ArtCafé Event's Menu - click on to enlarge

Photos from a previous Fun Day

Here are some photos from a previous Fun Day, we're having a stall there so was encouraged to see how popular it's been in the past.
http://www.visionwebsites.co.uk/Contents/Misc/Details.asp?SiteId=268&SiteExtra=13291492&TopNavId=763&NavSideId=4919&MiscAreaId=1027

The Artists Café is coming around again

Next Sunday, Sunday 3rd June - Hope you can make it!
www.myspace.com/artcafeinc

This Is Me, My Family and our Pets

As promised a painting of me and my family, we have a Cavalier King Charles called Tango, a tabby cat called Cookie, and two fluffy cats called Muffin and Truffle - we like to name our pets after food and drink - nothing to worry about.
From the left is daughter Claire, then me (Lisa) then son Greg and husband/Dad Neil. I didn't feel like doing all the fish but you can just imagine them.

This Is A Scarey Hippy Who Might Hug A Tree

Hug A Tree Day - Sunday July 22nd

The original 'Hug a Tree Day' was 'Mass Tree Hug' featured in Andrea Mason's series of events and in her Diary she publicised. It was held on Sunday 11th of March, I was there, it was a sunny day and we had some very important people there, Angela Smith namely one of them.
I have brought it back again as it was a popular event and two people have requested that I do it. I also think it is important to appreciate our trees, and one time, a few centuries ago Essex was covered in tree's.
I think it's important that we show our appreciation of our trees and outside spaces. (Another thing to shout about on the day of 'Northlands Park Corner'! (Sun July 15th).
I went to Dorothy Perkins today and bought a limited edition T-shirt and bag from the Woodland Trust range. £5 from the price of the T-shirt goes to charity and £1.50 from the sale of the bag. The T-shirt cost £12 and the bag was £10, you can see them on http://www.plantmoretrees.net/ The Woodland Trust site is: http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/
To see all the photo's of the original 'Mass Tree Hug' go to:
http://thebasildonblog.blogspot.com/2007/03/mass-tree-hug-sun-11-march.html
Plus I did an article on Spread The Art Word about it, take a look:
http://creativityisme.blogspot.com/2007/03/hippy-crowd-spotted-hugging-trees-in.html

Pleased about the Marquee

Tony said either the Marquee is either 6M x 3M or 9M x 3M – in my old fashioned maths language that is 18ft by 9ft or 27 ft by 9 ft. That’s pretty great actually!!

2 More Competition Entries in the Post!!

I received two more competition entries today, I'm really pleased!
I wish I'd put on the leaflet/poster 'would you allow me to put your picture on here?'
If you've read this and your yet to send your pictures please let me know if you want me to show your picture on this blog.

ArtCafé Event's Menu - Not

I have spent the last two days creating and printing the ArtCafé Event's Menu, I have printed about 170 now. I would normally show you but my scanner is misbehaving terribly, either it scans black and white or changes the colours. My orange and green and white leaflets become pink and turquoise and white.
So you will have to sit and wonder what they look like until you've seen one.... I'm sure you've better things to do.
I've got all the events listed plus Sarah's café menu too. Not forgetting 'Sponsored by START http://www.supportthroughart.com/ of course.

Motivation

Maybe you need some motivation, how about looking at http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/ to see what you can get for your £25 of vouchers.

Saturday Morning...... Waiting with bated breath

I'm hoping that I will get some more competition entries.
Please remember you have a very good chance of winning so do try! Come on make the effort.
I'm really looking forward to seeing the pictures and it's another way for me to get to know the people who live in your area.
If you choose to draw your family you could be a family of four 'two parents and two children' and don't forget the pets. Or you could be a family of two - one Mum and one son, or one Dad and daughter....... Or you could be a family of eight.
In my family we have two children, two adults and three cats, plus one dog and several fish (in a fish tank). I'm soon going to do a sketch of my family in the hope to encourage you.

START

As a group we meet up once a week on a Wednesday at Dean Smith's Art Workshop, Studio 51, Barleylands (Art &) Craft Village. We meet from 7.30 - 9.00 and are lucky to have established artist Dean Smith giving instruction when needed. If you want direction and work set you can have this or if you simply want to get on with your own art you can do this too.

As well as meeting up weekly START has had an annual exhibition for many years now.
This year we will be exhibiting in Barleylands Education Centre which is a very large and spotlessly clean and new area, we feel very proud to be able to exhibit there.

I can boast of a high calibre of members including Dean himself, Aden Hynes (Sculptor who did the Bafta Award amongst many other fantastic sculptures), Deborah Joys (well known for her textural paintings) and previously Mike Harrington (formidable artist) who has now moved on to leafy Surrey.
We often have social occasions such as quiz nights and will soon be organising outside expeditions so that keen artists can do landscape painting with the company of like-minded people.

Last year the B.A.T Gallery was manned by a majority of START members and we count the whole venture as a success that we shared with the indefatigable Peter Patterson.

Previously START has done a lot of community art, and has brought it to the Basildon Festival and Fun in the Park, one year we organised an Art Festival in Basildon Town in front of Brook House, we had lots of stands, pavement art, local pop groups, dancing, plus an exhibition it was a great success.
A few years ago Mike Harrington was looking to start up something that youngsters might like to join in and Jack Norris the youngest member yet at START (who joined when he was twelve) mentioned about the animation he and his friend were heavily involved in as a hobby, so this initiated a new off-shoot of START the animation group which was later named Loco Motion.
Loco Motion is going strong and getting quite independent and branching into all sorts of areas including DVD horrer soap opera's such as 'Dead Enders.'

If your interested in becoming a member please either ring Dean Smith on: 01268 522973 or come down to see him at his studio: Dean Smith Art, Studio 50 at Barleylands Craft Village .

24 Days

Exactly 24 days to the very last entrance day to the IDENTITY Art Competition. Come on lets see your pictures!

The Fun Day

It has been agreed that on Northlands Park Fun Day we are going to hold a marquee, have some face painting and the 75% of the money raised from this will go to the Events Group.
We will also show the two winners of the IDENTITY art competition on our marquee and their names will be announced and they will win their prizes on the day.
It's also my intention to do some puppet making and mask making - for a small charge the children could bring their makes home with them.

Dear Diary......

I'm so excited I got my first competition entry through the post this morning! Looking forward to getting lots of lovely pictures from people.

Speakers Corner (Hyde Park Corner)

Love the headgear! (above)

He knows everything he does!

Those who know me, can you

spot some familiar faces in the

crowd above? Click to enlarge.

Extreme People!

One lady said that god favoured a tree to us as it was more loyal to him and scathed humanity and that included all who were watching her. I could quote what other people had said but am afraid it would cause too much controversy and arguments.

What was quite entertaining was the banter, these people who chose to stand up in front of all the people with their strong beliefs were extremely brave, but you got people mocking them. Unfortunately for the speakers the ironic humour of the heckler was quite entertaining.

I would say I found it stimulating, and there were some unusual characters about. I liked my hug at the end, apparently the guys giving away the Free Hugs are very well known on You Tube.

This link explains a lot about Speaker's Corner http://www.offtolondon.com/hyde_speak.html

Café Culture Hits Basildon

Click to enlarge

Perhaps there's going to be a Café revolution. When I was at the 'Art U Need Needs U' 'Wrap Party' we were doing a bit of 'Speakers Corner' and one of the teenagers said there is nothing to do in the evening as lots of youth clubs had been closed down. They liked the idea of Café's in the town as at least this would be somewhere dry and heated they could meet up rather than hanging about in the middle of the square sitting on seats.

They said people moaned about them but they didn't have much choice. I can understand this, sometimes you don't want to join activities you just want to hang around and socialise. So let's hope this is the start of Café culture in the town. It would be great if we learnt off our continental friends or even London in the evening, had some exciting things going on.

It would be nice to hear what others want from their town when we do 'Northlands Park Corner' on July 15th. Noon at Northlands Park behind the Café.

The Events

Story Corner Family Workshop
Saturday 30th June
Ages 7 - 11, from 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm. Max 10 - 15 children.
Book in advance herron@globalnet.co.uk 07808 924389

Frances Clamp a childrens writer and local history writer will give us her time and expertise.

The Artist's Café
Sunday July 1st
Any age, young children with parents please.
12.00 pm until when you want to go.
For enquiries ring 01268 449039

Sketch and paint in the company of local artists and students.
Learn new skills, share ideas, watch art being made!
This is not a workshop but is continuous as we will be meeting on
the first Sunday of each month.

Northlands Park Corner
Sunday July 15th
All ages,
12.00 pm - 2.00 pm meet behind the Café .

Identifying with Basildon
'What do YOU want to rant about!

Hippie Art Day and Hug a Tree Day
Sunday July 22nd
Noon until whenever
Any age

Lisa will be doing all sorts of Hippie art, and you must come down and hug that tree! You tree hugging hippies.

Puppet Family Workshop Stage 1
Monday July 30th
Ages 5 - 11, Parents accompanying child please
From 1.00 pm - 3.30 pm
Max 15 so book in advance herron@globalnet.co.uk 07808 924389

"I have not come across as better way of combining pure fun and education as puppetry." - Quoted by Nick.
Lisa and Nick will lead this 2 week workshop.

Puppet Family Workshop Stage 2
Monday August 6th
Ages 5 - 11, Parents accompanying child please
From 1.00 pm - 3.30 pm
Max 15 so book in advance herron@globalnet.co.uk 07808 924389

Mask Making Family Workshop
Monday August 13th
Ages 5 - 11, Parents accompanying child please
From 1.00 pm - 4.00pm Max 10 so please book in advance herron@globalnet.co.uk 07808 924389

Charlie and company will show you a variety of ways to make masks, and will talk with you about their varied cultural uses. It's going to be lots of fun.

Animation Family Workshop
Monday August 20th
5 and upwards,
Parents accompanying child please
From 1.00 pm - 4.00 pm
Max 10 so book in advance herron@globalnet.co.uk 07808 924389

Lots of animation FUN to suit many ages brought to you by Jack Norris from Loco Motion.
Have a look at the link to see what I mean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbYamEI6eII
www.loco-motion.org.uk

Headless Ghost Tour
Saturday August 25th
Meet at Burnt Mills Road entrance to Nevendon Bushes 8.45 onwards.
10 yrs and upwards at parents discretion. Book in advance herron@globalnet.co.uk 07808 924389

A Headless Ghost Tour around the Nevendon Bushes. After this we could all go back for a stiff drink at the Watermill. Please bring your own torch.


Painting in the Park with Arty Treasure Hunt
Monday Aug 27th
Ages 5 - 11, Parents accompanying children please. 15 Children
1.00 pm - 4.00 pm

A treasure map will be provided to each small group.
X marks the spot, then 5 steps to the left and 2 to the right. Once you've found your arty treasure it's time to do some art.

The Artist's Café
Sunday September 2nd
Any age, young children with parents please.
12.00 pm until when you want to go.
For enquiries ring 01268 449039

Sketch and paint in the company of local artists and students.
Learn new skills, share ideas, watch art being made!
This is not a workshop but is continuous as we will be meeting on
the first Sunday of each month.

Nature Walk and Arty Workshop
Sunday Sept' 16th
All ages, (Parents accompanying children)
1.00 - 3.30 pm

Have you noticed your beautiful swans and what a lovely park you have there. I took a walk around the pond today and saw two swans building a nest out of reeds, one was sitting on the nest, the other was gathering reeds - wow!
Park Keeper Vic Hobb's will be talking about the wildlife.
So an informal walk, perhaps picking up things to use in a collage. Then a workshop where we can play with a variety of mediums.

I'm on the Well Being Journey!

About time too! I was among a really friendly chatty bunch of ladies who were all in the same boat as me, wanting to get fitter.
The ladies who ran the course were very well qualified, one supported you on the physical side, she used to be a gymnast and now taught yoga. The other lady knew all about nutrition.
The course is at Briscoe's School by the way, it gives me a chance to get to know a few locals.
We were all weighed and measured, and had to write our goals and a bit about our state of fitness. Then we were given a pedometer that can tell how many steps you have taken, I've taken 394 since leaving the class. We have to write down generally what we eat - I know my problem is food bores me silly so I just grab what's convenient - I lack any creativity in my cooking. I think I'd be happy popping in a 'food pill' for breakfast, lunch and dinner - so that I didn't have to think.
I'm not a huge eater - quite a small eater - it's just that carb's are more handy.

Anyway I introduced myself as someone who was very involved in the communtity art that was taking place in the winter 'Art U Need Needs U', and now am carrying on community art up at the Café at Northlands Park.
Hi there if I saw you at that meeting - make a comment if you want.

I nearly forgot to say before this meeting I went around and put ten posters up for the art competition, then I met Charlie at SureStart's cafe. http://www.surestart.gov.uk/aboutsurestart/
I'm glad he got me to go there, now I can see what a wonderful job SureStart do, and everything was so clean and new. There was a play area for the kids and parents were encouraged to come up to the cafe to have a chat.
I noticed there were posters all around - a course for 'Dads and their Children' , others encouraging breastfeeding. One was stressing that 'This is not a smacking and shouting at children area' - well done, it needs to be said as this is stressful for all who have to watch.
Very positive, very caring, I think mothers or fathers who are bringing up their young family need as much encouragement and support as possible - it definitely is not an easy job.

Introducing the Café

The Groovy Open sign

Ze Menu

My Nosh, naughty but nice!

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The gorgeous coffee machine!

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The wonderful noticeboard

In search of inspiration....

I've been using acrylic paints for quite a while and fancied a change, my aim was to come down to the park prepared with watercolour and drawing pens and do a bit of line and wash.

Unfortunately the weather was adding it's own signature to my picture so I had to abandon the idea and headed to the Café for a bite to eat.

Sylak's Cool Poster - Like it!!

Welcome All Junior Artists

Hi there,

If you have been given this leaflet in your book-bag and are wondering how you're going to paint or draw your family or yourself you really have lots of choice. You could simply draw or paint. Why not try collage, just cutting out lots of different coloured paper and using it imaginatively. There is always good old felt tips or crayons. Whatever you do have fun! I'll look forward to seeing your art in the next few weeks.

By the way I didn't put on the leaflet that I would prefer the picture to be on A4 paper, I'm just thinking if I get a lot of entries I want to be able to fit them all on Sarah's wall at Northland Park cafe. So it would really helpful if you could do this. Thanks

Fishing is very popular at Northlands Park

Fishing is big business at Northlands Park, there is a
website http://www.micktoomer.co.uk/ I guess you have
to join this guys club to fish there. There are some great
pictures of all the fish people have caught there, plus info
on the two ponds, an aerial shot and a picture of the
old cafe, did you notice that they haven't built the play areas yet.

Advertising and what not

This morning I got up early to guillotine the Art Competition adverts, putting them in sets of 30 ready for the schools on Monday.

I got thinking about advertising for the Workshops.
I thought how about a cafe menu, advertising the workshops first, then Sarah's Menu (in slightly more brief form), I think people who don't normally come the cafe will be pleasantly surprised by what they have to offer. Obviously they would be available in the Cafe but I would have to seek other places to put them - perhaps the local shops, libraries and Northlands Centre.
I think I would like to have a scene with the parks ducks at the front of the menu as Sarah has them in the cafe (photographs of them of course!) and they are very endearing creatures. Plus in the menu some illustration by me.

I've got a slight bit more time to think about the design so shall play around with some ideas.

When I went to the Northlands Centre I spied this, I could certainly do with it.

So I'm going to go on the course as I seem to be free most Thursdays. It will be good to get to know some locals around Northlands Park.

Sponsored by START

A big thank you to START www.supportthroughart.com for sponsoring ArtCafe, they have contributed £100, this is how I can afford the prizes for the competition. I will be putting their sign and web address on all further literature.

The Art Competition Leaflet

I made a simple flyer, brought it to Tony Guyon who approved it and said he would print out all the flyers for me, making them A5. (I had to literally think on my feet as I suddenly realised that there was probably an exact month left for the children to make their pictures).

Next step approaching the schools, both schools approved!

So I am picking up all the leaflets tomorrow, cutting them over the weekend and will be delivering them to the schools on Monday morning. Luckily I have recently bought a page cutter.

Click on the picture to see it enlarged.

Oh by the way 'The Events' they are now updated, just click on the left hand corner where it says 'CLICK HERE TO SEE THE EVENTS' to get there quicker, or scroll down.

A big THANKYOU to Tony Guyon and Interlock for printing all those flyers for the schools.

Last Friday at the Cafe

Well I got the hang of making up the coffee but when it came to the frothy milk rather than switch it off at one point I managed to turn the knob the opposite way and made mass froth all over Sarahs coffee machine! I will overcome! The challenge of the coffee machine.

May's Artist's Meeting

The Meeting.....

This was a very enjoyable meeting and a lot was achieved as regards the community art too. I now have my face painter - Lisa.

Lisa and Fran are to be judges for the portrait competition, Lisa and Fran both have degrees so they are exceptionally qualified for the positions.
A couple of people didn't turn up as they thought it was on next Sunday not this Sunday but we had a nice amount of people. There was Sylak and his Mum, Lisa and Fran, Nick and myself.

After quite a long chat and coffee we all ventured out to the park looking for inspiration to paint or draw.