Inky Art by Sarah Gent

Candles seem to be my inspiration at the moment. I was really moved by a comment in a soundscape we made for Light Up Barnard Castle! By a friend. I asked her what light up the winter for her? What helped her through the darkness. And she said she liked the darkness. And that a small light in the darkness could warm the soul.

I thought that so beautiful. The soundscape went with a large willow lantern I made and played on Scar Top as part of our celebrations of light on Frisay 1st December through our work at T C R The Hub, with many partners.

The whole thing has left me proud but also needing a refuel... so I'm taking the time to carve out this little candle, to provide a small light for anyone who might need it x

An image that makes me want to reach for my carving tools.... seed heads are such beautiful inspiration for linocut prints. Such gorgeous shapes!

Slightly more noisy creative endeavour has been taking up my time recently... anyone fancy coming along for a blast of rock musical, details of how to book tickets below!

Tickets are now on sale for School of Rock!

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/teesdale-operatic-society/e-edggzg

Our next creative endeavour at T C R The Hub .. loads of things to enjoy for all the family xx

Head to the Hub in Barnard Castle for a family outdoor trail with creative scenes inspired by books for everyone to enjoy - Book here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/tcr-hub/e-kezqxl

From hot air balloons to our junk model train, this trail promises to offer everyone a wonderful adventure, as well as featuring artwork from local primary school pupils too!

The trail will take up to 20 minutes to complete, with activities on offer at various points that may well take longer depending. We are offering hourly slots for up to 30 people so please be patient when you arrive if there is a little queue. Our team will admit you as soon as possible and you can enjoy other workshops and sessions at Book Fest too while you're here. Please bring some cash to enjoy food and drink from the café! The Trail runs from 10 am to 3pm on Saturday 25th and 10 - 2pm on Sunday 26th February 2023. Please report to our reception on arrival for your trail sheet and map.

Please come prepared for any weather!

Throughout both days, there are other bookable sessions from Zog's Dragon School with Bright Woods and Film making with Animator Sheryl Jenkins to Liz Millions Illustration workshop and Stuff and Nonsense, a hilarious, whacky piece of family theatre which will be on the Sunday afternoon.

Please plan your visit around the things your family would most enjoy. Everyone is welcome for the World Book Day Costume Parade on Saturday 25th February at 1.15pm... ish! but we do ask that you book into that so we have an idea of numbers participating!

Thanks to players for making this possible. We’re making a difference to the lives of local people thanks to funding.

Reflecting on life and loss, inspired by an astonishing ripple maker.

Life passes on,
passes on by, without halt,
each day brings change,
changing the present
by the loss of the presence
of those who have left.

New ones join us, others leave,
The make up of the world's peoples is never static

And yet...

When one lives and then goes,
(as each and every one of us will)
they create ripples,
waves, forces of energy
that move and change those around them,
and those around them,
and those around THEM,
growing, and Growing, and GROWING
to the point where their mark,
Their ripple, is felt by many
and many more and many more than that...
By those who never met the original one
Who made the splash.

So the person passed is not lost,
not disappeared from life, but instead
Their energy has become momentum
for others to take forward what they inspired,
To carry forth, not just their memories
But also their will, their words,
their hugs and their smiles
to make the world a better place,
a place bettered by them being in it.

For it is through the ripples left by those who have passed, that we all move forward together.

And I thank them for that, each and every special, treasured one. I feel your ripple and I not only remember but also move forward with you in my pocket.

So many beautiful ripples.

Poem by Sarah Gent

I'm currently working up to my lowland Leader assessment... I would like to lead walks followed by printing workshop as I think the two go hand in hand. Taking in your environment, enjoying the shape and colour of the beauty nature has to offer. And then playing with those shapes with linocut.

Bear with... walks anon x

It has been a while since I last did a print... and I'd like some help with my printer's block please (did you see what I did there??)

It is autumn and therefore my fingers are itching to make... I get the urge to create things, forage and crotchet..

But as I said It, it is autumn and so the nights are drawing in and mental health can suffer. I'd like to make some cards to post and raise a smile for friends and family through the dark months ahead.

Please be part of my postcards of positivity project with slogans that help pick up your mood and raise a smile.

Happy to share? Please do below and if you have a simple image suggestion that would work along side your phrase, feel free to add that too.

And in return?? If I'm pleased with the results, I'll share one with you... but we will see if they turn out worth of the positivity title!

Thanks chums.

I'm enjoying devising a mini trail as part of the Durham Festival of Wellbeing inspired by this print... steps we can take to help ourselves and look after our wellbeing.

There will even be a chance to build your own stone towers... life is after all a balancing act.

Get your tickets here to be a part of it: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/tcr-hub/t-dvaqmaa

13 and 14 August at T C R The Hub

The balancing act of happy living.

Have you got your Festival Face on yet?? Only 2 days before we realise early booking for the workshops for those who have booked your Festival tickets... so those who haven't yet, there is still time to reserve your spaces for salsa, pottery, graffiti, batik, green woodworking... and more!

We have something for everyone from adult wellbeing session with Bright Woods Forest School CIC to Dance yourself happy workshop with Melanie Edmenson School of Dance and lots for the kids to enjoy too!

Book today so you are amongst the lucky ones who can secure your places at workshops I'm advance... here is the link: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/tcr-hub/t-dvaqmaa

Ps thanks to Kimberley for crafting this wonderful sign for our Festival Faces exhibition... creative therapy time was enjoyed!

Not much printing going on but lots of creativity. Love being a part of this :)

From our home to yours! We are so pleased to be welcoming potter Lindsey Starborn to offer you the chance to enjoy some play time with clay... both to create your own little models and also a throwing pots session both Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

The Festival offers so many creative opportunities to enjoy making and creating together. Book your tickets to take part and give yourself the chance to access lots of different experiences across both the Saturday and Sunday, for all ages!

Find out more here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/tcr-hub/t-dvaqmaa

This is how I feel. Looking forward to Durham Festival of Wellbeing very much.

At the Festival, everyone has many chances to get creative with some amazing artists and crafters... so we asked Suzanne Wiliams how art and wellbeing are connected.

Here is her insightful reply:

"When I paint, draw, sculpt or make something arty I get completely absorbed and any worries of the day vanish and I feel good. The creative process leaves me feeling happier, less anxious, better at problem solving, more resilient and self-confident.

There is a positive connection between art and mental health. You don’t have to be “good and painting and drawing” or create a masterpiece to get the mental health benefits of making art.

Just spending time creating things,especially in a safe and supportive group environment, can improve your concentration and drive, lower stress levels, give a boost to your imagination and self-esteem and can generally improve your sense of well-being.

I always encourage everyone to just give making art a go and I’ll be there to support and encourage you along the way!"

Suzanne Williams – Artist

“ Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life” –
Pablo Picasso.

“I found I could say things with colour and shapes that I couldn’t see any other way - things I have no words for” –
Georgia O‘Keeffe.

Come along to enjoy Suzanne's Batik workshop on the Sunday morning and embrace the chance to enjoy some relaxing creative time.

Not yet got your tickets for the Festival? Book here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/tcr-hub/t-dvaqmaa

I really enjoyed running a linocut workshop at T C R The Hub today with Guide Leaders. It is amazing what they achieved in only one hour!!

Love how empowering printing can be.. so many people start with saying how they are a rubbish artist and end up really pleased with what they produce.

Being Artist isn't something that is exclusive to those with a capital A at the front. We are all entitled to get creative!

My busy hands have been making use of more willow from the tree we lost in the storm... a handmade mat.. a little wobbly but not too bad for a first attempt.

Willow is known for its healing properties and making with it feels like being connected to nature and people from times long, long ago.

A lovely way to spend a bit of spare time working with this beautiful wood, weaving it in and out and gradually adding stability to the structure.

Making things from nature. Highly recommended for well being and peace of mind.

Lost a willow tree to the storm... so tried my hand at willow weaving.. lots of wobbles but I kind of like them :)

Next steps... ink! Looking forward to seeing what this looks like. Its the smallest font I've ever attempted which was an interesting decision after a wee break from carving... let's see if it pays off!

In all things nature...

Warming up the linocut for a new print.... oh yes!

I've been asked a few times recently if I'm doing more prints or if I'm doing cards of prints I've got lying around... I'd like to, just need to carve out time to carve of lino but it is really lovely to be asked.

That is my kind of art :) worth checking these out at TCR The Hub

Now that our film making sessions have come to an end, the next set of sessions we are running as part of the Now programme are "Art with Heart" with Sara Cox. Remember, the Now project is fully funded and works with the Social Prescribing Workers, to help you focus on "what matters to me"!

The sessions are a great way to unwind, interact with nature and learn how to use it to create inspiring pieces or art.

These 8 sessions begin on the 3rd February at 1pm - 3pm, are fully funded and a great way to meet new people, enjoy coffee/tea/cake and take something meaningful away with you at the end of the day.

If you are interested in attending these sessions and would like to book a place, please contact Jonny at [email protected] or via 07841678049.

This is always true and in the face of challenges, it remains my mantra.

The loving of each other is the nicest and very best thing we have by far xx

If Inky Art did fabric, they would look like this!

What do you think?

Loved running a printmaking class for families at T C R The Hub this week. We enjoyed a scavenger hunt and then made prints with what we found.

Adults and kids working together to create something special is a heartening experience. We even made a family tree of our individual ones.

Get outside and find yourself something to print with!

Does anyone else feel like placing the stones of life on top of each other is about all you can manage some days?

A balancing act if ever there was one.

Take care and take time, my lovelies x

I really enjoyed a virtual drawing workshop from The Bowes Museum last night.

How good it feels to just sit and draw something natural. We took pieces of charcoal, some paper, picked something from the garden and then drew without taking the charcoal off the paper once.

I recommend it as a mindfulness exercise... just so grounding.

Enjoy a peaceful lunch break in the sunshine, balancing stones.

This really is what it is all about.

The Arts Industry matters. What a difference a year makes.
It is undeniable that the battles for life have been fought on the frontline – by the NHS, in Care Homes, in Supermarkets, in Education and more. And I am in awe of the people who have worked through that and so, so grateful. But for the Art Industry, it has been an experience of dismissal, removal, of being made invisibility.

Over the last twelve months, it has been heart-breaking to witness friends whose careers have not only been just shattered by this pandemic but also have had to absorb the fact that their life's work has been deemed non-essential, both for the creatives who create and the whole vital network of people who enable the industry to operate. It is very surreal to work in an buoyant and beautiful place that is suddenly wiped of its necessity, becoming not possible, not viable, totally blasted out of everyday living by this cruel pandemic.

This has made me reflect on what the arts mean to me and what they do for the world. Never have we needed more to be taken to a place beyond the every day, that helps us work out why we are here. And though it can feel like the tinsel on the tree... merely decoration, there is something of the soul in the arts that helps people breath, that pushes up and out of the every day, that helps interpret what matters and that explores beyond the matter of fact and into the reason for living.

Take heed, my artists, musicians, dancers, poets, performing friends and everyone who support the industry, you and what you create matters. You are needed and you give life to the voice of the soul.
It is easy to wonder what the purpose of creativity is. It can get so vague and so fruitless and feel small and flippant. But, in the good times, after a positive experience, a wonderful sharing of something big, the purpose is strong and resolute... and actually is there all along. It is to help people access and experience emotions that sit beyond the necessity, to polish and share the joy of creativity... to help us touch and embrace fun and delve into what really matters to us as human beings.

I feel like the arts industry has responded as fabulously as we could, offering outbursts of access to music, theatre, dance, craft, etc. and continues to grow and develop innovate ways not only to survive but also to inspire. But I really cannot wait for the day when I can buy a ticket, walk through a door and be transported into a creative experience in the flesh.

Not long now but boy oh boy, it feels like it will be journey to regrow the confidence of the industry before this experience, and the financial security (never guaranteed before this!) to make sure that we have the industry we so richly deserve.

But I for one am ready to forge forwards with this journey.... who's with me?

I am a bit print-blocked at the moment... so got a piece of lino and carved the first thing I thought of.

The feeling of the carve, the shaping and the little shards of lino peeling away felt good.

I've flipped the image as it is obviously backwards in case I want to get some ink onto it but for now, just the carving was the thing.

Just taking stock and seeing what is what. I have these three available mounted and unmounted.

Send me a message if you're seeking an inky Christmas gift.. thanks x

I had a lovely moment this morning. Was rushing to deliver an overdue print (not typical of my service, I promise!)... and when I got to the village, couldn't then open the message with the address in it on my darn phone.

I then asked for directions to the particular family home and happened to speak to someone who knew them. He knew the road but not the number so I drove to that road, pulled up and tried again to open the relevant message. Nope, no luck... so I looked up to see whether I could work it out purely by looking and willing the right house out of the many to choose from.... only to see SUNFLOWERS in pots in the house I had parked outside.

Knocked on that door and surely enough, it was the RIGHT HOUSE! This little print belongs to that lovely family and it was a magical moment getting it delivered. Thank you, lovely family!

Still a few of these sunny prints available... PM if interested and I promise, if delivered, I won't leave it to such chance to see if you have sunflowers outside your door!!