I found decorative painting through Ruth Watkins (www.wooden-it-be-lovely.com) and never looked back!  After a couple of years painting as a hobby, I decided to take it a step further and was honoured to be accepted as a member of the Teacher Support Programme run by Auscraft, Chroma Inc and Jo Sonja's Inc.  This gives me access to a large network of materials, ideas and teaching contacts.  They launched the Creative Possibilities programme in the UK in 2006 which is designed to educate and encourage new painters. 

 

All my workshops feature Jo Sonja's products; Artist's Colours, Background Colours and Mediums which are chosen for their quality and versatility.  Colours are tested to be lightfast and heirloom quality.  This means that they do not fade and will last 100 years!

I have attended workshops with Vicki Rhodes CDA, co-creator of the Creative Possibilties programme and member of the Colour Marketing Group, as well as Vicki Nicholson, a respected Australian folk art and decorative painting teacher, and a Senior Support Artist for Jo Sonja's products.

I am a member of BADFA (British Association of Decorative Painting & Folk Art) and attend roadshows and meetings held by them, as well as keeping in regular contact with other Decorative Painters & Teachers.

All this 'behind-the-scenes' stuff means that I am constantly developing my skills which I can then pass on to my students and use in my own projects.  I have more recently been fortunate to have had projects accepted for publication by Crafts Beautiful magazine too.  This is great news as it helps promote decorative painting to other creative people within the UK. 

I look forward to having the opportunity to paint with you at a workshop one day.

Be happy ... be creative!