Statement

I've worked with all age groups and abilities, and regularly with early years. My speciality is experimenting with materials, 2D and 3D . Junk , recycling and painting are particular passions. For example ,last year I completed a series of workshops at Chappletown Childrens Centre and Leeds City Art Gallery ( on behalf of the Gallery ) .Sessions were divided into 'dry' and 'wet' art techniques .In the gallery setting I started the session with a game of colour gathering - based on some of the exhibits... then we began our own creations ! I also paint murals in childrens rooms/school play grounds.For example : two large exterior murals in early years settings. Each had a contrasting , but equally successful approach and outcome : one used imagery wholly generated by the children , in diverse sessions prior to the design and painting of the play ground mural ; the other involved the children painting directly onto a prepared wall. I take staff training workshops, and have also worked with parents of very young children to encourage play with and exploration of both 2D and 3D media.

I love the enthusiasm and joyful self expression of this age group. I encourage experimenting ,play and mixing different media. Ideally I work with small groups of children (5 maximum ), then I can adapt the pace to suit individual children. I often start by talking about my work as an artist : I pass around contrasting pieces e.g. a small heavy bronze sculpture , then a light-see-through plastic piece and perhaps a sketchbook. I always invite queries and comments, and often get very funny/observant responses! I gently introduce new materials, talking about texture, colours, shapes. I regard exploration of different media as fact-finding and I always try and incorporate little surprises and humorous detail e.g. in the way I lay out materials or how I display any finished artwork :children's artwork is great to use in games and story-telling. I aim for education disguised as entertainment ! and for children to enjoy the processes and the outcome equally. I also try and build in some time for reflection on what they have learnt/enjoyed most. I usually conclude a project by suggesting ways of building on the original session(s).

Experience

Art in Education : Early Years

2006 Experimental art workshops (2D and 3D) for early years at Chappletown Childrens Centre and Leeds City Art Gallery .For leeds Art Gallery.
2003 Artist in Residence for the Seacroft Art Project: mixed media art sessions with parents and toddlers at Parklands Children's Centre ( for Surestart and Leeds Art Gallery).
2003 'Insect World ' mural painted with children at Usher Street Primary School , Bradford.
2003 Artist Facilitator - Model making: for parents and carers to observe the benefits of junk construction .For Homestart Leeds, at The Oxford Street Mission, Leeds .
2003 Artist Facilitator - The 'Box Man': 2D work leading to 3D work with Moorlands School ,at Leeds City Art Gallery.
2002 Artist Facilitator - 'Developing Creativity and Imagination', pre-school staff training for Leeds Learning Alliance at Leeds City Art Gallery.
2002 Artist Facilitator - mixed media workshops in response to local day trips. The Shantona Bangladeshi Centre, Leeds.
2001 Artist Facilitator - Simple masks, using recycled materials for Surestart Bradford: at Ventnor Hall, Bradford.
2000-2001 Artist in Residence - Exterior playground mural and art projects at St Edmunds Nursery School , Bradford.

qualifications

2002 City and Guilds 7307 Teaching (post 16), Shipley College.
1991 Postgraduate Illustration, Central St Martins, London.
1986 BA Fine Art (2:1), John Moores University, Liverpool.
1983 Foundation in Art and Design, Bradford College.