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Sue's News - For updates, special offers, class info and an insight into what's going on in my world For your ease of navigation, all underlined text is a clickable link to the relevant page MARCH NEWS Week 13: 26th March to 1st April  Alan's been tinkering away with my computer tower for the last couple of days, so I've had to use his PC meanwhile. This morning he brought in and wired up his creation. Thanks to him, the heat I generate in answering all your e-mails, making DVD's, updating the website and general PC use is not being wasted any longer. He's not called 'Inspector Gadget' for nothing you know. He's also installed 3 DVD/CD writers and a few more USB ports. He's not just a pretty face is he?
 Our cats are both so very different in nature. Ripley is a stay-at-home-sleep-all-day type of moggy, whilst Floyd is a hunter and tracker. Floyd often disappears for days on end. We've been a bit worried about him as we haven't seen him since last weekend, an unusually long time to be away, even for him. Now, Aziz fell in love with Floyd, who has a habit of getting into people's cars. We imagined the worst and were actually wondering if perhaps Floyd was wandering the streets of Paris..........till just now. We were disturbed by a knock on our door, a neighbour was trying to reverse their car and encountered this nuisance blockage! Not only is the mystery solved, Stef now knows where her cigarettes vanish to.
 The April 21st Class for 'The Last Frost' in Stowmarket Green Room is now full. The next class in Stowmarket is on Saturday 19th May, 2007 and we will be painting 'Lakeland Walk'. This is proving to be a very popular subject for private lessons and this one hasn't been done yet in Stowmarket. If you'd like to reserve your space on this class please call me on 01473 311938 or fill in the Class Booking Form I still have a few places left on the April 22nd Class in Capel, 'Spring Reflection'. I'm hoping to start classes (fingers crossed) in May in the Southend area. Details will be posted when finalised.
 Just before I left the Manor Club & Ballroom in Ipswich an exciting project was in the making. A regular monthly Comedy Club will be held there with the first show this Sunday, quite aptly falling on April Fool's Day. The doors open at 7.15pm and the tickets are just £7 to buy online or £9 on the door. What a perfect way to end your week, chill out with a drink and be entertained by some first class comedians. This is just what Ipswich needs. For more details click here: Jokers Comedy Club
 Last night we had a Chinese 'last supper' and said our au revoirs to Alan's children. His son is off to an enviable job overseas in the sun and his daughter is off to explore the world for a year. We wish them both all the luck and success in the world with their new ventures and look forward to their progress instalments. Luckily the internet makes the world a much smaller place, communication wise. Have fun guys and remember to take me some nice scenic snaps for inspiration.
I had an enquiry yesterday afternoon from the administration of a nearby retirement home. I was asked if I gave demonstrations other than Women's Institutes and Art Groups. Well the answer to that is a simple 'Yes, I do'. I'll consider demonstrating to any group who would like to see the wet on wet technique illustrated before their very eyes, whatever your institution or interests may be. Feel free to contact me on 01473 311938 or info@ayoubart.co.uk if you'd like more details. I've just received an invite to another art exhibition for May in nearby Stanway. This exhibition is in aid of Mid Essex Talking News for the Blind. This exhibition coincides with the Sproughton Art Show but it will be nice to be showing in 2 places at once again. I'll post details of this event on the Exhibitions page over the next couple of days.  Oh My God !!!! What a fantastic night. You 'avin' a laff ? Yes, we were. To one side of the stage was a huge, gold, 6 foot replica of his Emmy award. Ricky used this as a stand for his can of beer Firstly, I'm glad I took tissues as I really was crying with laughter. Secondly, we had a surprise when half-way through Ricky's act he was interupted to be filmed live for Channel 4. He had won the British Book Award for Flanimals of the Deep and was presented with his award right in front of us. We could clearly hear both Richard and Judy over the mike announcing his success. This is being televised on Channel 4 on Friday at 8.00pm - we were just behind Ricky as he was being filmed so we're wondering if our mug-shots will be on TV. After the presentation was over, Ricky placed his new (small) award in the far corner of the stage, opposite end to the huge Emmy and walked away from it. He turned and looked at it, looked out to the audience and said, in a couldn't-care-less manner, 'Does anyone want THAT!' If you haven't caught his 'Fame' tour yet, he has dates available through to October and I can highly recommend this side-splitting show. I'll also be interested to see if he really does sell to Waddingtons the new Offal Jim-Jam game he plays with his girlfriend.
 We've an appointment with Ricky Gervais tonight, courtesy of daughter Stef. My other daughter queued for several hours to obtain these tickets, which were sold out within hours of the box office opening. We've our old faves 'The Australian Pink Floyd' gig to go to in April and the BIG ONE - Roger Waters at Earls Court in May. For a hat trick, (plus one), it'd be nice to see someone special in June too. What do you know - Peter Gabriel is performing in this year's Hyde Park Calling on June 23rd. We had such an excellent time there last year, picnicing in the very hot sun and meeting up with old friends, it's gotta be a must this year too. Crowded House, The Feeling and Ghosts are also appearing on the 23rd, so there's something there for every age. If any of you readers intend to go too - let's arrange to meet up and share our picnic and catch up with chat. Right - I'm off into town to buy a special Gervais outfit for tonight.
We have only one space left on the April 21st Class 'The Last Frost' , so don't hesitate to book if you'd like to create this painting with me. There's still availability on all 3 Darrell Crow classes in 2 weeks time - please don't drag your heels if you'd like to reserve your places on these. For those of you who have promised to send deposits - please do so quickly as the places will now be allocated when the deposits are received. These look to be exciting and fun classes and there's certainly a mixed bunch of 'students' taking part so far. We're looking forward to these so much - Darrell is quite an entertainer. Many thanks for your e-mails, cards and gifts guys - you spoil me, thankyou all very much. Week 12: 19th March to 25th March  Aziz left very early this morning to catch his ferry back to Calais. The transportation of his wet oil paintings was made much easier by having them framed making them very simple to package for the journey. He's been a delightful student and house guest and has given us a lot of laughs. Several of you have asked to see more photos of his paintings - I popped one on the 'Your Gallery' page and here you can see his first ever oil painting - 'Woodland's End'. If only you could have been a fly on the wall listening to the Arabic, French and English being used during this lesson. As Aziz himself said, despite the language barrier we 'make it good work togezza'. But boy, is it quiet in the house this morning without him...... Bon Voyage Aziz, see you again soon, insh'allah.
 What an International sprinkling of students we had today.......... Aziz, obviously, Mikhail, a Russian and Bill originating from South Africa. For some reason my normal accent it is seem to go flying from out of ze window. I find it myself speaking broken Eeenglish during my demonstration. I know it today I am very animated with it my arms flying every way trying to make it the explain for my students. I guess after 3 days wiz Aziz I end it up speak like heem. We have it near disaster with Aziz' painting. A box is roll on it when I turn corner in car. Very bad. When we take it inside, Aziz he ask me 'We can change it?'. In five minutes it is changed, it actually is look much better zan before. Now, if you read zis in ze style of 'Allo 'Allo you will have good idea how I become affected........... Maybe I should start the next lesson with the classic 'Leesen verrry carefully.........I weel zay zis only once...........'
 We've had another lovely day of painting and you can see here a very proud Aziz signing his Lakeland scene. I was a touch tougher with him today and took the time to show him all the little delicate details that change a painting from a succession of random dabs to an elaborate and embellished work of art. Whilst Aziz slipped to the Post Office to post some post-cards, I slipped his finished piece into a gold frame......WHAT a difference, amazing, it really does make you take your art seriously when you give it that final touch. Yesterday, I took my version of Woodland's End upstairs to dry, leaving just Aziz's painting on the dining table. When both Stef and Alan came home from work, they both thought the painting on the table was mine......Aziz was flattered to hear that.
 What a charming student and what a dark horse too. Turns out that Aziz has been a karate expert for many years and has a 6 dan status as well as taking part in championships all over the world. He jokingly said he could be my body guard, which made Alan think of the Paul Simon song...........'and you can call me Al'. He's a pretty good painter too and today we have produced a marvellous version of 'Woodland's End'. He has no fear of the canvas and attacks it with great confidence and control - 'Karate style' as he calls it - very, very focused. He brought over a welcome bottle of French Champagne as a gift for 'teacher' which is quite timely as it is my birthday next week. We'll try and keep it corked till then.
 Whilst casually lingering around the supermarket this afternoon I received a phone call. Aziz, my Arab student, had already reached Calais and was wondering if he could arrive in UK a day early! No problem......... I carried on with the shopping and popped a few treats into the trolley to make Aziz feel at home. I filled up with petrol whilst I was out and as I took the last of my carrier bags into the kitchen I received a second phone call - Aziz was in Dover!!! Now, either I am a slow shopper or these ferries are picking up speed. I reckon by the time dinner is ready he'll be here, which means after an evening unwinding and a good night's sleep we can start painting first thing in the morning!
If you haven't discovered the Darrell Crow Yahoo Forum yet, you might want to check it out. Darrell is currently in Florida attending an oil painting portrait seminar with Valerie Stewart. Some members of the forum have also attended and have posted their first time oil painting portraits to Darrell's Forum . I have to say there's some pretty amazing work. Wonderful portraits of Angelina Jolie and Columbo, to name but a few of the celebrities. Also, there are portraits of family members and you can see the original photo used as reference material. It sure makes me wish Valerie gave workshops over here in the UK - I'd be amongst the first to sign up. I currently distribute her Portrait DVD Series and I really do need to set aside a week so I can fully absorb this 6 DVD set and have a go for myself. It might be the ideal time to put a member of Pink Floyd in oils too........ Sabah'll khere aleikum. I have a couple of days to brush up on my Arabic as I have a Lebanese student later this week. Already we have exchanged a few words by phone in his native tongue and some sayings are naturally with me for life, whilst others are somewhere at the back of my brain. Luckily my student speaks both English and French, but I'd like to take the opportunity to test how much of the language I still have. I found myself yesterday, as I was pottering about, singing some songs from Fairuz, a very famous Lebanese female singer with a voice so pure that it gives you goosebumps. I was lucky enough to see her perform live in Dubai many years ago. Ahlan wa Sahlan Aziz and safe trip, al hamdullah.  After a chat this morning to Val, our flights are now booked for Portugal and we are really looking forward to the trip in a few weeks. Val has been working hard to put together quite an agenda for the Portugese painting holiday 'The Alentjo Experience'. The holiday will include 3 painting days (all materials and equipment will be supplied) PLUS excursions and meals. One thing I can confirm at this stage is the date: The painting holiday is scheduled for 8th September to 15th September 2007. Non painting partners are welcome, at a discount, and can easily relax by the pool with a book and top up their tan, or enjoy a stroll, whilst their partner is painting away with me. We have a few details to check out before we can finalise the price, which will include just about everything apart from your flights. I'm eager to start building the new web-page..............
Week 11: 12th March to 18th March  OK, we've got our April 21st Class subject developed for the Stowmarket venue at The Green Room. It's entitled 'The Last Frost'. A larger version can be viewed on the Class Subject page. If you'd like to book a space on this class please call me on 01473 311938, e-mail me on info@ayoubart.co.uk or complete the online Class Booking Form HERE.
Some new brushes arrived in time this morning for today's private lesson. We put a neat little liner brush through it's paces and it proved to be a very useful tool indeed. I want to test it out some more next week but I think I've found another nice little brush to add to my supplies page. Feeling 100% better before lunch I decided to get the paints out and paint 'for myself'. Not only an interesting project but a very enjoyable one too. I painted my first nude. The blending was one of the most therapeutic exercises ever, a bit like rubbing a chamois leather over a gleaming bumper! (I'm sure I've left myself wide open to comments with that statement.) You'll find 'Nudey Blue' in Sue's Gallery .  Many thanks for all your well wishes re the 'face-ache' as Alan calls it, they are much appreciated. This morning I have woken up even more swollen and sore. Alan reminded me that everything was in fine working order last night when I spent over an hour chatting to pal Ellie, who's also in the wars. I was hoping to work on a painting subject for April today so let's hope the pain-killers take effect and I can continue as planned. I think for now I'll enjoy a cuppa in the garden sunshine and admire the colour that's unfolding. Here's a shot of my miniature daffs which sit in the walled tree garden at the front.
Since the half finished version of Bluebell Wood I posted here last week I have had several requests from readers wanting to see the finished article. Some of you discovered it in another forum. Prompted by a phone call this afternoon requesting an image I've given in to you. You'll find a large image on the 'Class Subjects' page.  We have a very pleased Val this afternoon. She has just finished the Bluebell Wood painting and a marvellous job she has made of it too. We selected a frame to set the painting off perfectly. After our painting session we both stood back and admired her work for quite an age actually. There were so many lovely areas that took the eye it was a job to focus on any specific area. The eyes danced between the end of the path to the mid ground foliage to the foreground bluebells......... I'm afraid I didn't get the best of photo but I will definately take another snap of it when she returns next week to have the painting set in the frame. You can see Val working away here. My reference material is in the middle towards the back and my instructional painting is to Val's right. Not a bad day's work considering I have a swollen face and I look like I have just gone 2 rounds with Mike Tyson. After over an hour in the dentist's chair yesterday morning where, not one, but 2 dentists struggled with a fractured crown I was determined not to let it spoil last night's demo and today's private lesson. Now, where's those pain-killers?
 Bentley Village Hall is soon to be no more. A new hall is being constructed next door to the site of the current hall and very impressive and modern it's looking too. After last night's demonstration I discovered that all of the contents of the 'old' hall will be auctioned later this month and I have my eye on a couple of collapsible tables which will be ideal for painting desks. The Bentley ladies told me they very much enjoyed the demo and the way I made oil painting look so easy. They couldn't believe that a blank canvas can be covered so quickly with minimal, yet controlled effort. With a few water colour painters in the audience there were many questions.
 I had a very grand setting for my demonstration at the Needham Institute last night. I set up on stage, complete with spotlights. There were over 40 ladies present and lots of questions were being asked. I absolutely love doing these demos. I don't plan a 'script', I have only a basic idea of what I want to paint for the ladies; I just set up, squirt out my paints and let the evening unfold. I make sure to stop what I am doing and go with the audience when they ask me questions. One lady wanted to see a desiduous tree instead of a fir tree, so I showed her (and the rest) how to load a fan brush to create low lights and highlights in one stroke. I reported the progress of some of my students and told some class anecdotes too. I left them with a painting which they will use for fundraising purposes and am confident I will see some of the ladies in my nearby Stowmarket Classes. I have to do it all again tonight for the ladies of nearby Bentley. Luckily the car is pretty much already loaded, with just a few blank canvases to throw in.
 I'm just having a look at my list of names for the Darrell Crow classes in 4 weeks time. So far we've got a very mixed pot of people attending, from Qualified Bob Ross Instructors to first time oil painters. This is one type of class where both professional and novices can sit side by side and produce beautiful results. Last year we had a similar attendance and I think the 'professionals' were pleased to meet and chat with Darrell whilst the first timers were enjoying making a painting under the skillful tuition of a Master. Darrell is much more than a teacher, he's actually a very amusing entertainer and tells anecdotes throughout the class. I've got 4 weeks to prepare for these classes and I'll start today with a stock check to make sure I have plenty of supplies for the 3 day event. I've also got 4 weeks to re-charge my batteries - let me tell you, when Darrell comes to visit it is like being hit by a whirlwind....he has so much energy and takes very little rest. Here's a snap taken last September of Darrell with Kali, a first-timer from London.
Week 10: 5th March to 11th March  The forecast was right and the sun was out first thing......however, Shelby was not. Her brother waltzed over to tell me she had been grounded as she had been naughty. I told him of my marvellous idea that she should be sent over to me to help with the gardening chores as a more suitable punishment. A few minutes later (and after she had hoovered her bedroom) she came skipping over. It reminded me of when we moved into Windmill Hill some 6 years ago. Shelby was the first person I met and it was in the garden where she offered to help me out. Even at that young age I was impressed that she took the rough jobs with the smooth and stuck with a task until it was completed. We had an almost 5 hour stint in the garden together (and Alan) and it is now filled with colour. Shelby even broke in her new cerise kiddy gardening gloves. I'm going to take her along on the next trip to the Garden Centre - I think I would like her input on what new colours and new plants to get next.
 I don't know what it is about the Stowmarket venue but we get some right jokers there with brilliant one-liners. Hans stood back and admired his lush bright green foliage and ferns and said it reminded him of when he was in 'Nam.........and there was me with images of 'Full Metal Jacket' and 'The Deer Hunter' racing through my mind. Turn's out he was talking about N'ham as in Nottingham!
 What an absolutely brilliant day today. Fantastic sunshine with a bit of heat too. The colour appearing in the gardens and countryside really lifts you out of the Winter blues. We took advantage of the weather first thing when we all filed outside to let our acrylic underpainted canvases dry in the sun. (Good opportunity for the smokers to have a quick puff too). Apparently the forecast for tomorrow is more of the same........which meant we didn't make it home without swinging past the garden centre first. I've picked up 50 colourful primroses and 25 pansies which will be dotted around the front garden and the tubs tomorrow. I've got a little helper too. Shelby, the little girl from over the road spotted me trimming the grass by the edge of the path ready for our new light sensitive garden lights. If she sees me in the garden she always pops over for a chat. Me and her mum have an annual garden competition to see who can get the best  display. You wouldn't want to know the underhand tricks we play on each other in our efforts to out-garden each other. Shelby was telling me her mum intends to have a day in the garden tomorrow too. I think I've persuaded Shelby to try and keep her mum in bed for as long as possible, taking her tea and magazines and needlework. That'll give me a headstart. We swap the best gardening sabotage advice ever in our efforts to stay that one jump ahead. It's all in the best possible taste, you understand but it's nice to know that I've got a member from the enemy camp on side this year.
 I'd like to send a very Happy Birthday Greeting to my eldest daughter, Soha. I can see Soha shares her birthday with Prince Edward and Sharon Stone. I wonder if they were little bleeders as kids too................? Have a great day Soha and I'll catch up with you soonio, I'll treat you to a meal before the Ricky Gervais gig in a couple of weeks.
Woodland's End Painting Class - Saturday 10th March - The Green Room, Stowmarket - UPDATE: I've just received news that one of our painters is not very well and cannot make tomorrow's class. That means we now have a spare place. If anyone would like to book into this class, please call me on 01473 311938 or e-mail me on info@ayoubart.co.uk  Whatever next? Very early this morning I heard Steffi exclaim 'Oh My God!!!!!!' She spotted a Roe Deer on our back patio from her bedroom window. She tried to take a snap of it on her mobile phone and decided to quietly open the window so she could get a better shot by zooming in. As quiet as she was, the noise startled the deer. Apparently it flashed the white of it's tail, trotted down the garden then gracefully leapt the fence into next-door's garden. We have a woods with a stream on our doorstep here and although these deer are often spotted early morning in their natural habitat, I don't think I've ever heard of one coming so close to the houses before. It almost makes you want to get up early to see what else we are missing...........almost.
 I thought you might like to see this work in progress. Today I am working on the Bluebell Wood project for Val. If it's successful we'll be painting this together next Thursday. It's been an interesting project and I've taken bits and pieces from various reference images. It's also helped to study Darrell's 'Forest Walk' DVD during my lunch. This particular painting has layers upon layers of foliage and some of it blue....... I think a similar painting can be made using red for fields of poppies or yellow for daffodils. If I say so myself, so far, so good....... There's a few more large trees to be added, some are already underpainted. I hope to show the bluebells in a little more detail as we get to the foreground.
 I had a timely surprise this afternoon. A couple of weeks ago I finished Chris Stewart's 'Parrot in a Pepper Tree' my bath-reading book. It's the one place I know I can relax in the warm and quiet and read for 20 minutes relatively un-interupted. Chris tells more comical stories of life in rural Spain. Today I was browsing the shops looking for a birthday present for Stef's boyfriend Oli when I saw a familiar book cover. The third book 'The Almond Blossom Appreciation Society' by Chris Stewart is on the shelves.......just when I thought I'd read the last of his adventures. I can now look forward to more Andalucian adventures in the bath tonight. I must tell my friends, Tania & Steve, from Finca La Mariposa . They borrowed my other Chris Stewart books and enjoyed them hugely. If they haven't got their copy already, best I post them one.
The Woodland's End class, scheduled for this Saturday, is now full. A few people missed out on the Capel class last Sunday, painting the same subject, due to no more room (I won't teach more than 15 students at a time). I can see I shall have to arrange another class for this painting subject at some time in the future. I'll be sure to post it to the Class Timetable page as soon as I have a date. If anyone wants to paint this popular subject sooner rather than later, we could always arrange a private lesson from home.  I've received, I guess, a couple of commissions. One of my ladies wants to paint a Bluebell Wood as a present for a friend. She's given me plenty of reference material and we both feel sure that Woodland's End can be adapted quite easily to feature a carpet of bluebells in it. That's something I hope to work on this week so we can have a private lesson together at home the following week. Another couple have given me some holiday snaps and other reference material showing some lovely scenes in Tuscany. They'd too like me to work on these to produce a painting they can both make for themselves in a private lesson from home. I think it's great that beginners want to make these paintings for themselves and I'm sure I will enjoy the challenge.
 After an almost 9 hour stint (!!) on the PC I've finally caught up with the majority of correspondence and sales orders. The free 'Water' DVD's, too, are just so hugely popular and it's quite a methodic procedure now to set up the database with all the relevant details. As you've gathered, if you've had one of these DVD's you'll start receiving my AyoubArt newsletters and updates. You'll be among the first to know the details of the Portugese Painting Holiday for beginners too: 'The Alentejo Experience'. Of course, my 9 hour stint wasn't all work, so don't feel sorry for me........I had a sunny stroll into the village with the majority of my postal despatches, I caught up with distant friends, in between coffee's, checked the garden for more wild life, and gnawed on some left over chinese spare ribs from the night before. After shopping around for some flights to Portugal it looks like the next step will be for us to check out the venue 'in person'. Val has a pretty good idea now how I operate as she's witnessed and taken part in a class for herself. Space is one of the most important factors for my students, I like them to be able to spread out and paint comfortably. From the photo's I have already seen and the details that Val has given me, the working space will not be compromised in anyway. One thing that does need checking though....are these sunbeds really as comfortable as they look? It's all part of AyoubArt's Quality Control procedure you understand...............
 Alan's role during the painting classes is becoming more wide and more varied. He now likes to offer helpful tips and hints to the students. Whilst I was demonstrating how to dab on the black gesso with kitchen towel for the underpainting, he thought it was worth mentioning NOT to blow your noses on the same bits of kitchen towel! If he'd stood still long enough he'd have got a dab of acrylic on his own nose.....! There's some really pretty and very different versions of 'Woodland's End' circulating now. It's great to see how different colour mixes and different pressures make for very unique and individual styles. We did manage to get a chance to take a couple of snaps during this class. Alan caught me scowling at him here............you can just see Val, in blue, to the left of the photo. Her pretty oil painting will be sent to her once it's dried.
 Val, our visitor from Portugal this weekend, has been an absolute delight. We hit it off from the moment she walked through my front door shouting 'Hi Sue.....' before she'd even seen me. Val's visit was both business and pleasure and we have been working together on a project for a little while now. She lives in a beautiful rural part of historic, unspoilt Portugal and together we will soon offer a painting holiday package there. More about that later. Val was impressed with this area of Suffolk and felt at home in the quiet countryside. To give you an idea just how rural we are.....here's a little something I found looking in at me through the french doors in the kitchen this very morning! (I managed to grab the camera and catch up with him halfway down the garden). He's quite a pheasant plucker, isn't he? Actually, that 'dingaling' reminds me. During a conversation on Saturday night after dinner, and on our third bottle of red, we were discussing comedy shows. Val enquired if we had yet seen Dawn French in 'The Bishop of Diddley'........ That must be the Portugese piddley version of the Vicar of Dibley.
Well, being offline with an internet based business was stressful for the first 2 hours, after that I treated it like a mini vacation from the PC! I've enjoyed my break but my god, are we back to earth with a bump today.....with over 300 e-mails to deal with. The important news - all orders placed since Friday night will be despatched today and tomorrow. Week 9: 26th February to 4th March  Bear with me folks............I am currently having some work done to my home telephone line. I've been without a connection since 28th February and the engineer doesn't anticipate my service to be resumed until Monday 5th March. I'm picking up any orders from another PC, but other correspondence will have to wait until Monday I'm afraid..........I don't want you to think I'm ignoring you guys. If anything urgent crops up, please don't hesitate to contact me direct on my mobile: 079500 32557
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Copyright © 2003-2008 Susan Warne. Arts Council / Wet on Wet Classes /Apollo Studio Accomodation / Darrell Crow Studios
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