Bodenham Arboretum Painting Demonstration Easter Sunday 2010
Wonderful Invitation for my first public painting demonstration!
Well two firsts today..first public painting demonstration and first time I've painted outside at what I'm actually looking at! :) Easter Sunday began with showers but by 11am when the arboretum opened it was sunny but windy and cold. Set up the painting gear at the side of the pond and painted the scene as the light changed. Lots of visitors checked me out and made nice comments. some actually convinced me I could paint! :) The gazebo tent that had been set up for me to use almost turned me into Mary Poppins a couple of times and I had to grab it and hold it down before the wind whisked us both away :) However, considering the rain we've had the past week, it kept sunny if cold all day and I really enjoyed the experience. If enough people were interested a workshop to teach the technique is to be arranged for June 1st, but I'd be happy to put on a painting demonstration any day at this wonderful nature reserve. My thanks to all at Bodenham, the owners and the gift shop/resturant staff who made me most welcome (and in the case of the restaurant girls, kept me supplied with wonderful creamy cups of coffee. :)..Thank you all :)
How the above event came about at Bodenham Arboretum
I'd painted a few scenes from my the arboretum which I like to visit regularly, if just to sample their wonderful food let alone marvel at over 2700 trees that meander through fields strewn with herds of Hereford cattle and bleating lambs and hills with pretty lakes and ponds on a 156 acre working farm. The setting is idyllic and I took my paintings along to show the owners and ask if there was a chance they might try to sell them in their gift shop. To my delight, Mr. James Binnian (the owner of the Arboretum and full time farmer) asked if I’d like to do a demonstration of the WOW technique and perhaps run a paint workshop there in the future, should visitors show an interest.
I felt very honored James thought enough of my work to offer me this opportunity and after a meeting with his events manager, Jo (who is a very artistic person herself) we arranged for me to paint at Bodenham on Easter Sunday, April 4th.
You can make a day of visiting Bodenham. There are the wonderful walks and the farm animals to see. A fantastic cafe/tea room situated within the award winning Visitor centre, with home made meals and cakes....and a sherry trifle from heaven!
There is no charge to drop by the Arboretum Visitor Centre where the cafe and gift shop are situated by the large pool area. Parking is free too, however, there is an admission charge to tour the actual arboretum estate, but it’s well worth the effort if you feel fit enough! :) Spring is the time for the fantastic Daffodil show and the baby lambs and calves and Donkeys. :)