Monday 20 June 2011

Green lady of Fridays


Friday nights just aren't what they used to be. Long gone are the days where you'd find me in some bar in London's West End using my trick of standing sideways to worm my way to the bar quicker. There was never anywhere to sit, but hey where would be the fun in that? We'd go out, more often than not a gaggle of giggling girls, with the intention to mingle, to meet, dance, make eye contact with the opposite sex... fuelled by an intoxicating mix of alcohol, music and bonhomie.

Friday nights meant letting your metaphorical hair down and celebrating the end of the week with a P A R T Y.

Now, a few more years under my belt, things have I admit slowed down a little (for one thing, I can get drunk on only two glasses of wine... would have been a money saver in the old days I can tell you). Last Friday night, with my son sleeping soundly upstairs, my boyfriend fighting mythical creatures on the PC and his daughter watching movies on the TV - I spent my evening drawing!

Not quite the wild times of the 1990s, but actually just lovely! I spent hours on this girl. She is for the theme of green in the Summer of Colour. I pulled out my leafy shades from my prismacolours, took my virgin extra large sketchbook and just drew and shaded and drew and blended - a labour of love. Then, when she was finished, I scanned her and a luscious green background I've painted (but not actually done anything with) and blended them together in the trendy bar known as PhotoShop. The finishing touches to this fantasy cocktail was a giant grungy brush.

She looks a bit like the Absinthe fairy, don't you think?

OK confession, I did also have a glass of wine while I was creating - funnily enough a brand I remember discovering in some fancy bar back in the day ...

PS: While I've got you here, I must tell you about an event happening this September that I would love to attend (but finances and time won't allow this year). It is Sweet Freedom Retreat - where Wild Women go to create. Sounds incredible - especially since my bloggy friend Kelly Berkey will be there teaching. Ah... since I went on the Do what you Love Retreat, I feel an addiction to these gatherings of like-minded souls coming on. An annual treat perhaps?

29 comments:

  1. She is so mysterious and dark. :) Love her! :) I'd just like to let you know that you linked someone else's blog at twinkle, twinkle. You might want to link again. :)

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  2. She's so dramatic Linda! i love her in green! I can relate with the drinking.I went to a pool party this saturday and after having two meesley drinks..my friend turned to me and asked if I was dizzy. lol "who? me? no no. I'm in total control!" haha
    Have a great week :)

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  3. Wow, what an enchanting piece, I think the green tones gives her a mysterious look..a fascinating lady!
    LOL at the drink situation! I'm lucky if I can drink one glass of wine now,before I am tipsy!! Cheap date me!!
    The retreat sounds like alot of fun...need something like that in the UK!
    Jan x

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  4. Oh--she's perfect--very exotic, and yes I'd say ready for a night out with the girls.
    I can't even remember what it's like to go out and "party". Give me 2 drinks and I'd be sound asleep for the night :)

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  5. She is just fantastic. I love all the shades you have used.
    I love Prismacolors too.
    xx

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  6. oh yes....mysterious with a secret or too...love her...xxx

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  7. Love your green piece.... she is stunning.

    I stayed out till 12.30 last Friday night!!!! Normally I'm in bed by 10.30!!!! I felt quite 'grown up'

    See you for pink!

    ps I linked to the wrong thing to this week... :)

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  8. Loving your Absinthe Lady, such terrific shades of green.

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  9. Ohhhhh... This is so beautiful!
    P.S : I too am taking the experimental art e-course! Can't wait!

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  10. Oh what a wonderfully dramatic piece... love your Absinthe Lady she if amazing :D

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  11. Love your wonderful green fairy girl! Valerie

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  12. Maybe I'm getting old too, but your quiet artsy evening sounds like a lot more fun than a loud bar where you can't sit down. Your green girl looks very tribal, with her headband and the lines on her cheeks. A pretty jungle girl!

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  13. Oh, she is just so beautiful. I love the color. Don't feel bad I can get drunk on one glass of wine, guess we all slow down a bit as we gain those years. Of course I didn't have a high alchohol tolerance even when I was young. :-)

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  14. she is unique, unique like you and your memories...I like your humour, your fantasy and your truth...she is mysterious like you too ...xx

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  15. wow, so beautiful

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  16. She looks like a warrior princess : )

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  17. Well, I LOVE her. The dark tones make her so intriguing. Wonderful! Yes, I've also joined the ranks of the 'two glasses of wine and I'm tipsy' crowd. ;) Your evening sounded like heaven to me!

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  18. She's very green! I love her eyes, the eyes you draw always stand out so beautiful.

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  19. i love your girl - she looks like a brave strong warrior. ah yes, do i remember the friday nights of youth - now i just buy a cheap bottle of red and drink a few glasses by myself - while painting away - can't think of anything better i'd rather spend a friday night doing.

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  20. Wow, I LOVE her! She is very intense. I think I would get drunk on 1/2 a drink now - lol! Ah, those were the days... Jessi xox

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  21. She is the green fairy in "Moulin Rouge"...she is beautiful!!!

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  22. LOVE your post! Ah, yes - I remember it well . . . I think we can all relate, but your words (as always) are so eloquent. And your artwork is really very special - a beautiful mix of elegance and mystery. Thank you so much for playing along, xo

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  23. She's a Man-Eater, man-eater! I still remember Hall and Oates singing that on the MTV...
    Yep, She is a man eater for sure.
    And Lisa.
    Your story telling is enthralling!
    ♥♥♥

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  24. Ohhhh..she is perfectly lovely and mysterious! Subtract or add a decade (ok it's add for me! Two if I am being honest LOL) and many of us "know" the feeling of Friday nights. Hugs..

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  25. mysterious and lovely - even in green :)

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  26. I really like your green girl...oh for the days of Friday night parties! I only need one beer to get a little light headed these days. haha.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  27. Great post Linda... and awesome artwork....
    Your green fairy is stunning... full of mystery and intrigue... just love her...

    Jenny x

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  28. I am in love with her. I love your tail of crazier days. I understand this so well. Some times I long for one night of the old days, but honestly, I would not prefer to paint in the quiet hours of the night, with wine!

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Thank you for your comments - I always love to hear what you think :)

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