What’s the best way to treat the freshly decorated education room at The Tetley? With a catapult making and paint flinging workshop of course!

First we made the catapults out of a variety of materials; pegs, lollipop sticks, tea spoons, elastic bands. Mastering a good catapult took some practice, a few tweaks here and there, repairs for weak joins. But the fun part was using the catapult!

Covering a ping pong ball in paint, the children (and adults) fired the projectile at the paper on the wall, creating travelling paintings with the drips, marks, splashes and even the odd hand print.

Below is a photographic account, pictures courtesy of Mat Dale.

Myself and fellow photographer, Mat Dale, finally got to exhibit our work – images taken from out Neighbours Project – which we produced especially for the Kirkstall Art Trail.

Below are the images we displayed in our garden:

Lauren and her most treasured possession. Maya the cat.

Sarah, Rob and Huxley. Rob chose his synthesiser (a classic old school model), we convinced him that Huxley should be included, so we had an impromptu session with Huxley choosing the sounds! We’d also like to thank him for the beetroot he gave us from his allotment.

Lauren and Tom. He chose the guitar his Father gave to him when he was just six years old.

Andy, who’s helped me and Mat out with some of plants in our garden. The devastating story behind his most treasured possession, will bring a tear to even the coldest heart. He is holding a photograph of his son Daniel, who sadly passed away only days old. He would have been 22 now.

Jim and Miriam, a recently married couple, who have since moved away into a new home. The box contains messages from the guests at their wedding and they continue to add to it, writing things they are thankful to God for.

Rob and Nikki. Rob chose his bike as his passion is cycling.

Mindy and Mat. Well, it wouldn’t seem right if we didn’t pick our cameras! Here you can see Mat’s 35mm film and medium format. But I had to be different and show off my museum of cameras that just won’t work anymore (they don’t make the film for them). Included is my first ever camera, the Halina 110; a disc camera (I’m pretty sure my Aunty took the last undeveloped films on this camera); a Polaroid Land camera (which uses single shot film); and my prized possession, the TLR that my late father owend, his pride and joy. I cleaned it up when I inherited it, and finally got it to work again.

On the day of the exhibition:

We had over 130 visitors to our garden, with some amazing feedback from the people we met. Some telling us it was one of their favourite stops on the trail; how wonderful it was to get involved with our neighbours (I even met our neighbours from the street behind us); what a brilliant way to open up to the community. Local Councillor Fiona Venner gave us high praise indeed, stating that ours and Mandy Long’s sculptures (which I have to agree are fabulous) and our garden exhibition was her favourites by far. I think I may have blushed.

Kirkstall Art Trail 2016? Maybe we will discover all the little social clubs, sports and leisure….

Additional photography by Mat Dale

This was a very quiet week for the family workshop, but those who did come along, seemed to really enjoy the idea of this weeks workshop.

Taking the title of the current exhibition at The Tetley, ‘Painting in Time’, as my starting point for inspiration, I immediately thought of clocks, and circles. So from that we have Circle of Time,  this developed into a way to illustrate the four seasons.

The participants had a choice to select one of the seasons, and decorate their own 1/4 circle. There were four areas for each season, with different coloured materials and pens for each. The idea was to decorate the inner quarter circle with materials and the outer segment with coloured pens (not all chose to do this, but who am I to argue with artist expression).

Using different materials for Autumn, Spring, Summer and Winter, the participants created a tactile as well as visual experience. Once all the seasons had been decorated we  completed the Circle of Time. 

I was assisted by fellow artist, Carmen Coronado.

Photographs by Mat Dale

Pyramid of Arts visited Beeston Festival on Saturday. A very windy day, which had it’s advantage as the tendrils we added to the hoop fluttered and flowed in the air.
It was great for families, as they stopped by and helped create plaits and tied them to the hoop. The little ‘uns especially enjoyed being in the centre as the ribbons blew around them, creating a real sensory treat.

You can follow Pyramid of Arts on Facebook here, find out all about the many wonderful things we get up to.

After yesterday battling with my mental health, I spent today with my family and best friend in Yorkshire Dales National Park.
We visited Askrigg first, a quaint village that featured locations where TV show All Creatures Great and Small was filmed. We then drove up to Wensleydale Creamery, where the famous cheese of the same name is made. I recently discovered that Stilton cheese is almost lactose free, so I was immensely happy to find they do a nice blue cheese amongst their vast range.
We continued our drive to Bolton Castle. The views across the Dales are spectacular, not spoilt by modern buildings, fast roads or electrical pylons, it’s a privilege to have this on my doorstep. We encountered some wild  boar near the castle, snuffling through the mud. I have learnt that wild boars are omnivores with an incredibly varied diet, they eat tubers, earthworms, acorns, burrowing animals, twigs, leaves, roots… It explains why they looked like they were munching on the mud!
Being out exploring the world, especially the world so close to home, is one of the very important things that keep me well.
I discovered that talking, writing and being honest, has been the biggest saviour in my ongoing recovery and staying well. I received support from so many sources yesterday, it really made me feel so much better.

I shouted at my closest friends during my frustrations. But I recognised I was being horrible, when they were only trying to help me. There was a time I would’ve been too stubborn to apologise, feeling that they just don’t care. But apologising makes me feel better also, because I love my friends, I need them to know that I appreciate that they are trying.

Anyway, today has been brilliant. And these photos have been taken on my brand new camera! (I’m uploading more when I have processed them).

I turn 40 this month, and rather than have a huge celebration, I decided to invite my friends out on little trips close to my home in Leeds, Yorkshire.

I took Ilkley Moor for a walk with some good friends on the Saturday, as we battled the wild and windy scenery. Crossing rivers, climbing up rocks and heather covered ground, we braved the weather in the crisp Yorkshire air.

A few days later, I ventured into Middleton Woods to look for the bluebells. It didn’t disappoint, it is the largest remaining ancient woodland site in West Yorkshire, and in early spring, it is a wonderful time to enjoy the woodland, as wildflowers are at their most abundant and bluebells, wood anemone, wood sorrel and lesser celandine carpet the floor.