Interview with Lee Ellwood

What brought you to an Artfolk workshop in the first instance?

I saw an Artfolk watercolour workshop advertised while looking for things to do in our new neighbourhood, and it coincided with a rekindling of an interest in visual arts. It was close to home and affordably priced (plus, wine!), so I booked in. My husband decided to have a go, too.

What is most memorable about the workshops you attended?

Vanessa's non-judgemental approach! There was absolutely no right and wrong attached to our efforts, which was amazingly freeing. Vanessa focuses on the joy of the art experience while equipping you with techniques. It hit me at a personal level as well as an artistic level.

What did you take home from your creative experience?

Some cute paintings of wildflowers, an opened mind, and an excitement to continue exploring visual creativity! 

How did you feel about what you accomplished?

I liked what I produced--and I'd never really tried watercolours before. Since, I've found I can look at my work without judgement of the techniques or the end result--instead, I recall the experience. 

Did your Artfolk experience encourage you to engage with the arts more often in the future?

Yes, it did, because I realised my activities could take place without judgement or comparison. Art became something done for the pleasure of it, not to achieve a 'satisfactory' result.

Have you attended multiple Artfolk workshops? Which ones? Why?

We engaged Vanessa to run a watercolour workshop for our daughter's hen's day (because she has always been creative), and the girls loved it. My husband and I also attended another Artfolkwatercolour workshop at the Margaret Olley exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art, which we loved. We've both found the act of pushing colour and water around on paper to be meditative, contemplative and restorative.

Please let us know what has you coming back to Artfolk and what others should know.

Honestly, it's Vanessa's approach. Artfolk's focus is on the pleasure of creating, and once you've been able to drop the 'Oh, I can't paint!' mindset, you're able to pick up the techniques Vanessa teaches. Then, once you're enjoying yourself and have forgotten any 'right/wrong' of what you're doing, your final creation will amaze you! I'd tell others that Artfolk classes are different, because Vanessa's teaching will change the way you approach creative art.