing, even those who can draw quite well. But actually, the drawing part is a, not nearly as tricky as it seems if you have someone help you unlearn your conditioned fears, and b, for the most part, drawing doesn’t have to feature that highly in most creative endeavors. We can cheat in a million ways to get our project conceived.

When I wasn’t able to work standing up, or teach every day because of these old bones of mine, I had to find ways of still creating with some of the amazing people I had met , still having a voice, feeling valuable and not just watching my beautiful resources rot. If I labelled the illness as me, it would have won, the disbelievers who think you can’t still reach out and be of use to other people if you are disabled or tired or have days where your pain takes over… they’d be right. And the joy people get  just getting their creative freedom would be gone. I’ll keep doing what we do if its only with my big toe.

For you and your making…There are no rules, no success criteria to live up to, no comparisons to make unless you choose them. I’ve seen the best ‘ proper artists’ tie themselves in knots, unable to create, unable to express their true work ; and I’ve seen my  gorgeous vintage customers , and the young fly free with abandon, to produce wonderful, expressive canvases you’d be proud to see on your wall.

You start with letting yourself be. Let yourself make mistakes and fail as many time as you need to. Take the competition with yourself and the world away . Trust that nothing is going to happen that won’t be another step in your growth, another tool to learn more about yourself, learn to  play be present. Enjoy the journey and how it feels on the way.

Here are some bits and pieces we like. Some might appeal and be a starting point for new ideas. Enjoy! x

Create a really comfortable space to work in. That’s so important. Think a doggie going round in circles in their bed until they get comfy. That’s you in your studio that is !

You definitely need the following:

Never try and do anything all at once, especially if you have issues with pain. Do a tiny bit, chip away. Chip away at several things at once and trust that they will evolve. Trying to climb mountains is just not possible every day. BUT sometimes a pile of chips turns into a mountain on its own. It’s what you do when you’re not focusing so hard that often turns out the best. Enjoy the ride…

If your hands hurt, use sponges, kids drawing tools, collage tools and your fingers to paint with. This can actually sometimes work BETTER than brushes because you take the control out of the equation. And you tap into the other side of your brain too .

These are fab little grips you get for pencils that make it easier to manouevre your drawing .

Make it warm. Sounds obvious. You can’t work if you are cold or uncomfortable. Loosen up your arm-wear- tight sleeves mean you can’t bend your limbs to move them freely and you need to loosen your flow.. Being warm can be a little heater in your hut, big socks and a cat on your lap. (This taps into the next must do.. )

Surround yourself with familiar and gorgeous things which inspire you. And also things that have always interested you but have seemed too out of reach, too good for you, too scary, too hard, too cultured, whatever fear it has tapped into in your past..

That doesn’t matter. Get them out of magazines, print pictures, look at books, take photos, look at pinterest, collect found objects you like the look and feel of, rummage about for objects which you feel you want to celebrate, people, places or themes which resonate. Start with one object if you are struggling.. Like a pebble..write down words that are bubbling inside your head.. doodle ideas that are starting to grow..

Sometimes its even better if nobody else gets why you like them. Fab. Use that to create your own space, wall, corner, identity. Let them see this new exciting version of yourself, the one youv’e been hiding in your head and notebooks.

Get tea and cake….Here’s an idea……………

 

enjoy it.

Make a mess, move some materials around and see what happens……………….xxxxx

 

 

 

She tells glitter spells by the sea shore

When this problem for me all started I was in a house with stairs.. no good.. in an area that had lovely people, but no inspiration to create with. We had the chance for a new chapter and could literally jump in or stay there for ever. I walked into an estate agent one day and just said ( a week before Christmas) lets sell. By New year it was sold. 12 weeks later we had to be out. I had no idea how it would work out financially, but I knew it was meant to be, that I could trust it was the right thing for us. We went on a road trip, drove around meeting people, and looking at villages near the sea, about 100 miles of coastline from Edinburgh.

It was a complete blank card. We saw no actual houses. In a way, that wasn’t the important part. Its the place, the people, the distance to your car if you can’t walk easily, the safe places for your child to play.. the vibe..

One day, you wake up and the sun is glinting through the glasses in the breakfast room at the b and b, there is a tension in the air that wasn’t there yesterday. The light is brighter, the trees have stepped into fairy-tale mode and the beach in February is warm and calm. We drank tea and ate chips, chatted to locals, and felt we had returned home.

Those boats had been waiting for us. The chance remark by a little old lady in a newsagents that there was one bungalow for sale, was enough. The next day we were inside, having traveled home an hour and back again, dog and child already at home in the garden, and when the agent rang to ask if there were any thoughts on the purchase.. I heard myself answering I’ll buy it. I had no money, or plan, and in twelve weeks new people would be in our current house, it having sold in two. But this was going to work. We were home.

And we vowed to have a few of these in our new home one day.. The dream/nightmare began…. (single mum, no income, on crutches in pain but determined kind of way…)

And we did, we have and we are.. its possible. The things you really want.. they actually are possible. My cat is sitting on that stripy cushion right now. In the bungalow by the Sea. It was a hellish time during those 12 weeks. There were a lot of panic moments and a lot of cursing myself for being a hoarder. I had enormous help from friends to whom I am forever in their debt. But this is about the  result, not the determination you need and must find to get there. That would be your journey, your learning, whatever you needed to find. All we can ever do is wake up grateful. And have a drive to create a best life for us. And that is completely different for everyone. ( We quite like ours!) xx

 

We were really fortunate to spend four years with some very special people in and around our last home. Being involved in Dalkeith Arts was initially a great way of getting out into a cultured environment with a small person in tow, and when it became an organisational position, and I was asked to be their Arts Co-ordinator, I learnt on the job and found skills I’d forgotten about . From co-ordinating exhibitions with the team, delegating out to sub-groups throughout the year, managing emails, paperwork and posters, meeting for committee meetings, chairing meetings, and teaching workshops, at times it was a full time job ( an unpaid job!) But the core committee at times when we could have given up, kept ploughing on with positivity and slowly drew in new, jolly bouncy people to help. Unfortunately, due to geographical distance, Brownies at night! and the general ebb and flow of change, we found it impossible to stay  involved, which felt like an appropriate time to make the change. The team is going great and like a river just keeps on flowing.. It would be lovely  to say here how rewarding and wonderful (along with frustrating and knackering) it was!

And to recognise how many amazing people we met. The genuine kindness, selflessness and wisdom of helpers, volunteers, creators, and the extended team who pulled events together at the last minute, was magic. I miss so many of you. It was like pulling off a plaster leaving. You can’t half involve yourself in something so all encompassing. And I am sure that the new team members are all raring to go , taking it on to heady heights.

More bits and bobs will be added here in time, once all the photos are found post move! But, it was long overdue to pop something up,  and wish D.A all the best. So, thank you, I thoroughly enjoyed bossing everyone about on my sticks at exhibitions… (Only kidding… helping co-ordinate successful events, even do the public speaking, which it helped rekindle a long lost confidence in, ..) and get to know so many folk.  Love and good health, keep the door open to everyone and keep smiling at each other. You are all welcome to drop in, pick our brains or borrow a white table cloth or two! xx

There will be plenty of beach huts here for your delight, use one to paint a picture from or remember your childhood Summers. These ones live on the South coast just outside Bognor Regis/Littlehampton area, where my folks live . Lovely colours, very toothpastey! xx

A few of the samples of craft-work created for the Dalkeith arts pop up shop for the last couple of years, which we began in addition to the community exhibition. I love making these products and more will be ‘popping’ up soon but it is hard going on the hands, especially making repeat designs. Anyone with arthritis will know you can get days where you can grip and days when you have a claw instead! Then even the jam is off limits… Ideas for prints and one -offs are being worked on for the next projects, collage and illustrations. x

Adult or Child Beach bag
Fun, lined with wipe clean p.v.c and easy to grab and wear across the shoulder whilst carrying your deckchairs. !!
Adult- £27 Child- £23

 

Felt and Collage pieces.

 

My work is inspired by the sea and by the myths and legends associated with protectors of ships at sea. I am fascinated by the totems and folklore of the buildings created for the purpose of those left ashore waiting for their safe return.. Hidden in tiny churches across villages in every land are starry ceilings and paper boats, angels clutching sailing ships and the collective baited breaths of loved ones in prayer..

I have always been drawn to the depths, colours and textures of the seaside. Drawn to the power of the sea and also the nostalgia of childhood summers spent in the sand and on the pier, I feel it is a simple and wonderful connection which those by the sea are linked by, within the vast changeable fringes of an ever changing seasonal horizon.

My work evolves and grows organically when it is being created until it is is finished! Collages are created using a mix of acrylic, ink and different textured layers of papers, with the addition of touches of sparkle.

In my felted work, I hand roll each piece and build up texture with fleece and fibre . These pieces are then stitched together and needle-felted, embroidered by hand or on the sewing machine and manually and lovingly nurtured until the balance is right and the colours sing.

In My figurative paintings, I am celebrating the feminine archetype  the mothers, the sisters and the daughters, celebrating the everyday wonder of hearth and home and the magic within. They represent the tastes and smells of our connections with those we love and have loved. The excitement of treasures found in the bottom of a drawer, an envelope of old photographs, the feather found between the pages of an old travel book . These are the building blocks of good things we take forward and share with our children. Creating a piece of art for me becomes the essence of storytelling and magical surprises. My figures are suspended in time,  the fleeting moments of dreams, standing alone or hiding in the shadows of secret worlds. Real or imagined, they are the keepers of deepest memories and childhood stories.

I am a collector, a treasure keeper, a magpie, I cant help it! Bottle tops are little boats.. sweet wrappers are the glint of an angels wing, there are ideas and beginnings everywhere..

I have spent my life stitching together fragments of inspiration. In journals, sketchbooks, helping others to formulate their ideas and develop their own language.

I am interested in the hidden layers of magic within a painting or a collage, the way that materials react against each other:  in how colours and materials can be magically transformed, creating new depths , surface textures and plays of light.

A large part of my life so far has held my art contained in my home, my friends homes! and my sketchbooks.. Given over to bringing up my two stepsons and my daughter, largely alone, and managing pain from a debilitating health condition. But it never stopped growing and evolving, as did the dream to share what I was learning and experiencing with other people.

I do love a little bit of colour!

 

Hello!!    So delighted to have finally put this together, as it has always felt that there was sooo much I wanted to share, and find out and put into one place. There have been previous blogglets and the dedicated face-book pages, but this will be….. the beach diary / shop space/ Pandora’s box of information and diary of all things lovely which we love in our new life by the sea… in our forever home.

I am Liz Walker, artist, maker of coast inspired creations, handmade felts and textiles, cards, cushions and bags, provider of workshops of creative sparkle to makers of all ages and abilities. I was a high school teacher for 18 years, as well as having my own business after leaving Edinburgh Art College in 1994. Like many people, the life I imagined way back then , grew legs and walked the other way.. or in my case didn’t.. !!

I have arthritis, and I live on my colourful  crutches! But through a variety of set- backs, and dragon quests, something amazing happened.. When life gives you lemons… I found that I wasn’t going to give up. I found that I still existed, even on the worst days, and that there is always a way through. I am a perpetual filler- upper of half empty glasses ! My daughter and I are the hosts of creative classes for wonderful people of all shapes, sizes, ages, abilities, and  experiences!  Bringing a blend of creating and calm, to a cornucopia of places, where, sometimes, we meet you, sometimes we meet old friends, and sometimes, if we half close our eyes….. magic happens . These experiences are now limited due to the nature of my condition, and are therefore even more special and valued.

We are also Liz and Leah and we are two of a kind. Mum plus one… and best mates  … (well most of the time….!!!)  there are some dubious moments … did someone say 8 going on 18? But mostly…. adventurers and intrepid explorers of all that is inspiring….. a team, who work together to bring our idea to you. She is a helper extraordinaire and has already shown great promise in the creative and organisational skill dept! Keeping going has also been achieved with an incredible mixey bag of friends , who pop up and help, and make it all possible.

We have a newly nearly decorated  home  by the sea… we have a sack-load of experience, ideas and projects you can do with us, or in your own home. And I hope this forum might be somewhere that ideas are shared too.

We have great friends but more are always welcome!  This is the diary of what we do. This is our scrapbook, and our photo album and our space to find out what you’re up to and sometimes to stop and listen to a bit of good old fashioned wisdom….. or just to look at inspirational pictures, you can never be lonely if you are armed with a smile, an open heart and a willingness to learn……….so, grab a bucket and a crab sandwich and….. .Until we move into our dream space on the beach, this is Liz’s Beach Hut.. It’s wherever we are! !  See you soon…xxx  Love Liz

xx

Hello!!    So delighted to have finally put this together, as it has always felt that there was sooo much I wanted to share, and find out and put into one place. There have been previous blogglets and the dedicated face-book pages, but this will be….. the beach diary / shop space/ Pandora’s box of information and diary of all things lovely which we love in our new life by the sea… in our forever home.

 

I am Liz Walker, artist, maker of coast inspired creations, handmade felts and textiles, cards, cushions and bags, provider of workshops of creative sparkle to makers of all ages and abilities. I was a high school teacher for 18 years, as well as having my own business after leaving Edinburgh Art College in 1994. Like many people, the life I imagined way back then , grew legs and walked the other way.. or in my case with my legs .. didn’t.. !!

I have arthritis, and I live on my colourful  crutches! But through a variety of set- backs, and dragon quests, something amazing happened.. When life gives you lemons… I found that I wasn’t going to give up. You forget making lemonade, you make limoncello vodka jelly instead.. I found that I still existed, even on the worst days, and that there is always a way through.  This story didn’t happen in a straight line, and telling it wont be.

I am a perpetual filler- upper of half empty glasses ! My daughter and I are the hosts of creative classes for wonderful people of all shapes, sizes, ages, abilities, and  experiences!  Bringing a blend of creating and calm, to a cornucopia of places, where, sometimes, we meet you, sometimes we meet old friends, and sometimes, no, a lot of the time, in amongst the laughing and mess, if we look at our warm ,friendly spaces….. magic is happening . These experiences can now be limited for me though, due to the nature of my condition, and are therefore even more special and valued.

We are also Liz and Leah and we are two of a kind. Mum plus one… and best mates  … (well most of the time….!!!)  there are some dubious moments … did someone say 8 going on 18? But mostly…. adventurers and intrepid explorers of all that is inspiring….. a team, who work together to bring our idea to you. She is a helper extraordinaire and has already shown great promise in the creative and organisational skill dept! Keeping going has also been achieved with an incredible mixey bag of friends , who pop up and help, and make it all possible.

We have a newly nearly decorated  home  by the sea… we have a sack-load of experience, ideas and projects you can do with us, or in your own home. And I hope this forum might be somewhere that ideas are shared too.

We have great friends but more are always welcome!  This is the diary of what we do. This is our scrapbook, and our photo album and our space to find out what you’re up to and sometimes to stop and listen to a bit of good old fashioned wisdom….. or just to look at inspirational pictures, you can never be lonely if you are armed with a smile, an open heart and a willingness to learn……….so, grab a bucket and a crab sandwich and….. .Until we move into our new dream space, in our village near the beach, this is Liz’s Beach Hut.. It’s wherever we are! !  And wherever you are..

See you soon…xxx  Love Liz

One day, you wake up and the sun is glinting through the glasses in the breakfast room at the b and b, there is a tension in the air that wasn’t there yesterday. The light is brighter, the trees have stepped into fairy-tale mode and the beach in February is warm and calm. We drank tea and ate chips, chatted to locals, and felt we had returned home. These boats had been waiting for us. The chance remark by a little old lady in a newsagents that there was one bungalow for sale, was enough. The next day we were inside, having traveled home an hour and back again, dog and child already at home in the garden, and when the agent rang to ask if there were any thoughts on the purchase.. I heard myself answering I’ll buy it. I had no money, or plan, and in twelve weeks new people would be in our current house, it having sold in two. But this was going to work. We were home.