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A weekend in West Sussex

I had such a busy week last week what with giving a talk to Chiltern Textiles Group on Monday, teaching stressed GCSE and A-level students Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday and loading up my car to the brim for an exhibition on Friday - all with a stinking cold! I was so relieved to actually get to my Mums house in Sussex on Friday afternoon when I could just exhale.

By popular demand I was asked to do an Open House Art Exhibition in my Mums 250+ year old cottage in West Sussex - certainly a change from the clean lines of most galleries! There was a garage sale outside too with various pieces of architectural salvage and knick knacks so there was plenty to see.


Excuse the dark photo but unfortunately it was quite cloudy in Sussex last weekend - and very cold. This chocolate box cottage has a beautiful setting with a big garden and a lot of sheds full of stuff that needs clearing (25 years worth!).


                                 

I managed to display 18 pieces of work between two rooms and despite the wonky walls the end result was quite effective.


                                




A lot of people came and my poor Mum made endless cups of tea and coffee for visitors whilst I talked about my work - she insisted! There always seems to be a lot of interest in my sketchbook development so it was good to be able to sit down and talk through the various projects.

Among the visitors were my headmaster from primary school and my first Art Club teacher from when I was ten, Jane Hudson. I loved that Art Club, 3 hours of making every Saturday morning - bliss! I can remember making Christmas crackers, candles, learning patchwork and American quilting, printing, drawing, collages....we did it all and that's when I knew that I loved creating things. Most of the teachers were artists and Jane worked with clay. One of her amazing sculptures of a figure is still in Mums garden.

                                      

....along with other pieces (not made by Jane!).
     
                                      
 
I also caught up with two old school friends which was just brilliant and I had a lovely weekend. There was always a fire on the go to keep us warm and toasty although my poor Mum and uncle had to brave the cold outdoors as they had lots of interest in their things too.


I managed to stick to my AIP diet (see previous blog on illness and Art Therapy)  over the weekend too and have now reintroduced eggs - just as well as I had a goose egg from a neighbouring farm for my breakfast, it was enormous and very tasty.


How lovely to have a weekend free of cleaning the house, cooking  for the family, walking the dog and washing the usual mountain of clothes!

www.julietteodesigns.co.uk
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