BADFA’s raison d’etre is to spread the word of decorative and folk art, to get the whole world
painting. We try to get teacher and student together but, with so few of each spread so
thinly, it is difficult.
Deb Gardner’s story shows that the best way to learn is with a good teacher, but it may
mean travelling to your nearest event. If you want to learn more, and learn better, spend a
day with a teacher. E-mail the editor ([email protected]) or visit our web pages to find
your nearest one.
Back to Basics - A personal reflection.
In August, I attended Gill Hobbs’ Basic Brush Stroke Workshop in Yorkshire. My daughter asked why
I was attending such a workshop when I have many master pieces (well, in my family’s mind they
are) at home; pieces like Ronnie Bringle’s Majestic Rooster, Jamie Mills Price’s Jolly Santa, and
Peggy Harris’ sweet baby animals. It made me stop and think - why was I attending a back to basic
workshop? If I can come away from big brush workshops with a decent painting, then why can’t I
paint them again at home? I have to admit, I didn’t know where to
start without a teacher by my side.
I am proud to call myself a decorative painter, but if I am honest
with myself, I’m not really a proper decorative painter, I’m
somebody who muddles through.
Looking back, I didn’t have a good teacher. She didn’t teach me the
basics, just enough to produce
reasonable art work. Because I
wasn't shown the building blocks of stroke work, it left me with gaps
in my theoretical knowledge of decorative painting. I struggled to
keep up in the big brush workshops and was unable to re-paint any
projects. That was hugely frustrating, and Gill’s workshop gave me
the opportunity to return to my roots of decorative painting, put all of
the above right, and learn the steps to brushwork. After all … you
have to climb a ladder one rung at a time.
Gill’s workshop was excellent. She is an empowering teacher who freely shares her knowledge and
gives individual tuition to those who needed it. We all felt the “creative flow” in the room. I don’t use
the word empowering lightly, but something began to dawn on me on day 2, and that something
clicked with me on day 3… I got it! I actually got it!
Three days after the workshop, I went up to my painting room, picked
up my friend’s chopping board, and painted Nilda’s Tody Flycatcher
on it. I have also s tarted a project with Ronnie’s Rooster, too. Now
I’m looking forward to producing more lovely art work.
Deb Gardner
Decorative Painter
(and very proud of that)
(Ed - Gill Hobbs, a BADFA teacher, can be contacted at her studio in Bude, Cornwall at:
[email protected] )