Autumn Effect in Argenteuil

Andrew Lidstone, of Gordon Road Services, recounts another highly successful art workshop in collaboration with the prestigious Coutauld Institute.

Recently an invite was sent out throughout the Day Service in Haringey for participants to attend an art workshop led by Ashley Davies, an Artist and Educator from the Courtauld Institute.

The response was excellent and we were delighted to work with Ashley once again, as she always brightens up our day with her extensive knowledge, experience and skill in arts education. The activity was partly tactile because some members of the group had visual impairments. The workshop also included participants with autistic spectral disorders.

Ashley introduced us to a painting by Claude Monet from the Institute's collection, 'Autumn Effect at Argenteuil' (1873), an oil painting depicting a landscape of brilliant intensity.

Ashley invited us to make our own collage inspired by this magnificent artwork. Using leaves made of all kinds of paper, the group collaged them onto paper and drew tree trunks and branches to recreate their own Monet-inspired landscape.

After lunch we continued with a drawing activity, whereby one of the group chose to draw a golden Rolls Royce! No doubt he had visions of selling his artwork! We were, as always, inspired by Ashley and have worked with her many times before at Somerset House. As a follow-up, we have been invited back to do another workshop at Somerset House.