Are there any mums with Art Jobs?

[Teodora]

Hi, I've been reading the posts about going back to work. I was wondering if there are any mums who are painters, art conservators or antique dealers? Especially in the Cambridge area? (I know is sounds very unusual!!!).

I don't know for sure, but will be interesting to see who comes around. Fairyfly is in arts, I used to be, MIL is, are you?

Yeah. It would be indeed!
Yes. I am an art conservator and a painter. (Still not strictly a mum, but awaiting the result at the end of this month. )

I am currently doing textiles and I am hoping, when settled to do a textiles degree. I really think there is a gap in the market for alot of original arts and crafts.

What are you thinking of doing?

whymummy does charachtures (sp?) and is still life art atm

I hope the end of the month brings good results Teodora

Fio2,are you Firyfly too?

no i am not fairyfly! we do talk to each other an awful lot but we are not the same person nor are we sisters (which some people think?!)

Hi Teodora, I'm a painter and graphic designer, but nowhere near Cambridge I'm afraid. Any reason why you're asking particularly?

Graphi designer here too, I used to do engravings/woodcuts some time ago

My cousin is an illustrator in brum? any help?

Oh, all of you're so sweet!!! Well I didn't have any particular idea. Just wanted to know that I am not all alone here and that there are other people who have interest in art. I've been living in England for 9 months now and I am definitely missing the communication with people who like art. Nice meeting all of you!

Where are you from Teodora?

hi teodora and welcome
i love anything to do with art,like fio said i did a portrait and figure painting course a few months ago and i'm planing to enrol in another art course once dd starts school,i want to specialise in murals and i'm doing a huge mural at ds's school at the moment,glad to know there's others interested in art too.
fio nice to hear you're doing the textile course

[quote] want to specialise in murals and i'm doing a huge mural at ds's school at the moment,[/quote]

Wow! That sounds pretty fascinating! I am so happy about it and glad!

Hi Chandra, I'm Bulgarian. Still settling in. Trying to decide what to do with my life and stuff. And feeling very lonely sometimes. What frustrates me the most is the fact that the only thing which I am capable of doing apart from conservation & painting is work in a factory. (Or at least this is what the temping agencies think ).

what sort of things do you do teodora?

Its nice to see others who are into arts, Im a furniture designer , painter and homestylist ( a less scary form of interior designing). Currently working on a new canvas taking inspisration from japanese optical illusions. Im not near cambrdige either.

What kind of murals do you do Teodora ?? Abstract? realist??

I know this will sound very unsual but I paint orthodox isons in the old traditional technique (egg tempera & gilding). I restore paitings and art on paper. Icon painting is not the main thing. (never thought that someone will reply to the thread!)

melsy and teodora what you do sounds fascinating i would love to be able to make a living from art,there is not a huge choice of art courses where i live so i've been doing murals for nothing just to gain experience,maybe one day i'll earn something

Yeah. Making living from art is pretty hard. For example if I was a furniture restorer I would be much better off. And now I am thinking of retraining. It is very very sad.But I am very glad u are able to practice! My advice is : get good books. I doubt u can learn that much from courses. And if u get them from the library it will be free at that!!!!!!!

thanks teodora i will have a look at the library,the good thing about courses is that it keeps me motivated but you're right what i want to do is all down to practise and reading,good luck with your plans to become a furniture restorer

What themes/ perioeds in history are you interested in whymummy??

Its true its a great thing to do , but its hard earning good money from it. I concentrate on different areas all the time, depending on work comes about: I dont have much design work , but I do have some painiting commisions coming up. The homestyling comes in dribs and drabs, with having dd I havent gone all out and adverstised so its word of mouth really.

hi melsy i like modern but at the moment i've just done murals for children's room and the one at school wich is a rainforest,i love to do all sorts but i don't even know where to start or what course to go for,i have done a lot of research on the net but it really is a question of practising,if it wasn't for dh i would have painted the whole house inside and out
do you have a website melsy where i could see your paintings?

No, no website yet , in the future may be. Im building up enough money to get a web designer to work with me to give a proffessional touch.

Theres a book shop a friend recommeneded to me a few months ago , its called dover books and its full of amazing books on hundreds of subjects. Its mainly copyright free images that u can use for inspiration . Thers also a website for it. Start with some images and patterns that you like and take a small portion and draw that really exploded up on A1 paper that ll get it all flowing. Do things like drawing the inside of your mouth on HUGE paper, but only by feeling it!!! Also take a small part of a flower or a natural texture and do a large abstract of what you see.

Also build up a sketch/scrap book of artists that you like and then try and copy there styles , just to get a feel of different techniques , Imagine what medai would best suit their style. This will also buidl up your knoweledge of differrent artists and art movements. If you have the flair and motivtaion for it and can free up you drawing , the you can really self teach. But a course will offer the opportunity to meet others and build confidence and knowledge. Try your local colleg for night classes first. The decide from there if you wnat to do part time etc.

excellent advice,thanks melsy,i must admit i haven't done much since having the children i used to love oil painting but you just can't with small children around,i bought some postcards of portraits by esteve mcCurry with people from all over the world and i'm really enjoying copying them specially using chalks,i love trying all sorts of techniques,i will start a scrap book,thanks again