I’ve been experimenting and practising more in watercolours today. I wanted this to be submitted for Illustration Friday‘s theme of ‘Chicken’ but I was too late.
I was inspired by the book called ‘Birdsong’ by Madeleine Floyd, a beautiful watercolour and ink artist. I thought the eggs she’d painted at the opening of her book would be a perfect lesson in watercolour for myself.
I realise I have some way to go, it just takes time and practise.
I felt like sharing something with you today, so I made a desktop wallpaper.
Click on the image above to make it larger and download it from there. I hope you enjoy it – I enjoyed creating it to share with you!
In the middle of November, I made a split-second decision after seeing a tweet from The Art House Co-Op, for the deadline to sign up at midnight that night, to sign up to the Sketchbook Project. I’m very behind, and it’ll be submitted late (I was unwell throughout December) however, I still hope to submit it – I can’t let myself not submit it! (Although it feels a huge shame to send away so much work which I won’t get back. At least it will be in the Brooklyn Art Library.)
These are a few of the pages I’ve been working on the last few days.
After carving my first stamp at Christmas, I thought I would make some more so I carved three new ones last night. I created them for my Sketchbook Project. ’Happy Thoughts’ is the subject I chose to illustrate. I’m always inspired by nature.
I used a variety of ink pads – a Hobbycraft pad (the apple), a Darice pad (the butterfly) and a Brilliance Ink Pad (Leaf) – my preference from this range is the Brilliance – its an archival ink, which means its colour remains bright alot longer than non-archival inks.
The apple stamp is now available to buy at my Etsy shop.
On Friday, I volunteered to illustrate a piece of work for Amelia’s Magazine. I’d been motivated to do this because of a tweet from The Mighty Pencil, a Twitter feed I follow who spread words of wisdom in the world of commercial illustration. This particular tweet read:
“As a freelancer you have the scope and freedom to take risks, without being reckless. Test your boundaries and learn from your experiences.”
I’m not a freelancer, but I thought I should try something ‘unsafe’ – ie, not pretty, bird or floral related. You get my drift.
So, I responded to a callout from Amelia’s magazine, not knowing the brief. When I received a mail back, and realised the depth of what was required, at first, I thought I’d bitten off more than I could chew. The brief was to illustrate a piece representing The Ratcliffe Trial, a highly organised protest which was hijacked by the Police before it could start at the Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in Nottinghamshire, in which Amelia, herself, was one of the activists. Hopefully you now realise why my perspiration glands had started to work on overtime.
I didn’t have time to come up with any initial sketches, because the illustration was due today, Monday. I did some research and set to it. After submitting it last night around midnight, I just received a message from Amelia, letting me know that amongst others, she has used my illustration, and I am mighty proud.
Thank you very much to Amelia for using my illustration and I would also like to thank The Mighty Pencil for its words of wisdom. I am sure I would not have volunteered had I not followed their trusted advise.
Ratcliffe-On-Soar Power Station – Mixed Media Collage
The green chimneys represent the paradox of green as a pure, natural colour versus green often used to represent poison or something poisonous.
The background images of the smoke clouds hide the face of Charles Darwin, a Native Indian Tribesman and Darwin drawings relating to the evolution of man. These have been used to illustrate our roots and these historical peoples beliefs of evolution and the sacred, precious land.
Have you ever heard of Pinterest? I hadn’t heard of it until a couple of weeks ago and I’m getting on with it quite nicely. I thought it might be another one of those sites where the novelty would wear off after a while, but it doesn’t seem so. Its a lovely site to collect visuals to, like pinning things up on a pin board at home, except its online, where I imagine like myself, alot of people also spend their time online, therefore being quite useful.
Its a pleasure to share with people. However, I’m finding its nicer to reflect back on what you’ve been collecting. I saw a pattern forming early on of the things which inspire me. Feel free to take a look at my Pinterest Board.
You could also visit my Pinterest board by clicking the link on the sidebar.
Opening up our new year with positivity, none other than the late, great, hardly sedate, Dr Seuss (or Theodor Geisel).
Happy New Year, friends. May you be full of health and the joys of spring.
Thank you for visiting, reading, stopping by, skippity hopping through this blog throughout 2010 – it wouldn’t exist if it were not for you – and for that, I am most grateful!
I was asked by my sister to make some cards for her to give to someone as a Christmas gift, and here’s what I came up with.
8 Doily-themed notecards in heavy Champagne Laid acid-free card stock, with 8 Pistachio Matrix Embossed luxury envelopes.
Presented within handmade boxed-packaging made from heavy leaf embossed stock.
I was pleased with how these turned out so I decided to make them available in my shop.
I had a go at stamp carving last night. I think my first project was a bit ambitious however, I wanted something big and a little detailed for my Christmas cards.
I’ve wanted to make something fairly large scale by using small paper cuts and saw an opportunity as a Christmas gift for my mum and dad. They live in the country, where its quite likely, pheasants outnumber humans in their village, so I thought these big beautiful birds would make the perfect model. Its the first time I’ve made something like this, so I’m sure there’s plenty of room for improvement. However, I don’t think I did too badly for my first attempt. See what you think…..
8 Handmade Gift Tags featuring a seasonal reindeer punched-shape made from 220 gsm red acid-free card stock.
Each tag measures 10.5cm x 5.5 cm.
A pack of gift tags is presented in a handmade envelope, made from acid-free luxury patterned paper.
Available to buy at my Etsy store here.
So, my husband said to me the other day “What are you going to do with all your stuff you make cluttering up the office?”
“Um” I look up at the ceiling. “Keep it?” I replied, with uncertainty.
“Why don’t you sell it? It needs to go somewhere.” He said, with vigour.
“Oh…yeeeah…I guess so” I said, hesitantly.
And so, there we have it. My Etsy shop was born, that same night. Not quite on the same scale as the upcoming celebration as the birth of a certain religious man (if you’re a Christian, of course) in a stable, however for me, quite epic.
I’d thought about it before, and put it off. And then I’d thought about it again, put up some more mental barriers and then put it off. Again. Talking it through with my husband on Monday night, it made more sense and I realised I had built it up in my mind to be something big and scary and grown up. And, of course, its not like that at all. Plus, I already have a mortgage. Financial commitments don’t really come much bigger for the average person. A few clicks later, my first item was and is for sale. Some gift tags. And now, as of tonight, my Mr Owl book plates.
For those of you who don’t know, Etsy provides a marketplace for crafters, artists and collectors to sell their handmade creations, vintage goods and crafting supplies. Perfect for someone with a little hobby like….um….oh yeh…..me!
Whenever I have something new for sale, I’ll publish it here on the blog, so you know its also for sale at my Etsy store. And of course, I hope you stop by my shop for a little online meander.
Jack Frost was super-busy last night. He gave our village a full-on dusting.
All these white-themed photos were taken this morning on our way back from walking to school.
I love that this cobweb is like lace.
I made this little decorative gift tag from air-drying clay at the weekend and thought it looked pretty hung in our Greengage tree.
The roof of our neighbours car was sparkling in the sunhine.
This photo doesn’t do this tree justice – it was even more immense than usual this morning.
This is our washing line – coated in frost.
And this is our trampoline net. I’d like to think it looks a little like Tiffany diamonds.
This plant looked so pretty, with the outline of frost on the jewel coloured leaves.
This Scots pine tree always leaves me standing and staring in awe.
Its magnificent.
I don’t know about you, but from the middle of December, all panic sets in. Ten years ago, it was Christmas Eve when that happened to me. Not going to work every day does make it easier, of course, since I have more time to consider how many baubles we should hang on our tree, or should I use brown or patterned wrapping paper for our gifts. Actually, I don’t think like that. I just see how I feel. The problem is though, that you get things done for everyone else, and then there’s no time for your own things. Like, I haven’t even thought of a design for my own Christmas Cards yet. How lame is that. This week will be the week though. I haven’t even started my Sketchbook Project which is due January 15th. I don’t want to rush it but ordering it late is my fault, so no one to blame but me.
I find people turn into maniacs in December. Its a month of rushing about, and stressing, for a couple of days of applying food to ones face (thats a Nigella-ism that I’ve borrowed – thanks Nig). Don’t get me wrong, I do love it. Even more so now our children a little bit older. Its just other people, with their crazed looks in their eyes and their internal monologue failing drastically. I don’t need to know where you have to get your bits and bobs from to sew onto a nativity costume, I really don’t. Oh dear, I do sound mean, but it has to come out somehow. Ok. What would the Dalai Lama do? Of course, he’d be patient and kind and sympathetic. Ok. That’s what I’ll do. I can do that.
I haven’t got alot to show for the last few weeks. The winter weather is tiring and early nights have been slightly more necessary than making, otherwise I feel like a granny (which I imagine feels stiff, slow but always smelling of roses). For now, here are a couple of cards I made.
By the way, do you like the snow? (Its chaos-free snow. Very spesh)
Hand-cut mixed media Wedding Acceptance card accompanied with a matching lined envelope.
A set of 18 illustrated, digitally finished ‘Mr Owl’ Self-Adhesive Bookplates, enclosed within their own handmade envelope*.
Simply peel off the backing, and stick firmly into your own books, or a thoughtful addition in the front of a book as a gift.
Also, a lovely gift as a set for a little bookworm.
£6.00 + P&P
*Please note, envelope design may vary to the envelope shown in the photo.
‘Welcome To The Nest’ New Baby Celebration Greetings Card
Hand-cut mixed media, accompanied with a matching lined envelope.
Collaged thank-you card, accompanied with a matching lined envelope.
Created for someone who’s passion is cosmetics.
Hand-cut mixed media card accompanied with a matching lined envelope.
