Leyla Folwell

Monday, 17 October 2011

Friday, 14 October 2011

'Flock'

'Flock' is a project that the artists of Art in the Park

http://www.artinthepark.co.uk/

took part in for The Big Draw

http://www.campaignfordrawing.org/home/index.aspx

We used post cards and then 'migrated' our birds to Scotland to other artists taking part. The flock are going to travel the world. We have received some beautiful drawings from all over the world and as far away a Bhutan.

I really loved this project because it fitted perfectly with my current work, drawing

the simple everyday things that make me appreciate life.

Every morning theses birds visit my kitchen door to ask for tasty treats.

It s a lovely way to start the day : )

Birds are perfect because they don't sit still, and I love to draw quickly and with minimal looking at the paper to avoid too much ego in the initial lay out.

Drawing a Day - Day 1

Emily's Table

Oki Doki. I have been meaning to do this for ages... my day is often topsy turvy because I run classes in the evening so the morning is my evening..?

Often by the time I ve done all the domestic and e maily bits it s time to leave. I think it was probably a Chrsitine Kane http://christinekane.com/ who said make the thing you love your priority.... the other stuff gets done anyway (eventually). Like the saying goes... I am not going to think on my death bed 'I wish I'd have kept my cleaning up to date!'

So without much procrastination - two rows of knitting and a little chat with Emily - I did it! I did my drawing. I am scared of failing.... but I ll take one day at a time : )

Thursday, 13 October 2011

Getting on with it!

This is Engine Chat Chat, it is part of DIY Educate which happens at Core Gallery in Deptford.
http://coregallery.co.uk/diy-educate/

I ve been meaning to blog about it for a while blah blah but anyway here I am now. Having just come back from a DIY Nuts & Bolts talk on 'How to get paid' I am utterly inspired.... I always leave their events feeling joyous. Why? The talk was amazing, truthful, honest, sharing and brutally tragic in places : ) I am inspired, not because I now know how to get rich but from being with 'real' people ... yes I feel normal when I am there and that is a good feeling.

What stopped me going for a drink with my neighbour after the event? Well the sinking feeling when Glyn asked me ( as a follow up to the last Chat Chat ) ' So, how's the drawing going?' CLANG!
How can I tell this man - who has put together an exhibition since September - that I ve done approximately 4 drawings since we last met!?
Still, my cupboards are tidy, paperwork up to date.................................I hate myself : (

My current studio situation.......

.....hence the 5 inch drawings.

Ok. It is not ideal, but it is not an excuse. I ve been working on a small quick scale because I wanted to push through raw ideas fast (?) I have so many ideas.......................

I get much of my inspiration from my direct environment, but I do live in an amazing place. Living afloat as the antidote to the big bad city

I am playing with collage

and have stopped denying my love of colour, I was worried it was distracting
but I am over that now......

As my own therapist , I know the answer.
'Just do it!'
I ve got to stop worrying about creating a masterpiece and get on with it.

So I challenge myself to a drawing a day from this very day......13/10/2011

Tuesday, 6 September 2011

A satisfied customer : ) : ) : )

Coil Pottery Workshop at Art in the Park

Zoe & Christa

http://www.artinthepark.co.uk/timetable.html

E mail from Christa:

"Hi Leyla:

Yesterday I didn't get a chance to properly say good bye and thank you for letting me be part of your class (and for the ride too!).

I have trully enjoyed myself. This has being one of the best experiences I've had in london. Who would have thought I came all the way to have take a ceramics class? Like I said, every Monday I would look foward to going to class, having a cup of tea, and chatting with all of you...

You are so nice and such an amazing person. I know you will do great things and I hope we can keep in contact . I look foward to the time were the name Leyla Folwell will be famous for amazing pottery pieces and I can brag about how I was your student and am your friend.

There is really no word to express how happy and thankful my heart is! Thank you for the class, thank you for the pottery advice, thank you for the compassion, thank you for the patience, and thank you for laughing at my jokes...

With a thankful heart,

Christa"

What can I say!?! It's all true ; ) Come and see for yourself!