Marguerite Standing Celebrating Diversity Award

I love being part of this creative team. We are so happy to receive the Marguerite Standing Celebrating Diversity Award for the work we do for the well being of patients through Art and Music. 

Well done to everyone! 

Our team awarded for using art and music for the well being of patients. 

Minnie Mouse Paper Plate Face

I am running a series of children's workshops this summer, all inspired by children's films and animations. 

Here's one I made earlier: 
Here is my Minnie Mouse paper plate face for my Disney themed children's workshop. The bow can be removed to make a Mickey to go along with Minnie. This is fun to make and works as a great party decoration too. 

My Minnie Mouse face ready for my workshop. 

View more of my workshop photos on my fan page: 
Facebook fan page

The Jungle Book - Paper Python

Some of The Jungle Book Kaa paper pythons from my children's workshop. 

I run workshops in schools, community centres, churches, museums, nurseries, hospitals and community centres. 

Using shape cutters to decorate paper pythons. 

Projects range from painting, printing, creating mosaics, bunting, henna, card making, knitting and more. 

Very impressive - hanging paper python, hypnotic eyes and all. 

My  workshops provide a chance to not only explore and learn different techniques, but to have fun creatively in a friendly, supportive and inspiring way. 

Work in progress, love the heart eyes and big smile. 

Get in touch if you would like a workshop: 
E: Sharon_Kerala@hotmail.com

Meet "Chocolate," sweet name for a snake but why not. Love how this boy used the cutters to make holes in the snake's body instead. 

I love how the parents join in too, I sure they enjoy it just as much! 

Using butterflies as the snake's spots. 

Finished Jungle Book paper python, I love the colours! 

This girl had a broken arm but she did not let that stop her. Love the face. 

My Henna and Art Workshops

I really enjoy delivering creative workshops to allow people to have a go at henna or different arts and crafts. I run these in various local places like community centres, schools, churches, museums stay and play groups and more! 

One of my Henna workshops in a church. 

These photos are from one of my henna workshops through Birmingham Ikon Gallery, held with the Friendship Club for the Retired group at St Edburgha's Church. 

One of the members having a go at watercolour painting. 

These workshops were based on my masterclass with Artist if the year Imran Qureshi. 

Someone enjoying doing henna for the first time. 

Send me an email if you would like a art or henna workshop:

E: Sharon_Kerala@Hotmail.com

Masterclass: Deutsche Bank Artist of the Year

I had a unique opportunity to attend a miniature portrait painting masterclass with Deutsche Bank Artist of the Year, Imran Qureshi. Sitting on the floor in the painting studio created such a relaxed environment to paint in. 

My miniature tree painting inspired by Imran Qureshi. 

Pakistani born Qureshi paints trees and leaves, some of which are adorned with gold leaf. It's important to use natural ingredients and materials in the process of creating the art. For example to make the glue for the wasli paper making process we slowly heated flour and water. Qureshi said . . . 

"for me, when I make my own wasli paper I have started my painting". 

My miniature painting using a size "0" brush. 

Qureshi has created site installations for museums in New York, Sydney and Sharjah where he painted the gallery floors and walls with intricate flowers. 

My henna inspired miniature painting. 

Since the masterclass we have run a series of workshops in places like schools, community centres and churches to pass our knowledge. It was then great to see all our artwork in an exhibition at Birmingham's Ikon Gallery, below. 

  

Below, some of the artwork from our children's workshop in a community centre. 

Our artwork playing on the projector at our "Love Hobmoor Community Centre" event.

Artwork from our children's workshops in a community Centre. 

Get in touch if you would like a workshop. 

E: Sharon_Kerala@hotmail.com

Communal Artwork

Our recent event invited the local community for free dance, drumming, miniature painting with Ikon Gallery, a shared lunch and the unveiling of our communal artwork led my Hasret Brown. The finished artwork below is made up of stenciled shapes painted by local people in the workshops, then fitted together by lead artist Hasret. 

The finished communal artwork displayed permanently in our local community centre. 
© Copyright Hasret Brown. 

The aim of the workshops were to bring the community together and create a permanent piece of artwork for a community centre. 

So nice to see the unveiling of the finished artwork created by local people and enjoyed by everyone.
© Copyright Hasret Brown.

© Copyright Hasret Brown. 

www.Facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography

Twitter.com/MonsoonArts

E: Sharon_Kerala@hotmail.com

My Art Workshops

I run art workshops in primary schools. Pupils use a variety of mediums including watercolour paints and watercolour pencils, acrylic paint, printing and things like gemstones, tissue paper, sequins and gold / silver paint pens. 

Projects range from creating mosaics, bunting, henna inspired art, foam printing and more. This enables pupils to learn different techniques whilst also developing their creativity. 

A mosaic created by a Key stage 2 pupil in my first primary school art workshop. These designs were inspired by landscapes. 

My Art workshops provide children with a chance to explore and have fun creatively in a friendly, supportive, motivating & inspiring way. It's rewarding to see young minds get enthusiastic and inspired through art, 

Get in touch if you'd like a workshop or after school club in a school, day centre, community centre, playgroup, hospital, church or just for fun at home for children's parties. 

Email: Sharon_kerala@hotmail.com
Fan Page: www.facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography
Twitter: @MonsoonArts

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Henna, Arts and Craft Day

If you love henna, arts and crafts you may be interested to come along while I do henna. Choose from my designs and take a seat to enjoy the live music (TBC) while I do a beautiful henna design on you. Then enjoy the other crafts on offer. Full details/music to be confirmed. 

Click here for event details

Me doing Henna a Diwali event. 

Fab Page:  Facebook.com/MonsoonArtsAndPhotography
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/74998172@N08/
Twitter: Twitter.com/MonsoonArts

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Children's Halloween Spider Project

Halloween is not far away, so why not keep the kids busy with this easy Halloween spider project, great for parties or to decorate the house with. This is copyright material taken from the site: http://crafts.kaboose.com 

  

Sparkling Spiders
By: Amanda Formaro
Difficulty: Average
Age: 7 & up



What you'll need: 

• Styrofoam ball about 4" in diameter
• Purple acrylic paint
• Sponge applicator
• 2 large wiggle eyes
• Hot glue
• 9 black chenille sticks
• Colourful craft gems OR purple sequins & sequin pics

How to make it: 

1. Use the sponge applicator to paint the Styrofoam ball and allow to dry. 
2. Use 8 of the chenille sticks for legs by bending the bottom of each one into a foot, about 1” long. Bend at the “knee” about halfway up the stick. 
3. When the ball is dry, insert the 4 chenille sticks into each side of the body. 
4. Cut the last chenille stick in half and then cut one of those halves in half again. Bend the quartered chenille stick to create a “feeler” about ½” long and place one on either side of the face (on either side of where the mouth would be).
5. Hot glue the wiggle eyes onto the spider’s face.
6. Decorate the spider’s back with purple sequins, securing them in place with sequin pins. Younger children can glue craft gems to the back instead.
7. Adjust the legs so that the spider stands on its own.

Tips: 

• Sequin pins are tiny and can be hard for younger children to manipulate. Use craft gems as an alternative. 
• Sponge applicators can be found by the paintbrushes in any craft store or at building supply stores as they are commonly used for applying stains and varnishes.
• Styrofoam is very porous and can take a little while to dry. This is also a good time to cut and bend the chenille sticks. 

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Children's Jubilee Celebration Mask Making Worksheet

Celebrate the Jubilee with my fun children's mask making project to keep your little ones busy this bank holiday. For a British theme paint and stick ribbons and feathers in red, white & blues. 

Click the link for my worksheet:  

http://monsoonarts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/mardi-gras-mask-making-worksheet.html 

My mask decorated in my favourite colours. To create a British look decorate in red, white and blue paint, feathers, sequins & gemstones - perfect for celebrating the Jubilee! 
© SHARONJEET GALSINH. 

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Mardi Gras - Mask Making Worksheet

My Mardi Gras mask Decorated in my favourite colours using paint, feathers, sequins & gemstones.
© SHARONJEET GALSINH. 

What is Mardi Gras? 

It's the final day of carnival, a day of fun, feasting and merrymaking. It is celebrated in many Christian cultures just before the beginning of Lent. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday" and called Shrove Tuesday in English.

My Mardi Gras mask. 
© SHARONJEET GALSINH. 

Why Masks?

It is tradition to wear a masks and costumes on Mardi Gras day. They are used at the parades to get attention from float riders and the balcony revellers. Masks are made of feathers, sequins, glitter and even plaster. They imitate all the fun and festivities of Mardi Gras. Gold, purple and green masks embody the colours, spirit, pride and the true feeling of Mardi Gras. 

Try glueing feathers on one side instead of the middle. Use a peacock feather to create a different look & add coloured ribbons too.  
© Image from http://storepetsupplies.com

Materials: 
Mask pattern
Craft foam or card

Scissors

Sequins, gemstones, ribbons, glitter, feathers

Paint

Wooden dowel or straw

Glue

Instructions: 

1. Print the mask pattern and draw on a piece of card or foam.

To enlarge template right click & select Open image in new tab then draw on card / foam. 

2. Cut it out including 2 holes for the eyes. 
3. Paint the dowel / straw gold and leave to dry. 
4. Now you can get really creative. Using the glue decorate the mask with gemstones, glitter, sequins, ribbon and paint. 

5. Glue a feather to tge back of the mask. 
6. Glue the dowel / straw at the back to one end of the mask. 

Your mask is finished!! Have fun parading! 

© SHARONJEET GALSINH

© SHARONJEET GALSINH

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Birmingham ArtsFest 2011

Last year I was really excited to exhibit & sell my artwork at Birmingham's ArtsFest. ArtsFest is one of the UK's biggest, most popular urban festivals. It's also the UK's biggest FREE arts festival which is made up of 600 events, ranging from ballet to Bhangra, dub poetry to indie rock.

It features performance, workshops, exhibitions, talks & screenings, across the performing, visual & digital arts genres. There's something at ArtsFest for everyone to enjoy! 

To see all the fun at Birmingham's ArtsFest click below & view some photos - look out for Monsoon Arts & Photography! 

Click me to view photos of Birmingham's ArtsFest 2011