Letting Go is a workshop and a state of mind

I walked away from doing any art workshops for a very long time after leaving high school art teaching over 30 years ago. I went on to other careers and was able to gradually weave my way back to my art practice. I stoically refused to teach as I believed I had nothing significant to give.  I didn’t realise the very way I work could be the basis for a workshop.

One day over a year ago I was helping with an exhibition at Blackheath Art Society and one of my works on paper was purchased by another artist, always a compliment.  It delighted me. I thanked her and realising she did quite beautiful work. I was curious why she had purchased my work and she explained your work is so free and as an illustrator I am required to work within certain structures. The three of us present talked about differences in approach to doing art. I was asked ‘How do you do it?’  ‘Easy’ I replied ‘just let go’. And as I was working with the workshop Co-ordinator for the Blackheath Art Society I was challenged to run such a workshop. I panicked, walked in circles and then slowly put together a plan for a one day workshop. It was about stories, play, individual guidance/suggestion with each participants and trying different methods. I think we all had a good day. It certainly went quickly for me.