Painting workshop with Ellis O’Connor

I’ve wanted to go on a painting workshop with Ellis for ages. Feel so lucky to have her close by and be able to go along to soak up some of her amazing creativity and skill. I just wanted to have a play really and bask in a creative space.

Ellis said so much that resonated and I wish I could remember it all now. I really loved that there is no right or wrong in her class. She said we all have a style within and that it will come out of us. The more we create it will come through. By the end of the day all of us there had created an array of paintings with a definite style, so different to every body else there, coming through. It was magic to see.

By the end of the class I wanted to do more, I was just getting into it and finding my confidence, and I would love to do it again. It was fun but so tiring too! I am going to continue to paint and experiment whenever I can. I loved the freedom of playing with the materials in her class, which felt very different to basketry, and I am planning to do much more of this in my weaving going forward. I want to trust the process more and see what happens.

I have so many ideas for my weaving and baskets going forward, inspired by everything that surrounds me living here in Skye. The sea, the landscape, the wildlife, the sky, the beaches and mountains, and above all the willow that I grow.

Below is my favourite from the day, reminds me of a hebridean beach on a sunny day.

I highly recommend a class with Ellis - check out her amazing paintings at www.ellisoconnor.com

She is one of my biggest role models for how she works and lives.