Its been raining

             Its been raining in My Jubilee garden,which is doing the flora and fauna allot of good.

 The willow I've planted is encouraging birds, I spotted a regular young robin having a bath in a blue glass dish. I've always been keen on encouraging wildlife. By placing glass objects in the garden has introduced a lot of little pools I'm interested to see what else turns up over the summer( as long as I don't come down with malaria)

                                 Due to the continuous rain through the whole of April
I have left the garden and I have spent way too much time at home on face book usually avoiding house work as a result last week I've started another blog http://helena-godwinsays.blogspot.co.uk/

"Helena says" is just a bit of fun, I get to frustrated if I take life toooooooooo seriously

an attempt to have a laugh every day.

One day I might turn it into a book. most of Helena says is based on quick photos I take.

 This is for speed this silly blog can't become my whole life ( not till it starts paying)

The cartoons take much longer, so they get slotted in from time to time.

I hope to increase the frequency of the cartoons as I get more practised

Classes at Trinity

Art Classes continue at Trinity Catholic School, three night as week
Wed & Thurs 6.30- 9pm
Fri 3.30- 6pm
Adults £10 children £3
 These are very small classes tayloured to develop your work what ever stage you're at, in what ever medium is relvant (2&3D).
Students range from people that haven't picked up a pencil or paint brush in 20 years to post graduate level.
I ask for no up front payments  as I realise that its often hard to find the time & space to do creative work on a regular basis,
Materials;Bring what you have, we’ll discuss what you need and where to get them.

I work along side the students the above image I painted this week in acrylic.



If you are interested in attending, or have questions don’t hesitate to email or ring me;
Helena Godwin 01926743358
Helena.godwin@ntlworld.com

Jubilee front garden

Folk art has its routs in the community, art that ordinary people make and tend to use to decorate their home and garden. In the UK we tend to think of Folk art as something from the past. Through this project I want to show that folk art is both modern and vibrant.

In the USA Bottle trees are very popular. Originally the slaves from the Congo placed coloured glass bottles on trees outside their house or hut to attract the evil spirits, they get trapped in the bottle instead of coming into the house (put a little cooking oil round the neck to help them slip in).

Making art and decorating ones home is very much part of what makes us human.
Folk art will always reflect the Community where it is based.
Helena Godwin chose the 60^th Jubilee
The Queen’s reign has been a significant part of all our lives, weather or not you approve of the Royals. In theses days of austerity lets celebrate some thing positive.

The Queen’s Jubilee suggests bling , the objects used have been chosen because the are of little or no monetary value but they sparkle like the crown jewels.
So if you have the time over the jubilee bank holiday weekend, please come along, have a look and meet the artist.

bottle garden gets another letter from the council

I have spent the weekend giving my garden a really good clean and tidy front and back

I received another letter from the council thanking me for removing the jam jars from along the fence and replacing them with CDs. but broken glass in areas of my garden, means I am breach of my tenancy agreement which states:4.3 if the property includes a garden or yard, you must keep it tidy and/or well cultivated.

I have removed all broken glass and taken it to the tip with other rubbish

 the only broken glass I have not removed is an integral part of the above piece of Artwork. in this piece I have used bottles whole and broken used to represent how our society throws away so much that is perfectly good dismissing its remaining use and/or beauty. Totally unable to understand that something broken could have some use. I also think we treat people like this. I will change this piece so that the broken glass is safely contained in the tank.

 does this look  untidy and/or not cultivated.

Childrens workshops

Introducing children to different materials and simple techniques

can really set off their imaginations

Willow and tissue there are so many possibilities

Issue based youth workshops

As a community artist I have worked with all age groups

Art is a very good vehicle when discussing issues with teenagers.

such as personal identity and human rights

My Acrylic Painting

Although I have always enjoyed painting and drawing. I don't find colour easy.I remember one of my first efforts being described as a techno colour yawn.

I taught painting and drawing at Warwickshire college for three years
to do this I had to study colour theory and composition.

My advise to anyone starting out or trying to get back into it

try and relax and enjoy your self

start to play and your skill will develop with practice