Floyd Sayers is the Founder of new social DIY art movement, Artidote, based in Norwich. Ahead of some Mothers’ Day art experiences, Floyd and multi-media artist Emma Bidwell explain how it has come about
For as long as Emma Bidwell can remember, she has loved art. “Apparently, before I can even remember I was drawing on my nan’s face when she was asleep. Before we went anywhere my mum and dad would say ‘only draw on…’ and I would finish the sentence by saying ‘nanny or daddy?’” Emma, who completed her Fine Art MA at Norwich University of the Arts last September, adds: “I think on a deeper level it’s always helped me to communicate things without using words. I always say this, but it’s always been the only thing I’m good at – I’ve just always wanted to make things that weren’t there before.”
She graduates from NUA in July and says of her time there: “I loved it, I miss the time to just ‘play’.” Fortuitously, she met Floyd Sayers, Founder of Artidote social DIY art movement, at a workshop he was running for a family friend.
“The timing was just magical – I was running late and I thought I was going to completely miss it, says Emma. “We just got talking – not necessarily about Artidote but about our morals and how we feel about creativity.”
Floyd is also Co-founder of Flomotion Studio in Norwich, which specialises in sit stand desks. Emma continues: “We spoke the next day, then Floyd gave me the keys to here that following week – that was what really blew me away. Not only was it an opportunity – it was the kindness. He said, ‘I understand you haven’t got a space anymore, that must be really hard, so here’s my space – use it.”
Floyd’s background is in graphic design, but he says: “I’ve been drawing ever since I can remember. When we lived in London I loved going to galleries and exhibitions.”
A year or so ago, he started an art club in the studio space at Capitol House, in Heigham Street. About 30-plus members now have the opportunity to meet on the last Thursday of each month. The popularity of the art club gave him the confidence to launch Artidote in January.
Initially, Emma went along to one of the art club evenings so see what it was like. “It was so busy, every seat was full, I got to meet everybody. For the first time since finishing my Masters, I was using my hands again; I was feeling like me again.”
She then led a workshop, a test-run Mothers’ Day workshop, which started with a warm-up painting exercise, as Emma explains: “The first 10 to 15 minutes was spent just getting them used to holding a paint brush because some of them hadn’t held one for such a long time.” Emma then guided attendees through several steps, before they painted the final canvas.
“Some people followed me, and some people had the confidence to trust themselves – at the end it was really interesting to see all the different styles.”
The workshops are aimed at all skill levels. Floyd observes: “So many people come and say I’m not creative and I can’t draw. People come in with all these negative thoughts.” But he believes everyone’s an artist.
Artidote recently did a workshop for UK Director Business Club. Floyd says of corporate events in general: “There are so many things they will get out of it: teamwork, creativity and problem solving.” And even if the results aren’t immediate, he makes the point: “The ideas may come the next day or a week later.”
He hopes that Artidote will appeal to all ages, “18 all the way up to 90.” This Friday and Saturday, Artidote is running three Mothers’ Day art experiences. Beyond that, Emma is busy putting together a six-week course for Saturday mornings.
She explains: “The idea is that every week I will be doing something different. The first week starts with them making their own sketchbook, then that sketchbook can accompany them for the six weeks.
“I think it will be good for people who want to find out more about the type of artists they are or the type of work they would be interested in. It’s an interesting idea to get people in and have them decide every week, ‘this is not for me or that is not for me’.”
Floyd agrees: “It’s encouraging them to start their own creative journey… We know that art is so good for us. It’s creating that childlike mindset. To get something out of it you have to allow yourself the space to explore, be curious, take risks and lean into that.
“I talk a lot about the ‘flow state’,” he continues, “to have a room of 20 people, and it’s deadly quiet, is quite magical. Time just goes – and that state is so good for us.”
Following the Mothers’ Day Art Experiences, look out for future creative art workshops and themed events planned for this year, including Art and chocolate tasting; Art and yoga; Sip and paint; Art at midnight; and Art and music. In fact, Floyd has lots of “crazy ideas” for Artidote, so watch this space. Floyd says: “We want to put on experiences that people will talk about and share with friends and family. If it works, you’ll come back for more!”
Celebrate Mother’s day, flower painting, drinking bubbly & eating chocolate on Friday March 28, 7-9.30pm; Saturday March 29, 10am-12.30pm or 2-4.30pm. Location: 4-6 Heigham Street Studio 12, Capitol House, Norwich NR2 4TE. Ages 16+. Free venue parking. £35. Visit Eventbrite. For more information about Artidote in general, email hello@artidote.co.uk.
Featured image of Emma Bidwell and Floyd Sayers, by Folk Features. All other images supplied.
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