Some new work up!

Check out the art shop, we have some new pieces added to the gallery 🙂

Here is some recent ragdoll action! The dolls were taken out to Nicaragua and Uganda as presents for children.

R&D

TASTE: White Loaf

One of my birthday presents was The Fabulous Baker Brothers book.

So, in true Darren style, I saw this as an opportunity to do something new and creative.

I’m so proud with the result. I love toast at the best of time, but this was special. It had a little taste of personal touch.

After the kneading, the dough needed time to rise in the airing cupboard. This gave me the perfect opportunity to make a bird feeder holder for the garden.

Enjoy the photo’s, and next time you’re round our house, maybe there’ll be a fresh loaf smell as you enter the front door.

UPDATE: Birthday

It’s been a busy season for us Allwright’s recently.

Just a moment has passed since Christmas. The memories are stored in journals and on photographs are on our walls.

Now, more celebrations are taking place!

15 Jan 2012 = Rachel’s Birthday

03 Feb 2012 = Darren’s Birthday.

These annual events are a beautiful sign and memory of life and future. We are so thankful that we can share exciting stories with our friends in these times.

Here’s to writing an incredible next chapter.

latest proj …

I have just completed stuffed animal number one of a collection I hope to send out to some children in Uganda. It’s incredible what you can do with a bag of scrap fabric! I can’t bring myself to throw anything away, because you never know when it might come in handy!! I Love creative saturdays, radio on, whistling kettle infoming me a brew is nearly ready and the fresh smell of bacon! Our kitchen is always home to these little projects. Ok, so now comes the important job, what shall I name him? Bit stuck!I am thinking Harold, Oscar , Henry…. Gordon?! Ha! Any ideas would be appreciated!!

JIBBA-JABBA’S, THE BIKE RIDE & BIGGER FIREWORKS.

I love discovering that which makes my eyes pop outwards and bulge with excitement, just like a 1990’s cartoon.

These moments have pretty much the same impact you get if someone set off a firework in your bedroom in the middle of the night.

That sudden moment of,

‘’YES!’’

There are certain web sites that I have tucked away in my ‘Darren’s Inspiration’ bookmarks folder that regularly create the same kind of moments.

There are, more rarely, books that I read that make me want to jump into my running vest and sprint to the nearest landmark shouting random noises as I go.

There are particular songs that turn my body into a Jiba-Jaba that is wound up to infinity. (Remember the Jibba-Jabba?)

The worst thing is these moments don’t occur all the time and that’s why when these moments do come about, they have such an impact on my life. They turn the boring, inevitable and predictable me into someone with purpose and direction and excitement.

Following my years of hanging out with friends everyday, playing football and running around like headless chickens chasing girls (formally known as education) I have hit a brick wall with regards to the interaction I have with friends.

My story seemed to get slower and slower with infrequent visits of those with whom I used to hangout everyday.

I don’t want my story to stop. I know there is more excitement and games of stuck in the mud to be played.

Since the world of work has shown it’s persistent face with its tongue poking far out of its mouth, I have searched for that something that will bring back those times of playing micro-machines on the fallen tree and sliding in mud puddles during a five a-side football tournament.

Then came the inspiration and realisation I needed. The fireworks were set off and I was getting my running vest out of its drawer again.

The story wasn’t going to write itself. If I was to have that life of excitement and unpredictability I craved for, I needed to write it.

No longer were my mates going to come knocking on my door at the off chance I could come out and play football in the street. They wouldn’t want to fly a thousand miles only to find I had gone out for the day buying loo roll for the bathroom and cleaning cloths for the kitchen.

Donald Miller, in his book, ‘A million miles in a thousand years,’ spoke of his need for a more exciting story. He spoke of how his life was becoming a bit stale and predictable. Don decided to get on board with a hike on the Inca Trail in Peru and also a bike ride from the West of America to the East of America that his friends and colleagues tempted him with. With each one of the 3000 miles that he rode his bike, he realised the importance of doing the journey with people. In his own words, Don says:

‘’It slowly happened in our sub-conscious that though we were different, there was nobody else having these experiences with us. It was just us. We’d call and talk to the people back home about it, but all we could do was say some words about how hot it was or how much our legs hurt. But when we said those words to each other, each of us had a mental catalogue of similar experiences, and those experiences bound us together.’’

Wanting to taste what it feels like to do the journey of life with friends a little more, I have arranged for a group of friends to ride together from Lands End in south west England to John O’Groats in the northern most part of Scotland.

1000 miles in 12 days should bind us together I think.

This is just the start of my realisation of how valuable friends doing the journey of life with me is. I know that after the ride we’ll all go back to our own communities and houses; we won’t be buying a house together and forever embrace each other. But what I do know is that each person on this bike ride will have a deeper understanding of life….

Friendship.

Community.

Love.

Empathy.

Acceptance.

I don’t want the pinnacle of my story to be about toilet brushes or hovering the stairs. I want my life to be rich with people doing life together, experiencing pain and joy together and having a deeper value of friendship.

And when the bike ride is over, I’ll search for more inspiration and a new chapter in our story together. I’ll buy a bigger and more colourful firework, that’s for sure.

EXPLOSION OF JOY : ALL HALLOWS BOW COMMISSIONED ART

EXPLOSION OF JOY : COME AS YOU ARE.

It’s 7am on Saturday 10 September and we rise to the familiar sound of the alarm.

8.15am : Bus trip with 2 4ftx4ft boxes each holding 2 canvases of art.

9.02am : Reading to Paddington by train.

9.34am : Underground trains to Canary Wharf.

10.10am : DLR train to Devons Road.

10.30am: Arrive at All Hallows Bow Church.

Fresh coffee gets grounded. Chats start. Friendships grow. Rachel shows off her kids books knowledge by comparing her story book collection with that of a 4 year old.

This was one of the most exciting art projects we’ve worked on to date. We first met Cris at a youth conference we were helping out at a few months back. Cris was speaking, Rache was creating and I was singing. It was one of those moments when you just get it; you get what was being said and the heart behind it. Cris shared his passion to see people live out what Jesus had taught his disciples. This wasn’t just another conference to tick off the list and attend; this conference had purpose, creativity, colour and explosions of joy.

Rachel and I wanted to get on board with the vision. I love vision that leads to action. Not just vision to fill a speech but vision that fills a community with joy: an EXPLOSION OF JOY.

Now, months later, we had finished the 4 canvases asked of us by Cris and had created an expression of colour and joy specifically for his community.

It was a special and humbling experience to deliver these expressions of joy and bless a community trying to reach outwards and start something different in our sometimes mundane and monotonous neighborhoods. Bearing this in mind; maybe we are the ones who aren’t making the journey of life appealing enough.

Enjoy the journey!

TO SEE THE FINAL PIECES GO TO THE ART SHOP NEXT DOOR ->

Putting the grounds down a few months back.

—————

—————–

————

                           

——————-

—————-

RAG DOLLS & PAINTINGS, some of the lovely little creative projects i’ve been keeping busy with……

I’ve had some lovely projects on the go for various people, which has been a lot of fun! Check them out below!

These rag dolls were a commission for a 30th wedding anniversary present. This was the first time that I’d been asked to make my dolls resemble actual people! I loved making the little glasses on the guy!

—————

—————-

This rag doll was a gift for a lovely friend of mine who is about to start a teaching course …

These paintings are from various projects and are works in progress! I love working large & being able to be free and expressive, and also working small, adding in detail…

——————

Handshaking for 665 years, Rachel’s Mardy Bum experience and Idolatry.

665 years.

That’s how long it will take if I, or you, were to shake the hand of every body living today. Obviously there’s flaws in this hypothesis; by the time I’ve finished a year of shaking hands, those hands that I’ve shaken may have ceased to exist and new ones may have been created. Additionally as a work colleague pointed out, my hand might ache and disease could be ripe!

I was thinking the other day about how much I want to meet as many people on this planet as possible. I want to know their stories and dreams. What makes them tick, what helps them get back up after down times, what do they want to do with their lives?

Each and every person is wonderfully unique and different to the last.

I’ve had the joy of sharing the last two days with my older brother, Seb. Seb is moving out to Mbarara, Uganda to live and work with AIM, but first he flies to Kenya on Monday where he’ll be spending 3 weeks at a training conference for missionaries all throughout Africa. The rich culture will be so tangible and infectious. I’m reminded of my year studying in Sydney, Australia. Being among people of all ages and backgrounds expanded my mind, enlarged my perspective and strengthened me. I will never regret or forget my experiences; they are precious and humbling.

Recently, Rachel and I have been dancing around our living room to the live footage of Glastonbury 2011. The television was our stage as we pulled stupid dance moves, cheered the singers name and sang to every lyric we did and didn’t know. It was the feeling of community and togetherness that made our feet tap and hands clap. An estimated 177,500 people were at Glastonbury 2011 and many more enviously watching in their living rooms. Our good friend Chris Watt can certainly testify to this years experience.

What an incredible force it is when people come together for a common goal and purpose. That’s why I love live music.

Music brings people together.

On Saturday 24^th June 2011, I made somewhat of a pilgrimage. Not to Bethlehem or St, James Park (Newcastle United Football Stadium) but to Sheffield. Yes, you read that right, Sheffield; the home town of my favourite band since I was a naïve rock loving teenager.

Ever since Arctic Monkeys released their first album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m not, my life has changed; mostly for the good. Artcic Monkeys’ blunt and culturally aware lyrics have been my soundtrack for my juvenile and more mature days.

The only piece missing in the Arctic Monkeys puzzle was Alex Turner’s (lead singer) mouth; I was yet to see them live.

For many years, Rachel boasted that she had seen my heroes face to face whilst in a whirlpool moshpit at Leeds Festival easily trumping my claim of only seeing them on a DVD. However, the smug smirk was swiped away with one full swing of Alex Turner’s 6 string Fender at 21:15 hours on the historic Saturday night. A huge blue marquee in The Don Valley Bowl hosted 12,000 people and me that never wanted the night to end. Mr Turner and co entertained us as we gawped and sang back at them in what could be seen as unconditional idolatry.

Confession time: until Rachel and I moved house last weekend, I still owned a pristine poster of Alex Turner. Until now I just couldn’t get rid of my boyhood hero; how could I chuck in the bin like any other piece of junk mail! However, I’ve learnt a lot in my 24 years and I have washed my hands of this hold on my life. I have replaced this poster with a screenprint advertising the two nights Arctic Monkeys spent at the Don Valley Bowl, Sheffield. Incidentally, I had to shove the tube up my trouser leg throughout the gig to prevent it going missing.

As I said earlier, music unites people. Rachel and I arrived fairly early for the gig and sat on the grass outside the tent in festival style sipping local ale. The sun was actually shining upon us and the festival feel was rising. After I relieved myself at the gents porta-urinals (which is also a very communal outing for those in the know) we found the spot at which were to stand to listen to the support acts. Rachel was certainly more aware and analytical of those standing around us given her near death experience at her last Arctic Monkeys gig. Surrounding us were enough older looking fans that Rachel was happy to stay in front of the sound desk with little fear of being flung into a crowd surfing manoeuvre.

Getting to the point, we met a group of eight people who were slightly older than us but equally as passionate. We got chatting to a guy called Martin who worked and lived just up the road from the venue. He was extremely friendly and chatty asking all about us and what we did. Martin mentioned that I was extremely lucky to be married to girl as beautiful as Rachel but quashed any awkward situation by buying me a lager. Martin had very similar music taste to us and pretty much erupted with excitement when we mentioned that our first dance song at our wedding was a B side track by Athlete called Ordinary Angel. Let’s just say, the ice was broken and Rachel ended up on his shoulders as Arctic sang ‘Mardy Bum’ halfway through the gig.

When the gig finished and my jaw was clicked back into its natural position, we hugged and kissed our goodbyes to Martin and friends. We may never see or hear from Martin and co, or even Alex Turner and co, but the memories and handshakes will stay with me forever.

That’s eight handshakes down, only seven billion to go.

Thank you Martin and Arctic Monkeys for shedding that little bit more light on our rich, shiny, idol loving culture.

Exhibition Photo’s, Street Party & Busy Charlie & Lola.

I tell you what! We have been busy bumble bees in recent weeks! There’s a lot to tell you about.

We’ve had birthdays, weddings, a street party, hen do’s (just Rache) and also our art and music exhibition since we last wrote. And there are no apologies either because we’ve loved every minute!

Just take a look at our Charlie & Lola calendar for the last 2 months!

Valley Way Street Party

————

I want to start by saying a huge thank you for everyone who came along to our first ever art and music exhibition in the UK. STOP.LOOK.LISTEN. was a huuuuge success. The compliments we’ve had about the feel of the evening have blown us away. As with any big event you host there’s always a sense of nervousness about how people will find it but the evening was so relaxing and exactly how we envisioned it to be. Being with friends from all times and walks of our lives was unique and special.

We felt vulnerable putting our art and music on show as our lives for the past 2-ish years were out in the open. With vulnerability comes freedom and a release from that which you are dealing with. Putting out hearts on canvas, wood and guitar strings has helped us find peace and hope in areas of our lives that are hard and also an increased freedom and joy in the areas of success.

21 out of 31 art pieces on show were sold and many postcards and prints are now in your hands.

Following the success of the exhibition and the huge interest in the art, we have started to sell prints (both A4 and A6) and also have a selection of postcards that were present at the exhibition.

Please see the Art Shop page for all that is on offer.

A BIG shout out goes to Tara Nutt for adding a year to her age – the more we hangout, the more Rachel and I love you! We cannot wait for more cake baking and pizza making!

Our great friends Katy and David Guest have become husband and wife! What a truly amazing day we shared together. Rachel was a bridesmaid and looked stunning in her dress but Katy stole the show with her energy, joy and love for people. Special days ahead with these two.

So, here’s to the last month but an even bigger toast goes to the adventures ahead of us – Rachel and I move across the road into our new bigger house on July 2^nd and will be arranging some house warming get togethers – the kitchen is a lot bigger so we can actually sit at a proper dinner table for meals! Get in there!

Big love as per usual to you all.

Please check out our artwork and tell us which print you’d like!

Darren (& Rachel) Allwright

Will you be my friend?

So for the past I don’t know how many months, I have been working on a little creative textile project.  Darren’s family have connections with a charity in Uganda who run projects for children and part of this charity’s work is an orphanage. I was set the challenge of making some rag dolls for the children out in the orphanage. This greatly excited me as I love anything that connects children with some kind of art form! I set about the task by rummaging through my sewing box, collecting old scraps of clothing and drawing up some designs!

There were many floppy, odd shaped dolls to begin with until eventually I came up with a template I was pleased with! I ended up making about 10 ragdolls in total, not fully realising how long it would take to make each one! Many people were roped in, especially my wonderful husband, who mechanically stuffed arm after arm during episodes of masterchef and even at times pulling him away from full focus on match of the day! ! ha! But we got there in the end and I am so pleased with the outcome! They really are quite cute and I hope they will bring a lot of love and joy to the children out in Uganda.

Last night darren and I put the final little details on them which were small hand written tags introducing themselves and asking ‘will you be my friend ?’ So the little dolls are off on their adventure and I am sure there will be more projects like this to come!

If you would like your own customized doll making then please get in touch!

Thanks for reading! enjoy the pics!

Rache