Gillian Lever
Summer scrim paintings
This Summer I have been experimenting with scrim to create new textures in my paintings. (Scrim is a light, loosely woven textile made from cotton or flax that is used in bookbinding and upholstery). I was inspired to start using the material in my work after seeing a small print titled ‘Mending the nets’ at a friend’s house this Spring. My friend’s figurative print showed three women grouped together mending fishing nets. I love the symbolism of net mending, the patient, necessary, ‘behind the scenes’ task, sometimes arduous, vital but often hidden. For those of us who don’t fish for a living, it is interesting to think about what we regularly repair and restore? How do we practice mending? Do we recognise the small kindnesses that mend? We can’t repair the big things if we haven’t mended the small. Besides enjoying its net-like qualities, scrim also reminds me of the bandages sometimes used to bind up wounds - another form of mending. In my work I have carefully applied the scrim to gessoed boards and canvases and then painted them with layers of acrylic and oil paint.
All Saints Youth Project - Card Making Workshop
We recently led a workshop with young people at All Saints Youth Project in preparation for our Artists Open House event on 9th and 10th November 2024. We wanted to involve the young people in the event and they were very keen to collaborate with us. All Saints Youth Project has been providing recreational and informal educational opportunities for young people aged 11 to 19 years old (up to 25 for those with disabilities) for over 25 years. The project supports young people and adults, including those with additional needs, and their families. The workshop was undertaken by a group who really enjoyed the opportunity to try out a number of different techniques, making a series of vibrant, unique handmade cards. These will be for sale at the Open House event and we are looking forward to hosting the young people. Half of the funds raised from the sale of artworks and 100% of the proceeds from sales of cards will be given to the project in November.
Gillian Lever
MAKING SPACE
A Creative Quiet Day inspired by Barbara Hepworth’s sculpture and drawing
Friday 12th July OR Saturday 13th July 2024 from 10.00am–4.30pm
Life can be hectic and often overwhelming. Becky Morse-Brown (Art Therapist) and I are currently enjoying planning a gentle, reflective day of quiet creativity in the newly refurbished and accessible Dupuis Retreat Centre at St. Paul’s Convent in Birmingham for later this Summer. The Retreat Centre, set in extensive gardens with its own chapel and comfortable meeting rooms, will offer soul-nourishing space for art-making, contemplation and prayer.
We will be looking together at the work of the sculptor Barbara Hepworth, whose elemental artwork was shaped by the contours of the fields, hills and rock formations of the Yorkshire landscapes in which she grew up. There will be time to reflect with rocks and pebbles, make simple, experimental drawings using some of Hepworth’s techniques, and work freely with clay - all of which, we hope, will help us breathe gently and open up new life-giving spaces within us.
Becky and I have both found that our Christian faith has been nourished and shaped by art making and imagery over the years.
The cost is £75 which also includes all art materials and refreshments. Please bring your own lunch. The address is St. Paul’s Convent, 94 Selly Park Road, Selly Park, Birmingham, B29 7LL.
All are warmly welcome. If you would like to book a place contact Lever Arts.
“Draw alongside the silence of stone
until it’s calmness can claim you.”
John O’Donohue
