The meeting on the 11th May was an unusual one. Paint a picture using only 100 strokes. Allie demonstrated how, by using fewer and more deliberate strokes, you could paint a less complicated picture. She did this by painting a silver kettle very freely without any preliminary sketch.

We paired up for one to paint a picture while the partner counted the strokes. Not as easy as it seemed. Many were very out of their comfort zone, especially those who paint with a small brush using lots of little stroke

After coffee break we all started a new picture, counting our own strokes. Some stuck to the hundred religiously while a few of us cheated a little bit as it really was a difficult style of painting if you weren’t used to a large brush and bold strokes.

As usual the finished works were varied and very interesting.

The April meeting was our AGM. There was the Chairman’s report from Michael Edwards, Treasurer’s report from Sally Struszkowski and the Exhibition report from Lynda Talbott. Minutes of the meeting will be sent separately by secretary Allie Whelan. To make things more interesting we had a competition, this year the theme was ‘From the Sea’. Some lovely work and so varied. The winner was Frank Bingley with his beautiful ‘Blue Lobster’

Not a great turnout for this meeting, maybe there is a bug going around or, on our first lovely sunny day, everyone was to tired from gardening! A very varied theme, Fantasy, Space and Mythology, which everyone approached in their own style. As you can see there were some lovely interpretations.

February 2nd was our first meeting of the year as January was cancelled due to ice, snow and unsafe travelling conditions. Happy New Year! We welcomed four visitors and hopefully potential new members. Sally and her daughter Ferne, Anna and Kate’s friend Emma. Two arrangements were set up in the middle of the room with the theme ‘birthday tea’

Everyone concentrated in silence at the start as many felt far out of their comfort zone doing a still life sketch. Various mediums were used to great effect. By the end of the evening some lovely work was achieved.