You never know where painting will take you!

Sometimes, you learn a skill with a clear intention of what you are going to use it for. Sometimes, however, life likes to throw you a curveball or two.  After realizing, way back when, how important creativity is, I always encouraged my two sons to be creative too and follow their passions and their journeys have provided amazing opportunities and experiences for them - Oli is now the lead singer in a band called Bring Me The Horizon and Tom is a photographer, videographer and Graphic Designer.

As they've developed their work, I often hear "Mum is there any chance you can create/paint/distress...." From wall murals to jackets, video props to dresses, these requests have excited me, challenged me and often encouraged me to think outside of the box.

This weeks request was from Oli who wanted help transforming lots of boxes and frames before they added screens which would light up and display images to make them look like speakers.  So Alissa and I collected some supplies from Folky HQ and headed to the LS Live Production Park.  This place is amazing - filled with so many treasures and creations, there was always something to look at.  These studios have welcomed Hugh Jackman, Elton John, and Shawn Mendes as well as all the very talented people who work behind the scenes creating bespoke, breathtaking props for any set.

Carol (right) and Jackie (left) who works hard sculpting, creating and painting for all the stage sets.  

Jackie sculpted this beautiful rose for Shawn Mendes an illuminated centerpiece on stage.

The studio is a treasure trove of sculptures and art. What an amazing place to work. 

A prototype of a huge stage project  

After Jackie had shown us around, it was time to get to work creating and painting the set.  Oli & Alissa had a very specific look they wanted to create and were adamant they wanted it to look authentic on stage.  I have to admit, I felt like a big kid again! To know 'the rules' and completely throw them out of the window was such fun. No two frames were the same and it was fantastic to see them all together. 

                 

 

                 

 

The process was far from pretty and less than glamorous as you can see but it was great to see Oli and Alissa's vision coming together.  If anyone had told me 20 years ago that this is where my creative journey would take me, I would never have believed them! What an experience.

Love, Carol x