Penarth textile artist and illustrator Carol Bartlett is gearing up for her appearance at this year’s Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival which will take place across the Eater Weekend (17-18 April), hosting free artist demos for festival goers.
While still based in Penarth, Carol – who formerly owned fabric shop and haberdashery, Sew Lovely in Glebe Street – now spends a lot of her time travelling throughout the UK in her converted van, taking inspiration for her work as she goes.
“When my husband and I retired and had nothing as such to tie us down anymore, we decided to take to the open road and spend much of our time travelling, parking up at all sorts of beautiful spots for me to get creative with my sketching.
“I gain so much pleasure through my work and I know during lockdown in particular, a lot of people turned to art as a form of stress relief and relaxation.
“I love sketching with others too and I’m really looking forward to being at the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival to host these free sessions, encouraging people to join me in the informal and beautiful setting of the Old Hall Gardens.
“I’ll be providing all the materials needed – the watercolours / boards etc so there’s no cost involved and absolutely no experience is needed; this is purely for the pleasure of sketching!”
With something to suit all diets, ages and interests – moreish meats, vegan varieties, curries, cheeses, chutneys; scrumptious ciders, great gins, sweet treats and so much more – the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival promises to be a real highlight in this year’s calendar.
As well as Carol’s sessions, the Old Hall Gardens will be buzzing with plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy including artist workshops, falconry, willow weaving and the chance for children to make Beebombs and bath fizzers, courtesy of the Vale’s first zero waste store, Awesome Wales.
Forage Farm will also be supporting the event from their festival park and ride site at Penllyn Estate with storytelling, an Easter trail, lambs on the lawn and fun face painting!
While the sessions are free, Carol is advising anyone interested to book in advance as spaces are limited – there will be two sessions each day at 11.00am and 1.00pm.
For festival information, visit: cowbridgefoodanddrink.org
