International Women's Day Showcase

Last Sunday (8th March) marked International Women's day all over the world, celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women, past, present and future. I was invited to Newport, Wales to showcase my work at a local event being held to celebrate women. The event featured food tasting, arts & crafts, music, drama, dancing, fashion, threading, exhibitions and information.

Amongst the many stalls on the day was mine with my framed artwork propped up and my portfolio 

on show. Thankfully I was also there supported by my daughter and husband. My husband; Richard Andersone, was presenting all the acts on the day. As I write this I'm still feeling pretty awesome and honoured to have been asked to show my work to members of the Welsh community and other like minded women who came together for a great cause.

One of the highlights of the day was getting to meet Jessica Morden MP (British Labour Party politician for Newport East) and Dame Rosemary Butler (British and Labour Member for Newport West), who both asked me questions about my art and took photos with me and my work.

I held a mini competition on the day for a lucky individual to win an original personalised art piece once they entered into the draw. 

I have to thank my Welsh family; Ceri Jones, Rachel Jones, Carys Jones, Improve Dot 1 and Ria Abigail Moran for literally making the day super perfect and super organised and inviting my family down in the first place to be part of the day.

Secret Postcard Sale 2014

I must start this particular blog post by sincerely apologising for my lack of posts over the last couple of months! I always say I'll post more on here but then it goes belly up! For more updated posts you can always check me out on Instagram (@luluandiris) and Twitter (@luluandiris). I always update those so if you're not already doing so, get following and come say 'hi'!

Anyway back to the reason for this post. Before Christmas (actually a couple of months before Christmas) I was approached by Julia Hines, a representative of Age UK who wrote a wonderful, warm email asking me whether I would be interested in contributing a postcard to the Secret Postcard sale; an annual sale hoping to raise funds for the work they do within the community. Of course I said yes and sent my postcard to Julia before the deadline in December 2014.

I couldn't wait to see my postcard amongst the likes of well known artists and celebrities such as Dame Zandra Rhodes, Axel Scheffler (artist of The Gruffalo book series) and Davina McCall.

The postcards were displayed in a high street store in East Finchley in the first week of December during the East Finchley Festival with stalls, music and festive cheer the backdrop of the day. Hundreds of postcards with drawings, paintings, photos and collages were generously donated to support the fundraiser with cards sold anonymously (but signed at the back). Age UK made over £1,500 from the sale of the postcards on the day!

Nothing makes me prouder to know that I was able to help such a worthy cause just by doing what I love to do. There's no doubt that I'll be contributing again next year!