Learning from Liz

Join Liz Danby for a special one-off workshop celebrating the life and creativity of her mother, Dorothy Lugg, on what would have been her 100th birthday.

On this course you will make and take home an upcycled coffee tin and some water colour painting.

Dorothy grew up during a time when beauty was created by hand and resourcefulness was a way of life. Born in Ivanhoe, Melbourne, in 1926 — the same year as Queen Elizabeth II — Dorothy spent her childhood during the Great Depression. Her father worked as a printer for the Herald & Sun newspaper and would often bring home brightly coloured inks, inspiring Dorothy’s lifelong love of colour, design, and creativity. Liz would like to pass this onto you.

During this nostalgic and inspiring workshop, Liz will share some of the traditional skills and creative techniques that Dorothy taught her. Participants will explore the art of folk art / china painting, using some of the brush strokes her mum used, learning how to colour your lace with tea, composition on cylindrical form and how to press flowers. We will discover how simple materials can be transformed into meaningful handmade gifts and decorations.

This workshop honours Dorothy’s belief that you don’t need expensive materials to create a beautiful home. The best value for money can still be found in:

• A tin of paint
• A roll of wallpaper
• A packet of seeds for the garden

Bring in anything that inspires you, you’re welcome to press some flowers in preparation.

As part of the celebration, Liz will display beautiful garments lovingly made by her grandmother for Dorothy, showcasing the craftsmanship and care that characterised generations of makers.

Liz first appeared on this segment during lockdown, with the intention of sharing artistic projects people could work on at home whilst feeling connected to their community. Liz’s aim with this ongoing feature is to get people’s creative juices flowing and unlock access to the calm that comes from undertaking artistic activity.  

She talks the presenter and listeners through a creative process involving everyday materials found around the home and at the end people have a one-of-a-kind creation. Previous projects include woodland collage, positivity hearts and symmetrical cards.  

Hive is a community arts charity, delivering arts and crafts courses, workshops and projects. Like Liz, they believe that creativity contributes to good health and wellbeing and helps to bring communities together. 

Liz regularly teaches ceramics courses at Hive, welcoming both beginners and more experienced potters. 

Like many others, Liz’s online teaching started during the pandemic. Whilst unable to access her studio or the workshops at Hive, Liz ran weekly online sessions to help people remain connected to each other and their creativity during a difficult time.  

Activities ranged between gardening and craft ideas and, like Liz’s Up for the Arts segment, focused on using what people already had at home.  

These sessions were all recorded and there is now a library of ideas to explore.  

With her years of hands-on practical experience and her teaching background, Liz is perfectly set up to share a wealth of knowledge around a huge range of creative processes and movements.  

She is particularly interested in the importance of preserving artistic skills to ensure the future of creative practices. Previous talks include a presentation to the Halifax branch of the Embroiderer’s Guild on the sharing of skills between nations and the impact that had on the continued success of creative endeavours.  

If your group or organisation is looking for guest speakers, get in touch to discuss a visit from Liz.