January News Letter from The Arts School

Hello to 2020 – Happy New Year & welcome to your January newsletter –

I hope you had a wonderful festive break and are feeling happy, healthy and vibrant for the year ahead.

Do you make resolutions? Rather than resolutions I like to write a list of things I want to accomplish or develop in the year ahead. In 2020 I will be making more time for my own art work and joining a regular Life Drawing group at Paddock Art Studio. It doesn’t matter what ability you have, setting regular time aside to practice your creativity is the only way to maintain and develop your skills.

The Monthly Art Challenge will continue this year with the encouragement to visit exhibitions linked to the themes to help inspire your work. January is “Drawing lines”, and the exhibtion is David Nash at the Towner Gallery.

Most excitingly, classes start this month! The four-week drawing course starts on January 8th (a few places still left so please book) and you can now do the whole course (£50 for 4) or one-off sessions (£15 per session). One small change I need to make due to costs is that I will only be providing teaching materials for the class, you will need to bring your own sketchbooks and pencils.

Also – I will have my three month old baby with me and may need to feed her but hopefully she will behave and sleep through the class!

Private Classes: I offer private classes from my home on Thursdays.

A 2 hour session costs £35, £5 per additional person and I can take up to 4 people.

I hope 2020 is a wonderful year for you all and look forward to seeing you in a class.

Sophie x

P.S. CLICK HERE to read the full news letter and subscribe!

©️ Sophie Douglas and The Arts School

Drawing and Wellbeing – never to late!

This Christmas I fibbed to my mother… I told her I had a work event and needed her to babysit but in-fact I was taking her to a craft night.

She didn’t want to go, she “doesn’t do art, can’t”.

Within a few minutes of the first activity (stamping) she announced it was calming!

The second activity was met with “No. I can’t sew!” shortly followed by “It only blanket stitch!” (I had no idea what that was 🤷🏼‍♀️).

The third was wreath making, where she and I managed to create ones that were good enough to adorn the graves of our loved ones this Christmas (big deal in my family).

I am 40 and she is 75 years young.

I have done arts and crafts all my life. I have a BA, and MA in Fine Art and a PGCE to teach Art and Design plus 15 years teaching experience.

This was the first time we have ever done an artistic activity together.

We had a great night.

The point of this is to say, it’s never to late to try something creative!

To book your class or buy a gift voucher email sophiedouglasartist@gmail.com

©️Sophie Douglas

New course for January

WHAT:

4 week Observational Drawing course.

Each week we will explore a different still life subject using a range of materials.

Materials will be provided for the day (drawing/painting paper, paints etc) but please bring basics (sketchbook, pencil/pen and any materials you own that want to explore).

WHERE: Ribs & Co, 8a George Street,, Hailsham, BN27 1AE

WHEN: Wednesday mornings 10:30-12:30

January 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th

COST: £50 including tea/coffee break 4 x 2 hour classes.

Materials bag available £8.50 each (bag, sketchbook, drawing pencils, fine liner pen, rubber, sharpener)

ALSO: There will be a three month old baby with me, she may need feeding but will hopefully sleep!

BOOK:

Call Sophie on 07875475525 or email sophiedouglasartist@gmail.com

12monthchallenge -Mark Making

Our first Month of The Arts Schools 12 month challenge and for January 2019 it is MARK MAKING

Drawing and Painting IS making marks.

Without confidence to make marks you can’t draw, and we are all about drawing. Whether it is to make the drawing the art, to develop designs, or as a mindful meditation, it doesn’t matter, just draw!

This month we are thinking about how to make marks, how we can use different materials and what we enjoy, and engaging in drawing.

So far I have explored pencil, pens, wax crayons, watercolours and pastels. I have drawn from life, imagination and just made makes without thought.

I hope you are getting time to draw, and if you are interested in art lessons I have a few spaces left in my new drawing class starting January Wednesday 30th or sketchclub on Thursday 31st.

©️Sophie Douglas @ The Arts School

Art classes

I am starting up a new drawing class in Hailsham!

WHERE: RIB & CO, 8A George Street, Hailsham, BN271AE

WHEN: WEDNESDAY mornings 10:30am-12:30

November 21st and 28TH and December 5th and 12th.

WHAT: 4 Week Observational Drawing Course

Each week we will spend the first hour exploring drawing from still life through a series of short tutor led exercises. The last hour will be sustained drawing. Sophie has taught art since 2004 privately and in colleges and galleries. Limited spaces, booking required.

Cost: £50 including basic materials (sketchbook and pencil to keep, plus different materials to try during the classes) and refreshments (tea and coffee during the break).

BOOK NOW:

sophiedouglasartist@gmail.com

07875 475 525

©️Sophie Douglas

Come and see me work!

I have been quiet for a while as I have been developing my business (The Arts School), raising a toddler boy, and making some work, but I am now back!

I have (for my sins) organised another group exhibition as part of the Hailsham Festival artists trail and I would love you to come and visit! It opens today 10:30-15:00

It is a group exhibition of local artists work at Moieties Barn, BN274JJ.

I am showing new and older work, alongside other local painters and sculptors.

©️sophiedouglas.org.uk

The Arts School

Two years ago, whilst pregnant with my son and daydreaming about the future, I bought the domain name of The Arts School.

One year ago I met Sam and we had the idea to combine our ideas at her lovely space and The Arts School was born!

Its been a busy year and as we start our last round of 6 week drawing courses, and our one year exhibition I thought I would say thanks to everyone that has supported us, and tell all your friends about us!

It is a great privilege to teach what you love, in a beautiful space, with lovely people (and great food!)

If you are looking for a drawing class, there is still time to book:

Observational Drawing 6 week courses

Starting 5th June Tuesday evenings 7-9:30pm

Starting 7th June Thursday Mornings 10:30-13:30

Life Drawing:

Wednesday 13th June

Saturday 23rd June

I hope you enjoy some photos of the fantastic work created by our lovely students.

I will also be at Brighton Marina Market this Sunday if you want to come and say hello!

http://www.theartsschool.co.uk

©️Sophie Douglas 2018

Starting new projects- having reflective weeks

The inspiration word for The Arts School‘s 52 week challenge this week is SELF. I am using it to reflect on where I am with my own art practise and what I want to do this year.

It’s great to spend some time stopping to look both in and out.

So far (it’s day one!) I am seeing a renewed interest in how “we” are effecting the environment around us (my BA final project was on this), story telling (which my MA thesis considered), and lots of exploring materials.

Now to start making some goals.

©️Sophie Douglas 2018

2018 – The Arts School

Wow! It’s been a long time since I posted and the reasons good!

The Arts School is up and running and I am loving teaching again! Now we start the new year with lots of courses and a new teacher working with us teaching watercolour (Jo Hudson).

Come and take a class and hopefully enjoy it as much as our past students (and we) do! www.theartsschool.co.uk

The Arts School

Getting ready to run a taster day at The Arts School tomorrow.

General Art is one of my favourite courses as it is project based and gives you a chance to try different materials out and develop your own ideas and work. 

If you are interested in this course or any others, please visit or website email me at sophie@theartsschool.co.uk


©www.sophiedouglas.org.uk