Summertime Sketchbooks, Markets & Mini Adventures
Summer’s in full swing and the next couple of months are looking busy in the best way - a lovely mix of creative work, meeting clients and customers at markets, events and workshops, gentle family adventures, and a few moments just for me!
Making my own rainbow on the beach
If you fancy getting outside and slowing down a little, I’ve got a few Green Sketching workshops coming up in a range of beautiful Northumberland spots — by the River Tweed, in Etal village and around Berwick. These sessions are all about taking a pause, reconnecting with nature and experimenting with some stress-free sketching (absolutely no art experience needed!)
Sunday 20th July, 10.30am - 12.30pm, Green Sketching Workshop - River Tweed
Saturday 2nd August, 10.30am - 12.30pm, Introduction to Green Sketching - William Elder Building & Coronation Park, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Sunday 7th September, 10.30am - 12.30pm, Green Sketching Workshop - Etal Village
Workshops are all £35pp, including a sketching pack so that you can keep going in your own time (sketchbook, 2B pencil, set of coloured pencils and a short guide to Green Sketching).
You’ll also find me popping up at some of my favourite events, including:
Art at Etal
A lovely mix of local artists and makers in the village hall where I’ll be showcasing some of my original pieces, as well as bringing along a range of prints and Fine Art cards
Sunday 3rd August
Wednesday 13th August
Wednesday 10th September
Berwick Food & Beer Festival
I’ll be in the artisan market with my usual range of art prints and gifts, including some food-themed collections, too.
The Festival runs from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th August and the Artisan Market will be located on The Parade, Berwick-upon-Tweed from 10am - 5pm, Saturday 16th August and 11am - 4pm Sunday 17th August.
Art in the Park
This is hosted by the Friends of Castle Parks and I’m very excited to have been invited to run it this year! A relaxed, free nature art session for all ages in Coronation Park, where I’ll be setting up a creative scavenger hunt full of playful prompts. Just bring a snack and something to sit on.
2-4pm, Sunday 24th August
Amidst all that, I’m carving out some slower summer time.
New places
We’re heading to Harrogate for a short break, including trips to the beautiful gardens at RHS Harlow Carr and to see Mother Shipton’s Cave in Knaresborough. It is possible that we’ll also be calling in at Jespers of Harrogate for some holiday art and stationery treats!
My daughter’s starting her GCSE Art in September and has been set some wonderful summer homework visiting galleries and exhibitions. We’ll be heading to Edinburgh soon to visit the National Galleries of Scotland and the City Art Centre, and closer to home, we’re looking forward to a talk on Cedric Morris: Artist, Plantsman & Traveller – whose work is showing at our local gallery this summer.
And just for me? I’ve booked a 1-2-1 yoga session to help build a short, grounding home flow — a bit of balance in between desk time, teaching and travelling!
Wherever your summer takes you, I hope there’s time for a sketchbook moment, a bit of stillness, and something that makes you feel quietly joyful.