Monday evening drawing and painting sessions in Earl Soham from 8th November, 2021

I will be running weekly two hour sessions in the barn at White House Farm in Earl Soham on Monday evenings, courtesy of Jo Pritchard-Barrett, from 8th November 2021. It is a truly lovely space and a most enjoyable location in which to be creative. It is also a relaxing and revitalising time, allowing your mind to step aside from the many day to day needs and demands.

I have been teaching art for many years, most recently right through the pandemic for the last 19 months and on-going, via zoom. The participants are almost all in New York and vary in age between 14 and 83. The majority started as beginners, though two participants had been to Art College, one of them a practising artist, so everyone, at every level, is welcome, whatever your perceived abilities may be. Every one of us is creative – we just need the right environment and encouragement to allow it to flow.

The sessions will cost £35.00 each for two hours. Easels, boards and tables will be provided, as well as paper, though if you wish to use particular types of paper, that will be by your own choice. Basic art materials will be available, but you are encouraged to bring your own. A maximum of eight people can participate.

The sessions will initially begin with a Christmas theme for those who might wish to make their own card designs, calendar designs or even a drawing/painting as a gift, though for those who would like to make a start with basic drawing concepts, that can happen concurrently. The sessions, over time, will cover a wide range of ideas and techniques, allowing each participant to develop new skills, and for reinvigorating those who are already skilled artists.

Below are comments from some of my current participants in the New York Zoom sessions.
I have had the pleasure of studying art with James over the last 18 months.  A group of us have met on zoom every Sunday since the pandemic began.  We have studied everything from faces to waves, chickens to still life. James makes art accessible.  He is both enthusiastic and gives just enough instruction to help me find my own expression of the lesson.  James never ceases to encourage and because he believes in our abilities, each of us in the class has grown tremendously and has produced incredible works of art.  He has the ability to meet every class member right where they are in their artistic process.  James seems to have a limitless knowledge exposing us to many artists both famous and local and we have gained so much from studying and emulating them all.
Studying with James has opened a whole new world for me, not only through studying art but in creating it myself.

Charlotte Triefus

 
Thank you for another remarkable class. You inspire all of us to take risks.

Ellen Landress-Bowkett

ART SESSIONS ON ZOOM - a really fun series of sessions

In February 2020, I started a series of weekly Art sessions on Zoom. It is still going - in fact, it is flourishing. It is a mixture of good fun and creative production. We do a variation of projects, including intuitive drawing, charcoal drawing, pen and ink, collage, 3D work with glue guns, pastels and acrylics, Any medium is fine. If you would be interested in participating in Zoom sessions, please contact me directly.

All the images immediately below have been created during these Zoom sessions. some participants are only nine years old.

Below are details of my previous art sessions from before the pandemic

Comments made by students who have attended or are attending my courses.

" I am so pleased with what I have produced. Everybody loves it and I have been asked to do a number of commissions. It's really exciting!"

Jo Prichard-Barrett

"Sculpting with James has become one of the highlights of my week.
He has patiently taught me to observe and to use my intuition when moulding and carving.
Not only has this helped me capture the form, but also the life and essence of my adoring and compliant sitter.  She is, of course, our aging family Labrador, Jessie.
The sessions are intense and James injects some fun into them by interspersing them with discussions ranging from the works of famous artists to philosophy.  This is all washed down with plenty of tea and biscuits, the latter often finding their way to the lovely model.
James is a kind, patient and natural teacher."

Clive Eminson

"I am really enjoying this. I am trying out things I never imagined could be used for drawing. Using these new concepts and ideas has been a real eye opener".

Will Howard

"Having not received any art tuition since childhood, I came away from my first 'Maberly art class'  on cloud nine, inspired and full of confidence. James is a wonderful teacher. He knows exactly when to hold back and when to step in."

Frances Henderson

 "I thoroughly enjoyed my day with you. Particularly helpful and deepening were your observations of my relationship with the paper and the charcoal - how you made me stop and look in different ways, drew my attention to what I was doing and suggested - just enough - how to improve. Having given your insight - so clearly and encouragingly - you then left me to play, and to put into practice the guidance you’d offered. I felt truly supported in my efforts, picked up when I felt I’d fallen, and encouraged to develop on my own once i felt safer again. You are a gifted teacher, as well as a stunningly lively artist. Thank you so much for your attention, freedom of spirit and generosity of heart. I look forward to taking it further."

Linda Rogers

"I found the course work you gave me and your expert guidance took me to levels I had not yet attempted, particularly in the area of drawing on rather larger mediums....That I was in some small way able to achieve this gave me some much needed confidence in the drawing of animals either resting or with movement."

Mark Marshall