INTRODUCING NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE ARTIST, JOANNA BLACKBURN

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I have always been creative and in my teens I painted in oils.  In early adulthood I explored many crafts and textile design on a commercial level.

Gardening is one of my passions too and I gained a qualification in Horticulture and Garden Design in 2002.  This included painting images of the gardens I was designing to help clients to envision them.  This took me back into painting and I began studying watercolours when on holiday in Scotland as this was the only time I had to indulge myself.  I sold my first painting there and this spurred me on to develop my talent further.  I joined a night class to learn more, became hooked and have not been able to stop painting since.

My paintings cover a wide range of subjects including birds and animals – whatever inspires me at the time.

The movement of water and different light conditions fascinate me so I love painting land, seas and skies. I enjoy capturing the beauty of the natural world and hope my work will uplift the viewer and fill them with a sense of place.

I paint in watercolours and acrylics mainly and also do encaustic work now and then.  This is painted by melting wax on an iron before smoothing it onto the surface.  Other heated tools can be used to work up the picture. I am really enjoying experimenting with this, creating fantasy landscapes which are totally different from my other work.

I have exhibited at various locations in England and Scotland and my work has sold internationally.  My work can be seen at www.joannablackburnart.com and www.facebook.com/JoannaBlackburnPaintings/

Create You : by Natalie Jayne Peeke West Country Correspondent

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In these stressful and uncertain times many of us are turning to new hobbies as a way to let off steam and learn a new skill. Create you is a local group based in Highbridge Somerset and was founded in 2019 stemming from a long held and widely practised belief of therapeutic art.

Create You founder Leila Browning says : “After struggling with mental health issues myself I started on my creative journey to finding a way to use art as a form of self-help.

Having found something that worked for me I wanted to share this with others who also struggled with their mental wellbeing, I then conducted lots of research until the idea was born.

Creating art relieves stress, encourages creative thinking, increases brain function by using problem solving skills and imparts other mental health benefits. Creating art provides a distraction, giving your brain a break from your usual thoughts, and you may find yourself in what is known as ‘the zone’ or a state of ‘flow’ which is what ties it in nicely with mindfulness

It was important that Create You was an all-inclusive company, having worked in the autistic sector for a while, I realised the how important it was that anyone visiting and joining groups would be able to feel part of something regardless of their abilities.

Create You has been designed especially to be a safe and welcoming space for all.

In these unusual and stressful times people need that escape and we’ve found our classes more in demand than ever.

We believe that during lockdown people were given time to be creative and have a new understanding of the importance of taking some time out for ourselves.”

Create You offers a wide range of groups. There is something for everyone from Adults to children from beginners to more advanced artists. This is what they have to offer on a weekly basis;

Monday Art for Adults 10.00 – 11.30am,

Creative Kids 5.00 – 7.00pm

Tuesday Art for Adults 7.30 – 9.00pm

Wednesday Men Only! 11.00 – 12.30pm

Young Artists 5.00 – 7.00pm

Thursday Home Education Group, Art 10.00 – 12 noon

Friday Artists and Crafters Unite 10.30 – 12 noon

Create You also offer workshops ranging from china decoration, beading, pyrography, felting and printmaking, to name just a few.

When asked what impact Covid has had on the creative groups that they host. Leila Browning said;

“Like most businesses, Covid has made this a challenging year. we’ve been running groups and live events on Facebook, even doing paint-alongs via Facebook live! We have managed to rearrange our creative centre to comply fully with government guidelines, and we expect to be able to continue our groups as planned.”

2021 is going to be a extremely exciting year for Create You here is what they have planned for the new year;

“2021 will see us expanding our repertoire, adding new classes in even more diverse areas, and we are even going to be able to offer a space for graffiti artists! We are also going to be offering corporate team building events and giving hen parties the opportunity to create some beautiful beaded decorations they can wear to the wedding. We are always working on new ideas, and we have no shortage of them”

If you are interested in what Create You has to offer but do not live locally then do not fear

“Going forward, we envisage franchising Create You into other parts of the country, so watch out, we may be coming to you soon!”


If you have any creative activity in mind, please feel free to contact us, we would be delighted to discuss your ideas.

Create You; tel 01278 767411

Email; www.createyou.art@outlook.com

Facebook/Insta @createyou.uk

web www.createyou.uk

Facebook Groups: CreateYou-Creative community

CreateYou-online gallery

 

 

 

London Cocktail Week ft. Amaro Montenegro

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This year has been rocky to say the least. Yet again the hospitality industry has been hit hard despite the optimism of the Eat out to help out scheme. With September coming to an end, those who extended the scheme will also face their footfall dwindling once more. However, we are hoping that with the extension of London Cocktail Week which will now run for the entire MONTH of October, the bars will be luring us back in with some special cocktails which will be on offer and let’s face it, we’ve all exhausted our Gin supply so we will be looking at some unique Gin alternatives to see us through London Cocktail Month that you can make from the comfort of your home. 

This week the spotlight will be on;

Amaro Montenegro

A distinctly Italian Herbal Liqueur, you may recognise Amaro as the dark shot one is offered at the end of some fine Italian fayre, or you may not remember it at all… in my case. But make no mistake Amaro is making a comeback for the right reasons. 

Our focus is on Amaro Montenegro who is one of the most well-establish spirit brands in Italy and now they are paving their way to the UK. Honestly, I thought this was the one and only brand of Amaro, they are THE ORIGINAL since 1885. It’s eye-catching bottle has graced many an Italian Bartenders’ shelf and we think it would be a great addition to your home bar. 

Amaro (Italian for “bitter”) has a bitter- sweet flavour and a slight woodiness, makes sense considering Amaro Montenegro is made from over 40 botanicals. Amaro is usually enjoyed neat but with the dried citrus features, our perfect serve would be over tonic and ice which a slice of orange peel. I particularly enjoyed the warming syrupy feel Amaro has and while it would be a lovely spritz to have before a meal, the spicier notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves work perfectly for Winter. 

Monte & Tonic

Ingredients:

Amaro 30ml 

Tonic to the top 

Dried Orange Peel to Garnish 

(I like to add a dash of orange bitters) 

Method:

Build in glass over lots of Ice. Enjoy. 

And in the spirit of London Cocktail Week (Month) our favourite Amaro cocktail is…

Monterita

Ingredients:

50ml Amaro 

25ml Blanco Tequila 

30ml Lime Juice

Method:

Shake with lots of ice and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lime wheel. 

Now we’ve got you dreaming of Amaro Montenegro to find out more and for more cocktail recipes, visit 

www.amaromontenegro.com

Alternatively, if you would like to support bars during London Cocktail Week who are serving delicious Amaro Montenegro cocktails, check out;

Amatitan Sour served at Disrepute Soho

https://www.disrepute.co.uk

Johnnie Highball served at Dalloway Terrace 

https://dallowayterrace.com

Man about Town served at Donovan Bar @ Browns Hotel

My Writing Process Glenda Young

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Glenda Young, author, writer, The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon by Glenda Young is published 1st October (£7.99, Paperback, Headline)

1.      A bit about you.

My name’s Glenda Young and I’ve loved writing ever since I was a child. I live in the northeast and my novels are set in the coalmining village of Ryhope where I was born and bred. You don’t need to know the village to enjoy the books, which are gritty and dramatic and have a feisty, young heroine at their core. All of my books are stand alone books and you can read them in any order. 

I’m a life-long fan of the soap opera Coronation Street run two Coronation Street fan sites – Corrie.net online since 1995 and the Coronation Street Blog which was launched in 2007.
2. What you have written, past and present.

I’ve written six novels to date published with Headline. The first four are now available and these are Belle of the Back Streets, The Tuppenny Child, Pearl of Pit Lane and The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon. Still to come are The Paper Mill Girl and novel six which has the title to be confirmed. The novels are gritty sagas, inspired by my love of soap opera, really dramatic with lots of action and some great women characters!

I’ve also built an impressive reputation as an award-winning short story writer.  Plus, I have an unusual claim to fame! I’m the creator of the first ever weekly soap opera Riverside to appear in The People’s Friend, the longest running women’s magazine in the world. My short fiction has appeared in magazines including Take a Break, My Weekly and The People’s Friend. In 2019 I was a finalist in the Clement & Le Frenais Comedy Award.

As a life-long fan of the soap opera Coronation Street I’ve written TV Tie-In books about the show including Coronation Street: The official colouring book, Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street, A Perfect Duet. The Diary of Roy and Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, and have written major updates to Coronation Street: The Novel and Coronation Street: The Complete Saga.

3. What you are promoting now.

My fourth novel is The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon. It’s a dramatic, gritty story set in a small village in 1919. It begins with a new born baby girl being left on the doorstep of a very grand house. The baby is left in a basket that has a scarlet ribbon tied around the handle. The housekeeper of the wealthy McNally family takes the baby into her care and names her Jess. Sworn to secrecy about the baby’s true identity, the housekeeper brings Jess up as her own, giving Jess no reason to question where she came from. But when the housekeeper passes away, grief-stricken Jess, now sixteen, is banished from the place she’s always called home. With the scarlet ribbon the only connection to her past, will Jess ever find out where she really belongs? And will she uncover the truth about the ruthless McNallys?

4. A bit about your process of writing.

I write in the mornings when I can concentrate better. I stop for coffee and have a break, do some thinking and then return to writing. I try to write 2,000 words per day. I find I’m much more able and creative in the mornings than in the afternoon. I live close to a lovely beach so I walk on the beach in the afternoons or go for a bike ride. This helps clear my head after writing all morning.

5. Do you plan or just write?

I always plan, even if it’s just a short story I’ll make a list of say, ten things I want to include from start to finish. I plot and plan loosely as I think all writers know that once you start writing your work takes on a life of its own and you should go with the flow to a certain extent. I liken my plotting and planning to building a frame on which to weave my words. It’s always flexible to change as I go but I always have a structure in place so I know what I’m doing and where I’m going, even if sometimes I go off on a side road for a little while.
6. What about word count?

For novels it’s usually around 100,000 words and for short stories for women’s magazines, it can be anything from 700 words up to 3,000 and beyond.

7. How do you do your structure?

For my novels I take sheets of A4 paper, one for each chapter and lay them out on the floor. Then I take my plot points and spread them out on post-it notes across the book, moving them around until I’m happy. Then I type up chapter plans, just a couple of paragraphs for each chapter so I know what I’m doing within each one. Then once I start writing, characters appear I never planned for, incidents happen I never envisaged and the book takes on a life of its own. It’s quite scary how it happens and I don’t truly understand it. Perhaps that’s the secret?

8. What do you find hard about writing?

Switching off. When I’m writing a novel it’s all encompassing, my entire concentration goes into my work for the duration I’m writing it. I’m living in that world and I love it, it’s all I can think about as I immerse myself into the story.

9. What do you love about writing?

Everything! From getting that initial spark of an idea to seeing my books on the shelves of the bookshops and getting amazing reviews online and in the press and on radio, etc. There’s nothing I don’t like.

10. Advice for other writers?

Never give up. Never.

http://glendayoungbooks.com

@flaming_nora on Twitter.

My Writing Process Alex Hart

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Alex Hart, my writing routine, my writing process, author, writer, Take Me Home, My Writing Routine:

I’ve written since an early age, whether it was short stories, poems (dreadful ones!), or novels. I read voraciously and love many genres. I have worked in the film and television industry for over twenty five years and have always felt passionate about story telling whether on screen or in books. To be able to disappear into someone else’s world, even temporarily and experience a different life is something that will never lose its thrill.

What you have written, past and present.

I’m currently working on a couple of novels, one which is the next in the series of Take Me Home, and another which is a standalone thriller. 

What you are promoting now.

Take Me Home is a mystery thriller. The main character Harper finds a young girl left alone in a New York store and sets out to find out where she has come from. No one has reported her missing yet the little girl May says she misses her mom. Harper is someone who is strong and feisty. She paints outside of the lines, yet relentlessly strives for the truth. Despite her outwardly spiky edges, she is sensitive and warm-hearted. I hope she is someone the reader enjoys spending time with, along with her friends TJ and Reggie (the yin to her yang, the cheese to her macaroni) as they try to unravel the mystery along with her. It raises the questions, ‘What would we do in that situation?’ ‘How far would we go for strangers and those we love?’ and ‘What constitutes family?’ 

A bit about your process of writing.

I’m pretty disciplined when I have a project I’m working on. My day usually starts at the gym (before Covid!) where I am waking up my brain and beginning to think about the task ahead. Once I am at my desk, I often turn off my phone so there are less distractions and set to on that day’s goal. If I have the book planned out, I’ll always aim to write a chapter a day; even if I know what I’m writing is trash. If I started to edit as I went along, I think I would come to a grinding halt. If there is something on the page, I at least have words to play with. 

Do you plan or just write?

I always plan. I don’t know any other way. For me, a plan is a safe way of being able to go off piste sometimes, as I know I can always refer back to it. Things often change when you’re writing; either something you are sure was going to work, suddenly falls apart in your hands, or you get further inspiration meaning the story changes direction. I think, so long as you have a plan you can explore these options without going off on a tangent too much. 

What about word count?

I really don’t think about it in the first draft. I just want to get the bones of the story down and I’ll worry about word count later. Often or not, it just works out at the right length. 

How do you do your structure?

I always work with paper and pen at the beginning, just writing down notes, random thoughts, character traits etc and once I am able to formulate a basic beginning, middle and end, I begin to scratch out a structure. If I get stuck, I always refer back to the usual; Joseph Campbell, Christopher Vogler, Robert McKee, Syd Field, Dan Harman. I’ll re-read what they’re saying and think how my story and characters fit and start penning out a potential paradigm. 

What do you find hard about writing?

When I lose confidence! There’s nothing worse than facing the day thinking ‘something isn’t working’, ‘I’m the worst writer known to man’, ‘what was I thinking even attempting this?!’ I think this happens to all writers at some point of their journey. You’re all alone in this room, with your imaginary characters (who you have become close to and feel you are letting down) and you only have yourself to argue with. When those days come, (and they do!) rather than give up and beat myself up further, I make myself write 100 words. Often or not, I’ll end up writing more and suddenly you’re up and running again. 

What do you love about writing?

Everything except for the above days! 

Advice for other writers.

The same any writer gives, read, read, read, write, write, write. For me, there is no other way. My motto has always been, ‘Get it down, then get it done. Get it written, then get it right.’

 

TAKE ME HOME by Alex Hart is published by Orion (Paperback, £7.99) on 1st October.

 

Take Me Home by Alex Hart Book Review

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take me home , alex hartTake Me Home by Alex Hart is a tightly written thriller which is classically New York. It dives deep into the characters and really tells the story. Full of twists and brilliant description, Take Me Home is the perfect thriller to take some time out of your day and just enjoy. 

How much would you risk for a child who isn’t yours?

An ingenious, taut, global thriller for fans of Linwood Barclay and Harlan Coben…

When struggling journalist Harper returns a dress to the shop she bought it from that morning, she sees the same little girl sitting in the exact same place she saw her hours ago.

No one in the shop knows who the girl is.
No desperate parents have contacted mall security to say they’ve lost their daughter.
And the local police have no new reports of a missing child.

The girl says she misses her mother.
But why is nobody looking for her?
And what if finding her home is the worst thing you could do?

Take Me Home by Alex Hart is available here.

 

Snakes and B……..s, Agatha Raisin rides again in Hot to Trot, as the next in M.C. Beaton’s glorious series hits the shelves today by Annie Clarke

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Oh, be still my beating heart – Aggie is back. Snakes and B……..s – thank the Lord. I have had the most enjoyable couple of days reading, laughing, wondering just ‘who did it?’ in this village mystery. God bless this creation of M.C. Beaton’s, though, of course, I believe Agatha Raisin really exists. She simply must, because she is as grumpy as I am, and makes me feel less alone in my role as the politically incorrect old duck of the universe.

The blurb the publisher sent talks about an eccentric Cotswolds-based detective with an erratic love life and a penchant for G and Ts. Yes indeed. But she is ever willing to leap to the defense of those accused by the dastardly Wilkes, who seems even more determined than usual to close the murder case, whether his chosen perpetrator/s are guilty or not.

And did Sir Charles Fraith really murder his quite dreadful show-jumping wife? And was Agatha his accomplice? What tosh- surely?

And will the glorious Agatha – with the  help of her team of private detectives – end up attempting to hunt down the real murderer. Well, yes, for a price.

Each page glides into the next, evocative scenes are established, pictures are painted, laughs conjured up to  empathetic nods from the reader. Quick, quick, turn another page. Really? Oh, surely not him? Or her? Well, perhaps, and shove off Wilkes, you horrid little twerp.

On and on we go, from a trot to a canter, a canter to a gallop as we are transported to the vineyards of Bordeaux, and back to dear old Carsely. And what about James? Will he enter Agatha’s life again?

Up and over the jumps we go then, cheering on Agatha, loving her, laughing with her, wishing we too lived in Carsely. What romps we’d have, sitting in the pub with Agatha and probably Roy, in his jodpurs, (what a vision)  chewing the cud, or perhaps it should be oats… or, well, whatever horses eat.

Read Hot to Trot. Love it. Live it. Be the better for it. Far more invigorating than a tonic.

Hot to Trot by M.C Beaton. Pub. Constable hb and eBook

 

 

Archie Brennan: Tapestry Goes Pop! Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT

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Archie Brennan: Tapestry Goes Pop! Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT Friday 26th March – Saturday 26 th June 2021

How absolutely fascinating: who knows anything about Archie Brennan, pop artist, weaver, bodybuilder and former Mr Scotland, who changed the course of modern weaving and is considered one of the greatest unrecognised pop artists of the twentieth century?

No, nor me either. Unrecognised because he chose to work in tapestry. Archie Brennan: Tapestry Goes Pop! tells the story of Edinburgh native Archie Brennan (1931-2019) in the first-ever major retrospective of his work. Bringing together over 80 tapestries and works, in a thematic exhibition exploring 60 years of prolific tapestry making, as well as archive material, this is a chance to delve into the world of a master of modern tapestry. A number of the works in the exhibition have never been on public display.

Sharp, witty, and immensely talented, Brennan began his 60-year weaving career as an apprentice at Dovecot, before becoming Artistic Director in 1963. He was an innovator and iconoclast who inspired weavers all over the world from Papua New Guinea to Australia. He dedicated his life to teaching and his influence on weaving can still be felt to this day. What many don’t realise is that while Brennan was a leading force in twentieth century tapestry, he was also a central, and largely overlooked force in the development of Pop Art in Britain.

Through tapestry, an output more often associated with stately homes, the court and monumental ecclesiastical works, he explored the key concerns of pop – ephemera, popular imagery and culture, 2 and questions of value. A fascinating component of Brennan’s engagement with Pop Art is his interest in celebrity culture and media representations of individuals. Throughout his career he was drawn to public figures such as Princess Diana, and boxer and activist Muhammad Ali.

Often Brennan used small images cut from newspapers and magazines or sketched from the TV to translate pop culture imagery to tapestry. One of the keystones of Brennan’s practice is the tension between high and low art, throwaway culture and the time intensive process of tapestry weaving. Tapestry Goes Pop! gives a unique insight into this undisputed master of modern tapestry..

Celia Joicey, director at Dovecot Studios, says Archie Brennan is the most significant tapestry weaver of the 20th century.

Archie’s life and work will be celebrated at Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh, where his career flourished. Through his innovative technique, international collaborations and his commitment to weaving as a fine art, Brennan’s legacy to contemporary tapestry is unparalleled.

Exhibition co-curated with National Museums Scotland.

Archie Brennan: Tapestry Goes Pop! Exhibition Dates Friday 26th March – Saturday 26th June 2021 Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm Location 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LT

How to get there:  Infirmary Street is a short walk from the hive of Princes Street where you can connect via the many bus and tram routes. It is an eight minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley station.

Social Media @dovecotstudios Website www.dovecotstudios.com

Exhibition supported by the Cordis Charitable Trust. 3 Dovecot Studios Dovecot is a world-renowned tapestry studio in the heart of Edinburgh and a landmark centre for contemporary art, craft, and design.

Images courtesy of Archie Brennan Estate