Girl with flowers in her hair

I like to stick a bit of flora in my hair when the opportunity arises. In fact, a photograph of me with pink petals in my hair is actually on a ''proper" company website - for an IT Hosting company. (I would post the actual link to the correct page but unfortunately I can't remember which one it was on. A prize for anyone who finds me!).

This post will eventually get around to plugging an exciting blog party happening next weekend, but first it requires some scene setting.

As I created this piece it began to remind me of my friend and arty collaborator Priti Lisa who, ever since I first saw this picture on her blog, I imagine to permanently walk around with flowers in her hair and channelling her inner Frida.

Priti Lisa

This week I have been excitedly planning the big reveal of the art journal collaboration/round robin that Lisa organised for a group of eight artists last year - as well as planning the beginnings of our second artistic adventure starting on March 1st.

Come along to my blog next weekend for links to all the participants showcase the work that travelled the globe and share their experience of being a part of such a project. I'm not going to say any more now... you need to visit next weekend!!

Well, for some reason this post has taken me ages to write and I need my breakfast.

Sharing with the crew at Sunday Sketches.

The roses in my girl's hair were created using a stamp made from the heart of a cabbage...

Primavera

I have to say I am absolutely chuffed at how this came out and, as is typical with my creations, it wasn't quite what I intended at the start - which is kind of me all round really!

This is actually two pieces layered digitally on top of each other.

You might need to enlarge her to see all the details. Background is made from collaged papers layered with acrylics, watercolours, alcohol ink and glimmer mist.

Girl is a mixed media piece on old book page.

I was truly inspired by Priti Lisa's post on Inspiration Avenue this week. She invited us to investigate:

The allegory of Spring

Something with a hidden meaning

Something from your soul

When I draw these girls they do truly come from the soul. There's a magic in creation. Willow is a daughter of the Spring, born under a sap moon. She brings light and life and is bursting with energy, but also spends time in quiet focus nurturing the seeds within her.

Here's the background on its own.

Ladies and ladies

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!)