Poppies for Remembrance

In our art sessions last week we completed another flower painting - poppies for remembrance.

The Inevitable Elvis

On November 2nd, we had a return visit from 'Elvis', who performed a lively set. Staff and residents took to the floor to strut their stuff, and it all contributed to a great party atmosphere.

Elvis dazzles in yet another star-spangled suit

                        

                                     Are you lonesome tonight?                                                      Strictly ballroom

More painting

After our sunflower painting, we had a look at a more abstract approach, inspired by a magazine article about the recent Richard Diebenkorn exhibition at the Royal Academy. The colours in these paintings are particularly beautiful, and the paintings range from stylised landscapes to almost complete abstraction. Below is an interpretation of one of these works, painted by a group of residents at Sharnbrook House.  The surface texture is very different compared to the original, but most of the colours are a pretty good match.

One of our residents wanted to try painting a more recognisable landscape, and he decided on Monument Valley as his subject matter. We found a photo on the internet, and started work. Because of his background in the printing trade, our artist had definite ideas about how to approach this, and we spent a long time discussing colour and appropriate techniques. We laid down large areas of colour, using masking to define the edges, and then in subsequent sessions we built up the texture in layers, scraping grooves into the paint, and mixing in sand to achieve a realistic desert effect.

The finished painting is a mixed media work, incorporating charcoal, acrylics, pastel, p.v.a., and sand, strongly evoking the desert in its colour palette.

Fundraising

At the end of September our activities co-ordinator took part in a triathlon to raise funds for Sharnbook House, Well, she finished with a time that would not have worried the Brownlee brothers, but  it was a lovely day at Eton Dorney nonetheless..  Below is a picture from the finishing line.  You will note there are not many other runners in the background,..... so you can decide whether she was too fast for the other competitors or just enjoying the scenery.

Oh good grief, not another camera, better start running again!

In all she raised £405 for the residents' fund.