Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year!

A day later and I'm still stuffed from my christmas dinner and all the mince pies and chocolates I've been over indulging on. Well, it only comes once a year so I say feast on! and be merry!
Lots of love from Charlene .x.

Better Late Than Never

It's been almost two months since my birthday and Im only just getting round to updating my blog, well, better late than never I say! and here are those photos I promised taken by cristina as I still have'nt got round to buying myself a camera with my birthday money. I've decided that I might as well leave it to the sales now and hopefully get a bargin. x.

27years...

It's my Birthday today!!! Usually when I turn another year older I feel a bit sad and reflective and then I start worrying that I'm a year older and heading closer to the big fat three zero! but this time I'm not dwelling too much and I feel happy to have reached this age and be alive and healthy. As far as I'm concerned I'm 27 Years Young!

Almost another year older...

Its my birthday in one weeks time! I cant believe how quickly a year has gone by. I'm really hoping to get a camera for my birthday as I've wanted and needed one for ages and nows the perfect opportunity to get one with the masses of birthday money im hoping to get! It will make me update my blog more regularly as I hate not having any visuals to put up when im writing here. I've booked the week off work so I'm aiming for total relaxation and pampering along with getting up to date with all the mundane stuff that I'd rather not do! Im having a joint celebration with my friend stephanie as our birthdays are four days apart. So Im hoping that my next entry will include some fun photos of my birthday bash taken with my new camera! x

"A Bigger Bang"

Last Thursday I went to see the Rolling Stones in Concert with my friend Cristina at The O2 Arena on the London leg of their, A Bigger Bang tour. I had an amazing time! Mick Jagger seems to have the energy of a five year old, its crazy! He didn't seem to stop dancing all night.

The stones are a band I dont think I would ever have got the chance to see but luckily cristina's aunt won tickets and because she was unable to go gave her the tickets and I was fortunate enough to be able to go too. This included two nights at a hotel in Marble Arch which was really nice.

I loved their triubte version of the late James Brown song "I go crazy" and their own hits, Start up, paint it black and of course, Satisfaction! x

create to learn:Exhibition!

Last week Wednesday Cristina and I put up the work that we had been doing with the school children for the exhibition. Wednesday night was the private view and it was really great to see the work up and finished and also what the other students and classes had been working on.The exhibition is on until sunday 22nd July at the.gallery@oxo, south bank. So please go and have a look if you get the chance.

I also managed to get a portrait of myself drawn whilst i was there, along with Cristinas friend Sarah. I think their pretty good!

I have photos!

Im getting a bit slack on the blogger front, as you can tell its not been updated in a while. I need to up my game and start getting creative! Cristina took pity on my no camera situation and forwarded me these pics of our last day of teaching, it went really well, the children seemed to enjoy themselves and the work looks great.The last stage of the project is going to be the exhibition at the Oxo Tower in July. Unfortunatley I have not been very creative of late but I plan to put a stop to that soon, the warm weather is making me feel a lot more optomistic and i've even started a little exercise plan of jogging in the mornings, so I feel a lot less guilty about my expanding sweet tooth. I did a lot of athletics in my teens and I was also 1500 Meter borough champion for two years running! so hopefully it wont take me forever to get fit.

Back Again

Im finally better, no more news of more time off work and chest infections! I've been back at work for two weeks now and it feels like I was never away.
Tomorrow Im teaching for the last time with Cristina at the school in south London. The children just need to finish off their masks and the giant fruit so everything is ready for the exhibition in July.
On saturday night I've got cristina's 25th birthday celebrations to go to, Im quite looking forward to it as I haven't been out in ages and their's a bonnie and clyde dress code so that will be fun. My penpal Ingrid from Austria is also coming to london next week and Im hoping to meet up with her.x.

Chest Infections cont...

I went to the doctors on friday because when I went to the hospital the doctor there said I should see my own doctor in a weeks time to check my progress, luckily I was fast tracked an appoinment otherwise I would have been waiting weeks. My doctor said I should have another two weeks off work! I was planning to go back next week, and he sent me off for a chest x-ray, I get the results in two weeks time. I've also been given a new set of medication and some asthma type pumps, I could'nt believe it when I had to pay the chemist £27 for it all! But since starting the new medication I feel like Im on the mend now. Yesterday I started some art work which Im really pleased with, If only I had a camera I would have shown it here but Im hoping by the time I get one I will have amassed a load of work to put up!
I got an email from Cox & power with an update on my exhibition and theres been a lot of positive interest and comments, I've also sold a badge! which is very pleasing to hear even if its only one so far! I'm hoping to go there soon and take some photos. The exhibition finishes on the 9th May, so please go and see it if you get a chance!
'Familiar Strands' At Cox & Power, 35C Marylebone High Street, London. Nearest Tube Stations: Baker Street or Bond Street

Allergies & Chest Infections

On Wednesday I helped to put up the work for my exhibition 'Familiar Strands' with the staff at Cox & Power who have been extremley helpful. It looks brilliant! so if you get a chance, please go and see it! But I was feeling really unwell, as over the last few days I've been coughing a lot, feeling breathless and experiencing chest and back pains, I usually put it down to my hayfever and having allergies but I felt a lot worse than usual so I thought I had better go to the doctor as last year I got a chest infection. Ringing up for an appointment I was told that the soonest I could get one was in two weeks time! its such a joke! So after putting up the exhibition my mum took me to the hospital and the doctor there said I had a very bad chest infection and would need to rest in bed for ten days! Im glad I got a professional opinion as knowing me I would have carried on with my daily routines as usual and it would have just got worse, but I feel that now I have been given permission to give my body a much needed rest.

Familiar Strands: My exhibition at the Jewellers Cox & Power

On wednesday Im going to be putting up my work at Cox & Power. So come along to see and maybe even buy my work. Officially opening on, Saturday 14th April at 35c Marylebone High Street, London. Nearest tube stations are Baker Street or Bond Street.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to everyone! Its been a beautiful day hope you have enjoyed it. x

RIP K800!

Im really upset at the moment as last Wednesday my phone died!It was my phone, diary and camera all rolled in to one. As I dont have a decent camera of my own I was using the camera on it to take all my photos as it was really good, all the photos on this blog were taken by it so its quite a loss to me. As I wasn't insured I have to buy a brand new one and theres no chance of that as it costs £289! I got mine free on a line rental contract. I went to hyde Park on Thursday as it was a beautiful day and there were loads of photo opportunities that I had and could have blogged here, Im really gutted! At the moment Im using an old LG phone which is fine for calls but Im gonna have to consider buying a camera from a catalogue and paying it off monthly.

Aprons and picture pocket details

Today I have been sorting out the paper work that I need to hand in for the exhibiton, thinking that tomorrow I will be installing my work, but luckily I checked my emails and its next week Wednesday not tomorrow! that everything goes up. Im such a ditz at times! I hope that I can swap shifts with someone as Im scheduled to be working next wednesday. I've taken some photos of the aprons that are going up and some close up shots of the pockets and picture details which I really like.

Easter Chickens

I love this display of paper mache chickens, it reminds me of the paper mache fruit project that Cristina and I did at the school we've been teaching at. After easter we will be back for one more day to finish the project.

Exhibition Preparation

Last Tuesday I went to Cox & Power to hand in some more of my work for the exhibition which is fast approaching! Cristina came with me as I needed the extra hands to help carry my mannequin.I took a few photos of the shops interior and exterior, I love the design its so original.

Vespa crew

On sunday I had to go to work. I never work on sundays unless im asked in advance so I was really annoyed as I had already made plans for the day, plus I was feeling really tired and needed a day of rest as on top of that I had been teaching friday afternoon, worked on saturday and now sunday and was also working on monday! Anyway on my tea break I took this photograph as its not often you see this many Vespas in one place! I think its the annual ride from Carnaby Street to Brighton as Carnaby Street was the place to be seen in the sixties and there were quite a few Mod shops around back then too.

Giant fruit!

Due to the chaos of last weeks lesson cristina and I thought we should give the class a helping hand by making the structures of the peaches and for a bit of variety to add some different fruits in too, so my evenings last week were spent in a sticky mess of ballons glue and newspaper! Fridays lesson was as noisy as usual but I could tell that the class were really enjoying themselves and seeing the inital structures transform into the intended fruits.

Happy Mothers Day!

Just Wishing my Mum a happy mothers day as she is one in a million and I know I can rely on her for anything and everything and she will be there for me and my siblings whenever we need her ( well, most of the time!). This photo was taken on her wedding day. Love you Mum! xxx

Swan Lake

Today has been another bright and beautiful day, apart from it being extremley cold and windy, my face nearly blew off!
I went out this morning to get a few bits for my fridge and decided to take a different route to a supermarket I rarely go to, as its a bit further than my usual, but on my way I passed this little river I did'nt know was there, and saw these two lovely swans! I had to run abit ahead to get this shot as they were being blown pretty quickly along the river. They look so sweet! x

Art in the community 2

This is another work of art that has quite recently been installed in my local area it's the centre piece of a large roundabout and I think it looks pretty good. At night it lights up, so I will post a photo of that soon as it looks great. This area is really starting to change for the better and it becomes a pleasure to see these sights on a regular basis.

Teaching and Exhibitions

Fridays lesson was not very productive. We had hoped to get the children started on their structures for the peaches but due to a lot of distruptions, constant chatter and running in and out of the class room, a really easy task became impossible and not much was achieved for the day. I hope that next week things run smoothly because Cristina and I are being assessed!

After Teaching we went to the Islington Art and Design Fair. I've been going to these exhibitions which are held twice a year, for the last three or four years and there is always something that catches my eye and is inspiring to me. The next exhibition is in October and who knows I might even take part.

A lovely day

I can't get over how nice the weather has been! its amazing, I've taken a couple of photos but they don't really give justice to how lovely it has been.I only hope it lasts a bit longer, you can't help but be in a good mood when the sun is shining.

Art in the community

I really love this light instilation that was installed not far from where I live a few months ago. Its sensory activated so whenever someone walks past the lighting changes, different parts light up and it also flashes, I love it when it turns to a neon pink! Its situated in an underpass so it makes it alot more pleasant and it feels safer walking through it at night.

Ideas!

I hate being broke! its the begining of the month and I have no money left, its so depressing! But I feel that its giving me the push I need to stop being lazy and to make some money out of the skills that I have.
Last sunday I had a meeting with my mentor, Im not sure if I've mentioned before that part of the 'Create To Learn' Art Teaching experience includes being matched with a mentor to give advice and support, and mine has been really helpful and encouraging, shes a fashion designer and I've had two meetings with her so far. I always come away feeling a little bit more optimistic after speaking with her. I told her of my plans to come up with a range of jewellery and that I've given myself the deadline of May to have a small collection ready and to show it to a few boutiques in london (fingers crossed, if all goes to plan!)
I have also started working on some fabric masks/hoods based on the concealing and covering up of emotional and physical scars due to domestic violence. The idea behind them is that they create a visual false persona to the one that the victim is trying to hide, but not always successfully, beneath it. I will put some photos up of my work in progress soon!
I've also got my exhibition at the Jewellers 'Cox & Power' fast approaching. My works gonna be up in the first week of April and I still have quite a few bits and pieces I need to be getting on with. So much to do so little time! The story of my life .x.

Back again

Its been over two weeks since I last blogged in! I feel pretty bad when I don't so Im gonna try and keep on top of things again. Yesterday I was teaching at the school in south london with Cristina, the class were finishing off their masks which they seem to have enjoyed making but some have found it quite difficult at times to concentrate and get involved, next week we start on the second part of the project.

Work in Fabric

This is a small piece that I've been working on. The back ground fabric is from a charity shop with some lovely embroidery and crotchet detail on it and I have stitched on some screenprinted images of my Gran and my Dad in the corner, I'm thinking of adding some more to it as it doesnt feel quite finished yet. I love recycling fabrics and objects changing and altering things that already exist in one form, adding and taking bits away to create something slightly if not completley different. x

Bullseye!

Last week I was out playing darts with my boyf and I hit the bullseye! I was really pleased with myself never thought I would be able to do it especially after my boyf did it before me and his pretty good at the game. Just goes to show you can do most things with a bit of positive thinking and self belief.

Happy new year chinese style

I'm about a week late but never mind! Its the year of the pig. I'm amazed at the beautiful display of red lanterns that are lighting up Regent and Oxford street at the moment, it looks so beautiful at night.

I've finally got a chance to get back onto the computer, the past week has been hectic and I feel like I have'nt had a minute to myself to get anything done. Cristina and I have been busy preparing for the project we are doing with a class in a school in South london, I think I've mentioned before that its based on the book James and The Giant Peach by Roald Dahl and the class will each be making a mask based on one of the creatures from the story and helping in the making of two giant peaches which will all be showcased at an end of term exhibition . Yesterday we had the Children working on their designs and next week they will start working onto the masks.

Happy Valentines Day!!!!

Love Charlene .x.

Reality Check!

After having a nice break from work, Im back again. Its strange how it feels like I was never away, the only consolation is getting to see my friends and catching up on the latest gossip! Unfortunatley I have not been extremley productive with my art work but my brain has been working overtime with thoughts and ideas so it's not all bad news.

Here are some images I have been working on with photos of my family and wallpaper that I found from one of my many trips around the various junk and charity shops that I love to frequent. There are a few more photos that I want to include of my mum and dad and then I will start working onto something new as I have a tendency to continue working for ages on the same idea without any real progress and this is a habit I really need to break as it stops me coming up with new and fresh ideas. I have alrady started some new work in fabric that im hoping to include in the jewellery shop exhibition, so hopefully I will put some photos of that up in my next blog .x.

Finally!

Im so glad I have finally managed to get some pictures up! theres gonna be no stopping me now and definatley no excuses not to show my ideas and work in progress.

Result!! My photos are here!

Its Snowing!

Everything is White! I felt so excited when i woke up this morning and saw the snow, the only downfall is the cold that comes with it! My toes nearly froze when i went out this morning. Im hoping that i will be able to upload some photos that i have taken so watch this space.
I had my meeting yesterday at the jewellers that i used to work at and it is confirmed, i will be having an exhibition of my work there at the beginning of April! It will be alongside their own jewellery collection with images and small fabric samples of my work intermingled with it and displayed on the walls. I'm really excited about it because as well as it being a fantastic opportunity, the shop is amazing and has a very futuristic look and feel to it. I can't wait to see how it will all look when combined together, i really want to make the most of this opportunity so im trying to be as productive as possible and to not waste a minute of my time.

P.s Fingers crossed for some photos to be posted soon!

scanning and computer problems!

Since my last post with the help of cristina I'v been trying to scan and upload photos from my phone onto my pc but having lots of problems as im completley useless with computers and any kind of techology! but I will perservere and hopefully soon I will have some photos to show!
I did intend to put some of the art work up that the children did at the school im working/volunteering at on friday afternoons. Their drawings were based on creatures from the Roald Dahl story 'James And The Giant Peach'. I'v also started doing a bit of my own art work at long last! I just need to keep up the momentum and not get dispondent when im not that keen on what im doing and see the work through to the end. Heres hoping that soon I will have some pictures to blog! x

Happy Birthday Dad!

I just want to say happy birthday to my dad, I bought him some Prada jeans from Liberty, so I hope he will be impressed!

Karaoke on sunday night

Here's a picture of me, Niccy with a random guy (who Cristina thought it would be very amusing to tell everyone that he was my boyfriend, I spent the rest of the night telling everyone that he wasn't!). I sang two rock songs with Cristina and was deeply embarassed at not knowing the words to 'Love in a Elevator.'

Updates

Today Cristina has been teaching me how to use blogger, so from now on there will be no excuse for me not to post up regular updates. I really want to start being more creative after a very long creative block. There is lots going on in my life at the moment. For example, Create To Learn and a display/show of my work at 'Cox and Power' a Jewellery boutique in Marylebone High Street. I am also quite excited about having a mentor for guidance and support in the initial stages of my career. I've started doing some work again and I'm determined to perservere with my ideas. Stay posted for my next post...and hopefully some new, exciting work! Charlene

'Create to Learn'

The Kid's work from Wednesday's kick-off day. Stage sets from 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.'