Plant Girl Iris – Winter at Arley Hall

Some of you may know that I have been spending one day a week at Arley Hall gardens where I have been getting training from the head gardener. This resulted in me creating my alias ‘Plant Girl Iris’ & I now document my training days, my own personal gardening & my image library for my drawings over on @plantgirliris on Instagram. It’s just a little hobby account but I know some of the students I teach on Make it in Design & my Creative Coaching / Workshops find it useful for drawing & colour inspiration.

I’ve been spending my time Arley this winter wreath making with the gardening team. I love my time there especially as the grounds & hall are all looking super festive. I also put together a giant star decoration in 20 minutes… ha if only! The star frame is made out of upcycled wood & was created by the genius that is Gordon (the head gardener). I was simply a happy little elf helping to make the Holly bundles that decorate it & helped with lots of the wreath making too.

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EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!

I have a little exciting announcement & a treat for my lovely creative community. *I’ll be hosting a free outdoor sketching event in 2019* at Arley Hall it’s not an event that I’ll be personally charging teaching or speaking time for (the gardens small entrance fee will still apply however). I just want to share my love of drawing, design, creativity & of course my passion for the botanical world. I also want to encourage a number of you to visit the hidden gem that is Arley Hall Gardens in Cheshire as it’s a place that I adore & it forever fills me with ongoing inspiration. I’ll get the date officially announced ASAP. My aim is to bring a group of like minded creatives together & I’m hoping that if I advertise it well in advance my Make it in Design students & alumni can make it too & perhaps even some of my overseas students. How does that sound? A full day of fun in the most beautiful surroundings (& for those who are fans of the hit TV show Peaky Blinders you can also see the Shelby’s mansion). If you know any folk that will be interested please spread the word. Who’s with me!?

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