More Than an Art Lesson in Mawgan Porth

Sometimes an art lesson becomes about far more than the painting that comes home at the end of it.

This lovely family joined me in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall for some time together exploring art, the landscape and the wonderful Cornish coast around us.

There was laughter, conversation and plenty of smiles as they sat alongside one another, each looking at the same surroundings but creating something that was entirely their own.

That's one of the things I love about teaching art. I don't teach people to copy what I see. I help them understand how to look… at light, colour, shape, distance and the world around them. Give three people the same view and you will still end up with three individual pieces of artwork.

Of course, Cornwall had its own ideas about the day! With the weather being a little hit and miss, we were very grateful to the Merrymoor Inn in Mawgan Porth for allowing us to use the stage when we needed some shelter.

For me, days like this are a lovely reminder that making art isn't always about producing the perfect painting. Sometimes it gives us a reason to stop, really look at where we are, talk, laugh and spend time together.

Three paintings, three lovely smiles… and hopefully a cherished memory of Mawgan Porth that they'll carry with them for a lifetime.

Photograph taken and shared with their permission. Artwork also shared with permission.