Art is a wonderful way of expressing yourself, providing the opportunity for creativity, mindfulness, self-expression, building self-esteem and other benefits. At Achieve together we love to celebrate people’s achievements and encourage goals. Below are a few of the artistic endeavours of people we support.
Painting
Eamonn has been painting seriously since the age of about 14, encouraged by his mum and nan. He did a degree in fine art at Cardiff and his paintings have been shown in many exhibitions in places such as Llandaff, Newport and Horseguards in London.
He paints every day, even completing seven in one day whilst at college. Eamonn says: “When I go blank, I paint. I find it good therapy.”
Rosie, from Eamonn’s housing association, admired a painting of his so he created one specially and presented her with it on her next visit. It now hangs proudly at their head office in Manchester.
Holly recently sold her first painting. Visually impaired, Holly overcomes any hurdle to be creative. She started painting in August this year as she has a passion for arts and crafts. Her customers are friends and family and she will paint anything by request.
Alternative media
Jonathan attends a local arts and crafts shop group where he’s been learning how to knit and crochet. He and others from the craft shop group helped to crochet a huge circular blanket which was displayed at Walsall Art Gallery in February.
He was invited to attend the last day of the exhibition where he posed for photos beneath the blanket. Jonathan has now started on a new project, shown on the table in front of him in the picture below.
Several people we support at Educational Day Services Bath created wonderful sculptures using recycled books from Bath Library for an exhibition held there throughout August. They created some amazing pieces and were able to visit the exhibition. Here are ‘Flowers and fence’ by Shane and ‘Sunflower mirror’ by Thurston.
Jenny enjoys a wide range of arts and crafts including painting, drawing and working with various textures. She has access to her very own art room at her residential home in Wales, which she spends a lot of time in. Jenny finds arts & crafts very therapeutic and enjoyed being part of the Campaign 4 Change art group – Artists Together.
She says: “I love painting, colouring, glitter and gluing stuff to paper. I enjoy trying new things, and I also like to do posters and birthday cards for other people who live with me.”
