Updated 8th February 2010

                                  A WARM WELCOME TO FRIENDS AND VISITORS FROM HOME AND ABROAD

 

'Spring Lambs e-workshop'

Welcome to my website, and here are two Spring lambs to put you in the mood for the longer days and better weather ahead.   

I hope you enjoy your visit to my site.   I am always looking for new ways to make painting enjoyable and rewarding for those who share my love of art and animals, and I hope you find something to inspire you on these pages.  If you are looking for tuition, please click on the menu to find out about  workshops, online courses, art breaks and private lessons.  You will find ideas for special gifts for artistic friends and relatives on my Gifts page, and if you are looking to commission a portrait of your favourite animal my Commissions page has a range of options which may be just what you are looking for. 

                                                         ***My Web Pages At a Glance***

Pet Portrait Courses - for details of my specialised two day Pet Portrait courses.  Now into their third year, these courses show you how to make the most of the lucrative pet portrait market.  They are ideal for anyone who has an interest in art and is looking for ways to make it pay, or who just wants to produce a stunning image of their own pet or any other animal subject.  A new improvers' course has been added, so whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist wishing to develop your skills you will find these courses invaluable - and fun.  And if you would like to learn about pet portraits while enjoying some leisure time in North Devon, I have introduced a new Painting and Leisure Break where you can spread the course over three days.  See my Art Breaks pages for details.

'View from our cottage'

Art Breaks - for those who would like to take a break in the beautiful North Devon countryside and develop their painting skills at the same time.  I am running three day Art Breaks as well as new, more relaxing Painting and Leisure Breaks - please have a look at these pages for details.

 Workshops - based in my home studio, these workshops use a follow my leader approach to help you quickly master pastelling techniques to build up a stunning image of the day's subject.   On this page you will also find details of my Greetings Card courses in which I will give you invaluable tips on the greetings card market as well as tuition to show you how to produce your very own designs.  In addition, I have recently added some general Painting Days to give you the opportunity to learn my pastelling techniques on a subject of your choice.

Workshop and Course Dates - on this page you will find a list of all my courses which are still available, along with the number of free places

E-Workshops - these distance courses are ideal for those who don't have the time to travel for personal tuition, or who simply prefer the comfort of their own home.  Easy to follow written instructions are provided along with images of each stage, making it easy to produce a beautiful finished painting and gain knowledge of techniques that you can apply to your own artwork.  These courses are also available by post for those without computer skills.  My Pet Portrait courses (see above) are also available by post or email. 

Private Lessons - I can provide one to one or one to two tuition to provide more intensive help for artists who wish to make quick progress with their artwork by general tuition or by tackling problem areas.

Gifts - I have a selection of prints, gift vouchers and greetings cards available for purchase. I am now expanding my range of prints and cards, and will shortly be setting up a dedicated webpage.      

'New Collie workshop'

                                                            

                                         ****Latest News****  

 Time moves on, and January's issue of the SAA's "Paint" magazine is now being sent out.  SAA members will recall that the last of my articles for 2009 featured a Christmas Robin greeting card design.  Congratulations to those of you who have had a go at producing your own personal cards for Christmas.  As you will see from my The Calf, Cockerel and Tabby Cat from my "Paint" articles are all now available as e-mail and postal workshops.  Please see my E-workshops page for details.  "Paint" is sent out  free every two months to SAA members - if you would like information on the benefits of SAA membership, you can contact them at www.saa.co.uk.  For further details see my Links page.

                                                            ****Exhibitions****

I still have a selection of originals, prints and cards available at Salar Gallery, Hatherleigh, Devon, ( www.salargallery.co.uk), and I also have some originals for sale through Gallerie Marin at Appledore, North Devon.  I do have some exhibitions planned for next year, and will be posting details as and when.

'Meerkat '

                  ****Friends and Fellow Artists Abroad****

A special hello to friends and artists from overseas.  I am sending an increasing number of e-workshops and commissions abroad, including mainland Europe, the USA and South Africa.  I am always happy to add links to fellow artists' sites, and those visiting from the United States might like to have a look at Kay Witt's lovely wildlife images and pet portraits at www.sleepingdogart.com.  Kay is a professional artist based in Virginia, and she can also be contacted via my Links page.   For some breathtaking marine art, do have a look at www.tableau-maritimecards.nl, which features the work of my Dutch friend Willem Eerland.

                                                     ****Students' Gallery****

As you will see, my site includes a Students' Gallery where artists can display an example of work which they have completed with me, and I am always happy to add a link to your website.

 I am very proud of what these artists have achieved - please have a look and see what you think. 

And finally...

Happy painting!

Vivien