horizons - self portrait/photography/collage

Taking a moment to reflect on my recent self-portrait/photography project inspired by Maria Rivens at St Martins Horizons 6th Form last term. 

It was an absolute pleasure to offer starting points and invitations to the young people, then stand back and be amazed by their ideas, sensitivity and creative confidence.

Below are works in progress: drawing, photography, collage, masks.

Students who have given permission for their work to be displayed will be showing at Young Format - Schools In Residence at FORMAT25 in Derby March 2025 - can't wait!

Thank you Derby QUAD for asking me to lead this project.

horizons - self portrait/photography/collage

Been having a fabulous time with students at St Martins Horizons 6th Form this term!

We are working towards self portraits inspired by contemporary British artist Maria Rivens brilliant scrapbook-style collage. 

Our first activity focused on spotting positive traits in ourselves and sharing them in a bold impactful way. Each participants hand provided the framework for their words and the positivity in the room was so uplifting!

Thank you Derby QUAD for inviting me to lead this project.

experimental drawing with horizons 6th form

My Tuesday mornings are rather exciting as I'm running experimental drawing sessions with fabulous students from Horizons 6th from at Derby QUAD. 

We had our third session this Tuesday, hardly ever take photos (no time!) BUT managed to take these beauties this week. Last week we went on a gathering walk near the river by the Museum of Making, we also took photographs along the route. This week we made drawing tools from the natural materials gathered and the photographs inspired mark-making and drawing.

To keep the DIY ethos going, the group used pestle and mortars to create 'paint' from turmeric, spinach, blueberries, beetroot, coffee, charcoal and soil! Amazing and sometimes unexpected colours were released.

Jamie captured his beautiful river photograph with the leaf drawing tool and charcoal 'ink' 🖤

q club

Spent the last two Fridays at Derby QUAD facilitating workshops with the wonderful Q Club participants. We made two colour screen prints onto book bags and created wire sculptures and photographed them in the gallery and public spaces at QUAD. Both activities were sparked by Megan Broadmeadow's exhibition SEEK PRAY ADVANCE.