The Wright Stuff

Shades

2012-01-28T23:30:00.000Z

I don't like waste. I hoard tiny scraps of paper that might fit nicely in a collage one day. I roll up ribbons and pieces of string. I keep autumn dried leaves until they fall apart. I pot up leftovers to create something new another day. I feel totally guilty wasting paint - so when I create something that's thick and gloopy and really not going anywhere, it does seem a sensible decision to rub some paper over the top of it and then see where the Muse takes it.

The Muse took it here. She saw herself in amongst the smudges and bade me to draw her. She's very haughty is my Muse. Just look at how she stares down her nose at us.

I love to paint like this - to just take a splodge of colour and texture and then bring life out of it; a life that tells its own story through the very textures of its creation. It's a forgiving technique. Is this what is called abstract realism?

Posting for Sunday Sketches.

A postcard from China

2012-01-27T09:08:00.000Z

Well, we're four postcards in and still none the wiser as to quite who this mysterious X and Y are and why they are globe-trotting at such an alarming rate. How are they collecting their post from their mail boxes? Are they stopping off in between trips or do they have an accomplice forwarding their mail?

It seems that this week X finds herself in Shanghai, just in time for Chinese New Year. Coincidence or intentional? She doesn't so much as hint the little minx (or should that be Mingx?).

Y has been no help either. And what's with the way X keeps getting hold of these cards - ancient stores down back alleys and little boy artists giving them to her? There's more to this than meets the eye - I am sure of it.

I wonder what she's been dreaming about... Or shouldn't we ask?!

If you are entirely bemused yet still reading by this point, you may like to read the back story here, or pop over to Darcy's blog for another 50 or so postcards from China and their own unique stories.

I'm also posting to Paint Party Friday given that a) it's Friday; b) this is a painting; and c) I haven't had time to paint anything else this week!

A moment

2012-01-26T22:32:00.000Z

In the last couple of years I have amassed a steadily growing collection of books on art and creativity, mixed in with a few copies of gorgeous Stampington magazines and copies of Uppercase - I've even read some of them.

I found myself enjoying a 'moment' a few nights ago. I had gathered a stash of these weighty tomes from various points around the house where they had accompanied me on my thoughtful meanderings. As I was about to return them to their home in my bedroom, that little dreamer inside me (who hates tidying up) thought my time would be better spent having another browse.

So, I sat on my fluffy marshmallow duvet surrounded by the paintings of Waterhouse and Froud and instruction and inspiration from my art heroes. I sank into a deep bliss of contentment. Art makes me happy. Books make me happy. Life is good.

A strange letter...

2012-01-25T21:14:00.000Z

Dear Lisa

I know that you are a very busy girl these days and doing your best to fill every tiny crevice of your left brain with new information which then gets sifted and sorted by the right into some intriguing output.

However, this does not mean that I will sit idly by and be IGNORED! That's right. This is your blog writing in a desperate attempt to attract your attention. It's been days since you looked at me and frankly that will never do. After all, who do you think was responsible for putting you where you are now? Who helped stoke the fire and light the creative touchpaper? Who unlocked the treasure chest of your creativity and left you with the key?

That's right. It was me. I took you on a journey of discovery where you not only found yourself, but also a tribe of creatives that have influenced your very soul. Without me, you wouldn't have kept painting, taken e-courses, opened an Etsy shop, sold your work, whisked yourself away on an art retreat or met some of the most amazing people in your life right now. Without me, you wouldn't even be taking this Hello Soul. Hello Business course that is consuming your free moments.

So, this is a plea to remind you that I am still here. Right, rant over, I think you should go and paint something Chinese ready for the postcard challenge this week, then we can meet back here and you can tell me all about it.

Warm regards (nagging is for your own good).

Your Blog
xx

Butterflies...

2012-01-21T22:43:00.002Z

I've had a busy week OK, so please bear with me while I combine several art challenges together. You see, the thing is that I want to do EVERYTHING. I want to take EVERY course, join EVERY art challenge, learn EVERY technique... you get my drift...

So, this piece, by the very miracle of multi-tasking will fit nicely into Inspiration Avenue's 'Butterflies'; The Butterly Effect's 'Quotes' and is rather indicative of the mood over in the Facebook group for Hello Soul. Hello Business.

The quote is by an unknown author. Perhaps it was you or I and we just forgot we said it! I would love to be quoted, to appear on those google searches for 'quotes about creativity' or 'inspirational quotes'. I probably will be now I've typed that...

I can also squeeze this in for a Sunday Sketch and share some WIP. I almost always forget to take any progress shots. I'm usually far too immersed in the creative process.

Laying down the skin tones with oil pastels

Deeper colour and detailing with Prismacolors

Background added. Nearly there!

A postcard from Brazil

2012-01-20T22:49:00.000Z

Well, he's off on his travels again - this mysterious Y character. Somehow he's gone from Vienna to the wilds of the Amazon. What a crazy agenda this man has... What do you think he's doing there?

Well, X won't be finding out any time soon, if the contents of this card are anything to go by (and no, she can't speak Portuguese, but she can at least spell it!).

If all this is baffling you, you might like to check out the back story... such as it is...

Postcard 3 for the Postcard challenge.

Quiet introspection

2012-01-19T21:58:00.001Z

It has been a week of hard work and downtime thinking and reflection. I have not stopped and my body is complaining and urging me to both do some exercise (far too much time spent sitting in front of a computer!) and get some rest.

However, I am far too tired for the former and excited for the latter! This combination of emotion might result in a somewhat strange post, but let's just get on with it and see what happens.

Day job in the past couple of weeks has involved everything from changing tattoos on a man's head using PhotoShop to directing commercials and watching men dance along to Olivia Newton John... I do love what I do!

Come evening, I have been partaking in my new favourite hobby - learning! I am so excited to be taking the Hello Soul. Hello Business course with Beth Nicholls and Kelly Rae Roberts. This week has been about introspection, discovering why we do what we want to do. Taking the time to reflect so we can build the right foundations for our creative businesses.

I was forced to delve deep into my passion for creativity. Why I have I chosen to take this path? What are my motivations? Well, I love to bring interest to the ordinary; colour and fun to the every day. If I can make people smile and take them on a journey of understanding that gives them pleasure and touches their heart and soul, then I'm getting that warm feeling inside of me.

Today was the culmination of weeks of hard work involving a huge team of talented people at Rackspace - one of the companies I have pleasure to work with. We put on an event to set the stage for 2012. Yes, there was PowerPoint involved... but also a theatre, cross dressing, ice cream, stunt doubles, pyrotechnics, drumming, camp performance, wigs, medal ceremonies, singing, a chariot and even an Olympic torch.

I need to transition this post into talking about art now, but am struggling to find a suitable link sentence... so let's just get on with it...

Last night I felt the urge to express through art a little of how I was feeling and this 'self portrait' was the result (I'm not blonde, nor do I have long hair... or indeed actually look like this....). Instead it just felt like me looking in. Quiet introspection. I just ripped a page out of an old book and played with my pastels and pencils. This evening, when I scanned the image in I was rather intrigued to spot a message hidden in the words... A moment of serendipity if you like...

Look closely and you'll spot...

... my name (Lisa. I have no idea who Eleanor is... maybe my Muse?) and then see how it talks about guts and instincts... just seconds after I'd listened to the course audio and heard Kelly Rae share how she believes that her intuition is her most valuable business tool! Serendipity?

(Also sharing this piece with my friends at Paint Party Friday).

Slightly bursting

2012-01-14T23:43:00.000Z

So, who would have thought it? I reach my 40s and suddenly learning becomes the new going out. It's becoming a total addiction - and doesn't require trying to find a taxi home at 2am. If I don't learn something new every hour then life is being wasted.

I used to read fiction to help me relax and get to sleep at night. Now I read business books and get so pumped up with inspiration and ideas that I can't then nod off. In fact, I'm constantly leaping up to jot down ideas and plot.

Having been self-employed for over two years now, I find it hard to imagine working for one employer again. I might not run a large enterprise and currently take the role of everything from CEO to cleaning lady, but it's mine... all mine.... [rubbing hands in slightly sinister fashion].

I finally feel a little more in charge of my own destiny, and more importantly, am loving the work I am performing for my clients. I take a huge amount of pride in what I deliver. It really and truly matters to me in a way that 'work' never quite did in the past. I work with my clients to increase their levels of employee engagement and it seems to be rubbing off on myself. I am very motivated by what I do! I am both leader and member of my own little tribe here and it feels a very comfortable and stimulating place to be.

Next week sees the start of what promises to be a very special e-course that ticks my creative boxes. Hello Soul. Hello Business by my heroines Beth Nichols and Kelly Rae Roberts will reach into the soul of what we as entrepreneurs are trying to achieve. It's right-directed thinking. It's 21st Century. It's about creating a future of which we will all be proud.

(Image was also created from something I learned this week... I have also signed up for Kim Klassen's Beyond Layers year long inspiration and PhotoShop tips - which included a place on her skinny mini PS course. Now, I thought I was beyond beginner stage... but you keep learning... This piece was created using one of her textures and a photo of my own.

A postcard from Spain

2012-01-13T07:19:00.000Z

I would have liked to hop on a plane to Malaga then drive up into the Andalucian mountains and buy a real postcard from Ronda, but you know how it is... Real life does have this habit of getting in the way of art sometimes.

Besides, there's plenty of Spain to be had in England's green and pleasant (damp and dreary) land if you put your mind to it. Music is great transportation. I slipped on some flamenco passion and before I knew it I was peering over the shoulder of my character X as she wrote her first message to the equally mysterious Y while sitting in a window alcove of a 17th century hotel in Andalucia.

What was she writing and to whom?

If you missed the beginning of their journey last week then you can revisit their story here and on Darcy's blog where over fifty similar stories began their first chapters last week.

Blue

2012-01-12T20:56:00.000Z

Phew I'm tired... Working all hours is not good for a lass.

I need to get away from this computer for a while, so I'll post this early for Paint Party Friday and resist the urge to write her story... even though she is trying desperately to whisper it in my ear. Look, now she's started crying... What can I do? I can't please everyone!

See the crackle glaze?? I finally got it to work!

The 500

2012-01-10T20:13:00.000Z

I thought I might pepper this blog with a few more business-related posts. For those of you about to tune out though ... Fear not! This will not be some Financial Times review of a bull market nor a dissection of the Bank of England's decision to hold interest rates, nor indeed does it (unfortunately) have anything to do with Spartans with six-packs .... maybe next time...

Instead, keeping true to my passions, I will endeavour to approach each piece of writing with the right side of my brain. We'll tap into what Dan Pink calls his six senses that will be significant in the world of tomorrow........ design, meaning, story, play, symphony and empathy. I have lately been devouring his book - A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule the Future. More on this in a forthcoming post.

Firstly, I wish to share what I got up to yesterday. Together with 500 other Entrepreneurs, we packed out a West-Midlands conference facility to listen to our mentor - serial business creator, birthday boy and bundle of energy and motivation... Mr Nigel Botterill.

It's a regular get together for the members of the Entrepreneur's Circle. It's supposed to be a business-type briefing, but I believe there much be something about 'circles' that conjures up a bit of magic. Regardless of the fact that we had a magician in the room and that Nigel's shirt kept changing colour, there was definitely some enchantment going on...

The day progressed and we moved from session to session, then made friends with like-minded individuals over a limp sandwich and something masquerading as coffee. All day I was coming up with so many good ideas for my creative work, moving my business forward and seeking success. It was like a little picket gate inside my right brain opened up and grand ideas began dancing over to the left to get worked into solid plans and objectives.

I felt in touch with my own story and of those in the room. I was motivated, excited and proud to be able to call myself 'entrepreneur', I felt like the hero of my own fairy tale riding with my companions into a world of adventure. We've forsaken the safety of Employment Town and ridden out bravely to our own tune ready to slay dragons and find the pot of gold... Wish us luck!

What's normal?

2012-01-08T20:50:00.000Z

Am I normal?
Do I want to be?
No.

My post for Sunday Scribblings. Short and to the point.

From this...

2012-01-07T23:37:00.000Z

Tracey Fletcher King shared an incredible artist with me today. Ben Quilty, an Aussie artist who uses bold colour and few strokes to just capture the essence of a face. It looks incredibly simple... but naturally, it's not as easy when you try it for yourself...

I used watercolours to sketch it out. Of course, had I been happy with the end result I wouldn't be calling it a sketch! But then again, then I wouldn't be able to share it with Sunday Sketches!

I liked bits of it, but it's not exactly quite there is it? Especially the eyes... pretty freaky! Even my son looked at it and asked somewhat curiously if it was "supposed to look like that?"

Back to the drawing board and out came the oil pastels and pencils and we used the rough sketch as exactly that... We ended up with some more Lisa Wright than Ben Quilty but I like to think there's a touch of him in there; you can still spot some of the original paint underneath. Shame one eye is bigger than the other...

A postcard from Austria - and a mystery...

2012-01-06T08:27:00.001Z

Don't you just love a good mystery? Well my friend certainly seems to attract them. I wanted to share with you the tale of a most delightful correspondence. It began on a rainy January in Vienna when said friend opened up the drawer of the bedside cabinet in his hotel bedroom to find this postcard waiting there. It had a very explicit instruction on it... And so the story begins...

***

This is going to be such fun and so creative. The delicious Ms Darcy is organising a Nick Bantock-inspired year long challenge. We will write a correspondence between two people from locations across the globe. Who they are, what they are doing and what happens next is up to us. Darcy will just give us a country prompt every week.

Austria had me yodelling and trying on leder-hosen. I climbed every mountain and forded a few streams before I was reminded that a certain Mr Klimt (of whom I am rather fond) was Austrian. Kerching. We had our subject matter. I think that my X likes Klimt too, and probably purchased this postcard at an exhibition... What do you think? Follow this link to see all the other participants. It's not too late to join in...

Raw

2012-01-05T12:27:00.001Z

Sometimes you've just gotta let go... I went all intuitive with this painting, first creating layers of colour and texture with little thought as to end result. Then, because they always call me, a face begged to be let loose from the thick oozing paint, the mess of mixture.

So I got stuck in with fingers and knife and here is the result. Edgy... raw...

She feels like a creature forming from layers of advertising posters and graffiti. Some youth on a skateboard will fly by and reach out to grab her hand, peeling her to life.

For Paint Party Friday... on Thursday... I've got something else to post tomorrow - something new... something fun.... something collaborative... something you should check back and see... then maybe you might wish to join in too...

If you go down in the woods...

2012-01-03T20:28:00.000Z

My mood is dark. I am surrounded by the gloomiest forest, creepers tangle around my legs and mossy knolls catch my step. I am lost and alone. It is late and the sun is making rapid retreat. It becomes the time of the night when mortals should not tread here. It is when imagination is loose. Fantasy and fairy tale whisper through the dried and creaking boughs. Story is here...

There are so few places in this over-populated country that remain 'untouched'. Where nothing has been dug or built upon, explored and exploited. Unsurprisingly, many believe our ancient woodland is the portal to magic where pixies and elves flit among the bluebells passing by the cast of fairy tales.

I took my imagination to the woods and let her roam past dusk when the secrets are revealed. She met a lady in a red hood whose vein and sinews are formed from the flora and fauna. She carries the wisdom of wolves and the strength of woman... Are you receptive?

***

I painted 'Red' last night - on the cusp of returning to the world of work this morning, she beckoned me into a land of fantasy. It all began quite innocently when I chose to dip my imagination into the woodland for this week's Butterfly Effect challenge. I pondered painting fairies wearing acorn caps or innocent maidens skipping happily towards honeysuckle-strewn cottages and hungry Grandmothers...

But the Muse took me on a darker journey. She fed me spirits and played haunting melodies to intoxicate my senses and lose all sense of direction. She bade me play and experiment, building layer upon layer. Together we created Red.

In the light of day she looks most sinister. What do you think?

Completing

2012-01-01T18:34:00.005Z

Yup, that's my word for 2012. It was nearly completion but that had too much of a sense of finality to it - after all, I am very much a work in progress and rather wish to stay that way.

This word will set the scene for me 'getting stuff done' in 2012. It hinges a bit on my tendency to never quite finish big projects. Whenever I am psychometrically assessed (which isn't as painful as it sounds), I always score rather low on the completer/finisher side of the profile. I'm a great one for launching into new projects with the enthusiasm of a child faced with presents on Christmas morning and sparking ideas like New Year fireworks, but then I do so easily get distracted by the next big thing...

And while we're on the subject of distraction - let's jump back to this time last year. I took PUBLISHED as my maxim. I didn't write my book... but my words were in The Sunday Times. An extract from an award submission I wrote for a client took home a top prize and my prose was published verbatim. I was rather chuffed it has to be said...

So, back to 'completing' this post... 2011 saw me sign up for, commit to and begin rather a lot of projects. Don't get me wrong, they were not a waste of my time. On the contrary I learned a great deal, accomplished some marvelous creations and generally progressed pretty well. But I just didn't complete every part, or take advantage of all the opportunity that was out there.

I feel like an octopus sometimes desperately grabbing at particles that will fuel my creativity and guide my ambitions. I do recognise though that perhaps I should slow down and reap all I can from each passing opportunity. I might even get that book started in 2012... Who knows? (Surprise surprise I've signed up for a course to help me.... which I haven't even started...).

I will learn to focus on the most important, to procrastinate less and finish more. I will keep growing and ...

***

You can share your word of the year here too - organised by Geri of My Heart Art.

Let's party

2011-12-31T11:47:00.002Z

Well, this is it, another year draws to a close and what do we have to show for it? Quite a bit actually. I feel content, headed in the right direction with a feeling that I've achieved something. I'm also ready to tackle 2012 head on with some ambitious plans intended to stretch and grow untapped potential.

Lately there's been an internal shift - a real desire to keep growing. Not literally, of course, I'm quite happy with my current height and indeed plan a bit of a shrink of certain parts of me - notably waistline...

No, it's a mental thing. Take a peek at the pile of books by my bed and in my Amazon wishlist and you'll find a foray into the world of business academia. I'm devouring Dan Pink, Nancy Duerte, Seth Godin, Guy Kawasaki, Garr Reynolds... and I'm glued to TED lectures. There is a distinct theme to these explorations and it doesn't take me far from my roots. It's creativity. It's the power of the right brain and its influence over the left. It's my passion for bringing colour, imagination and spark to the workplace; to raising the bar with the way we communicate and engage with our colleagues; to help build businesses that release the potential of the people that work there and above all enjoy what they are doing.

2012 will see my personal growth flow into my business so I can take what I've learned from these masters, mix it with my years of experience and add a little touch of 'me' to help my clients achieve their own goals - and maybe set themselves on a journey they weren't expecting, but one which does them a power of good. Who knows? 2012 is waiting in the wings - opportunity is there for us to grab and I've got long fingers!

***

I was going to use this post to share with you my word for 2012 and reflect on choosing the word PUBLISH worked out for me in 2011... but this is getting a bit long and I haven't even started on explaining what's going on with those two ladies up top! You'll have to come back tomorrow to read that story.

Let me take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for 2012 - may you dreams and hopes come to fruitition. What are you most looking forward to? What's your biggest dream?

***

So, moving swiftly on. The ladies are a couple of crazy witches brewing up a wild party night. Inspired by lovely Amy's live class, they began life as a couple of models cut out of Elle and stuck onto some scrapbook paper. I gave them a makeover ready for tonight's festivities (them being so not happy with the black and white look)... They were both expecially pleased with the hair - their own being scraped back in a dull ponytail. They are brewing up trouble for tonight... beware of strange haired ladies wanting to kiss you come Midnight....

Here's the full version

Back in the swing

2011-12-30T10:15:00.000Z

I so had to do art - it was pulling at my soul. I needed to play with my new oil pastels. They are beautifully soft and squidgy but not much cop on fine details so the prismacolor pencils joined in the fun.

I'm posting this for Paint Party Friday. I usually include some words, but I seem to be short on them this morning... Truth be told I'm actually a bit grumpy due to lack of sleep. My mind is wandering and I'm watching bullfinches feast on the rowan berries of next door's tree. There are four of them - two pairs - and are frequent visitors to this particular 'take out'. In fact, on closer inspection there are blue tits and wagtails in nearby eateries too. It's a veritable ornithological delight out there this morning. I shall be sorry when the berries are all gobbled.

I might take my grumpy, bird-watching self off now and get dressed!

Tootles for now!

Finishing things off

2011-12-28T22:34:00.000Z

With the days ticking down to 2012 I have finally been feeling the urge to finish all those tasks I started - and if I don't have time between now and midnight on Sunday morning, then I've made a plan that will show me how.

This is most unlike me, but I'm making the most of this sudden urge to file and fathom. I suppose it helps that I can already feel the breath of the tax man making shivers down my spine. Today the postman made his return after the Christmas break. He brought four pieces of mail. Three were advertisements for Sales and the fourth was a brown envelope from HM Revenue & Customs... a timely reminder.... For once though I did not need one. I was actually slaving away at spreadsheets when the clock struck twelve last night - a step ahead of said inspector of taxes. (Interestingly, my son has already clocked these bureaucrats as 'villains' having seen their shenanigans in his school nativity play!).

I have also made a (long) list of the many online courses, worksheets, tools and newsletters that I have never quite got around to either finishing or, dare I say it... in some cases even starting! I am a great one for diving in with whole-hearted enthusiasm, only to find that simultaneously swimming the English Channel while juggling responsibilities, ambitions and dreams can often more than I can handle... I lose track, get behind and then before I know it... I'm starting the next thing!

My word for 2012 should perhaps be completion. I'm not sure yet... A few more days to go before I need to finalise that decision!

This afternoon I submitted my tax info to my accountant. It felt good. Tonight I finally finished this painting. I was less pleased and suspect that maybe... just maybe... I'll have another play another day... In this version Audrey has wandered into a Chinese nightclub just off Gerrard Street (via the night train to Cairo and a trip to Istanbul) and got herself tangled up in the lanterns. Fortunately it's all electric these days or I fear for those lacquered locks!

Something old; something new...

2011-12-23T08:32:00.000Z

I'm not in the best of moods I can tell you. I mean just look at what I'm drawn on... some piece of old advertising tat... When I knew that my likeness would be immortalised using a brand new box of oil pastels I was terribly excited. I imagined my future hanging in the finest Bond Street gallery and the smartest homes. But no. I get sketched on a catalogue selling friendship bracelets and silly posters.'Keep calm and drink champagne' indeed...I should be so lucky...

Apparently I'm for some art challenge involving old, new, borrowed and blue (or any combination thereof). The lady on the opposite page to me got to be blue... but frankly I think my mood would suffice for that particular category...

Really my dear, I don't know what you're complaining about. You look perfectly divine and judging by the poster stuck to your neck, it sounds like you're off out to have a fun time. I am much more serene myself and prefer a life of quiet contemplation... Although I wouldn't say no to trip to the dentist to do something about the colour of my teeth...

Well readers, looks like my blog was hi-jacked today (or maybe just 'borrowed') by these two ladies for the Inspiration Avenue challenge - old, new, borrowed, blue and Paint Party Friday.

Happy Christmas everyone!

Christmas traditions

2011-12-21T21:52:00.000Z

There are some Christmas traditions we could all do without... Like the best pantomime villain, I have had an evil cold waiting in the wings for a few days now. It was lurking there hoping to make an entrance stage left, but I positioned a chorus line of fruit and veg mixed in with a couple of early Knights to keep him at bay.

Regrettably though, the Knights let their attention wander (such dreamers!) and the villain sneaked up behind them - he would have his stage time. So he's here now... hanging about in my nasal passages causing discomfort in my sinuses... Oh yes he is...

I am hoping that I'll still be able to make the Christmas Ball. The Good Fairy Sudafed is helping, though she has been unable to tackle the build up of housework...

This is quite an insane post.... perhaps I'd best find another early Knight (a more reliable one this time...)

Emporium

2011-12-20T20:02:00.000Z

We have a beautiful shop in the countryside near us. It is so fancy that it isn't actually called what it is - ie a Garden Centre. Road signs instead direct you to the 'Emporium'. Everything is tasteful (read expensive) and tasty (in the deli and restaurant). At this time of year they even have an ice rink!

Ice skating isn't like riding a bike. If you don't attempt it for 20 years then you do actually forget... Or, is the ice just much slippier? I stepped gracefully onto the rink ready to swish across in an elegant fashion... Then, I gripped the side barrier in fear. What was happening to my legs? They were running away from me in opposite directions.... A few turns around the ice later and I finally plucked up the courage to let go and eventually managed some semblance of 'skating' but it wasn't pretty... and it hurt. My muscles were so tense that every slide and slip sent screams of protest through my body.

Small boy got himself a blister and that was all the excuse I needed to get the implements of torture off my legs and sidle into the cafe for a restoring cuppa.

Maybe I shouldn't leave it so long next time!

The whole point of this post was to share this photograph of wooden snowflakes from the emporium's wares. I played with some textures from Kim Klassen and a few filters. Lovely Kim is giving away free textures in the run up to Christmas. I'm using 'more magic' for the words and 'ugg love' for the crackle.

Your good health

2011-12-18T21:58:00.001Z

"What shall we drink to?" slurred Shelby, gripping the shot glass in his wrinkled fingers...

"Health" said Smith simply. He banged his glass against the man's opposite. It slopped a little and a drop flew into Shelby's face.

The two men downed the amber liquid in one, both shuddering as it 'hit the spot' and the warmth seeped through their tired old bones.

Smith topped them up and they repeated the ritual, silent except for the slosh of liquid and the crash back on the table.

"One for the road?" queried Shelby, a wry smirk on his face.

"I don't think so" said the nurse, whipping away the bottle of cough mixture and hurrying a reluctant Smith back to his own bed further down the ward...

For Sunday Scribblings - Health

Strictly magic

2011-12-18T11:38:00.000Z

I can't believe it's over for another year. As Harry Judd proudly carries home his glitter ball, the nation weeps at the loss of its favourite TV show for another year. Will Saturday nights ever be the same again?

I was a relative late-comer to the virtues of Strictly Come Dancing (aka Dancing with the Stars), but for the past four years or so I have been held in rapture by the glamour, the sequins, the passion and the romance of the dance...

I tried to capture some of this in this piece (for Sunday Sketches) where the background was just crying out Argentine Tango... (my personal favourite dance. It's not Harry... obviously.... If I'd had to stare for a prolonged period and try to draw that six pack and guns I may have got myself all of a fluster...

I have some tango music somewhere. I may have to dig it out and gancho around the kitchen while cooking lunch.
Well done Harry - you are the nation's sweetheart... just adorable!

Christmas lights

2011-12-17T12:50:00.000Z

Christmas tree lights, Covent Garden

I always love a trip to London - the City, my former home, that helps to recharge my soul batteries. I soak up a spot of history, quench my inspirational thirst and revel in nostalgia for a well-spent youth. I always take away something special from a tramp of these streets, negotiating public transport and dodging tourists. I feel good.... grounded.... back on home turf.

London just oozes with history and creativity - with evidence on almost every corner. I could't help but smile with delight when I happened upon a blue plaque informing me that I was standing before the very place where Rosetti, Millais and Hunt formed the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, then later spotted this one of another of my heros. (I was also thrilled by finding this picture on the wiki page I linked to on blue plaques - serendipity indeed!). This was once my City too where magic happens and I feel forever a part of it.

I was in London for a party last night, but there was plenty of time for some shopping and exploration during daylight hours...

If you put the word 'Enchanted' in any exhibition title you're sure to grab my attention. Add 'Palace' and you're onto a sure-fire winner. What better way to pass an hour or so than wrapping oneself in the magic of Kensington Palace where fashion, performance and dreamlike installations told tales of Palace Princesses set against the backdrop of the gilded decor.

I learned that money and power most certainly doesn't buy happiness; but at least you get to indulge in your eccentricities.

Thank you to Amelia for her recommendation!

I returned home this morning with the music and spectacle of last night's party still powering through my senses (though fortunately, a sensible consumption of French fizz, did at least mean that any alcoholic hangover was gratefully not present!). As a special treat I even got to stay overnight, so I could fully immerse myself in the Cafe de Paris experience without worrying about catching trains. And, while I didn't exactly follow in Monique's* footsteps with regard to dancing barefoot through puddles and seducing handsome Frenchmen (it being much too cold for the former and I have no need for the latter), I did dance until the wee small hours!

(*See yesterday's post!)

Photos (other than the top one) taken at The Enchanted Palace Exhibition at Kensington Palace.

Sharing with Sweet Saturdays.

Monique's party

2011-12-15T20:56:00.001Z

It's past midnight, but the London party is in full swing. Outside, Soho streams with rain that blurs the lights and lanterns of Chinatown and drenches the crowds leaving the theatres with showtunes ringing in their ears.

Monique is giddy with champagne and music cocktails. Her feet throb so she slips off her Jimmy Choos and, swinging them through the air, splashes through the puddles of Leicester Square giggling as she recalls the handsome Frenchman with whom she has been flirting in the elegant Cafe de Paris.

She twirls through the night andthe other revellers smile and soak up her joy. Round and round she goes until the neon blurs until suddenly she stops... Looking back over her shoulder she spies Gilles. He has come looking for her. She takes his hand and then falls into the light of his eyes...

***

A painting inspired by my upcoming Christmas Party at Cafe de Paris! Look very carefully at the background... what do you see?

For Paint Party Friday and Inspiration Avenue's Festive theme.

The photo doesn't really do the colours justice. I might take another again in daylight tomorrow.

Dressing for dinner... well lunch actually...

2011-12-13T21:03:00.001Z

Do you always know what you're going to write when you start a post? I don't. Many's the time when I just start typing and hope the Muse turns up.

She's been out dancing. She's taking Flamenco lessons. I worry about all that Latin passion and what she's going to have me do with it. In fact, I've just got my clothes out for work tomorrow and the whole ensemble couldn't look more Spanish if it tried. The neat pile draped over the banister includes a ruby red rose corsage; a black, embroidered full skirt that swirls out when you twirl; and red jewels.

We're having our Christmas lunch out with work tomorrow so I thought I'd make the effort. We're only going to a local pub - rather than enjoying paella and tapas as you might expect with this outfit. I don't doubt I'll be over-dressed, but frankly once a lady reaches a certain age and station in life she likes to have a little fun; and if she wishes to temporarily change her name to Lisabeta, click her heels a great deal and shout "Olé!" at passing waiters then that is her prerogative.

A fairy tale

2011-12-11T17:27:00.002Z

Who can't wait for the Snow White films next year? I am champing at the bit of my magic unicorn. It's been a while since I saw the Disney version at the cinema. I think it was the first film my parents took me to see. My Mum, engrossed in the captivating story, did not notice the reaction it was having on her first born until she found me cowering under the seat. You see, I was a sensitive child and did not take kindly to being presented with an over-sized evil Step-Mothers intent on murdering young maidens. I was also struck by mistaken identity. Dwarves and wolves are not entirely dissimilar in pronunciation to a four-year-old... I can still remember the nightmare of a whole pack of the canine variety scampering up ladders to climb in my bedroom window...

However, I am much more mature now and feel able to cope with a darker (eek!) version of the much-loved tale and I only tend to have nightmares after watching films about dinosaurs and zombies. Besides the Julia Roberts version looks pretty safe!

I read a fascinating newspaper article about the origins of fairy tales - Hansel & Gretal was about starvation, Little Red Riding Hood a warning to young girls about predatory men.

I think I prefer the more humourous options though - the ones by Lauren Child - when her hero falls into the story book and gets chased by Cinderella's stepmother because he ripped out the page and put back in upside down. The Queen is also most dis-pleased with the moustache he'd drawn above her pretty lips, the Prince has gone missing (cut out to make a birthday card) and Goldilocks (who really was the most obnoxious child) was put in her place by having her hair coloured in brown.

Writing for Sunday Scribblings - fairy tales, plus a quick sketch of Snow White lost in the woods to illustrate.

A sense of something...

2011-12-10T23:02:00.003Z

I didn't know what to write about tonight - more especially, how do I illustrate with words this piercing picture I just knocked up for Sunday Sketches?

I figured maybe I'd just sling in a few totally random thoughts.

First up, something strange is happening with my sense of smell. Yesterday I caught a splash of Gardeners' World on TV (channel surfing... honest!). There was actually a quite fascinating feature on Christmas trees and the more I watched, the more I was convinced I could smell Christmas- you know that wonderful waft of pine that tickles your nostrils when you come downstairs to say hello to your indoor tree at this time of year...*

(Want to smell it too? Check this out - about 45 minutes in.)
Then today, the Hairy Bikers were cooking up the new 'traditional' British grub - Singapore noodles! I swear my nose was in the room with them. Sense of smell began conspiring with taste buds as ginger, garlic and spice pirouetted around my conscious.

(This one starts getting smelly at around 40 minutes.)

As much as I was enjoying smell-o-vision, I was beginning to become a little concerned. Would it be safe to watch a documentary on cattle farming? Right now I can smell mango. No, I'm not watching a tropical drama or even another cookery show - it's mango body lotion on me... I smell delicious!

So, we've discussed taste and smell. Sight is clearly represented by the sketch I did this evening (gesso over advertising material, topped with coloured pencil). I'm listening to Michael Buble croon softly in my ear and fingers feel the smooth keys as I type frantically away. Most of the letters on my keyboard have worn away. It's fine for a touch typist like myself, but drives the rest of the family mad when they try to use it. I won't bore you with listing what's left, but if my keyboard was scrabble tiles, there's only very high scoring letters left.

*Although I hate to ruin the story - ours is artificial! I'm going to buy some of Heston's pine-sugar-dusted mince pies when I can be bothered to trek across town to Waitrose.

Once upon a time... Part Lisa

2011-12-09T09:45:00.000Z

This week for PPF I present to you the girl with the red hair. You saw her eye last week but now she's ready to tell you her story. She has already been on many adventures... She is Part Lisa in the Once upon a time neverending story begun by Amy and hosted on her blog.
The last time we saw our heroine and her trusty flying steed Pegasus she had been living in narcotic-induced stupor on a land of cotton candy clouds and sweet tea. Only when she broke the mirror did the pieces crack and reveal what truly was... or was it?

***

Part Lisa...

The pieces spiralled out of the ornate frame jagged and sharp. The girl with the red hair watched them fall down, down, further and further through the cotton candy cloud. She felt weightless and dizzy and struggled to focus her vision on what was happening around her. Everything seemed to fracture at once. Cracks and chasms appeared in the sugar pink walls and the sweet grass. She heard a distant whinny – Peg was panicking as the world began to disintegrate beneath his feet.

A wild wind swirled around them. The girl saw tea cups, cotton candy and lollipops sucked into a cruel maelstrom alongside vestiges of the ‘real’ world she had left behind so many moons ago. Burger wrappers, car tyres (that’s tires for you US folk) and empty coke cans bounced off jars of marmite. What was happening? Where was Peg? Where were the Goldwaters and, what on earth had been in that tea? She felt the pull of the vortex and reached out in fear…

The girl took hold of Mrs Goldwater, but recoiled in shock as the once kindly-looking woman began to take on a new form… dark and scaly with green sinews and yellow eyes. Mrs Goldwater began to cackle as the demon within her was released. A long, pointed tail shot out the back of her flowery sun dress (quite ruining the lovely pattern) and horns ruffled her once beautifully coiffed curls. The demon sneered at our heroine and reached into the storm and pulled a bedraggled and terrified Peg towards her. Swinging her gangling legs, she climbed aboard the poor horse and disappeared in a cloud of … well…. It looked like cloud.

The girl with the red hair felt helpless as she span in the sticky mixture of cotton candy, tea and a crazy wind. In the distance she saw Panda Goldwater. He seemed to be beckoning her to him, but there was no way she was going anywhere near him, having seen what had happened to his wife. She was beginning to wonder why she’d trusted anyone called Panda in the first place.

But Panda was determined. He fought his way closer to the red-haired girl shouting an entreaty to put the mirror pieces back in place.

“You must complete the story” he shouted above the roaring wind… “she has to see her face”…

Not knowing to whom he was referring and frankly beginning to wish she’d never set out on this crazy adventure in the first place the girl with red hair made a decision.

She dived forward through the cloud to chase after the sparkling shards. She was still gripping the ornate frame which was fortunate. The clouds rushed past her face pulling at her long tresses and whispering secrets in her ear (things like why pop songs have a middle eight… and the hidden power of marmite).

Further and further she fell into the spewing foam of blue and white. But all was not as it seemed (again!). The clouds were not made of moisture, wool or cotton candy - they were made of words and letters. A thousand waiting to be pieced together and retold.

Far down below through the fairy tales she spied the glints of what could only be broken glass and she reached out , her anticipation mingled with fear… A fear that only intensified as she saw that she wasn’t the only one heading for the glass jigsaw… The demon and its unwilling mount Peg were gaining on her.

Poor Peg looked so frightened, but it gave our heroine heart. She would fight off the demon, fix the mirror, save Peg and show someone their face (but not necessarily in that order); but first she needed to take a small diversion…

To be continued...

Feeling a little mauve

2011-12-08T22:02:00.000Z

Not quite on top form this week. Tired, overwhelmed, sickening for something, muscles aching...

I thought art might help... well it certainly reflects the mood.

Having created so many girls on book pages, I thought it would be a cinch to make another for The Butterfly Effect challenge this week. But as is the way of the Muse, she won't be forced into a set direction, pesky critter!

It took all week for this lady to deign to grace us with her presence and just look at her... she's a bit scary!

I've been listening to this all day... Go figure...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2011-12-04T10:11:00.000Z

When I was a lass, my parents wouldn't let us put the Christmas tree up until at least two weeks before the big day. Now of course, I am mistress of my own domain, so it goes up when I say! I think that as long as it's December, then that's fine - don't you?

We have certain rituals with our decorating. Christmas music should be playing softly in the background - a bit of Bing always goes down well - and a glass of something warming (over ice...you know what I'm talking about... it's not hot chocolate!).

Once the scene is set, and the man of the house has been sent up the loft to retrieve the boxes, then it's time for the joyful recollection as we discover the forgotten treasures. Don't you just love those magical rediscoveries as you pull the angels and Santas from the tangled Christmas lights? (darn that Knot Fairy - she gets everywhere!)

Small boy and I get to decorate the tree, though he's not such a short legs as he was last year - this is also evident in his decoration skills. No longer does he insist on placing every item on one branch - there's still a little tidying up for Mum to do when he's not looking though! He's also still wee enough not to reach the top, so I get to place the little angel on her perch!

And now we're done. The moggies wander by for a look. They've grown out of attacking the tree; just like the little ones, they prefer the boxes - what is it with cats and cardboard?

This skinny-limbed Santa is a new purchase. He hangs from elastic and gets to bungee-jump from the top most branches. Maybe the Big Fella himself could try this - imagine the speed with which he'd be able to deliver those presents. Rudolf could keep the sleigh steady above the chimney, then down he'd go fully laden, only to pop up empty handed a few seconds later! There wouldn't even be time to get sooty whiskers! Mind you, he'd have to down those brandies pretty quickly...

Posting my Santa for Sunday Sketches and my joyful ramblings (have you guessed I'm excited) for Sunday Scribblings! You may also have spotted that the blog did not escape the seasonal glitz!

A fragment

2011-12-02T11:52:00.000Z

I like the way this piece is going, but I thought I'd wait until she's finished before revealing everything that's going on in here. Layers of torn book pages on canvas provided the background.

It's Paint Party Friday today, but I did my partying last night with work colleagues. A wild night of belly filling and belly dancing in a Lebanese restaurant. I'm consquently feeling a touch fragmented myself this morning and need to apply some 'paint' to my face to create a semblance of normality!

Looking forward to this evening when I can finish this lady. But now... back to work...

Day 30 - time to reflect

2011-11-30T10:11:00.000Z

Well this is it. The last day of November and I've done some form of art every day!! I have a big grin on my face... However, it's not really that difficult to pick up a pencil or dip a paintbrush in some luscious colour - not when you love it as much as I do!

I can't believe that I let art drift out of my life for so many years. Rediscovering this missing part of me less than three years ago was a true turning point. OK, so my lounge has never been the same since - we rarely get to use the dining table for eating because it's always covered in half-finished 'masterpieces'! However, look at it this way - I am using the table - it doesn't just sit there all alone with a fancy cloth and a vase of flowers on. It is a part of my creative process!

I would love to have had a peek into the homes of other famous artists over the years. Did Rosetti keep a tight ship? I very much doubt it! Was Van Gogh a neat freak? Unlikely!

Not that I am suggesting I could ever compare myself to these legends of course! I am merely getting in their creative vibe. I am just a girl who loves to paint and above all harbours a true desire to get better; to keep learning; to become a proper artist!

This month I've not had huge amounts for time for creating, but I've learned that it's possible to create some really fun pieces in less than 30 minutes. I found myself creating my series of 'Girls on Book Pages' by accident really, but I don't think any of them took very long to show themselves on the page. The best bit though was the wonderful support I received from you... yes YOU! Thank you so much for all the encouragement to keep at them. I have been very flattered by the interest shown and want to thank everyone for their kind words.

The picture up top has three of my favourite girls framed! It will go up on the wall today. I did struggle to choose which three should go in, but then again, it doesn't really matter. I can just keep swapping them out so they all get a turn eventually!

Art Every Day has not just meant sticking a paintbrush in my hand though. I have also been on a virtual gallery tour with some incredible artists. What wonders we have all shared this month. What inspiration! I've made new friends and connections, marvelled, been intrigued and taken on a wonderful creative journey!

I would like you all to join me now in raising a glass to toast our host - Leah Piken Kolidas. Thank you Leah - for bringing us together, for the friendships we've formed and for bringing all that delicious art out of us!

Cheers!

Serendipity

2011-11-29T12:59:00.002Z

Susannah

Yesterday I wrote on my to do list for the week - set 2012 goals. For the past 3 years I have had at the back of my mind 'write a book', but you know how it is. What kind of goal is that to send out into the Universe? What kind of book? What about? It's woollier than a Alpaca wearing a sheepskin overcoat.

Did anything happen? Did I sign a deal with a publisher? No.

I did get to meet one of my favourite authors - Lisa Jewel. I have made contact with people who've written their own books... All teensy tiny steps in the right direction.

I also paint a lot of pictures on old book pages (here's one up top that I prepared earlier!).

I write a lot of blog posts. I write blog posts for other people. I write articles and award submissions. I am a writer.

But none of the above has actually got me a book deal. It's not going to come down the chimney with Santa next month. It will require some effort on my part.

The Universe was getting very fed up with me so clearly decided I needed a cattle prod in the right direction.

This lunchtime I wandered onto Twitter and followed a link from Susannah Conway. She's interviewing Danielle La Porte (who I've dipped into a little recently - she's on my 'one to investigate further' list). It transpires that Danielle, together with Linda Sivertsen is running a workshop on how to write a book proposal. It's called Your Big Beautiful Book Plan. But it's so much more than that ... Read more here, but here's some blurb from the website.

•A self- and career-inquiry process that gets to the grit of why and what you need to write, plus target audience clarification, self-promotion + pitching exercises, and a bevy of creative-hermit practices.

•Techniques to capture the content that is…your life. Because your book has already been written — in your client work, blog posts, email chains + cafe conversations. We’ll show you how to spin your “undiscovered work” into gold.

•Strategies for building your platform as your create your product.

•Empowering lessons for rolling with rejection, hearing your muse, and gathering testimonials.

•A pro’s + cons drill-down of traditional vs. self-publishing options — with been-there insights from both sides. Timely, no?

•10 (Sexy + Thrilling) Ways To Finish The Damn Book—because writer’s block isn’t in our vocabulary, and the finish line is closer than you think.

•8+ hours of audio + video interviews with agents and high-profile authors

To say I was a little bit excited was something of an understatement. Here is that exact kick up the bottom I needed. I signed up quicker than a cheetah trying to break the land speed record!

And for the record, I've now committed to it here on my blog - Universe... Are you listening? I'm working on it!! Promise!

I have to dash... I'm on lunchbreak and need to get back to work...

I'm very excited!!

PS: Posting for Art Every Day Month - I had to name her Susannah as a thank you for being right there at exactly the right time!

Aged Beauty

2011-11-27T10:36:00.002Z

It's very interesting how these girls just tell me their names. I think that perhaps Dickens' ghost influenced this one. He whispered into my ear a tale of an aged beauty sitting in front of her wedding feast mourning the day that never was, and her young ward Estella.

I'm trying not to listen to this spirit though for I don't really think this is either Miss Havisham in her prime, nor the haughty Estella. She is just girl whose portrait has been somewhat battered by the ravages of time. Indeed it appears that, at some point, it was painted over. Who could have committed such a travesty? A jealous lover? An ignorant painter & decorator? Well, clearly Estelle (a softer version of Pip's friend), was having none of it. Her determination to see the world once again peeled back those layers and here she is!

Estelle

I love the crackle - you might need to click to enlarge to see it. I am contemplating covering her in wax next. What do you think?

Posting for Inspiration Avenue, Art Every Day Month and Sunday Sketches. Big thank you to Tammy who kindly purchased the crackle glaze for me and shipped it across the ocean (because I couldn't find any in Blighty!)

Nearly finished

2011-11-25T11:46:00.001Z

I was going to head this post up 'Still not finished', but that's rather glass half empty isn't it? I'm ever the optimist. Mind you, she is taking a while. However, it's not for want of trying. I've just had another incredibly busy week.

Below is a photo that just goes to prove exactly how hard I've been working... I was dressed in a wet suit - and no, you don't get to see a picture of that! I wonder what Brooke and Imran will think when I share the good news that I'm featuring them on my blog today...?

Imran in particular, might be interested to see Audrey. He had to (somewhat sensibly) rein me in when I wanted to include her in a company-wide communication earlier in the week - that's the thing with these A-listers. They think they can just appear any place they like! She was anxious to secure an invite to the Christmas party. I've got one Audrey and you haven't.... nah nah nah nah nah.... Oops, best not upset her, or maybe she will set her alter ego reflection after me....

If you've been following the progress of this painting, I could try and pretend to you that I intended to paint over her reflection all along - so it becomes more subtle and alluring... You might believe me or you might just wonder if trying to paint a mirror image of 'one you prepared earlier' is a little on the tricky side so I helped her melt into the background a little. The truth is out there; I'll leave you to draw (or indeed paint) your own conclusion.

Maybe I'll finish her this weekend.... or perhaps I'll get bored and start something fresh. I never was a very good completer/finisher!

Posting for Art Every Day and Paint Party Friday - just follow the yellow link road for more magic...

Soaking up

2011-11-23T21:46:00.000Z

Kara

Looking for inspiration tonight, I mopped up a paint spill with this page and Kara decided to show up. She has a bit of a wry grin on her face. I think she looks a bit wrung out - must be all that excess paint she soaked up playing havoc with her features.

I would ruminate more and maybe take her on an adventure; but it's late and I'm tired and I need to go to bed!

I'm still doing Art Every Day - even when half asleep. It is indeed a most relaxing pastime... I also have some soggy, salty paper drying and a few doodles to show for this evening - and two very large bags under my eyes... I did check to see if there were any art supplies in them, but they're just full of dark circles...

Talking nonsense again... Time to sleep....

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Hormones and other distractions

2011-11-22T08:54:00.000Z

Funny things really, hormones. At least I'm attributing these 'mythical creatures' to how I feel today - either that or I'm slowly losing my grip on reality. One minute I feel like I'm falling into a pit of despair, then the next I'm bouncing around like Tigger on Speed and laughing just for the sheer joy of the sound. Luckily for yours truly and indeed everyone around me, the latter is the more prevalent emotion. It may be a bit tiring for them to cope with but at least I'm attempting to bring joy!

My energy levels spike and dip as and when they feel like it. Lately I seem to be full of beans just as it's time to go to bed, then deep in another world when the alarm starts singing seemingly five minutes later.

I've also got ideas racing round my head jostling for pole position - there's a voice inside giving a running commentary ...

"Yes, and she's just remembered she was supposed to go on Twitter last night and engage in conversation with attendees from the conference; it looks like we have a clear winner.... but hold on... what's that? It's Hootsuite coming up on the left - it's pushing its way through.... oh no, they've both spun off leaving the field open for Art Every Day - is there time to post yesterday's progress before the 9am finishing line when it's time to start work.....?"

By the way... has anyone noticed that the sky is missing? We've had a proper pea-souper fog for days. What if someone has stolen the stars and moon?

PS - the mood I'm in this painting is in danger of turning into something very different by this time tomorrow. Best make the most of her (and her) while you can!

In need of some repair

2011-11-20T09:13:00.001Z

Early stages for this piece. It's going to be a 'proper' painting - rather than one of my recent series of quick concoctions - I'm even using real drawing paper! Just laying down the first layer of colour and shade. It's from a stunning portrait and reflection of Audrey Tatou in the latest Chanel No 5 advert.

Funny how she sat so comfortably on the page last night but then this morning her eyes are too big and slightly out of place, and the mouth in her reflection is terribly wonky! (That'll be the wine I suppose, plus drawing while having half an eye on the X-Factor didn't help!). Thank goodness for the forgiving properties of acrylics which are going on next!

I'm going to let the Muse dictate where she goes (though dressed as she is, I suspect it may be to a party!).

I've been feeling the need for a little external self-repair too. Lately I just seem to busy to pay much attention to myself, so the last few days have attempted to redress the balance. Hair styling, a glamorous make-over at a Mary Kay party (including some special treat purchases) and a bit of pampering are definitely in order. Special thanks to my friend Tina for managing to organise this as precisely the moment it was needed!

Well, I'm off to get dressed now and play with my new make up.

Posting for Sunday Sketches and Art Every Day Month

Hoosming

2011-11-18T21:43:00.001Z

No, it's not the name of this girl - more on her later... It's a new word. I just invented it when I mis-typed something. It was one of those captcha words if you're wondering what crazy typo this might have been... the correct spelling didn't make sense either! Anyway, the Muse got very excited and insisted I get it down 'on paper' at once so we don't forget it.

We're not sure what it means yet, so we're going to have a quiet think and get back to you!

Some time later...

Well what do you know... we figured it out. It's when you pop into town to buy your sister a birthday present and end up having a total restyle at a trendy hair salon - complete with massage, lovely coffee and just all round pampering customer service.

I arrived a down-trodden and tired 41-year-old and left feeling 10 years younger. In fact, it felt so good that I went out an bought a sparkly dress for a Christmas party... It was a hoosming afternoon that's for sure!

So, the girl. For all you caffeine addicts out there I should tell you that she's part made of coffee beans. Yes, I was on a bit of an arabica high when I created her; but more importantly, much of the brown shading and splatters you see actually is coffee. She smells lovely! Let's call her Mara.

I made her inspired by an art challenge, but this week being what it is I am not entirely convinced I can remember where I saw said prompt, or if indeed I didn't dream the whole thing. I think it was The Butterfly Effect; let's pop over there now and see if I'm right...

Oops - was right place just wrong week... But all is not lost - Coffee & Tea are the theme for next week!

It's still Art Every Day Month though... phew!

NOW FOR THE VERY FREAKY PART....

I only just noticed after publishing what the text reads right in the middle of her face...

"Milk and sugar?"
"No sugar. Just a little milk..."

... which is just how I like both my coffee and tea... Serendipity.

Why do I take on so much?

2011-11-17T23:06:00.000Z

Does the word "No, not today thank you" not exist in my vocabulary when it comes to accepting work? (I am fine when someone tries to sell me double glazing though...) Am I genetically programmed not to accept a challenge? Can I 'just get by with minimum effort'? Nah, don't think so!

Is it because I thrive under pressure? Do I perhaps create my best work when I'm up against a deadline? Am I an adrenaline junkie (but without the heights and speed)?

This week has been somewhat manic in the work department as my fingers race across keyboards and my mind maps to strange places in the land of creative inspiration. When I finally switch off corporate writing mode, do I collapse on the sofa in a heap or retire early to bed with a romance involving dashing Highlanders and wenches in tight bodices?

Nope. I continue with my quest to perform an act of art every day this month AND I start an online surface pattern design course. And I try and blog. And I help my 7-year-old son set up his own blog. And I don't do any housework...

Am I tired? Yes... very! Have I gone to bed early (in my brand new set of bedding). No.

Am I a crazy fool? Probably....

These Harlequin's are for Inspiration Avenue's challenge this week and Paint Party (surely it can't be) Friday (already?). And Art Every Day Month... Phew, I'm exhausted just thinking about it!

Feeling small

2011-11-15T22:02:00.001Z

And quiet...

Some flower pencil sketches given the PhotoShop treatment.

For Art Every Day Month.

PS: I did do art yesterday, but just didn't post it!

PPS: Not as quiet as perhaps you thought I might be...

PPS: Going now... Until next time!

Getting a touch predictable

2011-11-13T10:12:00.000Z

You've got to feel a little bit sorry for the X-Factor contestants. This ridiculous rivalry between the judges sees them swinging between moaning that the poor hopefuls are too predictable to telling them they should stick to what they're good at. Still, it all makes good telly.

So, at the risk of being called a one-trick pony; I'm afraid that my November is not exactly demonstrating much diversity (yet!)... It appears I must stand on the stage once again with a girl who fell asleep in tears a sheet of tabloid newsprint and awoke with the story of Frankie Cocozza's abrubt talent show departure upon her face.

Hmm.... now maybe that would have been a more original idea. I could have drawn a whole bevy of girls over Frankie's headlines.

I did try a new arrangement this week with my sketch today though - gone for a close up. Maybe I'm just finding my groove. Plus tomorrow I'll be approaching my art from a whole new direction as I take up my Surface Pattern Design course.

Something to share for Sunday Sketches anyway and proof of my commitment to Art Every Day.

PS - Apologies to those of you who haven't a clue who Frankie Cocozza is, or indeed the X-Factor. It's a Brit-thing. Helps us take our minds of economic doom and gloom and other 'real' news.

Junkie

2011-11-12T09:58:00.003Z

Kirsty

I can't get enough of online courses it's true. Amy's been hosting live lessons where we all paint along together (and some of us drink wine too.... and eat marmite on toast - mainly those of us in the timezone where a) consuming alcohol at that time of the day is socially acceptable; and b) we have eaten marmite long enough for us not to question its looks and taste.

Last night Amy had a little help from Manon who taught us how to create her quirky girls. As you can see I put a lot of effort into her face, but regrettably by the time I got to clothing, limbs and background the wine was starting to have something of an effect! I quite like her though. She makes me smile! Seems fitting to post Kirsty for Sweet Saturday too.

These sessions are naturally helping with Art Every Day Month - it's a real community feel as we all sit across the globe dibbing and dabbing with our brushes and colours.

On Monday I start another course. This time something very different for me - Surface Pattern Design. I met our teacher Rachael Taylor at the Do What You Love Retreat earlier this year. She is quite an inspiration (and also The Happiest Person on Twitter!). More on this to come! (Can't seem to get the picture to work - there's a tiny box underneath this sentence that will take you to more info!)

Sybil goes to Cuba

2011-11-11T09:11:00.001Z

Remember Sybil? She was plain old charcoal a few days ago and now look at her. She's hopped on a plane to Havana and h as gone all tropical and mixed media!

Mind you, she looks a bit worried - like she spotted something untoward in the bougainvillea. Relax dear girl and take a sip of your Mojito, then step out and salsa on that dance floor!

Sybil is part 2 from Amy's live class. She's a mixture of collaged tissue, acrylics, watercolour and coloured pencil. The original sketch was graphite and charcoal, but rather than risk creating a large black smudge instead of a subtle painting, I printed her off again before applying her layers. I might repeat the exercise tomorrow and put her in a different location. Where shall we send Sybil? Do share your ideas - her passport is fully up to date and she has all required visas and vaccinations.

I'm writing so much at work these days and so tired by the time I reach 'me time', that I find it hard to be sensible when it comes to this blog. I seem to have written an awful lot of nonsense in the past few weeks, but at least with Art Every Day Month I'm forcing myself to do art.

Once thing it is worth talking about today though is the date 11/11/11 - Armistice Day. Let's all share a quiet prayer for peace. Some friends of mine started a Facebook group Hands up for Peace.They've nearly got 100 Likes - let's see if we can give them a few more... Why not pop over and put your hands up for peace.

It being Friday, and this being a painting, I'm also sharing for Paint Party Friday. I should point out though that when I woke up this morning - or more accurately, was dragged kicking and screaming from slumber by my alarm clock - I hadn't a clue what day it was. At first I thought it was Monday!

Getting around to it

2011-11-09T21:15:00.000Z

No art to post yet for Art Every Day Month. I have been 'making', but just nothing worth sharing (maybe later in this post)... I'm making a 'thing' and it isn't quite finished yet. It involves sewing which frankly is almost as unlikely an occurrence for a Lisa as Ronald McDonald becoming a vegetarian. Me and needles don't mix. Well, to be honest, it's not strictly the needles that's the problem - I'll happily take a flu jab or donate blood rather then sew on a button. No, the trouble with stitching and me tends to involve the thread and our little reisdent fae - the Knot Fairy. I do believe I've mentioned her before (and I understand that she has many siblings scattered in every corner of the globe). I'm sure you're familiar with the tangles appearing in strings and cables, cottons and cords seemingly by magic!

My parents have finally switched onto the online age and are regularly reading my blog - Hello! My Mum will no doubt be shaking her head in despair as she reads this and wondering what on earth happened to all those sewing lessons she gave me. Sorry Mum - I'm much better with a paintbrush!

A bit later...

Sew... where were we? Oh yes. My 'thing' and knotted cotton. I am blaming my chums at Inspiration Avenue for this one - you see they set a seamstress challenge and I felt obliged to leave the old comfort zone while still sticking to my mixed media roots. And this is what I came up with - this 'thing'. It consists of various layers of collage glued and sewn (yes, Mum, that's right... sewn!) together and topped with wax. The buttons are glued in the wax as this way they will be far more secure than if I had attempt to fasten with needle and thread. It's a kind of rebels' button box or maybe a 'round tuit'... one day I'll sew them back on the items they belong to...

It looks a bit like something my son would bring home from school as a present for Mother's Day - something cobbled together from bits and bobs from the craft box. Maybe I'll go back to drawing girl faces on book pages...

Do you really want to see it?

Here goes... don't say I didn't warn you!

Mixed Media 'Thing' with real sewing! That's the Knot Fairy in the middle. She was trying to unpick my stitching when she got stuck in the hot wax - that'll teach her!

Art in the making

2011-11-08T08:38:00.000Z

This art every day for a month game could put unnecessary pressure on an already fraught girl; but I remain mindful of my words of wisdom to others... It isn't a contest, it's learning for yourself what the discipline of creating every day can give you. And, above all, we don't need to create masterpieces. The experience is totally about us. I just happen to choose to share my attempts daily on my blog.

So today, we don't have painting or drawing because frankly I ran out of steam where they are concerned - and I have been slaving at the pc at work all day! Instead, just a few experimental photos of the implements that help me create. I love happy accidents. For reasons best known to itself, my camera just wouldn't focus properly this evening. Undaunted, I went with the flow.

I also added a little je ne sais quoi in my darling PhotoShop.

My experimental art teacher Amelia would be very proud!

PS - I really should get some clean water for my brushes!!

Ladies and ladies

2011-11-07T10:19:00.000Z

Sybil

Day 7 of Art Every Day Month. A change is in the wind. Here we have a monochrome portrait drawn in a sketchbook rather than a yellowing page from a book.

The coal is running low, the water is barely bubbling.... Is the steam is running out on my 'girl on a book page' series...?

Well, actually yes and no. Sybil here was the result of working alongside Amy and the gang again during a live chat and online class. Unfortunately, she only got this far before my feed dropped and I couldn't log back in again. We were going to add colour and collage and all sorts for the full mixed media ensemble... but I can catch up later when she posts the video.

It was interesting that I lost my connection just as the final episode of Downton Abbey was about to start on TV. I had planned on recording it for later in the week, but felt it was fate decreeing that I should pour myself a glass of wine and watch it 'live'. It was as I was viewing that I realised she looks awfully (or maybe a teensy bit) like Lady Sybil!

Now back to the book page ladies... Three more to show you though I'm not very impressed with any of them. Time to take a break I think. I feel some collage coming on...

Comfort

Sereena - fae of the woodland

Lisa

(She reminds me of my buddy Priti Lisa - check out the pic of her dressed as Frida, although she doesn't have the white make up with animal markings!! It's on her sidebar just above the followers box - It's her birthday today too. Happy Birthday Lisa!)

Astrid

2011-11-06T10:49:00.001Z

Astrid

Just one girl book girl to show you today. The second is still WIP which is worrying. Has the flow stopped? Is it time to move onto sketching caterpillars or cars? (By the way no idea why those two subject matter possibilities popped into my head... perhaps The Muse is trying to tell me something!).

Astrid likes playing in the snow and wearing crowns the elves make her.She is my favourite so far. I found her posing in a Gudrun Sjödén catalogue. She has actually already inspired several paintings by me - something about that head gear has always appealed. She is a Winter Princess; woodland royalty.

One of the most magical places to be is ancient British woodland. In a land that is so crammed by people and our creations, there are few spots left where the fairies can live undisturbed. I am building a board on Pinterest of likely spots where they may dwell. Sometimes there's evidence of people having been by - moss-covered ruins, coppicing and carvings in the stone, but by and large the fae keep control of these kingdoms weaving spells to keep away all but those who believe...

Sharing for Sunday Sketches and Day 6 of Art Every Day Month.

Err...

2011-11-05T13:53:00.000Z

Eva

Well, it looks like I just can't stop drawing these girls on book pages... Last night I wasted a lot of time working on a bird piece that was collaged and painted and waxed and tweaked... But in the end, it just didn't tweet it for me.

Then, just as I was about to go to bed, the Muse gently nudged me back to the art table. "Go on... just one..." she urged. What could I say? When the Muse calls you listen (or she sulks for days refusing to come out to play). Then one face turned into two and the clock ticked way past my bedtime...

I love how I can get away with giving these girls messed up hair. In this sense they are very self-portrait. I have never been able to tame my fine mane. That's 'fine' as in thin and weedy, rather than a spectacle of luxurious coiffure.

Still there's plenty of other parts of me that chug along happily without being tamed. My imagination certainly enjoys being free to roam. Last night I scored a golfing hole in one in my dream. Everyone bought me a drink. It was very jolly... But later I was trying to find my way home and lost in Brighton while looking for Waterloo Station. It promised to be a long search as it's about 60 miles further north in London! Then before I knew it, suddenly I had match-side seats to watch Liverpool play some other team at football, but all the guys I was with said they'd prefer to go to the cinema... It's a strange old world that subconscious...

Samphire

(I knew it wouldn't be too long before a mermaid demanded to be included in this set!)

Day 5 of Art Every Day Month - I'm having so much fun!! It's never too late to join in.

Group therapy

2011-11-04T08:15:00.001Z

Rebecca

I am so buzzed! I've just spent two hours in the company of other artists while we created together. I enjoyed a glass of wine while I painted Rebecca here. Not everyone thought it was appropriate to be consuming alcohol - it being 9am in the morning and that... But I was OK because it was 8pm for me :)

That's the beauty of the online live art demonstration - we're all in the comfort of our own time zones and homes... Big thanks to Amy. She showed us how to paint a cat on fabric and then seal with wax. It's amazing how cat-like this piece is eh? Well, I confess I did do the cat as well, only I don't do fabric and sewing, so attempted to use a flocked piece of scrapbook paper and it didn't quite go to plan. So, as I'm addicted to faces right now (see most of this week's posts), I just couldn't resist another one - especially as everyone has been so encouraging - thank you!

You may spot a subtle difference with this piece, it being on sheet music rather than yellowing prose. It's all part of a cunning plan to multi-task. See, this fulfills the criteria for The Butterly Effect music prompt and of course Paint Party Friday AND Art Every Day Month. Phew...

She has a very wonky-shaped face, but I'm cool with that. I'm literally slinging these portraits down - I'm more interested in the shading and taking a really loose approach... Maybe tomorrow I'll try and fix her up a bit.... Maybe not.... I wonder what I'll create next?

Getting a little addicted

2011-11-03T07:33:00.001Z

Ingrid

Day 3 of Art Every Day month and Lisa is addicted. She comes to the diary room to share her thoughts with Big Brother.

"Oh Big Brother, I can't quite stop creating these faces on top of old book pages.They are so quick and easy, but most of all they are incredibly relaxing. Right now I'm too tired to write, I'm just wanted to create...

I know they're not perfect with wonky eyes and features but I'm not looking for symmetry. I'm limbering up and stretching! Ingrid had the words 'I am' on her bottom lip which seemed perfectly appropriate. Bobbi's got a mouthful ready to pour forth in song.

Maybe you'll see something different tomorrow... maybe not...."

Go to bed now Lisa... you need to be sane for tomorrow...

Bobbi

Art Every Day 2 or more accurately, still day 1

2011-11-02T09:05:00.000Z

OK, so this is going to be a slight confusion, since I actually created this yesterday evening. Thing is, I'm not going to have time later to create AND post - I'm a busy girl don't you know?

Last night was actually rather lovely. I had to do some work after my son had gone to bed, but once finished, I was bursting with creativity and inspired by my earlier work I attacked old book pages and drew faces. I wonder if it was some subliminal uprising against writing. I'd been crafting words all day... clearly I needed some escape!

However, I WILL create today... It will just have to wait until evening. It's time to start work now, so must dash...

Join in the Art Every Day of November challenge here.

A date for your creative diaries... Tomorrow the wonderful Amy is hosting a live workshop. Well, I say evening because that's what it is here. It's 2pm CST (whatever that is!). Here in the UK we have the 'proper' time - GMT (I know, it's 'mean' but what can I say... some bloke in Greenwich decided he wanted to own it and so he did! We can't knock him for taking the initiative).

Today's/yesterday's piece is oil pastels, coloured pencil and acrylics on old book page.

A new diet

2011-11-01T13:39:00.000Z

It's all about the Art...

Leah is once more hosting Art Every Day Month. I joined in for the first time last year - it's a real tonic and I unleashed so much creativity. Imagine yourself in a fancy schmancy health spa having your inner creative pampered from head to foot. Sessions with therapists will reveal how the mere act of creation - rather than the end result - is great for the psyche.

You'll find your skin changing to every colour of the rainbow - usually on fingers and hands, but let's face it, paint gets everywhere! What you feel inside will be reflected outside. You'll relax into your art, immersed in colour and texture and, best of all, you'll be surrounded by a lovely bunch of fellow artists all sharing their wonderful outputs.

Art Every Day Month is not about creating 30 masterpieces (though naturally that wouldn't be a bad outcome!). Instead, it's an opportunity to flex a few creative muscles and maybe try something new. All this will come from you - there's no training or videos to watch. It's just about you practising the art of creation every day and seeing what happens.

If you need help though, there's plenty on Leah's blog and of course there are so many art challenges around that can give a nudge - there's Inspiration Avenue for one. This week our theme is Art Nouveau. Just google away and you'll easily find that a plethora of online courses, YouTube vids, books... inspiration and guidance is everywhere. Or why not just see where your Muse takes you. Grab a pencil and a sheet of paper or some scraps of torn magazine and glue and just see what happens.

Today I was inspired by Lynne Hoppe (via a link on Amy's site - Amy's hosting a live tutorial on Thursday - check it out!!).

Mixed media on old book page. Took about 20 minutes. I'm pretty happy with how this turned out.

Ghostly haunts

2011-10-31T18:56:00.001Z

If ghosts exist, do you think they might be more inclined to haunt historical buildings? Visiting the Tower of London this weekend, with a thousand years of drama, turmoil, torture and the odd beheading or two; it certainly seemed the most likely place to spot one - especially the day before Halloween!

We heard grisly tales of the poor unfortunates who spent years locked inside its forbidding walls, with seemingly nothing better to do than carve Tudor graffitti into the soft walls that remains to this day. The Ravens regarded us with quizzical eye - these hoardes of marauding tourists gawping and staring. I think that if anyone knows where the ghosts hang out, it's these noble creatures.

So, today I was at work and, as befits someone of my stature and reputation, it seemed only right that I dress in appropriate work attire...

Joining in with Natasha May's Halloween party here.

It's hairy and it's got lots of legs...

2011-10-29T23:18:00.000+01:00

Don't you just hate that moment when your eye tells your brain that something's not quite right about the bath... that there's something standing out starkly against the white enamel that just shouldn't be there... The hairs on the back of your neck begin to stand on end, your body tenses and you prepare for fight or flight... or maybe in my case, grabbing the nearest beaker and sheet of card.

What is it with the giant house spider and the bath tub? Are they particularly clean creatures? Do they like the smell of my bubble bath and fancy a hot soak? Or... much more sinisterly... do they desire a bite on my ankle, then a quick run up my leg heading for the face? EEK! I'm scaring myself!

Despite my fear of those many legs running across my flesh, I always take the second bravest option to deal with the intruder. The first is naturally just to ignore it and celebrate the fact that it eats flies (and was used by my ancestors as a cure for Malaria and Leprosy... apparently... I read it in a book - you had to eat them!). My preferred method is to approach with trembling hand and nausea and place a cup (or bowl, depending on size of creature) over its many legs, poison-dripping fangs and hairy body; then I slice a sheet of card underneath and carry into the garden hoping a passing bird may take a fancy... This release back into the wild is always done at arms length with a bolt back through the door and deadlocks applied. Heart beating wildly I'll return, shaking and covered in a sheen of fear.

Spiders and I just don't mix. What possessed me to want to draw one is quite beyond me. I had intended to draw a pretty little birdie and was flicking through a nature book for inspiration; but then I got sidetracked by the Illustration Friday theme of 'scary' - influced by all these Halloween-themed programmes on TV - so I drifted onto ideas of zombie crows until, these hairy legs just 'spoke' to me (in a sinister spider-like fashion naturally).

I kind of like the way it is unfinished and cropped close; makes you wonder what's going on and what move it's going to make next... It's looking right at you don't you know?

Posting too for Sunday Sketches. I'm sorry if I make you shiver and shudder!

Beneath the mask

2011-10-28T11:30:00.000+01:00

We all wear masks every now and again, indeed I have a metaphorical draw full, ready to pull on should the occasion demand it. Most are cool and collected and one even has C O N F I D E N T scrawled across the forehead in brave and bold lettering. They come in very useful - though some are a little more transparent than I would like.

This lady merely wanted to hide her true identity to practise a little discreet flirting with her lover. But let's face it, that hair was always going to be a giveaway and she's wearing a dahlia from the bouquet he gave her this morning...

Still, he'll pretend to be surprised as she lowers the mask and flutters those expensive false eyelashes at him.

I'm joining the Masquerade Ball for Inspiration Avenue then running quickly over to Paint Party Friday... so many invitations... so little time...

This piece took hours this week. Layer after layer of prismacolour pencil kept me amused and relaxed every evening. It was a total pleasure.

Most Irregular...

2011-10-26T23:00:00.003+01:00

Where angels fear to tread is said to be a trait of the Aries lass and (as is the wont of star signs) I have often been able to apply it to yours truly. I don't like doing things by the book - particularly when it comes to work. That's what my clients like about me though - I do it differently. I raise eyebrows, capture attention and engage. I'm not always allowed a total free reign... sometimes I probably do go a little too far, but I'm on a mission to make corporate communications fun to read, stories to bring out and repeat round the fire on a cold night.

I've been wanting to write this post for a week or so - ever since my new boots arrived. I have a bit of thing about new boots - they just demand that kind of respect that requires an admiring blog post...A bit like these ones which I first fell in love with here.

They are from a brand I was not familiar with, but whose images of feet jewelled beauty is now etched onto my retina and Amazon wish list. They fit me rather well in more than the obvious sense! A brand after my own heart...

"Irregular Choice is known for maintaining creativity and individuality in a world of conformity. It is more than just the name of a brand. It's a state of mind, a way of being. A supply of something fresh and fun that maintains imagination and originality above all else."

One thing's for sure - I'm not afraid to tread anywhere with these fine specimens on my feet! I feel a very lasting relationship coming on and am currently lusting after these turquoise beauties... or would they be better in purple... Hmm decisions decisions... and check out the detailing on that heel... Ah.....

What I adore about these shoes is that designer Danny Sullivan is breaking all the rules. He's dressing feet like they deserve to be treated - for don't they work hard for us all day - should they not be decked in finery and made to feel a million dollars? All Irregular Choice footwear is unconventional, different from each other. Each designed shoe is a style statement in itself.

How could they have been off my radar for so long? It's a crime! Now, where's my credit card?

Overwhelm Awash Inarticulate Unworthy

2011-10-24T21:33:00.001+01:00

Close your eyes and imagine soft swathes of gossamer-thin silk floating in a warm breeze and wrapping themselves around you. Your eyes can't quite focus through the rainbow of layered colour but you're aware of thousands of butterflies and sparkling birds dancing across your field of vision. The most enchanting music is playing and you're losing yourself in a haze of texture, shape and image. You smell the sweetest fruit and drink an intoxicating draught of euphoria...

This is how I feel when I look at art. Or at least this is a tiny, inarticulate description of what goes on somewhere between my heart and soul.

When I'm taken by these moods I feel a creative calling. I want to connect with my own art; to dive into the depths of inspiration and swim between, up and through layers. I am awash with emotion, craving to make, to create; but at the same time feeling so small and unworthy. I feel carried away by a cruel current as I desperately grasp at the flotsam of ideas and hope that I might atain the lofty heights of those I so admire.

It's too easy to give up. To allow that overwhelm and lack of self belief to win. Right now, I would far rather write about how I feel than try to capture it with paint. I have no idea where to start. I want to collage, stamp, embellish, paint, draw, mould, shape...

Does anyone else ever feel like this?

***

Some time and some art research later...

Ah, apparently some other artists do (particularly those named Henry)...

"Creativity takes courage"

Henri Matisse

“I find in all the artists that I admire most a disturbing element, a distortion, giving evidence of a struggle . . . . In great art, this conflict is hidden, it is unresolved. All that is bursting with energy is disturbing - not perfect."
Henry Moore

I feel a tiny bit better now. OK, Henri et Henry. I'm listening.... I'm off to face the struggle.

Image is a screen shot of my Pinterest favourite artists board - the source of all this angst!

Progress (and more philosophy!)

2011-10-23T09:03:00.001+01:00

Not much time for sketching this week. Well, plenty of sketching out written ideas for clients, but little of the pencil variety. Instead I share with you some progress made on the wonky-eyed wench I submitted for Sunday Sketches last week.

Well, as you can see, she's no longer a sketch! She's levelled herself off a bit now too - although she teetered a bit this way and that before she settled (probably the wine)... She also kept up the philosophy chit chat which was an unusual experience. I mean, I'm used to my paintings talking to me - mostly moaning that the paintbrush is tickling them or that their clothes don't quite fit; but spouting Descartes' "I think; therefore I am" and discussing the geometrical proportions of the composition was truly something new!

While she was thinking, the wench also decided she's still far from done and still requires a certain je ne sais quoi (she's clearly been spending too much time reading French philosophers and needs to get out more!).

And so we will continue on her journey and apparent education. The aim of the exercise is to get her to turn up the other half her lip in a smile of satisfaction... We'll see!

I'm sharing with the Sunday Sketches again so see what they think of her 'improvements'.

Knock Knock

2011-10-21T21:41:00.000+01:00

Margie heard the doorbell ringing for what seemed like the 50th time that evening. She struggled to her feet, bones and muscles protesting and headed out into the hallway to laboriously undo the bolts and locks to her heavy oak front door. She didn't flinch though when greeted by a tiny Frankenstein's monster and a putrid zombie, just handed over a bag of sweets then shuffled back to the TV to watch Ian argue with Phil on Eastenders while they too were interrupted by trick or treaters. She couldn't understand the sudden interest and commercialism of Halloween. Wandering around in the dark dressed as a freak and begging for treats seemed morally wrong. Last year she'd forgotten to buy the requisite packets of candy and had to spend the following morning washing dried egg off her windows - it had got all stuck around the leading and the effort quite wore her out. Why couldn't the kids go around offering to treat old ladies instead? That would certainly be more community-spirited than feeding the coffers of retailers and dentists.

Margie chuckled to herself. She was becoming a grumpy old woman and that would never do! She'd reached her 90s without complaint and intended to stay cheerful til she met her maker. Margie felt lucky; unlike many of her friends, she was able enough to stay in the house that she and generations before her had made home - even if she needed a bit of help here and there and the poor old building was getting a bit crumbly around the edges. They suited each other just fine - a couple of dowagers growing older together. So, thanking her blessings, she resolved to inject a bit more fun into her next door-opening and treat giving.

But, it was getting late. The Eastenders' closing credits has been and gone and and as a blanket of tiredness wrapped around her, she found herself dozing off to the soft spoken Welsh lilt of the newsreader and the gentle creaking of the old house as it settled down for the night.

KNOCK KNOCK

Margie was startled from her slumber and was on her feet heading to the door before she realised it. A motley crew awaited her and she laughed out loud at the best costumes of the night - each was dressed in period garb through the ages from Elizabethan times right up to a well-heeled suffragette. They were also the oldest trick or treaters she'd ever seen with white hair reflecting back the moon. However, their eyes glinted with such a childish mischief that when they suggested Margie join them, she didn't hesitate. In fact, it felt like the most natural thing in the world to want to do!

As they floated off down the garden path together, Margie was distantly aware of a bit of a commotion going on in her front room as 'the nice lady who helps me get ready for bed' escorted ambulance crew and police in sombre fashion to her old armchair in front of the now silent television.

A ghostly tale for the Halloween Party at A Fanciful Twist. There will be many creatures of darkness running amok over there... go visit... if you dare!!

If you like my spooky stories, there's another lurking here and one more behind the cobwebs...

Looking back and looking in

2011-10-18T20:19:00.002+01:00

This week Inspiration Avenue the Etsy Group and creative challenge blog (of which I am a member) is celebrating hitting 500 followers with a little party. We have giveaways and something creative for you to join in with. Our challenge this week is to share what gives you the inspiration to create.

Now, let me tell you a story... Over two years ago I came across these creative ladies when they held another blog party on a similar theme. I shared what stirs my soul to write and paint and before I knew it had found myself with a whole heap of new friends keen to support me on my artistic journey. With their encouragement I opened my own Etsy shop, became a member of their wonderful tribe and sold some art! Without these wonderfully kind and caring folk, I doubt I would have had the confidence to keep trying new techniques, pushing myself and listening to the Muse inside me who was begging to be let out to play.

So, my Inspiration is YOU! Thank you both team mates and the wonderfully talented artists and creatives who join in every week with our challenges - your work never ceases to amaze me! I hope you don't think it's a cop out, but rather than create something new for this week, I really wanted to share again what started it all over two years ago. If I have time later in the week, I may add a few more to this list, but really want to get to that party right now... I just can't wait!

5 degrees of inspiration (originally posted 1st August 2009)

I've been invited to a wonderful party - fancy dress of course! Come dressed in your five favourite inspirations... It's not too late to join in, grab your 'drive' and journey over...

Inspiration. The word seems to brush gently as it passes your lips,

gossamer soft and strangely enticing.

Primo - My Muse

She is surely a magical thing but playful too. My secret self who will creep up on me when least expected, and don’t think she follows any rules. No way! Inspiration makes an appearance only when she wants to. It’s her terms or no terms.

Inspiration is my muse; she is what turns a dull day into a fine one; a pile of old paper into a work of art and a tiny germ of an idea into a full-blown pandemic of explosive creativity! Sometimes I just have to sit at a keyboard or in front of some art materials and she will weave her spells. Occasionally she makes me work a bit harder for her services. However, the time she pays me most visits (the little minx) is late at night when I am trying to sleep. POP goes the bubble of idea she sends me scuttling into my brain and spreading out its interesting tendrils, exploring a myriad possibilities. Will I remember by morning? Possibly not, so my muse gives me a quick nudge, turns on the bedside lamp and presents me with my beautiful floral notebook into which I diligently record her delightful suggestions.

Secondo - Artists & Creatives

The creativity of others – whether it be a beautiful ACEO on Etsy or gazing in awe in front of the great Masters. Standing in front of the Canalettos in the National Gallery in London, I once had what can only be described as a moment of self-discovery. It is almost impossible to put into words. I felt uplifted and suddenly in touch with lost emotion, with the desire to create and dig for soul treasure.

Websites like Etsy had me dreaming and drooling until suddenly I stopped thinking "if only" and instead dived in head first into a box of art supplies. I came out sticky, paint-stained, crumpled, creased, frustrated, exhilarated but above all motivated. No matter the result, it's the journey that counts. It doesn't have to rank alongside Canaletto, Rosetti or Monet. It just has to please me.

My soul is like a sponge soaked in all this inspirational juice. Everywhere I turn I'm drenched in showers of it. Thank you to all you lovely creative people.
Terzo - Italy

What magic lifts from the fragrant hills? What secrets lie behind honeyed walls and terracotta tile? What secret elixir inhabits the vino rosso? Maybe it is the incurable romantic in me, but there is something timelessly enticing about the land of Romeo and his sweetheart. Artists and writers across the centuries have been drawn in mesmerised and, growing up in such surroundings how can you fail but to become Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, Puccini or even Ferrari?

The first time I sat open-mouthed in front of the film adaptation of the E M Forster classic, A Room with a View, I was in love. I only have to catch a passing glimpse of rolling Tuscan countryside and I am reaching for paintbrush. Ah if only I could truly capture that essence.

Quarto - Feedback

Well, I admit that no one really likes criticism but if ever anything was guaranteed to goad me into action to improve anything I have created then a little niggling dig is sure to rile the Muse into action - providing of course that you see their point of view (there's always a caveat!). "I'll show them..."

But thankfully the scales of happiness do sometimes swing in our favour. How wonderful to receive praise... but is it really as good at kick-starting the Muse? Does it not put extra pressure to out-perform or at the very least equal?

And who can ever resist the pull of a little healthy competition too?

And now alas my inner critic is chastising me. How can I possibly post this without an appropriate picture? I don't have any artwork that quite epitomises the inspiring power of a few choice words. No, not excellent.

Quinto - Heston Blumenthal

Just watch and tell me you're not inspired! Anything is possible. Pure genius.

Heston is arguably one of the world's greatest chefs and undoubtedly the most imaginative.

He is a man who thrives on creativity, cut him in half (not recommended) and he'll have it written through him. It doesn't matter whether he creates culinary concoctions, advertisements, films or breeze blocks. It's about having the nerve to fire up that creativity with inspiration from the most unlikely sources; never being afraid to try something different and, possibly most important, keeping at it until you get the results you're after - it may not be exactly what you set out to do at the start, but it's giving people what they didn't know they wanted - and boy do they want it!

Thank you for the invite. I'm having fun so far, but a little lonely at the party on my own... Who will turn up next and what costumes will they be wearing?

How a wonky eye got me all philosophical

2011-10-16T09:50:00.001+01:00

Last night in the half light while watching TV, I quite liked the direction this sketch was going.

This morning however, I see wonky, mis-shapen and out-of-proportion eyes and lips, narrow sloping shoulders (her dress will fall off if she's not careful!) and she's too mournful looking. I'm not happy either! Time for the eraser!

I'm fine about starting again at this stage. It's only the preliminary sketch after all. It's when you've put the hours of effort in that makes it all the harder. I have a 'finished' painting I've had on my wall for months that I've only just noticed has out of sync features. I'm a little scared to cover up those soulful eyes... but now I see the problem I know I have to.

It's a metaphor for life of course too. Admitting to ourselves that we've taken a wrong path and despite all we've given that course, being brave enough to start afresh down a new one (or maybe just going back past that bend in the road and putting in some serious repair that goes well below surface dressing!).

What's interesting though is what we find on the other path. My marriage disintegration took me on a new romantic path (he's sleeping softly in the room next door. If I knew it wouldn't wake him, I'd nip in their and snuggle up....). When I was made redundant from a job I loved I chose to take a step along the road of self-employment and I haven't looked back.

I'm ready to start again on this sketch and have the faith that the painting I once loved is just waiting for me to take her on the next step to maturity - even now she's telling me that if I don't do it, she knows a plastic surgeon who will...

Posting for Sunday Sketches. Pop along to Blue Chair Diary and see what everyone else's pencils are teaching them!

Afraid

2011-10-15T16:08:00.000+01:00

She was afraid of letting herself go...

He was afraid she'd got entirely the wrong end of the stick when he'd given her that rose... and why was she looking at diamonds in jewellery shop windows?

He was afraid... very afraid...

A bit of fun for Inspiration Avenue's Fear challenge. I was playing with collage after seeing what Sharon Tomlinson had been up to on Katie Kendrik's course. It was supposed to be a piece of wild passion and romance, but the Muse was feeling cynical and down to earth. She decided a fear of commitment might be more grounding (and it did rather fit the theme - subliminal influencing going on there I suspect!).

It's painted over collage followed by more digital layering.

I was never really afraid of commitment when I was younger. This may have been a personality defect on my part as I ended up getting divorced. However, seeing as I got my son from this error of judgement it's not a decision I would ever have changed!

Inspired by...

2011-10-14T08:42:00.000+01:00

Klimt and Gritty Jane.

Something a little different. Weeks ago Jane des Rosier (aka Gritty) posted a challenge to get a bit of Klimt into our work. I'm taking her portraits and papers class (slowly!) so incorporated a bit of her teaching into my piece. There are some incredible works of art that she has posted on her Facebook page - I urge you to go on over and be amazed.

As you can no doubt see, this was painted over a patchwork of papers, many of which allowed their texture and pattern to show through. There are even the words A BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS at the bottom of the painting which I rather loved.

I can't decide if this is finished yet. It has been a week of unfinished projects which has left me ill-tempered. I've been going to bed early nursing a sore throat and accompanying aches and flitting from one work project to the next. I've calculated my VAT, but not paid it yet. I've bought half an outfit. I've not finished the book on storytelling in presentations I should have completed a week ago... I've half watched a webinar on writing a book and only managed to listen to one of Goddess Leonie's Summit lectures.

I shall post this to show my friends at Paint Party Friday and let them decide if it's finished or not! And in the meantime get on with finishing some stuff!

How safe are your files?

2011-10-13T14:37:00.003+01:00

I don't know about you, but I'm starting to use Cloud technology more and more to store my precious digital files with little thought over what might happen to them in future. Now, I wouldn't blame you if you started scratching your head and wondering what I'm talking about... Isn't Cloud one of those fancy techie terms us mere mortals don't need to worry about, or even just a fluffy thing in the sky? Well, actually, I'll bet a great deal more of you are using the Cloud than you realise. Anyone use Hotmail? Facebook? Flickr? YouTube?

Ha! Gotcha! Yes, the Cloud is in simple terms, just a server sitting in a data centre somewhere that stores files. While the likes of little old me only really use its vast capacity in a tiny way, there are plenty of others who dip in and out on a regular basis and take real advantage of its flexibility and cost-efficiencies. A good example might be an online retailer. They have their own servers which cover off their day-to-day needs, but on the first day of their 50% discount sale, they are going to have a huge spike in traffic. Enter the Cloud - space on a server as and when you need it.

You might be forgiven for wondering why I am suddenly posting all 'techie'. Well, you see, I do rather a lot of work for Rackspace - one of these Cloud companies... Today they released some fascinating research that they'd compiled together with Goldsmiths College and the Uni of London. You can read the full report here.

In a nutshell, one of their key findings was that for every 10 of us storing our online treasures outside of our own hard drives, only one has thought about what might happen to them when we're gone. A bit morbid perhaps, but I wouldn't want my digital inheritance lost in the clouds!

Here's a quote from the Boss:

Fabio Torlini, VP at Rackspace, says: “The cloud is becoming more and more part of our everyday work and personal life. With the large investment so many UK adults seem to be making in digital treasures, it’s imperative that people consider the associated security and legacy implications. Businesses have a great opportunity now to shape consumer understanding of cloud computing and build trust. It’s important to remember that although cloud is for everyone, it’s not for everything.”

The survey respondents had some interesting thoughts about the future too:

31% believe that all their music will be stored and/or accessed online, and they won’t own any CDs
28% believe the DVD would be a collector’s item
25% believe they will no longer print photos, just store them in the cloud
14% said they believe that they wouldn’t own any physical books, just e-books
11% believe they won’t own a TV, but would instead use their computer or similar device to access programmes
16% believe their household appliances, e.g. their fridge, will access the internet and, for instance, automatically order more essentials when they are running low

Still think the Cloud is just for techies?

How now wise owl

2011-10-09T10:38:00.000+01:00

Why are owls always supposed to be wise, even when they are not - case in point a certain WOL, trusted advisor to a bear with little brain (but more than he thinks)?

Is it because they often appear to be wearing spectacles... which as everyone knows is a clear indicator of advanced intelligence... or possibly just an ability to see clearly?

For Sunday Sketches and Inspiration Avenue's Owl theme this week I thought I would sketch an owl (we are yet to determine its wisdom though). Now, normally when I sketch something I haven't drawn since I was 6 years old, I would gather some form of reference to assist. However, I was rather too engrossed in simultaneously watching the X-Factor on TV and so decided to use stored mental reference instead.

Owls though are not a bird I have often seen in my garden (heard occasionally), but never seen. I do love looking at them at bird displays though - what magnificent creatures, such power... such wisdom behind those eyes.... Ah, now look at me. I'm answering my own question. Owls just look wise. They go about their business with calm, unruffled authority and woe betide any fool who gets in their way.

My owl however, does not look like he'd do well in a fight. He came from the smallest egg in the clutch and has always preferred to sit and share, rather than go and acquire, his wisdom. I rather like him though and he just goes to prove that we don't need a reference to draw from. Believe it or not, we all have acquired our own wisdom over the years, our store of knowledge (what owls look like, for example). We just have to trust our guts to use it!

Sweet Saturday

2011-10-08T09:19:00.001+01:00

How I still love to receive snail mail. I even dreamt about it last night. I was back in the flat of my wild twenties. 2nd floor of a converted house with lots of stairs to run down to check for post. A famous actress lived on the ground floor - though being as she was an actress famed to portraying old ladies, there was a distinct lack of wild parties with George Clooney in attendance going on!

The postman always arrives early here on a Saturday. He usually has a parcel and needs to knock on the door and wake us all up which can be something of a trial. Personally, I think he saves the packages up for the weekend so he gets to see me with wild hair in a dressing gown. The rest of the week he rolls up late morning. I wonder how much online retailing has changed the phyique of the postal worker. They sure have to carry a whole load more around than a few brown envelopes and birthday cards these days...

However, I digress. Today is Saturday! Life is sweet! Especially when you receive goodies in the mail (see, I knew there was a link in there somewhere!). These came last Saturday, but I have been a touch busy.

I was so excited to be a winner of Manonpopje's beautiful art from her latest giveaway. It's full of fun and quirky layers - just my kind of thing. Thank you Manon!

Visit more Sweet Saturdays here.

I love this interview!

2011-10-07T23:19:00.001+01:00

... Because it's with me! No, seriously, this is just a bit of fun I found at Amy's site. Amy is a positive delight and if you've never discovered her wit and wisdom then I suggest you pay a visit. She's posted this interview-yourself-technique which thoughtfully helps bloggers find something to write about. Do join in. I might sling in a few interrogations of my own. Perhaps we could all swap a question out with a new one (it's a good way of getting rid of the one you don't want to answer!).

While I'm on the subject of Amy - and giving her a bit of free PR - I should also mention her Neverending Story which will evolve, chapter by chapter, author by author, across the globe... It began this week with a somewhat folically-based tale about keeping domestic animals on your head. I shall be intrigued to see where the cast of characters (many waiting patiently for their cue in the wings... or possibly on the arms) will take my imagination when I take the pen in December.

So, without further ado... I have placed two comfortable chairs facing each other and will now flit back and forth between them while simultaneously swapping costumes to give the real authentic interview technique...

1. What is your name and stuff? and any other good information... like bank account details?

My name is Lisa, but I also answer to Mums, Mumma, Babes, Dreamer, Clever Writer, Dreamer and Super Dooper Artist! I am practising the power of positive thinking a great deal these days too...

If you want my bank account details, you should talk to some guy with an Eastern European sounding surname who 'borrowed' mine for a time. Although since he is currently being investigated by Her Majesty's Constabulary, I would suggest you approach with caution.

2. What is super hot about you? (Don't you Dare skip this one. Answer it!)

Oh dear. I've already pushed the boundaries by daring to say I'm a writer and an artist. You do ask for a lot don't you? Well, err.... today I think I'm dressing pretty hot. I've got my rock chick look on that miraculously makes me look like I've lost half a stone in weight and (I hope) knocks about 5 years off my age. Who needs a diet when clothes can work the same magic?

3. Don't lie or cheat: what is under your couch right now?

Probably a lot of dust and pet hair, a few sweet wrappers, a toy car and a cat toy. I should have kept my cash there too as it would have been safer than in the bank!

4. When was the last time you shaved your legs?

About 18 years ago... now before you all go yeuuuuuhhhhhh, I don't shave but I do epilate. For the uninitiated, an epilator plucks the hairs out. It's a bit like waxing but the pain goes on a lot longer. After a few times (or was it years?) the agony does diminish I promise!

5. What dance would you most like to learn?
Definitely Argentine Tango (though I would require a sexy Latin partner that knew exactly what he was doing).

6. If you could choose a new name, what would you name yourself?

Always. I'd keep my surname though.

[there's a joke here... think about it.....]

7. Have you ever had plastic surgery?

No. However I once had some stitches in my face after minor surgery and had to go out on my 19th birthday looking like someone has squashed a fly on my cheek. It wasn't really the look I was after...

I'll tell you who has had loads of plastic surgery though.... Barbie! (see photographic evidence above!)

8. Are you afraid of the dark?

Only when accompanies by spooky woooohhoooooooo noises or mysterious creaks and bumps.

9. Are you a hermit?

Only on Mondays

10. Why do you blog?

Because it gets me out of the house without actually having to leave it (especially on Mondays - see Q9).

So, there we go. A little bit about me that doesn't really tell you anything at all (apart from slightly reaffirm my eccentricity).

Do partake and share your results!

A pair of...

2011-10-06T21:15:00.000+01:00

I was going to title this post 'A couple of WIPs', but was a bit nervous on the kind of visitor I might be attracting. Oops I did it again!

I've missed my blog this week. Demands of work have kept me away and tired my poor little brain out. The only art I've managed is a quick charcoal outline of a figure. I have matchsticks propping open my eyelids, but I need to be here. The creative well is parched and cracked. It needs sustenance.

I've given all my words to my clients this week - there's nothing left for me.

I'll just post these paintings for Paint Party Friday then go and chill out and listen to some of Goddess Leonie's World's Biggest Summit. Both pieces have been created on top of old 'masterpieces' which I'm doing a lot of lately. I started them both over a week ago, alternating between each as the layers of paint dried. Hopefully I'll finish them over the weekend.

Before I dash off, let me just let you know (by sharing this link) about a lovely party (with presents for some lucky visitors) we are hosting over at Inspiration Avenue to celebrate our 500 followers! (I only hope they don't all turn up at once. I've only made enough vol-au-vents for 50!).

I am sorry my poor neglected blog. I promise I will fill you with wit and wisdom again soon.

Sit there for the present

2011-10-02T16:56:00.001+01:00

I loved that story in Cider with Rosie when Laurie Lee is instructed to sit at a particular desk on his first day at school. "Sit there for the present," he is told. He waits all day for the promised gift that never arrives!

Well, right now I am sitting pretty in my new home - a little present to myself.

This weekend we converted the spare bedroom/box room/junk store into my new office. No more will I be working in the kitchen and having to pack everything away every time we want to sit at the table to eat a meal. I am Queen of all I survey. As my business grows, so does the accumulation of paperwork, notes and mind-mapping exercises!

Of course, I would have loved for this to be art studio too; but space constraints meant I had to choose one or the other and so the activity that will one day fund a move to a bigger house (with room for an art studio) nabbed the space. I do have some of my art on the wall though!

I'm decidedly pleased with my present. Who knows what the imagination will conjure up in here!

Somewhat fortuitously, Sunday's Scribble theme today is 'present'. Just perfect!

Picture is a bit rubbish, but you get the idea (and the size!)

Viva Espana

2011-10-01T22:06:00.000+01:00

Well, I've been back a week already and I'm sure you're all sick of the sight of all the Madrid images I've skillfully manipulated and tweaked.... images that capture the heat and magic of the Spanish capital and fill your senses with flavour and scent.

What? You've missed them? Surely not... Has Blogger been playing up again?

OK, I confess, I have been a bit tardy. What can I say? It's not laziness I can assure. I'm just swamped with the life of the entrepreneur, and believe me that is an exciting, if hectic place to be. I seem to have come through something of an epiphany in the past few months. I have so much more belief in myself, determination and ambition. I'm growing more than I did in teenage growth spurt (I always was a bit of a late developer!).

I have much more to say on the subject, but that is for another post... I have another chapter of a business book I need to go and read right now!

But, before I shoot off, I must share that this week I am hosting the Inspiration Avenue Challenge. Naturally, my thoughts turned to Spain for our theme, seeing as I still felt that country's rays on my skin and tasted the Sangria. Unfortunately, with time not being on my side, all I managed was a background! It was supposed to have a painting of my own of a flamenco dancer, but I had to borrow a couple and have a play in PhotoShop instead. One is a painting by the talented Mai Griffin and the other a photograph from unknown source. Good old PhotoShop eh?

Below is my background - if you enlarge and save for the high res version, you are welcome to have a play and share what you come up with - just come back here and pop in a link to your creation!

Next week I might just get around to sharing some photos! Oh and did I mention that I bumped into some pop stars while I was out there.... Every teenage girl's dream to turn a corner and find yourself surrounded by The Wanted. If only it had been Take That.... ahh.....

Here's one I prepared earlier...

2011-09-29T21:49:00.001+01:00

I can't believe that a whole week has gone by so quickly. I missed my usual Friday party hangout last week owing to being a gadabout gal in Madrid (well... you know... someone has to go!). And now, here we are again looking at the backside of another week.

I am a little torn tonight. My fingers are itching to wax lyrical about all I learned today at the Be the Brand event in London, but the link up between brain and fingers has gone on strike in protest at forced labour (it just wants to sleep... or watch trashy TV).

It's taken me an age just to type this, so perhaps I'll listen to my body for once and just post up this picture for the party and then slip off. I'm not sure I even have the energy to describe it in my usual 'flowery' detail (still managing to squeeze out the dodgy puns though!). Painted this about two weeks ago, but only just getting around to posting. Enlarge - if you want to read something into the petals!

Mixed media - acrylics, collaged book pages, crackle medium - all painted over the top of an old painting I'd got bored of.

Getting in a scrape

2011-09-27T20:21:00.000+01:00

The white streak stood out starkly against the shocking red background. It looked like a heavily laden brush had swept across. It might have made a rather interesting abstract... had it not been the door of my car which I'd just scraped against a pillar in the car park...

Kat is inviting us to use what stressed us today for inspiration in our writing. I was torn between the lack of my parking skill, the two and half hour journey to work and not having opportunity to draw breath the entire day, then there was the rushing home to pick up my son from swimming only to find he hadn't gone because he'd managed to lose his kit since this morning... It was tough to just pick one!

I did try and start this post with a different flavour and see the bright side, but found myself getting a soaking in the draglines of the day. I guess I am tired, but it is so long since I've had time to blog that I can't forego the opportunity.

Of course, in the grand scheme of things, a scrape here and there is but a mere drop in the ocean of trauma. In fact, thinking about it, I feel better already! I've been rather busy this past week - I've even globe-trotted all the way to Madrid and back for a little Spanish fiesta time.

I have also managed a little paint flicking as antidote to the hectic nature of my days. Nothing much to show for it yet - just rather a lot of amazingly therapeutic backgrounds that require little concentration and much wild abandon (a bit like my parking!).

I could have posted a photograph of my nicely scraped car with ruined paintwork, but that would be too much of a gentle self torture. Instead, I thought recreating it in PhotoShop was the way to go. Can you see why I got just a tad annoyed with myself this morning?

My place

2011-09-19T14:57:00.000+01:00

I had a sudden realisation. There's a place in my house that is full of 'me'. It's the top of the drawers in my bedroom - piles of art and creativity books, boxes full of treasures, jewellery and pretty things. If I'm feeling low, I often find myself drawn there to ponder, to feel, to dream and above all to be inspired.

It's a place where I can look through the layers of life into what and who I am. A retreat.

Do you have a special space?

Artwork is made from layers of collaged paper with a graphite sketch on top, finished with an overlay in PhotoShop.

It's a relief to post something new so I don't have to keep looking at the Zombie from yesterday!

Coming to get you...

2011-09-18T09:58:00.003+01:00

Well this is a charming picture is it not? I'm hoping it doesn't prompt my recurring zombie dream tonight. Haven't had that one for a month or two, so we must be due. Last night was just a psychopath with a Hitler 'tash and werewolves chasing me - all set to a jaunty musical soundtrack written by Gary Barlow. Even in the depths of unconscious I did question myself whether this was the most appropriate musical accompaniment to that particular night-time adventure.

Amy is hosting a zombie vs unicorns party on her blog, so I thought I would join in (and multitask with a bit of Sunday Sketches). The living dead are far easier to draw than mythical horned beasts so I went team Rotting Flesh. I think we're gonna win... After all, a zombie gorged by a unicorn horn is still a zombie... it just has an additional horse-shaped accessory attached. You can't see said beast in this picture - mainly because I didn't draw it, but I can assure you it's there.

It's quite a refreshing change to draw ugly (on purpose!) too.

Did anybody watch that TV series The Walking Dead? So, I ask you, if the world was overtaken by starving flesh-eating zombies, would you set up a camp on the edge of a forest and live in a tent? No?... I thought not.

My favourite news story this year had to be when some bright spark wrote to Leicester City Council asking what plans they had in place to combat a zombie attack. When it came out that they were not prepared for such disaster, the following happened....

PS - If I don't get round all the sketchers, zombies and unicorns today, I'm on my way. Broadband keeps breaking...

Painting Autumn

2011-09-17T22:45:00.001+01:00

I was going to paint acorns, but you know what happens when you plant those little seeds don't you? Yes, that's right - the squirrels dig 'em up and eat them.

Then I thought about conkers, but I got my consonants muddled up and went for what comes before c and found myself in all sorts of mischief.

Perhaps I should just post and have done with it. It's for the Inspiration Avenue Art Challenge. But you know me. I can't just put up a picture can I? I have to put on my hiking boots and go for a ramble. Tonight though my tongue is tangled in my laces which I have to say is rather uncomfortable and that damn squirrel just nipped my ankle.

Perhaps I should just quit while I'm in the middle of the pack and can sneak out un-noticed...

Here's my entry anyway. A fae of the autumn woods who quite literally did pull herself through a hedge backwards to achieve that look.

Oops, it's no good... can't be serious.... off to bed....

What would you do with... (and a discussion on value)

2011-09-16T09:50:00.001+01:00

Now it's time to my metaphorical money where my mouth is. A couple of weeks ago I responded to IamRushmore's question about what exactly should be done with her background.

"Post it" I cried and see what we all come up with. So, last week at Paint Party Friday she did just that and here it is.

So then, of course I'm under intense pressure to come up with something good, being as it was my idea and all. As usual I forgot to scan in work in progress. However, that may be for the best as it a while for all to go to plan. In fact, at one point I gave up and went digital. But giving up is not really in my DNA, nor does it mix particularly well with my life motto - Where there's a will, there's a way. So, I called up my old friend Percy Vereance and we worked on it together. The wild wind outside may have penetrated our subconscious and influenced the girl's flowing locks.

So, I present you with a jumble of images to view on this post. I'm sure you can figure out which was which! I wonder if anyone else took up the challenge. I'm off now to look!

Postscript

When I posted my link on Paint Party Friday, my heart and soul were moved to comment by their question of the week - How do we price our art?

This is my response below - you can see I got more and more passionate about it as I went on! I'd love to know what you think too. To join the debate, follow this thread of comments.

This is a great question this week. I get upset when I see so many great artists practically giving their art away. I think we have to consider a number of aspects when we price our art.

Firstly - how long did it take? What is your hourly rate? Consider how many years of experience you have and what training you have taken. Do not under price your talent!

How much did you materials cost? A rough estimate at least!

What would you pay for it?

What would you think if it was only priced at $30. Would you think it was too cheap and therefore inferior? If you are buying a piece of original art, wouldn't you want to think it was special (ie expensive). Don't undervalue yourself.

Of course, it's all very well me writing all this, but we all know how hard it is to sell art. This is the theory, but in practice????

I just think it is unfair that so much talent is undervalued. I think we, as artists need to work together to shift a mindset. After all, we'd go out for dinner and happily pay £30 for a meal that's gone in 30 minutes. We'd pay £8 to see a movie, £40 for a skirt, £100 for a pair of boots.

WE ARE SPECIAL! Until we all stop undercharging for our work, we are never going to earn what we are worth. How on earth do we fix this??

Discuss!!

Hula Hola

2011-09-15T21:02:00.001+01:00

My hoop arrived today in the biggest parcel I've ever seen - albeit a touch on the flat side. I couldn't wait to shake my booty.

I am hooked. Having been using my son's £1 from Tesco version up to this point, I now realise I have been attempting to wiggle the equivalent of a toddler's bicycle around my grown up hips. This hoop is huge and heavy and it don't fall down. You just shake your hips and round and round it goes.

Soon I was performing my first tricks - just a few bends to start, then a little walk around. The pounds started to drop off, the hoop span faster and faster and faster. Beyonce asked me to stop because I was ruining her reputation. Then, a knock at the door and Cirque du Soleil implored me to run away and join them...

Well, you know I'm a mother. I have responsibilities and a mortgage, but in the end they asked so nicely that I offered them a 'one night only' performance which you can see on this YouTube link above. What lovely people - and they even provided extra hoops.

In all seriousness though, if I could hula like this chick below, I'll be a happy bunny

Customer service - how to and how not to

2011-09-13T20:22:00.001+01:00

My biggest client - a company called Rackspace - are absolutely passionate about customer service. In fact, if you ask what they do, they'll tell you they deliver Fanatical Support. The IT Hosting bit comes very much second. Being surrounded by all this customer love has taught me a thing or two. It has also made me a lot less tolerent of companies who forget that customers ultimately pay their wages.

A couple of recent examples. I was trying to pay for three pairs of various footwear in SportsDirect (yes, three pairs... having a small boy interested in sport is a very expensive affair!). It had been something of a drama getting this far in the store as there is never anyone around to assist in finding you the right size, but at last we'd got to the point of passing over cash. Except, we hadn't quite. The queue was about 10 deep with one till open. Don't get me wrong, they weren't short staffed. There were a couple of other girls behind the till tidying up hangers and security tags - because as we all know, that is far more important a task than serving paying customers. To cut a long story short (because this was just the start of the whole sorry affair!), I ended up practically leading a rebellion of angry customers and giving them lessons in how to create a pleasing customer experience (this from the girl who wouldn't say boo to a goose for the first 30 or so years of her life!). The only reason I didn't walk out was because my son had broken his trainers and needed them for school the next morning. I shan't be shopping there again any time this century.

Then, on Sunday, my Broadband suddenly stopped working. This in itself is annoyance enough, but your heart sinks after 10 minutes of no miraculous repair and you realise you are going to have to phone Sky Technical Support. After you've been through the maze of press 2 for this, 4 for that, 1 for the other, and 5 for will someone please just answer the ****** phone, you are then through the labotomised operative who, no matter what you tell them you already know, will insist on going through a set procedure. They will then diagnose a fault with the exchange which they don't know when will be repaired. Call back later and you'll find your ticket closed (with no repair), so you have to go through the whole procedure again.... and again.... and again..... No matter how many times you tell them you've already tried switching the router off and on, they are unable to move to the next question without an answer. The second time we called, it was a fault with our machine. The third time it had moved back to the exchange, the fourth it was clear that they just making it up as they went along, by the fifth attempt I had packed my screwdriver and was on my way down there to fix the thing myself.

At no point in either of these two examples did any member of staff take ownership, admit there was a problem and use their brains to solve it.

OK rant over. We are back on Broadband but Sky lost us as a customer - not just Broadband, but TV and phone too.

Bit of a stark contrast to the BMW dealership. I went in to buy a new key - which is probably the cheapest thing in there (but still £126!). I was also worried I had a bit of an oil leak and wondered if any of the mechanics could check it out for me. Despite the fact that I was clearly not going to be parting with £40k for a new motor, I was still greeted by a smiling lady who plied me with proper coffee from a fancy machine and cake and sorted my son out an X-Box to play with, while I waited to be served in a comfy chair with a fresh newspaper. As there was a bit of a wait (ooh, at lest 5 minutes) because I'd picked a busy time, she popped back to let me know they hadn't forgotten me and make sure I was OK.

It's just a shame they don't sell trainers or supply Broadband...

Run music draw clean create hula

2011-09-11T15:19:00.001+01:00

I wonder is it possible to multi-task to the extent that one can paint, exercise, listen to music and type a blog post simultaneously? It's what I'm trying to do right now. Inevitably I'm getting in a bit of tangle with limbs flailing in all directions. I've also just bought an adult hula hoop but, perhaps fortunately, have to wait for delivery. I realised that trying to hula with a child's hoop that cost £1 from Tesco was probably the equivalent of attempting to ride a bicycle meant for a 5-year-old. I love hula hooping. I used to be pretty good at it. Well, I could keep it going for ages and performed the odd trick. I've decided that I'll have a go at something a bit fancier that might trim a few inches off the waistline in an enjoyable fashion.

What? At 41? Well, hey why not? A friend has just taken up roller derby (although she is a lot younger than me....).

Has anyone invented a swimming pool tank that works like a treadmill? I'd quite like me one of those.

A google moment later...

Oh my.... someone has invented one! Shame it costs £8k and I don't have anywhere to put it!

This piece of art is a result of multi-tasking too - but don't worry, I wasn't jogging or cooking dinner. I like slinging down backgrounds then seeing what wants to happen next. This is another of same set I made a few weeks ago. The round stamped pattern (now barely visible) was the catalyst for a daisy middle.

For Sunday Sketches.

Strange post this. I think I've been drinking too much coffee.

Her life followed a pattern

2011-09-08T22:58:00.000+01:00

If you read my previous post you'll have noticed several things.

The first is that I love reading, the second that I was rather excited about painting over text. So thrilled in fact that I decided to do it again. They do say that there's a story behind every face after all, so I took a literal interpretation. I took a piece of patterned scrapbook paper, added some romantic novel and painted a picture.

Who is she? Well, she's a girl that follows a pattern... What kind of pattern? Does she always fall for the wrong sort of man? The kind that breaks hearts as easy as dry twigs on a forest floor? Does she give up before she ever gets started? Does she procrastinate and miss every moment? Is she afraid of living? No, it's nothing so dramatic I'm afraid. She just likes to dye her hair all the colours of the rainbow. This month it's pink, replacing August's orange. (I'm expecting October will be wicked witch green for Halloween).

Posting for Paint Party Friday & Inspiration Avenue's Pattern theme.

Mysterious goings on...

2011-09-06T21:37:00.000+01:00

Have you ever wondered what happens to the characters in a book when you close the last page? Do they actually sail off into the proverbial sunset living in a state of perpetual bliss or are they perhaps destined to just begin again at page 1?

Imagine being Cathy and Heathcliff and having to relive that nightmare existence over and over and over? How many times has poor little Oliver had to ask for more? For Scarlett tomorrow would never come and Bridget Jones... well, could her liver cope with that much wine?

Every time we read these stories our imaginations bring each character to life. We give them soul and meaning. We take their hand and lift them from words to create our own picture. We create life only to shut it away once we've drunk our fill of joy and sorrow, exhileration, passion and despair.

One day maybe they will revolt. Will Elizabeth Bennett mysteriously take real form from the words on the page dragging Darcy in her wake then dive into a copy of Dracula to add some bite to their life? I'd have to caution Miss Jones from entering Wuthering Heights. Heathcliffe is just the sort of wrong man she'd fall for! And Peter Rabbit should avoid the Fantastic Mr Fox for obvious reasons. Alice and the Hatter would be sure to have fun at Hogwarts and I'm sure that Sauron and Voldemort would have a great deal in common!

Or, once free, these characters may just prefer to hang out in the 21st Century spending time analysing our behaviour for a change - especially those who are the favoured texts of examiners. Frankenstein might be only to pleased to have a chance to explain why he is so misunderstood...

The idea for this post came from when this mysterious lady started taking shape from the pages of a romantic novel... She's for Illustration Friday's Mysterious theme. I rather like this whole train of thought. Think I'll do some more... Watch this space!

The sun will come out...

2011-09-04T17:03:00.004+01:00

Tomorrow...

Of course it will, for is not tomorrow Monday when we are back at work?

Tomorrow is of course another day. Tomorrow is hope and promise, but it's also most decidedly not to be trusted. Who has put off until tomorrow what they could have done today, only to find out that tomorrow had other plans for you?

Tomorrow has this clever way of making you feel safe. "It's OK, I'll do it tomorrow" has a touch of the Groundhog day about it, for how often has tomorrow never actually arrived - being forever the proverbial day away?

Tomorrow is in cahoots with 'too late' - partners in crime stealing your destiny and giving it to others who grab today by its hooves and ride off into the sunset of success.

Tomorrow is the Dark Side seducing you with indolence today only to blast you with regret later.

If I didn't listen to tomorrow so often I wouldn't have to worry about it so much.

What is tomorrow for you? A Sunday Scribble written today!

Beach treasure

2011-09-04T08:14:00.000+01:00

Who can resist combing the sandy shore for treasure? Not me! Though I've never quite been lucky enough to find a shell of this size to stick in my bucket.

This Summer I brought home from Greece a teeny tiny bag full of teeny tiny shells that I thought I would include in my art at some point. When the IA challenge this week was 'beach treasure' you would think that this presented the ideal opportunity... Alas, I only remembered the teeny tiny bag as I was writing the accompaniment to this shell sketch that I'd done instead! I do worry about my memory sometimes.

Far too much time lately is spent searching for the 'thing I had in my hand just a moment ago'. Do you think perhaps there's some sort of mischief sprite in the house that delights in hiding things the moment your back is turned? We certainly have a knot fairy in residence. My son just showed me what she'd been up to last night. That little scamp visits us every evening and puts knots in computer cables, necklace chains, phone chargers and anything else stringy she can get her little hands on. We've yet to catch her in the act... but beware little madam we are on your case... it's only a matter of time!

Now, what was I doing? Oh yes, writing a post about beachcombing!

Never mind. This will do.

For Sunday Sketches too.

Topsy Turvey

2011-09-01T21:45:00.002+01:00

Season of mists and fellow fruitfulness.... that'll be Summer then.

Autumn dawns with unbroken blue skies and temperatures reaching the 20s for the first time in weeks. What's occuring?

I feel a bit topsy turvy myself at the moment.

There are so many things I want to achieve right now: courses to take, assignments to finish, work to complete, adventures with my family, words to write and painting itching to see the light of day. I'm so excited. I just can't get enough. I am a growing, learning and creative wild woman! Then sometimes it all gets too much to contemplate and I just go to bed.

Goddess Leonie says that "The energy is a bit of a bucking bronco at the moment. Everything will be okay, we are just going through a shift". It certainly feels like the Universe is playing funny games with me. Is it behaving for you?

This painting attemped to capture the topsy turvey weather. Those moments of mystical light when the storm clouds gather, brooding and heavy but the sun still sneaks through a gap and illuminates almost from beneath. That was the general idea anyway and I thought sunflowers were just perfect! Posting for Paint Party Friday (on Thursday - see, told you I was all at sixes and sevens!).

Now, what shall I do next? Art or go to bed?

The Muse in disguise

2011-08-29T17:05:00.000+01:00

It's funny, I've written so many posts about my Muse over the years, yet as soon as I find a writing prompt to do so, she deserts me. I can hear her now, laughing hysterically in the background, at my foolish belief that she'd bend to my will. Fickle creature. I have a cunning plan though... I will leave this post for a while and sneak back when she is least expecting...

You see the Muse might be her own woman, but she does have a tendency to turn up while you are creating. She's nosy. Once you've got her in your thrall then she just can't help giving you a little idea or inspiring thought here and there. Suddenly from nowhere, the word feather will appear and you'll realise it's just what you needed to finish your piece.

The Muse loves mermaids. Perhaps that's where she goes when sneaks off - to swim with sirens? This mermaid wanted to go to the Reef Masked Ball. It's a sumptous affair with everyone having a whale of a time proudly displaying their coral and pearl jewels. Melissa wanted to be a little different so had a word with Freddy the Flying Fish (he's well known to be able to procure anything and he owed Melissa a favour after she got him out of trouble with the loan shark).

Melissa's mask has feathers thanks to Freddy (probably best not to ask where he got them from... although have you seen that parrot without a tail?

Shh.... the Muse is back and she's in a playful mood...

We made this together but can't quite decide if we prefer the original (immediately above) or the one with a little PhotoShopped texture (up top). Freddy says he likes the first one, but he would as he supplied the texture.

It's disguise theme at Illustration Friday this week. We're sneaking in under cover...

The child within

2011-08-28T11:02:00.000+01:00

I've made a series of postcard-size rectangles splattered with paint, pattern and stamping. I'm taking one in turn and turning them into something new based on what calls to me. This one had one red blob that just said 'rosy cheek'.

I don't often feel very grown up - but who wants to eh? I like to play. When we go to the park I'll be one of the few adults clambering up the climbing frame or discovering that swings now make me feel sick... (most annoying!).

We all know I love to play to paint of course. Sometimes the best course of action is to approach the exercise with the mind of a very young child and just have fun with the substance itself, but other times the play becomes an intense exercise with a very precise end goal in sight.

This one was somewhere in between the two!

A little piece for Sunday Sketches.

Tuscan dreaming

2011-08-27T12:31:00.000+01:00

Last time I dreamt I went to Tuscany again...

Well actually I didn't, but why let the truth get in the way of a great opening line?

I was doing a little online research this morning, gazing at image after image of sunflowers in anticipation of painting one for the IA challenge. But then I had the idea of combining the sunshine of both flower and scene for total immersion in my subject matter. I rather like it!

I'm still plotting my Tuscan holiday though...

Liberated

2011-08-27T00:14:00.002+01:00

Earlier this Summer I posted 5 (+1)* identical postcards of my art to Kat Sloma so that she could send them out across the world on adventures to meet new people. Over 170 other artists across 13 countries performed the same postal ritual.

The bags of global postal workers suddenly got heavier and hands were clapped in joy as bright colour sat atop the drear of the bills.

Now we are gathering to share the fruits of our doormats and since this was an exercise of Art Liberation, I decided that rather than just post scans of what I'd been sent, I would use them to create more art. Both sides of postcards were scanned and overlaid in PhotoShop to make more pretty pictures.

We're blog-hopping this weekend to share our haul. I'll be interested to see where my picture of Flavia is now!

I didn't have a link to respond to everyone, so let me use this opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU - especially to Kat whose hard work and dedication made it all happen.

Based on Kat's postcard

Based on Susie's postcard

Based on Hilary's postcard

Based on Lara Jones' postcard

Based on Claudia's postcard

Based on Martha Brown's postcard

* one for Kat too of course!

What? Eh?

2011-08-26T12:35:00.000+01:00

Blog posts have been a bit lean in these 'ere parts this week, I haven't even hopped around my usual online haunts much either. One of those weeks where I spent so much time glued to the PC screen in the day job that in the evenings I became allergic to computer screens and my time was better spent lying on the sofa watching TV.

So, little artistic output to report on either. Last night I was all set to create something amazing for Paint Party Friday, but inspiration failed to arrive until I came up with this piece above.

The question I pose to you today though is:

a) Was this piece the result of carefully considered study of red poppies viewed against an azure skyline while lying on my back in the garden...? Or...
b) Childish play splatting paint between the pages of my sketchbook and strategically squirting with water... Or...
c) One of those ink blot tests that require you to tell your therapist what you see and trying not to answer with the words of a lunatic?
d) None of the above?

Answers scribbled on a banana skin and tied to the foot of a homing monkey...

The good news is - IT'S FRIDAY!! And it's a BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND! (It's also raining, but we'll gloss over that part).

If you are from foreign fields and find the term 'bank holiday' bemusing, allow me to explain...

Periodically throughout the year the Bank of England pays for all citizens to go on holiday. Special coaches and trains transport the population to the Seaside where they are met by representatives from this great financial instituion and given free fish n chips served wrapped in old £50 notes and bags of shiny pennies to play in the slot machines on the pier.

If you're very lucky, you might find yourself at the same resort as the Chief Cashier whose signature appears on all bank notes. You can watch him signing piles of cash - he may even let you have a go!

There's always plenty of entertainment - the ever-popular 'Guess the number of gold bars in the vault' and 'The best note forgery competition' to name but two...

A great tradition!

PS: Yes, I am in a VERY strange mood today!

Lisa... a work in progress

2011-08-21T10:26:00.001+01:00

I often forget to record a work in progress but did actually do so with this. I was responding to the Willowing challenge - paint a portrait using only shades of black, white, flesh, titanium buff and a smidge of pink.

I began by brayering the colours onto the paper to see what emerged - just like Lisa as a kid - trying a bit of this with a blank canvas waiting to be filled.

Then I sketched out the face in charcoal before fixing it, and added some strategically-placed as well as totally random paint. A further metaphor in my own creation I believe - the way we often shape our destiny by making decisions that impact us for life.

Funny how I didn't notice until I thought I was finished that one eye was way bigger than the other - just like me, a bit wonky!

I am feeling full of reflection this morning. I dreamt again about going back to University - usually the same theme, that of not being prepared for final exams. I did OK at Uni, not brilliant, just average (I did have rather a good time though!!). What this dream really means I think is that I certainly didn't get the most from the academic experience. I should have studied Art in some shape or form. It wasn't until my late 30s that I finally discovered my passion, the element that was missing. I may never be a great artist, but creativity is in my blood.

It's interesting that it found its way out wherever it could - even when working for a financial institution or an IT conglomerate my creativity was what made my name. Words and Pictures. Words from Pictures. Pictures from Words.

I am still a work in progress, a life drawing - but hopefully with a lot more direction than 20 years ago.

Posting for Sunday Sketches and Willowing.

Ice Queen

2011-08-19T09:58:00.001+01:00

She's trapped in icy kingdom but Queen of all she surveys. The Ice Queen rules the frozen wastes of the North striking fear into her chilled subjects. She is sharp and cold, but it wasn't always like this. Trapped inside the icy exterior somewhere lies the remnants of a warm heart, broken and snapped in two. One half remains in the South with the man who foolishly broke it...

Poor Queen. She does look sad doesn't she? Like the painting though, she has many layers. I wonder what it would take to crack that icy exterior?

Back at work this week (and suffering with a cold), I haven't had much time to exercise the paintbrushes so last night felt great to create again. I'm hosting the challenge at Inspiration Avenue - an Icy theme. Is she cold enough for you?

It's Friday -- yay! That means Paint Party Friday too. I'm off over there now to browse the galleries and warm up a little!

Mixed media portrait. Layers of brayered paint, stamping, charcoal, acrylics, pencil and more stamping - I rather loved the frosty filigree that made up her dress.

Guest posting

2011-08-17T01:17:00.001+01:00

You can find me today over or should I say at The Bottom of the Ironing basket where I am helping out the lovely Simone on her beautifully dreamy blog with a guest post.

Simone is sunning herself on the beach and leaving her blog in the care of a range of lovely bloggers. I'm thrilled to be one of those and hope I do her justice. Do pop over and have a read.

A clue to the subject matter is given in the image above... Whatever you do, don't go there hungry or I won't be responsible for the consequences!

I am of course happy to help anyone else out with guest posts if they so desire - just feel free to get in touch!

Sunkissed

2011-08-14T10:33:00.001+01:00

It's funny the way the Muse pulls you sometimes. I had in mind a sunkissed maiden, but a visit to an exhibition by Chris Prout and my Mum suggesting I try more landscapes, had me thinking of playing with the sun-dappled hills of Tuscany landscape for IA's 'sunkissed' challenge this week. I searched through photographs and paintings looking for inspiration. I even made a few sketches, but nothing spoke to me. Yet I persisted. I really wanted to paint something soaked in sunshine.

In desperation, I picked up an older unfinished painting and began to introduce light - but she wasn't having any of it and became Amy Winehouse instead (you can see her at Friday's post). I splodged papers with bright colours and let them dry. Layered up some more. "A flower!" thought I. So I painted one atop of my sunshine shades in a thick, rich red, but it seemed most uncomfortable on the page so I splatted the lush colour onto a sketchbook page and resurveyed the remnants...

I slept on it... I painted a white wash over the top... then washed it off... Eventually I thought I'd just sketch a face over the top in charcoal for Sunday Sketches. Then, finally, this sun-kissed Asian Princess emerged. But she wasn't going to be happy just being a humble charcoal sketch. She wanted jewels and light, texture, fabric and richness. She asked and so she received...

Then I had to write about her. Normally the words just flow, but once again I was struggling with where to begin. Words flowed through the keyboard OK, but they just didn't reflect her creation. Then, when it was way past bedtime and the computer was asleep, I turned at last to good old paper and pen to make the magic flow.

Strange how so much effort went into one piece. I knew it (or indeed 'she') was in there. I just didn't pay attention to intuition. 'She' was calling me all week. I should have listened!

Slowly but surely

2011-08-12T10:15:00.002+01:00

In a week where I've thrown a great deal away, I'm very pleased that I kept this painting. It was abandoned in disgust a few weeks ago when, after several attempts, the face would just not form. The paper buckled under the weight of layered collage and acrylic. I grew angry and made half-hearted attempts to put things right... but we all know that never 'wins fair maiden'.

Then, despite anger dissipating, I returned at her with a knife - the art kind and did away with attempted realism to take a more abstract approach. The knife loved all the texture and layer that was already there and a different woman began to emerge, influenced in part by Amy Winehouse - wild, tragic, lost.

I like this direction. I'm not sure if it's finished - or indeed any good but I like its edgy and raw quality and it's certainly an improvement on what was there before. What do you think readers? I'm submitting her to Paint Party Friday for some critique.

Community spirit

2011-08-11T18:28:00.001+01:00

This week I was alternately ashamed and proud to be English as the riots tore through our town centres wrecking lives. Then, when I saw the communities pulling together - standing strong and saying "enough", and arriving in their hundreds with brooms and bin bags to help clear up, it got me in the gut.

It doesn't take much to pull together to achieve something special and nor does it have to be a monumental undertaking or achievement. Today my son and I went to the park. We ventured into the wooded area to see if the old 'den' was still there. Inevitably, since our last visit, someone had destroyed it. A pile of logs and sticks were all that remained.

We resolved to rebuild. A couple of little kids joined us. I taught them the rudiments of building a structure out of wood, trees and logs, with a quick lecture on health & safety on the side (I've watched a lot of Ray Mears!). My son said he'd get help and promptly rounded up every kid in the park. Before I knew it I had at least fifteen kids of all ages forming a construction crew being happily bossed about by my offspring.

One team went off for supplies and soon more building material was dragged through the trees - strong timbers for the main structure, dried brush for roofing and lots of stick for building the walls. Heavy logs formed seats. More children joined the crew. Occasionally a curious parent checked in too.

We pulled together. We organised. We rebuilt. We're made from stern stuff us Brits. Today a bunch of kids brought together by a common cause reminded me of that fact.

Image is of the actual den - a little PhotoShop round the edges helps draw the eye into the focal point. Cool eh? I don't think I'd want to spend the night there, or indeed shelter from a storm, but if you've got a healthy dose of childhood imagination it can be anything you want.

Strange goings on...

2011-08-10T18:50:00.000+01:00

I think I may have become possessed by some form of crazy decluttering sprite, for the urge to cleanse and organise is oozing from every pore. This Goddess Leonie and her tribe have cast a spell on me... Help!

Do you know that last night I actually sorted through a whole heap of CDs and DVDs - the kind you write yourself - to see what was on them. They were from the 'must sort these through one day' pile. I even found some long lost items hiding on them - including an old iTunes backup! Now, I'm sure you are thinking, "why on earth didn't you write down what was on them when you made them?". I asked myself that same question many a time. I think the same part of brain was operating as when I hid my online banking password - or worse... the time I wrote a secret code which I couldn't remember how to solve...

As we all know, getting access to one's own money online (or otherwise) can often be a tortuous affair. This particular bank required that I turn up in the branch with ID - even though over the telephone I could tell them the entire history of my bank account back to neolithic times. Still, security is important (I've been hacked twice before!). Only trouble is, they've pretty much done away with the branch and replaced it with machines that suck and spit cash. Heaven forbid that you actually might wish to talk to someone. "There's a bit of a wait" I was told... "about half an hour".... Seriously?

Then, the whole logging back in part took further precious moments of my creative time (or decluttering as it has become).... "pick a memorable word", "mother's inside leg measurement", "town of birth of your great auntie's cousin's grandmother's neighbour". It's enough to send a person doolally. I diligently recorded all of my secret answers on a scrap of paper. Now, if I could only remember where that was...

On a brighter note. Last night, I did manage to restore about 90% of my iTunes database. It took around four hours of pain and monotony, but I got there. The remaining 10% of tracks presumably couldn't remember their "first pet's date of birth" and have been banished from virtual reality.

PS: I'm sure that by now you're wondering the significance of this charming shot of The Three Degrees. Well, I typed 'decluttering' in google image search and this is what came up, so why not?