Pretty dancing Columbine

It's funny how the names for these girls just pop into my head. It's almost like they whisper them to me.

The title for this post is a line from a poem I can still remember learning when I was a little girl. By Cicely Mary Barker it tells the story of the flower fairy who loved to dance in her pretty little dress.
I learnt so many of those poems off by heart!

Well, anyway, here is my entry for the second week of Summer of Colour - pinks and orange. This particular Columbine has arrived at the ball with bouquet of flowers for her beau. He will probably bring her beer - they are a thoroughly modern couple!

The child within

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.

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

It's nearly Christmas friends and excitement in this house is reaching fever pitch. Tonight we had an exciting thought. As there is snow on the ground this year, will we be able to spot reindeer footprints on the lawn outside? Last year we found magic glitter left behind, but footprints would be an extra special treat. The snow doesn't look like melting just yet so we may well be in luck!

Tomorrow we'll be making up our gingerbread house. Both walls have already required repairing - must have been a dodgy batch of plaster. Small boy wants to go carol singing too, but I'm not sure the neighbours are quite ready for that sudden burst of talent on their doorsteps. I think we'll just wait for the Christingle service on Christmas Eve.

This little lady is already well into the second verse of God rest ye Merry Gentlemen. She's wrapped up warm and singing for three special ladies who reside in locations across the globe. The Three Muses have provided us with artistic challenges all year. Thank you my friends. This prompt 'Tidings of Comfort and Joy' drew this singer from my pencils just for you. Merry Christmas Ann, Bev and Marie.

And when Illustration Friday's prompt on Christmas Eve is Winter, well... let's face it... do I have time to do a fresh sketch?

Believing

This post for Inspiration Avenue's Believe challenge is very much about the words. It was prompted by a comment left here last week by Crafty DVL where she mentions her toys coming to life.

Well, she really hit the nail on the head there didn't she? For of course, we all know that they come to life - why who wouldn't believe? They love and cherish us like every child loves a parent. I mean you've all seen Toy Story right? What more proof do you need?

I was going to draw Timmy for you. My most loyal and steadfast friend. He's had a few new faces sewn on over the years as his skin got a bit thin once or twice and he even had a hair transplant. His last trip to the cloth surgeon was a very tense time but I got to visit him in his hospital bed once or twice - just to make sure he was OK.

Unfortunately, I just couldn't do justice to Timmy's likeness. I felt it unfair to share with you a substandard rendition, so I reverted to an imaginary dolly who could shape her features under my pencil on her own. She does look like she could be related to my special friend though.

I did rush her a bit and failed to plan my composition well enough, so Molly is falling off the side of the paper. If I'd had enough room, then her legs would have been at a different angle, but at least this way you can see them - there's a lesson to you all children!

See how she is sitting so demurely against the wall; a lifeless cloth dolly... until your back is turned or you fall asleep.... Then, when, she's snuggled safely in your arms can't  you feel her hug and hear her whispering sharing secrets in your ear?

I think I might be posting this as an early Sunday Sketch - for there is much to be done around this house today (not least watching the final of Strictly Come Dancing)... My money's on Kara and Artem...

Monster Munchie

As a parent, don't you just dread the letter that comes home from school that details the outfit you are required to make for the school play - with just a week's notice too? Last year it was a donkey. I was stacked with work and in a panic... Until Tesco came to my rescue. There I was wheeling the trolley around stocking up on my veggies when there, hanging on a rack, with a very cheap price tag, was a donkey. I've never grabbed anything from that store so quick!!

Not that I mind making these things when I've got the time. I made a fantastic crocodile once for my friend who was going to a fancy dress as Crocodile Dundee (I went as Uncle Albert from Only Fools & Horses - a classy costume, I can tell you, even if the beard was a bit itchy).

Anyway, here's a little fancy dress whimsey for Illustration Friday's Prehistoric encounter and my Watercolour class homework - you know how I love to multi task.

My son has some slippers just like these; I'm surprised he can walk in them!

Impossible things before breakfast

Once upon a time there was a weary young girl who had blogged and painted her way through the entire month of November. Yet, despite such daring accomplishments, she still faced many challenges. How would she make it to the weekend in one piece? Would she wake on Saturday and find a paintbrush surgically implanted in her index finger? Would she cry paint? Would she make it to the ball on Friday or would her Fairy Godmother be rquired to make an appearance?

It turned out that someone far more formidable would grace the young lady with her presence. The Queen of Hearts herself who pointed out that it is quite feasible to do more than six impossible things before breakfast - all one needs is a little practice.

So, that dear readers, is what our weary girl did (but more by accident than intent - a true moment of serendipity!).

It turns out that indulging in the whimsical and painting Red Queens from movie adaptations links nicely to Once upon a times from Storybooks. Who would have thought it? One clearly can, and indeed should, believe impossible things!

And after that bit of nonsense, perhaps you're in the mood for a proper story? Seek and ye shall find... Travel to the Healing Woman and read a tale of reincarnation, Egyptian Goddesses and magical charms... an art and story collaboration by me and Cheryl Dolby.

Introducing an upcoming artist

Top billing today goes to a visiting artist. May I present Sky-Blue by Jessica Wright (no relation!). Jessica, a young artist aged just 8 years old, was inspired to create her after meeting 'Lily' on my blog last week. She left me such kind words that I knew Lily would find a happy home with her, so she slipped herself in an envelope and headed off to the South West.

A few days later and Sky-Blue landed on my doorstep. Isn't she lovely - just look at those adorable details from the paintbrushes in her pocket to the orange and red Argyle socks.

So, thank you Jessica. You cannot know how chuffed I am that my drawing inspired you so!

Well, it wouldn't be Sunday without a post for Sunday Sketches (well, actually it would, but let's not get in the way of artistic licence!). Here we have The Snow Queen, a coloured pencil sketch I did over a wintry magazine scene with a touch of acrylic and some sparkling powder added here and there.

Not many have seen the The Snow Queen for she hides in the dwindling ancient forests and only shows herself to the true believers. Sometimes I think I see her but then I realise she's just a pattern in the birch bark or shadows in the snow. She guards the trees as they winter, then sprinkles her magic on the earth in the New Year that sprouts and renews come Spring.

A bit more whimsey

Lily was a happy little girl, even though she was the only girl in her class with pink hair.

I don't quite know what it is with me, but I always struggle to give my girls - whimsy or stylised - a 'normal' hair colour. Perhaps I harbour a secret desire for magenta locks myself? I know I'd love long thick tresses. I even dreamt last night that I was discussing hair extensions with Cheryl Cole while visiting in her modest semi-detached. Been having the strangest dreams lately...

I've been playing with whimseys today for my Sunday Sketch, Art Every Day and Tam's class (nothing like a bit of multi-tasking I say!). They really are rather fun, if a little harder to get right than they look! This little girl looks so innocent and sweet, but notice how she has her hands behind her back... What do you think she is hiding?

Might do some more later, but really should think about getting dressed and having some breakfast first!

I found it!

The Sketchbook for the same-named project. I confess that I've had it for months and managed one drawing before promptly losing (and forgetting about) it in a cavernous mess of tangled art supplies.

Trouble is, I still don't quite know what I'm going to put inside. I lay in bed pondering my 'Story' theme last night. The thing is though that wrapped up in a duvet and darkness is not the best method for drawing (pun intended) sketchbook ideas from my brain. What I need is a large sheet of paper, a sturdy pen and then some serious mind mapping. I love this technique - just letting the ideas pour forth and spread tentacles across the paper.

Whatever I decide on, I think it might involve this little character. What do you think? I quite fancy playing with whimsey for a while and seeing what adventures we might have.

This poppet is destined for a fun piece based on Tam's lessons and for Inspiration Avenue's Happiness challenge - should be finished by tomorrow and as it's Happy Friday, seems a good day to post!

Day 4 of Art Every Day Month

Postscript
I just had to add this link to a wonderful post that really hit the spot this evening. If you've ever been nervous of painting on canvas, then be afraid no more. Have a read! It's from Victoria at Enchanting the Invisible - a delightfully magic space and entices you in with sparkling prose and pictures.

Spent

Weighed down with sweet treats she returned home spent. She may be tired and a little unravelled but is feeling decidely pleased with the night's haul!

A bit of fun for Halloween. Tomorrow my son gets his first foray into the world of trick or treating aka collecting a large quantity of teeth-rotting substance. Given that the tooth fairy has had to pay us two visits this week already, I think I may have to put some form of rationining into motion on our return. He is fully prepared with pumpkin bucket and terrifying mask.

I'm thought I might go in disguise too (so the neighbours don't know who it is out begging!).

Interesting to see just how much has been 'spent' on Halloween in the UK this year in comparison to 'ye olden days'. Check out that link to a BBC news item. Spending in the UK has increased 23-fold since 2001!

I've been learning 'whimsey' from Tam at Willowing this week so thought I would use the new skill to spooky effect for Illustration Friday 'spent' and Sunday Sketches.