AN artist who embraces spontaneous painting to create an ‘unexpected mess’ will be displaying her work at Hemel Hempstead’s Old Town Hall.
Mitzie Green, pictured left, has spent many years struggling to overcome a childhood where she was punished for mistakes and being messy.
She said: “I had a very strict upbringing and was punished for mistakes and being messy. It has taken me years to acknowledge and overcome this.
“After many years of struggling to find myself, I studied counselling and learnt to face up to habits which enabled me to free up and paint in a looser style.
“Many of us worry about wasting a bit of paint or a sheet of paper instead of experimenting and having a bit of fun. We are afraid that the next brush stroke will ruin our work.
“‘Freeing up’ is a great feeling and has had a huge impact on my life. At last I can do what I want rather than listening to the small voice in my head to check if it was permitted. It has enabled me to get away from accuracy and speed up, which was a beneficial outcome for my art and life generally.
“Nowadays I look to create accidents or deliberately put hickledy pickeldy effects in.”
Mitzie teaches watercolour painting at Northchurch and Harpenden and holds occasional workshops.
Her exhibition is at The Old Town Hall from May 7 to 25 from 10am to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays, and midday to 6pm on Saturdays.
Visit www.mitziegreen.co.uk or contact artist.mitziegreen@gmail.com
> Children can get hands-on creating African masks and shields from reclaimed and recycled materials.
Youngsters aged five-to-11 can create tribal symbols and decorate their own shield or mask to take home.
The workshop will run on Saturday. April 28 from 11am. To book call 01442 228091 or visit www.oldtownhall.co.uk
> Nationally acclaimed dancers are on their way to Berkhamsted.
Current and former dancers from the English National Ballet and Royal Ballet will perform at the Espinosa Chute Dance Centre in Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted.
Also taking part in the event by the Espinosa Dance Project are dancers who train at the centre itself.
It is being held on Saturday at 7.30pm with a children’s matinee at 2.30pm on Sunday, and a normal show at 6.30pm later that day. Tickets are £12 or £10 with concessions.
Centre director Corinna Chute said: “We are looking to promote the arts in Berkhamsted by bringing Ballet performers of international level into the Dacorum area.”