Saturday 27 December 2014

Autumn Newsletter

The latest newsletter has gone out to our e-subscribers - you lucky lot, you get yours first!

CD Subscribers will get yours as soon as I can get my friendly burner back to work!

Happy new year to all BADFA members!

(and to anyone else who is reading this. You can always join, then you will get our newsletter, too!)
Lydiard House Convention Centre - venue for Convention 2015

Sunday 9 November 2014

Convention 2015

Today, the committee met with the main aim being to set the plan for our 2015 Convention.

We can give these details for your diary (check the Events page, too):

Saturday 23 May and Sunday 24 May 2015, at the Lydiard House Conference Centre, near Swindon.
We have negotiated special prices for the event, and we are planning our best convention yet.

Lydiard House is set in beautiful parkland, and our event will be in its own self-contained suite of rooms. All in all it is going to be special.

Please set the weekend aside. This will be an event you don't want to miss!

As soon as we have more details, we'll let you know. Bookmark this page to make sure you get the latest information, hot off the press.
Lydiard House

Wednesday 29 October 2014

Where has the sunshine gone?

Oh, well, Autumn is here.

There are some benefits; the beautiful golden colours of the trees, and the opportunity to stay indoors with your brushes and projects.

The committee will be gathering for a meeting early in November, to discuss the next issue of the newsletter, various other business as usual items, and most important - next year's convention. I'm not going to give anything away, but we will be visiting,what appears to be a beautiful and inspiring place to see if it can provide the accommodation we need for next May. As soon as we have definite news, we'll pass it on.

And now the usual note from The Editor ...

I am working on the next issue and need YOUR submissions by 15 November. I want projects, techniques, tips, news and scandal. Don't format it, or lay it out; that's my job! Just send text and pictures.

While on the subject of 'wants', we want suggestions of who and what you would like to see at the convention - we can't promise - but all ideas are good.

Send it all to me at the usual email address - see badfablog.blogspot.co.uk for details.

Thanks

Saturday 27 September 2014

September Newsletter - latest

Hi Folks,

The Email newsletter went out last week. Unfortunately, my tame CD burner, is no longer available so I am doing them at home, one at a time. So, for those waiting for postie to deliver it, please be patient, the latest edition will be with you soon.

Thanks.

Monday 25 August 2014

Bank Holiday Blues and UFOs

Right on cue! Our summer bank holiday brings in the rain!

But we artists are not dejected or down, are we? No! It's a good excuse to be indoors, in that studio or  even the kitchen with the paints and brushes poised for action!

Check out all those UFOs (unfinished objects) and choose one or two to get completed. I've got three.
First is my steampunk uplighter. Now that's been clogging up the conservatory for nearly a year. I just need some Ranger Alcohol Inks for the exposed metal work, some browns, oranges, gold and turquoise for the faux metal finishes - and a soldering iron for the exposed wiring (OK, not just brushes).

Next is a small coaster project that I have started by stencilling on a clock face with DecoArt texture medium. That's all nicely dry, so I can start adding colour. Might try some antiquing to finish it off.

Last, is a not quite started experiment. Again, it's on a coaster. It's a technique I used on ceramic greenware years ago. I wonder if it will transfer to acrylics? You'll have to wait until it appears in The Decorative Folk Artist later in the year to find out.

I'm sure you have lots of inspiring stuff that has been waiting for a rainy day. Well today is that day!

Happy painting
Kim

Saturday 19 July 2014

CD Newsletter

All of you waiting for your CDs ... they should be with you soon. They were posted yesterday.

Don't forget to keep us up to date with what you are doing. We'd love to hear from you!

Wednesday 25 June 2014

Priscilla Hauser - pictures

Priscilla has plans for a beautiful lily design to keep you all busy.
See previous post for details - here are some pictures to whet your appetite. This design will be taught in both oils and acrylics.  It will take a day and a half so there will be time for Priscilla to teach her famous 'ALL ABOUT ROSES' techniques.
Priscilla and her lilies


Monday 16 June 2014

Priscilla Hauser




We are pleased to offer a surprise treat (it was a surprise to us as well!).

The lovely and talented Priscilla Hauser - America’s First lady of folk art - has offered to do a two day seminar, exclusively for BADFA, on July 19 and 20.
Priority booking for BADFA members until 28 June, after that it’s first come,first served.

She will be teaching one (or more) of her beautiful designs, of which we will have details, soon.
If you need accommodation there is a list of local B&Bs/hotels too.

Location:
The Old Sorting House, Bottesford, Nottingham NG13 0AA

Cost:
£60 - includes lunch both days, surface, paints
(£35 per day after 28 June)

You need to bring:
Wet palette (ideally Masterson) - selection of brushes - transfer paper - stylus - water pot

To book:
Please send a cheque made payable to BADFA and details of any food allergies/dietary requirements to:

Rowena Howell
12 Cranleigh Road
Merton Park
London
SW19 3LU

We also need your name, address and email address so that we can send a booking confirmation and a supply list.  In the case of cancellation, refunds will only be made if your space can be filled.

Watch the BADFA blog for details as they become available.

Sunday 1 June 2014

Convention 2014

Well that was a busy couple of days!
Our annual convention is finished until next year - we have yet to decide on the venue. We had a good turn out and the AGM provided some lively conversation and discussion, new ideas, and a fully stocked committee.

All I have to do now it put it all into the newsletter, which will be a little late this time as we wanted to include the convention news while it was fresh.

Thanks to all the members who joined in the fun, and the traders who sold us some bargains. And thanks to the teachers for four fabulous classes on Saturday, and to Andy Skinner, who endured a lively Sunday.

... right,must get on!

Thursday 29 May 2014

Convention 2014 - the final countdown

That's the name of a song, isn't it?

Anyway, everything has now got to the point of no return. What's done, is done; what isn't done, won't get done.

The committee will arrive at the Ibis hotel tomorrow, and start getting things ready for the arrival of the hoards on Saturday - although some will arrive tomorrow so that they don't miss a minute of the excitement.

For those who need it the minutes of last year's AGM are available to download, here.

(Just to remind you, last year we were at the Campanile Hotel, Swindon on 1 June)

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Counting down to Crick

Preparations for our British-themed convention at Crick are hotting up - in fact, things are getting a bit sweaty ... only joking!

There are a few spaces left on some of the classes on Saturday 31 May [see what's on offer], and there is still time to book. The two classes originally offered in watercolour, will now be done in acrylics, that's Rachel's Bramble, and Rowena's Clematis.

For Andy Skinner fans, there are a couple of spaces on his Sunday (1 June) session - and these are open to non-BADFA members. These places are at our special 20th birthday prices, so don't miss out.
Andy Skinner


For those of you who are coming, remember:

1 - Bring an item to donate to the raffle - a painted piece, second hand book, unused blanks, canvas, slate etc.
2 - Bring a piece to show - to display on our show table. Show every one just how darned good you are!
3 - Make a birthday card to enter into our competition.
4 - Teachers - advertise your classes and skills - let our students know who you are, what you do, and where you are lurking.

We've got a line up of traders who will supply your every need - at least for painting - and a paint-til-late on Saturday night, for those who just can't get enough ...

... it's going to be so much fun! Oh, don't forget it's the AGM, too.

Contact us for more information, or to book a place.

PS - we are at the Ibis Hotel, Rugby East. Just off J18 of the M1:



Friday 25 April 2014

Andy Skinner class - June 1

I've heard from Andy about his class at the BADFA convention. He is hoping to have the new DecoArt medium over from the US in time for a special new project, for those signed up for the day. How exciting is that! It could be a first for BADFA!

But not to worry, if the delivery doesn't get shipped in time, he will do one of his most popular projects; you will not be disappointed.

Andy's altered journal
All you have to bring is your brushes and a water pot; everything else will be provided for you. 

Remember, members get the day at our special, birthday price. Non-members, you can get a special price, too. There are a few seats left, so grab a place while you can. We want you all to celebrate 20 years of BADFA in style.

Contact us at: badfa.editor (at) gmail (dot) com for more information, or prices and a booking form.

Thursday 10 April 2014

Convention news

Bookings for the painting events are going well. Places are filling fast.

If you intend coming to the convention, please get your forms back to the secretary soon, while places are still available.

We are looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible - don't forget the AGM, too. A chance for  you to give your 'five eggs'.

See you there!

Sunday 23 March 2014

Why Crick?

Why did we choose Crick for our convention?
The primary reason was for its location. The past two conventions have been towards the south of the country, so in order to be fair to those from  the midlands and north, we wanted a site farther up. Crick was chosen for its central location.

While we were researching venues we discovered that Crick was noted for its marina. But surely it's miles from the sea? Yes it is - but this is a marina for canal boats, many of which are decorated with traditional 'roses and castles' designs. It is an ideal opportunity for members to see Britain's most famous folk art. 

So while you are at the convention, take a trip across to the marina and see what inspiration you get.

Check out these web sites:
http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/
http://www.crickmarina.com/

And the Crick Boatshow ends just before we move in, so hopefully there will be loads of narrow boats in residence:
http://www.crickboatshow.com/ (24-26 May)

The marina is 2 miles from the hotel, 5 minutes by car, 40 minutes on foot. so why not take some time out and take a look.


Sunday 16 March 2014

Convention - Booking Forms are out!

The booking forms for our 2014 Convention are available from the link below.

Our Special Edition newsletter contains all you need to know, together with event booking form, committee nomination form, menu for Saturday night dinner - and a membership form for anyone who'd like to join BADFA.

Please send your nominations for the committee places, even if you can't make it to Crick.

Class seats will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, to members initially, so don't waste any time!

We look forward to seeing you there.

Special Convention Edition

Sunday 9 March 2014

Convention 2014 (very) special announcement


Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!

All members of The British Association of Decorative and Folk Arts, known hereafter as BADFA, are hereby notified of the of the chosen entries for classes at our convention. These classes will be of three hours duration, and taken in either in the forenoon or the afternoon. Pictures are displayed below.

Members are also advised of our special Sunday event.

Andy Skinner
On Sunday, the first day of June, we are pleased to present a class with Britain's very own, 
Mr Andy Skinner

Mr Skinner, of altered art, mixed-media, and DecoArt fame, will deliver an all-day session, of a project he is, at this very moment, designing for our delectation.

All these events will be at a very special, 20th birthday celebration price, for BADFA members, who will also have the first opportunity to sign-up. Non-members may get the chance, if any of our limited number of places are not claimed.

More details of the price of these classes, the techniques and materials to be used will follow, shortly.

If anyone has any questions, please direct them to any member of the committee.

Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!

God save the Queen!

Mixed media by Clare holmes

Watercolour by Rachel Byass

Watercolour by Rowena Howell

Acrylics by Gill Hobbs




Wednesday 5 March 2014

Membership Renewal Reminder

Calling all members!

Renewals are due on 1 April.

Ann P, our new membership secretary, is looking forward to receiving your payments (for those yet to pay). She is happy for you to send cheques, but if anyone is going to the NEC, she will be there and will happily take your cash.

Of course, you might like to consider that if you are not a paid-up member, you won't be entitled to members' discount at the forthcoming convention.

Talking of convention - keep watching and listening because we will be sending out details of the classes on offer, very soon!

Saturday 8 February 2014

The Decorative Folk Artist - Winter 13/14

The latest edition of BADFA's newsletter is out. The email version was sent to subscribers earlier in the week, and the CDs were posted this morning. They should be on your doormats early next week.
It carries news of our convention and AGM, which will be over the weekend of 31 May/1 June. We have booked the Ibis hotel in Crick, near Rugby, and close to the Crick Marina on the Grand Union Canal - an opportunity to get up close to some real English folk art.

As soon as we have details of the classes and special events, we will send emails to all members. We will publish them to our Yahoo! group, and here, too. So keep watching!

As usual, I hope you enjoy the newsletter. Please let me know if you have any comments - leave comments on this blog if you like.

I hope to see you in Crick, when the weather will be better … it will be better, won't it?

Thursday 30 January 2014

Winter news


The newsletter is in the final stages of production, so not long now.

Preparations for the convention are making good progress, too. Because there won't be another newsletter until the convention, you will need to keep an eye on this blog for all the information.

We will sent out emails, and links to documents, so make sure we don't get sent into your spam folder.

Are you getting excited? We are!

Come back soon!

Tuesday 14 January 2014

Painting on slate

In a recent issue of our newsletter we had a Peggy Harris project - the Zebra. Well look what I've found … another Peggy Harris design, great for spring (which is only round the corner!)


This is painted on an old roof slate, see the nail hole. For more information visit Sharon's blog.

Update: Sharon is a bit behind with her blog, so she hasn't done the write up on this piece, but she is very busy!

Wednesday 8 January 2014

Come and see us at ...

Please have a look at our recently updated events page, where you will be able to see where BADFA teachers will be doing live demonstrations and mini decorative painting workshops in the UK, this year.  If you are not a member already, you can find out more about us, and join whle you are at any of the events.

We look forward to seeing you ...

Thursday 2 January 2014

Winter newsletter 13/14

Right! That's it! It's time to start the next edition of the Decorative Folk Artist.

There is a bit of excitement brewing, because this is our 20th birthday year. To mark the event we are planning a special convention, so watch out for more details.

I'm hoping the projects and other articles will soon be flooding in, so that I can edit them in to some semblance of order. Just a little hint to you lot - articles - submissions - flooding in - waiting …

On the practical side, my steampunk creation is making progress, albeit slow, due to the Christmas festivities, so I'm hoping to have that ready, too.

So, in the mean time, keep painting and send me some stuff!

Happy New Year!