One of our most popular activities here at Stratton House is Mural painting. We have a large concrete wall around our grounds made up of many “panels”. Slowly but surely the grounds get brighter as the children explore their artistic sides.
Nov 242011
On Monday we had a visit from Art student, Pooh, who recently did some mural work on our “office” in the garden.
This time he turned up with 3 friends and when it seemed like it was going to rain the decision was made to do some more in the kitchen.
It was great to be able to give these art students the chance to practice and we are all very pleased with the artistic additions to our kitchen space.
Pooh has indicated a wish to come and do more on future weekends with more garden mural work planned where all the children here will get involved and help out to.
Thanks a lot to all the guys who took part.
This afternoon we were visited by two Students from Thaivichitsilp College of Art and Technology. Pooh and his friend Yue were keen to practise their skills and add to our colourful Mural works.
An additional plus to this visit is that Pooh and Yue are interested in coming on a regular basis to hold art workshops for the kids and practice their teaching ability.
This fits perfectly with the Foundations ideals, not only helping the children resident here but in turn giving that opportunity to gain much needed experience to Thai students from the wider community.
This mornings work hour involved washing walls in readiness for a planned mural painting session tomorrow afternoon.
Weather willing we will be getting a visit from a couple of Thai Art students from Thaivichitsilp Art and Technology College, Chiang Mai who are keen to practice there skills here for the children.
Aug 222011
The inspiration of Art continues here at Stratton House and is not restricted to the children alone as I have been drawn to add to the kitchen Murals myself.
The best part of doing this is that it has then inspired the children to do even more , coming up with their own designs on the wall opposite.
If you like Art, keep watching as there is much more wall space still left to fill and 10 children who are loving developing their artistic skills.
If you’d like a closer look, why not pay us a visit….donations appreciated 
Got to say thanks again to Beca. With the wet weather the Gallery idea helped fill the weekend leisure time for the kids.
They spent most of the morning taking turns to add yet more colourful artwork to our kitchen.
In the afternoon there was a brief work session when a break in the rain enabled me to do a little more tree pruning. Once again the children pitched in chopping the smaller branches up and taking the wood round to our neighbour. And of course they loved the reward of the Lamyai that came from the pruning.
Missing from the photos again is Tai who spent most of his time studying. Although he did take breaks to practise more guitar.
Gu and his brother Bong had a spell of stilt football.
The girls were either painting or playing with the Playdough that Beca gave them.
With the standard of their art work ever increasing we may have to look into the idea of an exhibition fund raiser.
We are planning for the next block wall to be all original work rather than copied from comics , etc , which most of this first wall was. They are doing so well we feel it is time to push them just a little bit more.
Aug 052011
Sadly it was Becas last day with us today but she has certainly left her mark with a fantastic idea for part of our kitchen walls.
The kitchen is a block built “shed” that is no rendered, and Beca suggested that we use each block like a separate ”canvas” for yet more Art.
A great idea that fits very well with the expanding Mural themes here at Stratton House. And so was born, The Beca Gallery.
The Mattayom students were home again today, so Gu and Bong were the first to try out their efforts. They worked with pencil sketching today, ready for using paint tomorrow.
The younger children were very keen to have a go as well when they got home from school.
Especially keen was Zak, who did a great sketch of our truck that was parked next to the kitchen at the time.
Sorry, having a “Little Britain” day!
With the land purchase and inflation raging our budget is on a tight leash right now. We would like to call again, on any of you who actually live in Chiang Mai or close to, to find it in your hearts to help out if you can.
Our recent appeal for foodstuffs has had little response so far. We continue to hope:)
If not food stuff then here are a few other things we could do with right now to ensure that we can keep our craft and art exercises going.
Wool …..odds and ends and any colour is fine.
Outdoor Emulsion paint….again part tins and any colour is fine…lets keep these murals going, its great for the children’s skills and confidence building.
Varnish or sealer to protect their great work from the rain.
Quality growing soil…we are always looking at expanding our veg plots…..most garden centres do bags of good soil from just 25 baht.
If you can help with any of these items please get in touch using the contact form below.
Jun 062011
Another week passes and the arty atmosphere here at Stratton House continues. In between studies much of the children’s free time was taken up with yet more painting. the plaster figurines continue to be a big favourite and the best of these will soon be available in our online shop to help raise funds for more materials.
The children are also spending time on a colour drawing project where each child was given a word to consider and use their musings to inspire their work. Some of the children are now using their designs to make papier mache pictures using tissue paper soaked in paint and glue.
Hopefully the best of these designs will soon appear in a book to be produced for further fund raising.
As usual when not studying or at play all our kids have been doing their bit towards the general upkeep of the house and grounds.
I can’t say it too often, they continue to make me very proud. Kids are kids and we have the occasional problem, as any ‘family’ does; but all things considered there’s rarely a day goes by when they don’t leave me glowing.
As reward for all their efforts we made a trip to Huay Tung Tao on Sunday and were lucky to catch the sunny period inbetween the heavy rains, which started again just as we got home.
Short but sweet may be the words.
Erma and Ayanna fitted so well here at Stratton House and we would all like to say a big thank you for choosing to spend part of your holiday helping out here.
On Thursday morning they held a wonderful art workshop using pistachio nut shells, card and paints.
In the afternoon we took advantage of the hot weather and made a long overdue trip to Huay Tung Tao where everyone had a fine time playing in the water.
On our return Erma and Ayanna then practiced their newly learned Thai cooking skills and produced a very tasty curry for everyone for the evening meal.
Friday was their last day with us. In the morning they both pitched in with the work hour helping the girls with weeding while the boys worked on new vegetable plots.
By popular request they then held another English language class.
After lunch it was time to say goodbye, almost.
I have had problems with my left arm for a couple of weeks now and had determined to go for reflexology to help sort it out. So before taking Erma and Ayanna on to Walai House where they will continue their holiday we drove into the Old City to pay a visit to the Chiang Mai Reflexology Centre, in Ratchadamnoen Rd.
Gu , Tai and May 2, missed out on Huay Tung Tao on Thursday as they were at school, but Friday was a day off and so we took them along.
Whilst Ayanna joined me and enjoyed an hours reflexology, Erma spent time with the three children taking a look around the nearby shops and visiting Wat Chedi Luang.
Feeling much refreshed by the massage we paid a quick visit to Nok Em Ded in Prapaklao Rd. We were lucky enough to catch the shop owner, Teresa, there and had a nice chat. Teresa and her partner sell handmade clothes and jewelry. They have some beautifully unique designs. At present they have one of our collection boxes and we are in discussion about placing some of the children’s handmade craft in Teresa’s shop.
We then took Erma and Ayanna on to their guest house and said a fond farewell with the hope that it will not be the last we see of them.
Thanks both, the kids loved you and I felt like I had old friends visiting….perfect.
