Read all about it- some good can come from newspapers!

 Life can get pretty hectic and busy at times and we need to remind ourselves to take time out and de-stress. Today, at Burwash Manor, the public had the opportunity to do just that with the paper bowls making workshop run by myself (Lisa Smith) as part of the Festival of Making for Access Art.

During the day passersby dropped in and learnt how to put to good use their old newspapers. Using a very simple method of rolling bits of paper using a tube and then coiling; people of all ages were able to successfully produce their own paper bowl.

I loved the air of calm and experimentation within the marquee. People experimented with the shapes of their bowls and discussed other projects that could be made out of the bowls such as layering them to make Christmas trees, gluing them on top of each other to make space ships, making them as gift baskets ... the list went on.

This activity is lots of fun, affordable and accessible to all. All you need is a newspaper, a glue stick and something to roll the newspaper up with such as a balloon stick, large straw - even a ruler. It is a great activity for fine motor skills, co-ordination and dexterity - plus a great confidence booster. But be warned - this can get addictive! Many of the people that popped into the marquee only planned to make a small bowl and found that their bowls kept growing and growing.

The rain didn't put anyone off joining in and even Cambridge radio came alone to find out all about the fantastic opportunities Access Art provide to the public. To find out how we got on have a look at the pictures below.

 Rolling the newspaper around the plastic tube to make the building units for the bowls

Me demonstrating how to roll the paper

 Coiling the newspaper ready for making the bowl. Father and daughter work as a team

 Adding points of interest and personalising the bowl with extra detail

 Even Cambridge radio came along to find out about the Festival of Making with

 Access Art and to learn how to make paper bowls

 Finally Painting the bowls using acrylic paint, see some of the fabulous finished items below

 The proud owner of this beautifully blended bowl shows off the finsihed product

 Stunning lavender bowl

My examples of painted paper bowls on display

There are still more events taking part at Burwash manor as part of the Festival of Making. If you have not been along yet have a look on the Access Art website and find out what creative fun you can get up to http://www.accessart.org.uk/

To find out more about my work have a look on my website http://www.lisasmith.uk.com/

Making for it's own sake

One of the things that I love most about working with children is their ability to embrace materials, get stuck in and enjoy making an object and not worrying about it's context, it's theory, it's use of material etc etc. Well it appears I had forgotten that if you provide the right bohemian atmosphere, enough materials and pimms - adults can do the same!

This Friday I joined Access Art for the launch of the Festival of Making at Burwash Manor in Barton, Cambridge. Organised by Paula Briggs and Sheila Ceccarelli, the Festival of Making is all about celebrating hands-on making, creating opportunities, getting involved and having a go! The evening was very successful, it was nice to see all adults embracing their artistic side, Access Art created a fun and friendly atmosphere that removed barriers that would normally intimidate `non art types` from joining in the activities.

Everyone from all walks of life and all ages joined in the fun and made an array of scrumtious food for the Festival feast table, including victoria sponge cake, a slice of chocolate cake, ice creams, a bottle of bubbly and even a pint to name but a few. The band playing was a nice touch and a selection of art by local artists was exhibited alongside the Access Art Marquee.

 How to make a Claes Oldenburg inspired Ice Cream Oyster -
1.First get two paper plates and stuff with newspaper.
2.Cut some strips of modroc.

 3.Cover the plates with modroc
4. Cover the newspaper with tissue paper

5. Paint the tissue paper the colour of your ice cream
6. Paint the Oyster claim and finally squirt on some chocolate sauce (or brown paint in this case)

 7. Voila an Oyster made from junk!

 After the oyster I got a bit carried away and made these all sorts out of felt material

 Our collection of scrummy dishes for the feast  - the bakewell was made by my husband.

 When making my pieces I automatically thought of Claes Oldenburg a Swedish sculpture. Oldenburg has created large scale sculptures of everyday objects that can be found in public spaces all around the world, and to quote:

"A common object (applied to public sculpture) is a perfect meeting place--I have always found--of subjectivity and objectivity, inside and outside. I turn to objects out of my isolation and self-reflection, but in objects I discover society, and in objects society discovers itself as well. Common objects are a device for the reflection of their surroundings."

--Oldenburg, 1980

Interesting fact! Oldenburg is supposedly one of a few artists that has their work displayed on the moon in the moon museum!

 Claes Cake

The event was a fantastic opportunity to network , and embrace the opportunity to make and create just for fun. If you would like to find to more about Access Art or join in the Festival of Making during the month of July then visit http://www.accessart.org.uk/festivalofmaking/ for more information.

Paper Engineering Course

On Saturday I joined Access Art at Burwash Manor in Cambridge to run  a paper engineering course. During the course participants learnt how to make a sliding mechanism, a pop up picture, a vintage flower pop out and a bursting star collage. I was really impressed with the range of ideas and fantastic creations that were made on the day. It always amazes me that even though all participants were given the same materials to work with, their finished products were completely different - bringing their own personal style, preferences, ideas and talent.

As you can see from the pictures below we all had a great workshop and were very productive. Participants were all provided with packs that included instructions on the activities which will soon be available to download on the Access Art Website http://www.accessart.org.uk/

On a final note if you are even in the neighbourhood and get the chance you must visit Burwash Manor. The Manor consists of 15 independent stores ranging from designer clothing, organic produce, wine, gifts, toys, children's wear, decorating shops and garden ideas. Plus a tea room, day spa and some farm animals. A fantastic day out for the family. For more information check out their website http://www.burwashmanor.com/

Also keep an eye out on the Access Art Website for the fun filled Festival of Making being held at Burwash in July.

Access Art Papercraft Workshop

In May I will be working in partnership with Access Art leading a paper engineering workshop in Cambridge. During the workshop participants will explore the use of collage, paper engineering, stencils, mixed media and other practical approaches that can be used in sketchbook work. Throughout the day you participants will have the opportunity to produce a sliding picture, iris folded image and mixed media collage creating a visual documentation of new techniques learnt and reflecting their own ideas.

If you are interested in taking part in this workshop email info@accessart.org.uk of have a look on the Access Art website www.accessart.org.uk/events/

The workshop will take place on Saturday 14th May 10am-1pm at Burwash Manor, Cambridge http://www.burwashmanor.com/