Pastel workshops at Stewarts, Wimborne

A lovely day at Stewarts with the pastel group. We're covering topics including animals, landscapes and seascapes, even using holiday photos as inspiration. If you have a desire to draw it, Nina will help you achieve that goal. There are a mixture of beginners and experienced artists, everyone achieves a good result with pastels. Materials are provided for complete beginners whilst you decide if it's the media for you.

During Half Term we were joined by some younger members. Normally at school, they came along with grand parents and parents to have a go at pastels and draw alongside us. We had a great day and think we'll run some further courses for adults and children in the summer.

Call Nina for more information 01258 458803 or www.thepastelartist.co.uk

Little Green Fingers is back for 2012

Dorset Art Weeks and Stewarts newly chosen charity of the year, Julia's House, mean we've dusted off our paint brushes and set to work with exciting new plans.

Dorset Art Weeks will see the return of some familiar art faces and new, chosen especially to demonstrate and display wonderful work throughout the retail area. If you are a privilege customer you will see in your next 1742 magasine a taste of what you will expect to see for 2012 Dorset Art Weeks or just click on this link to find out a little more. We're all very excited about the work that we've seen so far.

Nina will be working with St John's CE VC First School to produce some decorated Bird Boxes that will be sold during Dorset Art Weeks to raise funds for Julias House. We're also asking children to help design some fantastic new collection pots too. Keep an eye out for them at the tills from May onwards. If you know a local school that would like Nina to visit please contact Nina. Stewarts are offering a reduced rate on workshops and free materials to the first 15 schools to apply.

Pastel classes are currently running at Stewarts, Wimborne, on Thursday's. You can join Nina to learn about pastels and work on a chosen theme of your choice. Beginners or experienced artists are welcome, materials will be available for your first taster session so you can try and make sure you like it before buying any materials. Below are the dates for February and March but we have some summer workshops coming up if you'd like to paint your own Monet's Garden or Van Gogh Sunflowers. Call Nina for more details 01258 458803.

Thursday pastel workshops:

23rd February, 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd March

http://thepastelartist.co.uk/

Artist in residence makes Western Morning News - page 3!

Todays pictures from Devon County Show write up!

We got great feedback from Stalbridge Primary

Its always lovely to receive feedback and even nicer when its unexpected!
I work with Departure (Arts in Education in Dorset - http://www.dorsetforyou.com/departurearts ) who have been brilliant at circulating Little Green Fingers to local schools.
They forwarded this from a recent schools workshop - felt making is great fun and I'm glad to inspire teachers and staff to try out some new things.

Lady birds from St James!

If you can, pop into Stewarts to see the lovely display of children's work from our school project, Little Green Fingers. Stewarts landscaping supplied the pebbles for painting which look great! I love the pebble lady birds in the artificial grass!

Felted flower meadows for Walford Mill Craft Centre

This beautiful felt flower meadow was created by the children of St James Primary, Gaunts Common, Wimborne. Stewarts Garden Centre funded both the materials and the workshop artist facilitator, Nina Squire, as part of their art education program, Little Green Fingers, which aims to educate children in the benefit of encouraging wildlife and improve our environment through growing. The finished felt panel has been donated to Walford Mill Craft Centre to raise valuable funds for their new building project. It will auctioned at the 'Silver' exhibition from June 25th- July 31st, please visit www.walfordmillcrafts.co.uk for more information

Felt making at All saints Guides Group in Poole.

We've been working with local guide groups to create felted wall hangings. It was a great team activity and the kids loved the felt flower meadows and all wanted to do some more!