Seasons Greetings

Daylight hours are at full expansion, here in Cornwall UK.

Plant life is expanding further than it has the previous year.

Fruit and vegetables expand above and below the earth every day. 

We venture out expanding our activities further afield and for expanded timescales as we arrive at mid summer.

This seasonal theme of expansion is mirrored in SOOA upcoming opportunities. From the expansion of creating large earth artworks with Natalie Day - read more about Natalies expansive practice as the Summer SOOA Featured Artist, to expanding our SOOA opportunities to residential and water based experiences. Again read on. 

I love the above definition of 'expand' plucked from Ecosia, how it shifts between general to cosmic to objective to personal. How on all levels the experience of expansion is universal and individual. 

What isn't listed is expansion in terms of personal discovery or development. 

Expansion to me is what all the SOOA courses are about. Expanding knowledge, ability, awareness and connection with others. Expanding a circle of like minded souls around myself and others. 

I am also expanding out of my hosting role next month with delivering a couple of my own courses.  Journey into Colour  will share my love of colour in paint, offer my knowledge of colour theory and discuss my ongoing journey producing and processing my own colour pigments. I am also teaming up with my husband Immerse Outdoors  to offer a combined Canoe and Creativity course over 2 days - Creative Flow on the stunning Helford River.

I particularly love the last definition  - 'become less reserved in character and behaviour'. 

Yes to this! So often we shy away from creative endeavours. To express our artistic flare seems so flamboyant , or at least that's how artists have historically been portrayed.

Creative expression is by its very nature expansive, making bigger no matter how small the creative flicker - into something tangible, visible, a mark, a smudge a print no matter how small the act. To respond physically to that spark is expansive, even if only a starting point. 

Here at School of Outdoor Art we are welcoming and supportive to all artists working in the expansive great outdoors, whether dormant or fully fledged, come and join us in this wonderful warm ever expanding community. 

Thanks for reading, please read on for further life expanding opportunities, 

p.s exceeded on the expanding vocabulary?

SOOA

NEW OPPORTUNITY

E a r t H   Retreat

Painting with Earth & Earth Works 

Residential 

The interest in Earth Paints and Pete Wards fantastic course Painting with Earth has also grown and expanded so much that we are adding a second date to this years programme. Please aware there are only 5 places now available. Scroll to the link below. 

On the following day we welcome Natural world artist  - Natalie Day to SOOA with her beautifully crafted 'Earth Works' Course where we will explore earth pigments further, working site specifically, collaboratively and then individually back at The Croft. Again, only 5 places left.

These courses run both as stand alone and in partnership, tying these beautiful and grounding courses together, we are offering exclusive camping in a fully equipped campsite within a stones throw from SOOA for 1 or 2 nights neighbouring a Neolithic Dolmen.

Here we will share art practices, network and gather for food and campfires.

A grounding and earthy experience for all artists and creatives. 

Both courses can be attended individually and are stand alone.

Camping is optional with an additional payment.

Discounts are available for booking both courses and camping. 

SOOA

ARTIST FEATURE

Natalie Day 

Natural World Artist

Seeking to find an expression of these ancient lands..... an understanding of the historical and cultural significance of sites.... abandoned mines and quarries....the remnants of industry and settlements left to be reclaimed and rewilded by nature.

"I make semi abstract paintings that tell a story of the land. Using natural materials as much as possible, including paint made with the land of my focus, I seek an expression of how I sense the world."

Natalies current work interrogates ideas of home and place, in particular the Neolithic remnants on Bodmin Moor, and investigates the tension between abandoned artefacts of ancient settlements and industry and how they sit in the natural world.

Inspired by the multi-viewpoint approach explored by Peter Lanyon, the energy and freedom of the abstract expressionists, and the great Sublime, she combines observation and experience with elements of surface topography, aerial and cross-sectional views to abstract the landscape whilst provoking a sense of the familiar.

Spending many hours on location, both walking and in quiescence, Natalie allows time for the landscape to speak.

From these moments of expanded self, when a connection to subject is felt, she is able to make loose studies and gather photographic reference, noting the natural colour palettes whilst gathering earth samples.

Her practice is moving towards using natural and recycled materials as much as possible in an attempt to minimise waste and chemical/plastic pollution. She uses mainly water-based mediums, including paint made with earth gathered responsibly on location.

Connecting respectfully with the site to create work made about and of the land.

Natalie makes charcoal studies on location, infusing the work with 

site specific elements.

Paintings are constructed of many layers, natural materials, scraped back, reapplied creating an organic, weathered appearance. 

The rich layers and textures invite the viewer to take their time, 

Follow Natalie on Instagram to learn more about current work and exhibitions.

Creative Gatherings and Conversation

 Limited to 6 places you need to book in advance via the website. 

2022 Upcoming Courses

July 15th - A Journey into Colour

- Sian Blunt -

Coming soon......

September 16th & 17th - Plein Air Oil Painting

- Andrew Barrowman - 

• You will learn and develop to paint outdoors
• Use oil paints and paint from life
• Set up and work in challenging environments

Artists will be encouraged to move around the location to choose a view that appeals to them where you can develop your ideas further.

 You will leave with at least 2 completed oil paintings on board. 

Seasonal News 

My interest in the natural world extends beyond the strata of planet earth. I developed an early interest in astronomy and astrology from the aged 15. A family friend and artist, hand drew my natal astrology chart, pointing out hieroglyphic like codes and how they presented concepts of planetary effects on my character and even my destiny! I'm not sure I embrace this idea in totality! 

Since the pandemic I have delved further into the theories and belief systems in a broader and more holistic context. As a hobby I have enjoyed exploring, questioning and remaining open to the idea of celestial seasonal weather, considering the possibility that we individually and collectively could be affected by the relationship and movements of the celestial bodies in our solar system, just as we accept the tides, the menstrual cycle and the reproductive behaviour of the animal kingdom, are intrinsically linked to the nearest cosmic orb The Moon with its moonthly cycle.

In fact, time, dates and our calendar year are governed by its movements and relationship to the Sun and is universally accepted without question. 

Original Painting by John Blunt (Dad)

During the summer of 2020, through my sons telescope at The Croft my interest was rekindled, viewing Jupiter and Saturn in Capricorn . For the first time I saw with my own eyes Jupiter as a planetary sphere as well as the visible rings surrounding Saturn. It expanded a sense of awe and expansion yet galactic connection.

Whether auto suggestion or psychosomatic, my daily awareness of the astrological themes and seasonal cycles allows me to interpret and acknowledge how they manifest in daily life and are reflected in global and personal events on a regular basis.

I don't have to understand or fully accept the concepts for them to resonate with me, I enjoy posing the question, what if? Expanding above and beyond what we take for granted as proven knowledge. 

Currently there is particular significance of Taurus in the zodiac wheel with it housing the Lunar North Node along with the aspects the transiting planets are making, surfacing this inquiry yet again.

Taurus being the first earth sign in the wheel has a grounding and realistic theme, with a solid, quiet and reliable connection to the natural world. I can't help feeling this connection to the upcoming courses and their earthy themes.

I certainly like to be reminded that there is more to life than we know or hope to understand. Equally the grounding qualities of connecting with place, time and materials is something I am very much looking forward to in the upcoming courses, I do hope you will join us and expand your creative practice and self.

Happy Solstice one and all, wishing you a larger than life Summer Season, 

with warm wishes,

Sian

Thank you so much for taking the time to read.

Find out more daily at SOOA social media accounts.

Seasonal wishes and wellbeing to one and all.

Thank you so much for reading.

Oll an Gwella