Amelie – A French Creative Life

Amelie – A French Creative Life

A couple of years ago I bought my dream car…a 2CV tin snail. I loved it. I named her Amelie after the film, and she got a brand new windscreen and hardwood and chrome steering wheel. Then Covid hit and she was stuck in my atelier. I was then very ill last year and sadly […]

Hello Hen – A French Creative Life

Hello Hen – A French Creative Life

Excited? You bet! My very first children’s book is being published this month. I was found by an Americsn author after three years of disappointments and I loved the story and the challenge. From day one author and writer worked closely, do self-publishing, so not traditional publishing, where often Illustrators are allocated and have little […]

“Home” made blocks – A French Creative Life

“Home” made blocks – A French Creative Life

Excuse the tiny pun, but it’s Christmas exposition time in France. They are almost every weekend from mid November and our creative hubs are on full steam making, crafting, painting and printing. I have my notebooks and prints, but wanted to try and create some craft pieces, word blocks and felt tree decorations.  I love […]

Space age – A French Creative Life

Space age – A French Creative Life

I started a project with the local Micro-Folie in Gouzon, a weekly creative hub for young children. We have been producing illustrations for a book I will pull together in January. Whilst helping the children with ideas, I  decided to work on a selection too in watercolour to add to the book. I’ve not really […]

Aubusson inspired – A French Creative Life

Aubusson inspired – A French Creative Life

With the Unesco Heritage city of Aubusson just a mere twenty minutes away, I have access to one of the best tapestry manufacturers in history. Encouraged by Louis XIV minister Colbert, in the 17th Century, Aubusson flourished and today it is a bustling place for tourists, cafes, tapestry dealers and other artisans, including the tapestry […]

Save the Orangutans – A French Creative Life

Save the Orangutans – A French Creative Life

This week I had my very first lesson in creating a plate with raised reliefs out of clay. I was hooked! It took about 2 hours to roll out the clay and put it on the form and trim.  Then another 4 hours to roll, cut and attach the design, and add details, along with […]

Caught by Collagraphs – A French Creative Life

Caught by Collagraphs – A French Creative Life

I am absolutely hooked on collagraphs. But what are they? Well they are a combination of techniques….collage, layering of paper and textures; drypoint, marking in the paper indentations, scratches, hatching, dots; Intaglio, pushing ink into ghe indentations and textured areas; and relief/ mono printing, laying down ink on raised areas and wiping off to create […]

Ship Ahoy! – A French Creative Life

Ship Ahoy! – A French Creative Life

I finally got to England after four years away and washed up in lovely olde Hastings, to hunt for pirates and sing a few sea shantys. Writing a book on pirates around the 1730’s needed research and Hastings sure provided that. The Mini will be crammed with 35 books scoured from many a deep filled […]

The Gallery – A French Creative Life

The Gallery – A French Creative Life

After a very successful year, the Maison has proved to be a huge asset for us. Found in a very neglected state, with leaking pipes, a rotten kitchen and no floor under the bath, we have finally given its soul back. We provide many workshops here each month, on art, poetry and writing.  We hold […]